Tyler's 4th Birthday

Tyler is 4!!! I can't believe how fast he is growing up and becoming such a little man. This year Tyler decided he wanted to have a Spider Man party and thanks to Uncle Chad we were able to have it at Kangaroo Zoo! We love you Tyler and are so blessed to have you in our family. Happy Birthday T-Bone!

Tyler and his Spider Man cake.

Grandma Sharon made Tyler his own U of U pillowcase.
This was very difficult for her to even touch it
since it wasn't BYU. We are the black sheep.

Tyler was thrilled to get the monster truck he wanted.
"Thank you Gracie!"

Gracie, Faith, Austin, Brody and Tyler

Yeah! A BIG Lightening McQueen car.

Thanks Riley, Cole & Megan

Group picture of all the kids at the party.

Tyler coming down the BIG slide.

Tyler, Luke, Riley & Adam

Even Grandma Sharon got in on the fun.

I think this was the best part of the party!

Austin, Faith & Gracie being goofy.

Andrew, Riley & Luke.

The Animal Has Been Caged

I know this seems a little cruel, but it was absolutely necessary and has been the greatest thing ever. Nathan started climbing out of his crib at 16 months. At first it worked to give him a little spank on the bum and put him back, but that only lasted for so long. This has now been going on for more than 4 months and he is just not ready for a bed. Plus he and Tyler share a room. So every night at bed time Tyler will come running out "He climbed out of his bed again." This has been happening 6-7 times each night before he goes to sleep. Then the REALLY bad night happened on Sunday. He literally climbed out of bed (after going to sleep) 20 times. The first time I found him half way down the stairs in the dark, crying. It continued to happen over and over. I think I slept about 2 hours that night. Even when he would fall asleep I just sat there waiting and listening for the next time he got out. I was really nervous he was going to hurt himself. So Monday morning I was on a mission to find a way to keep this kid in his bed. The Crib Tent was heaven sent. Now the whole family is back to getting a good nights sleep.

Halloween 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This year Gracie chose to be a witch.

But it had to be a "pretty" witch.

We tried to talk Tyler in to being something else this year,

but he still insisted on being a "Home Depot Guy" again this year.

Dad's keeping the Nascar spirit alive.

THE MONKEY MAN

The kids insisted that Nathan be a monkey, it IS his nickname

and all. Thanks to Riley for saving it for us to borrow.

Tyler and all his preschool class.

Reagan and Gracie at school. The Pretty Witches.


Cameron, Lizzie, Rubee & Gracie

They had their first performance for the AF Children's Choir.

It was freezing that night but they all did a great job despite

the chattering teeth.

Tyler, Dad and Nathan trying to stay warm at the concert.

Family Halloween party at the Livingston's.

All the cousins in costume.

The boys, getting ready for pumpkin carving.


Gracie & Faith carving together.


Gracie loves pulling out the seeds so we can roast them afterwards.

She also enjoys the slimy process.

Austin & Brody hard at work.

New Pictures of the Kids

The kids finally had new pictures taken this year. It was Nathan's nap time so he struggled a little more than the other two, but I was pleased the photographer was able to get one really good picture of him. It was a little harder getting a good one of all three together but there was one that turned out pretty well. Thanks to Mel Howlett, she did a great job!

Gracie - Age 6

Tyler - Age 3 (almost 4)

Nathan - 18 Months

This And That...

Tyler went on his very first preschool field trip. They went to the fire station and boy did he think it was great! It's been over a month and he is still telling people about it. Not to mention that every time we drive by the fire station he has to point out that was where he had his field trip and check to see if the fire truck is out. And right now that is a lot, since he has Itty Bitty Football twice a week across the street.

Tyler sitting inside the truck.

Tyler was able to take a special picture with

the firefighters since he was in the bathroom for

the class picture on the fire engine.

Nathan got to join in as well.

Gracie finally lost her first tooth back at the beginning of September. She has been waiting for this day for quite some time. All of her friends had lost teeth and she was patiently awaiting her visit from the tooth fairy. Little did the tooth fairy know that she was going to go broke in one week. Gracie lost her second tooth only six days later. I was surprised to see how much the price of a tooth has gone up since I was six years old. She received $3 and a special note from the tooth fairy. The money is long gone but the note has been taped to the wall and each time the tooth fairy visits she is required to leave additional correspondence.

Tyler's birthday isn't for a few more weeks but he really wanted a bike for his birthday. We figured that if we didn't give it to him early he might have a heck of a time peddling through snow. He still can't manage to peddle his triked too well (the peddles are out too far in front) but man can he get around on that bike. I have to admit, I was a little worried he wasn't going to be able to peddle it either.

Back in August Gracie had been dying to take off her training wheels so finally one Saturday I took her out for a spin. She did great!!! It only took about 10 minutes to get her to balance on her own. She had some great support and cheering from older, non-training wheel neighbors to get her on her way. She tipped over once or twice but it wasn't until last week that she had her first real fall. She was getting all fancy with tricks and standing up. We've been fortunate with some pretty good weather the last few weeks so we have spent a lot of time riding bikes. I think Tyler asks me 4-5 times a day if we can go ride bikes. I'm kind of looking forward to some cold weather so I can stay in the house and get something done.

Tyler and his new Spiderman bike.

Look! No more training wheels!

Nathan's got his bike too. Well, not anymore.

Dad ran over it on Saturday and broke off a wheel.

Nathan thinks he's hysterical when he wears

Gracie's helmet. Look Dad, it's pink!

Kevin & Tyler at Itty Bitty Football.

Marty hopes he's his ticket to the NFL.

Here they go chasing Tyler. The only problem is

he refuses to wear the flags so they just keep going.

First Day of School

Yesterday was Tyler's first day of preschool!!! He was a little nervous about me leaving him but he did great and had a blast with his friends. Gracie started school 3 weeks earlier which made it very difficult for him having her gone all day long and not being able to go to his school. As for me, this was a great day! I now have two days a week where I can go to the store with only ONE child, yeah!!!

Tyler getting ready to go into Miss Mikki's.

Gracie, waiting for the bus.

Now in first grade, she gets to go all day long.

Her new teacher is Mrs. Stone.

Lizzy and Gracie waiting together for the bus.

Caleb, Riley, Adam, Luke & Tyler.

Of the 12 kids in Tyler's preschool class, 9 are in our neighborhood.

Tyler and his Spiderman balloon.

I told him that if he was good for Miss Mikki

and didn't cry, that I would bring him back a treat.

Well, guess what he asked for.... a balloon.

Shocking, I know.

Gracie getting off the bus after her first full day of school!