Tyler's Redemption

There were many reasons for us to be excited about the 4th of July this year. Aaron was taking a few days off so we could leave Wednesday to hang out with friends and go a few places that we love. Which was a blast, BUT the real reason we could not wait for the 4th is because in Malad they have races for each age group. Last year Tyler failed us with his second place finish in the crawl race. It was then that Aaron and I realized just how competitive we really are. The father of the kid that won cheated even, but there was no whistle blown. This is all we got: just disgraceful

But we decided to keep him until he could redeem himself next time. So I know this is such a stupid trivial thing to expect but that didn't stop us. We even talked about getting out the stopwatch. To our surprise, we never did.

The time of the big race came. Tyler delivered the greatest 6 second performance of his life. We couldn't have been happier! He won a silver dollar and of course popsicles.


Now the final decision. Do we start a shadow box? - naturally leaving the first spot empty as a reminder. Or do we turn it into a Christmas ornament to sparkle on our tree every year?

Boys will be boys

So yesterday when I went to get Tyler out of bed I noticed a nice size booger on his wall. Now for whatever reason, do ALL boys have the same genetic instinct to wipe them on walls? I remember my disgusting brothers doing it and Aaron admitted when he was little he used to fling them from his bed onto a wall. (He'll probably want me to erase that part so you're lucky if you had a chance to read it :) Tyler isn't much of a nose picker - yet, so I'm sure it was some kind of lucky aim when he sneezed but still. Yuck.
That's one more reason a girl would be nice to have next. Or is that not promising either??

Obsessed!

So the past month or so Tyler has become obsessed with the alphabet. And baths - he begs for one all the time and when he does take one it last at least a half hour. Anyway, most of his toys have some sort of ABC's and he has always just pointed, waiting for me to tell him which letter it is. Trying to talk more and more these days he's decided that his favorite game is to tell ME what letters he finds. It's amazing how fast they can catch on to stuff!

so not the best video but of course they never perform as well when you want them too

It's a given that when the whole family is finally together, there will be a family picture.

Lorenzo, Zack, me, Dallin, Morgan
Jessica, Kent, Andrea

VAcation!

May was a big month for my family back home. My dad was taking his R&R from Iraq to come home for 2 weeks and my little brother Lorenzo had just finished his 2 year mission in Paraguay. My mom had a great idea in renting a beach house in NC for a week and for the first time in a loooong while my parents and all 8 of us siblings were able to get together. Add 2 spouses and 4 1/2 kids,(thats for you, Tara) and its a never-ending party, right? The weather wasn't as consistently sunny as we had hoped but we had plenty of other fun just hanging out, shopping, playing rockband and lots of poker late at night. I'm thinking it will have to be a new annual tradition!

Better late than never?? - can i use this title for EVERY post?

So now that Easter has long been gone, I'm finally finding the time to post a few pics. Tyler got a new shirt to wear and we all went to church ---we were even early!! but only because... Aaron and I both had to give a talk. But better that Sunday than others since it was full of primary programs and musical numbers. After church we gave Tyler his easter basket and all he cared about was the Cadbury eggs - seriously must be my child. I always buy a ton thinking I can stock up and still have some by June but lets be honest, I dont think they ever last 2 weeks.

**so not that I think my 18 month old should be able to master badminton*, but I had to find something that looked like a tennis racket for him to "play" with while we play

*and who knew badminton had an 'n'??


this was at dinner later - I love it!