The perfect rainy day

Tyler and I had a wonderful rainy day today. We made a big pancake breakfast as a family before Chad headed off to work. After breakfast Tyler and I curled up on the couch to watch one of Ty's favorite movies "The bee movie". He doesn't normally sit all the way through the movie but he woke up earlier than usual so he was getting a little sleepy. After the movie was over we went upstairs to play in his playroom. We kept busy with games of ball and playing with the mr. potato head. As it was getting close to lunch time we headed downstairs to get out the play-doh. We had so much fun making shapes and animals. He is taking a good nap now (always better on a rainy day). When daddy gets home we are off to a christmas show filled with music, shopping, food, and of course Santa. I get so excited for christmas time.

"Hoween"

Tyler's first Halloween that he was able to enjoy candy and trick or treat with friends was a blast. Chad headed home at around 2:30 that Friday and we video taped Tyler getting his monkey costume on. He still didn't know what to make of this Halloween we kept talking about, but he did know it was "Hoween" and he was going to be a "montey". We set out for a cute little historical downtown area where all the outdoor shops have employees dressed up and handing out candy. We met friends down there who were waiting while they listened to stories being read outside the library. Tyler and his buddy Canon rode in a wagon as Caroline and Clarie walked beside. Tyler wasn't sure what to make of it as we kept stopping to say "trick or treat". However, he quickly was interested in what was being dropped into his pumpkin basket. Soon it was too much for him to take and he had to look at all the candy. We didn't make it very far before we had to begin breaking out the "pops" (lollipops). He and Canon quickly became a sticky mixture of lollipop juice and costume fuzz. After we collected all our candy we went over the fire station where they all were able to climb on the fire trucks and meet the firefighters. We ended our night going over to eat dinner with our friends letting the kids all run out their sugar rushes. We have adoreable pictures that soon will be posted. It was such a fun night, Tyler still talks about "Hoween" and all the candy.

Tyler the wild man

Tyler's favorite things these days are buses (school buses are the the best), motorcycles, football, and bikes. We are beginning the look for Tyler's first bike. He has become mommy's big helper. He loves to help me vacuum, feed Bailey, put clothes in the dryer, etc. He has become quite the little independent boy. He is also quite the little dancer, he and mommy love to dance around the house. It makes it much more fun when Bailey gets excited and chases us. We took our first trip to the pumpkin patch where Tyler got to feed the animals, take a hay ride, play on tractors, and pick out his own pumpkin. We are getting very excited about halloween. Tyler will tell you that halloween is coming and he is going to be a monkey. Chad and I can't wait, aside from the huge sugar rush we can only imagine how much fun Tyler will have. We will have lots of pictures to share. I think that potty training is around the corner for us. Tyler tells us when he has gone in his diaper. This could be fun! Tyler has a new cousin, born two weeks ago. We leave tomorrow to travel up and see Warner for the first time.

Ty, Bailey and I leave for Fl again

Nana and Papa were needing some Tyler time so Tyler, Bailey, and I all flew to Fl last weekend. We had a whole week planned filled with sea world, the zoo, the beach, swimming, etc. On Monday morning we loaded up the car heading to the beach. As I was putting a bag of snacks in the back seat Tyler all the sudden threw up everywhere. We called off the trip to the beach but still just thinking Tyler may have eaten something that didn't agree with him. We were wrong, he continued to throw up 7 more times that day. On Tuesday he was doing better but still weak so we took it easy that day. By Tuesday night the rest of my family had gotten the bug. My mom and I spent Wednesday taking care of the family. On Thursday we went ahead with our sea world plans and had a blast. Tyler LOVED feeding the dolphins, he still talks about them every day. He clapped his hands and danced around at the Shamu show. We have some great pictures of him watching Shamu as he swam by in the water. It was a long day and he and his cousin Brayden were worn out but they had so much fun. On Friday morning we made it to the beach and had breakfast. Tyler and Brayden played on the playground and ran out into the water. It was a beautiful day and the water was perfect. We got the kids home to take a long nap while my niece, sister, and I went out to get halloween costumes for them to wear to Zoo Boo that night. The zoo in Fl has Halloween activities for kids 12 and under. Brayden and Tyler went as firefighters, they were too cute! We went on hay rides, we went into the petting zoo, they got a chance to take their costumes off and play in the water. They were exhausted after our night. On Saturday morning we went up the local fire house, Nana found out they were having an open house. Tyler was amazed with the big fire trucks, and loved the sirens. Papa got Tyler and Brayden a wooden fire truck, Tyler is really into playing with his trucks and cars now. He even makes the motor sounds to go with it. After the fire house we went on to my nephew's house where my neice, Annie, was making brunch for everyone. After we ate the kids went out to play with the dogs and Sassy the horse. Tyler got his first horse ride. He enjoyed riding Sassy but LOVED to feed her apples. We then left from my nephew's house and headed straight to the airport. We were able to fit almost everything we had planned into three days. The whole family was ready for some sleep after that week.

Annual camping trip

On September 19th we headed out for our annual camping trip, although this year it was with our friends here in NC. This was the first group camping trip for them and for some, their first camping trip ever. It couldn't have turned out any better. The kids all had a blast. The weather was perfect. This was Tyler's second camping experience, although he wasn't able to have as much fun last year. This year he ran around playing with all the other kids. He had so much fun just being dirty and eating a bunch of junk. I guess that's what camping is all about. On Saturday morning all the men took a hike with ALL the kids, they came back worn out and ready for naps (the kids were tired too). Everyone had so much fun we are attempting to try another camping trip before the end of the year.

18 months old today

We can not believe that Tyler is 18 months old today. I planned to take Tyler out to the park and play for a while in the morning. I was getting ready and changed to leave and Tyler was reading books in his bed when all the sudden he came walking into my bedroom. We knew the day was coming that he would be climbing out of his crib, he just decided that 18 months was the cut off for a crib. After our morning of play it was time for his nap. I was waiting to hear the sound of little feet running throughout his room but it never happened. He decided he would lie still and take a nap. Tonight should be interesting to see if he will settle and sleep or if we will spend the night trying to keep him in bed. He is way too big these days. His favorite time of the day lately has become when daddy gets home. I just sit and laugh as they both go running through the house, complete with barking Bailey on their heels. They are the typical daddy and son silly, loud and just being boys.

Traveling all over

On Tuesday August 26th Tyler and I began our many days of travel. We set out for Georgia to pick up my dear friend Lisa, the bride to be. Our intentions were to set out for Ky incredibly early Wednesday morning. However, with a full energy Tyler and slow moving, in need of coffee girls we didn't get the start we wanted. Once we did get on the road Tyler did very well. He watched his movies, slept and kept us entertained with his excited squeals at all the trucks and buses that went by. Once we got to Ky we were able to eat and attend worship with my nephew Paul and his girlfriend along with my good friend Linsay. After worship Tyler and I were on the road once again, only 30 minutes this time, to a very anxious set of grandparents. Judging by the timely manner that the door was opened and Granny and Granddad emerged from the house I can only imagine how long they were standing at the door waiting for us. Tyler enjoyed a couple of days of tractor time, helping Granny pick veggies from the garden, and helping to feed the horse. On Friday Tyler and I were off about 1 1/2 hours north to pick up daddy from the airport and to stay with Aunt Sherry and Uncle Rod. They own and live in a beautiful home with a amazing cafe, in which our cousin owns and runs, and a tea shop that our Aunt Sherry owns on the first floor. We were so exicted for a full weekend of time with family and me attending brial events. Our plans were crushed when Saturday evening Chad came down with a high fever and feeling terrible. By Sunday after worship I had also begun to feel a little queasy. Aunt Sherry and Uncle Rod happily took over care of Tyler and had the best time with him. Tyler did a lot of entertaining over the weekend to the cousins and aunts and uncles in town. Chad and I continued to remain sick, however with Uncle Rod (the doctor in the family until Steven graduates) prescribed advise and medicine for us. The wedding was Monday morning and I was able to get up the isle and kept focus to stand through the ceremony and not get sick. Chad said that Tyler was very vocal when mommy walked down the isle and also called Aunt Lisa's name a few times when she appeared. Sadly after we were announced into the reception Chad, Tyler and I had to exuse ourselves. It was terrible that we were so sick and were unable to stay and enjoy ourselves. What was even worse is that Tyler was to be going to spend a week with Granny and Granddad and mommy and daddy were taking a week vacation alone. Chad and I attempted to keep on our vacation schedule but some things were changed and or cancelled. We enjoyed time together but of course the week wasn't exactly what was expected. Granny and Granddad brought Tyler home on Friday and he came home telling us lots of stories of the tractor, the barn, Granddad's motorcycle, the horse, and the cows. They had so much fun with him taking him to the park, showing him off to friends and family, and just spending every moment with him. He now even tells strangers that we encounter while out in stores about the barn and the tractor. Now nana and papa are waiting for their turn for Tyler to go spend some time with them. Tyler is very lucky to have such different places to visit when going to see grandparents. He enjoys the horses and tractors when we are with Chad's parents and then also is able to enjoy the beach and swimming when we visit my parents.