2008 Top Ten

Happy New Year's eve...I thought I would put out our top ten 2008 list on here for tonight!!!!

1. We headed to PA in April for Tyler to spend his first birthday with his great-grandfather on Chad’s side who shares the same birthday. It was fun to see the whole family and try to get all the kids to sit still long enough for ONE good picture. (Yah right….)

2. While enjoying our vacation in PA, our house sitter called to inform us that our basement had flooded. Yep….3 inches of water sat in the basement. Turns out the sump pump had backed up due to a snow/rain combination that overloaded the pump. This was one of those situations that tested the extent of our sanity.

3. To further test that sanity, we decided to re-do the basement. Tracy was so overwhelmed with the demolition she could barely stand to head down there. Good thing a couple of Chad’s buddies are in construction cause the majority of May, June, and July saw them downstairs framing, dry walling, mudding, etc. Needless to say it looks FANTASTIC now!!! YEAH!!!

4. In the middle of summer, Tracy decided to put her technology skills to work in a new career field….executive IT recruiting!! She LOVES her new job and has the benefit of working from home (in the newly remodeled basement of course!!!)

5. In August, we welcomed Tyler’s new nephew Eli in Chicago. Tyler and Tracy flew down there to meet the little guy. Thankfully the plane was rather empty on the way down so Tyler had a whole row to himself!! Nothing like an active toddler to push everyone’s limits!!!!

6. We headed out to Aspen to visit Grandma & Grandpa for 2 weeks. Tyler decided he did NOT like putting his feet in the hot tub, he DID enjoy wearing his cool sunglasses while we hiked/took walks, and making a mess in their house was FUN cause it drove Grandma nuts!!!

7. Halloween this year was fun since it was Tyler’s first time trick or treating. (Ok maybe it was a lot more fun for us than him.) He didn’t mind dressing up in his skunk costumer but the actual trick or treating part he did NOT enjoy. Good thing we just hit a few neighbors’ houses and then called it quits…we were teetering on the line of a MELT DOWN.

8. Tracy’s side of the family spent Thanksgiving together this year. Tyler’s great-grandma even flew in from Pueblo, CO. She got to spend the weekend with both her great-grandsons which I think was a treat for her. Plus she got to see Tyler ride his bouncy horse she bought him….he was cautious at first but then rode like a crazy man.

9. Our Christmas trip to PA to see Chad’s side of the family was fun. Tyler got to experience his first four wheeler ride, sledding in the snow, and refusing to sleep in the pack n play – thus creating tired & sometimes cranky parents!!!! Once again getting all the kids to sit still for pictures was impossible.

10. And last but not least, Chad reminded me to let everyone know that Tyler has turned into a daddy’s boy. He follows him around everywhere and now wants daddy to do help him with everything. I call Chad “Favorite” and of course, use this to my advantage. “Oh Favorite, Tyler wants you to change his poopy diaper!!!!!”

Happy Holidays and May 2009 be Wonderful for Everyone!!!!

What happens to kids that grow up with dogs...

We were afraid that Tyler would grow up thinking he was a dog....how could you not living in this household. His first animal noise was panting like a dog and Nanny said his first word to her was "woof". Zoe always gets free kisses and hugs and he spends a lot of time sitting with the dogs on their beds. I took this picture before Christmas....please notice our kid is sitting IN the dog crate with Tess. He was closing himself and her in there repeatedly and only stopped long enough to let me snap the picture.

Yeah Purple!!

It sure wasn't pretty but at least the Vikes finally made it into the playoffs this year!! Nothing like leaving it to the final seconds of the game....aaarrrggghhhh. Here's our little Vikings fan...although Chad would prefer to see him in Steelers black & yellow. Ty doesn't discriminate though and will throw his arms in the air and yell touchdown for any team he sees on TV.

And as I write this we are watching Northwestern in the Alamo bowl....and they are winning!!! Go Cats!!! Of course Chad refuses to pay attention to the game...barely acknowledging that NU even has a team since "his team" plays in the Rose Bowl this year. :)

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was a success once again. We hosted my side of the family and even Grandma flew in to see her great-grandsons. Of course this created a perfect photo opportunity...until I tripped over the tripod trying to avoid stepping on Ty's toys. Good thing the carpet is SOFT!!!! We did manage to get at least one decent picture though!!! Chad, of course, cooked an excellent meal and Craig begged me to say something that would shock grandma. I behaved, much to his chagrin!! :)

The Band-Aid

So since I just started this blog, I will sometimes be flashing back to tell stories about earlier times and this one just HAD to be told. This is Tyler's first band-aid. He had broken the dog dish and cut his pinkie finger on a piece. After washing it out, I applied the band-aid (scooby-doo pictures on it and all) and ALL H*E*L*L broke loose. I had no idea he was going to be SO upset over a band-aid. He kept trying to pull it off, chew it off, anything he could try all the while screaming bloody murder. We even put a Shrek band-aid on Daddy's finger to show Tyler that "big boys" wear them but nothing worked. After 20 minutes of a MAJOR meltdown he finally chewed the thing off.

Sad "See you later"

Grandma and Grandpa leave first thing tomorrow morning....this is what I assume the household will look like....

Tyler FINALLY slept through the night again last night. YEAH!!!! I hope the holiday hangover is almost over!! He had a blast again today playing in Aunt Larissa's tent/tunnel gift. And to think Mommy told Auntie it might not be a good gift....good thing she ignored me!!!!

Flashback

We headed to PA for Collin's bday before Xmas. Tyler experienced his first snow sledding, four wheeler ride, and scrapple.... I think Collin had a good time as well although he has already experienced all those good things. Just wanted to post a picture of the good times!!!

Christmas Hangover

So I think I am starting to get this blog template thing...much better than all purple. Anyway, today was a Christmas hangover. Tyler was crabby all day and all I can hope for is for him to sleep all night tonight to "catch up" (and to let us catch up on sleep as well). Even "Favorite" (aka Daddy) couldn't get him to mellow out. We played with gifts today...ate leftovers...and overall recovered. Its amazing how much time and effort goes into preparing for xmas and within an instant its over. Grandma & Grandpa are planning on heading home on Sunday so tomorrow we will hang out with them and get in some last minute bonding. In the meantime, I have loaded the xmas pics onto my laptop and LOVE this one!!!!

Merry Christmas

Our first blog...I feel very girly with the purple coloring of the template....not sure if we will stay with this but it works for now...