Reunion...

I had such a great time getting together with everyone while visiting in So Cal. I was able to meet up with some very important people...

These are some of the first graders from my first class that I ever taught. They are going into high school in the fall. I cannot even believe it! From left: Kyle, Chelsea, me, Hannah, and Avery. Wow, I feel old now.

These are some of the wonderful teachers that I taught with at Valencia. I miss them so much and had a blast catching up with them all.

Amy and her son Cannon were around too. We met in high school and hadn't seen each other in years.

A New Friend...

Tyler made a good friend while visiting Grammie and Grandpa Larry in Orange County. Lily is their foster child and she and Tyler were about the same size. They played so well together and had so much fun! They had fun playing house, reading with Grandpa Larry, and eating together. Good times...

In the playhouse...

Eating breakfast...

Reading with Grandpa Larry...

Fun times in Dana Point...

My dad and step-mom, Mary Ann, live in Dana Point so of course we had to go and make a visit to their house and head to the beach. We went on down to "Baby Beach" and had a fun time walking through the water and splashing around.

Mary Ann and Tyler...

walking into the water.

Tyler loved this so much he didn't want to leave the water. We will have to come back again next year and enjoy the beaches in sunny So. Cal again!

Great Grandmas...

We headed out as a family to California where Andy and I used to live to visit some friends and family. One main reason for our visit was so Tyler could visit with his Great Grandparents. We had so much fun capturing video and pictures of them enjoying time with Tyler and loving him.

Tyler with his Great Grandma (Andy's Grandma).

(To hear the sound, pause the music at the bottom of the page before watching.)

Tyler with his other Great Grandma (Oma), Uncle Richard (middle), and Grandpa (my dad), Fred (right).

Malibu...

While in California, we took Tyler to his Daddy's old stomping grounds...Malibu. This is where Andy grew up going to the beach. We enjoyed the scenic views from the cliffs and the gorgeous beach below. The day was beautiful and Tyler enjoyed his first day at the beach.

Bye Bye Malibu...

The Farm...

For one of our summer play dates, we went to Lee Martinez Farm. Tyler had a great time looking at all of the animals and had no problems walking up to see them. He even got to feed the goats! As we were walking, Tyler was able to learn about all of the animals we have been showing him in books and he was so excited. For the first half of the tour around the farm, Tyler held hands with my friend Jenny's daughter, Kaylee. It was just too cute.

Tyler's First Date at the Farm...

Petting the goats...Tyler kept calling them dogs because they have dog like faces and long ears like our beagles.

Checking out the horses was Tyler's favorite part.

He was even saying "duck" when he saw the ducks!

Watching the messy pigs...

and some fat sheep...

He even petted the cow...

That sure was fun!

Maybe some day he will have a farm of his own!

On the Move...

At 14 1/2 months, Tyler started walking. He was taking a few steps (5-6) when the family was out for the baptism but when we went to West Yellowstone to visit with Andy's parents he really took off. Now all he wants to do is walk. Enough of this crawling stuff...

Rafting...

While visiting Barb and Steve in Yellowstone, we took a detour into Idaho and rented a raft for the day so we could float down Henry's Fork of the Snake River (I hope I got that right). It took us about 3 hours to travel about 4-5 miles down the river. We even stopped to picnic in the middle of the trip. Tyler loved looking at the birds and plants along the way. He even tried to help out with the rowing.

Waiting to go on our "3 hour tour"...

The captains of the ship...

All afloat...

Checking out the scenery...

Helping to row with Grandma and Grandpa...

A Week of Wonders...

Last week we took off to West Yellowstone to visit Andy's parents, Barb and Steve. Tyler flew on his fourth plane ride and visited his seventh state so far (not too shabby for a 1 year old). We visited Yellowstone National Park and explored the natural wonders there, learned how to fly fish, played games, napped, relaxed, and just plain had a great time. While we were there, Tyler really took to walking and became very good at it, too. We had one of the best vacations ever!

Out fly fishing... A big thank you to our fishing guide!

The geysers at sunset...

Close up with a MOOSE!

Elk in the river...

Beautiful hot springs...

Somewhere over the rainbow...

Such beauty...

A river in Idaho that had the biggest trout we have ever seen...

Old Faithful Geyser...

The fam watching old faithful...

Tyler was so interested, too!

Like father, like son...

Tyler is a little tuckered out (I love this shot)...

Grandpa taking Tyler out for his first casting lesson...

Thank you Barb and Steve! See you in another month for Yellowstone Round 2...