From our Family to Yours...

We hope your Christmas is merry and bright...

...and you have a Happy New Year!

Arrr Halloween Adventures...

So it's only December and I'm a little overdue on a blog post. Things are more busy than ever right now and I just happened to have a little time to update. I will pick up our crazy life with our Halloween fun this year. Arrr Matey...Blake was a cute little pirate and Tyler was a scuba diver. The whole family actually got in the spirit and dressed up. We were quite the crew around our new neighborhood. I'm sure people think we're crazy, but that's alright. We had so much fun!

All geared up and ready to go! Tyler was so funny when he was trick-or-treating. He would tell the people, "I'm not really a scuba diver. This is just a costume." It was so funny!

Our little pirate enjoyed Halloween. He got a nasty scratch on his face right before going out (you will see below), so he looked like an authentic pirate for sure.

The family...good looking, huh? Now Andy knows what I will look like in 50 years. Yikes!

Mema, the tattooed devil lady and Bepa, the safari guide.

Here is a happy boy after a fun night on the block. You can see his cut on his face in this picture. However, that didn't stop him from having fun and eating candy!

Another happy boy and his pumpkin. We had a terrific time!

Mr. and Mrs. Brett Foreman...

Congratulations to my girl Casey and her hubby Brett! Over Labor day weekend we traveled to South Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada line to celebrate the marriage of two wonderful people. Casey and I met in college at CSU, Chico and have remained amazing friends since then. Casey is the godmother of Tyler and she means the world to me. I loved seeing her so happy with Brett at their wedding. I was honored to be the Matron of Honor (that sounds so old) and I survived my speech in front of nearly 100 people. We had a blast and were also able to have some quality family time with Barb and Steve as well. (Thank you Barb and Steve for making the trip out to be with us and watch the boys. We had a blast and they did, too! xoxo)

Woo Hoo...mini vacation!

The ceremony was beautiful. Overlooking Lake Tahoe at sunset.

First kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Foreman!

Andy and I looking spiffy...

The view from the beautiful venue...

Ahhh...First dance...

My girl and I...

The Chico crew! It was a blast to get together with everyone after so many years.

The sign says it all. Thanks for a wonderful weekend and we love you both. We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Finally, Blake is Holy...OMG!

On August 6, Blake was baptized at our Catholic Church. It was so great because we finally had the Lafflam family together once again. It had been since February 2010 and it was much needed. We also were in desperate need of a new family photo (that will be another post) because we have a new family member, Blake, and also because in February 2010 I was very pregnant and looked like a cow in the last family photo. Uncle Matt and Aunt Ally were the godparents for the big day and they did a fantastic job. We also had Andy's cousin, Lisa, come up for the big day. We truly felt blessed!

Before the baptism we snapped some family pics.

The Godparents!

So during the baptism, we had to stand the whole time. This isn't really a big deal, but just hard when you have to hold a 26 pound baby who wiggles in your arms the whole 45 minutes. We tried distracting him with all kinds of things. Binkies, camera lens caps...

Bepa taking the pictures...

...and don't forget the cell phone distraction. Blake was texting to God throughout the baptism as well..."OMG, this is so fun."

Whoa, where did this water come from? I was doing just fine up until that point!

Maybe a candle can take his attention away from the cell phone. Maybe not.

Deacon Don did a great job with the baptism.

Our little family with our holy kiddos! Holy moly, that was a lot of work!

Our Escape to Yellowstone...

This year's trip was fun filled with family, fly fishing, and a bunch of "firsts" for the kids. We headed up to the family house in West Yellowstone for a week of relaxation in July. I must say that Barb and Steve were fantastic hosts again and we got our well needed rest and family time we had been looking forward to. Blake learned how to walk and Tyler learned how to fish. Which is more important? Well, it depends on who you ask. My luck at fly fishing increased this year as well. Last year it took me 3 days to catch just one little fish. This year, on day one, I caught 2 fish and day two I caught 6 fish (more than Andy even though he said, "I didn't know we were competing."). We also saw some animals...3 moose, Andy saw a bear, lots of elk, and of course buffalo. Here are some pics from this year's trip.

T Man learning how to fish.

Relaxing with Daddy on the dock.

Fishing on the Firehole River. I am told this is a world famous fishing spot. Here is my first fish of the trip. It was very exciting. In the background (you probably cannot see it) there are 2 elk and an elk calf just by the river.

Day 2 I brought in 6 trout! Woo hoo!

The anglers! We sure are dressed the part...

Tyler and Bepa waiting for a big fish.

We rode bikes through the neighborhood, too. Tyler is doing really well on his bike.

We visited Old Faithful. Blake was fascinated by the water shooting in the air.

The family...

Mema and Bepa with the kids.

The kiddos...too stinking cute!

We picnicked in the park and Tyler played in the dirt with some of his new friends.

He was very busy digging.

Heading down to enjoy the scenery.

Checking out the beautiful river in Yellowstone. We just love it here!

It Must be the Mountain Air...

Well while in Montana visiting Andy's parents, Barb and Steve, Blake started walking at just over 13 1/2 months old. He really hasn't had much interest in it until just recently. We were kind of hoping that it would happen there because that is also where Tyler learned how to walk when he was 14 1/2 months old. He is still a little wobbly but so darn cute moving along at his own pace then falling down every so often. Here are videos of both boys learning to walk in West Yellowstone, Montana.

First up is Tyler in June 2009...

Next is Blake in July 2011...

Maybe it is that great mountain air!

Just Bust a Move...

When we are not out gallivanting at McDonald's Playplaces, swimming in the pool, or swinging, sliding, or running around at parks around town, you may find us at home having a dance party. It's Tyler's new favorite thing to do at home. Watch as he busts his moves...whatever they are. Maybe I am corrupting my child with a little too much "So You Think You Can Dance."

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

Aquabats "Playdoh" (This one's for you Auntie Casey)

"Stone Cold Crazy"

Buzz Blakeyear...

Well, the time had come to get rid of those cute baby curls and have his first summer buzz cut from Daddy. So out came the clippers and away went Daddy. Blake really didn't mind the noise from the clippers and now he looks just like Tyler and Daddy with their summer cuts.

All done and looking mighty cute!

There's a Sticker in "Hear"...

More ear drama in the Lafflam house. At Tyler's 3 year check up, the doc found a sticker lodged in Tyler's ear. He must have just stuck it in there who knows when! Well that was in April and just recently I had looked in his ear to see if it was making its way out and there it was! With some tweezers and some praying that T would stay still I got the sticker out. All along we thought that this was a little sticker with a yellow flower. Come to find out, the sticker was folded, had five flowers on it, and was a little bigger than a DIME!!! Yikes! How did he get that so far in there? Boys...I will never know, but I am sure we will have more adventures like this in the future.

T with his sticker! Oh boy!

Blake Gets Tubes...

Since Blake's fall in February, we have been getting his hearing tested. He has always failed his hearing tests in his left ear and more recently failed on both sides. So, the doctor said it was time to get tubes. The loss of hearing is due to fluid in his ears and the accident just brought it to our attention sooner rather than later on when he wasn't talking and having speech delays. I guess everything happens for a reason. So here are some pictures of him before going into surgery. He got to wear this cute tiger hospital gown. He did an awesome job with the procedure and the anesthesia. He is starting to make more sounds so we hope the tubes are working.

Happy as usual!

Monster "Bash"...

Our little man, Blake, turned ONE on Saturday and we celebrated his birthday with family that evening. Mema and Bepa came into town for the festivities. We had a picnic dinner in the front yard with neighbors followed by presents and cake on the big day. Today, we had a great monster themed party with a monster sub, monster mash (ambrosia), and a great group of our friends. We had a fun time celebrating that our baby is now a real number, "1", and growing up so fast! We love you Blake...Happy Birthday!

Time for presents with Mema and Bepa on Blake's birthday...

Loving the cupcake!

He loved the sugary cupcake since it was the first one he had ever eaten. I'm sure he was thinking, "This is so much better than that pureed stuff Mom gives me!"

Peeking at Daddy while opening presents at his party. So cute!

Happy 1st Birthday Blake...Monster cake

Make a wish!

Yea! I am ONE!

So, where's my cake?

Happy boy making a big mess...

This is Blake after being wiped down once. He had so much fun with the frosting! So, when do I get to turn 2?