Snow Days...

Last week we had nearly 20 inches of snow. Due to the snow, my school district let us have 2 days off! Tyler and I got to be together on Wednesday and we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa who arrived into town just in time. Thursday was Andy's day off so we all got to play in the snow together. We even went out to breakfast. I love the snow and especially love the days off work to enjoy then!

Tyler loved watching and waving at Andy while he was shoveling...

Lily loved playing and running in the snow...

This is our garden area and back yard. Thank goodness we saved all the veggies!

Out to breakfast and Tyler got to pick out his very own pumpkin...

Tyler and Daddy enjoying the SNOW DAY!

"Punky" Patch...

This weekend we went to the Bartel's Farm Pumpkin Patch. I love Colorado Pumpkin Patches. You actually go to where the pumpkins were grown and pick them right off the vines. When I grew up, the pumpkin patches were in parking lots with hay on the ground and pumpkins lined up in neat rows. I am so glad that Tyler can experience a real pumpkin farm here in Colorado! We had so much fun exploring and looking for just the right "punky" as Tyler was calling them.

On the farm...

Hanging out in the pull cart...

So many choices!

We ended up with a lot of great pumpkins...

and a really good helper!

Tyler visited the ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, and ostriches...

We had a great day at the pumpkin farm!

Chatter Box...

Well, it looks as though we have "modeled" this behavior. Tyler is a perfect mimic of us on the phone. He has managed to use his imagination to create a make believe cell phone from a part off of one of his toys. In these videos, he is having a conversation with his Daddy. He is so silly! (Please excuse the messy room...it goes from clean to messy in a matter of seconds these days. At least it is contained to this room only.)

Be sure to turn off the volume of the music at the bottom of the page before viewing the videos.

He's Finally 18...

18 months old that is! One and a half...I never really talked about age in months let alone half years, but now as a parent I find myself doing this constantly (at least I am not counting in weeks anymore). I cannot believe how fast time has flown by and I find myself loving this age more that any other so far! Tyler is developing his personality, speech, and ability to cause trouble. He is talking up a storm and is so interested in communication. He knows his animal sounds and loves to have mom or dad read books to him. As always, he is as happy as can be (except when he gets new teeth in-he has 10 now). His fascinations include anything with wheels...trucks, cars, bikes, tractors, motorcycles, and firetrucks. He has even perfected the siren! Tyler is eating with a spoon and a fork and is still a vegetarian for the most part, except he doesn't like veggies. We look forward to what the next 18 months have in store for us!

Getting ready for winter!

New Slippers...

Tyler loves Elmo. I don't know what it is about him that kids just love, but they do. While shopping one day at Target, Tyler saw these slippers and just started cracking up. So, I had to get them for him. He love to wear them and play with them around the house. It is too cute!

Opa's Life Celebration...

Andy, Tyler, and I had a great time at the Life Celebration of my grandfather, Opa. The family got together after not seeing each other in years! Why is it that funerals and weddings bring people together? Anyhow, we had a blast and remembered my Opa by watching slide shows of old pictures and listening to his music from the band, The Silver Strings. We love you Opa!

The boys and their mom...(left to right: Uncle Herb, Uncle Richard, Oma, and Fred, my Dad)

The cousins and Uncle Herb and Aunt Suzanne...

Uncle Herb with Tyler...Thanks for hosting Uncle Herb!

Tyler bonding with Cali, the dog...

Oma, me, and Tyler...

Opa, Benny, Papa...You will be remembered and loved forever!

Time at Grandma and Opa's House...

Tyler had so much fun hanging out in Dana Point visiting Grandma MaryAnn and Opa, my dad Fred, when we were back there for my Opa's life celebration. We went down to the harbor and found ourselves almost held captive by all the pirates that were gathered there for the pirate festival. He even had a chance to sit in a real fire truck! Romping around in the back yard was a blast as well. We took a drive up the coast and back and enjoyed the beautiful coastline that we miss seeing. We sure kept ourselves busy in Orange County.

Reading the safety procedures on the airplane...agian.

Dana Point Fire Department fire truck...

What a big guy!

Aye Matey...Pirates!

Some time with Mommy...

Such a happy kid sitting in the big chair...

Posing for a picture...

Cruising in Laguna Beach...my old stomping grounds...

Dana Point harbor on a cloudy day...