Tyger

Grumpy baby boy

Ty outside the "shoe" at OSU
( I miss Ohio)

So just to keep this blog as a journal for my kids someday I want to write down things they do to make me laugh -- so bare with me on some of my posts.

So, Ty has a great teacher Miss Chelsea. He spends three days a week at the Nazarene Church daycare, and loves, loves, loves, Miss Chelsea.

Also, several months ago Ty asked me "what's married mean" He was curious about what it meant and why people got married anyway. I told him Zach and I got married so we could have him and Bryton to make us happy. He thought that was a good answer. Months later, he asked me if I would have a baby so he could have another sister. I told him no because I only bought 2 seeds so that's all we get. (Ty thinks you buy baby seeds at the store, the mommy swallows them and the baby grows in her tummy -- which I don't care what all the expert books say about lying to your kids -- I like him believing, for now, in that story it saves me from a lot of other questions he may have) Well, anyway I told him when he grows up and gets married he can buy as many seeds as he wants and have that many babies. He then said that he was going to marry Miss Chelsea and they would buy 5 seeds.

Well, Bryton also goes to that daycare and the teachers love her. So, Miss Chelsea (who was the one who told me this story) teases Ty that she's going to take Bryton home with her. One day, when she asked Ty if she could have Bryton, Ty said "No, because my mom would be sad, but when I grow up and we get married we can have our own Bryton." :-) Then last weekend Ty and I went Christmas shopping for a family, and on the way home I was explaining to Ty why we were helping a family at Christmas was to help these kids have presents so they can be happy. He thought that was nice and I asked him what he can do to make people happy -- he said he was going to marry Miss Chelsea because that would make her happy. (which I thought was sweet -- I wish Zach still talked to me that way :-) ) However, with this much talk about marrying her, I don't know if Miss Chelsea thinks it's funny or a bit freaky!! Tyger you are so tender-hearted and we love you "all the days and all the nights."

Mom and Ty camping

I'm Thankful for . . .

The things I'm most thankful for... Bryton and Ty... and I guess Zach since I couldn't get these two without him :-)

Cute, cute, cute ...

Handsome Boy

Zach's Element

Zach is a workaholic as we all know, but one thing he will take time off for is fishing. Beginning of October he went to Henry's to fish, then beginning of Novemeber a wild life biologist who studies the steelhead runs took Zach and his dad up to Riggins for a weekend. Here are a couple of his trophies!

Fish at Henry's -- not the best shot but he was taking the picture himself.

Josh went with him and this is one of his.

Steelhead

Second Steelhead

All of the above (or below)

So, I finally got Ty's bedroom done. It took my Mom and Dad coming over to help me paint to actually put the whole process into action. Thanks a ton Papa Red and Nanny, Ty and I love it. (Zach, we know you think it's pretty sweet, too!! Yes, we actually had to spend a tiny bit of money to get it done so we know you won't admit it, but that's okay, Scrooge!)

My Favorite Buckeye Fans

Ty's Room

The sticker above the door is the one that says "I bleed Scarlet and Gray"


Fathead Sticker

As we're all aware, Bryton is Miss Independent. Well, lately she's gotten what's coming to her for it. The gouge on her forehead and the scrape up the side of her face is from two separate accidents plus, she has a big bruise on her left ear you can't see in this picture from a third!

All I can say is Gross!! But Bryn I'm sure it looks good to you.

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch this year. It was fun, they both loved it! Plus, it wore them out so bedtime that night was easy.

Zach, Ty and Bree on the hayride going out to get pumpkins
Picking the perfect pumpkin (Ty actually picked a green one, but he wanted it to be a "huge one" & that's what he found)
The cow-train ride. Bryton really wanted to go -- so the driver/owner of the farm said I could go with her, that way she could go without falling out. Remember Tommy Boy when Chris Farley puts on David Spades coat? "Fat guy in a little coat!" That's how I felt in the barrel :-) Bryton threw a fit when it was over and she had to get out. I love Ty's expression in the pictures (above and below) he was sssoooo excited.

Where do you get a camel for a farm in the middle of Idaho??

So, next up was Halloween, and if anyone was wondering, yes Ty actually dressed up (sort of) and went trick-or-treating. It took some manipulation on my part, however. Halloween morning Ty's daycare had a "Harvest Party." So even though I was home that day the teachers asked if he would come. Well, for the party they had a sports theme so when Ty woke up I just dressed him in his Ohio State stuff (he also had a baseball hat on) without saying anything about it being a costume. Then, I painted cute shapes on Bryton's face just so Ty would want me to paint on his. I told him since he was wearing Buckeye stuff we could write Go Bucks. He thought that would be okay. After his party I just left him in his "outfit" the rest of the day. I thought I was home free at that point. We went to Kim's so all the cousins could go trick-or-treating together, but when it came time to leave, Ty didn't want to go. He just wanted to stay at Kim's and help her pass out candy. Somehow, after some pleading from Kim and I, he did go. I stayed and passed out candy for a bit, but caught up to Zach and the kids near the end of their trek, and Ty told me "Mom, are you so happy I'm brave. I love Halloween, but I think I want to be a baseball player for all the Halloweens." So, along the way someone must have told Ty he was a baseball player -- 'cuz I sure didn't. Hopefully, next year won't be so much drama!!

Trying to get them both up and going. Good grief!!

Bryton

All the cousins getting ready to go out.

the weekend update

So this weekend was fun. Friday, Zach and I went to dinner with a new orthodontist in town (who I've met once before) and his wife. I was nervous meeting her -- but it turns out she was awesome and so much fun!! Plus, it was nice to just be out with Zach, without kids, having only adults to talk to.

Saturday, Ty woke up and wanted to decorate (det-tour-ate) sugar cookies. So, I called my long lost friend from high school (who found me through the crazy world of blogging) , Jamie, and had her and her daughter come over to decorate. It was good to catch up. We haven't seen each other for about 7 years and it turns out we don't even live too far from each other now. Anyway, I got my camera out to take pictures of the fun, but forgot to use it once Jamie and I got talking. I did grab some of Bryton before they got to our place. (Of course she has to decorate all by herself.) The mess is crazy - but the kids love it. I usually only do these types of cookies for Halloween, Valentines, and Easter just because of the mess.

Loading the Frosting

Frosting the Ghost Cookie

Figuring out it's faster and easier to just eat the frosting off the knife

And here comes the sugar rush

A quick mention to Saturday night :-( We went to the Bulls Head (a pub/restuarant where all buckeye fans in the treasure valley meet to watch the games) with Erik, Melissa and our kids to watch the Penn St/OSU game. It was fun to hang out with our Buckeye Buddies along with about 30 other total stranger that are immediately your best friend (that school spirit is sure strong among the Bucks)! Fun 'til the end. Yep, we lost!! Come on Tressel, seriously!!

Then Sunday we ran over to Zach's parents to help them stack wood. We had to bribe Ty to help -- but as usual Bryton was ready to try things beyond her ability.

Ty's cousin loading him up

So tough

Getting bored so having to improvise to keep him working

Bryton had to use my glove -- since she saw me using it - to carry her wood

A little too ambitious don't ya think Bree??

Almost done!

One last post (I know this is forever long), and I have to give some background first. Both of my pregnancies I had horrible heartburn. Especially towards the end. So, I bought the huge bottles of TUMS from Sam's Club, and of course went through like three of them each pregnancy. At the end of my pregnancy with Bryton, I was eating them often. Ty thought they looked good and wanted some everytime I ate them. So, I told him (& and had to keep reminding him) he couldn't have any because they were medicine for mommies with babies in their tummies. Then, I would follow that statement up with a usual complaint like " I just want this baby out of me!!!" or " when is this baby coming!!" So the other day I had Ty and his cousin Lexi in Winco with me and we walked down the aisle with the Tums in it, and I heard Ty turn to Lexi and say "This is the medicine mommies take when they want a baby to get out of their tummies!!!" It's funny how kids interpret things and how they pick up on stuff!!! I had to giggle. I love you Tyger, all the days!

Lt to Rt, Lexi Grace Ty Abbie Marc

Independent Bree & Halloween

As Bryton is getting bigger and we start to see more of her personality, all I can say is I'm in over my head with this one. She is the most independent kid. She has to feed herself, she only gives loves on her time, expects Ty-ger to always share with her, and never shares with him -- in fact she takes his stuff away from him and throws fits if he tries to get it back. She doesn't want to sit in a high chair -- or booster - it has to be in an adult chair, wants you to read her books on command -- but don't touch the book - she has to hold it and turn the pages. On the playground she has to climb the stairs herself - sit down on the slide herself - and go down all by herself. The list could go on, she wears me out!!! Also if you notice her face in these pictures of her with me or Ty she always has the "I'm in charge look on her face, and you two aren't any fun." Then look at her face in the picture of her and her Daddy (who totally gives into her) that pretty much sums her up.

So, I can see I'm going to have issues with her. Ty has his own issues and the one I'm dealing with lately is really dumb. Most kids as super excited for Halloween, the candy and dressing up. Ty isn't. He's afraid. I've tried everything. Showed him costumes in the store (ones that aren't scary), put Bryton in her costume almost daily so he can see his little sister can do it, decorated our house to get him excited (of which I hate to do because orange and black are by far the ugliest colors together), but he refuses to dress up as anything. Last year he refused as well - but I was sure this year he would be excited especially after being with his cousins last year and seeing them dress up. Nope, every time I ask him what he wants to be for Halloween he YELLS "I told you Mom, I want to be a nothing," or " I want to be zero." I've even tried bribing him with things he wants if he'll just dress up, and he still refuses. So if anyone has a better idea on how to get my 4 year old to quit being a baby I'm up for suggestions.

DIET PEPSI & Unca' Gosh

So, Zach and I are seriously considering buying our own Pop machine like they have at Chevrons for our office. That would be heaven for me. However we might run into an addiction problem with our baby girl. She LOVES pop -- especially Diet Pepsi just like her mom. She will find a cup- a mug- a can- whatever and drink it 'til it's gone or Zach or I take it from her. I've actually had to start filling cups like these with water or milk, then I can have the good stuff without her bothering me for some and she thinks she's getting pop . For now it's working - but we'll see how long it takes her to figure it out.

Also - a couple weekends ago we went to Art in the Park. It was neat. We saw some really fun and unique things. We had a caricature sketch done of the kids, ate some good treats, and met unca' Gosh (as Ty calls him) there for some fun. No Mom that's not really his hair (he's taking good care of himself - don't freak) but I think it would really win over the ladies, or I bet it would go over great in the courtroom as he's prosecutes the defendant that has the same do :-) I think it looks attorney-ish.

BUCKEYE FOOTBALL

USC tomorrow. I'm so excited for football season to be here. I was looking back at zach's fourth year pics. We had awesome seats and so much fun at the games. This is at the MiCHiGaN game, just as the dude is dotting the i. Ty loved when TBDBITL would come around during the game and play at each section. We have Carmen OHIO and the fight song downloaded to our computer and Ty still listens to the all the time.
Zach and I at the Shoe before the Buckeyes took the field at OSU VS. U of M. I LOVE watching football and I have to say this was probably one of the best games. Intense the whole time. The entitre day was so fun. From seeing Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN's College GameDay to tailgaiting to just feeling the excitement in the air. I CAN'T wait for the "real" games to start. GO BUCKS!! I wish we were still in OHIO just for this.

Here you go ERIN!!

So Erin asked me forever ago to get a blog going, but between moving from OHIO getting a job and opening our own office it has taken me 'til now to get on it. (Thanks Melissa for showing me how to do this computer junk!!)

. . . to catch up. My kids are getting so big. Ty is as imaginative and creative as ever and Bryton is getting feistier every day. I guess being littler means you have to learn to fight back at an early age. She is finally walking. Thanks goodness. It is cute to see them interact together. Their first fight was in a Costco shopping cart. Ty thought Bryton had too much room, so he was trying to push her over. Bryton didn't think she wanted to move so she started yelling at him and hitting. I was laughing so hard I couldn't discipline and just had to turn away 'til I could get it together enough to make them stop.

Things have gotten a lot better. I have to admit this last year has been so hectic I didn't think I'd survive. I now only work 3 days a week at a community health center and then get to stay home the rest of the time. Zach works 6 days a week. 5 at our office and 1 at an assisting school. It's not too bad -- at least I can go shopping (without him knowing) whenever I want. However, he still finds the hoards of candy I try to stash. (and yes I still get lectured) As Zach has gotten busier at the office I've had to step it up and start helping there, but not as another DDS. Nope as the low "lady" on the totem pole. I get to be the cleaning lady. He is adding another chair and needs to hire another assistant but we haven't found one we're super excited about. So for now I clean the office on Thursday's with the kids there "helping".

Our summer was jam-packed full of stuff. Bryn and Luke came home for a month and a half and had a party lined up every day they were here. These pics are some of the summer fun.


Camping at the Ranch with Zach Family. It's near new Plymouth and Papa marc has made a little campfire area and sleeping area to camp. It's a lot of fun.

(Above) Camping at Bear Lake (Ty, Zach, Luke) We went with Judd's family, Bryn and Luke, and my parents. It was a blast. Thanks Judd and Becky. I'll have to post some pictures of us when we get them from Judd. The other photo is Bryton's idea of camping & always happy as long as she's eatin' . (BELOW) Also Mr. Sportsman and T-wacky (yes he's there just tucked away) having a blast at the lake.

Swimming on the Payette River up at Horshebend. Zach bought us a canoe and that's our new favorite thing to do. Bryton bree loves the water. She's funny, she always wants to get in the water so she'll try to get out over the side and she, being the chunky monkey she is, can actually make the boat rock -- which then makes our 'fraiddy cat Ty cry. Second pic is the same trip, just at the put in spot.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone. We went with Papa Red, Luke, and Bryn. It was so fun, and we saw this Buffalo right next to the road. Crazy people were running towards it trying to get pictures.

Bryton's first ride on a carousel. She loved it. She loves animals. She's not really talking yet, but she knows a lot of her animal sounds!!

Ty -- not really helping the situation!! This was again another camping/canoe trip up to magic reservoir near Fairfield. A bunch of drunks were passed out up the canyon and their music was blarring 'til 6 am the next morning. To say the least we were a little irrate.

Ty learning to be a Dr. just like Binnie

We had season passes to the waterpark this summer and with Zach working all the time it was a life saver. Ty got to be so much more brave. Especially on days he would go with his cousins. He loved to do whatever Abby and Lexi would do -- even if it meant going under the water. Thank goodness for brave little girls.