Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone!
Tyler had a great time searching for eggs in the backyard. I knew he'd do great because when we go play outside he always brings me rocks that he finds on the grass. So today he caught on very quickly when he found lots of "colorful rocks" lining the fence and spread across the lawn. We showed him the basket and it was like a game for him to throw the eggs in the basket and drag the basket around the yard. Every once in awhile he'd stop to laugh or pull all the eggs out of the basket and put them back in again. It was pretty fun to watch. Then we showed him that there were treats inside (goldfish crackers, yogos, teddy grahams, marshmallows...) and he'd smile even bigger. What a fun day. It's been so fun to create our own family traditions and for Tyler to be old enough to actually enjoy them.

After the hunt, Jeff and I wanted to get some good pictures of him next to his basket. He was a little distracted by the crackers and candy at his fingertips and he just kept snacking. All of a sudden, he just fell over! Just totally tipped over backward- it was hilarious...Too much fun!

Today I feel especially thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel so blessed to know the truths of the gospel and understand what Easter is all about. I am so thankful for Christ and the atoning sacrifice He made so that we have the gift of repentance. His resurrection is another miracle that brings us the blessings of eternal life. I love knowing that I can be with my family throughout eternity and that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us enough to give us these amazing blessings. I know that they want us to not only enjoy these blessings now but for us to be with them forever.

What's in your Bag Tag

Megan tagged me to show the contents of my purse. This should be interesting:
Check Book Pouch & Wallet
Luden's Great Tasting Cherry Cough Drops
Mint Tin
MK Chapstick & Tiger Lily Lip Gloss
4 pens (1 Hotel pen), Best Western Notepad Screwdriver (just in case!)
3 Movie Stubs: Enchanted, Jumper, The Eye
A quarter, A Jelly Bean, A Hair Band
Like a zillion receipts
Wrappers: Special K Vanilla crisp (so good), Werther's Original, Recess Peanut Butter Cup
Shopping lists, business cards, notes on napkins
A couple other items I don't feel like discussing over the internet.

Now I am tagging: Jessica, Molly, Sydni, Ashli, Aubrey and Kistine. Have fun!

My new hair and yummy popsicle

I've had a super sore throat this week, so one day Jeff decided to make me a popsicle from juice and a baby spoon. He took a picture to document the sweetness.

I now have some bangs and am a little blonder again! I feel a little bit like a superstar...

Today was a pretty good day

Highlights of my day:
I taught an art class this morning to five 3-6 year olds- went very well
Tyler and I went to a b-day party and met some new friends
Tyler and I played outside and I couldn't stop thinking about how awesome the weather is
I got a nap
I made friends with some girl scouts and bought 4 (yes 4) boxes of cookies
Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Samoas and Dosidoes.
Jeff, Tyler and I took our movies back to blockbuster and on the way found a smoothie king!
I got a bath
I'm in pjs right now and eating thin mints
It was a great day!

Our trip to California

Tyler and I took a trip to So. Cal to visit my family this past weekend- we had a family reunion for Sarah who just got back from Paraguay, birthday party for Tyler (who turned 1) and his cousin Lily (who is turning 3) and Katie (who will be in Jerusalem for her bday), went to the beach, swimming at the pool, and tons of fun hanging out. Too bad I had a cold, but other than that (and the 7 hour flight there) it was perfect. Here are some more fun pictures of our trip. At the birthday party, Lily was princess Cinderella, and Tyler was a prince (his crown only lasted for a couple pictures). He wasn't very interested in the presents at the party- but he sure has enjoyed playing with them all since we've been home. I just realized he got a tooth (I'm guessing a 1yr. molar) which I think is why he was so uninterested at the party. We gave him a cupcake and he enjoyed it so much- that night in the bath I found chocolate in the folds of his neck!!
Laguna Beach was beautiful like it always is- Tyler loved the sand!! He was sitting in a hole and all of a sudden leaned forward and took a bite out of the side- sand everywhere on his face, but he didn't seem to mind because a second later he grabbed a handful of sand and stuck it in is mouth! I was cracking up so hard I could barely pull him out of the hole!! Once again, that night as I was giving him a bath, I found sand in the folds of his neck. And in his ears. And in his diaper- the next day!
It was awesome to see everybody and have some time to veg. Of course, it's nice to be back with Jeff and he said Tyler got a lot bigger since last Friday :)

Happy Birthday to Tyler!

Here are some pictures of the exciting day!

We opened presents in the morning...Gma & Gpa sent his big toy: a Playhut with extra balls!

At lunch we had some friends over for cupcakes at the park

In the evening, Jeff decided we should take a picture of Tyler next to his fancy "1" cake. I didn't really expect him to dig in, but it was pretty fun to watch!

We had such a fun day and can't believe its been a year already since Tyler joined our family. I can't even remember what it was like without him. He is such a great baby and I love every day of being his mommy.

What the Heck?

What is up with the weather? I thought I wasn't in Idaho anymore. The funny thing is I've heard people say, "It snows in Texas" and I was thinking, "Yeah, like it snows in Claremont, once every 10 years or something." Today Jeff looked at weatherbug and said, "Wow, we're gonna get snow" I totally thought he was kidding. I even laughed. Well, jokes on me: It's snowing. I had to sit on Jeff's shoulders and sweep off the satelite dish! There's something about that that really reminds me of Rexburg. Oh I know, because we'd have to do that everytime it snowed... like three times a day November-April! :)

Ok, so funny story. This morning we got a package from Jeff's parents: Thanks Grandma Judy! We opened the door and Tyler jetted out the door like a banshee. We stood at the doorstep and watched him leave little sock footprints all the way down the walk and I'm pretty sure he would have walked all the way to the park by himself if we'd let him. So even though it was like 40 degrees, I took him on a walk. Cuz I decided if he ran out the door that fast he really wanted to be outside. Cute little guy. I can't believe in two days he will be ONE! What? I swear, he was just born.

Yummy Yummy Corn Dog!

CORN DOG UPDATE:

I gave in and bought a box of frozen corn dogs. Today we gave him one and he responded the same way. Jeff squirted a dab of ketchup on his tray and he enjoyed dipping his fingers (not the corn dog) in the ketchup and licking it off.

Today I picked Jeff up from work and we went to the Sonic Drive in. One of my favorite things about Tyler right now is that he can eat "people food"- so I ordered him a corn dog. HE LOVED IT! He kept laughing in between bites. I'm not sure if it was the hot dog on a stick that he loved more or that he got to sit on my lap in the front seat while he was eating. (Which he has never done before, obviously.) He kept looking at us and then the corn dog in his hand and would giggle. Anyways, he loved it and we were getting a kick out of it too.
And of course, I loved the Route 44 Cherry Limeade I ordered. Yum :)

Welcome Home Sarah!!

Today my cousin Sarah returned from her mission to Paraguay! What an exciting day. Mark, Terri, and Andy went down to Paraguay to bring her back and they returned today. I get to visit for her homecoming in March and I can't wait to see her! Congratulations and Welcome Home!!

Yup that's all...

This is all that is left. If you are confused, go to my Valentine's Day entry... This is why I haven't posted pictures of the house yet. Too busy eating chocolate.

Playgroup at the Rec. Center

Some of the mommies at church like to get together every Tuesday to go to Open Gym. The kids love it and we do too!

Tyler always has tons of fun here. I carry him in and set him down and he screams with his arms out and runs over to the toys. I love the picture of him with the rings...look at his feet! Also, he kept sneaking back behind the blow up jump house to the fan- I don't know why but he kept kissing it like he does to the vacuum. So weird.

The Many Faces of Tyler Clark

Fun in the...Laundry Basket

Tyler and I took turns putting the laundry hamper on our heads. The funniest thing was that he would stick out his finger like E.T. and giggle when we would touch fingers through the side!! So silly.

He's gotten to be really fun to play with lately, its like he gets all our jokes when we play cuz he laughs a lot lately! He also gives me kisses and wiggles and dances when I tell him to! So fun.

Happy V-Day!

For Valentines Day this year, I got Jeff a pair of running shoes!! The outlets here are great- I got him the "megabounce" from adidas and saved $50 from the online price! Horray. I love saving money. Jeff says my present is coming... but he got me this solid chocolate fish that says,

"You're a Reel Catch!"

and is 1 1/4 pounds of crispy chocolate crunch. How sweet. Every day he comes home and asks me if I've eaten more. I've pretty much finished the entire tail and part way up the body!! Yum.

Now that we are here

So far Texas has been good to us. The weather is mild (60ish), except for the thunder and lightning storm that woke us up the other night (actually it was kinda romantic). We are making friends and enjoying life. I've promised myself (and Tyler) we'd take a walk every day, and so far we have. Today I took pictures just to prove it to you (Mom and Aneta!).

Yes, the park really is "Private" which makes me feel very special that I live in the Lost Creek Community! I don't think I've ever been to a private park. Tyler says the bark tastes better here!