Brent at 17 months

It's hard to believe that my little man is already 17 months old.
He is the happiest when he is eating, in the bath, or outside.
He adores his sister and does everything she does (or at least tries to).
I love to hear him giggle and he has the most adorable smile ever!
He loves to crawl on everything. He has even learned to crawl up on the swingset/playhouse which has a tall ladder on it.
He also still cuddles, wants to be held and climbs up in my lap whenever possible.
Unfortunately this is what happens when he stands on the dining room chair, rocks it back and forth and then falls. He hit his head against the granite countertop and then the floor. I was in such a panic that I was ready to take him to the ER. I called Jeff's office, had him pulled out of a room and he talked me down. In fact he laughed and said something like, "Calm down. It's just the first of many." And of course he went back over as soon as possible and climbed up in another dining room chair.

I love my cuddly, daring boy!

Branson - Christmas of '08

This post is so late because I just don't get around to blogging anymore. It is rather sad but I'm going to try to make myself but it is such a nice way to preserve memories. And this post is such a great memory.

Every other Christmas we go to Branson with my moms side of the family. There are over 65 family members and this year 53 of us were able to get together. We had about 11-12 condos and we had a blast together.

The first picture is at Silver Dollar City where we spent a day and I enjoyed taking Caitlyn on a roller coaster. She had been on this roller coaster with her dad but this was my first time taking her.
Then we found this amazing ball house. It was a 3-4 story house with soft balls that you put in tubes so they got sucked up to the top and then you could put them in guns and shoot them out. The kids loved it and we spent a good hour there.

Caitlyn really enjoyed all the rides this year because they have so many kids rides that she can ride, even some she can ride all by herself!
Here she is in all her glory! A true picture of my girl with her cousins Maleea and Noah. Noah and Caitlyn walked through the park holding hands. It was so cute!
Here is my Grandpa (who by the way is in the best shape) and his 7 daughters.
Brent had a great time and learned to crawl up on the coffee table, couch and chairs while we were in Branson.
Caitlyn enjoyed being with her cousins Ava and Olivia nonstop while we were there!
We had our own church service, swimming pool times, mini golf tournaments and bowling day.
We had to get two lanes for all the kids and of course they didn't keep score but they did have a blast!
This was Caitlyn's first time to bowl and she loved it but tired easily after insisting on picking up an 8 lb. repeatedly. She was then ready to eat some good 'ol bowling ally food.
Mimi enjoyed helping the kids bowl though. I think it was just her speed!!!
It was a great vacation and one we look forward to every other year. I have the best family!

New Words and actions

Brent is saying "this" as he points to what he wants (most often a food item) and "juice". It's so cute! He is also climbing up on everything, coffee tables, chairs, opposite side of the banister (then he throws his head way back and looks back up at the ceiling), fireplace hearth, Caitlyn's bed, Caitlyn's table and his new workbench he got from Christmas. I definitely have to keep my eyes on him to keep him safe. He is so active and different from Caitlyn at this age.

Today I washed the dogs in the backyard after school in the backyard. It was quite challenging to wash quickly with Caitlyn's help and keep an eye on Brent. He was in the dogs water bowl soaking wet, crawling up the slide, on the bench, falling off the bench, back up again, on the swing, falling off the swing, back up again, in the standing water on the ground, back in the dog's water bowl, etc. By the time I brought them back inside 30 minutes later I had to put them in the bathtub to clean 'em up and warm 'em up. Luckily it was a nice warm day today. It was definitely a fun and interactive afternoon full of baths!

Merry Christmas 08

Merry Christmas! We have had a wonderful holiday season, full of wonderful traditions. First and foremost Caitlyn is beginning to understand that Jesus was the very first Christmas gift and she is learning the Christmas story. It is fun hearing that "there was no room in the inn" and that she wants to invite Mary, Baby Jesus, Joseph, and the angel to her birthday party.

We have decorated a ginger bread house, seen Santa, bought presents for others, told daddy what he is getting (even though she wasn't supposed too), ridden on a Polar Express train, and made cookies with dad for Santa. Now we are tracking the big guys movements around the world and waiting until we can go see Mimi, Papa and her cousins and the rest of the family.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh you better watch out!

And I'm not talking about Santa Claus!

Brent Tyler! My precious little angel boy was a mess tonight. First of all he wanted to be fed NONSTOP! Secondly, he can run everywhere. The minute he hears the garage door open he is a magnet for the four wheeler. So as I was feeding the dogs he ran over to the four-wheeler, jumped up on that (it's for a 5-7 year old) with a toothbrush in his hand. I pry him off the four-wheeler and he bring him back inside, screaming of course. No sooner had I turned my back then I found Brent with 3 pieces of dog food in his mouth and let me tell you they must have been tasty because he was extremely ticked off when I grabbed them out of his mouth.

Later that evening he proudly crawled on top of a small chair and threw his hands up as if to say, "ta-da" and "I have arrived". Shortly after that he heard his dad come home so he rushed over to the stairs and ran down the stairs (practically) to get to his daddy.

Ya'll, he is 15 months. I guess it is time to admit he is no longer a baby (well always my baby) but now a toddler. BTW, he weighs a whopping 25.4 lbs because he loves to eat. The other morning I had fed him a half a banana, a bowl of oatmeal and he ate a piece of toast too - wow!

Caitlyn is doing great too. She amazes me with her skills. She can color in the lines so well. She drew me a picture today with a sun in it and told me a complete story to go with it. The picture was for my classroom. She is very good with a computer and dvd player as well. She is extremely good with her brother too and gets very upset with me when I have to tell him no.

I love them both so much... It is so fun having them both in my life!

Straws are Cool!

Brent figured out how to drink from a straw tonight. He was all smiles too. It took him one try to get it and he loved it! He looks so big drinking like his sister.

Thanksgiving Farm Fun

Jeff and I took the kids to his aunt and uncle's farm in Missouri. His mom, nieces and nephews were able to come out from Colorado. We had such a great, relaxing time that it was difficult to come home to "real" life.

Jeff was able to deer in hunt, Caitlyn played outdoors with her cousins, chased guinea pigs, and rode 4-wheelers. Brent came home with multiple wounds from falling because he is all boy (poor thing). He had a good time outside as well and was so mad everytime I would take him inside. The last morning we were there Caitlyn even got to play in the snow!

Aunt Betty, Jeff's mom and I got to run down (a 2 hour drive) to Branson to do some shopping in the outlet mall while the men stayed behind to watch the kids. We had so much fun and stayed until the stores pushed us out the doors.

Everytime I go to the country I wonder if I'm not meant to live in the country? Hmmmm.

Although on the last day we were there everyone else had left. There were about 20 guests there in all. So I offered to help with laundry, breaking down beds, mopping, etc. Aunt Betty finally took me up on my offer. I was so exhausted at the end of the day. She really mops, several times over. She's 70 and she can outrun me anyday!!!