Lots of news

To say I've been busy would be an understatement. Not to mention our computer sort of crashed, so I have been unable to post, or read any other blogs. How sad for me. Right now I am at Anthony's hotel on the Internet, and my kids are getting anxious to go swimming so I will make this short and sweet. Well, I am still babysitting my friend's baby every week day until the end of October. Then I will tend only 3 days a week. She is easy...sleeps most of the time. Our weekends have been full with going to Beaver for one thing or another such as Brad's mission farewell, Laurie's bridal shower, etc. etc. etc. Brad is now in the MTC and is doing well. He will serve in the West Virginia, Charleston mission.

This is a picture of Melissa and Tyson on Brad's new horse that he bought from the ranch he worked on this summer. It is not old enough to really ride, but Brad was letting people have little rides around the yard. I'm already a scaredy cat, but after seeing my sister, Andrea, get bucked off, there was no way I was getting on it. Maybe when Brad gets back and breaks it in, I will try riding it.

Tyson and Tanner with Brad before he left on his mission. They will have changed so much and be so big when he gets back.The Family at the MTC. The picture is horrible because of the sun and shadows, but it was an altogether good experience. I am so proud of my little brother!

Tanner with the new puppies. He loved chasing them around the lawn, and they are getting pretty playful. By the way, there are still three puppies left if anyone wants them. Free!

We also got family pictures taken. (Thanks to uncle Blake for the photography) However, I can't get the computer to read the DVD, so I will post them another time. It gives me readers something to look forward to, huh?

The Final Countdown

Anthony starts the last week of his Master's program today! By this time next week, he finally, finally, finally will be done with schooling. Not that it has taken him longer than normal (he will have finished the program in less than 2 years) but it will be such a burden lifted off our shoulders--especially his. Then what? Well, we will keep on doing what we have been doing. Anthony wants to stay in this position for a few years to get the experience under his belt, and then hopefully some good opportunities may open up....only time will tell. Now comes the most unpleasant part of the Master's program...Paying for it! I may have to get a job, so if any of you know of something that I could work from home, please pass the word along.

Where to begin?

Well, the time has flown so fast this month already that the days all blur into one. Let's see...
This first picture is of my hair. I decided last week that I needed a trim because my hair was getting really long and tangled. So I asked Anthony to trim about two inches off, and he ended up taking about four. I freaked out and then he felt bad, and then I didn't care because my hair feels healthy now. Plus, it will grow back eventually...right?






This next one isn't very clear but I wanted to show everyone how beautiful blue Tanner's eyes are and how long and dark his lashes are. My brother says Tanner doesn't look like any babies he has seen because he has a long skinny face and head, but he has a contagious smile and giggle, and gorgeous eyes!
We went to the Beaver county fair and they do a pee-wee livestock show. So Tyson was absolutely terrified of the sheep and I dragged him in the ring kicking and screaming. But by the time we were done, I guess he got use to them and was petting his sheep and hugging it saying, "nice beep," and "my beep" (beep meaning sheep), so it was pretty fun.







Grandpa Max even took a turn showing the sheep for the adult fitting and showing class this year.

This is my adorable niece just getting done with the baby contest. And my nephew who has no fear of the sheep, or anything for that matter.

County Fair

Yesterday we went to the county fair with our friends. It was hot! The main event was the demolition derby, which actually dragged on a little too long, but in the end it was worth it. After that, there were fireworks. This picture is of Tyson watching the fireworks while plugging his ears.


During the derby they had rock crawlers, and this van jumped the rocks. It was cool to watch.
(sorry there is no sound--our camera is not that hi-tech)

I'm a big boy now

Tanner turns 13 months today and I can't believe how big both my boys are getting. It is amazing how different they are, and how they each developed at different ages.


Fun Facts about Tyson

• Favorite movie: Cars...he would watch it nonstop if I let him. The cute thing is that he has all the words memorized so he talks and sings along with it.
• Favorite catch phrase: "Mommy and daddy went on a plane." This comes from when we went to Hawaii and left him home. I guess it traumatized him because he won't forget it.
• Defining trait: His white hair. Everywhere we go, someone always says something about how white it is.
• He likes to do everything we do: use daddy's razor to shave his face, brush his teeth, put deodorant on, put my makeup on, pour his own milk, etc. He has become quite independent.
• Likes to torment Tanner.
• Prefers showers to baths.
• He loves music and dancing.
• He loves the outdoors and swimming.

Fun Facts about Tanner

• Doesn't walk yet, but is very mobile. He can get anywhere he wants, and very quickly too.
• He likes his teeth to be brushed.
• Prefers baths, hates showers.
• Loves being outside and likes eating rocks, dirt, bugs (if I don't stop him first!)
• Sleeps about 10 hours or more a night. Yeah!
• Defining trait: his super long beautiful eyelashes. People comment frequently about this.
• Favorite thing to do: whatever Tyson is doing at the time.
• Will eat almost anything I feed him.
• Loves crawling around with shoes on his hands...anyone's shoes.
• Newest thing: giving kisses.
• Likes to torment Tyson

There you have it. My sweet boys aren't always sweet, but they are so fun. I am excited to watch them continue to grow and learn.

Water boys

Today was Tyson's last day of swimming lessons. He did pretty good in level two, but I will still need to work with him a lot to get him ready for next summer. Good thing we have an awesome pool at the hotel to swim in.

Last night I was sick of my boys whining and moaning so I decided to put a bowl of water outside for them to splash around in. Well, what started out as a bowl of water quickly turned into this.....Tanner crawled right in, clothes and all, before I could stop him. And it ended up like this....
An hour of fun for the boys, and an hour of sanity for myself.

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was Tanner's 1st birthday! Throughout the day we did our regular routine, but then we had friends and family over for a little party in the evening. It was really fun. I don't think Tanner quite understood what was going on, but he enjoyed the attention. Too bad Tyson skipped his nap and fell asleep at dinner. He was so tired he actually asked me to put him to bed, so he missed the whole thing. Plus, his allergies were acting up and he gets so asthmatic that I wanted him to get sleep if he could. Anyway, I spent a large part of the day making this choo-choo train cake. I thought it turned out pretty cute but I will never do it again because it is too much work! Thanks to friends and family for the presents! Happy Birthday little guy, We Love You so much.



Below is a picture of a tonka truck our friends gave him. He loved it and played with it all night! Plus he got some sand toys that he can dig around in the dirt with (which he loves doing).