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).

Rub a dub dub

Last night Anthony and I went to Les Miserables at Tuacahn, which I recommend to everyone wanting to see a show. It was a fantastic production. And thanks to a couple in our ward who watched our children until almost midnight. Well, it is after a late night like that that a warm shower to wake you up in the morning would be delightful. Think again...I can't remember the last time I had a peaceful shower experience. My children, as I'm sure with all of yours, like to be where I am at all times. So unless they are out of the house or asleep, it is a fight to get some personal time. So this morning I put a movie on for Tyson and Tanner, hoping that would occupy them long enough. Nope. The second Tyson hears the water running, he tears off his clothes and gets a running start to leap into the tub before I have time to stop him. He thinks he is sneaky that way. Then, of course, Tanner follows him to the edge of the tub and pulls back the shower curtain letting the water splash out and the cold air in. So inevitably it turns out that all three of us are crowding into the tub/shower, even though Tyson is probably reaching (or has surpassed) the age of being too old to shower with mom. But it doesn't just stop at that. The remainder of the shower consists of me tiptoeing around the boys and all their bath toys, bending myself in odd positions to try and shave my legs, Tyson pushing me out of the way so he can get to the water, me trying to block the water so it doesn't hit Tanner in the face, shampoo bottles getting dropped on everyone's feet, and me yelling at Tyson the whole time to stop licking the bottom of the tub, drinking the water, and squirting Tanner with a water bottle. Ultimately, it ended in a cry fest, the water ran cold, and I now have spots on my legs that didn't get shaved. To top it all off, the second I get the boys out of the shower, they scamper off immediately to watch the movie I had started for them in the first place. Go figure. Here are the pictures I promised from the last post.

This is one of the many frogs that came out at night at our beach house. They were huge!

Anthony and I at the temple in Oahu. (I don't think we even got a picture of us at the beach or of the ocean. Oh well, I guess we will have to go back)

The pineapple plantation with a rainbow tree.

Spending the night at the hotel when our AC broke

Tyson at swimming lessons. He is the best in his class.