A lot of vacation pictures!

Last week we went on vacation to Branson, Missouri. I had always heard a lot of good things about Branson but I was afraid it would be too "country" for me. It really wasn't. There were a million things to do that appealed to all ages. Considering we were there for a week I took a lot of pictures. Hope you enjoy them!

Our first stop was the fish hatchery. The most appealing part of this was it cost nothing! We got to see and feed a lot of trout.

It was right at the base of the Table Rock Lake Dam.

Going for a walk around the development where our condo was. Branson is very hilly and there are many gorgeous views of the wooded hills.

We went for a walk along Table Rock Lake. There was a really nice trail that had a few different points of interest along it. Here is Dan and Tyler on the trail. The blue you can see through the trees is the lake.

Enjoying the view of the lake

One day we went to the World's Largest Toy Museum

I think the most exciting thing we did was the Dixie Stampede. It is so hard to describe so I'm going to copy and paste the description from their website: It’s the only place that brings together stunning performers, amazing horse feats, fantastic stunt riders, magic and audience participation with a delicious four-course dinner extravaganza for one amazing price! It was SO much fun and even Tyler got into it. I wish I could've taken pictures but it wasn't allowed. I would recommend it to anyone going to Branson! I did take a picture of the outside of the building though.

Another day we went to the Butterfly and Rainforest Palace

Before we saw the butterflies we watched a 3D movie about them. Here is Tyler stylin' his 3D glasses.

Tyler got to help release a butterfly that was born that day!

A couple butterflies

A water feature in downtown Branson. There is a large outdoor shopping mall that is really nice to walk around.

On our last day we went to this scenic overlook. Those buildings in the picture (in the foreground) are actually the condos we stayed in. You can't see our building though.

Here is the view from the patio of our condo

Wedding Pictures

I mentioned below that I didn't have any good pictures of Carrie's wedding. However, you can go to her photographer's blog at http://www.nicoleladonnephotography.blogspot.com/ and check some out. When you get to the blog you need to scroll down to Carrie and David's wedding. They are beautiful pictures!

I apologize for the wait

It's been awhile, hasn't it? Things have been busy here! Tyler turned two, we visited the grandparents, grandma visited us, I went to Michigan for a wedding, and one weekend we all got the flu! Soon we are leaving for a family vacation and once we come back from that we will be home most weekends again!

I am loving the fall weather and the changing of seasons. I absolutely love this time of year and I always look forward to the holidays and even the cold weather. I am not a warm weather kind of gal! Tyler thinks it's hilarious when leaves blow in the wind. I love how he can sometimes be so easily entertained.

Here is the birthday boy!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the cake. It was a truck cake. Tyler didn't know what was going on when we sang to him.

Tyler had some helpers when he was unwrapping his gifts.

Family pic

Grandma came to visit and we went to the zoo

He didn't like the animals eating out of his hand so he decided to just toss the food pellets at the goats.

Tyler and mommy

Two weekends ago I was in Michigan for Carrie's (friend from college) wedding. The weather was absolutely gorgeous that weekend and the wedding itself was beautiful. It was nice to see her and our other friend Kelly. I'm so excited for Carrie and her husband Dave! Unfortunately, I didn't get any good pictures of Carrie. I will have to wait until Kelly returns to Georgia and can e-mail them to me. I did get a picture of me, Kelly, and the groom Dave though.

Happy Birthday Tyler!

I can't believe you're two already! This past year has been a lot of fun, I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you!



August 29th, 2006

Six Months (sitting up for the first time and a nice deer in the headlights expression)

One year, looking like such a big boy

18 Months, chilling in Florida with your shaggy hair



Today, at two years old

Busy busy busy

Two weekends ago we were very busy doing fun things with Boppa and Uncle Brad who came out for a visit. Saturday we went to the State Fair and on Sunday we went to the zoo. Tyler didn't seem overly excited about either of our adventures. We also have some pictures of Tyler with his birthday present from Nana, Boppa, and Uncle Brad. They got him a wagon. We have already used it for trips to the park and around the block. It was easier for me to pull than pushing the stroller.

Last weekend I drove to Michigan for a bridal shower. I did not have a problem driving seven peaceful hours in the car by myself. I had so much fun in Michigan. Carrie's family treated me like one of their own. I'm very excited about driving out in a month for the wedding!

Here is Tyler petting a calf at the fair

Enjoying a corndog. We also had a funnel cake with strawberries on top and some cotton candy.

Boppa, Uncle Brad, and Tyler putting the wagon together

Enjoying his wagon ride

Family picture! Boppa, Uncle Brad, Megan, and Tyler

I didn't get many pics at the zoo but I thought this was a great way for the lioness to welcome us. Great visual for the word "sprawling"

Me and Carrie!

We have carpet!

The carpet in the basement was installed yesterday. I really like how it turned out. I think it looks more like a finished space than just a room in the basement. Also what you can't really see in the picture is that Dan put on a fresh coat of white paint. The previous white was really dingy and dirty in some spots. That really helped too. Someday it would be nice to put in a drop ceiling (drywall would be even better!) but that's not in the budget right now.

Oh, and if you're wondering, the carpet is a Berber with an indented square pattern in it.

Before, the main room

After, complete with toddler and cat

The back room before

After

Dancing Maching Part 2 and 3

If you're wondering why he is standing in this spot it is because Dan is down in the basement painting and Tyler is dancing to the music Dan is listening to while he paints.

Dancing machine

I wasn't able to upload this video with the last post yesterday. Today it works though! Here is Tyler dancing to a very catchy tune.

Good weekend

Last weekend we were in Minnesota visiting the family. Saturday Marisa and I got a day off and spent it well. We started by going out to lunch, then shopping, then to a benefit auction/dinner for a friend of Marisa's. All in all, I believe we were gone for 12 hours. It was exhausting but nice! Thanks to Dan, David, Grandma, and Grandpa for watching the kids. =)

Lots of stuff happening this month so hopefully I will keep on top of posting pictures. Up next, the state fair (as long as we remember the camera)!

If it's been a while since you've checked the blog, scroll down a bit because I've posted more frequently than usual lately!

Owen and Tyler

Evan, Brandon, Ariana, Tyler, and Owen. Everytime I snapped a picture at least one person wasn't looking. And it was a different person each time!

Ariana loves to have her picture taken. Especially when you'll let her see it on the screen after you've taken it.

Balloon Festival

Last year when we went to see the hot air balloons, Tyler wasn't even a year old. He wasn't walking yet so he sat on a blanket while Dan and I watched the balloons. This year he noticed the balloons and even pointed at them. Luckily, it wasn't too hot and we had a gorgeous blue sky as the backdrop for all the colorful balloons. Enjoy the pictures!

And then, another picture of Lisle sleeping in odd places

Our new home

Hopefully you weren't expecting pictures of our newly moved into house. I won't take pictures until we have stuff on the walls and in our last house that took about a year. The house is starting to improve. When we initally moved in so many things went wrong. It was a tough week (this was last week). This week however things are better and we are settling in nicely! I really like living in Des Moines and having so much available and relatively close by. Like the 10 Targets I think we have. Or, which mall should we go to this time? I'm sure this will wear off at some point and we'll be saying things like, "I don't want to go all the way out there just to buy this." But for now, it's nice!

We have been very busy though with other things. The day before we moved was the annual lake get together with Dan's family. Tyler did not appreciate the water at first but he did seem to enjoy the boat ride.

We had the help of many friends/family who watched Tyler for us so we could attend to different house things. One day cousin Kari watched him and took these pictures. Not too sure what he's doing in the first picture...

Sporting a new look which will be all the rage soon

For some reason Lisle has taken to sleeping on top of the fridge. He didn't do this in our last house.

Tyler finally got the idea of blowing bubbles underwater. He really loves doing it now. It's so much fun seeing him learn new things!