I forgot to add something!

I can't believe I forgot to mention this. I have to say, when I was attending Ball State I never thought I'd see the day when the football team made it to a bowl game. On January 6th Ball State will be playing in the GMAC Bowl against Tulsa. Unfortunately, it is in Alabama so I will not be attending in person. I can't even watch it on tv because we don't have cable! I will have to follow along via the internet.

GO BALL STATE!

This one's for Lissa

Since Lissa complained about my lack of posting and I need to get old pictures up before Christmas, today I am posting random pictures that go back into November.

This tree's leaves stayed so red for quite awhile. It was nice to see them right out front on those dreary November days.

Tyler loved playing in the leaves. We kept the pile around just for him.

One day I went and got Tyler up from his nap and I placed him on his floor so he could wake up. I left and when I came back to check on him he was asleep on the floor which has never happened. I of course had to take a picture. I guess he wasn't ready to get up!

I've really enjoyed the MOMS Club that I joined. I love getting a calendar of activities each month for Tyler and I to do. This picture is from a tour of a truck place. Everyone got in the truck and took a ride. I actually thought it was pretty fun seeing the cab and the little sleeping area.

Over the weekend Dan and Tyler went out to play in the snow. If you remember, last year when we took Tyler out in the snow he cried. This year he walked around in it but didn't like to get his hands wet. They made a snowman who melted later that day. We had a really warm weekend.

Yesterday the MOMS Club toured a fire station. I thought it was a lot of fun! It took Tyler a bit to warm up to the trucks but once he did I was able to get a picture of him in the jump seat.

And finally, some videos showing why we'll be getting Tyler a big boy bed after the holidays.

Happy Halloween!

I'm looking forward to this weekend because we don't have anything planned. We haven't had a weekend like that since the beginning of August I think. The weather has been so nice the past couple days. Tyler and I were in the backyard today and he thought it was funny when I would cover his legs with leaves. Of course he demanded we do it over and over again. He also decided he wanted to go for a ride in his big stroller which he hasn't done in quite awhile. We made it halfway around the block before he wanted to get out. I love his curiousity about everything we walk by, leaves, bugs, dimples in the cement, rocks, and dirt. He also wanted to be very independent and push the stroller without me. He literally pushed me back away from it so he could do it himself. He couldn't though so I helped without him noticing and we walked along like that for a bit. Then he found gravel and I had to lure him away by mentioning lunch.

A new trick of his is getting out of the crib. He climbs out very quietly and we usually don't know he's out until we see him (he'll also open his door and leave his room). This is funny and sad to me. I really don't want to get rid of the crib. The first time he did it he found Dan and I in the kitchen and had this proud look on his face. I had to turn away because I was laughing. Unfortunately, he had been in his crib for a timeout so back he went...

I found a lion costume for him on Craigslist because he likes lions and roaring. However, he wouldn't go near the darn thing but he did let me take some pictures with a promise that I would take it off of him as soon as I was done. We did nothing for Halloween this year. I have a feeling we did the same thing last year.

ROAR! Doesn't he look fierce?

If I'm in the process of reading a book I frequently will read during lunch. Tyler decided to get in on the action too.

Here is Lisle using Libby as his personal pillow

Yesterday I heard Tyler running back and forth from his room to the living room. After a few trips I decided to investigate. This is what I found. I'm not sure if Tyler was giving them to Lisle or if he thought Lisle needed some company from the Little People during his nap. Lisle is a mean cat so I'm surprised he tolerated this.

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