Happy New Year!

We had a very busy Christmas that included a 10 day tour of the family. We came back to Iowa on Tuesday exhausted but happy that we got to see everyone. Tyler was definitely into opening gifts this year. He actually seemed more excited about tearing off the paper than what toy was inside. I'm sure that will change next year! I have a lot of pictures to share so I'll get right to it.

Opening gifts at Christmas #1 in Minnesota

A view of all the kids opening gifts (it can get pretty crazy!)

Tyler really enjoyed Ariana's Hannah Montana guitar

Tyler and Evan hugging

We went to visit my friend from highschool/college, Lissa and her family. Here is Tyler with her daughter Emma. So cute!

Opening gifts at Christmas #2 in Indiana

When we went to visit my dad in Indianpolis we visited the Children's Museum. I have been anxiously awaiting the day Tyler would be old enough to go there. I have very fond memories of visiting the Children's Museum all through my childhood and even into college. It was so fun to see him get excited by things and really participate.

The first thing he did was go down the slide they had set up just for winter. Normally there are stairs where this slide is. On the right is Tyler in Dan's lap and on the left is Uncle Brad.

There was a special toddler area that we went to. Tyler really enjoyed playing in the water and then at the sand table.

One of my favorite parts of the museum is the carousel. Tyler was really excited by it so I was more than happy to take him. The longer we waited in line to get on, the more Tyler was looking like he didn't want to do it. Being a wise mom I knew he would enjoy it so I took him on and literally had to wrap myself around him to keep him on the horse (this was while everyone was finding a horse/animal to ride). I felt like such a bad mom because he was really trying his hardest to get off the horse and I was trying my hardest to keep him on. Then, it started moving and oh boy, I have never seen Tyler perk up so fast! All of a sudden he's sitting up straight and smiling. He loved waving at people, especially daddy, as we went around. Don't moms always know best?

Chilling with Uncle Brad at the dinosaur exhibit

And finally, an exhausted Tyler with daddy as our time at the Children's Museum came to an end. We'll be back for sure!