A Really, Really Late Christmas Update

I know, I know...it's been awhile. My goal is to do a better job of keeping the blog updated. With all the craziness going on it has been hard to get pictures posted, but I will give it my best shot. The pictures will be in the opposite order from how they took place but I am sure you can follow along. Above is Christmas with Tyler's family. Tanner and his Grandma Carole are making sure that his cousin Brooklyn is handling all the excitement okay.

Below is Christmas morning at our house. Tanner quickly learned that by saying please, Daddy would lift him up to dunk that ball into the hoop. I think Tyler received quite the arm workout that morning.






Tanner and Tyler opening stockings.



It didn't take too long for Tanner to understand the concept of opening presents. The cute part was that he would get so wrapped up in what he had opened that Tyler was the impatient one trying to get him to open another one right away.



Even without mistletoe Nayeli knew what she wanted. Tanner was not quite so sure but it was very cute to watch the two of them together. We wish that we lived closer so that Tanner and Nayeli could spend more time together as they grow up.


Christmas up north seemed to be all about books. Tanner received lots of cool toys to play with and was very excited to see everyone but always ended up cuddled up next to someone reading a book. Below is Tanner and Grandpa Mike reading a book about baby animals.


Grandma Mary and Tanner were reading together, but not always the same book. I love how they are both into their own books and if you look closely Tanner's is upside down.


When the Christmas festivities first started Tanner was more interested in playing with a shoe box we had brought up then opening his actual presents.


When preparing for Christmas Tanner really tried to be helpful. I attempted once to wrap presents while he was with me, but quickly learned that the only thing getting wrapped was him. I saved the wrapping for after he went to bed.



Well that pretty much sums up our Christmas. This year was a good balance of celebrating with family and starting our own traditions. Tanner was really into all the festivities which brought that much more Joy into Christmas.

Tanner is starting to walk

Tanner has taken a few steps here and there but tonight he did it a few times in a row and we finally captured video of it. The video is a little dark but we wanted to get it posted. (Better video coming soon)

Halloween

Tanner had two costumes for Halloween this year. He wore one on his birthday for our small group Halloween party and then another on Halloween night.




Here is Tanner in his chicken costumes. He crawled all over in his costume and actually left it on for most the night.

Here he is with the the hood of his costume on.

Here are the boys in their costumes the night of Tanner's birthday. A cute dog and a monkey.

Tanner turns ONE!

We ended up having two parties to celebrate Tanner's first birthday. We cannot believe that our little boy is already one year old. Here is a mixture of pictures from both parties and when he opened gifts on his actual birthday.


Tanner and Daddy opening gifts on his birthday. He was very excited to see what was in each bag and thought that the paper was part of the gift as well.

Tanner and Daddy opening gifts at his birthday party down here.

Tanner in his birthday hat and ducks gear.

Thoroughly enjoying his cupcake, making sure he didn't miss a single crumb.

Such a happy boy! Tanner enjoying his pizza and smiling for Auntie Katie and the camera.

Here is the gang! This is two of my best friends from back home with all of our kids.

Tanner enjoying another cupcake. He didn't hesitate one bit when I gave it to him. He knew exactly what to do with it.

I think Tanner ended up eating the entire cupcake and licking all the frosting off his hands.
Overall, he had a spectacular birthday and we were so blessed to be able to spend it with so many of our family and friends.
Here's to celebrating the next year!

Pumpkin Patch

On our trip up north to have an early birthday party for Tanner we were able to visit the pumpkin patch with my good friend Jaclyn, her daughter Nayeli, and Grandma Cathy. We had so much fun with the kids and Grandmas, we really wish we lived closer. Here are some snapshots from our morning together.



Tanner and Nayeli added to the Fall decor. They sat so still on the pumpkins which were loaded into the back of an old truck.




These two received a wheelbarrow ride out to the pumpkin patch from Grandma Mary. We were impressed that they didn't even try to crawl out. They seemed to really enjoy the ride!



Tanner and Nayeli LOVED the animals. Both of them were trying to climb into the pens with the animals. It was so cute to watch them together watching the animals.



The kids and the proud Grandmas!



Our son the scarecrow! The first picture we took like this was great but then he tried to stick his head through the hole which made this picture even better.
Overall we had an amazing time with amazing friends. We can't wait to watch Nayeli and Tanner grow up together!

11 months

Tanner is a growing boy! 11 months old and he is into everything. One of his new favorite places is under the dining room table. He likes to go under there and look out the window into the backyard.




We ended up with great weather for first trip to the pumpkin patch. Tanner loved the train ride and he even found a pumpkin his size...which he thinks is a ball and throws around the living room. Here is a picture of Tyler and Tanner with the pumpkin they found.



Another new favorite place of Tanner's is the dishwasher. I find it sad that I have to do dishes secretively or else I get a "helper" everytime I open the dishwasher door. The other day he actually managed to pull the entire drawer out and put it on the floor.



Here is a picture of Tanner watching the animals at the pumpkin patch. He really wanted the donkey to come over and see him.






Here he is at 11 months...what a character! We can't believe that he is almost a year old!

10 months

I know this is really late...our lives have been a little busy, but I made a promise that I would get it updated. So here is the first of many updates all at once.
During August we had the chance to go to the fair and Tanner loved the animals. He was very upset when one of them tried to eat his shoe but loved "petting" and watching them.




Tanner has decided that he doesn't really need naps. But Tyler and I think otherwise. This picture was taken when he was throwing a fit (not our son...right?) about taking a nap. He cried and cried with Tyler and the next thing we know, he is curled up on Tyler sound asleep.



And here is his 10 month picture. He is so mobile and active that he didn't want to stay in the chair. As you can tell from his face he definately has a great personality and we are seeing more of it everyday. Tanner's new favorite game is to stand next to his toy box and pull all the toys out and put them on the floor. He is trying very hard to communicate and makes noises all the time.