Tanner Update

So really, I am trying to keep this blog updated but finding the time to sit down and do it doesn't always happen. Tanner is growing so quickly and changing so much that I wanted to share with everyone all the new adventures we are on. First tanner has teeth. He has had his two bottom front for a few months now but he is now working on the four front top teeth. Lately he has been exploring what his teeth can do...kisses very quickly turn into chomping with a sneaky little smirk on his face and everything. He is walking/running everywhere and always wants to be on the move, besides the rare occasion when he stops to watch other kids, especially if they have a ball. What can I say, we have an active, adventurous, curious, explorer on our hands. Below is a picture of Tanner's new chair. It is just his size and he is in love.



Tanner loves the camera and most the time I can't get pictures because he wants to see the screen behind the camera with the picture of him on it. Today we were playing around and he came at the camera with one of his numerous expressions. I love it! He definitely keeps us on our toes and his expressions are priceless.


Due to the 2 hours of snow that we received today, school was cancelled for me and Tanner and I stayed home and played. He loved hearing the snow crunch under his feet and just kept walking around and around in circles.


Tanner walking in the snow in the front yard. Tanner would have stayed outside all day long. He was quite upset when it was time to come inside and warm up.


Once inside we pulled out a new toy that had been in his closet. Much to my surprise, he actual took the bat and tried to hit the ball. He used more of a chopping than swinging motion, but I am sure under Dad's coaching he will get there.


Well, that's us or Tanner anyways. Tyler just finished his coaching season and is staying busy at work. I am now interim director at the preschool and have been staying busy teaching night classes for an Adult Degree Program. We are looking forward to summer where our lives might slow down a bit and we can spend lots of time outside and on the river as a family.

Tanner and the dogs

Tanner discovered how to play fetch and Callie was an eager participant. Tanner really had his own version of how to play fetch and Callie was so great at playing along with him. Above he is holding the ball above his head and Callie was concentrating so hard.


At one point Tanner had both dogs wanting to play catch with him. He was holding it so still and neither dogs would take it out of his hands.

Tanner knew that Callie was suppose to have the ball in her mouth and tried to shove it in there. Callie was being so careful trying to take the ball without catching Tanner's hands in her mouth.



This is how it all started. Tanner swiped the dogs ball and the game of fetch began. It was quite interesting to see who would actually go fetch the ball...Tanner or Callie. Sosa supervised most of the activities.

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!