family vacation

Couple weeks ago, Allen, Tyler and and I packed up the car and headed to Traverse City for a little family vacation. We got there early afternoon and we were staying with my Grams. This was the first time Allen would meet this side of my family, and they LOVED him :). When we showed up like most grandmas Grams was waiting and ready to make us some lunch. After lunch we decided to head down to the Cherry Festival right away. It was SO hot but we had fun. The car show was still going on so we (well Allen really) checked out the cars and just mostly walked around checking things out. Tyler was clearly in need of getting out some energy with being in a car seat and stroller all day, so we headed to the State Park so he could get it all out. They had a brand new playground there and he had a blast! The playground also happened to be on the same side as the State Park Beach and as soon as Ty saw water he was off! He had such a blast playing in the sand and water, running from waves and splashing. Too bad we didn't have his swim suit with us. He definitely was wore out and had a successful night's sleep, staying in his pack n' play ALL NIGHT! We decided night before we would head to the beach again the next day. We just had too much fun! Well unfortunately that did not work out so great for us. Just as we were about to turn the corner, Tyler had fallen FAST ASLEEP. *sigh* So we just kept on driving. Ended up taking a scenic drive up the peninsula to the light house and park. Well there was a beach there and a few playground toys so I guess we did make it after all. We headed out and decided to attempt the "real" beach. Well still did not work out as it was extremely WINDY and you basically just got pelted with sand. Thankfully there was a playground there as well - so what else to do? PLAY! Later that evening we had a nice chicken dinner with Grams and decided we should head back to Cherry Fest to get Gibby's Fries. Getting Gibby's Friday at either Cherry Fest or Old Engine Show has been a tradition in my family as long as I can remember. And to my knowledge, I have missed a year yet :) Since my boys ARE my family, it's time to carry on tradition. It was cold and windy but they we still oh so tasty. Since it was our last night we walked over to the Midway (carnival) for some games and rides. Unfortunately Tyler was only big enough to ride the carousel, but that was good enough for him. The next day we pretty much just packed up and had to hit the road, as Allen had to go back to work the next day. We had blast together and can't wait to go back!

summer fun

What wonderful weather we have been having lately (well except the scorcher days last week) I have been trying to make sure that when it's nice and not too hot that he gets some "owside" time.

Friday we met up with Friends at Millennium Park Beach. This was Tyler's first time EVER at the beach. I thought for sure I would be chasing him ALL over that place, but he was quite good and very content just sitting in the water or sand and playing. He really seemed to enjoy himself, so yeah, will definitely be making more trips.

Unfortunately, we had to cut our time there a little early to get to Ty's 18 month check up. He weighed in at 22.6 lbs putting him in the 10th percentile, he now is 32 inches tall taking him from the 14th to the 32nd percentile -WOO HOO - at least he grew some where! haha! We talked about all the normal things, eating habits, activity, and talking. I wish Al could have seen the look on Dr. Conner's face. I was telling her how he seems to pick up a new word or two at least once per week and the phrases he says, and just starred at me, and says.... "Well I guess we don't have to worry about speech problems, do we?". Now HOPEFULLY we don't have to be back there until 2 years! :)

Saturday, Tyler and I did some shopping in the morning. And then we all went to visit Great Gramma Davis for her birthday. She is staying at a home while she recovers from back surgery. There is a pond with TONS of ducks there and we brought some bread to feed them. The second he spotted them "duck, duck, duck....quack, quack". He just really loves birds right now. I sure hope he doesn't ask for one though!

Later we headed to a luau birthday party for friend Meredith. All the kids had a blast with the pool, slip n slid, swing set and all.

Since Tyler is so into animals and especially birds lately, we decided to take him to the zoo. He didn't say much or jump up and down, but he did seem to really enjoy it. He was mesmerized by all the different kinds of birds. He said hi to the chimps, the tiger and the bears. I even took him on a camel ride which he was not too impressed with at first, but by then end was laughing :)

I have more pictures to come soon!

a "bir"!

I personally just found this story too cute to NOT share!

Last week Thursday, Tyler and I were walking out the car to leave for the day. As I went to open the car door, I hear "bir, bir, bir". And of course I had no idea what he was talking about. I turned around and sitting on the light on the side of the garage was a BIRD - Ohhhhh..... I said to him "oh you see the bird". Tyler looked at me, then looked back the bird and as he waves his hand says "hiiiii". I couldn't help but to chuckle. I turned back around to load up the car and the bird must have flown away. Next I heard "where'd it go?". So I looked again and the sure enough the bird was no longer there so I told him "Birdie flew away, birdie went bye-bye". So again he looks at me and looks where the bird was and as he waves again as he says "Byyyeee". Priceless.

18 months

Wow! I know that pretty much all moms say this, and moms who do say it all the time BUT...... WHERE DID THE TIME GO?!?!?! Yes, yes I still can't believe that Tyler turned 18 months yesterday! Officially a toddler and no longer our baby :( And boy did he sure show it this weekend! That crazy little animal is totally fearless!?!?!?!

Friday we went swimming with some friends and it took me carrying him into the pool to get used to it, but once he was he was walking right in with out me and jumping off the side into my arms. And even though he was shivering so much I could hear his teeth chatter - he did NOT want to get out. Talk about having a fish for a kid!

Saturday we had some family pics and Tyler's 18 month pictures done at our WONDERFUL photographer Jane Harris. Tyler did amazingly well and the pictures turned out GREAT! Jane, thanks again! You're awesome! Check out the pics @ http://imageevent.com/janeharrisphoto/tyler;jsessionid=9tsu826hx1.penguin_s

After we left there, it was lunch time and we were starving, so on the way home we stopped at Steak N Shake for some lunch. Once home we got changed and headed down to Cutlerville Community Days right around the corner from our house! Allen got to check out some cars, Tyler got to play (and get yet another scrape on his knee) and I got my elephant ear :)

Yesterday was a nice quiet day with some playtime outside. How could anyone stay inside on this GORGEOUS weekend we had!?!?!?! Later we dropped Tyler off to play with Aunt Yen, Uncle Tony and Eli while we got some Mommy and Daddy time at the movies (saw the Hangover - a MUST see!).

Tyler just seems to grown and develop and learn new things every day! The best is that now he has SO MANY words, we are able to communicate with him better and better all the time. So much easier! I just can't ever wait for what smart, funny, silly, adorable, cutie pie, monkey thing he will be doing next!

fun with eli

This weekend I was able to reminisce while digging out Tyler's old baby toys for Eli this weekend. We got to spend lots of time with Eli this weekend. Saturday Yen and I headed to cousin Adam's open house (Congrats Rogers Class 2009!) where Eli slept and Tyler and Brayden chases each other up and down the side walk and in and out of the house - those boys sure can ware you out just watching them! That night I was watching Eli so Yen could head to the track. Tyler was such a ham and you can tell he just loves that baby. He tried to help me lift the carrier in the house by "lifting" from underneath with a little grunt in all. He insists on giving him his passie when he cries and helping feed his bottle. So cute! Then.... the jealousy set in. All I have to say it - thank goodness I do not have TWO right now :) BUT I really can't complain because he really is very good with him and really just wants to help! We love you Eli!

Friday Ty and went to the mall to pick up a couple things. Well clearly I take Tyler shopping WAY to much, cuz while I thought he just wanted my wallet to play with my Costco/Speedway cards, he was really wanting to "pay" for our purchase. There was NO WAY he was letting me touch those cards either, absolutely insisted on the cashier taking them!

A new phrase for Ty's vocabulary this weekend has become "wassat?". And like most children, he has to ask about everything. So all weekend I hear "wassat?" and "whereditgo?"..... OH the joys of having a toddler :)