Family & the Boys

I have a lot of good picture of my boys and their family, too good not to share.  We are so lucky! 

Papa Knute and Tyler resting.

Blake and cousin Mason

Uncle Kyle playing one of Ty's new games with him and Johnathan, with Traci, Libby (dog), and Uncle Matt observing.

Papa Knute and Blake - apparently beer is better than milk?  :)

4 Generations - Grandma Pete, Allison, Grandma Denise, Blake and Tyler

This is what happens when Andrew gets a hold of my camera.  Poor Blake!

A rare shot of mom and Blake!

Papa John and Blake.

Grandma Julie and Blake.

Tyler and Cousin Lori playing the iPad.  How long until you think he asks Mom and Dad for one?  I was amazed at him, however - he was playing a preschool game and boy is that kid smart!  We're in trouble!

Tyler is 4!!

It is so hard to imagine that my little boy born 5 weeks early is already 4 years old!  We are so blessed to have such as happy, smart, and funny little boy!

In true Hallquist/Newman style, we have to have multiple parties.  First, in late October we headed to Aunt Carrie and Uncle Josh's.  Last year Ty and Uncle Josh started a tradition to share a St. Louis Cardinals ice cream cake for their birthdays.  Since this year was Josh's 30th, Carrie threw a surprise party.  They still shared a cake, and after the party wound down, the boys watched the Cardinals playoff game and we opened some presents with Grandma Denise and Papa Knute.  He was thrilled to get a Bumblebee Transformer, ISU PJ's, and much more.  

Playing football at Aunt Carrie and Uncle Josh's.

Tyler helping me make cookies - we practiced for making his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cupcakes!

We made a trip to Stanton in late November to celebrate with the Newman side.  Grandma Julie made coffee cake for Tyler and he had a blast playing with his cousins.  He got a big play dough set, puzzles, a TMNT shirt, and an Optimist Prime Transformer.  He's not spoiled, is he?

On his actual birthday, we celebrated at home by inviting over neighbors Darcy and Abby for cupcakes.  They gave him the TMNT below, to go with his green cupcakes!

We headed to Ames on his actual birthday to a women's and men's ISU basketball game (his choice!), and lunch in between the games.  Both boys were amazingly good and had a great day.

I couldn't help but go back to some old pictures.....I can't believe he was ever this little.  Boy how time flies!

4 Months

Halloween

This year for Halloween, Tyler decided to go as Michelangelo, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.  Blake got to be the warm Monkey that Tyler was mostly because it was warm!  We went to Trunk-or-Treat at our church where the kids get to trick-or-treat car by car in the parking lot, complete with games, a hay rack ride, and hot dog supper.  On Beggars night we went around the neighborhood with two of our neighbors. The kids lucked out with a gorgeous night to be out and got lots of candy - we're still eating it now and it's January!

Pumpkin Patch

An afternoon trip to the Pumpkin Patch just west of town has become a family favorite.  Tyler had fun playing with the duck race, corn box, and corn maze.  He even liked the bounce houses more this time!  Blake wasn't so sure at first, especially of the corn box, but he warmed up to it.  

Brother Fun!

Here's some good shots of the two boys together - we're pretty amazed how well they really do get along and like each other!

Need an explanation?  This is a football field.  Ty had been playing football with his matchbox cars in our kitchen for days, complete with huddles and getting in line for the concession stand for a hot dog!  He played with this box field for days!!