Water Park Weekend!

Indoor water parks are the best way to spend a winter weekend, and it's just a bonus when you get to play with Uncle Kyle as well!  We only went a few miles to the other side of Des Moines, but it was still a lot of fun.  Tyler actually liked the big adult slides better than the kid pirate stuff!

Winter Fun

Here are a few pictures from this winter and how we spent our time......

Tyler showing off all of his Chuck Trucks.

Speghetti anyone?

Doesn't everyone have an Ice Cream hat and a snow man puppet? 
This is even funnier if you see it in person - he waves the snowman, yelling "Hiiiiii"

Uncle Kyle, I like my new camo snowpants!

1st time really out in the snow - making a snow man.....

Sledding with dad.....

Dad attempting to sled with a shovel.....

Neighbor Abby and Tyler enjoying the push down the hill...

And of course - Dad needs a turn!

Our Christmas

This year, Tyler was old enough for us to start thinking about our own Christmas traditions. This year, we asked Santa to come to our house early before we headed out of town. Santa brought us a stocking full of fun things, and then a big-wheel motorcycle! We then opened some gifts as a family when we got back home after the holidays, including an awesome home-made wreath that Tyler made us at daycare. We also have included some videos below of his new bike & some tricks he has picked up. :)

Newman Christmas

Merry Christmas #2 & 3...the Newman's. We spent all of Christmas Eve with the Newman side. During the day we had an awesome breakfast, opened presents, and just hung out playing games and eating appitizers throughout the afternoon. Tyler got the hang of the 'kids pass out the presents' fast and did his part. He then had to 'help' everyone open their presents! He was excited to get his own - camo snow pants from Uncle Kyle, ISU sweatsuit from the Perkins, and bath toys and a Radio Flyer wagon from Grandma Julie & Grandpa John. We then headed to Grandma Newman's for supper and some more presents before Church. This was Tyler's first Christmas Eve church, believe it or not, and he did great. He entertained the family sitting around us, and even commented rather loudly when the lights went down that 'Uh-oh, it's dark!"

Hallquist Christmas

Christmas #1....we celebrated Christmas with the Hallquist side during our Thanksgiving trip to Louisville, KY. Even Santa made his way there early! We had the traditional coffee ring, opened stocking gifts, and sat around the tree to open more. The kids made out with all kinds of goodies...Tyler got a tractor, race track, and pillow pets! Thank you to the Hensley's for hosting us and letting us make a mess!

Thanksgiving & Birthday in KY

Thanksgiving this year took us to Louisville, KY to visit the Hensley's. We took off mid-day Wednesday and arrived just in time on Thanksgiving day to eat the good food but not have to help cook! Zach & Val, meal was delicious! After the wonderful Thanksgiving meal we also celebrated a belated birthday for Tyler. Many thanks for the awesome presents - a flip remote-control car and awesome Cardinals blanket! Friday we went to the KFC Yum! Center where Zach works to see a basketball game - Tyler had a ball.

Go ISU Cyclones!

So, anyone who knows either Andrew or Tyler knows that ISU Cyclone basketball is a favorite. We went to a few games over the school break and got some close-up seats - which got Tyler on the big screen a few times! He likes Cy - as long as he doesn't get too close to Cy. And of course, he likes basketball.....