Bachelorette & Bachelor Parties!

Since those most important were all in Mexico, we had the bachelorette & bachelor parties Friday night!  The girls gathered at the theatre bar and had drinks and some fun - there was even a stripping event!  (Sorry - no pictures - what happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico!)  The boys (including the little boys and their matching Ring bearer shirts) headed to the beach to celebrate.  It was a good night!

 

Tyler and Aunt Carrie, the beautiful bride!

Aunt Linda, Bride Carrie, and her friend Carly.

The family at the end of the night.



Papa Knute headed to the bachelor party with the ring bearers!

The boys hanging out.



Mom of the Bride and her sister, Aunt Linda.

Day 1 - Beach

First full day there we hit the beach right away in the morning and ate at the beach restaurant.

 

Chase (2 months older than Ty) loved to pinch Tyler's cheeks and hug him.  Here they were sharing an apple and then had to pose for the camera!

See Grandpa, I can wear your sandels!

Tyler liked the sand better than the water and was happy playing with our empty drink cups.  Older cousin Emma showed him a few tricks!

Grandma took the kids for a bit while we played volleyball - we came back to find the 2 boys in "jail" - the hammocks!

Great Grandma Pete said this was her favorite part of the entire trip - Emma crawled up into her lap and just cuddled.

1st Plane Ride

Carrie is getting married in Mexico, so here starts a series of blogs about our trip!

 

First is Tyler's 1st airplain ride.  The flight left at 6, so we left the house at 4 AM.  He chatted the ENTIRE way to the airport.  He thought that the plane was pretty cool and had fun playing his games 

 

 

We met up with cousins Emma and Chase in Atlanta, GA.  We made the normal 'name' signs and picked up all of our family at their gates since we arrived first.  We at chicken strips and got ready for the next flight!  They were pretty wound to get to see each other again!

 

 



Friends...

Tyler loves hanging out with neighbor girl, Ashton.  At the last minute, we decided to go to the Urbandale 4th of July parade - in 100+ degree weather.  Not such a good idea, but the kids had fun!  We ended up sitting by a girl from daycare as well, so he had all kids of friends! 

 

So - one night I felt that both the kids and I needed some fun, and what's more fun that tee-peeing trees?  I gave the 2 kids a half-roll of TP and let them roll.  Man, were they giggling. Then, they had to go ring the doorbells of the houses to tell mom and dad's to come out and check out their work...

 

Driving Dad & Uncle Kyle's boat. 

 

Papa's Pond & Camping

What better place to catch your first fish and have your first real camping experience but at Papa's pond!  We pitched a tent and stayed 2 night, enjoying some fishing (1st fish caught in the pond!), hot dogs, and smores.  It was a great weekend! 

Tyler catching his first fish at the pond!

Playing in the sand...



Here Papa, here's how you do it!

We rode with Papa in the tractor for quite a while!

This is Grandma Denise's tractor!

Hot dogs from the fire.

 

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day is now my favorite holiday because it is almost the only one that's just for me.  Tyler gave me a home-made colored card and a rose from daycare.  Then he and Dad surprised me with a secret trip to a pottery place to paint my own pottery!  I did a Chinese bowl and Dad helped Ty paint a turtle.  It was a lot of fun, and our projects turned out great!

Easter

What is Easter without dressing up for Easter Church, dying eggs, and of course - Easter Egg Hunts!  Tyler did better this year on hunting instead of eating first. 

Tyler and neighbor girl Ashton looking at the flowers.



Dying Easter eggs...

Easter Egg hunt at Grandma Denise & Papa Knute's house.

Counting Eggs with Dad.

Another hunt at the Care Center.

Mom, Ty, and Dad all dressed up.

Tyler, cousins Johnathan and Mason, and Uncle Kyle hunting eggs at Grandma Julie and Grandpa John's.

And now we eat the candy!  Mmm chocolate!

Last but not least, the Easter Bunny came to our house!