Growing Boy

Since I don't do a good job with either his Baby Book or Scrapbook, this is my chance to document how Tyler is growing.....

He turned 2 1/2 May 3rd.  He has been at his new daycare/preschool for almost a year and it's amazing what he has picked up being around kids just a little bit older than him, and having someone who can spend time teaching him the fundamentals.  He knows his ABC's - including recognizing the letter and the sound it makes, can count to 20 and recognizes the number on paper, and knows his colors and most shapes.  He also likes to learn new songs - two of our recent favorites being "Toes" by Zac Brown Band (we did replace 'beer in our hand' with chocolate milk for a PG version!) & "Mean" by Taylor Swift.

He still loves sports like crazy, and I'm amazed at how well he grasps the concept of them.  He saw his first Cardinals baseball game in person this spring and had great fun cheering and finding the mascot. He connects the mascot with the right school often (Fred Bird is a Cardinal, Cy is at Iowa State, and the Jayhawk is in Urbandale).  He is almost always is playing with a ball of some sorts at home - shooting baskets, tossing the football and saying "Hut Hut" with Dad, hitting whatever he can with his golf clubs that he thinks are baseball bats (Hey, Batter Batter!). 

We are also well on our way to being potty-trained!  The past few weeks have been great, with him all of the sudden deciding he wants to be a big boy.  As a reward, he has been earning the movie Cars toy cars for big milestones.  It's so fun to see him get so excited about them, and telling us each of their names and what they do in the movie. 

We are so excited to enjoy all we have going on this summer with him.  We think he will love the water and sand, and time with family in both Mexico and Minnesota....so check back for more great pictures!           

Spring Fun

As the weather warms up, there is so much to do with this active little guy!  Below are some of the highlight!

Poor kid!  Pappa Knute and Tyler conspired one night to get a laugh - this is Emma's flower girl dress, on backwards, with a fancy Mexican hat!  I wish I had the video - he comes running into the room, stops with a jump, puts his hands out and yells "Ta Da!" with the biggest grin on his face!  What a goof!!

Nothing beats a night with your friend than wrestling with pillow pets and Dad!  You should have heard the giggling!!

What a great Dad, reading to both kids at bedtime!



Grandma Julie & Papa John gave Tyler a wagon for Christmas and it's finally nice enough to put it up!  Tyler had fun 'helping' Dad and loved the tools! 

Here is the first wagon ride down the drive with Dad!  Wheee!

Tyler & neighbor girls Ashton and Abby got everyone to give them wagon rides around the house.  I think they look like they are having fun!

Tyler still loves his basketball hoop, and likes that we will let him out on the deck to play by himselves sometimes.

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!