School Projects...

We love when Tyler gives us projects that he has made at school. I wanted to make sure I took pictures of them so I always remember them!

Tyler painted this pumpkin for us for the fall time. We had it out on our counter for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Tyler's cousin, Bryson, liked the pumpkin and always wanted to carry it around with him when he came over to our house. We only let him have it for a minute or two because we wanted to protect Tyler's masterpiece!

We got this painted pine cone for the winter season. It is hard to tell in the picture, but the paint is glittery. This also sat out on our counter for all of December!

Christmas in Virginia...

For Christmas this year, we decided at the last minute to travel to Virginia. Initially, we thought Matt was going to have to work a night shift, however after he had to have his second shoulder surgery, his work schedule changed and we both had off on Christmas. Usually, one of us has to work on any given holiday, so we decided to travel and take advantage of it!

My parents set up the train this year. I spent countless hours during my childhood, playing with this train. Tyler had a great time, especially when we put the train in reverse and made sure he couldn't quite catch it!

Tyler pronounces Aunt Jaime as "Bid-dah." I'm not sure why. We took Tyler to the indoor play area at a local recreational center in Virginia and he had a great time. Aunt Jaime took alot of pictures so I only have a couple. One memorable moment: Tyler was the only one playing on the inside slide for at least 20 minutes...and then another girl came up to it. Tyler was having such a good time on the slide that when the little girl tried to climb up the stairs to go on the slide, he yelled, "Mine!"

In the morning, we woke up and Santa came to visit! Why yes, this entire tree is filled with gifts for Tyler.

Here he is on Christmas morning!

Besides the above picture, Tyler woke up and didn't seem to be feeling very well. His cheeks were rosy and he was very fussy. There are a few things that brought him joy on Christmas...sitting on the couch, being held by "mama," putting a bow around his head and wearing his new hat from Santa and mittens from Gigi.

Does this look like a boy that is exhausted from opening up all of the gifts that you saw under the tree? Well, if it does, he fooled you. He wasn't interested in opening up any gifts...in fact, he protested. He laid on the ground and said "noooo" every time we tried to get him to open up a gift! Tyler went down for a nap around 12:00pm on Christmas day. He woke up around 3:45pm and he still didn't want to open his gifts so Aunt Jaime opened all of them for him!

Once the gifts were open, Tyler did play with an ice cream set he got.

He also made time for some hugs and love from "Bid-dah."

One of the other highlights of our trip to Virginia was getting to see my best friend, Traci. We were college roommates, starting in freshman year and throughout most of our college life. Traci, her husband and her three kids live in Indiana and I rarely get to see them. We snuck away for a lunch date at Mikes American Grill and it was the best - just like old times!

During this visit, I got to meet Finn for the first time! Isn't he adorable?!

Here is a group shot...it was so much fun getting together!

We had a great trip to Virginia for Christmas. I realized that I did not get any pictures of myself with Tyler this Christmas...and I also didn't get any with my parents. My mom had knee surgery a few days before we visited and she was out of commission in her room most of the trip but I'm glad we were able to be there to see her and help out! Tyler didn't like seeing his "mimi" lying in bed! Dad was busy running around...but he definitely got his Tyler time in! Those two are hilarious to watch. Tyler walked around the house most of the time we were there, asking for "papa." 

I leave you with these two pictures - the two best presents. I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday!

Tyler Meets Santa for the Second Time...

Guess what?! Santa came to our house!! He came through the chimney of course, but then went around the house and entered in through the front door. Santa came with a small wrapped present. When Tyler opened it, he was so surprised to find a little Elmo stuffed animal!

Tyler clung onto Elmo for most of Santa's visit...

Grandma and Grandpa Farrell also came to visit. They gave Tyler a firetruck play set and it entertained him all morning!

Family photo with Santa :)

This afternoon, we are headed to Northern Virginia to spend Christmas with my side of the family! Until then...

Days Before Christmas...

Oh yes. Yes I did do a blog post to compile several weeks of events! Here is a photo dump of the days/weeks leading up until Christmas. And when I say photo dump...I mean it. This is the motherload of all photo dumps!

Tyler thought it was a good idea to stand in the lego bin:



He also likes to take his chair and push it around like a push toy:


We went to the outlets to do some Christmas shopping. Tyler has a newfound love for Elmo. We have let him stop at these once or twice before, but we've never actually put money in it. Actually, once, we put a quarter in it and it didn't work. This time, we took another chance and it worked! He had a great time!

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Fun at the park at the oulets:



This picture warms my heart :)



As I said earlier, Tyler has been a big fan of Elmo. I found this "lunchbox" at Old Navy and thought it would be perfect for all of his crayons!



For Christmas, Tyler got an early Christmas present from Grammy and Grandpa. He got a tool storage unit for his playroom! He really wanted to help put it together...see?!


Before and After picture:



Here is what a tired little boy looks like after a busy day:



This kid melts my heart. Seriously.



Tyler has a small fascination with diapers right now. While it is nice that he likes to throw his own diaper away...he also likes to take out every single diaper and toss them all over the place!



Matt had an "Oakton" hat from back in high school days. Tyler randomly found it and loves to put it on his head. Once it is on his head, he walks around the house with it and gets very excited. It has kept him entertianed for minutes at a time!



This was taken before school one of these mornings:


Tyler loves to help with laundry, including mounds of laundry that need to be put away on our bed!



Best buddies:


I found Tyler laying like this on the couch one night when I was making dinner. It was the first time I had actually seen him lay himself down on the couch.


Story time with "Dada"


On this particular night, I couldnt help but watch the baby monitor as Matt and Tyler spent time together before bed. They were both sitting so content, reading books together. I live for these moments!


Tyler has gotten into a habit of throwing all of the items out of his crib (puppy - "pup", paci - "pac", blanket - "bb). He got into such a habit of throwing items out of the crib that he hasnt had his pacifier in days! This definitely requires another blog post!


Grammy made Tyler a reindeer shirt. He loved wearing it!


After bathtime!


I know, I know. You have seen alot of pictures in this post of Tyler on our bed...but come on, look how happy he looks to be there?! :)



Christmas post to come...

Basket Head...

Sometimes, the best toys are every day, household items...

Cars with a Capital C...

Tyler loves cars. He points out all of the cars on the road as we drive into work/school together and says, "Caaah." He finds his matchbox cars and likes to run them over his belly like hjis belly is a racetrack. He likes to say, "beep beep."

He loves playing with his Fisher Price garage, especially if Matt plays with him. Sometimes, he can't get the little person out of the car or he can't get the car on the lift to go up the ramp. It is not uncommon when the garage is out that he will ask for "haaaalp" while he is playing.

Turkeys and Family...

For Thanksgiving this year, my parents came to visit us...

Of course, Grammy did not come empty handed. She made Tyler this turkey shirt for him to wear to school. Unfortunately, the book is covering it but it was adorable!

Grammy and Grandpa also brought Tyler a new table. He loved playing with all of his cars on it! When he couldn't get the chair to pull out from under the table, he would ask us for "Haaaaalp."

Tyler and Grammy got started early with the stories!

On Thanksgiving, Grammy and I took Tyler to the park while the turkey baked in the oven.

                                    

It didn't take long before Tyler noticed the baseball field and wanted to play. He made this into his own slide and played on it for at least 15 minutes by himself.

 Once Tyler woke up from his nap on Thanksgiving, he got ready for dinner by putting on his tie. He actually didn't mind wearing the tie. Towards the end of the night, he did like to put the tie in his mouth.

This is me and my sou chef :) We had such a good time in the kitchen togther!

Tyler and Grandpa on Thanksgiving:

Matt's family came over for Thanksgiving dinner as well:

Tyler enjoyed dining on ritz crackers with his cousin, Bryson. Bryson is about 5 months older than Tyler.

Two words come into my mind when I look at this picture...sugar high! Tyler was wound up while watching the Redskins game before bed!

The day after Thanksgiving, Jenn and Nolan came to visit us! We took a family trip to a local winery, Rock of Ages. It was mom and dad's first time at a winery and they had a great time!

We kept Nolan and Tyler entertained with food!

Here are Nolan and Tyler playing...they both love cars!

We took Tyler and Nolan to get their pictures taken but Tyler wasn't a willing particpant and therefore, the photo shoot was called off.  By the time Nolan and Jenn left to go back to Virginia Beach, Tyler was exhausted!

On Sunday, we put up the Christmas Tree. There is an ornament of a picture of Matt and I. Tyler likes to find the ornament on the tree and walk around with it, pointing at the picture, saying, "Mama" and "Dada."

We were very very fortunate to have my mom stay with us for an extra week after Thanksgiving! My dad had to go back to work but now that my mom is retired, she is able and wants to do it! We had been calling my mom "Grammy," however Tyler declared his own name while she was visiting. He calls her "Mimi." Tyler always calls my dad, "Paw Paw" or maybe he says "Pop Pop." I'm not quite sure!

 On the last morning that my mom was here, he walked up to her bedroom and said, "Mimi! Mimi!"

 How could you not love this face?!

Tyler has been a big fan of singing Snoopy ever since we took him out of hibernation. They have a love/hate relationship. When Tyler is tired of Snoopy, he throws him across the floor. Hmmm, we are working on that one.

We have alot to be thankful for and were glad to be able to spend the holiday with most of our family members. I'll also always be forever grateful to my mom and dad for always making time for me and loving Tyler with such excitement and joy. I miss them already and I know Tyler wants his "Mimi" and "Paw Paw" back because he calls their names often! :)