Tanner's Hair....

For all you of you who have seen Tanner lately I am sure you noticed he was looking a little rough. That kid has more hair then anyone I know and as Dustin would describe, "he looked like is head was 3x too big for him OR he looked like an orange on a toothpick." (He has an analogy for everything) Vanessa and I decided Tanner would look so cute with a "shaggy" hair style but everyone warned us that we just have to get through the awkward stages and then it would be totally cute. After Tanner's 2 dads, and my parents have been nagging us to give him a haircut I finally caved this morning. I am so bummed because I know it would have looked so cute........ but I just couldn't handle it anymore.

BEFORE........

..........AFTER

This was the pile of hair.....

At least we found a good use for the hair

CHORES.......

We are trying to teach the kids how to do a few simple little chores to help us out. Dustin and I both work full time and at the end of the day still can't seem to always stay caught up on things around the house. We explained to the kids that if they help with chores we would have more time to play with them, watch movies, and do things together as a family. After they fell asleep we had to redo everything but I keep telling myself it is something they need to learn how to do. Here is how they did.......

Of course Dustin wanted to teach Tyler how to do the dishes because the kitchen is his only chore in the house that he HAS to do. Ha! She actually is really good at doing the dishes but can't always reach the cupboards so she just leaves it on the counter.

Besides cleaning his room, Tanner has a few small chores. He is in charge letting Miko out to go potty in the morning (since he is ALWAYS the first one up), folding towels, and putting away all the shoes in the house. It takes him a good half hour just to fold the towels and it is so cute how he trys so hard to fold them just perfect......

For some reason he always trys mommy's shoes on before he has to put them away. Maybe I should be a little worried?!?!

Tanner's Birthday

I can not believe my baby is now 5........ I feel so old!?!?! This year for Tanner's birthday he wanted to have is party at Boondocks. It was crazy! 2 full hours of kids running around and screaming. At the end of the day it was totally worth it not to have to clean up. Here are a few of our favorite picks....

SNOWBOARDING

Last fall Dustin was determined to get me into snowboarding, I had done it a couple times before but had always been a skier. My first time out (Like every new snowboarder) was spent on my bum..... or face, crying, and yelling at Dustin for "making" me try this stupid sport. Thanks to my wonderful husband and patient friends....(Thanks Jimmy and Kaley!) I made it through the first day and didn't die. After just a few more times up I actually started to get it, and by the end of the season was suprised to find out I LOVED IT!!!

We had talked about getting the kids into skiing or boarding and decided this would be the year. We were all so happy when "Santa" got the kids snowboards for Christmas...... Then a little worried when the kids said they wanted to go outside and sit on the boards while they ride down a hill? We....I mean "Santa" didn't just spend A LOT of money for sleds?!?!

After finding out that the kids couldn't take lessons until they were 7 we tried watching some youtube videos and Tanner thought for sure he would be jumping off hills and doing tricks his first time out. We decided to venture out New Year's Eve and hoped for the best. We were amazed at how well the kids did! By the end of the night Tanner was riding up the magic carpet, strapping in and riding down the hill by himself. If he fell down he would yell, "Mom, don't come over here I can do it myself!" We were shocked! Tyler's first time was a little like mine.... a few tears and an hour at the bottom of the mountain making snow angels. We were so proud of her, she gave it a few more tries and by the end of the night was able to make it down the hill.

Over some hot chocolate we talked about the night and how proud we were of them. Tanner's only concern was that his girlfriend would be able to see him snowboarding so this is for you Kaley......

Christmas Morning

After months and months of planning and shopping for just the right toy, long lines, returns after finding out the toy you bought was the wrong one while they watch commercials for the toys they DO want, hundreds of dollars spent...... All to be over in 20 minutes! These are just some of the toys we got this year.....

Snowboards...YAY!!!.......

Lots of Trucks, Cars, and Trains.......

Barbies, Dolls, Polly Pockets, Littlest Pet Shops........

And a huge mess for mom and dad to clean up.......

Tyler turns 7

WOW! I can not believe she is 7! This year she was able to plan her own birthday party and she chose to have it at artist for a day. I was all for it being somewhere else that we didn't have to clean up after the mess. We allowed her to invite 6 girls but out of fear that everyone would be out of town the week before Christmas we actually sent out 10 invitations and somehow ended up with 12 girls, 4 parents, and 3 grandparents at the party. It was so much fun to see Tyler and her little friends together, this is the same group of girls that started their own cheerleading team at recess. Ha...... They were all girlie girls just like our Tyler.

December 2008

Aahhh..... My favorite time of year AND the busiest time of year for us. Not only did we spend the whole month getting ready for Christmas but somehow we were able to fit in 4 work parties, a recognition event, Dustin flying to Portland for a week and Tyler's Birthday party. I don't know how we did it all!?!? One of my favorite things we were able to do was visit the Botanical Gardens to see the Christmas lights......Of course they had all done it before but it still was a first for me.