Merry Christmas!

Christmas - Bring it On!

All of my shopping is done. That's right, done! Actually, I was finished with the shopping a week ago, but had a few frames to buy last night. So it's officially done now! Haven't started wrapping, but I'll get in a groove with FoodTV and get that done quickly.

Today is the boys' last day of school until January. Being the industrious overachiever I am, I decided to make homemade teacher gifts - red velvet cake balls. Well, "ball" is a generous word... more like chocolate covered misshapen mounds of cake (Sam - I don't know how you made them look so perfect!!). However, they are HOMEMADE and taste DELICIOUS, so I'm declaring success! A little red drizzle across the top also helped hide some of their flaws. I found these adorable elf gift bags on Lillian Vernon. Aren't they cute? Hopefully the teachers will like them!

Last frontier - Christmas cards. I'm committed to make sure they arrive in your mailbox before the big day, so be on the lookout...

First haircut!

Just around the ears and evened up the neck. Action shot (so pitiful!):



After:



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mcd

Tyler was really hamming it up at McDonalds on Saturday - smiling at all the ladies and chowing his nuggets.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Syracuse meats

That's right folks! His hat says "wild deer processing". Only in Texas does a 3 year old get a tour of the deer processor's freezers (complete with whole deer hanging from the ceiling - "Daddy why he doing that?") and a complimentary hat. Allen and Bob will be getting a new friend on the wall of the garage.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The hair

Tyler was born with a full head of hair, as evidenced by early posts of him. Around 6 months, it all fell out on the top. He looked like a 60 year old balding man! Fast forward 3 months... He's gone from zero to hero again! So cute! We actually have to "do" it now because it's all out of whack when he wakes up in the morning.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"I need Aunt Beauty to help"

Yes, we did need Aunt Beaut. Today Bryce and I decorated our second annual gingerbread house. Well, I decorated as fast as I could before he ate all the candy. Don't think our skills improved much from last year, as Bryce pointed out that we could use Beaut's help. However, it was quality time spent and that's what counts.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mini Johnny Cash

Let's hope he doesn't end up in Folsum Prison.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thanksgiving program

Hysterical! I'll download the video soon. The school had a really nice thanksgiving potluck feast afterwards. The boys also made adorable placemats that I'll treasure.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lady Killers

I'm raising two adorable guys - destined to be lady killers, I tell ya.

• Tyler gave me a BIG kiss when I picked him up tonight; what's even sweeter is that his pucker was unsolicited!
• I asked Bryce to sit down at the table for dinner tonight, to which he responded "Okie, dokie, artichokie". Adorable.

Family Pictures

My high school best friend is an amazing photographer! She took our pictures last weekend, and I couldn't be happier. Posting just a few here because I don't want to spoil our Christmas cards!

Spelling Bee

I'm learning how to spell "Bryce". The 'y' is especially tasty!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Introducing...

Baby Buzz Lightyear!

And Woody!


Bryce was looking at his holster, and said, "Mommy, is this for my KNIFE?" Knife, really? Who is this kid, Crockodile Dundee? I refused to let him have a toy gun for his holster, so he's play shooting with the actual holster now... ugh.

Woo Pig Sooie!

We had a great trip to Arkansas to see Sara and Jeremy. I really like it up there - cute college town with good scenary and restaurants! Also had lunch with one of my favorite Tyson folks.. :)

Pumpkin Patch!

We visited the pumpkin patch last weekend. Happy fall!

"Baby, please pay attention!"

Bryce read books to an inattentive Tyler this morning.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

By myself!

Tyler is still too young to speak those words, but nevertheless, he means them!



Juicebox by myself!



Macaroni by myself!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Speed Racer

Pretty sure he shouldn't be riding in flip flops. Parents of the Year strike again. At least he's wearing his helmet!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Food update

Tyler has one of his big top teeth now and the second is going to break through. I'm telling you this because I believe this is why he hates baby food. In his mind, 4 teeth = big boy food! Truth be told, he's just a terrible eater. The kid doesn't even like applesauce. So... I've given up on baby food and have moved onto big kid food. Today Nana tried mac n cheese. He liked it, but only would eat it if he could do by himself. The attitude is starting early for this one...



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Good morning boys

Bryce told his brother this morning, "I love you, Baby". Can you tell Tyler's hair is starting to come back nicely?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"Nee ha!"

That's how Bryce says it... "Nee ha! Ride em cowboy!"



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sensitive guy

Today Bryce visited the book fair at school. One of the books he bought is Llama Llama Misses Mama, which we read tonight before bed. It's about a little llama that starts school for the first time. He's sad and lonely when his mama leaves because he doesn't know anyone. Bryce started crying!! Broke my heart! I really played up the second half when Llama made friends, played on the playground, and his mama came back. Bryce admitted that school can sometimes be scary but it's also a lot of fun. He's my sensitive boy. :D

Show and Tell

What does Bryce take to school for Show and Tell that starts with 'a'? Allen the Antlers, of course!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tyler's first painting

Oh I hear all you critics out there! How could Tyler possibly paint a picture? With ice cubes, of course!

Tyler came home from preschool with dirty fingernails last week, and I jokingly asked him if he'd been painting. Well turns out he was! Here's how I think ice cube painting works: I think they freeze water colored with food coloring into cubes then the babies hold onto the ice and run it across their paper.

Doesn't he look so proud?!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let's go Yankees!

Tyler's first Yankee game. Luckily he was able to fall asleep for a little bit



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Guac

What kind of kid doesn't like applesauce but loves guacamole? True Texan I guess. :)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My 6 month old

According to Dr. Shori, Tyler is way ahead in terms of development. Not too sure about that, but he does sit, roll, grasp, etc. and is now working on his pincer grasp. (He can pick up the puffs on his tray but has a hard time letting go of them when they hit his mouth!) He's 19 lbs 7 oz (75%ile) and 26.5" (50%ile).

So this is interesting - Bryce was 19 lbs 10 oz at his 6 month checkup, and that was considered 95%ile. Do you think that 3 oz really makes that much difference? Maybe they just updated the charts recently. Just for comparison sake, Bryce was 1 inch taller than Tyler. But they are tracking amazingly at the same rate!

6 Month Pictures

This is the first time I've had Bryce and Tyler's picture made together. Well, there's a reason I went to a super cheap place to do it - getting the 2 of them to look cute at the same time is impossible! Go figure - Tyler was a barrel of monkeys this morning UNTIL we got to the photo place. It's like someone double dog dared him not to smile. Check back tomorrow for Tyler's updated stats, as we have his 6 month checkup in the morning. Oh, and you'll also see in these pictures that he's a solid sitter now!!

My first French fry!

We finally found something tyler likes- French fries! Prior to this, cereal, applesauce, and sweet potatoes elicited lock-jaw.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My sweet boys

Bryce loves to hold his brother. "mommy, let me hold him then take our picture." Just have to make sure I stay nearby for when he says, "ok I done!"



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I played too much!

Asleep in his jumpy thing.

Jaws

Did I tell you Tyler got his second tooth? Getting a picture of them is proving difficult but I'll keep trying. Check back soon.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blue ribbon

Bryce came home from school with a BIG sticker on his chest: I did my best! Too funny that he doesn't remember why he got it, but he proudly let me take his picture



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy 4th!

Bryce and visiting 2nd cousin Derek were in my parents' neighborhood parade. Bryce did an excellent job driving his jeep around the block, although I was a little worried he might take out a dog or old person. Here they are passing the smart car.




Poor Tyler is losing all his hair. But I still think I have the cutest boys... I'm a little biased.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

4 mo and 3 years

Super healthy kids! We went a couple weeks ago.

Tyler's 17 lbs 4 oz (90%) and 25" (50%). I might measure him again at home - I think he seems longer than that.

Bryce is 37 lbs and 38.5" - about 75-80% on both.

Tyler's first tooth!

Tyler's first tooth came through today! He's following in the steps of his big brother with early teeth. I'll try to get a picture of it soon. Easier said than done though...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day at the lake

Bryce had tons of fun at the lake yesterday. He jumped off the boat and swam like a fish... Even took a two hour nap on the boat!






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday Afternoon

Daddy fell asleep on the couch, but Tyler stayed awake to catch a few games of the College World Series.

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Happy Birthday Bryce! I can't believe you are 3 years old. We had a backyard waterpark party - perfect for the 3 and under crowd!

Even Tyler got in on the fun! I put him in his bumbo seat in the baby pool, and he hung out with the rest of the kids.