Glasses

 Somebody REALLY needs new glasses!

And Somebody REALLY wishes he did too!

Sneaky

I turned around for less than a minute and someone decided I was taking to long.  He was ready to get in the bath--diaper, clothes and shoes on (I had to stop mid-undressing to document it :)
Never curb that enthusiasm for water Tyce!

Mr. Hotstuff

This is how Tyce spends his days lately.  On a high stool in the kitchen, checking out the counters and whatever I'm doing.  Let's just say he likes to be close to wherever I am.  At least I can walk better now (his 2nd favorite spot is glued to my leg).

Last week I was noticing how capable he was of walking everywhere just a tad wobbly, but chose to crawl.  When he would walk and then fall he always said "Uh oh".  So very cute.  Starting this week, Tyce is now choosing walking over crawling.  Wow.  15 months.  He crawled for over 5 months longer than the other two.  That's long in baby time.  The nice part has been that he's seemed littler longer because of that.  Now that he's upright he seems much bigger (and taller--especially when he's on stools :)
Tyce does this growl-grunt sound to let me know when he wants something.  He knows how to sign, but choses to growl-grunt for "more" and just chucks everything on the floor when he's "all done" and I'm not paying attention.  That may have bugged me if Oshyn did that as a baby, but I'm more into laughing about silly small stuff now.
He's starting to repeat more words and just today I could tell he was trying to say "up" for me to pick him up.  That's cool.
He says "Hi Pop Pop!" (Beau's dad) and when Pop Pop says "Hi Tyce!" back to him, Tyce says "Hi Tyce!"  Love it.
He is a "thank you", more like "tay too" man, very polite and uses it appropriately and OFTEN.
Tyce still says "hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi..." all day and holds random objects up to his ear and says "hello?"  He LOVES phones and skype.  In fact, when he is cranky, that is how I can get him to chill out--call someone or even pretend to call someone on skype.
Tyce LOVES his brothers.  It seems so fun to me to be the third guy.  He has so much entertainment and loves.  They adore him, and for the most part will do anything for him.
He recently weaned himself into one nap.  Thanks Tyce.  Everyone loves a bit more afternoon freedom.
You are a joy to have in our family and make me want to have 100 more little dudes.  (Don't worry--that is definitely an exaggeration.)

P.S.  I don't know how I forgot to mention that he is a BITER.  I mean he likes to sink his 7 teeth into my shoulder, arm, leg, toes...anywhere that seems tasty.  It was really cute before he had teeth because I think he thought of it as terms of endearment--open mouth kisses.  Well, now--it just hurts.  Bad.  The boys laugh and say "Charlie bit my finger!" (check that out on YouTube--you'd laugh too).  So, basically Tyce is not learning.  It hurts but people are laughing--so he keeps doing it.  We'll see where it takes him...

Today

I love a day when sharing seems to come easily, kind words flow out of little mouths like a full waterfall, smiles and laughter are the majority, bikes are ridden and the sun is shining.  What a fabulous day it was.

Ski Week Gone Wild!!

by guest blogger B. Nobmann

Oshyn and I both got outfitted this year with all of the ski equipment so we thought we better go big this year.  We went up to Tahoe for six days and skiied five out of six days!  We met up with the Panttaja gang and Pop Pop at the "Cab" and had a blast.  We could not have timed the weather any better.  It dumped 4-6 FEET of snow the week before and was sunny and clear all but one day.

Oshyn and Isaac tried to find every possible jump and took a few headers in the process (gotta love the new Helmet Fad!)  Dean the Machine was like a bullet, straight down the mountain and Tuke (aka Lukie) kept up with everyone.  Good work dudes!!
Getting everyone to go to sleep at night was no problem!...except Millie...those boys kept being "mean" to her :)  It's tough to be the only girl.

Me again...
First off, I have NEVER seen so much snow in my life!  When we drove up to Truckee it felt as though we were in a winter wonderland.  The snow was so heavy on everything--even the trees were loaded.  All I could think of when I saw the houses were that giant marshmallows were melted on top.  It was beautiful.

While Beau, (Ralph & Nicole on some days) took the big boys out on the slopes Pop Pop and I got to hang with the littles.  We played, colored, watched movies, went sledding (kind of), drank hot chocolate, played pool and went grocery shopping.  Pop Pop and I even took turns going to the gym and swimming laps OUTSIDE!!  Good for cabin fever :)   The littles mostly wanted to stay inside because if they stepped in the snow, it would go up to their chin.  It was so fresh that to sled we were crawling on our hands and knees to try to pack the snow down--and even then we were sinking!  I'm okay with that though because the time we did go out to "sled" and have a snowball fight, Pop Pop was gone and putting all of that gear on 3 littles--2 that are 3 years old and a one year old was A LOT of work.

We had fun making memories and being with each other.  We left a day early because the snow was going to hit hard again.  Chains were on in the first 5 minutes and stayed on all the way down the mountain.  It felt like we were driving through a blizzard.  We made it safe and sound & much to Oshyn's dismay, made it back for school on Friday.

To my Lovely Mother on her NZ Birthday

You are the sweetest, most generous, service-oriented woman I know.  You aren't perfect, but you are human and that's part of what makes you so great.  You are always striving to better yourself and are open minded to any situation that arises.  You are supportive and lend your ear to all of my stories and complaints.  You are positive optimism at its best and you give great advice. You cater to your children, grandchildren, and others according to their needs and personalities as individuals.  You have always respected me (from 3 days to 3 years to 3 decades old!) and the choices I make.  You are always behind me 150%. 

You are a cook & baker, an educator, a book lover, and a spin class cycler, not to mention tech savvy.  I admire you and am always trying my hardest to be half the mother to my children that you are to Chad and I.  If I picked you in heaven, I sure knew what I was doing and if someone picked you for me, they sure knew who I needed for a Mommy.

Hope you have a fabulous day and know that you are loved.  And in fact I love you more than you love me!

Overloads and Cherry Blossoms

I hate to think the reason I have been lagging at blagging (I mean blogging) is my fear of computer overload.  I think our computer is mad at us for having so many home movies and pictures.  I am trying my hardest to back up and move things, but in the mean time we are taking more pictures and movies.  Plus we have 3 little boys that keep us busy (even when we're not documenting it in pictures or movies :) Today I decided that the blossoms needed to be documented though...cross your fingers our computer doesn't blow up.

Every year when these sweet little flowers start budding up on the trees outside our home, I immediately feel a smile creep across my face.  I LOVE SPRING!  Even when its jumping the gun in February--I still love its enthusiasm of blossoms covering the naked trees.  I have a few favorite trees that produce different flowers and blossoms, but Cherry trees hold a place in my heart.  It has everything to do with the Cherry tree we had in my front yard growing up and all of the wonderful memories I have growing up in that home with my fabulous parents and stellar brother (whom I respect much more now, than the days I chucked remote controls at him while I was mad and other things I'm not super proud of--like middle fingers and I'm sure a tongue & other really mature gestures--sorry Chad :)  Back to the blossoms...

There is not too much better that a tree covered in teeny tiny flowers.  Did I mention I LOVE Spring?  And that may have everything to do with the fact that after Spring comes Summer.  In case you didn't know---I LOVE SUMMER--but until then we are basking in blossoms and praying the wind and rain don't whisk them away too soon.