Mother of the year strikes again.

I caught my darling daughter in the bathroom again today. Again! When will I learn to shut the door? Actually I do about 90% of the time. Mike does about 1% of the time, but she never goes in when he leaves it open. She was back in the drawer. She had her brand new stuffed puppy "Jake" (Jr.) and I told her to get out. About an hour later I noticed puppy Jake had red on his light brown fur. I asked her if she did it. (making them admit it is the first step right?) She said yes, so, I told her to go to time out. Time out at our house is the stairs - which she did. I was so proud that I didn't yell. I was thinking what am I going to say to her? Should I take puppy Jake away? Will she understand that it's a result of what she did? How am I going to stop her?

Well - I go and sit by her on the stairs and I told her she made mommy very sad. (guilt always works for me) Then I noticed my wall - it had red all over it, so did her shirt, and her pants and her hands, how did I miss this? Then I thought, that's not chapstick, crayon or marker, it's blood! She had cut her finger, sliced it right open and I put her in time out! What a good little mommy I am!

Could someone please get that child a hair cut? Oh, Hi. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

My mom has this little bench in her living room that all the grandchildren love. I think we have pictures of every grandchild on this bench. It's adorable, and just their size. Well, after exactly 46 pictures I got one of Grace and Max looking at the camera, and it's not too shabby. I love their little holiday sweaters.... (Hey they are cute when they are young... :)

Nayvie and Ty are never one's to miss a photo op! We were at Grandma Kate's for Christmas Eve. We spent time eating, decorating Ginger bread houses, trains, condemned buildings and castles. We talked, ate some more and called it an evening.

Patch getting some loves from Jake.

Grace really did not understand the concept of Santa this year. I told her all month long that we have presents because the wise men brought baby Jesus presents - and she stared at me like, "Yeah, I'm not two yet - ..... duh!" And we had such a wonderful meeting with Santa earlier in the year I wasn't sure how she was going to react when we told her he had visited during the night.



She came into the living room, and stood there for a few minutes, then she saw the baby doll.. (Her first CPK....Mommy might have told Santa specifically which one...) And the stroller, and the crib and the swing and she was in heaven! We had to lug the baby and the carrier and the stroller every where we have went for the past three days...

Grace also got a kitchen from her Grandma, she has played with her dollies, and the kitchen non stop. I love it! She is just so cute.

Max got a car seat for Christmas, since his feet hung way over the edge, and it was like lifting a 30lbs bowling ball in his carrier. Mike says it's a baby lazy boy, and I admit it's pretty plush. He also got a basketball hoop, which he has learned really fast where the balls go and some other fun toys.

Christmas day we had breakfast at Mike's mom and dads and then headed up to Hyrum for Christmas lunch. We expected snow. We should have planned better. We ended up spending the night in Hyrum, both of us missed work on Friday because of the snow. Hyrum got at least a foot, but with the drifts the snow was up to the middle of my car door. It had rained before it had snowed, so all of the car doors were frozen shut, and it took Mike and my brothers 2 1/2 hours to shovel us out. Thanks boys! Then after a two hour drive home, on the worst roads I had ever been on - we made it home, to clean up Christmas. What a fun week we had! Lot's of Love to all our families and friends! (Only 362 days to go til Christmas 09!)

Make up!

"So after a long, long, night of drinking I felt trashed in the morning. Maybe mom needs to check the date on my apple juice?"




OK, so I should probably just leave this one to the pictures, they speak for themselves... But I won't. So, the other day I was making some treats which required constant stiring. I thought Grace would have fun with me in the kitchen, but I was so wrong. Of course she got into my drawer in the bathroom and made herself pretty.

My first thought when I saw her was, "I don't have anything that is red!" but then I saw that she had used chapstick as her base and blush, and eye liner to accent her cheekbones. What a talented little girl I have. (Thanks Cassie for leaving your chapstick.)

You should have seen her face, she was so scared when she got caught, but I'm not sure what she thought when I laughed and said I need to get the camera don't move!

From Max's point of view

Hey, were being good mom.

See, we are all smiles, mom.

Mom, I'm the good one, remember?

Hmm...how many times has my bis sis been mean to me?

Oh, she is in perfect position now!

And then I whack her, just like this!

And then, she takes this fun toy from me, just like always!

And then she tells me no. I'm not sure what that means...

And then she laughs, and laughs. She thinks she's won, but soon I'll be bigger than her and then we'll see.

Really getting into Christmas

Max loves the Christmas tree, he has for the past week. He won't stay out of it, but he has never got anything off the tree, so I haven't really cared. All that changed.

I was in the kitchen when Max started coughing really bad, and crying. I ran into the living room where he had pulled a bulb off my tree. Well, my darling Max got the glitter bulb off the tree, separated it from it's hook and had glitter EVERYWHERE. In his mouth, in his eyes, in his hair, in his walker, on the floor. When all was said and done I was covered, and I had glitter in the living room, hall way, my bedroom and the kids room. Now, my sweet, sweet boy has a cough, it started that night and has lasted for about 4 days now. I don't know if it's from the glitter, or just a cough??? I love him. But I was so not pleased!

I tried to post a video several times, but it just sits there for hours and hours and says loading....

Christmas's Long Long Ago....

As a child I remember Christmas traditions so fondly. I remember driving to Preston to see the lights each year - I remember getting lost trying to find that one really cool house with all the lights. I remember my dad getting so mad and saying he was never going again. I remember decorating for Christmas - and I love sitting in the dark with the Christmas tree lights on. I remember our family Christmas Eve party with my dad's sister and my cousins. We would play this dress up game that everyone complained about but we always laughed so much. I look back at those pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa McBride and I miss them. I remember how my Grandpa would tease my Grandma so much. I remember their Hawaiian palm tree with a few decorations, and the little fold out nativity scene. I remember sneaking up the stairs with my brother to see what Santa had brought during the night and scared we were going to get caught. I remember sitting at the bottom of the stairs yelling for my parents to get up at five in the morning so we could open presents. I remember each Cabbage Patch Kid I got for Christmas and how excited I was. I remember never having a bad Christmas. I remember going to my Grandpa Ronald's and Grandma Patty's house for Christmas lunch. I remember the smells and the food and how much they loved us. I remember their orange Christmas tree and crowding around that little living room with the whole family opening presents. I remember the way they hid hundred dollar bills in unique places for my uncles, one year in a fortune cookie. I remember my Grandpa Ronald teaching me how to make chocolates one year. Mine are never as good as his were, but I'm glad he taught me.

I want my kids to have those same feelings when they look back at Christmas in 20-30 years. Here are some of the fun things we have done this December -

Max & my Mom

We had friends and family over for a holiday breakfast, we had so much fun visiting with everyone, and making new friends! This is something we hope to do next year too! Grace and Max were so good, they love having people over!

We took the kids to temple square this week to see the lights. The family picture didn't turn out so so well, but I think you can see how bundled up the kids were. It was so cold, but so beautiful. We listened to story of Christ's birth and then President Hinckley's words about Christmas. We have done this for the past three years, and I never get tired of seeing the temple grounds all lit up.

We also drove around Kaysville and Layton looking at the lights, Grace loves them. She says "Oh mom, I like it. I like it." Mike suggested we drive around every other night because Grace has never been so calm in the car!

So, from the Tyler's to you - may your holiday's be filled with traditions, family, friends and the Savior!

6 quirks Tag

I have been tagged to list 6 quirks about me... Quirks I have - quirks I'm willing to list - hmmm....

1- I can not sit back an enjoy things. The entire time I think about what is next. This makes it sound like I'm not happy, and that is not it at all. Examples - when we are out boating, the entire time I'm thinking about getting finished and cleaning the boat. When we go on vacation the entire time I'm thinking about packing up and going home, and unpacking, and doing the laundry, and getting everything put away. If there is a mess in the house, I can not sit and relax until it is picked up. I hate this about me. I enjoy boating, I enjoy going on vacation, and I even enjoy cleaning, but I wish I could just take a chill pill and relax and enjoy the moments a little bit more.

2- I can not stand dirty dishes sitting in front of me. When we go out to dinner the waiter/waitress/watri better clear my plate and drinks as I get finished with them or I get really antsy. Many times I put my plate under Mikes plate so it's not sitting in front of me anymore. I'm not sure where this came from, but I don't like to see the dirty plates.

3- I have a bubble. It's a fairly large bubble and I don't like people in my bubble. My kids are an exception - usually - but I like my space.

4 - I over analyse situations, before they even happen. I rehearse situations, conversations, lessons, interviews, and anything else I can think of way before they ever happen. Almost always I am prepared for bad conversations to come up - and they never do. I guess I want to be ready for "the fight" when it comes. But it's even with really random people, like the Primary President, the Bishop, temple workers, people in the store, customers that come in to the office. I don't have a clue why I do this - but I'm prepared should a good shouting match come up. (Mike will tell you I'm one of the most passive people alive, and a few years ago I would have had the guts to call someone out - and I did several times, usually waitresses, but I don't know. I've kind of mellowed.)

5 - I have the weirdest phobia's I've ever heard of. I am afraid of objects pointing at me. (This is very bold of my to put this on my blog I know....) If you go out to dinner with me you may notice I always turn my straw away from me. I can not look at someone with a pencil in their ear, and those trucks that drive with the pipes cause panic attacks. There is a name for it - Aichmophobia - I also do not like the circus. I hate it - when I was young I saw someone fall from a high wire and hit their head - blood, blood, blood. Yeah - I don't like it. Sometimes I have dreams of clowns, they are not friendly. I also don't like wood, especially wet wood, wooden knives, spoons. I'm not afraid of it, I just can't touch it.

6 - I'm a girl, so I'm always right. But I do like other's opinions and suggestions. I can not walk into a paint store and pick out a paint color to save my life. Give me three options and I can choose from the three. I think that Home Depot is a torcher chamber and I would rather lie on a bed of broken glass.

So - that is my 6 quirks. I tag Stacy and Nicole...

Party Time

Good morning! Happy December everyone!

We are going to have a pancake breakfast at our home in Layton this Saturday between 830-10:00, everyone who lives in the area is invited - (if you don't live here, but would like to come we would love to have you!) If you need our address let me know.

Come start the holidays with some pancakes and visit with friends! The more the merrier!

Happy holidays!

The Tyler's

Family Foto Fiasco's

When am I going to learn? We tried to get some pictures for Christmas cards today - and oh my darling Grace, she doesn't hold still, she won't look at the camera, she threw grass and leaves on Max, she wouldn't leave the rocks alone... But aside from all of her stubbornness we did get some cute shots in!

Loving the little things!

So I don't know what is different about this year, but I am so excited for the holiday season... Is it only me?

I have already started watching Christmas movies, I'm listening to Christmas music. I can not wait until Christmas morning to watch Grace get her new little dolly crib and stroller. I am so excited to set up Christmas and see how it all looks and fits into my new house. I can't wait to go do a session at the Salt Lake temple the second week in January so we can walk through temple square... I don't remember ever feeling this way before - maybe it's Grace starting to understand, maybe - but I can't wait!

Our talks in sacrament went really well. I'm glad it's over, but I didn't procrastinate and was completely prepared by Wednesday!

Oh my sweet, strong willed Grace, she is makes me smile! Grace loves to color. She will lay on the floor or sit at the kitchen table and just color - we have gone through two coloring books in the past month, and lot's of mommy's scrapbooking paper. Grace also started sporting some "fine sunnies" this week. She wears them in the house, in the car and in the dark... + check out the hairdo!













Max is growing, I can't believe he is seven months now. He loves his walker (when Grace let's him have a turn...) He has decided that he is going to be a picky eater. He gags on Turkey and Rice, Chicken and Rice, Chicken Noodle, Pasta, Beans, Peas and sometimes his rice cereal. He loves the fruits and sweet potato's. This is a bit frustrating to me because he big sis would eat anything. She was eating table foods around 6-7 months, but not Max - I gave him a tiny bit of pancake and he had an allergic reaction. I gave him a tiny bit of noodle and he choked and threw up... But, my sweet boy is so happy, and that makes it worth it. He feeds off of Grace and laughs and laughs at her. He has a high pitch laugh which we only hear every few days, but when he lets it go everyone around stops. (Once again, nice hair!)

Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful belated Thursday, also known as Friday.

I found a post on my sister's friends blog that I really loved. As it's the season for being thankful I thought I would adopt the idea to my blog...

The 5 everyday things I am thankful for today....
1. Cars. Plain and simple, I am so grateful that I was born in a time of easy traveling. Even when gas prices were so high, it still only took an hour to get to Cache Valley. I can't imagine having to walk there!
2. Both Grace and Max slept through the night for the second night in a row. That means I slept for 2 straight nights. That has not happened in over two years. So with that, I'm so thankful for my bed.
3. My home. So many people helped us, donated/loaned and gave us furniture, time and so many other things. I love it. There is not one day I take my home for granted -
4. Binka's. Last night I was at Ikeaa with my mother and sister in law and Grace was crazy. The second I broke down and gave her a binka (It was after 8 and we had been there for 2 hours.) she settled down and rode in the cart.
5. Wet Wipes. Girls, can you imagine changing a diaper without wet wipes? Once again, I know I was born in a the day-n-age I could handle, because there is no way I would wash a cloth after it had poop on it!

So I am putting this challenge out there for all of you: find five everyday things you are grateful for, big or small it doesn't matter and either post them on your own blog or leave me a comment. I promise it is pretty fun to think through your day and realize we have a lot to be thankful for. It is a great way to end your day.

Increasing our vocabulary and gratefulness...

I feel like I have hit a blogging lull. Over a week with no post and nothing new to note... So I'll just post this cute picture of Grace and tell about some funny things she has said/done this week. Max was in his walker and he was sort of jumping, so I commented and praised him for jumping, so Grace was not going to just sit and let Max get all the attention so she stood up and said, "I jump, jump, jump." Well, she is one, so her feet never left the floor but it was so cute to watch her bounce.
She keeps me laughing, she came in the room and I was talking to Max and she said, "What's happening?" During the sacrament Grace stood up and loudly said, "I want a drink!" She loves to take the sacrament, but doesn't like to wait her turn... And my favorite thing she said this week "Super". I was sarcastically saying it to Mike and she started saying it. I guess it's a good thing I wasn't saying something worse!

Saturday night my sister was preparing her talk for the next day's sacrament on Gratitude. I teased her for procrastinating and told her that was an easy subject. I cursed myself. The next day we got "the call". I'm surprised it took them 4 months to ask us. And our topic, Gratitude. I think I'll borrow Cassie's talk... :) I also am in charge of sharing time this month, I teach primary, Mike teaches Gospel Principles once a month, they called him to teach in priesthood once a month, he is a ward missionary, Grace will not go to nursery, and we have Max. Needless to say, I'm beginning to dread going to church. I feel like I'm juggling a herd of cattle. Eventually my kids are going to cause so much disruption in the meetings they are going to change there minds... Yeah right.

Happy wishes to our friends and families -

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all our friends and family! Last night was so much fun! We could not have asked for better weather!

I had to work yesterday, so Grace and Max spent the day at Grandma Ruth's. The painted pumpkins and had their pictures by their names. Grace was such a pill, she made it clear that she was not going to be the best little picture taker! But in the end, Aunt Caitlin, Aunt Beth and Grandma won and we got some cute pics!

I can read Max's mind - "I wonder how this would taste?"

Grace was very cute with skeletons. For some reason she calls them her babies. The whole month any time she saw one she would says "Oh babies."

And now for some trick-or-treating! We took Grace to some friends in Mike's old neighborhood. At first Grace just wanted to carry her "Pumkeen" but when she realized people put treats in it she was all for getting to the next house. She saw some older kids running and she would say "I run, I run". Obviously Grace was Minnie Mouse - she looked so adorable!

Max was a giant spider, the costume fit him perfectly - they both were such good kids last night!

What a busy week..... We had the kids pictures taken, we had 2 family parties, a mission call, an emergency surgery (my niece Nayvie), a piano recital (my niece Maggie), and some fun in the fall leaves. I really do love this time of year!

My brother Patch got his mission call! He's going to Riverside California and leaves January 21st. He really is a good kid and is one of my hero's. He helps everyone with everything. I don't know what we will do without him!

My parents had a huge pile of leaves in their backyard. Had is the best word for that pile of leaves, they now are spread out all over again, but Grace had so much fun with Nayvie, Tytan and Jordan.


She was so cute! She laughed and laughed and threw the leaves. The next morning I went to wash her hair and still pulled out more leaves!
Max thought he was being punished. The second I set him down he started to bawl. What a mean mom I am for wanting a picture!!!


I'll post pictures of the kids Halloween costumes and the family party tomorrow, they are darling!

Our 1 minute 34 seconds of fame

We were on KSL news Tuesday night. Did you see us? Grace was so cute, she wanted to hold the microphone and was all smiles. How did they find us? Well, they posted the story about the recalled crib early in the day and I posted a comment saying that crib looks just like my crib and it falls of the track sometimes. I never thought that two reporters would start contacting me. I didn't even know what kind of crib it was but they wanted to come interview us for the story. I told them if they were on time and fast because it was our anniversary and we were going out to dinner. The lady who came was prompt, fast and efficient. She did the camera work, the interview and let Grace hold the microphone while she put the equipment away. So about the crib, Grace did sleep in it last night. We said an extra special prayer to keep her safe and we will order the replacement part today.

Happy Anniversary

I have not been tagged, but I thought it being my anniversary I would have a little blog about Mike day....
1. Where did we meet? We met on LDS Singles.com at first, then the Target parking lot. It was June 13th 2005. He was waiting on the bench in front of target with a rose.... I surprised him by bringing a friend along, just incase he was a crazy person. (Thanks Amanda!) Then we went to Rumbi's for dinner, where the waitress spilled water ALL over me. Mike found out I was a picky eater... and he still told me that he liked me at the end of the date. I had him hooked from the word go!

2. How long did we date before we were married? 4 months and a week... (that week was very important!) Of course we were talking about getting married after the 4th date. And then getting married in April. I always wanted a spring wedding with daisies. Then I decided I didn't want to wait until spring.....

3. How long have we been married? 3 years today! It was a great day too. I can not believe how beautiful the flowers and trees were for it being the end of October, it was warm, the sun was shining and I could not have asked for a better day!










4. My favorite feature of his? For sure his smile. He really can grin from ear to ear. I have this small smile that really doesn't do much for me. But when Mike smiles the whole room can feel it.

5. My favorite quality about him? He makes me happy. Almost always, even when I want to be mad he makes me feel better.

6. His nickname for me? Love or Lovey.

7. His favorite color? Yeah about that, I'm really not sure... I'm going to guess blue and make it a goal to know by our 4th anniversary!

8. His favorite food? Mexican and Pizza. He really could eat them every single day!!!

9. His favorite sport? I'm going to say golf to play, and football to watch.

10. When and where was our 1st kiss? We had been dating for about two weeks (mind you I went on vacation after the first date for a few days) and one night in front of my parents house in the car he asked if he could kiss me.... The next day he texted me that I was a good kisser. What a liar!

11. Our favorite thing to do as a couple? Just being together without whinniness! We like to eat out, we like to go to movies, but that just doesn't happen a whole lot.

12. How many kids do we have? 2, Grace is 21 months and Max is 6 months.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? He short changes himself a lot, but he is really good with people. We can not go anywhere without running into someone he knows. Everyone always says Mike's so nice! Also, Mike doesn't like to hold the channel changer. This is a major talent, when I come in the room he hands it to me... How lucky am I?

14. How old is he? Mike is not a child of the 70's. He will be 29 in January.

15. Who said I love you first? It was Mike, at the Providence miniature golf park, on the 14th hole. He said I love you on our third date. I said - "Oh, we'll see." I think I said it later that night, but I'm not sure???

16. His favorite music? Rock, he humors most of the time and listens to country...

17. What do I admire most about him? He wants me to be happy. He is a great daddy! Mike is also a great listener. He remembers things I say and that means so much to me...

18. Do I think he will read this? I'm guessing yes.

19. What does he do to surprise you? He brings me flowers sometimes....

So, to my husband, Happy Anniversary, I love you to the moon and back! And just to answer the question, I love you......more.