Called to Serve

Tyson left for the MTC in Sao Paulo, Brazil yesterday. It was, of course, a wonderful, awful day. I told Tyson that those missionaries better get baptizing because everyone in the world needs to be converted by the year 2025. This is precisely when Tate will turn 19, and I refuse to let my son fly away, not to be seen or heard from for two years. Nope. It's just not going to happen.

The decreasing heights in this picure reminded me of the Cingular commercials, "More Bars in More Places".

One last family photo. We love you, Tyson! Good luck!

Tate loved wearing Grandpa's hat. Don't worry, Grandpa. We'll come see you soon so you won't be too lonely in your recently emptied nest.

First Time Tuber

The Elders Quorum had a tubing activity last Saturday. Although there wasn't much snow left around here, we did find a patch of icy slush on a hill over at Sugar House Park. So we used that. Tate wasn't really into it. I think his exact words were, "No, no, daddy, no, no!" But, being good parents, we held him down and forced him to slide down the hill. We thought he might like it once he tried it. We thought wrong. He preferred to stay at the top of the hill with daddy. Maybe next year.

Sidenote: Why are my attempts at blogging always thwarted by either my archaic, super low-speed internet or my toddler's cute little index finger that always seems to find the power button on the computer at the most inopportune times?????

Sidenote #2: Is it bad that I'm letting my 18 month old eat crumbs from a bag of chips that he found in the garbage just so he won't come near the computer until I'm done with this post? Before you answer, keep in mind that I already wrestled a pair of needle-nose pliers away from him. When it comes to acceptable distractions, I draw the line at sharp, pointy, poke-your-eye-out objects.

Look Ma, No Cast!

Tate got his cast off last Thursday. It was a pretty scary ordeal for all of us, but the doctor said everything looks great. To us it just looks very different. He has a few scars that will fade quickly, but his thumb doesn't look anything like it used to. I kind of miss his little "thinger" (part thumb, part finger). But as long as he can use it, I'm happy.

For now, bath time is the only time Tate can be without his new splint. He'll be wearing it for three months.


In the second month, we can take the splint off for short periods of quiet play. And he'll only have to wear it at night in the third month. Hopefully by then he’ll be a pro at using his new thumb.

4 Weeks Down, 1 To Go

The weekend after his surgery, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Shane, Uncle Tyson, and Aunt Andrea came to spoil Tate. Here is Tate and Shane in their matching hats that mom made. (Tate's mom, not Shane's mom)


No. It's not Tate's birthday. These are just his "Get Well" gifts. What a spoiled little boy.

Grandpa and Grandma took us out to eat at Joe's Crab Shack. Grandpa and Tyson happily strapped on their lobster bibs.

Tate wouldn't hold still for me to take a picture of him in his new church clothes. He kept attacking the camera. So Phil held him about eight feet away and let him go while I quickly snapped a picture. You can tell he is in mid-stride.
Tate and Shane laid down for a nap together. Shane was skeptical at first, but after he tested it out he admitted that thumb sucking is pretty darn soothing. Tate has had his cast on for a little over four weeks. He gets it off this Thursday!!