A Note To Brazil

Tate has a message for Uncle Elder Ralphs serving in Brazil:

Tori didn't want to be left out:

Oh, and don't forget:

We love you, Tyson! Hope you have a very Happy Birthday and a Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Halloween

I think Tate is convinced Halloween is better than Christmas. Parties, candy, dressing up like your favorite characters . . . What could be better?

Trick-or-treating at your school halloween party.


Playing Halloween Bingo.

Carving Jack-O-Lanterns.

Waking up early each morning to count your candy and get into character.


Making Opa your faithful steed.

Rounding up your little sister, the cow, for some pre-trick-or-treating pics.

What a great holiday!

Hats!

Yay for cool weather! It means that my knitting hobby can actually be put to practical use. Although I love knitting little baby hats year-round, it feels a little more satisfying in the fall when the hats actually get worn. This time I decided to make new hats for Tate and Tori.


This one ended up being a lot of work, but I think it turned out pretty cute. Or is that just the baby wearing it?

Back view. Isn't it darling? Oh, and the hat doesn't look bad either :)



This little pink one turned out really sweet, but it has since been all stretched out by two playful little hands. Oh well.

Tate's hat turned out a little big, but he loves it anyway. Check out this impromptu hug from big brother. How sweet is that?!

Close-up view of Tate's hat. Even though my dad says it looks like he's growing mold on his head, those little green bumps are actually tiny turtles.

I can't take credit for this cute cap. My friend Janie crocheted this, a skill I plan to learn in the near future. Thanks, Jane!

Six Months Old

Has it already been six months?! Tori is growing up so fast; eating solids, sitting up, scooting all around the house. She is such a fun, happy baby and we just love her! She now weighs 15 lb 10 oz (50th percentile) and is 25 1/2 inches long (50th percentile).

What joy

this bundle of wonder

this ball of bright-eyed energy . . . .

that holds happiness in a giggle

and all of heaven in a smile.

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday, Tater Bug! Tate turned three on September 6th. We had a little party for him on Saturday since we had cousin Ethan's baby blessing on Sunday. It was so funny to watch Tate rip into his presents. Oma and Opa gave him a remote control car and he was convinced that the remote control was a camera. When he wants to take the car for a spin, he asks us if he can "take a picture" of the car.

"Tate and Lightening McQueen. He races like a race car. It's a birthday cake!"

"Opening my presents. It's the train and the track. And I got those. Thank you!"

"Ohhhh! Buzz Lightyear! Big Buzz Lightyear. He flies and falls down and Woody helps him. Oh. I love Woody and Buzz."

"My puzzles. It's Shane and Oma and Opa. Oma is sitting by daddy. And that is very Shane. I love my Shane."

"My trains from Shane and Darcee. All aboard! Chuga chuga choo choo. All aboard!"

We spent the afternoon on Sunday at the Deeter residence after Ethan's blessing. Annie was so sweet and had a little cake and present waiting for Tate. Thanks for being so thoughtful, Annie!

"Whoa. Fire. Tate is blowing it on his cake and candle."

Yes. He really is blowing out the candle in this picture. Do you know how long it takes to blow out a candle when you don't even open your mouth?

"It's a Lightening McQueen!'

Go Utes!

Don't worry, don't worry. We're still true blue Aggie fans. Well, most of us are. Tori, Phil's fellow school counselor at IHMS, has converted Tate over to the Utes. He loves to hear their fight song and yell "Go Utes!" So when Tori (Phil's co-worker, not our baby girl) hooked us up with tickets to the Utah vs. Utah State game, Tate was pretty excited. He pointed out every U in the stadium and said, "Look. There's Go Utes and there's Go Utes and there's Go Utes . . . . "(you get the idea). We had a blast at the game and were pretty proud of our Ags even though they lost.

Back to School, Back to School . . .

Tate started at his new "school" (aka: daycare) this week and he was such a trooper. We've been talking about and preparing him for this change all summer. He did so great. He ran right into his new classroom and started playing with the other kids. No tears, no hesitation. His teacher said that a few hours later he paused and said, "I need my mommy. I need to go home." But she just distracted him with some toys and he was fine.

When I got home that night, Tate was so excited to tell me all about his new school, the fun toys, the new teachers, and "the little boy in the green shirt, he was playing with the big truck and I screamed at him."

Thank you, Tater, for being such a big kid and making this day a little bit easier on mommy. I love you!