October 2016

October was a busy month but lots of fun with friends. I will admit, I will miss the beautiful fall colors when we move.

 
We started the month off with a Halloween lunch party a local credit union puts on. This is the second time we have gone and will truly miss it when we move. They had hot dogs, chips, cookies, candy, candy apples, and soda. Because the bank was located on Jeff's campus, he was able to join us for lunch. We went with our friends Tammy and Claire Nelson and Ashley, Oliver, and Kailey Gomez. Will will definitely miss them too when we move!

I couldn't get a decent picture of all the kids eating.

After we ate, we danced and played with Hula hoops.

 

Next we decorated pumpkins.

And finally, we finished the day by trying to get a picture with all the kids...

Ya, that didn't happen.

I have been the YW first counselor the whole time I have been in the Heather Ridge ward. I love the YW and my fellow leaders. We had a lot of fun carving pumpkins for Halloween. I am so grateful for the friendships I have formed due to being in YW. 

We went to Nick's for playgroup, again, another Aurora tradition I will miss.

Tic tac toe.

Bean bag toss.

Tyler had a love-hate relationship with the talking pumpkin.

Poor kid, it was really hot that day.

Next I went to Tk's wedding. Finally! Just kidding. Tarah and her family are basically my family too so it was an even more special day than just a "friend" getting married. I have been so blessed to have her as a close friend for since I was seven years old and moved to Cypress. Our friendship has truly evolved. It's funny to think all the way back to when we used to fight over who had to sit next to the boys in primary. Now our days are spent talking about more serious matters such as school, work, marriage, and motherhood (along with a few other silly things too, but only just a few ;). I am grateful I can tell her anything at any time and she can do the same.

I am so happy she has found Eugene and is truly happy. The wedding sealing was nice, the sealer told Eugene to give Tarah a blessing that night. I thought that was neat. The reception was at an outdoor event center in Huntington Beach. The decorations were simple and elegant. She had delicious food, a photo booth, a dessert waffle truck, some Polynesian dancing, and three cakes (haha). It was a lot of fun catching up with people at the reception. So so happy for you Tk!

It was funny- the temple worker came out right before Tk and Eugene did and told us it wasn't appropriate to cheer when they came out of the temple. So when they came out we were quietly like "Yay...?"

 Tammy and Niki took care of Tyler for me so I could go to Tk's wedding (Thank you ladies). Niki hosted a Halloween Party while I was at the wedding. Claire was Batgirl and Tyler was Batman.

True love.

I also missed the ward trunk or treat when I was at the wedding.

After the trunk or treat Tyler went to Marlo's complex to do some more trunk or treating. He did not like a few of the costumes (he was scared of them) and talked about them the rest of the night.

Halloween

We love Piper and Claire!

My mom came back with me from Tarah's wedding and spent a few days with us. Tyler loves her so much. She often gives him gifts so when he doesn't know where something comes from he asks if "Macey's grandma" gave it to him. I just tell him yes, even if it isn't.

Presents from Grandma.

We carved pumpkins for FHE.

He actually wasn't a fan of getting his hands all slimy from the pumpkin guts.

He thought you had to put the pieces of the face back in.

Ihop had a free "create your own jack-o-lantern face" pancake for kids so grandma took us out to eat on Halloween morning.

Grandma fixing his quiet book. Her fingers had sores on them by the time she was done. Thank you grandma!

This bear was given to me by my Aunt Janice years ago. Fun to see Tyler using it.

He fell asleep trying hoping for freedom.

Claire Brimhall invited him to her preschool Halloween party. The kids played games inside and outside, did some crafts, and enjoyed a fun and yummy lunch. Thanks for the invite Claire! 

Arching their backs like cats.

On a treasure hunt listening to a clue, well sort of listening.

Family Pictures Fall 2016

Our friend Nephi took family photos for us. We love them and are grateful he took them, they turned out great! We had a rough night before so some of the earlier pictures we look a little tired, but eventually we woke up! Thanks Nephi! 

I Love To See The Temple?

A few friends and I attended the Fort Collins open house, well, they did, I tried to. Tyler was not having any of it! But to be fair, it was his nap time. I'm still glad we went though.

Tyler wearing the temple protector booties. When I was little I went through the San Diego temple and had two different sized covers. I kept slipping out of one and the people behind me kept laughing. I was not happy. I made sure Tyler's covers were both snug. Funny what you remember. 

 

It was pretty much impossible not to have an extra kid in someone else's family shot. 

 

And it's time to go home..

A few minutes into the car ride home.

Silly Moments

What happens when I send Tyler in to blow his own nose.

Tyler often packs things in my purse. Found these gems.

Went to use my rice cooker.

Shouldn't have left him alone while I showered.

 

Loves to put the silverware away.

Also loves to floss.

We were playing Guess Who and he said he found my picture. Apparently this is what I look like to him.

Thoughts and Tyler moments (of course)

      Well, life's been good, life's been tough. Been working on listening and discipline with Tyler for the past few months. He is a sweetie but loves to push the limit. As a parent, it is hard to balance between guiding children and making them obey. I do not want to crush his silly, adventurous personality, but at the same time, he still needs to be obedient.
       I have been talking to a few of my friends about this lately and they are having similar dilemmas. We were talking about how awful you feel after you get mad at your child or have to punish him or her. You feel guilty and crummy. But at the same time, it has to happen sometimes. I was telling Jeff about this and he brought up a good point, he said, "Tyler has moved on and forgiven you so you need to do the same thing." Good point. Not only do we need to be eager to forgive others, but we also need to be eager to forgive ourselves . An older sister at church said, "Don't worry about being a 'mean' parent, if it's not abuse, you're doing the right thing." I thought that was a great way for me to measure my actions as a mom.

BUT.... as hard as Tyler has been lately, he has also been SO much fun! He is such a funny and silly, silly little boy. A few of his favorite sayings:

"Have mercy!" 

"Eat my dust!" 

"I'm gonna win!" 

"Hit the road jack!" 

"Mmm! Tastes delicious!" 

"That's so silly!"
"Sorry Charlie."
"Listen a me!"
Sings: "Skip to my loot." 

He loves to call me "Ace." I am surprised he even picked that up from my family. 

Tyler: Ace, Ace, let's do puzzles. 

Me: You don't call me Ace.

Tyler: Yes call you Ace! 

He has a friend who he LOVES named Lorelai. He has actually been borderline obsessed with her for a few months now and she is so sweet and just goes along with it (she is 8). He will always ask about her, or pack snacks for her when we go places even if she isn't going to be there, and my personal favorite, he did not want to say, "eat my dust" to her. Jeff taught Tyler to say "eat my dust" when we are driving somewhere to make it a competition. Tyler loves to say "eat my dust" to Jeff's family, especially Grandpa. One day we saw Lorelai on her way to meet up with us at the park. Tyler said, "I beat Lorelai to park. No say 'eat my dust' Lorelai, say 'hi'". Cute. 

I lied to him last week. He saw Dick's sporting good store and wanted to go in to the "basketball store." I told him it wasn't open. He said he would go there by himself after naps. I wished him luck. 

He calls Winnie the Pooh, "shampoo." 

Today we put out our Halloween decorations and listened to Halloween music as we did so. He liked singing the "Monster Mash" aka "We make a mess." 

We pulled up to Walmart and Tyler started saying, "My Walmart!" When we drove by a McDonald's he said, "Let's get chicken nuggets!" Embarrassing to both! 

When we were in Visalia Jeff's mom commented on how Tyler might be ready for puzzles. We have been home a few weeks now and he can do 25 pieced puzzles all by himself. Guess she was right! 

I told Tyler to say "good morning" to Jeff and Tyler said, "No, I say that to him yesterday." 

Jeff gave Tyler four of his old trophies. Tyler took all four to the ultra sound appointment for the baby. 

I accidentally spilled some water and he said, "Oh man, you make a mess!" Pot calling the kettle black my friend?  

Tyler tooted and I asked him what he did, he smirked and said, "What? I do nothing!" Lies. 

He has a great memory. I think he gets that from Jeff. One morning he exclaimed, "I have that momma!" I came out to see what he was talking about and saw a commercial for a protein drink I had shared with him a few months prior.

We did a lot of driving at the end of summer. One time he said, "There's a gas station, we gotta change my diaper at the gas station." By the end of the road trips he was telling as we drove past gas stations that we needed to pull over and change his diaper there. 

We went boating while in Visalia. I told Tyler we had to drive to the lake first. We drove from the garage to the side of the house and he said, "Woohoo! We're here!" 

So, I guess what I am saying is, I'll take him :) 

And yes, I know I need another hobby other than my kid!