First real snow fall of the season

It snowed and snowed and snowed yesterday. It was so beautiful. I really do love the snow. Tyler really enjoyed playing in it too. We put him to work shoveling the snow. It was more the thought that counted, because the quality of is work isn't always the best (he is only 19 months old). He is at the stage where he loves to "help" us with everything. It is tons of fun. I hope that his willingness to help never goes away - yeah right.

It snowed about 3 inches in West Valley. The snow was perfect for making snow balls. Nice and wet and compacted really well. Tony loved showing Tyler how to make them and then throwing them at mommy.

This parenting stuff gets more and more fun. I just hope that with the winter season here that I can find fun things for Tyler to do in the house besides watching tv. We played outside everyday this past summer, so this cold weather and staying in doors will be a big change.

Halloween

Tyler had a fine time on Halloween. In the morning I took Tyler to Tony's work and showed him to the people there. It was an early day for Tony, so after we all went to my work to take Tyler trick-or-treating at our operations center. It was so much fun. Lots of people brought candy and so we went up and down the isles of cubicles and different people would give Tyler candy. That day he learned how to do the sign for thank you and added a kiss to it, so every time he got candy we would say, "Say thank you" and then he would pretty much blow them a kiss. It was so cute. Amazing how fast he is learning things these days. So we had a really good time at my work. The picture below is of Tyler sitting in my chair at my desk - we are so lucky to have such an awesome kid.

Tyler went as a cow. The costume was way cute. It had padding in the middle and in the back, but Tyler didn't really like wearing the hat part very much. I found it for only $10 at Costco (my favorite place to shop).

Later that day we went to Tony and my parents house to show them Tyler. We got out the four wheeler at my parents house and took Tyler for a ride around the back yard. He loved it. He was yelling and smiling and screaming with joy. My sisters kids were there too and Tyler always loves playing with his cousins. My mom was so nice to get Tyler a big bag of m&m's and a little playdoh. It was perfect. Then Tony's mom gave Tyler a couple little treats too. It was fun to visit with family.

He really liked going to the neighbors and knocking on the doors. He knocked, they came out and gave him treats, what could be better? It was tons of fun for all of us. Tyler even liked when we came back and all the kids came to our house. Over all it was a really good night. Happy Halloween to all.

California's Prop. 8

I have heard so much about Prop. 8 these past couple of weeks and how much crap the church is getting for coming out and encouraging its members to vote for Prop. 8 to say that marriage is between a man and a woman. The church believes that marriage is only to be with one man and one woman -- that is straight from God. Now I have done some reading and found this quote,

"[The] Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California, issued a statement on behalf of seven bishops Monday, saying the Catholic Church "cannot approve of redefining marriage.'Marriage' has a unique place in God's creation, joining a man and a woman in a committed relationship in order to nurture and support the new life for which marriage is intended," the statement said. "The meaning of marriage is deeply rooted in history and culture, and has been shaped considerably by Christian tradition. Its meaning is given, not constructed."

The LDS church is not the ONLY church out there that has this belief and is coming out about it. So I get tired of hearing people complain about how the church shouldn't get involved, but they are not the only church coming out about this topic. There are more consequences to this gay marriage thing then people want to believe. The following was written by my friend Alison's husband Ty and I think that he makes some interesting points:

Everybody has heard about proposition 8 in California. This proposition contains the same language that was approved by 61% of voters in 2000. Four San Francisco judges overruled the voice of the people and called the previous proposition unconstitutional. Proposition 8 simply reaffirms the previous vote and adds a constitutional amendment in order to force the judges to comply.There are numerous reasons why this vote will set a precedent for better or worse for the whole United States. Other states have similar issues on the ballot, but no other state is pushing the envelope on moral issues like California. Religious organizations are not immune from the consequences that will ensue if proposition 8 fails. While the full ramifications are not fully known, the Church's ability to perform marriage ceremonies in the temple may be compromised (unless they forfeit their tax exempt status or perform same-sex marriages), clergy that preach against same-sex marriage can be sued for hate crimes and adoption services that will not place children in homes of same-sex couples will be ineligible for government benefits (and may face lawsuits).

I, personally, don't really care if gay people want to get married. It doesn't change my marriage and I do want everyone to be happy. I can't judge them (luckily I don't have to do that) and we should respect and love everyone. But that doesn't mean that we have to love everything that they do. I have friends who are gay and I totally love them. Lucky for us today we have living prophets who are here to council us on what the Lord wants us to do. The Lord says that marriage is between a man and a woman. So I of course will do what the Lord tells me to do.

I do find it a little funny that everyone is making such a big deal about this, but then if you talk to someone about polygamy, then they say "Oh no that is just not right." Funny how that works. I personally don't believe in polygamy either, but why can a man marry a man, but someone else can't have two or three wives, or husbands? Why can't I marry my cousin that I am in love with? Where does it stop?

The Adversary is hard at work. He is making good LDS people have hurt feeling about their church, he is making people think that this is comparable to women's rights and civil rights. He is working over time and it is becoming a sad, sad world out there. I am so thankful that I have the gospel in my life and that I can know what God would want me to do. Not just because my church tells me, but because I find out for my self by asking God, in prayer, what I should do. That is what is so great about the LDS church, they say ask God and he will tell you what is the right thing to do. We are so blessed, may God continue to bless us and our country.

Tony's done with school

Tony finished his last final and is now done with all the classes he needed to get his Bachelor's Degree in Business. He will walk for graduation on December 13th up in Logan. He has been going to the USU Extension in Salt Lake and really enjoyed it. I am really proud of him and I know that great things are yet to come. He is considering getting his Masters, but hopefully that will wait a little while. I guess we will see what kind of job he gets and if they tell him to go back to school. He is hoping to stay with the church and get a job in management. He has worked for the church for over 6 years and they all really love him so I know that the right job will come. He has worked so hard while going to school, working, and having his family. I am so proud of him. He is such a great husband and dad to Tyler. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for how blessed I am to have Tony as my husband. Tyler and I are really lucky to have Tony in our lives.

Mama boy

I love Tyler so very much, but some days it would be nice if he wasn't such a mama's boy. I try to enjoy it now, while it lasts, but that isn't always easy. It is to the point where Tony can't even give him is bedtime bottle, he only wants me to do it. On Tuesday when I dropped him off at my moms while I went to work, she said that he cried for like an hour. Now I do think that he still has a touch of the stomach bug so he isn't feeling very well, but an hour is a long time. It makes me having to leave him places that much harder if I know that he is going to cry for a long time. I hope that was just a one time thing and that he goes back to just crying for a couple minutes. It's easier to leave him places that way.

I called the doctor today about Tyler's "runs" (which he's had since last Thursday). She said to give him Pedialyte and yogurt with active cultures (like Activia). So I hope that helps. I didn't have to take him in, but if it gets worse or continues into next week I am suppose to take him in. It is nice that you can just call and get advise sometimes.

My cousin is in the BYU Opera this weekend. She is one of the main people. I am excited to go and see her sing. She also has a small part in the Salt Lake Opera Company's Opera, so that is way cool. It should be fun.

California

We just got back from California on Friday night. We went with Tony's whole family. A good time was had by all. I think that it was kind of over whelming at times for Tyler, but he was a trooper. We left on Sunday morning. Thanks to my brother Kevin who drove us to the airport at 7:00 am. Tyler did really good on the airplane. I brought Baby Einstein and treats and we were good to go. Once we got to California and got our cars (that took a while) then we headed to Church. We just made it in time to take the sacrament. Then after lunch we went and got into our hotel. It was really close to Disneyland and had really nice rooms. Tony's parents had to get three rooms to fit us all. We shared with Nate and Amy. Good times.

Tyler really did good at Disneyland. He only really didn't like the Carousel. He cried and didn't want to get on the horse. But he really really like AutoTopia. That is where you drive the cars. He loved driving crazy and cried when we had to get off. We made sure that we went on that one a couple of times.

We didn't get to take pictures with Tyler and any of the characters while we were there. For some reason it just didn't happen. Something to save for next time.

He took pretty good naps in his stroller so that was really good. He got sick on Wednesday morning, waking up throwing up -- so sad, for all of us involved. Then we thought he was feeling better but then threw up again all over him self and the stroller once we got to Disneyland. I had an extra onesie in the diaper bag, but not extra shorts, so we had to spend almost $20 on little shorts for him. Then we ended up just going back to the hotel at about noon. That was a good idea because he got to play and take a really good nap. We went back to Disneyland at about 5:30 that night. Then the next day he had an "the runs" and that was so sad. Needless to say, he really didn't eat very much the last three days we were in California. Poor guy. Even though he didn't feel very well, he did a great job.

We went to Sea World on Thursday and had a good time. He loved seeing all the animals and playing on their fun play ground for little kids. I wish that we could have spent more time there. They had these big nets that he just loved. Tony was such a great dad playing on the nets with Tyler. Tyler (who still had "the runs") did have a blow out incident where his shorts were dirtied, so then we had to go to every single gift shop in Sea World to try and find him some new shorts. What was it with our luck with having to find and buy Tyler new (expensive) shorts? We didn't find any, so we ended up spending another $20 on a whole outfit thing with a shark on it. Kind of ugly, but it worked (as shown in picture below of Tyler on the nets in his new outfit).

They also had some rides at Sea World and Tyler liked those too. It seemed like he really got into the rides as soon as it was time to come back home. Isn't that how life always is?

On Friday we got to sleep in (sort of) and pack our bags. Our flight didn't leave until 6:00 that night, so we all went to Down Town Disney and Tony's parent's bought us all a shirt and Tyler a fire engine. Then we went and did a little more shopping before heading to McDonald's where the kids could all play and get out their energy. It was a well needed play break. Then we saw the top of a hill where you could see all of Long Beach. It was really pretty. By that time we really just wanted to get home. Earlier that day I started having stomach problems and wasn't feeling very well. Then we flew home and my dad picked us up. All in all it was a great trip. Thanks to Tony's parents for sponsoring the well needed vacation and for all their love that they show us and the rest of the family.

Now we are home and back to work. Love vacations, always glad to come home from them!

General Conference

The older I get the more I like General Conference. I noticed that yesterday and today they talked a lot about having hope and having a good attitude about what is going on today. President Monson talked about the only thing you can count on is change and that is so true. I don't know what is going to happen with our economy, but I truly think that we will be okay if we all keep our houses in order and are wise with our money. The church is true and I love that we get to hear from our leaders so often.

Time flies by...

Last Saturday we all went to Kennecott with Tony's family for their 20th anniversary celebration. They had a little tour and then lunch. It was lots of fun. I have pictures, but I need to get them off of the camera and then I will put them on here. We all received fun give-a-ways and a good time was had. Then Tony went and took a washer and dryer up to his brother in Logan while I watched the rest of the BYU game at his mom's. It is nice to see that BYU is back to their old selves when they used to just kill everyone by tons of points. Those blow out games aren't really as much fun as the closer ones, but I don't like nail-bitters because I get too anxious.

Tyler has become obsessed with playing in the car. We let him do it at first while we were using the car to pull out bushes, ever since that is the first thing he does when we go out side. On the plus side, I have cleaned out both cars while he has been playing. Of course then he wants to play with the vacuum and a 15 minute job turns into a 45 minute job. It keeps me humble.

I am going to go and teach at my sisters school (Riverton High) on Wednesday. I am going to be a presenter about the banking world. It should be lots of fun, I look forward to it. I just hope that the kids don't get too bored and that I have enough information. I will let you know how it goes!

Go Cougs!

Tony and I got to go to the BYU game on Saturday against UCLA. BYU killed them 59 to 0. It was such a great game. Tony and I got to go to the side line and watch part of the first quarter on the field. It was so awesome to be so close to the action. Our seats were on the 20th yard line and 10 rows up. They were nice seats. Then we got to go to a corporate sponsor pre-game lunch and half time treats too. We won the tickets from my work at Deseret First Credit Union. They are one of the sponsors, so they have tickets to each game. It was a great game and a fun experience. We really love BYU football so it was awesome. We were truly spoiled that game. I hope to win some more tickets some time.

Tony and I have been working really hard on our yard lately. It will look nice when it is done, but it sure is a lot of work. We always start out with a little job and then it ends up being a huge job. I think that is how it always is. It has needed to be done for a while, so it is good that it is getting done.

Tyler is getting so big. He is such a big jumper. He is so daring and will jump off of pretty high things, like the couch. He is talking a little better. He says Dad more now and words like cat, dog, ball, mom, car...that is all I can think of now. He definitely focuses on physical things more then verbal skills. He is so much fun and I just love him so much.

Good times

Tyler has been sick with a cold the past couple of days. It sucks when babies are sick. They can't tell you what is really wrong, so you just have to guess. I took him to the doctors on Friday and found out that he has an ear infection. This will be the third one he has had. The doctor said that babies are "allowed" four within their first year of life. So I was glad to hear that. It was a different doctor then I usually see, but I really liked him. I kind of wish that he was Tyler's doctor always. I would feel bad switching, so I will have to be happy with my doctor.

This last weekend was very busy. Tony and I decided to take out some bushes from our yard and make it look better. My dad and brother came and helped us take out the bushes and then on Monday a guy from our ward helped Tony put them on the trailer. Tony had a bungee cord come back and hit him in the eye brow and the lip. We spent 2 hours in the InstaCare waiting to get a stitch. Good times. His eye is pretty purple now, it is way hot.

We have been working every night on our yard. We bought some flowers and a small tree for our front yard. It is starting to look really nice. Tony planted seeds tonight and I sure hope that they grow well. We have 300 bulbs to plant, so that will be awesome come this spring. I love it when the yard is nice and the lawn is mowed. It will be worth all the hard work when we are done, at least it better be.