Tyler had a football game tonight.  He is on Varsity.  We are very proud of him and the dedication and hard work he put in over the summer.

The kids loved it.

Tatum wasn't a huge fan of the guy dressed up like a mascot cowboy and when I say not a fan I mean she hysterically screamed if he came within 100 feet of us.  All for the love of the game.

Our future running back

First Day of Preschool

Tatum is now a Pre-schooler.

She has been going to Mother's Day Out since she was 3 months old and the program we had her in was similar to preschool as far as the curriculum but not "officially" a preschool.

After our Orientation tantrum I was a little nervous about her first day but she was a champ and didn't shed a tear.

She was so excited to give her teacher her gift.  Ended up being a GREAT distraction.

My BIG girls first BIG day!

She had a great day at school and came home telling me all about her new friends and that the letter A sounds like AAAAHHHH AAAHHH AAAHHH. 

New adventures everyday!

With preschool starting I decided it was time for Tatum to finally get her first official hair cut.  When she was about 10 months old I took her to get her mullet cut but it was just a quick snip.

This was an all out hair cut.

Expecting nothing less from me (and the reason why I would be ok with just one girl) I took her to Robert and had her taken care of.  ;o)

 

Getting her hair washed

Getting ready for her cut

When she looked in the mirror she said, "Mommy, look, I"m a snowman!"

My little munchkin was so little she had to stand up to have her hair cut

 Getting a blow out

The finished product from the front...once he was finished she looked in the mirror and said, "Mommy, I feel pretty."  While I will be sure she finds other ways to feel "pretty", I loved that she felt special for her big day!

If you saw her on the street you would never recognize her.  I've never seen her hair this straight in my life!

We had orientation today at Tatum's new school. 

The parents went into the sanctuary while the kids got to meet their classmates and their teacher.  After the brief orientation there was Popsicles on the Playground.  

Everything was going so well and then Tatum turned into a 3 year old and threw a fit of all fits in front of the entire school.  I had to just pick her up, as she was wailing like a crazy person, and carry her to the car.  I can only imagine the thoughts her teacher was having.

 

All smiles with Joey...just before the world ended (or so she made it seem)

After we calmed down and had our little chat about her tantrum...I decided I would reward her with a movie.  Kidding.  Obviously wasn't a reward.  ;o)  I don't get much time with the kids one on one so I really wanted to enjoy our day.  We went to see Madagascar 3.  It was cute and I enjoyed spending time with my #1 girl and hearing her laugh and have fun.

Rocky Mountain High

Dylan told Lucy we would come visit for Labor Day weekend, and being the good big brother that he is...nothing was going to stop that from happening.  So, we loaded up the kids and headed out of town for a fun filled weekend.

We arrived around 4am.  Not the best time to arrive with little ones.  You never know if they will go back to sleep.  They did sleep for a couple hours until Dylan got up to go golf with the other guys.  

The girls and kiddos headed off to the park.  After being in the car for so long they were ready to run off some energy!

Tatum loves walking dogs.  Ours or anyone elses!

Druz had fun playing with Avery while we were in Colorado.  He is quite the curious little kid.

Friday afternoon we headed out for lunch.  We ate at a really great place.  The weather was PERFECT so we sat on the patio.

We were in Boulder and there was a little spray fountain by the restaurant so we let Tatum have a go.

 Saturday we headed out to Estes Park for a hike.

Dylan walking around carrying the whole family! 

Unfortunately, when we go to the Rocky Mountain National Park, the hike we had planned to do was closed down.  Luckily, there was a festival going on in Estes Park so we just walked around and enjoyed our time there. 

Hanging out in Estes Park.  It reminded Dylan and I of Bar Harbor, with all the shops.  We even stopped for some ice cream...I had bubble gum...my favorite!

We celebrated Tatum's birthday again with Aunt Lulu, Uncle Matt, Auntie M, and Brian.  This is one spoiled little girl!

Eating her cupcake that she made with Aunt Lulu and Auntie M.  She loves helping bake right now so this was PERFECT!

Tatum had a blast and loved her gifts, although I think the adults had more fun with the hula hoop than she did!

Sunday moring we had breakfast at The Buff.  On our way home we passed chaos all over the highway.  We heard Obama was going to be in town for an event and I guess he arrived because there were roads shut down and flashing lights and helicopters everywhere.  Less than an hour after we left The Buff, Obama ate there.  Whether you like the guy or not, it would have been pretty cool to be eating and the president walk in.  This is like the 5th time we have had a close call with him so it was kind of a bummer.  He was in Maine at Acadia National Park one year and arrived a couple days after we left.  Then when we were in Ohio this summer he was also there in the same little town on the same day.  But so was RG3 and I think he was more upset about missing RG than Obama.

After breakfast we made a trip to Red Rock and did some hiking.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  Amazing how different part of the country are.  I love it.

A few more pictures from our Red Rock hike...

Here we go...

My little hiker

Daddy and Druz...he was getting quite the work out.  He would run ahead and hide and then Tatum wouild have to find him.  By the end of the hike, he definitely got his work out in!

Auntie M and Tatum

Heading back...Tatum had enough hiking.

Our sweet little family after our hike

3 year check up

Tatum had her 3 year check up.  I was VERY surprised to hear she is still in the 80th percentile for her weight.  Maybe it's just because I see her through "Mommy eyes" but I really didn't think she was that big.  Of course, the doctor said it was nothing to worry about but I was still surprised. She is only 60% for height.  Her body is just like Dylan's and he was a late bloomers (his words, not mine) so maybe she will sprout up later or maybe not at all.  In my eyes, she is perfect now.

She has proven that three will be more challenging than 2 was.  She has started throwing some serious tantrums so that's been interesting.

She is still so sweet with Druz and really just loves him to pieces.

She loves going to gymnastics and hanging out with her friends. 

She can count to 15, jumbles 16-18 the finishes with 19 and 20.

She knows pretty much all her shapes...including a rhombus.  I wasn't even sure what that was but thanks to The Dollar Store work books...I now know.

Sleeps in her bed like a champ.  I only say this because I was a little concerned when we moved, being upstairs and so far from us but she is handling it like a big girl.

Loves bandaids and getting her hair braided.

Has to have a couple books read to her at night and now listens to a RainForest sounds CD when going to sleep.

She can recognize most letters, but we are still working on some.

LOVES doing puzzles, crafts, flashcards, and the matching game.

Her favorite treat right now is one of her Dad's kisses (hershey kiss) but also loves pop rocks.

Not a very big eater these days.  Worries me some days but I guess seeing that her stats are so high...I guess she could manage to skimp on a meal or two.

Loves all things princess and enjoys wearing dress up clothes.

I absolutely adore her precious smile and it makes my heart melt when I get to see it. I love spending one on one time with her and listening to her (non-stop) talking. 

 

Happy Birthday Tatum!

I am in disbelief that Tatum is 3.  She amazes me everyday and I just love every little bit of her. 

We did a little swimming today.  I guess I wore their little butts out.  No pun intended.

We had our family birthday celebration.  Mom, Vicki, and Tross came over to help us celebrate.

 My big girl!

The 98er's put one in the Win column, folks.  What/Who are the 98ers you ask?  A group of us that graduated in 98 decided to start a co-ed softball team and let me tell you this...we may not be as young as we once were but we looked good out there on that field.  You would think we graduated well into the new millennium.  No, Seriously.

Dylan pitched.  I stood out in the outfield doing cartwheels and picking flowers (my Dad will laugh at that).  I didn't really do that but if my Dad ever comes to a game, I will just to remind him of my little league days.

Casey was our star player with his sliding to catch balls and just his all-star playing.

Alison, well, I'm not sure what you would call her.  She was ejected half way through the game for throwing her bat...more than once.  She played great before the unfortunate incident but it definitely provided entertainment if nothing else.

Jana and Brittany played in college and it showed.  They were getting people out left and right.

Even the kids got in on the fun.  We hired a sitter to come sit with the kids at the field while we played.  It was nice to get the kids outside and realize their parents really are aren't as old as they thought.

The rest of the team held their own and everyone contributed to the win, whether it was a catch, a hit, an RBI, etc.  We all had a really good time and I'm already excited about our next game.

 Dylan pitching

Team picture

Our team captain wasn't able to make the first game so somehow I got stuck filling out the paperwork.  I was as confused as I looked.

Our little slider and his wounds.

Tatum had a blast at her party!  She even cried because it was time to go. I'd say it was a success!

She wanted a princess party.  So I took the liberty of making it a Disney princess party. 

 Here is her Tangled/Rapunzel cake.

I had little figurines for The Little Mermaid so these cake pops matched Ariel and her crew

 

I also had Aladdin, Princess Jasmin and the rest of the Aladdin family figurines so these cake pops matched those.

 This picture perfectly translates how Tatum was at the party.  A blur from running around everywhere!

Grayson, Tatum, and Aslynn anticipating the lighting of the candles...

It's her party, she can cry if she wants to.

Aslynn consoling Tatum after she was told her party was coming to an end.  Ahhhh sweet friends.

Olivia, Aslynn, Myla, and Tatum in their Princess crowns.

 My little princess!

 Gam-E and G-Pop got Tatum a balance bike for her birthday.  She was ready to jump on and GO!

Hectic Times ahead...BEWARE!

We are having the fireplace redone this week.  Was supposed to be done Tuesday...won't be done until Thursday.

Movers are moving us in Thursday.

Ron and Liza arrive Friday.

Tatum's birthday party Saturday.

1st softball game of the season Sunday.

We leave for Colorado next Thursday.

How on earth am I supposed to get these boxes unpacked?!?!?!?!

GOD IS GOOD!

Earlier today I thought my world was ending.  I hit a small road block for Tatum's party this weekend and then our contractor informed me that the fireplace wouldn't be completed by the time the movers came...even though I gave them an extra day to do it.  I got all this information in a matter of 5 minutes so my day went from normal stressfulness to very stressful. 

I think God gives us these type of situations to test us.  There are so many other things in life to really worry about if needed.  These issues, are so insignificant, I'm almost embarrassed to even admit I was upset about them but I'm only human, right.  I a little does of reality goes a long way sometimes.

We had a little scare this week with my Grandma Back.  I did a LOT of praying.  Honestly, probably more than I have in a very long time.

I also read verses on patience.  I could definitely be a little more grounded.  I think its human nature (or maybe that's what I just tell myself) to want instant gratification or answers all the time.  The Lord works in mysterious ways and patience is something I need to work on.

We found out today that she will be just fine.  I love that lady.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him

Psalms 37:7

 

 

Tatum had her first dentist appointment today.  She has had a full mouth of teeth for a while now so I figured it was about time for a little check up.  She was excited and I was glad I didn't have to force her to go.

A little waiting room play time.

 

Waiting for the dentist

Getting her teeth cleaned.  She couldn't stop smiling.  She thought she was pretty cool.