The "Corduory Dog"

This is the story of the "Corduroy Dog". This Christmas Tyler received a present from his Great Grandmother who lives in Florida. Inside the bag was this handmade corduroy dog. Along with the dog came a note that his Great Grandmother wrote:

' Tyler, This little dog was made by your great, great grandmother, Emma Ostrander, for all her grand children, great and great, great grand children. This is the last dog left (just for you!).'

As the story goes, Emma Ostrander made all these corduroy dogs at once. And as new babies were born in the family they got a corduroy dog. Kyle's dad received a dog and Kyle received a dog when they were young.

Kyle's mom and dad had no clue that there were any dogs left. I mean surely they had all been given out by now. But what a 'great great' surprise we got Christmas Eve!

And as the letter said ... Tyler's "Corduroy Dog" is the last dog that had been made. And that is the story of the "Corduroy Dog".

Christmas Time!

We had a great Christmas this year. I wanted to start off the blog and show you our Reindeer we made!! I don't know if you can tell but they are made out of logs and branches. I am so very proud of them .... no one else has them in the neighborhood! (And that is Rudolf in the middle with the red nose.)


Christmas was a little different this year since Kyle had to work Christmas Day. We started the fun Christmas Eve at Kyle's mom and dad's house, where we meet the rest of his family for the 'Secret' Santa gift exchange and dinner. Of course, Tyler and Zack (Tyler's 2 yr old cousin) got an abundance of toys.

Since Kyle had to work Christmas day, we decided that Tyler would get to play with Santa presents Christmas morning and then we would have the Family Christmas (Kyle, Tyler and myself) that evening when Kyle got off of work.

Tyler was so funny walking out Christmas morning. He just stood at the tree looking at all the toys. Can't you tell that he just woke up!

Tyler and myself then headed over to my mom and dad's house for our family Christmas. (We had a great time but we definitely missed Kyle!)

Tyler decided that he would rather climb over all the presents than open them.



We had a very Merry Christmas and we hope that you did too!

Christmas Cookies

We make Christmas Cookies every year at my momma's house. So of course she was really excited this year .... because Tyler was going to get to help. It started off really well .... he was very interested in the sprinkles and the cookie cutters.

But once the first batch of cookies came out, Tyler decided that he needed to be the official taste tester (and left the decorating up to us!)

And it wasn't the cats fault ....

It was really quiet. I hadn't heard a peep from Tyler in quite a while (never a good thing.) I called his name and nothing. I called again and he came running around the corner with a big grin on his face. I knew something was up .......

That is almost a whole roll of toilet paper on the floor.

Driving Lesson

Granddad decided to give Tyler his first driving lesson.

And the most important rule he learned ..... "The biggest truck has the right - of - way."

Budding Artist

Tyler's daycare loves to have the kids make artwork ..... here are some recent samples ..... I definitely think I have a budding artist!

He didnt get too much of the glue stick in his hair. Johnson and Johnson shampoo will get out anything.

I think this was our "Ode to Fall". This is currently hanging on the fridge.

Boppy

I thought it was time to pack up the Boppy .....

Maybe not!

Lions and Tigers and Bears ....

Kyle and I decided to take Tyler to the zoo this weekend. Kyle spent most of his time holding Tyler up to look at the animals .... good thing he was there because I couldn't have done it (Tyler is getting heavy!)

First stop was the grizzly bears. They were rolling around and wrestling with each other.


Tyler got a kick out of that!

As you can tell Tyler didn't really enjoy 'posing' on the metal elephant statue.

But, he did have a good time feeding the giraffes. You can't see him but that is Kyle's arm in the picture (notice the tattoos). Tyler is right out of the camera.

And feeding the goats!

Overall it was a great day. The weather turned out to be awesome and everyone had a good time.

Harley found a new friend .....

Harley, my mom's lab, has found a new friend. And no, it isnt me or Dooley, the bulldog.

Tyler has always loved watching us throw the ball for Harley but today Harley brought the ball to Tyler. Harley was so gentle.

He held the ball in is mouth and waited patiently while Tyler grabbed the ball.

Tyler wasnt able to throw it far (OK he didn't really throw it at all), but Harley didnt seem to mind. He keep bringing it back ... and back .... and back!

Then it was time to pick mom some flowers! ( It was more like time to get dirty, but I like to think he was picking me flowers!!!)

I know I have been slack ....

So I know I have been slack. But I really have a good reason. My computer 'crashed' and we are waiting on the new one to come in. Hopefully that will happen soon .....

Sitting on the Porch with Granddad

Tyler loves sitting on the porch.....

..... especially with Granddad!

The Cat in the Hat

In memory of Dr. Seuss' Birthday, the daycare decided to have "Hat Day" today.

Wild Thing!

Kyle and I are getting a pretty good handle on baby stuff. We've got the feeding, bathtime, and we are even pretty good at changing Tyler with out him peeing on us. But what we haven't been able to figure out is ..... Tyler's hair.

This picture is right after a bath, but believe me it only gets worse after he sleeps on it. Brushing is doesnt help ... it lays flat for a while then 'springs' back up. I am thinking that it might be time for a hair cut.

Finally started .....

I finally started our blog. I have to thank my friend Brandy for 'making' me addicted to reading blogs and finally wanting to create my own ...... so here goes!