Utah/Nevada Vacation

Our family just got back from a FANTASTIC vacation. First we drove to Utah to see family. We celebrated two birthdays, Aunt Katie and Josh. It was fun to be able to do cake and ice cream with them. We hung out for a few days and I actually saw two movies in one week. It was like I was in my twenties again! After swimming and hanging out with family in Utah, we headed down to the real heat in Las Vegas. We spent two days out on my parents boat at Lake Mead and the rest of the time in my Grandmas pool. Then we made the two day trek home. The kids were great travelers. They had a great time swimming, boating, being with family and staying in hotels. It was a fun time! Here are pictures.

Multnomah Falls

This past Saturday we took a family day and went to see some Oregon sites we haven't seen before. We went and visited the Bonneville Dam, the fish hatchery, and Multnomah Falls. The kids loved the fishes and the falls, but weren't too impressed with the Dam. By the time we got to Multnomah Falls it was really late in the afternoon. At first we were planning on only hiking to the bridge which was .2 miles. After we got to the bridge the kids wanted to keep hiking. Ryan and I told them that as soon as they were done and/or started to whine we would turn around head back down. We got 3/4 the way up when Sydney said, "OK I'm done." and we turned around. I was really proud of us for hiking as far as we did. Next time we'll make it all the way to the top. It was a really fun family day.

Tyler's Birthday

Tyler turned 3!!! His birthday was on July 8. We celebrated with cake and ice cream at Brady's blessing and he loved the dinosaur on his cake. When asked what part he wanted to eat he promptly said, "the dinosaur." That is so Tyler! He loves dinosaurs, spider man, balls, anything Toy Story and will even play barbies with Sydney. He gives great bedtime hugs. He is constantly stalling at bedtime by saying, "Mom I need you." He has a sweet spirit and loves saying prayers at night. If we pick someone else to pray he hurries and starts praying anyways. He loves to color and run around. He has endless energy. He loves lions at the zoo and I can frequently hear him growling. He weighs roughly 36 pounds and is solid. His favorite movie is Toy Story. His favorite TV show is the dinosaur train. His favorite food is anything that is out and available. Every night before he goes to sleep I tell him "I'll meet you in your dreams." He recently told me, "I'll meet you in your dreams." He likes to cuddle and yet still wants his own space. He is a great little brother and loves to play with Sydney. He lets her take charge, but yet still isn't a pushover. He is also a great big brother. He is so gentle and kind to Brady. They will have a lot of fun together when Brady gets a little bigger. He loves church and especially Sister Aldous at nursery. Sometimes when you call him Tyler he says, "I not Tyler, I Ty Ty!" These are just a few things about Tyler. But they are things I want to remember forever. He is such an angel and I feel privileged to be his mom.

We had a great day on his birthday. It started with donuts for breakfast, an Alexander tradition. We met some of his buddies at the school park and handed out Twinkies and ice cream sandwiches. It was super hot. but we still had a good time. That afternoon everyone took naps at the same time, which is highly unusual 0 happy birthday to Mom too :). We picked Ryan up at the train stop and met him for dinner at Costco, Tyler's request. Then we opened gifts. We gave him a t-ball set, which he loves to play with. It only occasionally gets taken away for hitting with the bat. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR "LITTLE BUDDY" TY-TY!

Family Pictures

This is my sister, best friend and mentor. I call her my Yoda. She is absolutely AMAZING!! This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us.

Baby Brady smiles!! SO CUTE!!Sydney graduated from preschool in June. This is her teacher Ms. Ackerman. She had a great year and we are semi-looking forward to Kindergarten. She is very excited - and I am going to cry.

Brady is just like his siblings, he hates getting a bath until it is time to wash his hair and then he is in heaven.

Every time Grandma Camille is here the kids "help" her make cake balls. They are delicious and gone very quickly.The kids love when Grammy comes up to spend the day. This day, we went to a local splash park and then came home and watched The Sword and the Stone. A personal favorite of mine.

My cute three kids. Sydney - 5, Tyler - 3, and Brady - newborn.

Happy Fathers Day!! Ryan is the best dad. The kids were so excited to get him ready to open their presents (hence teh graduation cap). We are so blessed to have a Daddy that works hard, loves us and is a WONDERFUL DADDY!! WE LOVE YOU!Visiting the Zoo with the kids. Sydney's favorite animal is the elephant and Tyler's is the lions. We have an annual pass and love going to the zoo.My two cute boys posing for a picture.