Fall Break- Wednesday /Thursday

With a bit of discussion with Grandpa, we decided to go spend the rest of the afternoon with Aunt Titi in Salt Lake so that we could spend some time with Dallas' family. We were going to spend time with them anyway, but not until later Thursday. But what is one day with Aunt Titi.

Aunt Nicky didn't get much alone time and she is pretty cool, so we went up and met her at Toys R Us. We had promised Tyler a movie and he did SO so Good at being disappointed. So we ended up spending way to much money at the stupid toy store. But all in good spirits. 

We hung out, got pizza and I finished my school test! We got the boys set up and they slept on the same bed and they loved it. Oreo also decided that he was going to protect my kids and hung out on their heads. There was zero complaints from them. 

Early Thursday we took Nicky to work and dropped off her car to get a fix and spend the morning with our Aunt Sheena. WE LOVE AUNT SHEENA!! 

Not sure if we have mentioned just how much we LOVE Aunt Sheena, but we do. I love her! I loved having her live with me. I love her just like a sister. I also LOVE her baby. And I love we get to have another one soon. 

We decided to met up at Gardner village and check out the Witches. We didn't have a ton of time and we weren't sure what was there, but we did see a lot of cool witches and did a few events. 

Our favorite Witch was the pooping witch! It was in the outhouse and we LOVED it and we all giggled. Because Ty can't see we went into the exhibits. We didn't ask and we didn't get in trouble either . 

And the best part, dancing with the witches. Ty loved it. And we let him go at it. 

Grayson is the best at following and enjoying the stuff that his brother does. Our Cousin Emery was dancing with us and we LOVED it. It was so much fun. 

After Gardner Village we headed to my Best Friend Stephanie's. We opted to play at a park. We played at the park for 3 hours. Yes, three whole hours of them playing. it was amazing. I miss her so much that I was so thankful to talk to someone who I totally just get, that I just wanted to be with her. WE watched the kids go nuts at the park and  we had them -playing till their heart was content.

We ran up to get Nicky because we had dropped her off. Then we went ahead and took her home and head with our Grandma to a hotel with them.

Grandma got us checked into a great hotel, after a dashing and fab dinner at Chick fil A :)

Getting in a hotel, was like heavenly. two beds. Me in my own. Grandma just to hang with. We loved it.

We got our plans for the next  day. Friday was going to be spent visiting out papa in the hospital in hopes he gets to go home and then an afternoon with all of our cousins again!!


It was a good day. We enjoyed our trip to this far!!

Fall Break- Monday

Monday the kids had to go back to school. We were so sad. But we knew we wanted to play a bit. So we had one activity planned a day for while we were there. We got up and Grayson wasn't feeling so well. And he spent his morning throwing up. I was so frustrated. He has not been doing awesome the last little bit and his energy once we got to Utah really dropped. ( After we got home, the hematologist was a bit worried and he said that it was because of the elevation. So it wasn't a surprise)

We got him feeling better and we went to the park, where we happened to run into the Fire Marshall for the town. So he took us over to the fire house. Where Grayson was in fire man heaven. He was so excited. I was just hoping no one else would puke!!

I knew the fireman that belonged in the coat above and he was the smallest one of the group, so I put it on my kiddo. He was so in love. He loved it. 

We were sitting on the inside of the blue fire truck and we were trying to honk the horn. The fire marshall said you have to pull hard, so I pulled hard..... and broke the fire truck. It was awesome. I think I was Grayson hero that day. 

After we saw the fire trucks it was almost time for the kids to come home. So we went to grandpa's and hung out till the boys got there to play. My kids chased the naughty cat named Beckham, They loved it. 

Fall Break

Tyler is on Fall Break and so is Grayson. Because we have such a long Fall Break we decided we would attempt something we have NEVER done and drove to Utah. We will be here until we decide to go home!! Hit me up if you want to hang out.... But better hurry, our Salt Lake Schedule is filling up. We can't wait to spend it with Oli, Amy and Stephanie and the few others on our list........


P.S. The weather is DIVINE you Arizona boiling people

The Fun Part

While we were in Utah it wasn’t all meant to be doom and gloom and sadness and surgeries. Our whole plan was to do the surgery and happily play the REST of the week with every person that we could pack into our lives that loves us and we love them.

Wednesday was the day that I was planning on going to UVU and U of U to get my transcripts and get them sent to ASU. You see, I am going back to school. I have about a year before my bachelors is complete and I am aiming towards the Physician Assistant schools here in Arizona. I have passed all the classes needs, my GPA doesn’t suck and I need to do 2 classes and take the GRE as I apply around. So that is our “goal.”  Well, that didn’t work out to get to the schools. Do to some poor management of time I ended up doing nothing that day until my mom and dad got up to the city.

Us at Grandpa Browns. Ipads were the BEST invention in my entire lifetime. THANK YOU STEVE JOBS!

We pulled into my sisters house and I just started crying. I had had a very emotional 2 days and between Tyler’s  surgery and the accident back in Arizona I was a mess. Just low, low. My dad had been invited to a basketball game with my brother and his two cute M and M’s. We were hoping that his wife would come down with the other 2 boys, but they didn’t. So, we all packed up into 2 cars and went to Chuck A Rama Buffett. ( and eatting at a buffet ensured I could eat my feelings:) )That way I didn’t have to worry about finding food for my kids, neither did anyone and my kids are insanely picky and loud and crazy. So why not let them go someplace that had room enough and people enough to make sure no one died!

We had the BEST time. I LOVE my sisters. Holy crap are they insane people. We are like every other family and we have sister fights and we are mean and terrible sometimes. But at the end of the day, we have all three come to realize that we are sisters. We only have each other. And my mom was there.. laughing harder than she has in a long time. My kids LOVE her!

On top of my awesome sisters, Tyler was the lively hood of the party. He has a wonderful song about Becky. He will sing it if you ask him.  Her name is Becky from Sir Mix A Lots “I like big butts song” and that song is his favorite to start singing in public. He has so many things he says that just makes everyone giggle.

Every time someone would ask him to stop, he would say “ Hammer time” or “Stop collaborate and listen.” Just making the rest of us bust up longer.

After dinner we dropped off my sisters kids and we went to Nicky’s house. We were lucky to catch a glimpse of M and M before they were dashed away to Logan. We sure miss them, when we are all together. Little Max is my best friend. I love that kid. His little sparkle in his eyes really just melt me.  And I REALLY miss my Brother a lot. He is such a smart and loving guy. He has helped me so much and been a great inspiration for wanting to go back to school and excel. He is a great guy.

It was getting late, and so my sweet dudes were ready to go to sleep. Nothing horribly exciting, just emotional. But I was exhausted and needed a good nights sleep.

Five minute- Friday- What mama did

I am linking up with a new group of women that I have found. Basically they ask you to write for five minutes and that is it. Just get the words flowing.  You can find more women HERE!

The theme is “What mama did” ( don’t hate me for the english!)

Two of the most memorable of my mom in adulthood is centered around my Ty. I am sure she doesn’t remember but I do. And that is all that counts.

The night that Ty was born ( well morning) my mom and dad got in a car and drove 3 hours to be in a hospital room where there was nothing anyone could do. Dallas was with Tyler and so the first people I saw were my parents. I didn’t know when they got there. I only know that they were there. I knew my parents were crying and they focused all they could on me and making me feel loved. After a very heartfelt blessing everyone left. I was left with just my mom, who was sleep sitting in a chair. I was talking to her and she kept reassuring me it was fine. It was a simple act, but I needed it.

The next happened a few months later. I don’t remember why but Ty was being poked for the millionth time for a procedure and I was standing at the edge of the bed/incubator.  I couldn’t handle it and I broke down. There was my mom standing at the bottom of the incubator and she took over where I fell short. I was very thankful that day.

There are many times that they ( mom AND dad ) came up. Major surgeries they would do what they could. Only the ones where we lived in Arizona was it just us. Even though they are far away I know they think of us often.

For the fact that she is here and I have a mom I am thankful.

Thanks mom.

Happy Birthday Mom

I didn't get this up last night but I just wanted to tell my mom that she ROCKS. We get to have 2 birthdays in a row ( technically 3 if you count Chelsie) This year my mom got a baby. I don't think we can top that! We appreciate all she does for us and she always makes us pretty baby afghans that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We are proud of her and how hard she works to be the best mom, grandma and teacher she can. In 8 weeks we will give you another present.....

Oh and according to Tyler and his idea for a *surprise* party he keeps asking if today is Friday so we can have a party with ballons, streamers and party hats. Good luck with that!

Did it work?

We have really tried hard to get Tyler to sleep in his own bed, all night. No trips in to mom. No mom sleeping some place else and hopefully sleeping through the night. It worked for a while and he was rewarded like he always is. Spoiled rotten. He got a Mickey Mouse bed set, lots of praise and a new twin bed. Really he only got the bed because I had no place else to sleep and we were hoping to be pregnant sooner than later.

Fast forward a LONG time. Ty wouldn't sleep in his bed all night, he took nightly trips into mom and on the rare occasion he would sleep through the night it was only RARE and only happened when we didn't want him to sleep in. ( Like Christmas) Plus it usually only happened when other people were here. (Making my " my kid never sleeps" look like a lie!)

My parents brought themselves a bed one day. It is a queen sized bed. It gave them a place to stay with their own bathroom and a bed without getting a hotel room. The kids ( Kayden, Koy and Lexi) loved using it as a trampoline and Ty thought having the kids here was great so he didn't care.

A few weeks ago ( OK probably even more) he was not wanting to sleep in the Mickey Mouse bed and asked to sleep in the bigger bed. For a while it was just a ploy to get out of sleeping in general. Now that is where he sleeps.

I feel bad for grandma because she will have a stiff, bed hogging 5 year old sleeping with her and who knows where grandpa is going. After some REALLY bad weeks we decided to be hard nosed parents and MAKE him sleep in his own bed. ( well the bigger bed and really his DAD is the hard nosed parent.. I give in)

After a few more trips into my room and some really hairy nights I found that if I put a heavy pillow on Tyler's legs he slept. FOREVER in one spot without moving. So much so that sometimes our cheap diapers leaked because he never moved. ( He is rarely wet at night but hey... accidents happen)

All week last week and all this week we have used this pillow and on the days he gets a pillow put on his legs he sleeps till at LEAST 6:30 but more like after 8! So we miss the bus a lot right now but he is in his OWN bed, sleeping all night, and I am sleeping in MY bed.

Gives me hope for the future. I won't have a 16 year old sleeping with his dad. He also thinks that baby Grayson will be sleeping with Tyler. I do however, still sneak in and make sure he is still breathing and a small kiss here and there.

If you have a pattern for a weighted blanket send it MY WAY!!

Merry Christmas

This year Christmas was MAGICAL! After 5 years we had a talking child and he has talked non stop about Christmas wish boxes, Santa and most recently about the reindeer, the Sleigh and Santa. Not to mention he really wanted " Handy Manny big job!" With much consistency too!

Ty was out of school most of the week so I got to have him home with me. We had last minute stuff to get all week and a few days we were planning to go out we found our self trapped by morning sickness. ( No worries, we are happily taking the morning sickness because then we KNOW we are still growing!) Ty was a trooper and even braved Salt Lake a little.

Come Thursday and the poop incident I knew that Christmas would be anything but boring. Friday we looked forward to the grwanpa's truck bringing signs of Santa, More Christmas and most of all GRWANPA and Grwanma!

After they went to drop off the other Christmas eve gifts, they came to join our house and get ready for bed. We opened the amazing grandparent gift of pajama's ( Thank you traditions!) and got ready to put the reindeer food outside. It was then that we realized he has misunderstood some of what was going on.

Ty thought that the reindeer food was going out to reindeer already IN OUR YARD! When that didn't happen the ensuing drama of not ACTUALLY getting to go with Santa and the Reindeer and the sleigh started. Oh he was SOOO sad. It took an awful lot of convincing that Santa comes when we are asleep and that we will have to take a ride on the sleigh another day.

The bath was short lived, his tears long lived but he went to sleep quickly and seemed to sleep well ( after coming to my bed anyway) I woke off and on through out the night and heard my dad get up around 4 am. I was up at 7. We spent a little over a half hour or so just talking, me and him. ( I love him. He is such a great person. I forget how much I loved the time we had when we did floors.) Ty woke around 7:30 am and was incredibly happy. He loved his tool bench that was put together and LOVED that it had a "cuckoo clock."

We soon got down to business and started opening presents. He slowly was losing interest and so with MORE presents to spare we went ahead and had him open his Handy Manny Big job. It took him the rest of the day to open some of the other stuff.

We started our big traditional Christmas Breakfast. ( Dallas' family did them forever, and we started doing them when we were on our own so we have kept doing it!) Quickly our house filled with people.

My Aunt Linda came with us and shortly after my brother and his 2 kids came. His wife didn't come due to some personal issues but we happily took her kids! My sister Nicky came and Tammy and her family came LATE as usual and they were all here to eat a yummy breakfast.

We had a few super fun gifts to open and was able to spend some time with Max for his "birthday" that is coming up. We haven't been able to get a time slot to do anything else with them while they are here so we packed it on in.

Soon everyone trickled out and we were left with our little family. We had Grandma and grandpa relaxing and trying to debate if they wanted to beat the weather or wait it out. So they gradually left to fight the weather. Leaving us to ourselves and our little family.

Ty finally finished opening presents and the best used present of the day was Nanni and poppi's island adventure Thomas set. It has been played with non stop for 2 days. Thank you.

Christmas was wonderful this year. It is bitter sweet. Next year we will be a family of 4! How exciting. It was the first year that Tyler got it. We are so excited to see what happens next.

The spirit of Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas is not something we find under a tree. It is what is AROUND the tee, not UNDER that makes our world go round. It makes the true meaning of Christmas come alive.

Merry Christmas family! Especially those who decided not to come or that we couldn't be with. May you know that you and yours are always in our prayers.

Thanksgiving-

I really like Thanksgiving and have many wonderful memories of having Thanksgiving with my Grandpa Rue in his wood shop and at the Labrum's in Logan. It's funny, I remember going to both sides and "sharing" but I mostly remember the times with my mom's family.

I am glad to be back to Utah and in the last 2 years we have now been with both families. Because my mom lives so far ( like 2 WHOLE hours) they decided to come up to my house and have my sisters come. ( My brother lives out of state) We also had my mom's sister Linda come with us too.

My mom and dad drove up early and got here to start cooking around 8 am. My mom and I literally cooked up to the time to eat. I got a shower in at the LAST second. My house is not large by any means and we had about 12 people here. It was full and fun!

My sister and her kids were here. Tyler was so excited. He wanted Lexi to come and play basketball all week and he LOVES having the "kids" over to play. As soon as they get here they are all off upstairs playing. ( playing is relative!)

We had a great dinner that tasted so yummy. It was so good and had all the trimmings. We had some lovely entertainment from Tyler and his story telling. He kept calling his Aunt Nicky, Nicky poo poo. He demanded everyone clap and would keep going when people laughed.

After dinner we sat around, laughed and talked. After all the playing and laughing my sister and Aunt Linda had to leave. Ty had played with the kids so much he curled up on my dads lap and he rocked with him for a little bit.

Bed time was a well deserved rest for me. I fell asleep after just a few minutes. Ready to take on the next day of tying quilts and enjoying my mom and sisters. The kids came and entertained Tyler and they had so much fun.

Tyler is such a follower. He would follow my sisters kids anywhere if they let him. They are really good to him. It is nice to see him enjoy the company. Poor Lexi was dragged from here to there and he would look at her and say PWEASE and she would smile and go along.

We tied a quilt for Dallas and Lexi stayed the night to have a "Spa night" with Nana. We ate burgers, painted her nails, did a huge bubble bath with the jet spa tub and she did wax stuff on her hands. She stayed up late eating popcorn and watching movies. ( I did not however get a photo!)

Saturday was a busy day of quilt tying. We did 4 of them and the kids will be so excited when Christmas comes. Ty was totally excited for yet another full day of "kids" to play. We knew Sunday was gonna be a rough one!

Today ( Sunday) we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. My house had a whole thing of yarn on the floor! Ty was without playmates for the first time in a week. He was so cute and kept asking Dallas for a brother or sister to play. As IF we could go to the store and get one!

Stay tuned for blizzard pictures and an update from the neurosurgeon

Family Reunion

Taking your child with special needs to family events can be a little nerve wracking. There are so many things to think about ahead of time and so many things that you can't control. I don't always have the ability to know all the details ahead of time in order to be able to make adaptations or make it more "Tyler" friendly. Some activities really don't work and sometimes we have to respectfully decline ( which I end up making excuses for, like we are busy that day or we have something else planned. It seems I can't just be honest) because there is no way to make the activity enjoyable or physically possible. Physically possible, not just for him but for me. For me meaning I can't carry him that long or I I can't find a way to adapt that activity to him and help him do that activity. He is almost to big for that darn stroller and he is getting to be just to darn heavy.

A few weeks ago we went camping down at my parents house. He LOVED camping. He associates grandpa with camping and fishing so when you mention grandpa, grandpa's house or going out he asks about going fishing. We were invited( do you really have to be "invited" to a family reunion in which you belong!) to the Labrum Family summer get together/reunion.

This year we went to Cold Springs Trout Farm in North Ogden. Because it is a trout farm there is more than plenty of fish for everyone. You pay per fish that you catch. You can't catch and release for the integrity of the ponds and you just have to feed the fish for them to start biting. I was really looking forward to taking Tyler because they had places that kids could fish. He LOVES fishing and carries around his fake ( and his real one if we let him) fishing pole all the time.

My parents were driving up early and had to make a few stops and so I asked my sister if she would like to ride with me. We left in plenty of time to get lost ( but we didn't!) and got there before most of the family. It was really easy to find.

We couldn't hold Tyler and his need to fish back any longer, so we went ahead and got a bucket and a pole ( they offered you a pole at no cost!) and went to town. Aunt Nicky was a trooper and was fine with helping Tyler. A little girl was standing by us and she was feeding the fish and Ty was catching them.

My cute sister.. and Ty's Aunt Nicky Mouse

His face is priceless and he gets so excited. We caught 3 fish quickly and thankfully grandpa and grandma got there soon after and Ty was able to take Grandpa around. Ty was so excited. As soon as he saw grandpa he asked him to go fishing.

My dad helping Ty fish. SEE I told you his face was priceless.

We ate lunch and I was able to visit with my Aunts. I haven't seen all of them for almost 2 years. ( A side note: I LOVE my Aunts. My dads sisters are seriously so great. My Aunt Mary and Aunt Luanne showed up at the hospital after I had Tyler. Though there was no baby for them to see they still came. I always feel welcome with them. They both wanted to know about Tyler, how he is doing and everything inbetween. They were and are so understanding and accepting of Tyler. My Aunt Mary even came up and saw Tyler when he was stuck in a incubator. My Aunt Linda Labrum is such a sweet lady and Oh my Aunt Kaye.. Honestly, there was NEVER a sweeter lady. I LOVE her.) While I was visiting with them Nicky and my dad had walked back down and were fishing. We all walked back to the pond and Ty had caught WAY to many fish ( that you can't throw back) and was laughing so hard as he did it. He was so funny. And everyone else was behind him laughing as we tried really hard to NOT catch a fish. We were relived when the few he got were able to come off the hook. He has the biggest joy of just tossing the pole in the water. ( We have a video so you can see him.)

Thanks mom for the video!!

When you are ready to go you take your fish to the shack there and they gut them and filet them. You pay per fish and it is calculated on the length of the fish. They charge a small fee for the filet but WAY worth it. We ended up spending way to much for the priceless look on his face. But not enough that I didn't mind handing over my card.

It was a great day. It seemed VERY handicapped friendly. It isn't hard to get to the ponds. There is no major hills. It is grass but a wheelchair would easily be able to be maneuvered. You can put up chairs on the grass and sit or just sit on the ground. There is shade and water to drink. You can also bring in your own picnic. You can rent the pavilion for pretty inexpensive. Best of all you get a kid with LOTS of smiles.

*My dad is the fish grandpa and Dallas' dad is the campfire grandpa. We had a campfire there on the 24th and Ty asks all the time for a campfire. Like EVERY TIME we see Grandpa Brown. *

Mommy- It's your birthday

My mom has had a TOUGH year. I think the only thing that would make it worth a MILLION dollars and more would be to have more sweet babies.

Because this has been such a bad year we hope she gets her million dollar wish. But before then we have a few things we want to tell her. Along with Remind her why we love that she is still here with us.

My mom has had to learn how to live on her own this year. No my dad didn't run away. She lost her dad. So a new normal has had to take place.

She did get her wish though. We were all in one place for Christmas. We were all in one place for Thanksgiving too!

My mom has helped me a lot the last few years. Specifically when I am OVER the disabled world. When Ty has been sick or had emergency surgery, or 9 hour long head reconstruction or even just coming for a birthday party she has helped me. She can drive me crazy sometimes but I would rather have her drive me crazy than not be here when I need her.

My mom has been the one to step in when tears are running down my face and I can't be the strong mom any more.

She has gotten a look of PURE love and joy holding my new baby. She came up and was there when we brought him in the door. She came up every ( or almost) every weekend while he was in the hospital and she has been there to witness some pretty cool things. (Like first look at those pretty BLUE EYES! )

She has spent hours at pools watching while my dad does all the work keeping my kid up and down the stairs. She has rocked him and loved him and encouraged him along with me.

She has gotten FURIOUS at him being left on a bus or breaking his nose or falling down. And she has helped teach all the other kids that it is ok to be different and she encourages him to be the best Tyler ever.

But most of all. She is a great grandma. She loves all the kids. She loves everything about them and want even more for them to be happy.

Ever had something....

Ever had something you really wanted to get off your chest but realize that you just can't seem to write it down. Even if it is YOUR own blog and no one else HAS to read it. Or that you might be judged harshly from something you say... Yeah... that would be my head right now!

I literally have SIX blogs I have started that I just can't bear to finish. I want to express so many things and feel that I need to write but haven't had a chance to really express them correctly or in a way that might not come off as negative, angry, upset or hateful.

So I am sticking to a few safe posts.... With lots of pictures. Cause I like those.

This past week has not been the best of weeks. It has been better in regards to my mental health and the Lupron and my endometriosis but I kinda sorta got sick with a cold. Dallas also got it and Mr. T didn't. I am almost certain that the little Toot that was sitting next to Mr. T on the bus sent it home with T.

Monday's therapy left me impressed with Tyler and sad that we are looking at a few months of NO therapy. Not sure what to do with out having SOMETHING. So I am on the look out for something. If not a lot of swimming is gonna be in our near future.

This week went by fairly quick though and we were back to early wake ups from Mr. T and school and all the fun stuff. Because I was sick my poor house keeping skills really suffered. And I don't get enough sleep.

Dallas has the crud and we are heading him into the docs tomorrow!

The week came and it went. Saturday we were having a Aunties lunch with my moms sisters in Provo so me and Nicky and my mom head of there. My dad and Dallas get to hold down the fort. Lexi, Koy and Kayden and Tyler are here playing.

Ty had a blast with his cousins.So that is what we are writing about. And posting photos about...

So here you go!! The kids playing...

And then after we went to Cabella's, feed the fish, walked through the free aquarium and then sent everyone home... HOORAY for quiet.

The day was good. The day was long. Tyler was EXHAUSTED. He has so much fun with the kids. I half wish we would have "Started" a little earlier in our endeavor to produce more spawn so he would have more friends. But I guess that is what it is.

Stay tuned for some fun and exciting honest, blunt and raw feelings.

Happy Birthday Lori

I am a day late getting this up so hopefully I am forgiven. Yesterday was Dallas' moms birthday. She is the sweetest mother ( in law) that anyone could ask for. She is such a sweet person. She is very easy to love and she is very kind and considerate.

When I was taken to meet Dallas' family ( A MILLION years ago) I didn't want his mom to hate me. I was so worried that she wouldn't like me or I wouldn't be good enough for her son. (Which I am NOT) But she was so excited that he had a "girlfriend." It was also Easter and she had a Easter basket for me. It was seriously the sweetest thing.

When we went to the hospital to have Tyler they met us there. I have NO idea what was going through their head. I have been reassured a few times that they "didn't see a thing" but they just sat there. I can't imagine what was going through their heads as we were getting ready to deliver Ty so early. The only thing I remember was Lori telling us that it was going to be ok and that they were praying so hard. She was a silent but strong person in the room. Something I appreciate.

Now that I have been in the family I appreciate all the love and support that she gives. Dallas is her only boy and I stole him away. I took him to Arizona. I have kept him as my own. But we love her and hope that she knows that we appreciate all that she does. Many times I have called in need and she has come. She even stayed in the neurotrauma unit when I had a anxiety attack. Not many people would stay there..

Lori, Thank you for giving me such a wonderful husband. Letting me take him away and keeping him forever. Thank you for the love and support. Thank you for being a great mom and great mom in law and grandma. We couldn't ask for better.

Dallas, Nancy and Tyler

PS. Isn't she GORGEOUS!

The upper post.......

After the last post you are probably thinking that we couldn't have had a good time but we did. I swear we did. We do tend to mix the good and the bad. I guess if it weren't for bad luck we wouldn't have ANY luck at all.

So, here it is. Complete with photos. ( photos may end up in a slide show. There are a few of them.)

Friday Dallas took us to the airport where we had a very uneventful flight. We were on the plane with a few families and all the kiddos on the plane were very good. Ty likes to look out the window and he didn't make a peep the whole trip. Little Einsteins and books make for wonderful plane companions.

The first leg of our trip was with grandma and grandpa Labrum who were waiting anxiously at the airport for Tyler and I. Aunt Nicky was with them and she was the most excited to see Tyler. Ty on the other hand just wanted down. He was off and didn't care who was with him as long as he could walk. He walked the entire way to the car holding hands with Grandma.

We decided to stay up in SLC the first night because of time and so that we could spend some time with Aunt Tammy and her kids. Plus we owed grandma and grandpa a nice dinner and there really isn't any place to take them in the EC. We decided to eat at Braza Grill. It is a huge huge favorite of mine and Dallas'. YUMMY.

After dinner we went to the hotel and swam our hearts out. Ty and I were in the pool for almost 2 hours. He was so funny. He would wait for grandpa to count to three and he would jump in. even without holding on to me. He would just go. He loved it. Him and grandpa shouldn't have been allowed to have so much fun.

(On the way out we ran into Uncle Barrett's best friend Evan. Totally random but fun. I haven't' seen him for a long time.)

The evening didn't go so hot as Ty decided that pool water and meds didn't go hand in hand and he threw up. Which made for a EARLY... and I mean EARLY (4 AM) wake up for Tyler. Thank goodness for computers and movies.

We ate breakfast and waited for Aunt Tammy and her kids to come over so we could go do something. Grandma wanted to go to the carousel at the mall so we headed there first. Then we went to the aquarium. It happened to be the anniversary for the aquarium so it was packed. About half way through Ty decided he was all done and we spent the rest of the time waiting and doing meltdown control. I knew we had a long day a head of us so I thought I would try super hard to get him to be happy. Remember we had a early wake up.

We ate lunch and headed to Aunt Linda' s for a visit. Aunt Linda has a puppy. Ty is not always a fan of pets but he had a great time. We pulled a little stool out that Ty and his other cousin Daphne just love. He sat there and played with the dog for a while. He even fed the dog a biscuit. He also figured out that he really liked the piano. He would play that thing and then run back to the dog. I think it was from his Little Einsteins that he decided that he liked it.

After Aunt Linda's we headed into Provo to visit with Grandpa Rue. I am told he usually looks a lot better because this day he was not doing so well. He looks so much older than he did when we came in January. He is in a rehabilitation center and hopefully he will get better and head home. Sometimes he can be a bit stubborn. ( Not sure where Tyler ever learned that skill)

After Finally heading into the EC I thought for sure that my sweet little man would have taken a nap. NOPE. So Tyler is wide awake and ready to play. Lucky for me. We went and jumped on the trampoline, swung on the swing and froze our little bum off. It was freezing.

Sunday was pretty uneventful. Church is smaller than it was when I lived there. Ty had a hard time at church. Lots of new people. Mom couldn't get to far away without him freaking.

Monday we decided would be the perfect day to go to the new pool in the big CD. It was over cast and raining. Being the brilliant and loving mother, I didn't sunscreen up Tyler or myself. Lucky for us, I am HUGE and blocked the sun from Tyler. BUT I was able to get my taste of the sun. My back is fried. Currently it is peeling. Ty LOVED the pool though and he had a great time. That new pool is amazing.

Tuesday was a laid back day. No place to go. We had a ward BBQ to attend and we were doing some stuff for Aunt Ruanne. We went to the park to play and throw balls. Ty had a blast. He also walked on the grass. Something he wouldn't do before.

Wednesday was the next part of our trip. We were heading up to spend time with the other grandparents. We had tickets to the temple open house. Then we were off to be with the Browns.

Thursday we had a day of shopping and cousin Noah's birthday party. We ate at the golden corral and we had cake and ice cream at the Martins. It was a great evening. Makes us a little sad we don't get to have to parties all the time. BUT you can all come down in September. Also on Thursday we met up with Amy and Oli. Dallas and Amy's hubby Todd have been best friends forever. Ty and Oli are about 3 months apart if you take into account our adjusted age! They were so cute but I couldn't get Ty to hold still long enough to get a good picture. Hopefully Amy got a few better ones. It was so good to see both of them

Friday we hit the zoo. It was a lot of fun. Ty got to see so many more animals there than he did at the phoenix zoo. So glad we went. It was worth it. He had a small meltdown and needed to take a nap but otherwise he was very good. It was a long day but he fared well.

Saturday was go home day. We were getting ready to head out to the airport when we noticed him getting sick. That was the bummer of the trip. He spent the flight throwing up and Sunday and today getting better. So far he seems OK. He is on Tami flu because of our exposure to the Swine flu. Dallas and I are both sick. Hopefully it will be short lived and we can get back to our daily routines. HOWEVER, With swine flu exposure Dallas is required to work from home 7-10 days or until our symptoms are gone. Whichever is greater.

Any way... that is our vacation. Here is the promised pictures.

Happy Birthay Lori

Thursday was my Mother in Laws birthday. I was slow blogging and have been busy on my other site. Sometimes I get a little caught up.

I met this incredible woman a little over 3 years ago. But she was a part of my life since before that. You see, she was busy raising my husband to be the best husband anyone could ever ask for.

Lori is the sweetest, loving, gently, caring and best mother in law anyone could ask for. I would even stretch as far as calling her mom.

Lori raised Dallas with a WHOLE bunch of girls. She raised him to be loving and caring. She taught him love and respect. She also taught him to be a wonderful husband.

When I met Lori she was so sweet. I had been dating Dallas a few weeks and it was Easter. She was sweet enough to have thought about me and gave me a Easter Basket. Dallas and I were engaged soon after and she has always been supportive of all we have embarked on.

She is a wonderful grandma and loves Tyler so much. There were many times that I couldn't have made it this far without her help. Many days she would come and just hold him so I could get some sleep. I respected her the morning she came up when Ty was so sick and needed Emergency brain surgery. She was there to help. She was almost called and begged to come down during this last brain surgery.

So, to that Happy Birthday Grandma Brown. We love you and hope you had a wonderful day. We wish we could have been there to help but hope you celebrated well. Enjoy a big 8x10 dose of the cutest boys on the planet.

Our "vacation"

Leg one of our trip is almost over. We leave the EC ( Emery County) tomorrow and head to the "big city" Of SLC to pick up our dad and head to the other grandparents house. It has been action, family and friends packed!

Thursday was a long not fabulous day. I did so much laundry and folding I thought I would die. All of the laundry was done. Then came packing.Got that done. Had to formulate a plan to get Dallas and the rental car back to the rental place and then Dallas off to his meeting while me working. We got the plan going and our hab person was 20 minutes late making it so I no longer had a ride home from work.

Paid someone to take me home from work and was so nervous ( not to mention the entire veggie tray I ate) I wreaked some havoc on my digestive track ( OH TMI ) and I ended up not sleeping the entire night. Good thing Ty and I had taken a nap.

We left the house before 4 am and were headed to the airport. Very uneventful ride and we were able to get to the gate in plenty of time. (See above TMI for reasons that we were glad we were early.) Got aboard and almost empty plane. Me and Ty had an entire row to ourselves AND the row to the right and the entire back part of the plane was empty! We turned off Ty's entertainment and got going.

The ride was uneventful though I secretly wished I had my camera and had any idea how to make shots come out on the airplane. The sun came up while we were en route and we were above the clouds.

When they passed out drinks I made Ty a carnation and he wanted to sit in my lap. He zonked! and I was able to sit there enjoying the gorgeous scenery and smell my sweet baby. I was in heaven.

While en route the pilot said he was going to take some short cuts ( How do you do this in the air btw) and get us there a little early. Boy he was not kidding. We were scheduled to arrive at 8:35 and we got there before 8. Other than walking off the plane and getting smacked with 33 degree weather it was wonderful.

We went to see Aunt Tammy and the boys and stopped for breakfast then shopping at a few stores then headed to the EC. Ty and mommy slept for most of the ride and made it to Granny's house. We made a few rounds to see granny's friends then we decided that Ty should try his very first basketball game.

I was not sure how his sensory stuff would play out in the arena but we took him anyway. He LOVED it. He was wearing his glasses and was able to get right down on the floor. He got his own basketball and had a blast throwing it and making grandpa chase it. He would clap when everyone else clapped and had a great time.

Spartan basketball is not what it use to be but they won and we headed home.

Today was a great day. We had a few stops and went and saw Great Grandpa and Ty was able to try out a Food Ranch Donut. He LOVES donuts. Not sure he loved the Butterfinger ones that are so amazing but he did like the sugar ones.

Aunt Tammy and Uncle Josh we willing to drive down and see us here and we all went to the new swimming pool in Castle Dale. The water baby had a blast and loved being in the water. He was so brave and would go under the water and squeal and splash. He even let the others take him. Of course not for very long but it was something!

We came home and had a great dinner and then did NOTHING! Ty was exhausted and he was starting to get a little sick of the newness and scary new people but he had such a good time with Koy and Kayden. I can't believe how grown up Lexi is. She is definitely not a baby any more.

Pictures will be coming.

Tomorrow we are heading up to see the rest of the family and to get our consult. Sure missed Morgan and Max today!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

I just wanted to take the time to tell my parents happy anniversary!

They have been married for 31 years years. They are each others best friends and have such a great time with those 7 grandchildren and Nicky ( sorry Nicky.. had to say it)!!!

Some marriage facts on my Parents:

• Engaged after one real "date"
• Wrote letters to each other for my dads 2 year mission.
• My dad did not pick out her ring but my dads sisters Luann and Marry did the dirty deed for him
  
• They were married in The Ogden temple. My moms cousin forgot his pants!!
  
• My moms wedding dress was sown by my Grandma Nell. Its is a simple dress but was very elegant.
• My parents were farmers for the first several years of their marriage.
• They lived in Cornish Utah.
  
• 2 of their 4 children served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
• 3 of the 4 have received their Associates in College
• 1 of the 4 have gotten a bachelors ( although I am 3 semesters short)
  
• 1 of the 4 have gotten a Doctors degree.
  
• 3 of the 4 have been married
  
• 1 of the 4 is the Favorite Aunt to 6 kids ( that would be YOU Nicky)
• They have lived in the same house for 20 years and have had to change their address
• They are the grandparents to 6 kids.
  
• 2 of the grand kids have special medical needs
  
• 3 grand kids live out of state
• Their dream vacation would be to be totally surrounded by those 6 grand kids watching them be happy.
  

As you can see by the photo above they are very happy people. They are loved by many. When Kayden was diagnosed with Kidney disease they had their faith tested. Ty came along not so long after and tested their faith again. With the ups and Downs of all six kids their faith has been tested.

They have come out on top every time. They don't realize how strong they really are.

My list of what they have done for me

• Gave birth to me and raised me well.
  
• Taught me to love my neighbor
• Taught me to be giving and understanding
  
• Taught me to have faith
  
• Moved me a million and one times
  
• Made me throw away shoes
  
• Taught me that if I didn't clean up my room it would be packed into garbage bags and I would have to pay to get them back
  
• Socks will smell if you wear them all week.
  
• Encouraged me to go to college
• Supported me when I got married
  
• was there EVERY weekend to love on Tyler when he was sick
• Came up in the middle of the night when I told my dad about Ty needing a shunt
  
• Sat with us for surgeries that lasted more than five hours
• Sent me on a mission
• Let me take my baby to Arizona
  

As you can see they are busy people. Thank you mom and dad for all you have done


SOOOOOO...... leave me a memory of my parents. I know you all have them. AND my sisters read my blog so I should have at least 2. Chantel.. You count as well. So I have 3!!

( That is my kid that looks all pissed and NOTHIN like any one else )

Random week with photos!

I have no idea what Grandma did to my baby but he has slept so well ( till tonight) and pretty much through the night. He has done better on the days he has had no nap and he wakes around 7 am. A huge cry from the 5 am!

Today he was so whiny by the end of the afternoon that I had him take his milk and blanket and lay with me on the floor. I was hoping it would just let him relax so he could get up and play. NOPE!! He fell asleep. As soon as he got his milk to his lips he pulled his blankie up and he was OUT!

Life is almost back to "normal." We have our last 2 therapies tomorrow ( our eye therapist and our speech therapist.) And this afternoon we have a delivery happening. Dallas and I purchased a new bed. We are so excited. I got one right before I was married from my parents but we are in need of a better one. That one has been great but we need a king sized and a pillow top. I was amazed at how expensive they were. I felt so blessed to not have to put it on credit. And I am even more excited to come home from work tomorrow and sleep in it!

Overall we have had a pretty slow week. Ty is as happy as ever. He is eating much better than he was on vacation. He is VERY opinionated lately and we have had to do JUST WHAT HE WANTS or there is no doing. He won't even eat if he hasn't chosen it to eat.

I promised a few weeks ago some photos of Ty, toilet paper and fun... so I am finally able to do it! Enjoy

This was the sweetest thing from the weekend. Lexi came up with Aunt Nicky to visit with Tyler. She wanted to help him walk so bad. She was so sweet. So she helped him walk to his walker so that he could walk. She also chased him and made him laugh so hard. She is the sweetest thing ever!

Ty was watching Tv on the Love sac at grandpa's. He thought he was a big boy! And the last one was another Horrible picture of me and a wonderful photo of Dallas.