Normal...

One thing about the roller coaster we ride is the fun and excitement we get when something happens that is "normal." You know, the things that kids do. That "regular" kids do. Most do them on time and since we don't we get excited when we FINALLY do them.

Ty is FINALLY pretend playing. Not a lot. Some of it is more him pretend playing with Barney. Little things like showing him what is going on during a show that isn't Barney. He will be showing him the Baby Einsteins movie or a book and he ALWAYS shares his food.

One thing we noticed recently was Tyler wanting to take toys to bed. It was strange one night to have him bring Eeyore. We thought it was super funny and super cute. Since then we have had some more plastic friends to bed. I am not sure why he doesn't bring the soft things since he has all the same things in soft stuff.

Last night he took his BIG Leo to bed and when he came into our room ( which happens a lot.. OK every day) he brought Leo with him. He gives him kisses and puts him under a blanket even.

Another "normal" is Ty's need to be a super hero. And in true Labrum Fashion he is Captain Pickles. ( Max is captain pickles but they didn't know one existed till we TOLD them BJ was Captain Pickles.) So we have 2 captain Pickles. Ty wanted a cape. So his Blankie was the Cape. I keep thinking maybe we need to make a cape.. A real one!

And we all know last week him sitting and watching soccer with his friends.

Its nice to celebrate the "normal" and we are SOOO excited and it makes us smile....

What other normals will we get?

Happy Birthday Maxwell

I would like to introduce to you MAX! He is so cute! And Mischievous. The picture doesn't' do the eyes justice. He came to Utah for his 4th birthday. He was so excited that he got a Dinosaur cake. He was such a good kid. He jumped on the tramp, and played with cars and got a tool box for his birthday.

When Max was not born yet I was excited that Tyler and Max would be the exact same age... ( meaning like 5 days apart) But as luck would have it Max gets his own birthday ( with Jesus of course :) ) Max is a trooper for sharing his birthday. This year was the first year we have all been together for his birthday. It has taken 4 years!

SOOOOO Happy Birthday Maxwell!! We are so glad you are in our family. We can't wait till you are all here for July!

Christmas with Tyler

After 4 Christmas mornings with Tyler you would THINK I would realize that he just doesn't care once he opens that ONE gift he really really likes. For him it seems any book or movie will about do him in leaving the rest of the gifts for Dad and I to open for him.

We decided that like last year, we would buy one big gift and then little gifts. BUT the big gift, which I think should take a lot of thought into getting the "right one", couldn't be so obvious that he doesn't play or open the other stuff. ( like last years ball pit he wouldn't get out of) We decided not to put together his big gift till after he opened the rest.

Overall, he was OK with opening presents but he was even better once a book and a movie was opened. The big gift didn't phase him until it was put together.

Here are the pictures of Christmas:

Our Christmas tree pre Santa.. I didn't really get one POST Santa..

Christmas Eve Dallas was putting Tyler to bed and they were talking about Santa and if Ty had been good. When he woke us up and we took him downstairs and we waited to see if Santa had come he saw the presents and said " Oh cool."

The stocking was to pretty to fill so we put his big stocking toy IN the tree. We were pointing it out to him. It was pretty funny to see him see something new in the tree that he didn't put in the tree.

Ty really likes the super sleuths and Tiger goes right along with his big present. He loved the tiger and we had a hard time getting him back to opening presents.

A microphone so he can sing with Annie. He loved this thing in the store to. He will go get it any time Annie sings.

Ty got a cute little trampoline that has a handle so he can jump. He loves it. His face is priceless. Of course we had this in the box so that we would sort of get his attention. He has contently played with his new movies, books and jumper for hours and hours of fun.

Christmas Day we also got to have Max and Morgan and Kayden, Koy and Lexi here for a little party for Max. They brought their parents to! So we had a house full with Grandma and Grandpa Labrum. I don't think grandma and Grandpa could have been happier to have everyone together again. I thought Grandpa was gonna BURST!

That afternoon we went to Grandma and Grandpa Browns. Ty was/is sick. He has a nasty cold and cried all night Christmas eve so he was pretty done pretty fast. But we had a great time with his cousins there. He is a pretty spoiled kiddo!

This Christmas season I was especially humbled by Dallas and love him so much. He has worked very hard for us this year and we are so thankful for him and for all of the things that we have. I am also thankful for my Savior and to remember the reason for the season!

With Grandpa passing very close to Christmas and most of us being together, I can't help but remember how incredible the power of family can be. That no matter how many gifts are under the tree that we should remember Christ and our family should be the first things on our mind.

Merry Christmas!

I guess it is my turn

Our Thanksgiving was so much fun. Mostly the Friday after but Thanksgiving was really yummy.

We had dinner at Dallas parents house this year. It was the first year back and it was nice to spend it with Family. I worked until 2 so Dallas and Tyler went without me. Dinner was held up an hour for me to get there but it worked out great and Tyler did awesome. Dinner was yummy and I even rocked the yams/sweet potatoes with a made up recipe that pretty much every at least tried.

Friday was the best! I worked at 4:45 am and I swear on my life I HATE Black Friday. What makes me the most sad is that women are nasty nasty when it comes to "saving money." ANYWAY. I went home, got Dallas and Tyler going for the day and I napped for 2 hours. It was great! Got a turkey started and vacuumed the house. Ty was having ALLLLLLLLLL his cousins over. Not just the Gales but the LABRUMS!

We got family pictures ( ok just the kids) and I fell madly in love with the Labrums. I haven't seen them in almost 4 years. Morgan was 2. Max was 0. I have only "met" Max ONCE. They live far far away and it makes me sad. But I got to take their pictures.

We ate dinner at my house and then went swimming with all the grand kids. Morgan has her own fan club named Tyler and I think she secretly liked it. Max was just cute. And Tammy's kids ( especially Lexi) are so sweet with Tyler. Morgan kept saying " I LOVE this" when we would all laugh. I think she mostly liked that you could trash Nana's house and she never yelled :)

I am really thankful for my family. We had a really great time. I am thankful that I have become friends with my sister in law! She would laugh and no one would EVER guess we would be friends but she rocks. And she makes cute kids. I can't WAIT for them to move back .

( one you haven't seen... I know I know HURRY) They should be done by the end of the weekend.. maybe ;)

Sweet Boy Max

Sweet Baby ( OK big boy) swallowed a quarter. He stopped breathing and his brave mommy had to call the ambulance. According to his dad ( who is far away in Missouri while they are visiting Connecticut) he has been throwing up and sick trying to get it out. They will need to go in and remove it. Please Pray for Max that he will be brave. Pray for his sweet mom who is not only all alone but is watching her sisters kids. Pray for his dad that he will be OK without having the ability to get to Connecticut because he has to work. ( He is a resident.)

Thank you!

We are praying for you Maxwell..

*update*

Max is doing well and they got the quarter out. Hugs to mom for her quick action. Guess we will be sending Macwell a piggy bank~ Little stinkers