Day II Christmas Eve

Next stop Grammy & PopPop's....after a fun night at Colleen and Brians we headed over to Grammy and PopPop's for a day of Christmas fun - which included opening presents and Christmas Eve dinner.  While I would like to say it was a nice relaxing day....I would be lying - it was nice and lots of fun it was absolutely exhausting!  We started the evening off with our family Christmas present exchange.  Tyler was spoiled rotten as  always working through mounds of gifts and  having to take breaks between his opening duties to play and then rest.  After we wrapped up our gift exchange we moved on to dinner - after the craziness of gift exchange we were hopeful the kids had worn themselves out and worked up an appetite.  Unfortunately that was not the case and they (Sophia & Tyler....Lucas of course was being Mr. Perfect as usual sitting quietly at the table eating his puffs) were off and running within five minutes of dinner.  While a true family dinner would have been nice - it was great watching Sophia and Tyler running and screaming in delight as they played with all their new toys.  One thing to sum up the day relaxing no...memorable always! 

Tyler so excited to see that Sophia has arrived!

Tyler so excited about his Hess truck!

Having a ball watching daddy spit fake food up into the air.

Lucas and Tyler getting some snuggle time with PopPop.

Beep beep coming through...

Christmas Morning

After a few weeks of catching up on sleep getting settled back into a "normal" life I'm finally getting around to posting pictures from the holidays.  It was a fun and exciting whirlwind of days enjoying time with family. 

We kicked off our festivities on Friday morning where Mike and I had our Christmas with Tyler.  This year was much more exciting then last year as Tyler was more into tearing open presents and eager to play with his toys right away....screaming at Mama and Dada when we didn't get it out of the packaging fast enough.

Daddy helping Tyler open up presents

Weebles wobble but they don't fall down....one of Tyler's favorites this year!

Check out my new ride!

Tree decorating

A few weekends ago we had our annual tree decorating party at the Rickert house.  Since I started dating Mike over 6 years ago I have been attending this event....and with each year the event gets more exhausting thanks to the little terrors treasures we have running us ragged.  Last year Tyler was not mobile so all we had to do was put him down and let him enjoy the view....this year we I could not say the same.  He was running around in true Tyler fashion with his playmate Sophia.  During this even we tried to incorporate a photo session in hopes that Aunt Leenie (or kind photographer) could capture a shot for the 2011 Christmas cards....the result was unsuccessful - chances of a 1.5 year old sitting still and smiling for a camera...slim to none.  Overall the day was great and something that we look forward to every year - can't wait until next year when Lucas is in motion and Baby Rickert has joined the group! 

Christmas 2011 Onyon/Smith/Rickert Famiy Photo

This year was tough getting us to stand in one spot and look at the camera - which is why everyone except Colleen and Brian look crazed.  Next year they will join the crazy group with the addition of Baby Rickert!

Cousin shot - could these three be any cuter.  Thanks for the PJ's Aunt Leenie and Uncle Brian

An attempt at a Christmas card photo.......

Sophia and Tyler having fun with PopPop

To the bridge we go.....

With the cold weather we haven't been taking our normal walks into town to the park and playground on the weekends.  Tyler of course hates this as he loves to be outside...so when it's not raining (or snowing) we'll take a walk around the block to a little bridge and stream area.  Tyler loves taking rocks and dropping them into the water - watching the ripple effect through the water.  Mike and Tyler spent over an hour one day doing just that and our little guy couldn't have been happier. 

So happy to be outside 

Just finding the right spot...making sure no ducks are coming through....

Dad giving T-man a boost

Where has the month gone!

As always it's been another crazy month for our little family.  We had lots of family visits throughout the month which is especially fur for Tyler - showing off all his new tricks and suckering people into watching "Mimmi" (aka Mickey) or making "Coco" (aka Coffee).   During the month we also had some work done on the house, which resulted in us vacating for a week.  We were lucky enough to be able to stay at Hotel Wander, where Tyler had a blast playing with Aunt Chris, Uncle Larry, Nikki and of course Woof Woof (aka -Giiiiirrrrlllsss).  It was a great but exhausting month.  I would blame the lack of posts on that but we all know I'm just not that good at keeping up with this stuff!

Tyler loves the slide and had fun going down with Aunt Kendy

Loving the leaves!

Tyler and Uncle Larry playing Go go go.....Uncle Larry sure does know how to get those belly laughs out of our little boy!

Love this picture...T-man having fun with Aunt Chris after work

Tyler loving his Aunt Nikki - especially because she let him play with her iphone!

Halloween

I know Halloween has come and gone and we have already made it into Thanksgiving- but I wanted to at least get a few pictures of my little man up in his costume during his Halloween class party, parade and trunk or treating at school. I couldn't really get him to keep the hat on but he didn't need the hat to look adorable (but that's just my opinion!).

Love that little face!

Howdy Cowboy!

Tyler and his friends ready to go outside for the parade (three of Tyler's favorite friends to talk about Nora, Taylor and Oliver!)

Lending a helping hand to his buddy Oliver-giving him back his bottle.  Oliver had a rough day that day - all the kids wanted to hug and kiss him (or Elmo) and he just wanted to be left alone. 

Tyler making his rounds at "trunk or treating" with Ms. Vicky

Trip to Boston

A few weekends ago we made a trip to Boston for a visit.  We've been planning for months to get there and were finally able to coordinate a weekend without a hurricane hitting or one of us having plans.  We couldn't wait for the weekend- to spend some time together without having an event to go to and to have Tyler and Kathryn spend some cousin time together.  The weather was absolutely perfect - so spent a lot of time outside with the kids and even hit up some Halloween fun in anticipation for the big day!  Our next trip to Boston will be at Thanksgiving where we will have a new addition to the cousin team  (Miss Avery Madeline was born Tuesday 11/1).  We can't wait to meet her and spend some family time together - enjoying Thanksgiving together.

Enjoying the nice weather with a wagon ride....Mommy's arms were killing her after about 30 laps around the property!

Kathryn and Tyler enjoyed the morning sun with some time at the park and in the sand box.

Here's our little cowboy (Woody). 

Deciding he didn't want to be a cowboy but would rather do the fireman thing

The stare down with Uncle Chris.....

Cousin love!!