Scouts and Cyclocross

Tyler recently earned his Arrow of Light and crossed over into Boy Scouts.

Just shortly after crossing over Tyler went on his first camp out to Cougar Rock at Mt. Rainier with his dad. Can you tell Chris and Tyler take a lot of pride in their uniforms?

Tyler also has been busy racing Cyclocross.

 He had the opportunity to attend a clinic with several of his teammates where they were taught by two professional riders.

Reading and talking

Sheldon's vocabulary is exploding. He is using lots of words and sign language. Often he uses both together which really helps us understand him more. It is sooooo exciting that he can tell us what he wants. In this clip he either says, signs, or a bit of both the following words:
   sleep (hand over eyes)
   book (hands in book shape)
   puppy
   apple
   cereal
   car (hands like on steering wheel)
   fish (hand swims like fish)
   all done (wave both hands)
   cracker (knock elbow with fist)
   please (rub chest)

The rest appears to be some sort of asian language :)



Some other words he knows are:
coat    shoes    socks    bye-bye    Ni-night   hello   more    banana    bug   hat   bike    drink    baby    rain    wind    sun    bubbles    bear    outside    hot    thank you    sorry   diaper    dirty    bird    Dad    eat   flower    uh-oh    go    stop    sun    up    down    ball    doll    Elmo     Tyler (Ty-Ty)  
Simple sentences he knows:
   Sit puppy (sounds more like Sh** puppy LOL!)
   Here you go.
   I know.
   I love you.

Smarty pants

Sheldon is very busy and smart. This is great until I need to nurse Levi. He already figured out the child proof locks on all the cabinets and can open the laundry room door. So I have to think back to my freshman year in college when I was a nanny and taking early childhood development classes. Thankfully he loves simple eye hand coordination activities in his chair. His favorite is placing cheerios in the mini muffin tin. It makes a noise and he gets to eat. These puff balls have become ammunition for Sheldon and Tyler. They like to hide behind furniture and throw them at each other.

Puppy sitting

Life has been extremely busy lately. I have been training/mentoring a new kindergarten teacher on Chris' days off. Apparently this is the type of stuff that happens when Mom isn't home. LOL! You can hear Sheldon's version of "puppy" and "ball."

Back to School

Levi's Special Day

Sunday was fabulous!! We are so thankful for all those that love and support our family and traveled to be here on Levi’s special day. Chris gave Levi the most amazing blessing at church. He is such a great husband, Daddy, and priesthood holder. I’m one lucky gal. I also learned that if you serve your relatives bacon they don’t care that your house and yard and messy and unorganized.

Sheldon's eyes looked crazy blue in the new suit Grandma and Grandpa Twitchell gave him.

We sure do have some handsome boys.

 Relaxing after a busy weekend

Le Tour de Tyler

Tyler had a Tour de France themed birthday party. 

 He wanted the family to represent the race. 

Tyler was the yellow jersey (Race Leader), Chris was the green jersey (Sprint Leader), Sheldon was the polka dot jersey (King of the Mountains), Levi was the white jersey (Best Young Rider) and I was the podium girl.

I made each boy a Tour de Tyler shirt with a sharpie marker (nothing but the best for my son's party) and printed race numbers with sponsors to pin on their backs. 

Levi was number 100, Sheldon 101, and Tyler was 111. Then all of his friends were 112 and up. Tyler wanted these numbers since it was his eleventh birthday.

Chris and his friend Dave took the boys for a ride (I mean race) on the Western Chehalis Trail after they had a "time trial".

Safety briefing at the round about.

They were quite the sight through town. Several people asked about our "event." 

During the race Chris would have the kids take turns racing ahead for a break away. At the end of this clip you can see Sheldon sleeping in the trailer. Poor little guy was tired.

When they returned to the park, the boys ate pizza then did an obstacle course that simulated the "mountain stage" of the tour.

Sheldon helped Dad a bit then played with the bikes. He loves anything with wheels.

Levi cheered everyone on.

Clearly all the cheering tuckered Levi out.  He fell asleep in Annie's arms.

Check out that snazzy cake made by Sharleen.

It was muggy so the cool breeze was fabulous. That is until we tried to light the candles.

Tyler started blowing bubbles for Sheldon. The big kids joined in on the fun.

The podium photo

Happy Birthday Tyler!!! We love you to the moon and back and are so grateful you made us a mom and dad eleven years ago. You are an amazing big brother and have made us so proud.