My first MLB game!

Thanks to my beautiful cousin Jeni and her fun Birthday Celebrations I was able to go to my first MLB game.  It was the perfect evening for a game at Rangers Stadium and even a little chilly!  Steve and I had a great time and ate way too many Nachos and hot dogs.  Did you know they have an all you can eat section? Now you do! 

Jeni and Brian - don't you think he looks like an athlete?  (that's for you Jeni)

 

ELEVEN

 My sweet, adorable, cute baby boy turned ELEVEN.  I look back at pictures and I just wonder how it went so fast.  I look at Josh going to Kindergarten and can't believe that Tyler isn't still there.  Tyler is amazing and like I told him the other day, I Love him just the way he is!



We attempted to get a cute picture of the boys in their Cowboys jersey's, but of course my 2 year old could not look at the camera or sit still. I think we took 50 pictures and these are the best ones.

 

My birthday boy! He is so grown up and so awesome!

Here are a few of my favorite things about Tyler

• his laugh, it is delicious and infectious and it makes me so happy
• he loves his baby brother and will do anything to help him and is so good with him
• he loves food as much or more than me and really appreciates when it is super yummy
• he is smart, smarter than he even knows
• he LOVES sports
• One of his favorite things is to play football on the PS3 with his kindred soul and cousin JB (they love th'reach other). He loves his cousins/family and wishes we lived closer (so do I)
• he is helpful at home and doesn't complain too much when there are chores to be done
• he enjoys reading and is so bummed when I don't let him read before bed
• he is taking piano lessons and is picking it up really fast, he may just have the piano skills that I never had (I am trying to help him be well rounded and keep telling him that someday when he is an awesome athlete and can play the piano the ladies will dig it)
• he has an amazing memory and often reminds me of funny things that I had forgotten
• he is learning and figuring out the value of really working hard when you want something.

I am so proud, happy, grateful and blessed to be T's mom!  I am one lucky lady!

Let the GAMES Begin!

As luck would have it, the weekend that Nana and Granddad came was the same weekend that Brooklynn and Ty started their Soccer/Football games. On this day we were extra specially lucky because both their games were in the morning, did not overlap, and would allow us to head to Austin for the BYU game that night.

Brooklynn's game was first up.  She did pretty well for her first game and assissted with a couple of goals, she also had a few great shots even though they didn't go in.  She also was able to play Keeper in the second half and although it took a few minutes for her to get her bearings and remember what she was doing - she did great and had a fun game.  Her team is called Enchanted and she plays with some great little ladies.  She put in such a great effort that she won the game ball and was able to bring it home and sign it so that it could be passed on the next week!

Ty's game was next on the agenda.  They were playing the Saints and they ended up having a good game and shutting the Saints out.  Ty played great and had fun.  He was even chosen as one of the Captains for the game.  He is playing Defensive Tackle or Defensive End so far this year.  It was so fun to watch him play and although I thought I would be super nervous, I wasn't too bad.  I will say though he looks just like a mini Steve all decked out in his pads/uniform!



All ready to go and he even chose to wear Steve's number!

After all the excitement of Opening Day - Nana, Granddad, Tyler, Steve and I got in the car to head to Austin for the Texas vs. BYU game.  This was part of Ty's birthday present because it was the day before his birthday.  He was so excited to go with us and see BYU play.  As far as we can remember this was his first BYU Game.  We were all wearing our new BYU gear (thanks Nana) and while we were at the BYU tailgate party I bought him a new hat for his birthday!

Look at that handsome boy!  Man I love him!

Nana and Granddad and Papa Greg is standing up, he met us at the game.

Even though BYU lost, we will ignore that part, we had a great time. We were close to melting it was so hot, but it was a great experience.  The stadium at Texas was HUGE, I have never seen a stadium so big!  It was crazy, hot, fun, and the perfect way to spend a Saturday! 

(It would not be right if I didn't mention Jeni and Brian who were the best and took my 3 other little monkey's for the afternoon/night!  Love you guys!! )

My BIG 2 Boy!

Noah turned two!  It breaks my heart that he is so big and grown up and talks so much, but I love it all at the same time.  Nana and Granddad were here for his birthday which made the day all the better.  We celebrated a day early because of the older kids crazy schedules, but Noah didn't care and he absolutely LOVED that it was his day.  He would pat his chest and say, "Nono birday'  He was in heaven.  He even specifically asked for a 'Chocolate Icee Cake' and a 'party' which is what he calls balloons.  It was the best.  He also would start to sing, 'Happy birday to you, Nono!'  How can I not be in love with this kid! 

He loved his Guitar.  We had a Ukelele that he loved until it broke, so I decided this would be the perect gift and he thinks it is great.  He always plays it Lefty which we find funny.

For a few weeks before he was asking for a football Helmup so he could be like Ty, but he refused to put it on, so Josh did instead.



As you can tell he loved the cake!

I think my favorite part of the whole celebration was singing him Happy Birthday!  He thought it was awesome and loved blowing out the candles.  When we finished singing he shouted, "One more time!"  It was hilarious and we couldn't deny such a cute request! 

Since this is his birthday post I have to write down all that he is up to and saying lately!  I want to remember it all - so here it goes.

This kid steals your heart in an instant.  He has tons of personality and is definitely ALL boy.  He loves sports and is always talking about Tyler at football 'tactice' or mommy exiscising (exercising).  He also loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and he adores Tyler.  He loves to play with Josh and Josh likes to get him to do all his dirty work.  He knows that Brooklynn will help him with anything he needs and often goes to her instead of me.  He is sweet and gives me Happy Kisses and Blow kisses (zerberts), he is sweet and snuggly, but oh so busy too!  He adores Granddad and the two of them had a great time together while they were visiting.  He is so sweet and very polite, if someone sneezes he instantly says, 'Bless you (insert name here)'.  He also says please and Thankyou and I even heard him ask one of his friends to excuse him when he was trying to get past!  I think by far my favorite thing about Noah is that he talks about himself in the THIRD person.  Not only does he do that, but he also pats his chest when he says his own name.  If you ask him his name he will tell you, "Nono Empey".  He keeps us all smiling and laughing and brings such joy into our home that life without his sweet little self would not be the same.  How BLESSED we are to have him! 

Happy Birthday my BIG 2 boy - you are the best!

A lot to Catch up on!

It doesn't seem like it has been THAT long since my last update, but we have been busy. Here is a run down of what we've been up to!

The kids had a primary activity at the temple.  They got to learn all about the temple and feel the spirit that was there.  It was a great activity and one I hope they remember. 

Nana and Granddad came to visit for a week!  Yep, an entire week - we were so lucky and had a great time.  We decided to enjoy the beautiful weather and head to the zoo on Labor Day - so did the rest of the city.  It was insanely busy, but we still had a wonderful time!  Noah thought it was great and the other kids had a good time as well.

As you can tell from the next picture, Noah was so tired for the Zoo, he fell asleep with his mouth full of crackers!  Haha, he is so funny.

We decided to stop for an icecream treat before we stopped for lunch/dinner on the way home.  Granddad solidified his spot in Noah's heart by sharing his 'icee' with Noah.  Noah solidified his spot in Granddad's heart when Granddad learned that he loves 'icee' just as much as he does! These two had a great week together.