Quiet Book for Tyson

I thought I should probably document this since it was quite the project to take on as it turned out. Last year I decided that I wanted to make Tyson something that he could play with and hopefully pass on to his children in the future. I had seen a lot of different quiet books over the years and thought they were such a good idea, but I hadn't seen any that I just loved. So, I got the crazy idea to design and make my own. My original idea was to make them for family and close friends but I was very naive in thinking that they would be simple and quick to make. My "simple" yet "brilliant" creative idea became quite the epic ordeal, but when I do something it has to be just so and the best it can be. Besides, my little boy deserves the best, or at least the best his mom can do, right?:)

It was so much fun designing the pages, but it wasn't until I scanned them in to the computer and digitized them for the embroidery machine that I realized how labor intensive this project would be. Anyway, it probably took a couple of months to complete, but to see something that started as a simple thought become reality was very gratifying! Afterall it was quite the accomplishment for me! Definately a labor of love!!!!!

I have made a couple more since, in fact I just finished the last one but they were a limited run, I don't plan on making any more. Sorry to all you family and friends, I did have good intentions when I started the project but there are other projects I would like to do and these quiet books just take too much time!

My next project, a quilt for Tyson. That should occupy me for a while especially since I've never made one before (this could be scary)!

Identifying shapes
Pick the apples to put in the basket, Identifying and matching colors

Help the monkey climb up and down the tree, COUNTING

Move or unbutton the bears arms and legs and feel his soft fur, Lace and tie the shoe

Pick (unbutton) the flowers

I bought a three ringed organizer for the back to hold coloring crayons and pencils, and included a coloring book as well. The perfect church activity book.....now, if only Tyson liked to play with it......

Labor Day Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend! What a great way to end the summer! Ben and I celebrated our anniversary in Park City (our first night away from Tyson)! I have to say that it was a little hard to leave Tyson for that long, but I knew he was in great hands with his grandma and grandpa! We had a great time and I even managed to refrain from calling to check on him until the next morning. It was really nice to have all that time with just Ben though! We ate out, went to a few movies we had been wanting to see, did a little shopping (that was more for me), and just enjoyed our time together!

Tyson seemed to have a great time with grandma and grandpa, considering he didn't run to greet us when we got home tells me that he didn't miss us too much. Grandma and Grandpa took him to Wheeler Farm where he got to interact with the animals and play on a couple of tractors. Grandma said that the tractors were probably his favorite things. He is definitely like his dad! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for taking such good care of Tyson while we were away! We all had a great time!

Happy Anniversary to My Sweetheart!

It is hard to believe that just five years ago Ben and I were sealed together for time and all eternity. Looking back it has been an eventful five years with moves, job changes, the birth of our wonderful little boy, and many other blessings and challenges. Not a day goes by that I don't think about how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband! He is my best friend, confidant, counselor, comedian, and my rock, among other things. I thought I would take a moment and let Ben know just a few of the things I love so much about him:

1. your smile

2. the beautiful color of your eyes

3. how you support me in all I do

4. how you rub my feet every morning

5. how you hold my hand when we are out in public

6. your compliments

7. how you call me on your way home from work to see how my day was

8. how you send me emails just to say "I Love You!"

9. how hard you work for our family

10. your desire to find a hobby we can enjoy together

11. your unconditional love

12. your forgiveness and tender heart when I fall short

13. your ability to make me laugh even when I try not too

14. how you can fix anything

15. how lovingly you play with Tyson

16. how you love to spend time with Tyson and I

17. how photogenic you are

18. how you strive to live worthy of your priesthood

19. how you try so hard to understand me when at times I don't understand myself

20. how you make up little songs

21. your patience with my indecisiveness

22. how we seem to always think and say the same things

23. your encouragement

24. how you strive to excel in all you do

25. your imagination

26. your hugs and sweet kisses

27. how you talk in your sleep sometimes

28. the little things you do to help me

29. how you twitch just as you're falling asleep

30. the fact that we will be together forever!!!

Here's to an eternity of many more happy momories! I love you, Ben!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gardens @ Thanksgiving Point

If you have never been to the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point I would highly recommend going! It was gorgeous! Tyson and I spent the morning there with Uncle Rob (Ben's uncle). Ben wasn't too interested in going so when Rob said he wanted to go I jumped at the chance. It was a great opportunity for Tyson and I to get to know him better!

The flowers were beautiful and the weather was perfect for a stroll through the gardens. I think Tyson found every bird that was there and he spotted all the flowers and topiaries that resembled balls. The fountains, stream and waterfalls were also favorites of his; he even found a rock or two to through in when he could. I had a great time taking pictures and could have spent a few more hours there snapping more.

By the time we left to go to lunch Tyson was worn out. He fell asleep as soon as I put him in the car, which is unusual for him. The two minute drive across the property to where we ate was not much of a nap for him, but he did quite well while we ate. Tyson had warmed up to Rob and was holding his hand by the end of our outing. Rob even bought him a soft little ball while we were there.

Thanks uncle Rob for treating us to a special day and spending time with us!

Discovery Gateway adventure

Last Saturday Ben and I decided to take Tyson to the Discovery Gateway museum. We were pretty excited to go and we made sure we got there right when they opened to avoid crowds. Am I glad we did too, by the time we left it was pretty crazy in there with all the kids and adults running around.

Tyson had a great time. He got right in there and tried everything. He loved the balls and of course the water area (which had balls too). Ben was pretty fascinated with the animation exhibit. They had little figurines that you could stage and photograph allowing you to make your own little animated movie clip. There was an area where you could create your own comic strip too.

Both Tyson and Ben were getting creative with the wall of pipes. There were several different pipes that were different sizes and angles that you could move around to create your own "ball shoot".

There were things to do for people of all ages. We had a great time playing and experimenting. I can definitely say that we will be back!

Canyon Outing

We decided to take a trip up one of the canyons a few weeks ago to explore and take some pictures. We happened to pick the same random spot that we did almost two years ago when Tyson was just a baby. Tyson was in heaven with all the rocks he had to throw in the "wahrrr" (water in Tyson tongue), one of his favorite pastimes. We had a great day together!

Cleaning Tip

Okay, for those of you out there who are always looking for a great new miracle cleaner I think I have one to share. I like to keep my eyes and ears open to great cleaning solutions especially if they are non-toxic ( I don't like to use harmful chemicals around Tyson if I can at all avoid it). Well, I had a little mishap in my oven yesterday when cooking dinner which made a mess all over the bottom. Yes, I do have a self cleaning oven but who wants to heat up their living space by having the oven on for several hours and then of course the awful smell that goes along with that that lasts for days? My solution, that works pretty darn good in my opinion, is cream of tartar and vinegar. You simply make a thin paste by adding vinegar to some cream of tartar (you might need quite a bit of cream of tartar if it is a big job)! Next you apply the paste to the spills and spatters in the oven. Let it sit for a few minutes and then take your trusty ole steel wool and scrub away. Actually it shouldn't take too much scrubbing. Then wipe it out with a wet sponge or cloth. Voila, you have a clean oven.