263 weeks

Rock star Tyler...

Party #2

Monday August 10th.

Tyler's 5th Birthday

As many of you know, who read on our blog, in our family, on your birthday, you get to decide what we eat, and what we do for the day. The day started out with Tyler's breakfast request. Coffee cake and fresh fruit.

We then packed up the car, and drove to Lincoln City for the day. Tyler said he wanted to spend the day playing on the beach. It was one of the most beautiful days I ever remember at the Oregon beach. It was about 72 degrees, no wind (which is highly unusual) and sunny. The kids played on the beach together for a couple of hours, having so much fun. Playing in the sand, playing in the water, jumping waves and chasing each other up and down the shoreline.
2 cutie pies starting away at the ocean.

Tyler in his birthday pose!

After a fun filled day of playing on the beach, Tyler chose Kyllos for lunch. We had a delicious late lunch and then headed for home. Luckily, we all zonked out in the car (except for Eric, who was the driver). We were able to rest up for the fun night ahead.

For Tyler's birthday dinner he chose...cheese pizza on the bbq. It was really good! Then we had a small family party with cake and presents!

Making a wish...

Chloe gave Tyler a CARS hauler he had been wanting...Jerry recycled batteries!

And some new keen shoes from Mom and Dad...

More presents... ( The Tag Reading system)

And more presents...(More Cars, Haulers and Clothes)

The night ended with our family playing games and wii sports resort. We had such a fun couple of days celebrating Tyler's birthday party. He had a FABULOUS time and said he's ready to be 5 years old for a while now. Lol.

Party #1

Happy 5th Birthday to Tyler!

This year, Tyler had 2 birthday parties! The first party we celebrated the day before his birthday, on August 9th. We had invited the Young's and the Gallinger's sides of the family, thank you for those who were able to make it.

For Tyler's birthday dinner, he chose pizza! We started off with a yummy pizza dinner, salad and of course fruit. Then we moved on to playing the "Tyler Memory Game" which he and Chloe made themselves (darn it, forget to get a picture of that). Then it was time for a quick birthday picture to get the party rolling!

This year Tyler asked that I make him a train birthday cake. It was a bit of a challenge, but thanks to Chloe, we were able to get it decorated the night before the party. It was a really cute cake loaded with all kinds of "cargo" (candy).
Tyler posing with his Grandma Great Mabel. Grandma Great chose these cool heart shades as a prize in the Tyler memory game.

Singing happy birthday to you...blowing out his candle!

First gift opened was from Aunt Krista. A book called Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, one of his favorites. Aunt Krista also sent a glow-doodle & hyper dash game. We have all been enjoying those games!

Uncle Matt, Aunt Danielle, Cousins Ethan and Bennett gave Tyler a Trans Former action figure, pez dispenser, and the cutest birthday candy card ever. The transformer is a staple in the daily play!

Next came the CARS Haulers from Grandma Carol and Grandpa Jim. Along with a book about Kindergarten and a cool Nike shirt. Tyler's reaction to his haulers (which was on the top of his wish list) was "OH MY GOSH!" He was SO excited to get them!

Grandma Great Mabel gave Tyler the Chic Hicks CARS Hauler he had been wanting. Here, he has them all lined up in a row!

Tyler and his cousin Ethan had lots of fun playing together at the party. They are true boys-cars, trucks, planes, trains, anything that is a vehicle. I had asked the 2 boys to get together for a quick picture, and somehow, this is what ended up happening. All the adults were laughing so hard, we could barely contain ourselves. This has ended up being the family classic, "I love my cousin to death" picture!

And how could we not mention Miss Chloe? While Tyler was opening all his "boy" presents, and playing with cars, Chloe sat quietly on the couch with her blue raspberry ring pop. Guess it did a little bit of damage after all.

The evening ended & it was time for family to go home. We so appreciate all that were able to come. Tyler had a great time and we thank you for sharing in his special day.

Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Gallinger, Aunt Kail & Jason and Uncle Jeff and Aunt Megan for the gifts you sent. We sure missed you!


Tyler and Chloe continued playing into the night. They had fun chasing each other around, and playing tag. Here they stopped for a quick picture to end the fun day they had.

And one last picture...Chloe won some silly string in the Tyler memory game...she and Eric had at it in the back yard after sunset. Good times, good times!

262 weeks

Aqua boy...

261 weeks

Tyler in his birthday suit...a day late for his own party!

260 weeks

Just playing around...

The dog days of summer...

The dog days of summer are upon us...

You know the kind... Where your summer clothes are starting to look a little worn...
Flip flops don't quite flop back as quickly as they use to...

Where it is warm at night, and the sun starts to set in deep shades of pinks and oranges...
Where Popsicles melt fast.. And blow up pools have to have a little extra air pumped into them every couple of days...

Tan lines show up a little more...You start to run low on sunblock...Your hair gets a little lighter and longer...

Fresh fruits and veggies are the norm at every meal...and you haven't turned on your oven in weeks...the grill is so much easier...

The yard is in full bloom, radiant with beautiful colors of blooms that you didn't think would ever come to fruition last Spring during the cold wet months...

And bed times get extended a minute or two every night...and morning wake up time does also...

These are the days that I love...the days when I don't get out the camera, because I am just enjoying myself too much to think about letting my eyes wander anywhere else, other than watching the kids...watching them play in the pool, splashing each other...laughter that can be heard throughout the neighborhood... riding their bikes...drawing with sidewalk chalk, eating those dripping Popsicles and playing hide and go seek outside...these are the memories that I will always treasure...the dog days of summer are upon us, and how much sweeter they are with our kids!

Sunflower

Chloe at sunset in our backyard...just love that young lady!