Merry Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas from Sioux Falls, SD! Since Tyson had to work the holidays, we were able to spend part of Christmas Eve at the news station with him. We watched the news form the control room then had our Christmas Eve dinner in the newsroom - 3 kinds of fancy soups with plenty to share with the others who had to work.

Tyler helping Daddy produce the 6 o'clock news.

Visiting Tyson in the newsroom.

Chair races with Daddy in the newsroom on Christmas Eve.

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Christmas is so much more fun with a little guy! Tyler let us sleep in (enjoy it while it lasts, right?) and then walked out into the living room where he excalimed, "Whoa!" when he saw his new toys set out. We had a great Christmas morning eating omelets and opening presents. Though Tyson had to go into work, a family in our ward invited Tyler and Carrie over for an early Christmas dinner. People out here are so great!

An action shot of present opening.

New Thomas the Train pajamas. Choo choo! Thanks AZ Grandparents! He wears them every night and sometimes for naps too.

Reading Tyler's new train book with Mommy. Merry Christmas!

Merry Early Utah Christmas!

Tyler and I got to fly out and spend the second week of December in Layton with my family. Tyson stayed and lived the bachelor life in Sioux Falls (he had to work) while Tyler and I lived it up in Utah!

Tyler showed off his horse riding skills.

We went to the Festival of Trees where Uncle Justin gave him a bird's eye view.

He hung out with his favorite second cousins, Alex and Andrew, at their birthday party. These three are hilarious together. They have so much fun!

Uncle Justin and Aunt Michelle were also in town from St. Louis so we had a big Hillier family early Christmas party.

Tyler waited patiently for Uncle Matthew to hand over the toy.

Totally styling in his new Bomber jacket from Aunt Kristen and showing off Opa's pumpkins that were grown just for Tyler.

We had so much fun and already wish we could go back!

Thanks for Invites, Lights, and Anniversaries

Thanksgiving turned out better than we expected as Tyson had the whole day off work (unexpected and appreciated!). He played in a football Turkey Bowl with guys from the Church (and bemoaned sore muscles for the next few days). Then our family joined the Kavanaugh family and the missionaries at the formers home for a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner. It was so kind of them to invite us. Our ward is definitely looking out for us as several other families asked if we had dinner invites.


The next evening Tyler and I went downtown to see the Parade of Lights. Floats, vehicles, horses, and even marching bands with musical instruments were all draped with Christmas lights and paraded down the main street. Apparently this is a huge deal. It was so cold outside, but I heard that last year 60,000 people (that's 1/3 the population of the city) turned out. We were lucky to get box seats - inside the heated windowed lobby of Tyson's news station.

Tyson and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on December 4th. I am thankful for a loving, patient, kind husband who is always trying to put his family first, serve hard in the Church, and make me happy. I'm a lucky girl! We celebrated by spending the whole day together. We had a dinner and dancing date to which Tyler was invited because we were also celebrating his 18 month birthday. That's a big deal because he is now Nursery eligible (which he LOVES, by the way). Happy 4 years, Love, and happy 18 months, Snugglebug!