Last Free Flight and Teacher Feature

We love that kids can fly free for the first 2 years of their lives. Though isn't it ironic that Delta starts offering brand new nonstop flight service to and from Sioux Falls to SLC on Tyler's 2nd birthday? ::sigh:: Oh well, at least we got one last free flight in!

Carrie nominated her Dad for a KSL Teacher Feature award and out of all the letters with nominations, he was chosen last September. ksl.com - Mr. Robert Hillier - Sunset Junior High

This May, all of the teacher's featured in 2008-2009 were honored at a banquet at La Caille and since Carrie nominated him, her Dad flew her out to go with him (I think wanting to see his favorite grandson had a lot to do with it too!). It was very fancy with the teachers even getting swag bags just like celebrities. One teacher talked about how whenever she got frustrated with her young students, she would stop and look at their small hands. That would remind her who she was teaching. As a mother, I loved that. Now when Tyler is driving me crazy, I look at his beautiful little dimpled hands and remember how much his small spirit needs me.

Ty and I spent the week of May 11-18 in Utah and caught up with many frends (Nicole and her adorable kids, Melanie in Orem, Quin - Tyler's Suntrails Ward girlfriend), family (Gra'ma, Opa, Uncle Matth-mew, Aunt Lettuce, Aunt Kris-kren, Grr Gra'ma West, the West twins and their new chickens), and favorite places to visit (IKEA, Cafe Rio, BYU, the temple, downtown SLC). Thanks for a fun week family!

BYU duck pond

Tyler loves his Aunt Kristen

Hide and Seek at BYU's Tree of Wisdom (aka Tree of Life) sculpture

Reading with Great Grandma

Sometimes he stays like this for the longest time!

Lots of playtime

Helping Opa mow the lawn

Saying Goodbye

Versatile Mat

No sooner had I unrolled my yoga mat, did Tyler grab his blankets and "pillow" and claim it for his very own nap mat. Yoga mat v. nap mat...hmmm, maybe he's on to something there!

Hooray for Flight Benefits!

Tyson's Dad works for US Airways right now and decided to try out his flight benefits the weekend of April 24th-26th. Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Jim got onto their flights no problem, flew into Omaha, then drove up to Sioux Falls. It was so fun to have them visit us in our little apartment on the prairie! Tyler got really good at saying Grandma and Grandpa. He loved to shout, "Co'mere!" and drag them all around showing them everything. We showed them all around our little city, played games, and took them to Church (Thank you again for your help in the Nursery, Grandma Joyce!). Tyson and Carrie even got to go on a date while they babysat. This was the 1st time we'd been in a movie theatre since we moved here!

Grandma Joyce getting ready to catch Tyler...and Grandpa (see the legs at the top of the slide).

Grandpa and Tyler overlooking Falls Park.

Another Surprise Delivery

On the beautiful Spring day (yes, warm(er) weather has come at last!) of April 23rd, Tyler and Carrie pushed open the door, ready to go for a walk to the park when they stumbled upon a huge box. Curiosity getting the best of them, they took it inside to open and discovered a rocking chair just Tyler's size! Tyler's Grandma Hillier had sent the rocking chair Carrie used when she was little to Tyler. Would that be considered an heirloom then? :-)