Christmas 2013

Christmas was simplified this year.  Fewer presents, shorter family visits.  But you know what?  The kids acted just as thrilled about everything as they did last year.

Though still very ill with the pregnancy, Carrie was able to go to a family party and make her 1st dressed-and-out-of-bed public appearance (yay!) since September.  Because of his awesome broadcaster voice, Tyson was asked to narrate for the Relief Society Christmas dinner.

Tyson and his Dad made sure our small Christmas tree and some lights happened.  Christmas Eve jammies were a huge hit.  It's always fun to see out of town relatives.  Tyler and Lydia were excited to celebrate the birthday of Baby Jesus and set up the Nativity.  And Christmas mornings are SO much fun with little kids in the house. 

Surviving Hyperemesis Gravidarum

These past months have been very difficult with Carrie's health taking a nose dive days after finding out and announcing our news about the new baby.  She has been sick in bed and hooked up to an IV through a PICC line which runs through her arm to her heart in order to give her fluids and medications.  Despite all of our precautions and doctor interviews, she once again has been diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  Because of this she is unable to take care of herself, our children, or anything else.  Tyson explains best what we have been going through in his blog posts:

Confessions-Of-An-HG-Husband-Hyperemesis Gravidarum

How Is She Doing?-Confessions-Of-An-HG-Husband-Hyperemesis

How Am I Doing?-Confessions-Of-An-HG-Husband

Bottoms Up-Confessions-Of-An-HG-Husband

When Will This End?-Confessions-Of-An-HG-Husband

Tyson took 4 months off of school, but still had to work.

We are forever grateful to our family, church ward family, friends, neighbors, and home healthcare nurses who have taken our family under their wings.  Those who have dropped off meals for an exhausted Tyson.  For coming over early to get Tyler off to school.  For taking Lydia all day and caring for her needs.  For the prayers that have been said from homes and temples all around the world.  We have no idea how we would have survived these months without you. 

2 Feet

September 7th was Grandma's 85th birthday.  I love my Grandma, I have so many good memories with her.  Picking raspberries in her garden, shopping, lunch at ZCMI's Tiffin Room or El Matador, sleepovers, Christmas Eve family parties at her home, playing in her backyard, hearing and sharing travel adventures, visits, chats, looking through photo albums.  Happy Birthday, Grandma! 

Loraine Olson West

Comic Con with Super Uncle Matthew and his Super Niece and Nephew

Uncle Matthew flew out for SLC's 1st ComicCon and he really wanted to take his nephew with him - even buying him a matching costume.  Tyler was nervous and said he would go if his sister came too.  Tyson was so nice to go along and chase the kids so Matthew could keep his sanity.  Good thing too - I hear it was packed.  The kids had fun.  They thought it was an early Halloween party and loved filling their bags full of swag.

"Come on Dada, let's go to ComicCon!"

 "Mama take a picture of me!"

 Super Uncle Matthew and his Super Niece and Super Nephew

 Heading back to Atlanta

 Super Lydia and her favorite Opa

1st Day of 1st Grade

Lisa and Branden's Wedding Reception

Lisa and Branden held their wedding reception at a place called Cactus and Tropicals.  Who knew a plant and flower nursery could be such a cool place for a reception?  They had a great turnout with lots of friends and family.

 Foreshadowing.  This was right before she fell into a ground level fountain.

 Apparently the refreshments were plate-licking worthy.  And he came prepared with a headlamp in case it got dark.

 Dad the greeter.

 Levi and Opa.

 Mom, Michelle, and Asher

 Justin and Lydia.  (Glad he didn't mind the wet skirt).

 Dancing with Dada.

 Branden and Lisa

 Lisa and Matthew

Backyard

I love having a backyard.  And a deck so I can step outside to check on the kids and see this without interrupting their play.

Beloved - Finally Some Photos of Tyson and Carrie on the Blog

Awhile ago I heard of a concept called a Beloved photoshoot.  So many couple get engagement and wedding photos taken and then in the years to come, nothing but a family photo now and again.  Beloved is a photo session just for husband and wife and we're glad we did one, it was fun!  So Saturday evening we drove down to Memory Grove in SLC and met up with Maggie from Echo Photography.  We took a few posed photos, but mostly it was interaction as the photographer asked us questions, played a couple of our special songs, had us read letters written to each other and share props that remind us of memories.  A lot of this was pre-planned and sent over to her before the session.