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? :-)

Surprise Delivery

On Wednesday night, April 8th, Carrie got a phone call from her Dad asking if she received the package he had sent. Upon her negative reply, he said, "Well go check your door." And there was Carrie's Dad, standing on the walkway, holding his package. What a fun surprise! He only dropped by for a day, but we made the most of it by exploring our corner of the world. Despite getting a little lost, we visited three states in one hour's time - South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota (Sioux Falls is only about 15 minutes from either border). Not bad!

Tyler remembered his Opa right away. He kept calling, "M'Pa! M'Pa!" and pulled him all over the house to play.

A few days later we celebrated Easter with a Regional Conference at Church and the Easter Bunny, of course.

April in South Dakota

Mama and Tyler in our yard.

Count von Tyler

Tyler is walking around the house saying, "Two! Aah ah ah!" Just like Count von Count from Sesame Street. Not one or three, just two. Funny boy.

Arizona Sunshine

On Feb. 15th, Tyler and Carrie caught a plane headed for Arizona - with a stopover in SLC to visit the Hilliers. See that picture of Tyler in a crib above? No, that's not at anyone's house - that's the Family Room in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. What an awesome airport to have not just a bathroom with a changing station, but a whole room with a crib, changing table, rocking chair, dimming lights, and sofas. They have our vote for most family friendly airport (that we've been to) in the U.S.

After three fun days in Utah...

...we headed down to Phoenix (taxiing in past Airforce One on the Skyharbor tarmac) with Tyson set to join us the next day. What a welcome change from the bitter cold South Dakota winter! Two days in Arizona in February and we were ready to pack up our bags and make the move! (I'm sure we'll be grateful for South Dakota come Summer, though).

We had lots of fun playing at the park, spending time with the Plastows, playing games, and celebrating cousins McKenzie (4) and Emma's (1) birthday's on the 23rd.

One of the highlights of our trip was the Renaissance Festival. Tyson has been wanting to take Carrie there ever since they were dating and it's no wonder - they really go all out! It was very fun!

There were jousting knights, castles, shows, rides, shops, treats - all keeping in character with the Renaissance time period. Quite impressive!

But this was the best part of all. Elephant rides! Wait, at a Renaissance Festival? Who cares! It was the best! Tyler loved it. Even though he held on tight the whole time, he kept making elephant noises. Carrie loved it too. :-)

Tyler had so much fun with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and with Polly the very-patient-and-used-to-grandkids dog.

Saying goodbye. Enjoy the sunshine for us!

Tyler's Photoshoot - A Year and a Half

OK, he's 20 months old - close enough. Tyler got to visit his UT family on the way to visit his AZ family. He was so styling in his new suit that we had to take him to do a photoshoot. A little nervous at first, Tyler soon warmed up to the quacking duck, chirping monkey, and silly Opa and Kristen in the room. Getting to bring Cougar was a plus too. Pretty handsome, don't you think?

Nursery

I am the new Sioux Falls 2nd Ward Nursery Leader! I would be scared to death, but a few months ago I was able to attend Nursery to help Tyler transition in. They have a great program and only 6-8 little ones, so I think I'll be ok. I'll miss my calling as a Relief Society teacher, but I'm excited to learn in my new calling. So bring on the goldfish crackers and wish me luck! Oh, and if you have any tips on how to fill a whole hour (after playtime hour) with energetic toddlers, please let me know! - Carrie