Because Why?????

This is Luke's new favorite phrase. He asks this about everything!! Last night I was making dinner and we went about 10 rounds of because why about something that I can't even remember. I love to see his curiosity about the world around him. But, I am running out of explanations. "because it makes us happy" and "because it is fun" are not making the cut. I am sure for you seasoned parents you have been there... but sometimes I honestly don't know how to answer the questions. Some of the concepts are very complex.

Budding Entomologist

Luke LOVES to hunt for bugs! Anyone who knows me I am sure finds this humorous. I HATE bugs. For my avid readers you may remember that on Luke's birthday he got this cheap (Target dollar spot) bug collecting kit. That toy has served him through many a scavenge hunt of our yard for creepy crawlies. We have new neighbors who have two little boys. They are 7 and 9. They come over all the time with bugs they have caught to show Luke. They go all over the neighborhood gathering their spoils and trophies to present to Luke. It is so adorable.
Saturday morning Jake was getting our yard ready for fall and winter. We were doing some heavy duty trimming, weeding and cutting down. It looks nice, and was a ton of work (thanks babe!). Luke and his cohorts hit the jackpot! Dad helped them capture a praying mantis. Then they found a toad and captured that. They collected crickets to feed to the toad and they caught a caterpillar and a butterfly. They had SO much fun. Literally they spent two hours at least combing the yard for new treasures. It was so adorable to watch. I so wish I had thought to grab my camera and snatch some photos...alas, I did not.

Preschool

So handsome!
Cool Spiderman backpack!
Luke and his friend Grace.

Luke had his first day of school yesterday. I have been so excited for him to get to do this. So I was suprised when I started tearing up as I drove away and left him behind. I can't explain it, I just felt emotional. My big boy!

Cake and eat it too! (Birthday post 3 of 3)

Ty's cake. My friend here made it for me. So cute!! She made him his own smash cake, he ate most of it. Have any of you seen Matlida? Remember Bruce Bogtrotter?

Notice how you don't see any pictures with Dad in them? He was staying clear of the sticky mess.

Birthday Posts: 2 of 3

Corn on the cob-his fav.

Yummy chocolate pudding.

Ty had a great day. He loved all of his presents and was such a sweet baby all day. We went out to lunch at HomeTown Buffet-not such a yummy lunch for us, but he LOVED it. I thought that he would because he could have all of his favorite things. Then we came home and opened presents. He took another nap and after we had pancakes for dinner and ate cake. Just what a one year old would want. We all really enjoyed watching him go after his cake. It is hilarious.

Big Brother "helping" learn about the new toys.

The Big Day is Here!

In the hospital
Just a few days old.

Ty is ONE! I have been thinking a lot about a year ago today. I went into labor on Saturday night September 1st. It was during the BYU first game of last season. They actually were retiring Ty Detmer's jersey during that game-so it was bound to happen-his namesake and all. Anyway, I remember telling Jake that my contractions were coming two minutes apart for about an hour and he said to me, "are you sure you can't wait until the game is over?" When I assured him it was time to call the doctor he was very happy to hear that the doctor wanted me to wait another hour and see if they would continue. We saw the end of the game, they won, and we headed to the hospital. I really thought his birthday would be the first, but he held on until Sunday morning September 2nd at 9:20 a.m.

Ty was such a beautiful baby. We both immediately thought he looked a lot like a Swensen. I think this made Jake really happy, he always jokes that Luke may not really be his since he looks nothing like Jake. My OB here was really great. He let Jake glove up and help deliver Ty. He was holding Ty when he took his first breath. I will never forget them laying him in my arms. I was so overcome with emotion. My gorgeous baby was finally here!

Ty is such a joy in our family. He has grown into a little spit-fire, even though in the beginning he was so calm and peaceful. He LOVES to be silly, wrestle and be mischievous. He loves to do something he knows he is not supposed to be doing. He loves to eat and his favorite food is corn. He loves anything to do with electronics-more than any baby I have ever seen. He loves doggies and squeals with delight whenever he sees our neighbors dog. He is so determined. He keeps stopping himself from crawling (even though it is still much faster) and making himself try to walk everywhere. He is getting really good, but it is still not his primary source of transportation. He completely adores Luke. He loves to cuddle and be held. He also loves kisses and hugs. He already loves to dance and can't seem to help himself-no matter what else is going on-if there is music he is bobbin along. I could go on and on, but the point is that we couldn't imagine our family without our little Tyger. We love you baby boy. Happy 1st Birthday.

What a big boy!

Bowl head! He thought that he was being so funny. He kept putting the bowl on his head over and over again.
Notice the curls on the side of his head? They are kinda hard to see, but I LOVE them. I don't want to cut his hair because I want to let his hair get curly.

Family Pictures

We got family pictures today. Thought you might want to see. They turned out pretty good I thought.

Ty's One Year Pictures

Cougar Football Party!

We had so much fun Saturday night watching the BYU game (yes, we got Direct TV just so that we could get "The Mountain" all the way out here.) Our friends, the Castletons, came over. It is great for Jake to have another avid fan to watch the games with. We are so glad they have moved to Decatur-we know they will get used to it!
We had yummy nachos-thanks Becca, pizza and I made BYU cookies. The kids LOVE to play together. I am so glad that Luke and Grace will be in the same preschool class this fall. Here are some cute pics of our kids together.

These came out kinda blurry. I had taken the flash off when I was taking pictures of the cookies. I forgot to put it back on. Oops. Still cute though.
Grace and Luke eating nachos. They are so funny together.

Little Lilly. Couldn't you just eat her up? She was so sweet. She fell asleep on my lap at the end of the fourth quarter.
Adorable Grace!
My masterpiece cookies. Well, not really. But they did turn out quite nicely. I was pleased. My first attempt at homemade sugar cookies. I am not a big cookie person. Also, I have never had much success when making them. Then my friend here gave me a great tip I had never heard of. I am sure so many of you already know, but, set the butter out for about 20 minutes at room temperature before mixing. Also, I think that my new Kitchenaid mixer helped.
Oh, ya and they won! Everyone happy here!! There was a questionable word spoken during the third quarter-by whom I won't say. But all in all, a great night. Thanks guys for coming!

Rise and Shout!

The BYU mania has officially ensued at our house. Leading up to today there has been much anticipation and excitement-mostly from my hubby. I don't think that very many people understand Jake and his obsessive fanaticism. BYU football season means several things at our house:
1. Watch out if they loose. We have a 24 hour fall-out period. No one should come within a 5 mile radius during this time. This I know-depression is contagious!
2. Sleeping babies WILL be woken up during the fourth quarter. Also, at least once a season my youngest will always be drawn to tears as Daddy's screams break the sound barrier.
3. College football is a week long event. Thursday games, Sports Beat Sunday and the Bronco Mendenhall hour, Monday news articles, Friday night games and of course ALL day Saturday.
4. If they win-there may be crying (and there has been-like a little girl! Not from me!).
5.Saturdays should always be kept clear from all activities that do not include College Game-Day and checking the other various games throughout the day. Needless to say, that kick-off for the BYU game each week is almost a sacred moment-almost!
6. There will always be nachos and Mountain Dew.

Alright, so I have been teasing my wonderful husband. Not that these things aren't true, but truthfully, I enjoy the memories we have of fall and football season. I have become a true BYU fan. Growing up my dad followed only NFL. But even in college I always gravitated to BYU during games. Once I went on a date with a guy to a BYU vs. Utah game. It happened to be LaVell Edwards last game. Even though the kid was a Ute fan and the game was at Utah, I cheered for BYU. I always wanted to attend BYU or Ricks (even though that is not the way things worked out). I know that if we ever move back to Utah, for the rest of our lives we will have season tickets.

So I say...
Ra, ra, ra, ra, ra
Ra, ra, ra, ra, ra
Ra, ra, ra, ra, ra,
GO COUGARS!!!!!!!!