Our family trip to Albuquerque

We just got back from an amazing vacation/family reunion in beautiful Albuquerque, NM. If you have never been, you are missing out. The scenery is outstanding, the city is backed up to the Sandia Mountains and the cool, dry climate can't be beat.

It was a close call though. Tye got his first viral infection and running a 104 fever the day before we were supposed to leave...and on top of that, he had allergies and cutting his top two teeth. But, our little tough guy pulled through and his fever was down the next morning, so we decided to go, and I am glad we did. We had an incredible weekend visiting with all of Russ's aunt's, uncles, and cousins, taking worlds longest tram ride up the Sandia Mountains, experiencing the unforgettable sight of the Balloon Fiesta, and getting the tour of Albuquerque. Thanks Aunt Dee and Ralph for the amazing weekend.

Here are a few photos of the trip, and as you can imagine, Tye won over their hearts with his precious smile and laugh.

The view from the top of the tram ride was magnificent! You could see over 130 miles in the distance, and quite windy if you can't tell by the fly-away hair.


Here are some shots from the Balloon Fiesta. We left the house at 5:30AM in 40 degree weather, and it was well worth it!! As you will notice, Tye did not even attempt to remove the hat from his bald head.





The view from Aunt Dee's house...beautiful. I think I could wake up to this view every morning. How about you?


Russ's Aunt's and Uncle's (from left to right...Ralph and Dee Stone, Gary & Cecile, David & Judy Leatherman, and Tony & Nelda Brooks). They were an absolute joy with lots of laughter.


Monday, we checked out the new Sandia Resort and Casino on one of the local Indian Reservations. Here is a pic from the golf clubhouse.


Alright, alright...the last pic, Tye is appeasing his Mom by posing for this "fall" photo outside "El Pinto" for lunch.

Tye's "Beat Box" dance.

So Tye has started dancing, and dancing, and dancing. Well, I guess you would call it dancing. Any music that he hears now, he shakes his little booty. Here is a video at the top of our stairs with Russ providing the beat box.

The newest version of peek-a-boo...take 2.

At Grammy and Papa's last weekend Tye learned a new version of peek-a-boo in which he does the peek-ing and boo-ing. You just have to look amused and ask "Where's Tye?" Now that is all he wants to do. He also has learned how to dance, and shakes everything he has when he hears music or even if you just start shaking your head up and down. Can you believe he is already 10 months old? Crazy!! I need to start thinking about his birthday party plans...any ideas? Anyway...here is a video of Tye playing peek-a-boo. Hope you get a little laugh or at least a good smile out of it. Below are also a few pics from this past weekend in Dallas.


We went to Russ's 10 Year High School Reunion this past weekend and of his class of 22 people, 15 of them were there...pretty good turn out and he had a great time visiting and catching up on old times and new.


Tye blowing on the glass at Grammy and Papa's house. He loved standing up at the glass and looking outside at the trees, grass, cars, whatever babies enjoy staring at.


and this...my friends, is Tye's new fussy fit face...attractive, huh?

Weekend with Friends

This past weekend we went to the Austin-San Marcos-New Braufels Tri-City area and saw some of our good friends that we had not seen in a long time. We had a great time and did our fair share of driving. We got to spend the night at T Bar M and a night on Lake Travis (thanks Steve). Tye put on his usual show for our friends and we had a great time. If only we lived a little closer to this part of Texas, it would be nice to spend more time there. We got to spend time with Shane and Lindsay, Steve and Alli, and Chris and Adrianne and Reece (All good friends of ours). We got to spend some one on one time with each couple which we thought was quite an accomplishment to achieve in one weekend. Hopefully we can spend more time with these friends in the near future and especially with Shane and Lindsay, before they leave for.....well you know.
Here are a couple of pics of our adventure.


This is Tye swanging with Shane and Lindsay.




This is Tye and Russ and Chris and Reece.




Tye and Russ sportin' the shades at the motorcycle hangout place.

Another stellar performance by Cowboy Tye

Just for fun...thought I would post a few of these recent videos and photos showing Tye's cute personality coming through.

Cowboy Tye's stellar performance (with a little help from Dad)



Russ's new dishwashing supervisor.



Tye helping me with the laundry


Sometimes Tye gets in a fight with his food and tonight, I think the food won!

Tye's new version of peek-a-boo.

I have been trying to catch this on video for a few days now, but he is so distracted by the camera, it is hard to video him doing anything spontaneous. This is a video of his new version of peek-a-boo. He is at this point where he loves being "boo-ed" at and his other favorite game is for one of us to crawl around and he likes to "sneak up" on us or "catch us". He cracks up laughing and it is hilarious, and then it is our turn. Anyway, enjoy the video, and don't worry, his little tumble at the end is perfectly normal for him. He just gets too excited and forgets to hold on sometimes.

Here is a pic of proud dad with his son sporting his alma mater.


Tye had his first sleep over last weekend! Well, it was not totally planned, but our friends air conditioning went out, and keeping 2 kids in a house reading 87 degrees was not an option. It was a great weekend, and Tye had a blast having friends over to play for more than the usual 2 hours for our playdates.


and...here is a better picture of Tye's 2 front teeth.

...and the fun continues!

The fun just does not stop these days (Yea!) We are enjoying every minute of it and are overjoyed in seeing Tye discover new things and go on new adventures. Last weekend, we took our first trip to the zoo, with Elizabeth and the Monney kids (Ellie and Caleb). They totally enjoyed the "free range pigeons" searching for every scrap snack they could find, and the boys liked the caged animals too, as long as the animals were moving, they knew what they were looking at, but so fun nonetheless.





We then went to Luke's first birthday party and Mom is taking notes for Tye's coming up in a few months. Tye had so much fun, and took a great nap afterwards!





On a side note...TYE'S FIRST TEETH...you can barely see them, but they are truly there. Pardon the close up flash, but that was the only way I could get them in focus. More and better pictures to come. Those things are like little razor blades, though. He bites down on you now and you know it!



Okay, and lastly, and I will stop oohhing and aahhing, but his new thing is to crawl under everything...the chairs, coffee tables, and most excitingly for him, his exersaucer. Here is a little action shot.



So that is all...thanks for reading and hopefully a little ooohhh or aaahhhh with me.