Sea Life Aquarium

Yesterday we went to the SeaLife Aquarium at Legoland. It was Tyler's first aquarium experience and it was really fun! Scott's sister Joy came with us and Tyler was dragging her by the hand from exhibit to exhibit. There was a huge tank with rays and hammerhead sharks, along with all kinds of other fish, and big Lego creations in the tank with them. They have a touch pool so you can feel sea stars, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and other little creatures. It was a nice way to spend the morning and get to spend more time with Joy.

Checking out Nemo

Hammerhead shark

Cool rays and fish

Wow! Big Sea Star!

Joy & Tyler checking out the sea stars and sea urchins

Sponge Bob made of Legos!

Learning about sea life

Octopus!

Joy & Tyler going on an adventure

Oxnard

We've spent the past two days visiting with Jack & Mary up in Oxnard. They live one block from the beach, so we got in some great beach time. Scott and I are now a nice shade of pink, while Tyler has been slathered in spf 50. Tyler is having so much fun with his great aunt and uncle. They have lots of instruments, so he is keeping us entertained that way. We are all loving being at the beach and seeing them along with Great Grandma Lois and Aunt Joey.

Daddy and Tyler checking out the surf. Scott was able to surf with Jack Saturday morning north of Ventura. Mary dug Tyler a monster pit to play in

Piano lessons... along with bongo and xylophone lessons

Uncle Jack teaching Tyler about grilling

Trucks and stuff at the beach

Working on a castle with Mary

Playing the ukelele. He actually was "singing" at the same time! Apparently musicality skips a generation...

San Diego

Yes! We are officially on vacation! We arrived in San Diego Tuesday afternoon after what will now be known as "The Flight from Hell". Turbulent skies, you may be wondering...No. Terrible Two Year Old? YES! Our first flight from Kalispell to Salt Lake was fine. After a quick layover, we preboarded the flight to San Diego and were in the very back of the plane. Tyler was in his carseat on the plane, because he is a very squirmy kid and a lap belt would not contain him. We thought (hoped?) he would fall asleep, but that was not to be. Kicking the seat in front of him, screeching for fun, and peeing all over the place (including my lap) were the events that unfolded in that next hour. And just before we landed, spilling my soda all over the carseat! Awesome! But once we arrived at Nana & Papie's, Tyler became an angel. We had plans to go to the Padres game and decided we needed an outing, so we packed up again and headed down to Petco Park to meet our friends Brent and Lynn. The game was great, we all had so much fun, and Tyler was hilarious! He really got into the cheering and loved the atmosphere (not to mention the hot dog and ice cream!) Needless to say, it was a super ending to a stressful day, and we all slept like rocks. Next adventure: the beach!

Field level seats! Thanks Lynn! Tyler taking in the action

Touchdown! He hasn't learned the signal for home run yet...

Enjoying the game and getting ready for the wave to come back around

Scott, Tyler, Stef, Lynn, and Brent

enjoying a great game at beautiful Petco Park

New Trike!

Spring is in the air! With almost all of the snow melted in our neighborhood, we decided to get Tyler a tricycle today. To say that he loves it is an understatement. He did not want to come inside even when his hands were freezing. He did not take off his helmet until bedtime. He rode the trike in the house. Here's to lots of trike-riding adventures!

Learning how to pedal Playing in his fort with his helmet on

Checking out the cargo space on his new ride

Eating dinner and dessert.... with the helmet

Cousins

Earlier this month, Katie & Aric came home with the twins. It was Tyler's first time meeting his cousins. He was a very good cousin and shared all of his old toys with them. Unfortunately, Will had RSV during the trip, so the visiting and playing was limited. The babies were still able to be baptized, and Scott and I are Hayden's proud Godparents. It was a lovely ceremony with all the family present. We were so happy to see the Harris Family and can't wait for another visit!

Armloads of kids
Proud Uncle Scott!

Puppy Love

Because of the high drifts in our backyard, Kirby has been having a rendezvous with the little Yorkie next door. I let him out this morning and couldn't find him when it was time to come back in. Turns out that he and Abby were having meeting on her porch and he was able to get over the fence on the drift.

Busted!
The drift is so solid that we can stand on it and not even sink in. Kirby has also ventured over the back of the fence into the field.
Surveying the hill
Getting ready to sled in the backyard!

Pelted With Kisses

Kirby and Tyler are great friends, which is really nice. They cuddle, play fetch, chase each other, and Kirby loves to kiss Tyler. The other day Kirby was crazy with the kisses, and we caught it on video. Warning: Open mouth kisses involved! But also the beautiful sound of a toddler's laugh.

Weather update: zero degrees with ski-able drifts in backyard

Has anyone seen our fence?