Travis and Tyson Playing the Wii

How can my baby be THREE?

(Uncle Bryan holding Daniel!)

Yesterday was the family celebration for Tyson's birthday! I cannot even believe that he is three already. Thank goodness my sister had Daniel so I have a baby in my life, because Tyson is NOT a baby anymore. Lately, every time I pick him up he reminds me, "I not Baby.... I Tyson!" He sure is a big boy now. I will have to video record him playing Boxing on the Wii. It is hilarious! He is just the cutest kid ever, and he is such a joy. I KNEW I needed that last kid when I begged and cried for baby #3. I cannot imagine my life without Tyson. And as much as it drives me crazy when the baby of the family get babied... I just cannot help but baby Tyson. He is my baby!!!!!! But I look forward to seeing him grow and change. He's such a great kid, and I am so lucky to have him as my own! We went to Meijer and flipped through each page of the cake book, and he chose the Hulk cake (the ugliest one they have!). But he loved it and it tasted yummy! He got a new movie, some books, some play food (his FAVORITE), some new clothes, cars, candy, puzzles, cards, and a hula hoop. His real birthday is on Friday the 27th. I'm pretty sure he starts his new school on Monday! Pictures and details will be here soon! Happy Birthday, Tyson!!!!! We love you!!!!

Cruise Party (T-39 days!)

Nikki and Mike (yes we can still see the John Deere)

Bryan and Kate (the FIRST time Bryan has ever worn pink)

Tom and Ken (sense some excitement?)

Bud and Sharon (thanks Bud, for wearing real cruise attire)

Amy and Soft Hair (I think Amy is a hula dancer)

Crystal, Hailey, and Bill (He's leading that hula girl on!)

Amy and Hailey are imitating the tiki guy's face on the cup!

Mike and Ken.... not sure what Ken is doing!

Kathy even stopped in to the party to say hi

Matt and Daniel (not real cruise participants, but still invited to the party!)

Me with my babies!!!

Here is Bill playing Santa and passing out fun cruise stuff... luggage tags!!

Soft Hair and Amy are fighting....

Is this family adorable or WHAT?!?!

I LOVED Bryan's cruise attire! It's so nice to see his softer side! haha

Best Friends! Travis and Uncle Ken

That's right.... only 39 more days until it's cruise time!!!! Saturday night we hosted the February Cruise party. It is always so much fun to get together with everyone to discuss the details of our trip. It sure gets me VERY excited! We had tropical decorations, delicious frozen drinks, and lots of great food. SOME of us even wore our cruise attire! I'm so glad everyone made it out, despite the terrible weather conditions. It's getting VERY close everyone!!!! I remember when it was like 80 days away! Now we're in the 30s!!!

Future Daddies....

More Daniel... :)

Here are some new pictures of Daniel. I don't think I will take any more pictures of my own kids, just pictures of my new nephew! He is a really good baby, and Maria is doing fabulously as a new mom. She's a natural!

A February Visit to the Zoo!

A few weeks ago on that really WARM Saturday, Toni, Kathy, and I took the kids to the zoo. I have never been to the zoo in the winter before, but it was a really great experience. The animals were very active and cool to see. In the summer they are so hot and hardley move, but they were very entertaining this time! My favorite was the bears. One bear even hopped in the pool and went for a swim! Brrrr!!! I didn't take many pictures, but here a the few I did take....

Welcome to the World, Daniel James!

He has a really long torso!

Big Brother Jaden and "Not the Baby anymore" Tyson

Dana was so excited to go see the baby!

Rylee is a pro at holding babies!

Can you tell I was excited???

Jaden LOVES his new brother!

My parents with grandbaby number 6! My Dad gave him the St. Blaise blessing because he was born on the Feast of St. Blaise.

He was content as can be under the light warmer thing!

Happy Family!!!

Proud Daddy!

Maria could not wipe that smile off her face!

Me either! I love this baby!!!!

My new nephew, Daniel James, has arrived! Maria gave birth to him yesterday (February 3, 2009) at 1:21 p.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs 6 oz and was 20 inches long. Maria was a CHAMP! Women and my family do not push out babies, but Maria put us all to shame! She labored for about 15 hours or so, and pushed for 25 minutes! She did awesome! Daniel is healthy as can be and soooo beautiful! He looks a lot like Jaden did, but only smaller and less chubby! He is nursing well, and basically loves being attached to the breast! Matt is a very proud Daddy too, and was awake about 40 hours before he could go home to get a good night's sleep. My Mom, Matt's mom, and I were all outside the door when he was born. We heard her pushing for a few minutes, and then we heard the sound of his cry! It was amazing! I knew I was very excited about his birth, but I didn't know I would LOVE him THIS MUCH!!! It's still weird for me to see my little sister with a baby. She has wanted this for soooo long, and she has really been down a long road to get him. Now that he is here, we are so grateful and so happy. She is going to be a GREAT mom! Congrats, Matt and Maria! Welcome to the World, Baby Daniel... we love you soooo much already!!