Dancing Queen...

Well, it's official!!! Miss Ty is a dancer and she's a lovin' it! This has been a long time comin'....time and time again she's been a trooper at all of Trey's events, just buggin' us to get to do her own thing. Dance started this week and sports start in a few more weeks. She's a ready....that's for sure!!!

 

 

Gettin' all stretched out...

 

Meetin' her new dance friends....

 

Skipping to the beat....

 

Showin' that sass...

 

 

Working on peek-a-boo-ing her toes and getting into 1st position.....

 

Have fun, Miss Ty! We love you and are so excited that you get to get out there on your own after waiting all these years!!! It's your turn to shine...and we know you'll be awesome! Have an absolute BLAST and dance your heart out!!!!

 

XOXOX

Happy, Happy Birthday, Jason Michael....

 

We had fun celebrating the AMAZING, LOVING, PATIENT, STRONG, CARING, and HONEST man that you are. You are the BEST.

 

Blowing out the SIX candles because the other THIRTY are just a given.....HA!

 

Happy. Birthday. Babe.

What a great visit....

with Unk Cory!!

 

This was one of the first and only shots. Bunny ears, a spaghetti faced cheeser, and an escape artist...sums it up perfectly!

 

Block time! Stack them up, knock them down, REPEAT!

 

All spaghetti smiles and loving every moment!!!

 

 

Uncle Cory was up for a week long visit. Although it was filled with our Mon-Fri work/school/daycare routine, it was still AWESOME!!!! We were so glad he got the opportunity to head this way for work...and, who knows he might even take his West Des Moines job offer. Think he'll ever leave the Lou?!?!

 

Love you and miss you lots, Unk Cory!!! 

Back in Action....

It's been a while since the days of summer and Trey's first round of baseball...

And, to tell you the truth, I've missed watching him run around and practice all those basic fundamentals....those fundamentals he'll need for years to come!

Tae-Kwon-Do is his new thing and, of course, he's back on the basketball court.

Basketball is his favorite of the two, but he is starting to come around with his Muwates and Front Snap Kicks...the counting in Japanese will come, I'm sure!!! All the moves are cool, but it's the message that the intructor drives home that I really love!!!

Some little peanut is having fun watching Trey and can't wait to get out there herself.....

Can you say, "Hoop Dreams?!?!"

 

Miss Ty's sports fundamentals and dance class start soon. Saying she's PUMPED doesn't even begin to describe her excitement!!!

We can't wait to watch you, Little Miss, and....Trey, GO out there and get 'em.....

Have FUN & always give 110%

Can you find the differences?!?!

 

Trey Man sure can....

He walked through the door this afternoon with this awesome Venn-Diagram from school. He chose two informational books at school and then used those to find things the two sports had in common and things that made them each unique....

Way to Go, Trey-Man....I'm proud of your work and the conversation we had comparing and contrasting candies from your Christmas stocking was perfect. Gobstoppers and Cry-Babies were two great choices!!!

And, Daddy is serious when he said that he's going to take it to school to show his kids your awesome work!!!

Keep up the great reading and discussions.....

Love you BUNCHES!

A Happy Mommy Heart....

 

Look simple enough, don't they?!?

These two little hats really tested me the other day, as all three of my children do everyday of this Mommy Journey I'm on.

These hats were made by Miss Tylee Jean at school...one for her and one for Trey.

Can't you just see the effort, creativity, and love pouring from each one of them? I sure can.

They were one of her many fun craft projects and I'm sure they took a while. She carefully, patiently, and thoughtfully took the time to make one for her Big Bro.

I can just see her bellied up to the table at school, with the markers. sequins, and glue in her cute little hand, thinking intensely about which color to put where. She even chose to write his name on his in red because, "..that's his favorite color." They are so Tylee.

Which is why, as I picked her up that day and saw how stinkin' excited she was to give Trey his "special" hat she had made him, I found myself a little scared.

Scared that her big, "I'm in 1st Grade", so cool brother just might not react the way she was expecting him to.

Scared that her HUGE smile might fade a little or her wondrous 4 year-old excitement might dwindle...

As I drove from the girls' school over to grab Trey, listening to her tell Tay all about the hat she made and how much she knew Trey would love it, I honestly contemplated telling him ahead of time and insisting that he react with surprise and not hurt her feelings. I just couldn't bare the thought of her thinking he didn't like it.....

(Please tell me you other Mommies out there have the same thoughts...I mean, after all, it is my job to raise my children with respect.)

On one hand, I wanted Tylee to get the response she had been hoping for and the one she deserved, but on the other hand, I didn't want to tell Trey how to respond, knowing that he's a little too old to still have to be told how to act. Surely I've modeled for him and guided him towards loving behavior....right?!?! I saw this as a possible opportunity to see how Trey would react to his sister's surprise....

Not 100% sure of what I should do...I headed into grab Trey, signed him out, and asked him about his day as we walked back to the car. I did not mention Tylee's hat.....

And, guess what?!?!

The second Trey opened the van door, Tylee yelled, "Surprise, Trey! Look what I made you at school today! It's your own hat...just like mine. I colored it all your favorite colors."

Smiling and holding my breath....the response from Trey was AMAZING....

"Cool. Thanks, Tylee! I love it. The colors are perfect."

As she handed him the hat and he put it on his head with a smile and made his way back to his seat to buckle up, I closed the van door, climbed into the driver's seat with the sweetest, single tear rolling down my cheek.

Their interaction was beautiful and GENUINE.

Which TOTALLY makes my mommy heart HAPPY.

(I know things won't always go down like this...but, for this little moment in time, everything was perfect. And, I did thank Trey later that night, as I tucked him into bed, for being such a great big bro and responding so supportively to her surprise. It meant a lot to his sister and it meant A TON to me.)

Happy New Year....

and here's to a FABULOUS....

TWENTY-THIRTEEN!!!!

The Weite family had a very relaxing and cuddling type of New Year's celebration going on last night. Aside from the large amount of food we got stuck with after our friends cancelled due to a little sickness (which seems to be hitting everyone pretty hard this year), we had fun ringing it in with each other. Nothing beats a family night of laughter, games, and LOVE! It was both a wonderful way to end an amazing year and a beautiful way to start another.....

 

Our last family pic of 2012....Not bad for a camera with a timer shot!

 

Our 14th New Year's Eve!!! That's CaaaaRAZY!!!

 

My babes!

 

New Year's Eve kisses (at 8 p.m.)

 

My Munchkins....

 

Banging pots and pans to ring in the New Year (even if it was the NY New Year's...they weren't going to make it to midnight central time, but they did get to see a ball drop!!!) And, Trey was REALLY getting into the "ringing" in part!!!

 

Hope 2013 is good to you and all those you love. We are looking forward to a year of living life to fullest and enjoying each and every moment. We'll be thinking about our goals for the New Year and hopefully be well on our way to being out of diapers for good!!! Woot-Woot!!!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR from The Weites!!!!

Our little, family Christmas

in-between the other family celebrations came the morning we hit the road for St. Louie.

Tony and Elfie did a fabulous job of reminding Santa that we would be away from home for the holidays, so he was able to make a special trip before the actual Christmas Eve.

Ty was keeping her fingers crossed that Santa would be able to make it, so she left a couple special cookies and a cup of milk for him...just in case!!!

 

She knew he'd be hungry, so she left three cookies, two chocolates, and a full cup of milk!

 

She put them right by the fireplace so he wouldn't miss them. Good thing he didn't step on them!

 

Santa filled their bags and left Tay her stool. He's left each kid one for their 2nd Christmas....

 

Stockings all ready to go...

 

And, he even ate most of what she left....he really was hungry!

 

 

Our "Christmas" morning....love the fact that Tay won't get off her stool, Trey's shirt is on backwards, and Ty's still smiling from ear-to-ear because Santa liked the cookies she picked. Oh, how perfect!

 

 

Trey checking out some new Avengers figurines....

 

Reaching in his bag...

 

ANGRY BIRDS!

 

Ty reaching in to see what he left her....

 

 

SMURFS! How'd that Santa know she'd need a couple movies for the road?!?!

 

Tay trying to figure out how to get into her bag...

 

Studying up on some new jokes for the trip...this kid LOVES to tell jokes and he definitely needed some new ones....

 

A few moments after I snapped this pic, we got dressed, packed up, and hit the road. Don't worry, Tay...you did eventually find your way into your bag and grab your goodies. The camera got set aside so I could play "tea party" with you!!!!  

 

Merry Christmas to my little family....I know we were busy, busy traveling around and visiting everyone, but this holiday REALLY was absolutely perfect! I had so much fun watching you love on all your family members and cherish every moment I spent with you three. You and your Daddy are so special and more important to me that you'll ever know. I'm one lucky lady and you truly make my life complete. Love you all the way to the moon and back! Hugs, hugs, and MORE HUGS! 

 

 

 

Christmas in St. Louie...

was absolutely perfect...

Aside from the 12+ hours we spent in the car, the visit was exactly what everyone needed. It was so great to see my family....and I spotted this cute little heart hanging on my grandma's wall on Christmas Eve that really sums up this whole post....

 

Isn't that the truth?!? I seriously got tears in my eyes as I took this picture. Family is really all that matters and what makes life such a beautiful thing....

 

 Leading right into our hitting-the-road, but we are still in the driveway pics....

 

Ty being goofy and loving her new DVD set-up....

 

Tay is all cheeses...Momma was too considering it was nap time ;) Such a good traveler....

 

Trey and that "I don't really want to stop what I'm doing" and "This gum tastes so good" fake smile....

 

A quick stop to see MawMaw Cindy before heading over to Grampy's house...(Christmas tradition has always been Eve with dad's side and Day at my mom's. Why change it now!??!)

 

Trey-Man and Unk Cory!

 

My pops....and Tay trying to escape....

 

Aunt Cal and Unk Cory....

 

Tay and Grampy checking out the Holiday lights and sounds....

 

Spotted these bad boys on the entertainment center...awwww! Me and my bro, Aaron, sitting on the big man's lap oh so many years ago!

 

Ty ready to hand out some gifts...

 

Glamor Girl!

 

Grampy modeling his new coat...

 

Over at Grandma Jean's and Grandfathers for the Christmas Eve gathering....all ready for a little charades and joke game! Everyone got their seats?!?!

 

Aunt Lynne and Grandma Jean with the new little great grand baby....Aja!

 

The whole clan...minus Shad and Adam's Crew....

 

Holding their charade slips....so patient!

 

Tay giving her slip back to G-father....

 

G-ma Jean with her 6th great-grandbaby....

 

G-father and Haley singing a little Christmas duet..

 

Tay entertaining herself with a little Rob-Your-Neighbor gift....

 

In awe of the sounds coming from that box...

 

Ty singing Jingle Bells to the accordion and Tay showing off her dance moves....

 

Definitely a Christmas tradition....wonderful!

 

Re-enacting the grand kids pic we started at least 25 years ago...missing a couple faces and great-grand babies are now included!!!

 

Trey and Ty giving out their Thank-You hugs....

 

After games and presents and the third round of food, we all headed upstairs to watch old family movies. My aunts and uncles had snuck G-father's old movie reels out of the basement and put them on a DVD....how fun watching Dad and his brother and sisters over the years! It's amazing how much things have changed over the years, but family has remained the core for everything! What a super Christmas Eve....

 

After making our way back to my mom's around 2 am, we all hit the hay and were ready for Christmas with MawMaw Cindy & PaPa Steve....

 

My little Elves....Merry Christmas 2012

 

Trey, AKA Santa, had fun handing out the gifts...Tay had fun opening them, even if her name wasn't on the tag!

 

New "Bootsh"

 

Maw Maw and Trey! Who's ready to wreck it! (These may or may not have been taken away at least 5 times over the next few hours....) Thanks Unk Aaron!!!

 

Many games of Dr. Seuss Memory were enjoyed...and where Ty cleaned house in the win department. Seriously. There was no stopping her.  

 

Wreck-it Tay!

 

 

Silly girl!!!

 

These pics don't do our StL visit justice. We had more fun that ever and I LOVED watching my kiddos spend time with all their extended family. They loved playing with their second cousins and truly had a very blessed Christmas!!! We are beyond lucky! Merry Christmas...and THANKS for letting us set up shop for those five days. Sorry about the mini-bomb that went off. We tried our best to clean up after ourselves!!!! Love, love, LOVE, ya's!!!!!!!!!!!!!