Nathan's 2nd Birthday

Nathan is officially a terrible two year old!!!

Gracie and Tyler decided that Nathan would like to spend his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. I think they were right! Nathan had a great time, along with the rest of the family. We decided just to spend the day together with our little family.

Nathan riding the ever favorite clock chair!

We're glad to see that dad & Tyler's love for Monster Trucks

has also been passed along to Nathan & Gracie.

I think the basketball game was his favorite.

He could have played it for hours!!!

After Chuck E. Cheese, we went home for cake and presents. Nathan has fallen in love with the movie, Madagascar 2. He wants to watch it all day long. Gracie and Tyler have been pretty good about letting him always choose the movie, but I think they are getting a little sick of it. He will run up to me and say "Mooie, mooie!!" That is what he calls it. What he is trying to say is "move it, move it" from the song. He really likes Alex the Lion and has the lion roar down pat. So that is why we decided to make him a lion cake.

Wouldn't you know that the cheap "party favor" was

the big hit, for all the kids. I guess we should have saved our money!

Nathan got a new trike since dad accidentally ran over the other

trike just a few weeks earlier and broke off a wheel.
Nathan & Tyler with their matching Harley's.
Playing catch with dad!

Boys Playing In The Snow

Tyler & Nathan decided to suit up and head to the back yard after a nice big snow storm. Who new the play set could be as much fun in the winter as the summer. Doesn't Nathan remind you of the little brother from "A Christmas Story" in his puffy coat. He's just missing the scarf wrapped a hundred times around his head!

At least the snow is a softer landing than the grass!

Snow angel anyone?

Look at that sweet face. How do you ever get mad at that!?!

Christmas 2008

Yes, I am very behind and have a lot of catching up to do. Hopefully I will get caught up over the next few weeks.

Thanks to my friend Lindsay, we finally had a decent family picture this year for the holidays and I could have sent out Christmas cards, but it still didn't happen. I am really hoping that 2009 will finally be the year!! Gracie had a Christmas choir performance at the Joseph Smith Memorial building in early December.

Gracie, Rubee, Cameron & Lizzy

American Fork Children's Choir performance

at Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Keeping in tradition, we attended the children's Christmas Party for all the Marriott employees. This is always a highlight of the season. They get to sit on Santa's lap, make jingle bell necklaces, Rudolph candy canes, color pictures, eat ice cream, cookies, caramel pop corn, and candy from Santa. What more could any kid want!?!?!

Even Dad got to sit on Santa's lap!!!

This was the first year Tyler would go near the dance floor.

He really got into it and started break dancing.

He's got more rhythm than his father, that's for sure!!!

Gracie at her school Christmas sing a long.

Christmas Eve

Keeping with tradition, we had Nana Carol and Papa Reed come down for a sleep over. We made cookies for Santa and celery sticks for the reindeer. We added a little something new this year. We played the 12 Days of Christmas song and dance. The kids had a blast and it was especially fun watching Nana and Papa act out the song.

The kids with their cookies for Santa and

everyone wearing their new Christmas jammies.

Gracie & Kit with their matching jammies. The

one thing Gracie really wanted for Christmas.

Thank you Allie and Autumn for all the

High School Music paraphernalia.

Tyler with his new Monster Trucks.

Nathan & Mater.

Christmas afternoon was spent at Grandma & Grandpa Sandgren's with the whole family.

All the boys with their new Santa hats.

"One of these kids is doing his own thing, one of these

kids is not like the others!"

Go Utes!!

Tyler & his new Ute hat.

Nathan too.

All the girls sporting the newest fashion of flashing reindeer noses.

Gracie, Faith & Megan with their red noses.

Isn't Marty cute!

December 26th with Kris, Kiera, Matt & Jen.

Tyler's 4th Birthday

Tyler is 4!!! I can't believe how fast he is growing up and becoming such a little man. This year Tyler decided he wanted to have a Spider Man party and thanks to Uncle Chad we were able to have it at Kangaroo Zoo! We love you Tyler and are so blessed to have you in our family. Happy Birthday T-Bone!

Tyler and his Spider Man cake.

Grandma Sharon made Tyler his own U of U pillowcase.
This was very difficult for her to even touch it
since it wasn't BYU. We are the black sheep.

Tyler was thrilled to get the monster truck he wanted.
"Thank you Gracie!"

Gracie, Faith, Austin, Brody and Tyler

Yeah! A BIG Lightening McQueen car.

Thanks Riley, Cole & Megan

Group picture of all the kids at the party.

Tyler coming down the BIG slide.

Tyler, Luke, Riley & Adam

Even Grandma Sharon got in on the fun.

I think this was the best part of the party!

Austin, Faith & Gracie being goofy.

Andrew, Riley & Luke.

The Animal Has Been Caged

I know this seems a little cruel, but it was absolutely necessary and has been the greatest thing ever. Nathan started climbing out of his crib at 16 months. At first it worked to give him a little spank on the bum and put him back, but that only lasted for so long. This has now been going on for more than 4 months and he is just not ready for a bed. Plus he and Tyler share a room. So every night at bed time Tyler will come running out "He climbed out of his bed again." This has been happening 6-7 times each night before he goes to sleep. Then the REALLY bad night happened on Sunday. He literally climbed out of bed (after going to sleep) 20 times. The first time I found him half way down the stairs in the dark, crying. It continued to happen over and over. I think I slept about 2 hours that night. Even when he would fall asleep I just sat there waiting and listening for the next time he got out. I was really nervous he was going to hurt himself. So Monday morning I was on a mission to find a way to keep this kid in his bed. The Crib Tent was heaven sent. Now the whole family is back to getting a good nights sleep.

Halloween 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This year Gracie chose to be a witch.

But it had to be a "pretty" witch.

We tried to talk Tyler in to being something else this year,

but he still insisted on being a "Home Depot Guy" again this year.

Dad's keeping the Nascar spirit alive.

THE MONKEY MAN

The kids insisted that Nathan be a monkey, it IS his nickname

and all. Thanks to Riley for saving it for us to borrow.

Tyler and all his preschool class.

Reagan and Gracie at school. The Pretty Witches.


Cameron, Lizzie, Rubee & Gracie

They had their first performance for the AF Children's Choir.

It was freezing that night but they all did a great job despite

the chattering teeth.

Tyler, Dad and Nathan trying to stay warm at the concert.

Family Halloween party at the Livingston's.

All the cousins in costume.

The boys, getting ready for pumpkin carving.


Gracie & Faith carving together.


Gracie loves pulling out the seeds so we can roast them afterwards.

She also enjoys the slimy process.

Austin & Brody hard at work.

New Pictures of the Kids

The kids finally had new pictures taken this year. It was Nathan's nap time so he struggled a little more than the other two, but I was pleased the photographer was able to get one really good picture of him. It was a little harder getting a good one of all three together but there was one that turned out pretty well. Thanks to Mel Howlett, she did a great job!

Gracie - Age 6

Tyler - Age 3 (almost 4)

Nathan - 18 Months