Tyler's Been Tagged

Tyler's good friend "Miss Poloma", over at http://www.5frozenchamorros.blogspot.com/, has tagged him and would like to know 10 things about him.

1. He goes by various names. Our favorite right now is "T-Box".
2. Other names he responds to our Tyler-Byler, Big-Tex, SpiderMan, and Armyguy.
3. He LOVES his matchbox cars to the point that all 50 must join him in his
bath each night.
4. He says grace before every meal.
5. He can trash a room in 1.5 seconds.
6. His idea of playing is to dump every bucket or pail of toys over, and get up and
say, "I can't pick up because my leg broken".
7. At one point of each day, his toys are lined up and in some kind of race.
8. He is a great eater!! My only child that loves broccoli, asparagus, and a
a good salad.
9. He loves his MAMA and always wants to cuddle with me.
10. He adores his sisters; however, he often thinks he is "the boss" of them.
11. Had to add 1 more.... he can't wait until he is old enough and can kayak with
his daddy!!

Fun Friends

This post brought to you today by Morgan Pagel.

Today we want to talk about how great it is to have fun cool and friendly neighbors like the Delaneys. We always wait after school to play with them. They are very active and we like to play games that other people haven't played before. We never want to stop playing. We try not to get into trouble, like I did when I got paint all over my school outfit. I came home from school and wanted to join the paint fun. I'm glad mom isn't still mad.

Here we're playing with the gazillion leaves that are in our yard. We were all going to say 'go' together.

Theresa started before us, so she had a little bit more fun than us. We had a lot of fun that day.

I'm getting ready for my ballet recital, so I decided to show off one of my moves. It was cool having Bridget come with us. I wish Theresa would have been here too.
Here Lauren was turning 4. We wanted to hit the pinata but mom made us get our picture taken first. We wanted the candy really bad. Dad eventually had to knock it down, because we weren't strong enough then. We're strong now.
It is great to have friends like the Delaneys.

Spirit Week- Bay City Baptist

Spirit Week is held at Bay City Baptist school each year in January. Throughout the week, the students are encouraged to "dress up" according to the assigned theme day. (ie: pajama day, twin day, crazy hair day, etc.) This particular day was 'Most Spirited Fan' day and the students were asked to support their favorite team by dressing as the most spirited fan. As you can see by this picture, Morgan is supporting the Green Bay Packers.
Lauren decided to dress in red/white/black and support her school team. - Bay City Bobcats!
It's really neat to see all the kids participate and get in on the fun. Throughout the week, the elementary kids are judged by a panel of high school students for the 'best/unique' costume for their class. The winners are then given a huge candy bar! At the end of the week, they decide on who was the most spirited all week, and these students are then given the grand prize; this year the grand prize winners were allowed to be principal for the day. Below is a picture of Lauren and her two buddies getting ready to stand before the judges.
Here is a picture of Morgan getting ready to take part for her class. This was a pretty exciting day for her as she won the prize for "Most Spirited Fan" for her class!-- The coveted candy bar!! She was stoked!! (And so was I!!! Because as any mother who has ever had to get their child ready for spirit week knows, from helping them pick our their chosen outfit, to applying face paint, to shopping at various thrift stores to find that just right 'most unique ' item to complete their outfit- Whew! I get exhausted just thinking about next year's spirit week!) But really, it was a great deal of fun to see the kids creative juices flowing in full force as they mentally pictured how they wanted each day's outfit to come across. However, I'm starting to plan now for next year's outfits. -- Yeah right!!

How do you fight Cabin Fever?

Hit a water park and participate in a kayak race!! That's how ! Jeff signed up to take part in a kayak race in Madison, Wi, and we, (the fam), decided to turn the weekend into a family getaway! It was a really great time! Here are some pics' of the kids acting silly in the water. Here's a picture of Jeff getting ready for the race. Warming up his muscles, or his hands, or for that matter his whole BODY since it was only 20 degrees out! Brrrrr.... is right. These kayakers are die hard!! Or, again, cabin fever; who cares what the temperature is outside-open water, I'm kayaking!!! This photo was taken after the race was over...What do you suppose they are thinking? Possibly, why do we live in Wisconsin where it is still 20 degrees on March 8th? I don't know... just throwing it out there?
Another pic of the kids demonstrating their "gratefulness" to be at a water park; or, you can also perceive this as 'you truly can turn anyplace into a 'High School Musical Stage"!

Rock on Boogie Chilluns

Our house is never quiet, that's for sure... (and either was auntie Lorrie's over New Year's!) These kids practice posing, singing, posing, dancing, posing, posing, and playing instruments all the time, as well as posing. Here's a few selections from the musical archive:

Morgan and Lauren singing and grooving to some very deep disco

Tyler checking the intonation on the G-string. This guitar rocks, it has a built in 0.3 watt amp.

Hannah Montana eat your heart out.

A sweet girl, a sweet guitar

Shout Out to Uncle Oscar

Uncle Oscar, my brother-in-law, is a really terrific guy. I wish I would have taken more pictures of him and Lorrie doing the 'New Year pose' but I was probably too busy trying to keep up with Tyler from destroying thier home! However, I do have the following pictures of the 'real' Oscar. This Oscar would be the person who is always helping out and trying to keep everything working-- (remember the ice machine, bathroom door, thermostat, -- hey, WHATEVER; we had a great time and that's all that matters! :) - Deb


Here is Uncle Oscar helping Sarah with getting the New Year decorations in order.


Once again, Uncle Oscar so patient with Tyler who is right in his face as he tries to fix the bathroom door.

Hanging Out in Oklahoma

Sight seeing in Oklahoma City!




Cousin Debbie is really trying to focus on her game; Lauren, however, is ready for the pose- :) Lauren also found much time to enjoy one of her new gifts from her cousins.




Time to go explore. It only took us 3 hrs to get ready!!

Happy New Year - 2008

Happy New Year! We kicked off the New Year at my sister and brother-in-law's new home in Oklahoma City! We had a wonderful time visiting with my parents and neices who drove up from Texas. Here are just a few pictures of us kicking off the New Year.

Jeff and I taking a 'New Year' pose.


Here I am with my wonderful sister Lorrie. Thank you Lorrie and Oscar for being such a great hosts to Jeff and I and the kids. xoxo


Beautiful Sarah...the oldest of all the cousins. Thank you for all of your help with the kids. The little cousins really look up to you! :)


Of course, daddy and Uncle Oscar always being silly and goofy!!


Ahhhh.... Grandpa Roy and Grandma Sylvia doing their 'more relaxed/lovebird' New Year pose.



Morgan thought it would be fun to paint a black mustache on her face to look like Grandpa Roy.... Hey- she kinda does!


Daddy really getting into the festivities...


And grandpa Roy REALLY letting his hair down. (In case you're wondering... this is a wig of Auntie Lorrie's that she used when she was Marilyn Monroe one Halloween) The wig also makes for a great New Year favor!!


And, of course, Sarah just being 'cool' at New Years!!