Ice Cream Truck

The ice cream truck came through the neighborhood tonight and we are always happy to get Tyler ice cream since he couldn't have it for the first 3 years of his life. As the ice cream truck lady is getting his order, he asks, "is this thing diesel?" Not a question she gets from most of her customers!!!

Tractor Noises

Little boys are so funny! It's amazing how boys are just so "boy like" at such an early age. Cole still isn't walking but has definitely mastered crawling and has taken a step or two now. He's so good at crawling that he has started to push tractors and trucks around as he crawls. A couple of days ago Tony had the video camera out and Cole got one of Tyler's big tractors to start pushing around.....we were both surprised when he started making engine noises as he pushed the tractor. At first we thought maybe it was just a coincidence, but since then he does it every time. Guess he's had a very good teacher!

Mr. Dishwasher

Cole seems to have developed a sixth sense for anytime the dishwasher is opened. I don't know what it is about this kid and the dishwasher, but he is seriously obsessed. I find myself racing to the sound of his crawling as I'm loading or unloading the dishwasher to try and finish before he gets there. His favorite part is opening and closing the soap dispenser. But he's also a really big help at getting out the dishes and rearranging as you can see below!

I just hope this obsession continues into adolescence when he can actually be helpful with the dishes! I'm sure I won't be that lucky.

Tractor Show

We took Tyler to the Gateway 2 Cylinder Tractor Show at the fairgrounds this past weekend. Needless to say he was in heaven. We are also fortunate enough to know someone that has a couple of tractors that are in the show, so Tyler got to actually sit on a couple. Of course he wanted to climb up on all of them, but most people don't want a 3.5 year old on their "show" tractor! Uncle Buzz (it's our friends Uncle so that's what Tyler refers to him as) even offered to give Tyler a ride on the JD 520....however due to the loudness, Tyler was done in about 5 seconds. Guess we need to get him some earplugs!

Buzz is trying to sell the JD 730....that would be an awesome birthday present from a Grandpa!!!! (hint hint) Every little boy that loves tractors as much as Tyler deserves a real "putt putt" for their 4th birthday. It would look great sitting in our backyard!

Lawnmower

Tyler has been going to a preschool camp this week at the YMCA. While he does it enjoy it while he is there, he tells me every morning, "I don't want to go to the YMCA." Today when I went to pick him up, the teacher told me he had a little girlfriend and they had been holding hands all day. Mia was very cute.

The best part however, was when I heard the teacher talking to all of them before dismissal....she was asking them what their favorite part of camp was today. I heard several responses like this: the tent, the snack, painting, etc. What was Tyler's response......

"seeing the lawnmower cutting grass when we were outside"

Only Tyler!!!

Big Fella

We were driving home from a friend's house yesterday and Tyler had been talking nonstop - big surprise! I noticed him gazing up at the clouds and this is what followed:

Tyler: Mommy....is God a big fella?

Me: Yes He is.....very big!

Tyler: Yep....God's a big fella alright!!!

I can't say that I have ever heard that term used for Him, but it is very appropriate!

Water Table

Cole got to play with the water table while Tyler was on the slip n slide. He actually kept wanting to crawl over to the slip n slide but I knew that would end up in nothing but a disaster! He really enjoyed playing in the water. He wasn't quite as wild as he is in the bathtub though!

Slip N Slide

Nothing is better than a slip-n-slide on a hot summer day....especially when you are a kid. Tyler wanted me to slide down too....I'll do about anything for my kids, but that's one thing that I won't do!!!

"Toofers"

Cole got his two front teeth in a few weeks ago....they are really starting to show now. He's got some big "toofers"....hope he grows into them! Also, why is it that we refer to a baby's teeth as "toofers"?!? Hmmmm

Just a Swingin'

The weather has been so nice that we decided to go the park one afternoon last week. Both the boys really enjoyed swinging. Tyler is getting a little big for the "baby" swings, but insists that he rides on that one because he can go higher! Definitely one of those days that I feel very blessed to be home with my boys! :)

Camping Trip

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we went camping with my parents in Mahomet, IL. Yes, I went camping! So we did have air conditioning, running water, a bathroom, king size bed, kitchen, etc.....that was roughing it for me! Tony and Tyler did sleep in a tent. The boys had an absolute blast. I really wanted to go because I knew Tyler would love it, but I had no idea how much Cole would enjoy it too. We didn't do anything too exciting, but it was nice to just be together with family. My nieces came over on Sunday and since it was pretty warm we got out a little pool for them to play in. I got tired just watching them run and jump in the pool....they all slept well that night. Tony and I also took Tyler on a paddle boat ride at Lake of the Woods park...he almost fell asleep a couple of times. Overall, great weather, great company, great food and most importantly Great Memories....successful weekend indeed!


Cole loved eating outside.

First time in the pool!

Just chillin'

Tyler & Mommy on paddle boat

Tyler & Daddy on paddle boat

Hanging out with Pappy! Life is good.

Tony Birthday Visit

Tony's brother Sunny and his family came up to visit the weekend before Tony's birthday. Their little boy, Joseph, was born on November 30, but we haven't seen him since he was a newborn. Between our kids and their kids being sick....we ended up going 5.5 months between visits. Little Joseph was so adorable....and the same size as Cole, who is actually 4 months younger! Tyler and the girls get a long great....can't wait to see the dynamics when Cole and Joseph are old enough to get in the mix! Fun Fun Fun

You can see from these pictures that Papa's life can't get much better than having all his Grandkids around him!
Aurora, Tyler, Joseph, Cole, Ariel & Papa of course

Joseph Aven Frierdich

Tony with all the kids

Tony and the Boys!

Uncle Sunny and Cole

Grandma Jean and Joseph

Chocolate Covered Strawberry

My Mom took chocolate covered strawberries to my nephew's graduation party....this is my niece Sophie thoroughly enjoying one of those strawberries. I believe she walked up to my brother saying she needed a napkin.....I think bath was more appropriate!