Date Night

Every Fall at Tyler's school they have a Mother/Son Dance. Last year it was Hollywood on the Red carpet. So we dressed up very fancy. This year the theme was Sadie Hawkins and we had to wear matching shirts. I  was racking my brain and trying to figure out what shirts we both had. I didn't want to go out and buy new ones. We finally came up with our BYU shirts! 

I worked in Tyler's classroom that day and his teacher told me that she had heard all about our date that night. Mrs. D. told me that is all Tyler has been talking about today and he was really excited. He told everyone that he was going on a real date, not just a date but a REAL date! So I figured well I got to make this special for him. I called one of his friends and invited they to go out to dinner with us before the dance. So we went on a double date with Brock Dunning and his mom Tracy. The boys decided on IHOP. Then we had the choice of dinner or breakfast food, that way everyone was happy. The boys would open the doors for us and took very good care of us. It was so funny to watch them together. They are both wild boys and can get out of control sometimes. We enjoyed our meals and the boys  could hardly wait for the dance. They started to show us their moves at IHOP. The boys loved the dance and were all over the place. It is fun to see them in their own little environment. My little Tyler is growing up so fast. I am glad that I can have this one on one time with Tyler and had a blast doubling with the Dunnings! (They also wore their BYU shirts too :) )

Thankful for Family

I am so very thankful for family. They mean everything to me. This year we got to have two Thanksgivings. My sister has been living here in California this past year and was moving back to Africa on Thanksgiving Day. So we decided to have an early Thanksgiving with my family. My brother and I both met up at our parents house and we spent the weekend with Katie before she took off. It was a lot of fun for the cousins to play. I enjoyed spending time with Katie. We even had a girls night out, Matt watched all the kids! (Six total. We went when it was bed time so it wasn't too bad.) We went and saw the new Twilight movie.  I will miss her lots and hope that she can make it another year until we can see each other again.

We love and miss you Katie!

                                                
                                                   SURPRISE
Since we had Thanksgiving with my family we decided to drive up to Washington and surprise Matt's parents. We drove all day Monday (16 hours). We hit a bad rain storm in Portland and it continued until we got there. It was so bad we couldn't even see the car in front of us. It was pretty scary and the kids were done with the car so we will glad when we got there. Matt's parents were surprised and so glad to see us. His mom's face was priceless when she opened the door. It was awesome and I am proud of Matt keeping it a secret for so long. (He isn't very good at keep secrets!) The boys had fun playing and being out of the car. They love Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma made them their Christmas jammies so they were excited. She even made them a Christmas shirt too. Plus we came home loaded up with all sorts of things. My boys are so lucky to have such a great Grandma that spoils them.
We also went to see the new movie "Wreck It Ralph" for our Thanksgiving tradition. It took us a while to actually see it but we finally made it and they loved it. It was a cute one. The boys also went to the beach and on a walk with Grandpa and Daddy. It was nice to stay home and relax. I never get to just sit down on the couch and not worry about anything. So I enjoyed myself. Then Thanksgiving day we headed down to Missy's house (Matt's sister). It was a yummy dinner and I was stuffed. Tyler hit it right off with Jenni just like they use to when we lived up there. Carter just followed them around and had fun with his cousins especially Rachel. Hayden on the other hand loved the dog. He would go wherever it was. He was in heaven and when he would wake up from his nap he would get so excited and start to bark like a dog. It was too cute!
Black Friday I went out with the girls and we had a fun day shopping. It was nice to get a few things and not have my boys hanging all over me.  That night some of the kids made a Gingerbread house together. Hayden just wanted to eat all the candy before they could get it on the house. They all had fun making that.  Matt had a great time with everyone! He misses his family alot and wishes we were closer. He had a blast and didn't want to come home. We all enjoyed ourselves and were sad to leave. I hope they enjoyed our surprise as much as we did.

Accomplishments

This past week has been a big one for our family. Each week Tyler turns in his name for a drawing at school. On Tues. his name was picked out to get a FREE Pizza. He came home grinning from ear to ear with his certificate. Luckily we are going to that exact pizza place for his soccer party this week so he will be able to use it. Then later in the week there was an award assembly at school. It happen to be when I was working in the classroom so I got to go. I was told by his teacher weeks in advance that Tyler was getting an award. So he didn't know about it and didn't think twice when I went with them since I was already there. He got an award for outstanding achievement in Math. Now if you know me I hate math and suck at it. So this was a big thing for our family. Although Matt is really good at it. So Tyler gets his smarts from his Dad. He also got a coupon to get a FREE frosty at Wendy's. We are so proud of him and all the hard work that he does. He is so smart!

Then this weekend I headed up to San Francisco to run a 5K. It was my first one and I was a little nervous. I am not a runner or athlete in any way. I go walking with a friend every Monday morning and go on our treadmill everyday. I am still trying to get 10 more pounds off from my babies! It sure can be stubborn and frustrating!  I went with my sister and her friend. We had a blast. The hotel wasn't the greatest but hey it is just somewhere to lay our head down. We walked from our hotel to the Marina Green for our warm up. Then we ran our 5K. We ran right by the Golden Gate Bridge and along the water. I could of jumped in if I wanted too! It was a beautiful morning we couldn't have asked for better. It was exhilarating, I loved it. I would love to do another some time. They gave us a little necklace at the finish line. It was cute, like a nice little medal. On our way home we stopped at some new outlets but that was a little crazy. It was opening weekend so there were lines just to get into the store. I will have to go another time when I can actually enjoy myself. I love to shop!

I am proud of Tyler for getting his awards this week and all that he does. I am also proud of myself for actual going out there and running the 5K. It was awesome and I loved seeing San Francisco too.  

 On our walk back to the hotel they were handing out FREE chocolate milk. They had their big yellow Nesquick truck and the Nesquick Bunny so I got a picture with him. My boys love chocolate milk and I knew they would love this picture. They thought I was so cool.

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Halloween

Well, the Mergenthaler family had a fun filled Halloween! Our ward had a carnival the weekend before and the boys had fun trick or treating in the building and playing the fun games. For FHE that week we carved our pumpkins. I think this was the first year our boys actually put their hands inside the pumpkin. They get grossed out by all the gooey stuff. 

Then Halloween day was a busy one for us. That morning we all got up and went with Tyler to school. He had a costume parade with his whole school. Afterwards we headed to the library for story time and trick or treating. I took my friends kids with us too. I watch them every Wed. so I braved it and took 4 little kids by myself. Luckly for me there were other mommies/friends there too to help me. The boys had fun with their friends and of course getting yummy candy.

That afternoon when Tyler got home we put their costumes back on and went to the mall for more trick or treating. Every year I have been going out with the boys and Matt stays home to pass out the candy. I decided it was his turn to deal with the kids. (Something I do everyday 24/7).

I know that might of been a little too much trick or treating. But hey they only get to wear their costume once so I figured we should get our use out of it. Plus, I go through their candy and get rid of ones we don't like. Then I hand it out to our trick or treaters. Is that so bad?!

This year we had Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman, and a little duck.

You can't get much cuter then that!

Girls Day Out

This weekend I went up to my parents house. Both of my parents have birthdays this month. My Dad's was this last week and my Mom's is this coming week. So, my sister and I decided to spoil our mother for her 60th birthday! 

We took her out to get her first Pedicure and she loved it. She didn't want to leave because she loved the massaging chair. I would of loved to sit there all day too! My mother is always helping others and trying to serve. She reminds me of my sweet Grandma and how they do nothing for themselves.  They are very Christ like women. I love my mom and I am so thankful for all that she does and what a great example she is to me. Katie and I wanted to do something for her.  We wanted  her to have some relaxing time and be pampered. My niece Maelyn and sister in-law Marsha also came with us. After we all got our toes done we took her out to lunch. She wanted to go to the Olive Garden since it is one of her favorite restaurants. It was nice to go without the kids and just enjoy some Girl time. 

That afternoon we took my sisters kids out so that Mom would have quiet time to herself. Then that night we actually got my Dad out of the house and went to go get Sundaes. I have been craving them since July so I was excited to finally get my Sundae! I was only there for 24 hours and ran into a lot of people that I knew. It was quiet funny, everywhere I went there was someone I knew. I enjoyed getting away for a day and spending time with my mom and sister. It was fun and hope that we can do it again. 

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad. I love you! 

Go Cougars

Every fall Matt flies to Utah for a BYU game. He meets his brother Rick and Dad there for the weekend.  It is an annual thing they do each year. Matt looks forward to it all year long. He loves family and wishes we were closer.  The weekend was even more special because his Grandma Katherine was in town. She is a neat lady!  Matt was so happy to get to visit with her too. Aunt Nora lives there also, so he got to see more then just his brother and Dad. 

BYU beat Hawaii 47-0. So it was a good game for them to go to. He loves the games and misses going to them. He use to have season passes when we lived in Provo. Matt enjoyed being with his family and had a good time. 

I have to tell you a funny story about Tyler. 

Matt is a BIG BYU fan and really gets into the games. We know not to get in his way when he is watching them. He yells and screams at the T.V. and gets pretty mad sometimes. The boys think it is scary. So, when I was telling Tyler that Daddy was going to the BYU game he got all quiet.  I asked him if that was okay? He then told me "Well, Daddy needs to get there really early to sit up front. So that guy can hear him yelling at him to get off the field. I want to make sure he can hear Daddy." I just had to laugh. That was too funny that Tyler would put the two things together. So I turned on the game that night and noticed that Riley Nelson the quarterback wasn't playing that night. So I told Tyler. He got really excited. Tyler said " Good now Daddy can enjoy the game and not be yelling so much."  

Too cute! Gotta love it when he comes from the mouths of babes!

Catching up

Sometimes life just takes over. It gets busy and full of good things. I have some catching up to do so here are a  few things we have been up to this past month.

1. Matt and I celebrated 8 years of marriage the end of August! We went out to a nice lunch together and he bought me some beautiful roses. The best part was getting my kitchen tile cleaned. Matt kept telling me it was all different tile and was suppose to look that way. I didn't believe it. I was right, they are WHITE! I love my kitchen now.

2. My sister Katie had a new baby boy and named him McKay. It is her third child and second boy. My boys were excited for a new cousin. :) What a sweet little boy.

3. BYU! Tis the season to be a cougar. Matt is a huge fan and is very addicted to BYU sports. There are a couple of other families in the ward that are big fans too. So we have been getting together and having BYU parties. 

4. I had my first garage sale. It was stressful and fun. Our neighborhood has a big block sale every year so I decided to get rid of some things. I got rid of a few baby things. (Matt wasn't too happy about that). I am just trying to de-clutter my house. We did make about $70. It wasn't much but hey it was something. 

5. Tyler is in soccer and getting better each practice. He has some friends from his class and church on the team so he is happy. He still isn't too in to it like Matt would like but he is out there running after the ball and having fun. That is all that matters. 

6. Tyler had his Jog-a-thon this week and ran 8 laps. He was so proud of himself. The boys and I went down to the school and supported him so he was happy to see us. 

This past week has been a long one with Matt gone all week. He had a business trip Mon-Thurs. then he flew up to Utah to meet his brother and Dad for a BYU game (Thurs.-Sun.). We are glad to have him home. 

We had the Jog-a-thon, picture day, Fundraiser for school (Frozen Yogurt, YUM!), soccer practice, etc. Do I need to go on? We were always going somewhere.  Now we are ready for a new week. All I have to say is BRING IT ON!

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6 years

 At the end of August, Tyler turned 6 years old.  We were up at my parent's house for the weekend.  So we celebrated with some family. Tyler wanted a Batman cake with his name on it. He got lots of presents and enjoyed himself. He kept telling me that he wanted some COOL toys, so I guess they passed!

A couple of days later on his actually birthday he woke up to our traditional birthday breakfast of Donuts and Chocolate Milk.  For dinner we went out to John's Incredible Pizza. It is a place with all you can eat pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert. Plus they have games for kids to play. He had a great time and loved it. We just had to make it quick since it was back to school night too.  

It is hard to believe that my oldest is 6 and in the first grade. Time sure does fly by!

First Day

Now that Tyler has been in First Grade for 3 weeks I actually have time to write about it. He was so excited and happy to go back to school and see all of his friends.  He has Mrs. d 'Autremont (aka Mrs. D.) He had Mrs. B. for Kindergarten so he is just moving up in the Alphabet! 

There are about 5 other kids in his class from last year so that was nice to see some familiar faces. He really likes his teacher Mrs. D. She is young and has the same blonde hair like Tyler. White Blonde! He loves his new classroom and thought that it was so cool to have his own desk. I think that it will be a good year for him and  he loves to learn new things. He is so smart! 

So, after the first day he came home very tired.  He just wanted to lay on the couch and watch a movie.  His first full day of school wore him out. Then that night he threw up 3 times. He told me that school made him sick and that he couldn't go back.  Ha!  I think it was just his nerves. The second day he came home and threw a big fit. When Tyler gets mad and is having a tantrum you move and get out of his way. We are working on his temper lately. It is a work in progress.  It is like the saying "If Mom isn't happy, then nobody is happy." In my house growing up it was "If Debbie isn't happy, then nobody is happy." Now in our house it is "If Tyler isn't happy then nobody is happy."  I was worried about him.  I know it takes a while to get use to going to school all day and a new routine was a big change for him.  He is like me and DOES NOT  do well with change. I watched him the rest of the week and he seemed to get better. I also talked to his teacher to make sure he wasn't acting out at school. He isn't so that made me feel better. 

He is coming home with 100% on his spelling tests and doing very good in school. So we are very proud of him. He is also in soccer so he is excited to play with some friends. 

 Now at home I just have the two and love the quiet time. Although since Hayden naps twice a day Carter and I have a lot of one on one time. So we have been playing games/puzzles galore! I am sick of Candyland/Chutes and Ladders. I think that I will be sick if I have to play one of those any time soon. I have gotten him to play other games and  by himself or color so that I can also have my mommy time too.  That has been nice lately.

We are all doing good and excited for this new school year! 

First Day: A little excited but a little nervous!

Done with the first day

Puzzle Time!

Now you know what I do all day :)