"Daddy's" New Side-Kick

Kyle was gone for two weeks in a row for work. Jason and I decided to vacation in Alpine at my parents' house while he was gone rather than be alone. Kyle had been gone for a week in July, but it didn't seem to phase Jason too much. This time, however, I noticed Jason was always missing his daddy. He was obsessed with looking at Kyle's pictures at my parents house and on this blog. Jason said "daddy" all the time. When Kyle came home for a mere 34 hours between trips, Jason was Kyle's side-kick, which was a first; normally he is mine. Jason became alarmed anytime he couldn't see Kyle. I assume he was worried Kyle might leave him again (which proved to be a genuine worry). As Jason watched Kyle drive away for his second trip, he burst into tears (which made Kyle teary as well).

Thankfully we had Grandpa Hunsaker, who Jason calls "Bopa," and other relatives to fill in while Kyle was away. Bopa entertained Jason with his first riding lawn mower ride, JCW french fries, M&Ms, and a trampoline.

Now that Kyle is back for good, Jason continues to be his side-kick, which is just fine with me. Jason asks for daddy first thing in the morning. He prefers to have daddy push him in the shopping cart. The list goes on. We're both very glad daddy is home.

Three Dates in a Row

Kyle and I had three dates in a row-- on the weekends, of course. This is a new post-baby record! Thanks to Holly, Linda, and Brooke for babysitting.

First date: BYU football game against San Diego. We actually won!



Second date: Anniversary outing. We tried a new Thai place in Sandy called "Simply Thai" and we loved it. After dinner we went to a musical called "The Drowsy Chaperon" at the Hale Center Theater. It is now on our list of favorite musicals. We are looking forward to "My Fair Lady" next year because that is also on our list of favorite musicals.



Third date: Birthday date for Kyle. We went to Tucanos for a free birthday meal and then to the temple. Happy Birthday Kyle!

Happy Anniversary!

I want to let the world know that I love my wife! Happy Anniversary Love! These have been the best 4 years of my life!

Tiger Grins

Happy Halloween from Jason. Isn't he the cutest tiger in town? Jason is 15 months old in these pictures. Which tiger picture is your favorite? I couldn't decide if I liked it better with the hat on or off, so I had to get a print both ways.

Witch Fest

Check out the Witch Fest at Gardner Village. We had so much fun. You get to walk around finding all the crazy witches they have on display. And it is free. Just print off the scavenger hunt before you leave so you can fill it out and get a cookie. I think I'll go back again before it ends.

Welcome October

We welcomed October with a BBQ party at our house with high school friends. Kyle and I were in the same group of friends in high school, so it was fun for both of us to have our old buddies over. In attendance: Danielle, Jeremy, Kaden, Brinnley, and Maggie; Kristin, Wyatt, and Kody; Trisha, Gavin, and Lincoln; Jessica, Ellie, and Cade; Micah and Allison.

I couldn't believe the great turnout we had. Unfortunately, we didn't whip out the cameras before people started leaving. We are so lucky to have had friends in high school who were good influences on us. May all of our children have the same good fortune.

Happy 15 Months, Jason

Jason is 15 months old now. I thought I would record his latest hobbies and milestones.

• Jason loves watching for airplanes and helicopters in the sky. He gets very excited and points when he sees one.
• Now that he has mastered walking on level ground, he is insisting on walking up and down stairs, even though he knows how to crawl up and down them. Kyle and I certainly don't get a break from adventure for very long.
  
• He is interested in stacking blocks and sorting shapes (with a LOT of help).
• TRAMPOLINE!
• Petting animals.
• WATER! (This picture is of Jason at Liberty Park.)
  

• Playing with daddy in the evenings. (Kyle is "wearing" Jason's jacket.)
  

• Current favorite book is Curious George now that he has been to the zoo to see real animals. Previous favorite books were The Jolley Pocket Postman and Mother Goose.
  
• He has at least 20 words last I counted. Our favorite is "money" which means "mommy". I really think he should be calling Kyle that instead. Others include: uh-oh, blueberry, hat, bear, kitty, daddy, church, milk, bite, thank-you, cheese, cracker, cookie, paci (pacifier), keys, grape, tramp, ball, doggy, diaper, up, airplane .... that's all I can think of for now.
• 12 teeth
• 1 nap
• Jason longs for the great outdoors and short car rides to fun new places. We have to get out of the house every morning and afternoon. I have a hard time thinking of things to do now that the weather is turning cold because I don't want to be shopping all the time. A well meaning friend told me I need to have him play with his toys more... if only it were that simple for us.
  
• And he still has the most amazing hair. Fall certainly is his time of year.