Bed Rest

Now, this we did do together! In June of 2006, Greg had surgery on his ACL, and was stuck in bed for a week--(Well, supposedly). Just one day before, I underwent IVF, so I was on strict bed rest for 4-5 days. We were also in the process of moving to Jacksonville, FL so Greg could finish school. It was a rough week, but we survived and quite enjoyed our time in bed together!

We had lots of help from friends and family to get us through this. Lacey (my dear sister) even drove down to help us out. She was our little errand runner, as going up and down the stairs was forbidden for either one of us. I have a real cute picture of her--but she probably wouldn't appreciate it. And since she helped us out so much, I will refrain from adding her picture to this little entry.

We Move to Jacksonville, FL

We were VERY sad to say goodbye to all of our friends in Las Vegas. We moved to Sin City in 2002 so Greg could go to Dental School. I graduated in elementary education in 2004, and Greg received his degree in 2006. I was able to substitute teach for 1 year, as I finished getting my education. That was fun, but the highlight for me was teaching 3rd grade. I taught 3rd grade for two years, from the time I finished school, until the time we left, and I loved it to pieces.

When we came to Jacksonville, we left behind many, many good friends who we hope to always stay in contact with. We will always treasure our time in Las Vegas. Although you wouldn't know it from the lack of pictorial documentation, we made some of our greatest memories there.

Greg becomes Dr.

In May of 2006 Greg graduated from UNLV. Yeah! We were thrilled for this accomplishment but there was more in store for us education wise. Greg was accepted into the Orthodontic Residency at Jacksonville University in Florida--A very challenging task, so we were especially grateful for the chance to come here. So we packed 'er up and headed out East. Here are pictures from his graduation and the formal dinner that accompanied this monumental accomplishment (what word will I use when he finishes ortho. school??).

Before the big Move... I had to say goodbye to my 3rd graders. I was so sad to leave that chapter of my life behind (I knew I was pregnant with Tyson at this point) that I took a couple pictures to remember my soon to be "old life" as a teacher. Maybe I will return to teaching in the classroom one day. For now, though, it's all teaching at home for me (as long as I am able to be there).


Okay, so there are more than a just a couple shots of the room.... I really did love teaching.

Motorcycling in Moab

I am sure from the title of this little entry you can tell that this is another time when Greg and I were not together. (This is becoming a history of our lives instead of a tribute to our time together--oh well, there would be one entry I've decided if I only wrote about the trip(s) we took together before Tyson was born). Back to Greg... Greg loves to ride his dirt bike. He has experienced serious withdrawals here in Jacksonville, where he has had to take up ultimate Frisbee and golf as substitutes for riding. In Las Vegas he and his friends went riding almost every weekend, and had riding trips planned for every holiday. A trip that became an annual event (once Greg convinced all of his dental friends that they needed to buy bikes--and they did) was their spring break trip to Moab, Utah.

Summer Time in December

In December of 2005, Greg and I went to Kauai with some family. We had never been before this trip, but after going we wanted to go back ASAP! Hawaii is everything that you hear about it and more. We seriously thought about living there after our visit. On our Hawaiian adventure:

We hiked to a beautiful waterfall... (Yes, everyone was surprised that I made it.)

We took a helicopter tour of the island.

And ate Hula Pies with every meal!

It was a wonderful and relaxing trip where we were able to create those treasured "Greg and Noel Memories". (Thanks Chris & Sheri!)

An Addition to Our Family
In January of 2005, we received a new addition to our family... our dog Vegas. Greg was thrilled to have a new friend. I was not as happy, although I have since warmed up to the idea. She is a really good dog--great with kids, which is a must.

Here is Lady Vegas a month after we got her at our home in Las Vegas--Yes that is snow on the ground. It was pretty exciting to be there when it snowed. Not a normal occurrence in that desert.

And here she is just a few months ago helping Greg work on his truck...

She really is this man's best friend!

Mt. Charleston

Just a few miles from our home in Las Vegas was a mountainous wonderland of beauty and cool weather. Here is a picture of me and My Love amidst the pine trees. This was a fun little getaway we sometimes frequented (is that an oxymoron??) on Sundays.

Noel Graduates from College

In May of 2004, I graduated from UNLV in elementary education. YEAH! It was a wonderful feeling to take that last final and know that I was done forever-- unless I wanted to go back. No more papers, tests or projects. Lacey came LV to help us celebrate. She always seems to be around when we need her!

We Buy our First House

In August of 2003 Greg and I bought our first home in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were thrilled with our purchase despite the work that we knew lay ahead. Here are the before and after shots of our Palace in the Desert. We love that house. We worked very hard on it and will always remember our first big purchase.

And 3 years later when we left her...

Don't think for one second that Greg and I made this miraculous transformation alone. We had TONS of help from both families painting, laying tile, landscaping, etc. Thank you to you all!

Before there was Tyson

Okay, I guess I will get on with the inevitable.... As I am sitting here trying to think of all the fantastic things Greg and I did before Baby Ty, I have to be honest, the list is a LOT shorter than I thought it would be. I have decided that I will start with the most recent "fun" we had and travel back into the past... Enjoy!

Reason for the Blog

Here is the LONG, round about way to how, and why, I started this blog--and then why I wanted to add a "Before there was Tyson" tribute to the mommy and daddy--Me and Greg :)

When I got married (6 years ago) I had many ambitious wishes for my little family of me and Greg. Being a girl (that's the reason Greg says I had this particular desire), I wanted to keep a type of family journal; Something to document important events and milestones Greg and I , and eventually our family, reached. So I began to keep one. I soon became discouraged at the one-sided perspective of our "Family" journal, so I quit that business. And thanks to Greg's lack of participation, many important events in our early marriage have been undocumented, unremembered and are now ultimately, forgotten. (Do you like how dramatic I am? -- And I am kidding about the "thanks to Greg" part if you don't know me that well).

Then, one summer, as I was spending time with the Trappys, I saw my sis-in-law's blog (Thanks Krystal!), and I thought to myself, "What a great way to document family events, feelings and experiences." Now Krystal had a baby at the time, so some of her blog was dedicated to Damon, and I thought there is no way I could write enough about just me and Greg for it to be worth starting my own blog. Besides, honestly, who would want to read about us? So I waited until the blessed day when Baby Ty came into the world to start.

So, last night, I was talking with a friend (Thanks Lindsay!) who is married, and currently without children, and I realized what a dufas I was not be begin this blogging business earlier. Those “Greg and Noel Years” were important years. And, despite the lack of formal documentation :P, we do have good memories from our 5 years together without Baby. Thus, I have decided to create a little tribute to those Greg and Noel Years. We’ll call it: "Before there was Tyson."

Making up for Lost Time...

It appears that I have given my boy "the runs". I have now changed 3 STINKY diapers which have overflowed onto clothing, which means I have also changed 3 outfits today. It may sound like I am complaining (and maybe I am just a teenie bit) but I really am so happy that the constipation is over. I think I have learned my lesson about Tyson's digestive system and rice cereal. We'll have to be extra careful when we introduce bananas!

TyTy tries RyRy

Another milestone for our boy.... On Friday, June 22nd, Little TyTy became Big TyTy. Tyson had his first taste of rice cereal. He, like all first timers, was not sure of the new texture/taste, but he soon discovered how to swallow and began to enjoy the mess he was making. On a much sadder note, it appears that once that first drop of rice hit his little tummy, he became instantly constipated. This little dilemma did not stop him from eating, however.

5 days after that fateful bite (TODAY), Tyson pooped for the first time! Poor kid. He's been on a very pruney diet for the past two days, has received an enema and has had his temperature taken rectally about 7 times. But, alas, (we're not sure which of the above mentioned treatments finally worked) he is no longer stopped up! YEAH for Ty! He had the biggest, fullest, stinkiest diaper ever, but I was ever so happy to change it for him.

It is so fun to reach these little milestones with Tyson. (I am, of course, referring to the big boy food, not the pooping). I feel so blessed to be able to spend all day with him. We are so happy that he finally made it to our family. We keep asking him when the next will arrive... Who knows? Hopefully soon. We (Greg and I) are definitely in love.

Tyson goes to the Beach

Out here in Florida, there is nothing more enjoyable and relaxing to do, than beach it! Since the weather has gotten warmer (HOTTER) we have been frequenting the beach on Fridays. Although it is hurricane season, we brave the elements to enjoy the beach. Here are the first few ventures our little Ty made out to the Atlantic.


When he was 16 weeks old, he finally made it out of the car. Every time we went to the beach before that, I would get him all dressed up (so fun for me) and he would SLEEP the entire 4-5 hours we were at the beach... The Nerve!

We're Back!

So much has happened since we last "posted". Tyson is now 4 1/2 months old. I can't believe that so much time has passed. Our little "Punkin Pie" can roll over, sleep through the night and has mastered the smile and laugh.

We are very happy, and very busy.