KAUAI, anyone??

Sadly, we have returned from paradise. It has been exactly one week since we've been back and this week DRAGGED in comparison to our week on Kauai. Sad how that goes! We had a blast, though, and are grateful that we even got one week in paradise. Faith and Shaun spoiled our kids while we were away, and we didn't worry about them for a second. They are the best (Shaun and Faith.. our kids are not bad either)!

So, here are some pictures as evidence (for our own minds) that we really did get away together. Greg's brother, Chris, and his wife, Sheri, went with us. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves... They were so much fun. I don't think I have laughed so hard for awhile. Couple time is therapeutic and essential!

This is the token shot we always do at the resort. It is BEAUTIFUL (more so in person)!

The first day we spent laying out and enjoying the nice weather. This was actually the last picture on our camera. I think it is the only evidence of my hat... I actually did wear that thing most of the time. G found it very amusing--you may as well, but I plan to do my best to avoid facial wrinkles, my friends!

Our weeks' activities included: soaking up the sun, napping, reading, kayaking, relaxing, brunch at the Princeville, a little zip-lining, more relaxing and a tiny bit of exercise in the form of a mini-hike to a waterfall, and of course we finished off as many nights as possible with....
That's right! A Hula Pie!

Fern Grotto

This picture is SOOO Greg and Chris! So, I'll close with it! Thanks for the good times and great memories! Until next time.. MAHALO!

A Tribute to my Girl

Now, there are many girls in my life that I love and admire, but this one goes out to my girl,

Macy Faith.

I know it's a little early for the birthday post, but I have to do a little loving brag about my Baby- Love. Macy is the sweetest little thing! I just can't stand how much I love her. She is soo observant and very smart. I think I experienced this surge of motherly love when Tyson hit 1, too. It is just so amazing that these little babies, who were so entirely helpless when they arrived, can learn and grow and become so independent. The amount of change and growth that happens in the first year of life, is just plain, AMAZING.

So, I thought I would share a few of my favorites about my Macers right now.

I thought Tyson began "talking" early, and I think he did, but Macers is on to something. She picks up words so fast (for a 10 1/2 month old). She calls Greg "Dadda" and sometimes calls me "Mamma". She Loves balls (don't all babies), and says, "Bah" every time she sees one. She waves and says, "hi" and "bye-bye". She loves all of her babies (like her mommy). And so it should have been no surprise when she said, "Bay-bee" recently. Very impressive. It used to be "Bay-Bay", which I thought was just plain darling, but she is advancing my friends. So, "Bay-bee" is the word I was most trying to catch in this video. She is such a chubby little baby herself, that it is very surprising to hear those words come so clearly, and purposely out of her mouth.

I hope you found as much enjoyment in that as I did!

Happy Birthday Tyson

My BABY is now 3! I can't believe it. Tyson has been a very fun, creative and exciting little boy. I seriously wish I could get him through the "3s", and then freeze time. He is becoming more independent and opinionated, if that is possible. And, although many days seem to be a battle of the "wills", (he usually wins through his trickery and flattering words), at the end of the day, when I put him to bed and he tells me how he loves me "much more than Daddy", I can't help but love him to pieces, and forget how many times he put Mace in the scissors and tried to shhhush her as she cried. All I can think about is how long we prayed for him, and how much joy he brings to our lives each day. He is my little miracle baby, and that HOPEFULLY will get me through this next year.... The WOnderFUL age of.... 3!

I should have known he'd have a bit of attitude when he posed like this. Obviously he is very young (1 or 2 weeks old), as he still has his umbilical chord stub attached!

I had to put this one in for Grammie. Despite his mind-games... he LOVES Grammie and asks daily to "take a ride on a jet to go to her house at California." (I just have to point out the pants, as if you could miss the height of them... that has always been her trade-mark revenge move... ask any of her kids. She must have had a rough night with him.)

What a special little Love our Tyson Boy is!

We love you Ty, you are our BEST!

All Ty wanted to do for his big day was visit "his friend Chuckie.." who apparently missed him. He loves Chuck E. Cheese... so who am I to disappoint. We broke out the hand sanitizer and off we went!

Notice our faithful family party-goers in this picture--the Jeff and Krystal Trapnell Family. Krystal happened to have given birth to little Carter the day before, but Jeff and Karen (Krystals's mom), didn't let us down.... They knew if they didn't show that Tyson would have no friends at his party!

Greg was gone on Tyson's actual birthday, and although I am very aware that 3-year olds don't really know what day the 29th of January is, I still wanted to do something special for him on that day. So, I took Tyson to the Children's Discovery Museum in Salt Lake. We had LOADS of fun. Leticia and her kids met us there. And, of course, we brought two of Tyson's best friends: Aunt Faith and Aunt Shelby.

Finishing up 09!

I have to be honest, knowing that Halloween (which seems like a whole year ago) was my last post, has overwhelmed me into denial! I finally found the courage to update this baby. Hold your horses, it's gonna be a quick and bumpy ride!

November

We decorated for Christmas. Holidays with kids are just too much fun. Everything is so EXCITING! So, we got a little head start on Christmas, knowing that we were headed to CA for the last part of November.

Happy Thanksgiving! We spent Thanksgiving in CA with my family. It was great to be back home with everyone. We had sooooooo much fun together. Almost everyone made it for the big weekend-- Zach and Jenny were in Kansas and the Popes stayed in UT this year, but besides that we were all together.

While in CA, we...

We worked on a few projects, finishing up the room addition.... Okay the boys did the working, and we did the PRE black Friday shopping!

Tyson wanted to be right in all of the action. We found him asleep at the bar one day. The men were putting up some bead-board in the kitchen. He was napping right through it!

Thanksgiving Day started off with a friendly Turkey Bowl... We almost have an entire football team with all these in-laws. (This was their tough pose)..

Following our dinner (which wasn't as stressful as I anticipated... nice prep work Cooks!),

We held a tiny little event I like to call, THE ZULAUF FAMILY TALENT SHOW. Now, talent there was not much of, but fun we had! For some reason the only pictures I came home with are of the two leaders of the pack... Sorry no evidence of the rest of us!

Thanksgiving was just too much fun! Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting the parte!

December

December arrived more quickly (and is now over more quickly) than I wanted. (Thank heavens my shopping was done before Halloween--yeah, Noel! Okay, not hard to do with only 2 kids.)

My parents + 1 (Tyler, not Grandma Z.) arrived a few days before Christmas. I feel like all we did was host one party after another. I say its time for my parents to get a Utah home of their own! Despite the cooking, baking and partying, we managed to have some fun. Tyson was so excited to spend 2 weeks with Grammie and Big Poppy. Oh, yea, and Ty (who is "his best").

When we got back from CA it was time to get a Christmas tree. Last year we got a short, fat little guy, so this year we thought we would go a little taller. 18 ft later, we had our tree :)

Let the decorating begin!

Our first major snow storm hit in early December. Tyson takes after his dad... He LOVES the snow. The first snow is always soooo pretty!

In mid-December we took a ride on the Polar Express. Tyson and Macy got to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and see the North Pole.

And then, there was the main event... Christmas!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We are back and ready for 2010!

Happy Halloween

We almost lost Macers off the steps taking these pics, so please enjoy :P

Tyson trick-or-treated at exactly 4 houses before he was done. Macy only lasted half that long... no chocolate for Mommy!

Time for a trip to the ....

PUMPKIN PATCH!

I just love this time of year! The weather is PERFECT and the colors are AMAZING. There are so many fun things to do in the Fall! Why does it seem to be the SHORTEST season of all (yes, I did that [rhyme] on purpose :). Anyway, we are trying to enjoy it while it is here, so we went to the Pumpkin Patch not once, but twice!

Tyson found himself a pumpkin in about 10 seconds. I thought he would go for a big guy, but when I asked if the one he had picked was for Mace, he said No, but that he would go get one for her.

Yes, he rocked the "corn maze". See the determination in his eyes!