Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away,

On my way to...Spring! Well Spring has sprung at the Ahl-Tyvand household. At least in the form of uninhibited toddler energy. George doesn't seem to know what to do with all his energy. It comes out in the form of running, kicking, hitting, jumping, climbing, and yes dancing. Once the sun is up he asks to go outside. So here are some pics of George enjoying spring.

Here's to more days like this.

Sara's Surprise

Well two weekends ago we all went on extended weekend vacations, however not together. While Adrian and his friend Andy went to Portland for some March Madness, George and I decided to drop in on a friend. My friend Sara moved back to Spokane last summer and I hadn't seen her since then and it was her birthday on Saturday. (I know a lot of people born in the month of March.) So with Adrian out of town it was a great time for a road trip! Ok I don't really recommend road trips with toddlers, but luckily I picked up Janette in Ellensburg on the way to Spokane. And about an hour outside of Spokane it became her job to keep George happy and entertained while I drove. Thanks so much Janette! Without you I would of been quite harried mess upon my arrival.

Let's back up a little. Ok so it's my girlfriends birthday who lives in the Eastside of the state, why am I picking someone up in the middle of the state and how is it that we suprised her? Well Sara, Janette, and I all lived in the same sorority at the University of Washington, Alpha Xi Delta. We get to see each other a few times a year since we all live in different parts of Washington. With this long and bad winter it had been quite awhile, and I was missing my friends. Hence time to get out on the road. As for the surprise part I enlisted Sara's husband, Josh, to help us out and make sure they didn't already have plans for the weekend. Turns out they're getting old like me and didn't have any out of town plans. Yeah, mission Sara's surprise is now in the works. Next I get our friend Janette on board with the surprise and plan the trip. With only a few delays, Janette's office trying to make her work more than a half day at the last minute and me taking the wrong exit in Spokane we pull it off!

Janette and I were impressed that Sara had no idea that we were coming. Usually she gets everything out of Josh. And with our added delays we were sure she was grilling him as to why he was going to be home late that day, plus still wanting to make a nice dinner. Her reaction was the best. We followed Josh to their place and he had us ring the doorbell for Sara to answer. At first she just looks confused then the joy sets in with her jumping and all.

George, again, got to help with opening of presents.

Sorry to say it's just more clothes buddy. Yes grown-ups get boring gifts.

Surprise number 2, ice cream cake!

The weekend was mostly about friends catching up with each other, and George chasing Eddie, Sara and Josh's dog. Eddie did well with George but after about 10 minutes you could tell the dog had had enough and didn't know how to get away from him. Since Saturday was Sara's birthday we did what she wanted. Some how this turned into house tours for us. First we went to Josh's parent's house for brunch. This included another dog for George to chase and some outside time. Then it was onto Sara's parent's house for a nice visit and lunch. For George with included lots of running up and down the stairs and wrestling with Josh. Thanks for keeping the little guy entertained! Then a quick drive-by of Sara's brother's new house. Once back to their home we snuggled down for some Husky Hoops. Sadly the outcome was not what we were hoping for.

Josh, AKA The Man, and some pretty ladies.

Saturday evening included dinner out in downtown Spokane, some parking garage fun, and a movie at home, while Sara and Josh enjoyed a Gala event. So they are a little bit more exciting than me, but they are still a few years younger. Sunday was the drive home which luckily was less event full then the drive to Spokane. And that was my weekend road trip with George. As for Adrian you'll have to ask him how his weekend went. Though if you follow college hoops then you'll know the answer to that question.

Updated picture of the ladies, Janette, Sara, and me (Carolyn)

90

This year George's Great Grandma Doris turned 90. We celebrated with her a few weekends ago. There was lots of family there that I hadn't seen in years, and many of whom their names I didn't know. Somehow they seemed to remember mine. I think it was the work of my mother reminding everyone of each other. It seemed to be a great day for Doris. George of course helped her open gifts.

Though he doesn't understand why anyone would want clothes as a gift when there are so many toy cars out there.

Doris and her younger sisters, Margaret and Irene.

The Johnson family, Doris, Janis, Judith, and John

With the grand kids, Katie, Carolyn, and Olivia.

Congrats to Doris on her 90 years of life! I only hope I can live that long.

31

Wednesday was my 31st birthday. To celebrate we went out to dinner Saturday night with my family. As you can see I went for a drink that matched my outfit. No I can't remember what it's called, or what's in it, but it sure was tastie.

Dinner was at the restaurant Standford's in the Northgate mall. Food was good but the service was slow, so I don't think we'll be heading back anytime soon. Mostly because George doesn't get the concept of waiting. When we were waiting to be seated he kept saying "me wait a minute." Of course he said this multiple times a minute and again when we were waiting for our food to arrive. Now I understand why places like Red Robin bring your food out so quickly, it's to keep your kids happy.

Below is how George entertained himself as the evening went on. Dipping his straw in Papa's drink and then drinking from the straw. He was quite proud of himself for figuring this out. And for getting out of the strap on his highchair.

Updated picture of me and my sisters, Katie and Olivia. It's been too long since we've had one taken of just us. I think it was like 6-7 years ago at a Husky football spring game.

As for my birthday, I spent it at work. I know that sounds really sad doesn't it? Though I did get to look forward to the surprise I would receive once I got home. Adrian had made me a cake and had my gifts waiting for me at the table. George was so excited that as soon as he heard me he started yelling about birthday cake. And that was really nice to come home to.

Sometimes you just gotta dance

George loves to dance, and we thought we'd share his joy with you all. He gets his moves from his mother, and his taste in music from his father. Enjoy!

A Masterpiece!

Like many little boys George enjoys coloring. We've found that he prefers to color with pens vs crayons, which can be a little scary in the hands of a toddler. For this reason he gets 'washable markers.' They do work really well and come off walls easily with a little water. Thanks modern science.

As seen below George's favorite canvas is his own body. His hands beeing the easiest to do.

Of course the mixture of 'washable marker' ink and a running nose resulted in this new creation.

A true masterpiece, to be remembered for all time!

Sadly we can't hang this on our frig.

Mommy's Little Helper

As George has grown he has shown a joy for doing things we do every day. We figure we may as well take advantage of this and get him into doing chores now. I'm sure he'll figure out that it's not fun cleaning, but for now he fights me for the broom or wash cloth. And of course who am I to argue.

First time mopping the floor

Gathering leaves in the backyard.

Though using the broom on the grass doesn't work as well as a rake.

If only he was a little bit taller

Washing the dishes usually makes more work for mom, but George really enjoys it.

The chore we get George to do consistantly is feeding Oden. Sometimes there's dog food all over the floor but luckly Oden doesn't mind and cleans it up for us.



Most recently George helped me make chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day. It turned out to be a beautiful romantic dinner for three. I know you couples without kids are seriously jealous.

Super Bowl

This year for the Super Bowl we decided to host the party. Amazingly we fit 15 adults and 3 children into our house. At one point or another we had everyone downstairs, but for those times when people weren't in the basement we made sure to have extra TV's setup upstairs.

Personally I think things went really well. The time with friends was great and so was the food. Highlights for us were Jess's cupcakes, and Katie's pig-n-a-pig. (Thanks for bringing stuff ladies!) Which if you're looking for snack sized heartattack this is the treat for you. Basicly they're just little smokies wrapped in bacon. Who could say no. Not many because they were all gone by the end of the night.

Gavin and Alex made it over to play with George. Though by the looks of things Gavin was greaing up to be playing in the big game.

The highlights for George were bossing Alex around and convicing Gavin to jump in his crib with him. If ever you are over and looking for some sort of entertainment George would be sure to show you just what makes him happy.

All in all it was a fun day. It could of been better if only Arizona could of pulled off the win. Really they had my hopes up at the end of the game, but they were quickly dashed by the final drive. I guess the best I could say about the game is at least it was close and interesting. Next year Go Hawks!!!!!

Updates

Well thus far we have survived our crazy winter and white Christmas. George truly enjoyed his third Christmas. He got to make cookies with Grandma. His job was to put sprinkles on the cookies and, of course, be the quality control tester.

Also George was much more into the Christmas tree, he even helped daddy put some decorations on the tree.

With our winter weather George has not gotten too excited about the snow. I think it's because he doesn't move around so well in his snow suit. In any case, here are some cute pics of our boy out in his snow covered back yard.

I think Christmas ended up being George's favorite holiday this year. Of course it would be obvious to most, but George was never into getting and opening gifts til now. His day consisted of eating and opening gifts. He figured out the pattern by the end of the day when after dessert he asked "more gifts grandma."

George's Gift from Santa

Checking out his stocking stuffers

Helping pass out gifts


George and his 'two Grandmas." Really it's Grandma Ahl and her sister Great Aunt Judith who George called grandma for the day.

Helping daddy open Christmas gifts

Who would of thought a magnifying glass could be so exciting!

George and his race cars from Nana