Colin turns 3

Colin's birthday was monster-ific! We had friends over for a party the night of his birthday, and we had a great time with a red monster piñata, playing toss the bean bag in the monster's mouth, decorating rice krispie treat monsters, and eating a blue monster cake! 

Everyone had fun, and we really enjoyed celebrating Colin's big day with so many friends. How is my baby already three?!

Matt helps Colin take a whack at the piñata

rice krispie monsters before decorations

After shot of cute Megan with her monster

The monster ate Eli!

The birthday boy with a few of his presents

Surprise Visit to Utah!

Back in September, Colin, Isla, and I took a trip to Utah to be part of a surprise baby shower for Kimberly AND attend my cousin Lisa's wedding. The trip was a huge success! It was a quick one, and we tried to see as many people as we could while we were there.

Waiting at our gate! Because delta doesn't have skycap like I was expecting. I managed to tote 2 kids, 2 car seats, 1 suit case, and a stroller from the curb to the ticket counter. Super woman!

Isla and Cooper Kundis

Dessert spread at the shower. We also had a pasta bar. Delish!

Sisters picture after the shower

Isla and Nee-Nana

Karen and Colin

We even made our way down to Springville for a ModBod stuff-a-bag sale. We scored big!

This kid can rock any look

And we Facetimed Daddy lots while we were there

We even had a lunchtime McDonald's date with Kristy, Landon, and Jason. Cute cousins!

And the only picture I managed to take from the wedding/reception

We had an awesome trip, and I'm so glad we got to be a part of the baby shower and the wedding. We sure miss all of our Utah friends and family!

Roadtrip Part 2: Madison, WI & Minneapolis

We left Chicago Wednesday morning and started our drive to Minneapolis by way of Madison, Wisconsin. Our stops in Madison included a restaurant to try deep fried cheese curds and Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream for delicious Wisconsin-made ice cream. And don't forget a stop at a cheese house!

What our walk through the streets of Madison looked like for a few minutes. Super Dad!

Cheese heads!

Cute road trip buddy!

One of the 2 naps Colin took during all 1,900 miles we drove on our trip

 We got to Minneapolis later that night, and the next day met up with the Robisons to explore the Mall of America. AWESOME! One of our first stops in the mall was to Brookstone to try out some massage chairs. Even Colin got in on the action.

The babies, on the other hand, had to sit and watch :)

Another part of the mall includes a huge amusement park. Colin got to pick 2 rides, and he had a great time.

Katie and I with Isla and Kiri, who is 17 days older than Isla. Those babies are so cute (and both love their fingers)!

I think the Lego store was the favorite store for both Colin and Matt

Colin fell in love with Kiri and just couldn't get enough of her while we were there. He kept giving her feet kisses (just like he does with Isla), and basically wouldn't leave her alone. I assured him when they both grew up he could marry her ;)

And then Friday morning we headed home. We stopped for a bit in both Des Moines and Kansas City, then got home late that night. The kids did great pretty much the whole time, but Colin and I both have an even deeper appreciation for the iPad now. In fact, our trip was so great, we can't wait to start planning our next one!

Aug. 2013 Roadtrip Part 1: St. Louis & Chicago

We started our trip off really early Sunday morning, and drove to St. Louis. We went to the gateway arch...

We didn't ride the little elevator (replica seen above) up to the top because it was an hour long excursion, not to mention the long wait, but we looked around the museum and walked around outside and under the arch.

Next stop, we went to Crown Candy Kitchen for lunch, made famous by Man vs. Food because of their "5 malts in 30 minutes" challenge. It was an interesting little joint, but maybe not worth all the hype :)

And then we went to Grant's Farm (owned by Anheuser Busch {free beer with your entrance! ;)} and named after Ulysses S. Grant). You go on a little tram ride through many acres full of over 100 different species of animals. After the tram ride, they have a small zoo and other attractions  where Colin thoroughly enjoyed bottle feeding the goats!

Monday we drove the rest of the way to Chicago to spend a few days with our awesome friends, the Bagwells! Colin loved playing with his new friends, Millie and Louis, and we all loved seeing some of the sites, and spending time with Buck and Niki, just like the old Provo days :)

backyard water fun

trying out the awesomely giant carts at target

train ride to the city!

The Bean

Top of the ferris wheel at Navy Pier (where I learned that Matt doesnt like heights)

We also ate at a Chicago classic, Portillos, and of course experienced Chicago-style pizza. Yum! And have you heard of Chicago-mix gourmet popcorn? Combination of caramel and cheese. I can't say it's my new favorite, but it was worth a try, especially while in the awesome city of Chicago!

A Few Firsts

We try to stay busy around here, and occasionally I take picture in the process. Colin and I have been swimming twice so far this summer, but this last week Isla decided to join us for the first time. Unfortunately, she is so long, her bathing suit is already a little on the snug side. But look how adorable! She mostly just got her feet wet, and that was enough for her!

Isla has been smiling for awhile now, but this was the first decent picture I was able to take of it. I just love her!!

And we can't forget about Colin! We go water skiing pretty often over at a friend's house who happens to live on a water ski lake. Colin recently got a chance to try it for the first time on the EZ ski. He had a blast and has since done it one other time. I'd say we have a budding professional on our hands :)

And since I wanted to be on the boat to watch Colin, Isla got to enjoy her first boat ride. She only thought it was alright... 

And there you have it, some of the many Tiner Adventures!

Utah Vacay 2013

We all flew out to Utah in June to attend my dad's and Bev's wedding. It was even more fun because it is the first time all of my siblings and I had been together in 3 years! We were missing the rest of the Hagens since Amy came by herself, but it was a fun, eventful couple of days. And you better believe everyone couldn't get enough of lovin' on Isla!

Friday afternoon we headed to Boondocks for a little arcade fun, bumper boats, go karts, and mini golf. I'd say the most fun was had on the bumper boats...or at least that's the only thing I managed to take pictures of.

Friday evening we met at Joan and Ron's house to have dinner with all of our extended family and celebrate Enoch's birthday. The weather was awesome, and all of the kids loved running around their yard and jumping on the trampoline.

Saturday morning we met Kristy, Kyle, and Landon for breakfast at Kneaders. Landon wasn't sure what to think of the baby, but 9 days later he got one of his very own, so this was good practice for him :)

Coincidentally, Landon and Colin were wearing the same shirt that day! "My Grandpa is a biker." I love the looks on their faces...especially Landon! "Uh, why am I standing here?" 

 Saturday afternoon was the wedding at the Salt Lake City temple. I only managed to take one picture with my camera, but it is a keeper! I'm pretty sure Colin is my dad's favorite grandchild, so I'm glad I got this shot :)

Sunday was Father's Day, and also the day Matt and Colin flew home. We went out to breakfast before they went to the airport, and we had to get a cute Father's Day photo. Best dad ever!!

By this point in the trip, Colin was a wreck. He averaged about 8 hours of sleep every night while we were there, and little to no naps. That left us with one cranky toddler. We tried to get a cute picture with the Marks, and this was the best we got...at least it makes me laugh!

On Monday, I threw a baby shower for Hillary. By this point she was still a month out from her baby, but now it's only 10 days!! I'm glad I was able to throw her a little party, and it was fun to get together with all the Kundis family both at the shower and the AF canyon the day before.

And by Tuesday, Isla and I were ready to head back to Oklahoma. This is what my 2 hour flight looked like. Ah, how nice it is to fly with a newborn :) One awesome ending to an awesome trip. I can't wait to go back!