Model Train Show

The Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club's annual train show is pretty neat! They model rail lines along a portion of the Columbia River and a portion of the Deschutes River. There is so much detail that you would have to spend hours there to see everything. We did find a few of the items on the scavenger hunt like Bigfoot and a policeman eating a donut.

The best view was from Daddy's shoulders.

Tyler loved all the train tunnels.

 

Houston/New Orleans Vacation

I can't believe it's already been a month since our vacation and I still haven't posted any photos! In my defense, work was super crazy up until a big deadline last Friday and between me, my dad, Sonia, and Megan there were over 1300 photos to sort through! If you click on the album below you can see the top 180 photos and below that I also posted a few videos. We spent our vacation visiting my family and split our time between Houston and New Orleans. We had a great time and Tyler still talks about all the fun he had. A few notable Tyler moments from the trip:

• On the plane ride to Texas: a) Tyler wanted to know if the plane was going to go upside down. b) Tyler said that when he hit the buttons on his arm rest that smoke came out of the plane (he is fascinated by exhaust fumes). c) When we hit a patch of turbulence Tyler said, "Wheeeeee! Bumpy!"
• When I asked Tyler to tell Aunt Megan and Uncle Brad about the thunderstorm in Houston he said, "Thunder was freaking out Tyler." (I confess that Tyler picked up the phrase "freaking out" from me!)
• When we landed in Portland and were taxiing to the terminal Tyler said, "I want to go back to Texas! I want to play with PawPaw!"

Houston-New Orleans Trip

At the playground, Tyler and my dad created a maneuver called the Chicken Jump that Tyler performed numerous times.

Playing with cousin Noah

One of the hungry gators in action during our swamp tour

Wheels, Wheels, Wheels

Tyler and Viola enjoyed checking out all the different sets of wheels at indoor play park.

Mr. Particular

Tyler is particular about many things. I'm not sure if this is a toddler thing, a trait he inherited from me, or both. For a long time now Tyler, Michael, and I have had a dance party while brushing our teeth before Tyler goes to bed. Tyler has turned it into follow-the-leader dancing around our bedroom. Each night he points at us and says, "Mommy- behind Tyler! Daddy- behind Mommy!" He sometimes repeats these instructions if he thinks we are falling out of line.

Polka Dots vs. Race Cars

I recently bought new pajamas. This morning Tyler asked me what was on my pajamas and I told him polka dots. Tyler told me that my pajamas should have race cars on them instead. I guess I should take my fashion consultant shopping with me more often.

Race Car Bed- Part 2

Sleeping like an angel last night

The race car bed is still a hit. Tyler stayed in his room all last night. He even slept in until 8 am this morning. When he got up, he turned on the light, opened his door, then ran and gave me a good morning hug. Staying in bed for naptime is a harder sell. Tyler came out of his room 3 times at naptime today. The third time I told him that if he didn't take a nap in the race car bed that I would put him in the crib. That did the trick.

Race Car Bed

Tyler checking out the frame before we put the mattress in.

So excited about his new big boy bed!

Checking out the "chunky tires" as Tyler calls them

Sliding down the front hood

Tyler graduated from the crib today! This is his first night in his big boy race car bed. He has been in bed for over an hour now and I haven't heard a peep out of him. We'll see how the night goes but I think Tyler is ready for a big boy bed and that this should be a smooth transition.