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Too many pictures to fit in the other post...

Family Pics

Brian Dawson took some great pics of my family last weekend. Here are a few of them. His camera broke (before we started the photo session) so he used my camera. I had been praying that God would help me be more content with my camera and that I could learn to take some great pics with it. I think my prayer has been answered. Now I just have to read the manual and figure out how Brian programmed it and get it ready for Disney. Thanks Brain!!! You are amazing.

Halloween 2008

Wizard of Oz was the Tyner Theme for Halloween this year. Leah was Dorothy, Jonah was the Scarecrow and Noah was the Tin Man (although reluctantly). We had pictures taken at Target last week, but they are not back yet, so I took pictures on our way out to the kids school festival. Tomorrow will be a whirl wind of 3 school parties and trick or treating in the neighborhood. Noah and I always have as our goal to get every house. The weather looks looks like the best ever for us in CO and with the time change being after Halloween, I think we will make our goal with year. We are already planning Scooby Doo for next year. Chris-Fred, Amy-Daphane, Leah-Velma, Noah-Shaggy and Jonah-Scooby Doo. Jonah said Grammy could be the Mystery Machine. Always exciting times during Halloween at the Tyner household.

Amy's Sewing Adventures

I took a sewing class with my mom this fall. I agreed because I love setting my table for the holidays. My thought was I will cut the fabric and she can sew the fabric. However, she had other ideas. Horror of Horrors, she made me sew my own tablerunner. I have sewn one other time in my adult life when we first moved to CO. Me and two of my good friends decided to take a "make a quilt in a day" class. I love choosing the fabrics. That is my favorite part. And although I loved taking the class with my friends and learned a lot, I didn't feel like adding sewing/quilt making to my hobbies at this time. I have collected a few quilt books over the years and someday, desire to make quilts, I haven't figured out when that will be. However, back to the tablerunner class. I was a fun class, I enjoyed doing it, but when my mom asked me if I would like to make more for gifts, I politely declined. It took me nine hours and although I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and very domestic, I will just enjoy my beautiful tablerunner. However, during this domestic process I did discover a machine I love. The serger. I surged the 12 tableclothes we use for our MOPS tables. That machine is amazing. So if you have an needs for a serger, I am your gal. However, my mom must be around to help me thread the thing.

1st MOPS Meeting in Frederick

I thought you would enjoy seeing our awesome decorations from our first MOPS meeting. The theme this year is Adventures in Mothering. I have a terrific team who loves God and loves the moms He sends our way. This is our first year at our location in Frederick. We consistently have about 40ish moms and tons of kids. Our speakers have been fabulous. We have 3 meetings left this semester. I can't believe how fast it has gone. This next week one of my families good friends who is an awesome photographer is coming to give us Photo tips: Capturing the "mom"ents in life. Our second November meeting will have a party planner come to give us tips on having parties. And our last meeting in December will be a Candy Cane Brunch with lots of red and white decorations and ornaments for our moms to take home with the the story of the candy cane. Our wonderful Mentors will have a panel who will give us their Christmas traditions. Although leadership has not been without its challenges, seeing the fruits of His kingdom make it all worth it.

Day Out with Thomas

Back in September we went to see Thomas in Golden, CO. We first saw Thomas in New England when Noah was 4 years old. We drove hours to see Thomas while vacationing in New England because Noah loved Thomas and we thought we would never have the opportunity to see him again. God has such a sense of humor. The next summer we had moved to CO and Thomas stops every fall in Golden, CO about 45 minutes from our house. We have been fortunate to visit Thomas many times over the past few years. This year was Jonah's year to be in love with Thomas. Noah (being 10) was not thrilled with going. But Dad was out of town so he went. Golden does a wonderful job hosting Thomas and their train station is full of fun and tons of history. Even though he probably wouldn't admit it, I think Noah had a good time. Jonah loved being there and Leah enjoyed herself too.

Next Generation of Sewers

My mom has been taking Leah to a sewing class the past few months. The following are a collection of pictures of Leah with her creations. My mom is "Queen of Sewing". She can do anything with a sewing machine. She took 4 years of homemaking in school and is extremely talented. I can sew, but choose not to. Why should I? I have a wonderful seamstress out my backdoor. Therefore, Leah will be the next generation of seamstresses. Kudos to the two wonderful sewers in my life. I love you both and am impressed with what you can do. I would appreciate it if you would continue to hem my pants and sew my buttons on and whatever else I need done. Thanks!! The first picture is Leah with the pillow case she made. The next is with the sling bag (she made another one for a friend's b-day) she made and the last two are her with the placemat she made (it is reversable). They are in the process of making doll clothes for Leah's American Doll Nikki. Leah is learning it isn't as quick and easy as it looks. I am thankful she has my mom to teach her.

Newfound Freedom

Ever wait for something for what seems like forever with complete excitement and when it finally gets here, it is more bittersweet than you expected? I am sitting in Chick-fil-A enjoying my sweet tea and #3 Combo with bacon all by myself. I am enjoying my first 3 hours of kid free freedom for the first time in ten years. Noah and Leah started 5th and 2nd grade on Monday and today, Jonah started 3 year old preschool. I have truly dreamed of this day and all the awesome things I could accomplish in my treasured 3 hours, but now that I am there, I am kind of sad. It is VERY quiet. I am sitting in a new spot (opposite of the play area) and I am overwhelmed with my new found freedom. Is this what it is going to be like next year when Jonah is in 4 year old preschool 4 mornings a week, and then the next year when he goes off to Kindergarten? I know this is where we want our kids to be, gaining their independence from us, but what do we as moms do now? I guess I will start by praising God that I am a mom and that I have 3 beautiful, healthy children who love Him and life. I pray they continue on this cycle of gaining their independence and that God would bless me with the gift of letting them go and grow. I pray He would fill me with His presence as together, we begin this journey together.
*Chick-fil-A is a great hang out. They play the best praise music ever. I am already enjoying my time in His presense.

Miss CO 2008, Princess Leah

I just recieved Leah's professional pictures of Miss CO. This is her second year in the Miss CO Princess Program. Last year we were paired with Maggie Ireland, Miss Littleton(thank you Britt Travis for hooking us up). Maggie is an amazing young woman whom we have had so much fun getting to know. Maggie ended up winning the title Miss CO 2007. So, we had to be there this year as Maggie gave up her title. She did a wonderful job representing CO this past year and we are very proud of her. You can learn more about Maggie and the Miss CO Princess Program here. Leah looked adorable and truly felt like a princess. We went and had her nails and toe nails done along with her hair fixed. A special thank you to Leah Dawson for letting us borrow her beautiful dress. We are also very proud to announce that our cousin, Rebecca Robinson was crowned Miss TX this year. check out her beautiful pictures and story here. Becca will do a fabulous job representing Texas this year and I can't wait to see her in the Miss America pageant

Long Time, No Type

Ok, I am feeling the peer pressure to post. I do appreciate the urging and encouraging to get something out there. Thank you to my 6 devoted fans. I keep waiting for summer to slow down, but we are almost halfway through our summer and I still can't find time to do much besides cart kids her there and everywhere, work and play with kids. My projects list is still growing and so are my posts. So, for those of you who have asked, I will post a few pictures now and let you know I am alive. I will continue to keep my list of "things to post" handy and add to it daily and suprise you occasionally with words and pics. Here is a quick summary of what our summer has consisted of: the zoo(twice), Noah's camp at the Longmont Humane Society, Leah participating in the Miss CO pageant, movies, games, karate (even Jonah), working two days and watching 6 two other days, baseball 3 evenings a week (Noah), a day trip to Estes Park, a closet redo (great story) and various other activities. I currently have all 6 kids sleeping so that is why I am able to post. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing day at work tomorrow. And I am very excitied about my trip to Silverthorne this weekend for our MOPS steering retreat to plan the coming 2008-2009 year. I will post lots more on that someday. Enjoy the pics and know even if I am not typing or reading your blogs, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you!!! The pictures: Leah dressed up to go to a birthday tea party, Jonah at Karate, Noah playing catcher at baseball, and our trip to the zoo.

Spring Break Part 3 (The End)

Jonah's Firetruck party was a hit not only for the kids, but the adults too. Our Firestation was so awesome. They let us do the whole party in the bay of the Firestation. The kids were able to climb on the outside of the truck and also sit in the drivers seat. I got some great pics. The firefighters did a great job showing us everything on the truck and also what it is used for. Then, one fireman put on all his gear (which they have 1 minute per item to get on) and show the kids his transformation from regular man to alien looking firefighter. The kids were able to go up to him with all his gear on and see that he was not scarey, but their friend. All that gear they wear weighs over 50 pounds and they have to wear it while driving the truck (I can't even drive my van when I have my coat on). Then, they had Chris put on the fireman gear. He looked great! I was wishing we could have had it for later that night when we were alone(just kidding). Now let me share with you what not to do for icing a cake. Anyone who has tried to make red icing knows how hard it is to obtain red color that is not pink looking. Therefore, to achieve the non-pink firetruck color we added 2 1/4 bottles of red Wilton coloring. The cakes looked great (except that they leaned to one side and looked like they had flats) however, adding too much icing makes the taste VERY BITTER. Needless to say my cakes (after pics) ended up in the trash. The kids enjoyed the ice cream cups and after we got home my uncle went to the grocery store and got us a cake. It was fabulous!!! My favorite part of Jonah's b-day week is the way his face lights up when you sing the Happy Birthday song to him. It is precious. My favorite story about Jonah right now is that when you ask him what his name is, he says, Jonah and the whale. Jonah being his first name and the whale being his middle name. We have watched the Veggie Tale Jonah and the whale DVD a few times.

Spring Break Part 2

I had a few activities planned/prepared to keep the kids busy while I finished up tagging/taking and working the Consignment Sale. A few of the crafts I picked up at Michael's for cheap. They will come in hand for summer break too. Other things I found in magazines. One awesome activity was with the loops from back in our day of making pot holders. Well, they showed you how to make a jump rope. We are still working on it, but it is awesome. You can go to http://www.familyfun.com/ to find the instructions. Another activity was using marshmellows and toothpicks to make different formations. (very cheap project and the marshmellows for great snacks too). Along those same lines, was making formations with straws (also very cheap). And my kids favorite standby, playing with playdough. I had found some great recipes, but we still have so much of the store bought stuff I decided to save that for later. My aunt and uncle came in town from OK mid week. We made lots of trips to Target and just watched movies at home and at the new theatre down the street. The new theatre had a free day on the day before their grand opening. Everyone enjoyed seeing The Waterhorse. Then, the adult girls stayed and watched PS I love you. Also a great movie. On Friday, we met my aunt and uncle that live in CO at IHOP to celebrate Jonah's b-day and enjoy the Horton Hears a Who pancakes. They were yummy! Then my aunt and uncle from OK took Noah and Leah to see the movie Horton Hear a Who while the rest of us came home to clean, nap and finish getting things ready for Jonah's Firetruck party. I will post party pics and details in Spring Break Part 3.