Home Sweet Home

After riding in a van, on an airplane, in a bus, on a tram, on another airplane, and in a car, we are home! I was a very good boy on our trip, if I do say so myself. We woke up this morning at 5:00AM EST (4:00AM Iowa time); Momma and Daddy said that they're not going to stay up tonight to watch the ball drop (whatever that means). My My is home from her vacation now too, so I'm sure you'll hear from her tomorrow. Do you think she'll let me "guest post" again someday?
Hope to talk to you soon...Tyler J. Nugent

Sing, Sing, Sing!

I love to sing. I spent the whole day singing. I especially like to sing "Farmer in the Dell". "Old MacDonald Had a Farm". "Wheels on the Bus", and "Jingle Bells". We are at a hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina and will fly home tomorrow. I miss my room, my toys, and my pets, Lilo, Stitch, and Sadie. On Monday, I start going back to My My's house when Momma and Daddy go back to work. We're going to have to wake up REALLY EARLY every morning...no more sleeping in until 6:30! Have a nice night! Tyler Nugent (aka Ty Ty John)

I Think I Have a New Favorite

I have loved cows forever. I don't go anywhere without my "Baby Cow". But now I think I have a new favorite. Horses. We went to the Fort Bragg stables today, and I got to ride Amanda's horse, Billy. That was lots of fun. I got to see all of the other horses, too. This morning we went to the Airborne museum, the cupcake store, and the mall. I fell asleep just as we were getting to the mall, so Daddy, Momma, and My My pushed my stroller around until I woke up. (I don't remember any of that because I was asleep.) We went out for dinner tonight; I had fun playing with things on the table. The ketchup bottle was Daddy, the cocktail sauce bottle was Momma, the pepper was Uncle Guck, I was the salt, and the hot sauce bottle was Amanda. As you can see, just like my My My, I am easily entertained! Time for bed...TTYL...Ty Ty John
PS...My My has been taking lots of pictures. She told me that she will post some of them when we get home. : )

On Broadway

I appeared on Broadway today! Broadway on the Beach, that is. We went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I liked the mahi-mahi at the restaurant, the aquarium, feeding the ducks, and the fudge! I slept almost the whole way back to Fayetteville (good thing I wasn't driving). Momma and Daddy "distracted" me long enough to wash and dry my B (blanket). I heard Momma say something about it being filthy. I guess dragging it in the dirt isn't a good idea. Talk to you tomorrow! Ty

Three Strikes...We're Out!

Three strikes here today...
1) the museum we wanted to go to was closed
2) the pizzeria where we wanted to eat lunch was closed
3) the cupcake store was closed
And, there was a BLACK ICE ADVISORY here until lunchtime!
This afternoon, momma, daddy, Guck, and Amanda drove around Fort Bragg, did some shopping, and stopped at the stables to fed Billy (Amanda's horse). My My and I stayed at Guck's apartment and played with my farm animals and Mr. Potato Head. I took a nap, too. Tomorrow, we are going to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to go to an aquarium. I am having fun on our vacation. I will talk to you tomorrow. Tyler John Nugent : )
PS...I like birthdays. I've only had two. I don't remember my first one, and I was sick for my second one. (My birthday party even had to be postponed!) Anyway, My My told me not to forget that we have a family birthday today. So...Happy Birthday, Susan!

It Never Snows in Carolina

Hi everyone! Momma and Daddy were excited when we got here yesterday...there was lots of green grass everywhere. They said it would be fun for us to be outside playing and going for walks. Guess what? When we woke up, this morning, it was snowing! Uncle Guck said that it snowed about 6 inches today. We ate sliders and sweet potato fries at Smokey Bones, and I ran around Macy's Department store, laughing and screaming. Tonight, my daddy, Uncle Guck, and Amanda went to the Hurricanes-Capitals NHL game in Raleigh. And guess who they went with? Matt Lauer!!! He was at Uncle Guck's apartment this afternoon, but I didn't get to see him (I was asleep). MyMy said he is really nice. I don't know what we'll do tomorrow! Tyler : )

I have wings!

Hi everybody! My name is Tyler Nugent. I told my MyMy that I would post for her for a few days so she can have a break. Guess what? I'm in North Carolina at my Uncle Guck's house! I went on my first airplane ride today (actually, two planes). I sat in my car seat in the plane and even took a short nap. I'm having fun at Uncle Guck's. He has lots of fun stuff to play with!

Say It Isn't So!!!!!

I've decided to give myself a little break from the blog. However, I've asked a guest writer to fill in for me while I'm on hiatus. Granted, he's a little inexperienced, but I've heard that he has a way with words. I have a feeling that you'll enjoy his posts. I'll see you next year... until then...Happy Holidays!

All Done!

Christmas shopping? Done
Gift wrapping? Done
Baking/cooking? Done
Christmas cards sent? Well, maybe next year.
(Three out of four isn't too bad!)

Shop 'Til You Drop

Is there anyone (besides me) who is not done Christmas shopping?

Full Moon

Did anyone else notice the moon tonight? One of the best I've ever seen!!!

I Deserve A Break Today!

It was SO nice to have ZERO kids today...especially since I'm starting to feel human again!

Christmas Food Groups

According to Buddy the Elf, there are four main food groups:
1) candy
2) candy canes
3) candy corns
4) syrup

I, however, prefer my own version of the food groups, of which there are only two:
1) everything salty
2) everything sweet

Any questions?

Christmas Eve Memories

When you're a kid, so many things seem magical. I remember every Christmas Eve in this way. We always went to church and, after the service, it was often snowing. The Christmas Eve snow was different than snow at other times; it covered everything with a blanket of sparkly glitter. And..the little brown lunch bags we were given as we left the church...I think I remember an apple, a popcorn ball, and a candy cane. Funny how things that are so simple and basic leave lasting impressions.

Happy 10th birthday, Arianna and Brianna!

Couches

Aren't couches a great invention? Ed (my cat) and I spent all day sleeping on mine!

Birthday Day

Happy Birthday, Leslie and Happy Birthday, Tyler!
That's all for tonight...writing that took ALL of the energy I have left! : (

Seasons

My least favorite? Cold and Flu

Maybe Next Year

Tonight, I had planned to entertain you with the lyrics from my song, The Twelve Days Before Christmas. However, I just realized that there are less than twelve days left! Rats...I missed my opportunity to impress you with my songwriting talents!

Someone Special

K and C's parents shared this story with me when they dropped K off this morning:
Last Thursday night, their family attended C's holiday program at his preschool. Toward the end of the program, the school's director announced that "someone special" was waiting in the hallway for the children. Mom and Dad said that they could literally feel the excitement in the room. C, eyes wide with anticipation, turned to his parents and said, "It must be Diane!".

Yes...you guessed it..."our" Diane. Thanks, Owly Lady and Jenn, for all you do for my kids and me. You are more special to us than the man in the red suit!

Love Those Late Starts!

Just got word that the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Schools are delayed two hours tomorrow morning (probably because of the wind chill). Late start days are always fun to anticipate...a break in the usual routine, a chance to sleep a few extra minutes, time for myself before the kids start arriving. Aaron's taking the day off tomorrow to stay home and play with Tyler (lucky them), so I'm just expecting K, D, and B.

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls

Is it just me, or do the Christmas memories of the Grant girls revolve around a recurring theme? I also remember the dolls and the doll clothes, especially the year I received a black patent leather suitcase full of Barbie clothes. However, I don't remember if mom made all of those clothes herself...Bev, did you do some of the sewing? Also the doll furniture... a high chair and a doll bed. And a "big" doll (which I still have). Looking back, I now realize how much Dad and Mom did with very little money. They always made sure that Christmas was a special day.

Whoops!!!

As you all know, Diane, Jenn, and I have been working on an accurate and up-to-date list of important family dates (anniversaries, birthdays, etc.). Thanks, everyone, for responding so quickly to Diane's request for corrections. I did learn something new this week...Peter's birthday is in November, not December!!! (His birthday is November 25; for some reason, I thought it was coming up on December 23.) And so, better late than never, here's my wish...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, PETER!!!

Kids Say (and Do) The Darndest Things

This morning, K and D were arguing over a toy. I ushered them to separate parts of the room and put the toy away. A couple of minutes later, D approached K and said, "Sorry, K". K's reply... "It's OK, D. Let's hug".

Earlier today, D came walking down the hallway with no clothes on. I said, "D, it's too cold to not wear clothes. Besides, you have to wear clothes at my house". She turned around and ran in the opposite direction. Since she can't yet dress herself, I followed her and found her standing by the front door (still clothesless). "D, where are you going?". Her answer? "Swimming!"

Me... "K, please come here".
K..."I'm on my way!"

Early To Bed...

Hi everyone! Would you believe that I'm getting ready to go to bed? (I rarely go to bed before 11 or 12). Need to get my "beauty sleep"...all six kids will be here tomorrow! Thanks to Jenn and Diane for stopping in with soup, bread, and other goodies and for reading to Ty and putting on a fantastic puppet show, to Jaime for running my errands and for doing my laundry tonight, and to Ty for providing dinner entertainment!
PS...Thanks for all your great comments. I will write back soon!

It's Always Something

This week, it's the clothes washer. Last night, the knob that controls everything came loose. At the laundromat, someone asked me if I was "new". No, unfortunately, I'm not new. I feel like I'm at the laundromat way too often.
What's your something this week?

Time Management

I'm trying to figure out how to squeeze seven hours worth of evening work into four. Any suggestions?

Christmas with Wartburg

Today, I had the pleasure of accompanying the D Wolffs to Christmas with Wartburg, a holiday tradition that started 65 years ago. The concert was amazing and professionally done. The highlight for me was O Holy Night, sung by Simon Estes, the Wartburg Choir, a children's choir, and accompanied by the Wartburg orchestra. Wow! The dinner, as always, was excellent, too. I couldn't eat all of it; it was especially disappointing to not be able to finish the red velvet cheesecake with cream cheese frosting! Thanks, Wolffs for inviting me again this year. And, thanks for giving me a ride to the Durango (so I didn't have to walk in six inch heels...in the dark...and the cold...wearing no coat). As you can tell, I'm being stubborn about accepting the winter-like weather that has arrived! A little trivia question: How many years has the D Wolff family attended Christmas with Wartburg? (I don't know the answer, but I'm going to guess over 30. D, D, and J...am I close?)

You Are Invited...

to join me this month in a trip down memory lane. The Christmas season always brings to mind many memories of childhood holiday traditions and celebrations. I plan to blog about some of my favorite memories and invite you to do so, too. It would be especially great to hear from everyone (from the very young to the young at heart) in the Grant, Van Ornam, Weller, and Wolff families!

Busy Day...Lazy Night

A busy day...played with, fed, and cleaned up after four kids, anticipated a snowstorm that didn't happen, and ate dinner with Adam at The Hickory House.

A lazy night...sat down to watch a movie, Eddie crawled onto my lap and fell asleep, fell asleep myself because I couldn't jump up every five minutes, woke up two hours later (cat still asleep on lap).

Time Flies, Part 2...

No, they did not. Tyler got sick during the night Monday night, so they decided to stay home. We were disappointed that they missed the trip, and that Derek and Tyler didn't have a chance to spend time together. However, it was so incredibly hot while we were there...poor Ty would have been miserable! Fast forward to last night. I spent about an hour and a half on the phone and online, trying to book our Christmas flight to NC. This included a reissuing of one of the tickets from last June...complicated, but the agent finally figured it out. We're flying from Cedar Rapids on Christmas Day and will return on the 31st. I'm excited about seeing Derek, staying at his new townhouse, and having the opportunity to experience Tyler's first flight!
PS...No flu for me...yet!

Time Flies...Will We?

This past June, A, A, J, Ty, and I planned to travel to see Derek in North Carolina. Adam and I decided to road trip. On Saturday, June 12, we packed the rental car from the floorboards to the rooftop. In addition to our own "stuff", we had three large suitcases for the Nugents (so they wouldn't have to check luggage at the airport), a car seat, a stroller, a laundry basket full of toys, diapers, pillows, blankets, towels....the list goes on and on. Later that day, Jaime called to tell me that Tyler had thrown up. (I forgot to mention that the kids had all had the flu the week before.) No problem (we thought); their flight wasn't scheduled until Monday...surely he'd be well by then. And sure enough, on Sunday, he was fine. Monday morning, June 14, he threw up on the way to the airport. They went back home and rebooked their flight for the next day. Did they fly on Tuesday? You'll have to read tomorrow night's post to find out!
To be continued...