The Yager Family

Someone got spoiled on Christmas! Sweet little thing!

2011-12-25T14:20:00.000-05:00

Dec. 2011

2011-12-06T07:47:00.001-05:00

My handsome little santa clause...remembering the reason for the season...at the same time spoiling this kid rotten at Christmas time. A Jeep 4 wheeler rolled into our house off of the UPS truck last week...can't wait to watch his eyes light up with joy! Oh how I loooove being a momma :) Merry Christmas Y'all!

The Yager's

2011-11-17T15:38:00.000-05:00

Well, things haven't changed...our life is still BUSY BUSY BUSY, but I looove it! We've been doing a few home projects. And this weekend we're putting up our 12' Christmas tree! Eeek! Here's a few pictures of our projects, as well as a picture of my naughty santa (who will not cooperate for his Christmas photos)! The Joy of having a mother who's a photographer....
(crappy blackberry photos)

and here's our naughty santa.......

Halloween 2011 - our sweet little boy :)

2011-11-02T08:40:00.000-04:00

We walked around the most beautiful neighborhood this Halloween and collected TONS of candy. Bryce was super polite and has talked about Halloween and candy each morning since Oct. 31st!

I just loved all the "awws" we got when walking this little man from door to door. Now if I can keep my sticky fingers away from all the chocolate! Happy Halloween friends and family :)

10/12/11...

2011-10-12T22:33:00.000-04:00

It makes me sad that I've been such a bad blogger these days...guess that's what happens when you're running all over the place with a curious two year old. We're loving the fall weather! Tonight we TRIED carving pumpkins, but Bryce continued to tell me that it was "gross" and that he didn't want to touch 'it'. Some how his love for pumpkins went down the drain when he saw all the gunk inside of it. So...Mark made a Buffalo Bills Pumpkin and carved 'Bryce' into mine. Bryce enjoyed watching from afar as he drove his bike in circles! Instead of some sweet pictures by the pumpkins, I instead captured these. Guess he's cute either way.

cousins

2011-09-08T07:24:00.003-04:00

Our fantastic little swimmer!

2011-08-08T14:41:00.000-04:00

Cooling down!

2011-08-01T13:06:00.002-04:00

posts

2011-07-29T12:22:00.000-04:00

Hey friends and family,
I promise to post more pictures of the sweet little monster soon! He's bigger, cuter and crazier than ever! For those of you who know about his hair loss situation.......we're getting it under control....thank goodness! Hope you're all enjoying your summer. Miss all of you!

Farragut Fun

2011-07-12T15:55:00.001-04:00

I love being a Farragut momma! I love this area more than I can express and LOVE all the beautiful areas I can take my son to play. McFee Park has a brand new playarea and splash pad. One of our favorite new places to burn some energy! Here's my favorite little monster doing what he does best....

My white hair child :) The sun loves this kid!

2011-07-05T21:05:00.000-04:00

Forgive me for being a terrible blogger....again! Summer is slipping between my fingers. It's JULY people! Ah! I've been busy over on tarynyagerphotography.com (PTL!) and have been neglecting my poor child (of course not really). Tonight after our fun shopping trip (Thank you Krogers for having kid shopping carts with a car that leads the cart!!) we played outside. The lighting was beautiful and my cute WHITE haired child was being silly so I grabbed my camera! I hope you all find yourself to be having a wonderful summer!

Happy Friday :)

2011-06-17T21:16:00.000-04:00

I decided to keep the ketchup on his face...makes him all that much more cute ;) Happy Friday y'all! :)

Summer heat!

2011-06-05T08:17:00.000-04:00

Ok, since I'm on a roll, I thought I'd add a few more pictures of the little man! When I say we've been spending a lot of time outdoors, I most seriously mean it!! We have so many parks around us that we enjoy visiting, as well as spending time in the front yard playing in our little tikes and sprinkler! For an anniversary gift from my parents (YES WE'RE APPROACHING OUR FIVE YEAR, CRAZY HUH!) we received Zoo family season passes, super duper excited to take Bryce many times this summer! So yes, even with this heat we've been and will continue to play outside and soak in all the vitamin D that we can! If nothing else fails, we have popsicles to cool us down...and Bryce likes them to see the least!

Goldfish Break!

2011-06-03T18:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry about the lack of posts! I finally turned the camera on my little man this afternoon while he was playing in the sprinkler. This picture is when he stopped for a Goldfish break :) Isn't he a stud...and such a toddler?? It's hard for me to see any baby in that face anymore :( Good thing I have a neice and nephew on the way! I'm going to have to get my baby fix from the both of them!

Bryce has been enjoying playing in the water during this HOT streak we've been having (also known as summer, ha!). We're fortunate to have a neighborhood pool and love taking wagon rides to the pool to cool down!

Mommy's Heart Breaker!

2011-05-20T12:35:00.001-04:00

Well my husband surprised me with my dream camera on Monday (in addition shipped it express, brownie points right?!) And although Bryce is my little heartbreaker, he sure gives me a difficult time when trying to take his picture. 2 years old and can already run 100 miles per hour...honest :) Happy Friday friends and family!

Become a fan of my Facebook page if you'd like!

2011-05-13T21:48:00.003-04:00

Happy Friday!

2011-05-13T16:18:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday!!

Cousins are best friends!

2011-05-12T11:45:00.000-04:00

Really quickly count to 10...in just about that amount of time, I (and when I say I, I mean just myself) took my 2 year old 10 hrs. up North for a 2 day visit with the Drost side of the family! Although I still feel like I could fall flat on my face from exhaustion, when all said and done it was worth it!! Bryce is a champ in the car and I couldn't be more proud of his behavior during the drive! Now sharing is another issue.....but, we're working on that (sorry Carson). Here's a quick recap!

Oh and most exciting my little siste was the 4th to graduate from Hope College!! And, she's the newest resident of Farragut, TN! Aren't my sisters beautiful!?!?

A Thursday Smootch!

2011-05-05T14:32:00.000-04:00

And just to make your Thursday all a little more brighter, here's a smootch from the little guy!

2 years young

2011-05-04T21:10:00.000-04:00

Two years young...my sweet little baby is looking more and more like a big boy each day!

I'm the BIG BROTHER!!!

2011-04-28T12:58:00.000-04:00

Such exciting news!! Mr. Carson will be a BIG BROTHER in October! Several weeks ago (in Feb.) I was talking to my sister...and I just had this feeling... Guess it's the special bond that I share with my sister (which I am so greatful for)! I guessed, and I was right. My sister begged and pleaded that I keep it a secret..not for a few wks, but for a few MONTHS! Ah, it was so difficult because I'm an Aunt with such PRIDE. I wanted to climb to the top of the smokies and shout it, but kept my promise. Carson finally delivered the exciting news to our friends and family last weekend!! I love the process of pregnancy, child birth etc., so I'll enjoy living vicariously through my older sister the next serveral months! Here is the very proud big brother...

Happy Easter

2011-04-28T12:41:00.005-04:00

Thank You for the gift of HOPE

You gave us on Easter morning.

Because of You we know

That no problem is too difficult

And even death does not have power over us.

Thank You for the gift of JOY

You gave us when You were resurrected.

Because of you we know

That no matter how challenging life may be,

In the end we will rejoice again.

Thank you for the gift of LOVE

You gave us when You laid down Your life.

Because of You we know

That there is no sin too great to separate us

and we are incredibly valuable to You.

Thank You for the gift of LIFE,

You gave us when You left the tomb.

Because of Easter we know

this world is just the beginning

and we will spend forever in heaven with You.

We celebrate You, JESUS,

With hearts full of praise and gratitude

For who You are and all You’ve done for us!

2nd Birthday

2011-04-28T12:28:00.004-04:00

Bryce had a wonderful 2nd Birthday. We enjoyed celebrating 2 years of wonderfulness :) Once Bryce went to bed on Friday night, we filled the room with surprises. He was so excited to wake up and see all the presents. He immediately ran to his choo-choo....which made it difficult for him to take a break and open the rest of his gifts. Later in the morning we went to Chuck-E-Cheese where Bryce enjoyed driving the big truck, riding on the horse, and eating pizza! He refused his afternoon nap by repeating "I want to play" over and over and over. So instead we invited my lovely friend Jessica and here 2 sweeties to come over for cupcakes and sing the little man Happy Birthday! 2 Years Old...Just like that!

Happy Birthday Bryce Jaxon ~ April 23, 2011

2011-04-22T15:31:00.001-04:00

Bryce,

I sat pondering the words to write for your first birthday letter just yesterday (1st birthday letter)…well, ok, a year ago, but it feels like yesterday! This second year has slipped between my fingers like the quick sand in an hour glass. Although some of my most favorite memories come from your first year, your second year does not trail behind as it has truly left me smiling at all your big boy accomplishments and fun memories that we have shared. I find it difficult to summarize your second year in a way that does it justice. If It was 20 years from now and I had to explain to you your second year, I guess it would go something like this…

I would tell you how excited we were to watch you take your first big boy steps. I wanted so badly to keep you a baby forever, but I shined with pride as I saw you take those first steps across our living room in Kawatuska (watch Bryce's first steps)! How fun it was to watch you walk from place to place and discover how to make your mom go crazy by making a total mess.

I would tell you about your favorite toys, and how you spent countless hours driving around in your Cozy Coupe. Or how you had a fascination with lawn mowers-one particular evening the only way to get you in the car was to safety belt your mower in the seat beside you. You loved your “Choos Choos” too! I loved how you would line them up from one side of the room to the other! Trucks were pretty cool also! Your daddy chuckles at the memory of you on Halloween night and how you seemed more excited with the passing trucks (stopping, pointing and making your own version of a truck sound), than you were by receiving handfuls of candy.

But, the memory I would be most excited to share with you from this second year would be the time that your little brown eyes looked up at me and said, “I love you”. I love the way you love me, Bryce. It’s ok to me that you have a bit of separation anxiety… that quick sand continues to fall and just.like.that…you’ll be three, than four, than five... Thankfully your daddy has given us the best gift in the whole wide world-for me to stay home with you. I’m so thankful that in this second year I haven’t missed a moment… because I know too well that in a blink of an eye you really will be 20, and the idea of this won't just be hypothetical!

Happy Birthday Big Boy! So thankful God handpicked YOU for ME! I love you!

Momma

Refusing to take a bath!

2011-04-18T13:29:00.000-04:00

Too young to be refusing a bath and only agreeing to a shower...we're in some big trouble with this little 2 year old (almost) going onto 20!

Great Grandparents

2011-04-16T12:39:00.002-04:00

Bryce was blessed to have some very special visitors stop by today-his Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Rothenberger. He was excited to take them both by the hand and lead them around his new home. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for the wonderful lunch at Red Robin and for spending the morning with us. We love you!

Cheese Ball

2011-04-13T21:14:00.000-04:00

I have been so busy lately...but wanted to put a quick picture of Bryce on the blog. The cheeseball now fake smiles. I can say "fake smile" and he'll put on this silly grin. I can't help but smile each time he does this! P.S. The tears have already started to fall at the mere thought of my baby turning two in 10 days...send some tissues this way!

and look at those dirty feet ...

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

2011-04-07T11:53:00.001-04:00

Here I go again...another bath type picture, but come on ... he's so dang cute when he's all clean and wrapped up! This little goober has been spending more time outdoors which usually results in mud, bugs, slivers, and anything else nasty that he can find. A bath after being outside is a MUST as my son sets a personal goal each time he's outdoors to get himself more dirty than the time before! Oh goodness...I can't imagine my life with out a BOY! :)

Blog-a-holic

2011-04-05T14:32:00.006-04:00

I'll tell you why I LOVE to blog...It is so much fun to have a 'journal' to look back on and reminisce! This was my blog entry almost 2 years ago to the day 4/3/2009 (3 wks before the charmer came into this world). Blog entries like this have me smiling on the fact that I'm a blog-a-holic!

Happy Tuesday to all my Followers!

He's our CHAMP!

2011-04-03T13:46:00.001-04:00

Bryce's Dadda is such a champ! This morning Mark ran his second half marathon! Bryce was his biggest fan as he cheered "go dadda go!". Way to go dadda!! You amaze us both!

recovering...

2011-04-01T11:13:00.011-04:00

Here's prince charming on the mend! So much easier to take pictures when he's not bouncing off the walls like normal! Thanks for the well wishes and prayers...goodbye mr. flew bug!

yup, puke on bed equals thorough bed cleaning

Pray for my poor, sleepy, sick baby!

2011-03-31T11:48:00.007-04:00

Every single flu bug has 'bit' my poor little baby this winter...healthy and happy to sick and sleepy. Please pray for the return of my energetic/sweet/bouncing off the walls, toddler. Wishing momma could 'fix' you my little man!

The A word is coming up!

2011-03-29T10:23:00.003-04:00

Can you believe March is almost over?! And...with the departure of March comes April...the month my ~~newborn baby~~ toddler turns 2!I think it was about this time last year I was tearing up at the thoughts that my baby was turning 1 and JUST.LIKE.THAT....the little love of my life turns 2.

If you know Mark and I than you know we're big smootchers. We smootch all over our baby about 98% of the day. Yesterday I was giving Bryce his morning smootches and he put his little hand up and said, "momma stop". Ouch, ha! I quickly reminded him that he will get momma's smootches forever and that momma aint never stopping! But it was a quick reminder that our little man is growing up...and that momma's not needed for his EVERY move. Guess that happens....Bryce does not have a pause button, believe me I have looked!

I absolutely love being his momma and count my blessing EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! It's the simple things that make this momma's heart smile...such as how sweet he is in his morning bath!

My Latest Project! :)

2011-03-26T22:06:00.000-04:00

My latest project: http://tyagerphotos.blogspot.com/

Spring Break!

2011-03-25T21:01:00.000-04:00

Again, behind a bit on blogging...I'll blame it on my little sister! We've been all over East Tennessee and enjoying our Spring Breaks! Of course this included a stop at the Cupcakery!

Hope you all have a good weekend and I promise to be back to my family blog soon!!

A walk around the park!

2011-03-19T21:24:00.000-04:00

So blessed with this beautiful WARM and SUNNY spring weather! Aunt Nay is here and we've been enjoying the outdoors! Here's some pictures of the little charmer on our walk around the beautiful parks in Farragut!

Kiss Me

2011-03-18T08:51:00.001-04:00

BUSY BUSY BUSY....sorry about the break in posts! Here's a quick one, just to make you smile!

Momma's Birthday Cupcake

2011-03-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

I have to admit it, I turned a year older this week! I'm officially less than 3 years from 30. Isn't it unbelievable that I can clearly remember celebrating my mother's 30th birthday...down to exactly where I was sitting during the party (I was 8 years old)?!?! And, now here I am 3 years from celebrating the big 3-0. How in the world can that be? I was just walking the halls in highschool, and sitting in the coffee hut in College...and wasn't I married a few weeks ago? Guess I'll have to admit it...as my Grandma Rothenberger calls it, "I'm an old fart!"
My amazing husband spoiled me with photography equipment...and the most delicious cupcakes from Fresh Market...so I put the two together as well as added my little star, and this was the result! Oh boy was he in heaven!

My goof

2011-03-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

This little goof keeps me smiling all.day.long. Every kid does it, but it's extra cute when the kid is your own! :) Happy Wednesday to you all!

Our very special Gigi

2011-03-08T13:07:00.000-05:00

Gigi! What a beautiful women she is! Mother of 2, Grandmother to 7, and great grandma to 11! Isn't her smile contagious and isn't she just the most beautiful aged women you ever did see?! Bryce loves his Gigi. He talks about her constantly and with the mentioning of her name, he lights right up! He's shy around most 'grown ups', but around Gigi, he's just plain comfortable. He loves to hold her hands, give her 'tisses' and babble her a whole story. Gigi's birthday is tomorrow...and I'd like to not only wish her happy birthday, but also to let everyone know just how special and beautiful we think our Gigi is!
Happy Birthday Grandma! We love you!

Chattanooga Aquarium

2011-03-05T19:26:00.006-05:00

Oh my goodness...Such a fun Saturday! We woke up this morning and decided to take a trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium!! Watching Bryce light up at each new fish he saw was more than a soft tickle to this momma's heart! The aquarium was BEAUTIFUL to say the least! What a sweet memory with my sweet little family!

Blog addicted? Camera addicted? Bryce addicted?! Not sure which!? :)

2011-03-03T12:51:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the overload of blogs lately. I've been doing a lot of 'homework' with my camera lately, and once I learn something new, it's hard to not put my new knowledge to work.......so as a result little Bryce becomes, yet again, the star of the show!
PS, this little dude recently turned 22 months!!! Can you believe he'll be two before we know it?!?

Bryce and his Belly Butt

2011-03-02T11:40:00.005-05:00

Bryce loves his 'belly butt'...and so does his mommy! I don't care if he goes his WHOLE life calling it his belly butt, because I'm pretty sure it's the cutest word ever! Happy Wednesday y'all...and HELLO March!

Adding this picture of B from yesterday...love his shiny eyes from the natural light in our living room!

No Monday Blues for this Momma!

2011-02-28T21:17:00.003-05:00

No Monday blues for this momma...not when I'm BLESSED to spend my whole Monday with the littlest love of my life! I truly don't take a day for granted. A friend of mine recently wrote that she blinked a few too many times and her baby girl turned two....how true that also seems to me! I wish I could quit blinking because I am truly in love with my crazy, but sweet little toddler!

Bryce is on the recovering end of the flu, horrible congestion, and several days of a high fever. His outfit of choice was his diaper (only). Even on his sickest days…it wasn’t too difficult to find a smile. Thank God the little man is feeling better and back to his healthy self! March is tomorrow, so here’s hoping to the end of flu season (dare I say that?)...and to NOT blinking ;)

These little hands just kill me!

2011-02-26T21:11:00.005-05:00

I have the clearest memory of holding Bryce's hands when he was itty bitty (5lbs 2oz)...his little fingers were too tiny for words. I swear it was yesterday that we were covering his hands with newborn mittens to keep him from scratching his sweet little newborn face.

Today these tiny hands ~~are into EVERYTHING~~ still melt my heart.....but what melts this momma's heart the most, is when he reaches for my hand "hold hand momma". Again, a memory I hope to NEVER forget!

We have a 'Cho Cho' lover on our hands!

2011-02-19T09:27:00.007-05:00

I'm not sure how it happened...but our little man has become OBSESSED with 'cho chos'. Last night we went to Borders and spent some time in the children's area...and I'm pretty sure we looked at EVERY train book there was! I just love seeing his love for his 'cho chos'.

Sun's still shining!

2011-02-16T17:27:00.000-05:00

For having such a FREEZING COLD WINTER...this February sure has brought so much sun! Today Bryce and I took advantage of the swing set that belongs to our subdivision! Although I personally wish we had a whole playground, Bryce enjoyed the swings and outdoor space to run around! I of course took advantage of our outing to bring the camera and work on using my new lens! Obsessed a little...I know! Happy Wednesday friends and family!

L.O.V.E

2011-02-14T13:29:00.006-05:00

It's the simple things that make Valentine's sweet! I personally don't think there's a need for a dozen roses, or a 5 course meal...but instead stopping the business of life and making your loved ones smile. I've enjoyed making today a little special for my boys! Heart shaped pancakes & heart shaped pizza are just to name a few of the ways! I've tried to make a special memory for Bryce's 2nd Valentine's Day, and 'Momma and Dadda's' 9th! Happy Valentines to all my readers, but especially to my boys who make me smile!

Blessed with a beautiful weekend~!

2011-02-13T09:20:00.002-05:00

A weekend in the 50's means fresh air for us Yager's! Yesterday Bryce played outside with his outside toys. He was so excited to be outside that during his playing at one point he stopped, came over to me and said 'kiss' while leaning in to smootch my lips. What a little heartbreaker! I loved spending the weekend with my two favorite boys-my wonderful Valentines. Warm weekends like these excite me for spring & summer when we can spend more time outdoors and swim in our pool! Happy Weekend Y'all!

BoYs CaN PlAy DrEsS Up ToO!

2011-02-10T18:32:00.001-05:00

Bryce is always getting into something! This morning when I was getting dressed, Bryce decided to pull daddy's Ties off the hangers. Not thinking much of it, I showed him, by putting one on myself, how a tie is put on. I then continued to do my morning routine until...I.Saw.THIS...So blessed to have this little guy in my life to give me extra smiles during my day!

Seeing through a new lens!

2011-02-10T10:45:00.001-05:00

Last week my wonderful husband surprised/spoiled me by purchasing a new 50mm lens and an editing program, Light Room 3, for my camera! My lens arrived yesterday…and I couldn’t be happier! I’m still waiting on the editing software…very patiently, ha! Haven’t had much time to ‘practice’, but thought a little blog update was needed. Love taking pictures of this adorable little guy!

Little man

2011-02-03T21:33:00.000-05:00

These pictures are from the other day...we're already missing the warm weather!! Is it Spring yet?!?!

Firefighter Bryce!

2011-01-31T11:01:00.003-05:00

What will little man be when he grows up?!?!? At this point and time I'd have to guess a firefighter~ Bryce wakes up and wonders where his hat is...I'm pretty sure he'd sleep in it if I let him. Doesn't he make the cutest little firefighter you ever did see~!!

Outside on a WARM winter day!!

2011-01-29T18:48:00.009-05:00

A weekend in the low 60's!! We'll take it! We're so blessed to be surrounded by several beautiful parks and playgrounds! Down the street from our house is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL Catholic Church (just as pretty inside as it is out!). The Church has a FENCED IN playground...Spent the majority of our Sat. morning running and playing outside!! Sunshine, oh how we love you!!

1/27/11

2011-01-27T13:19:00.006-05:00

The Fever blues....

2011-01-24T10:24:00.003-05:00

Grumpy it's winter time...and with that brings many germy bugs....and we sure are experiencing a lot of sickness this flu season. The last two nights lil man has been fighting a fever...it is soo pitiful to see your sweet little child feel anything but wondeful. Momma's pushing many fluids and hoping to see her bright shining child come back to 'life' soon! Until then....she's enjoying the extra snuggles and love this lil man is giving out! Feel better buddy!

Did she really post that?!?

2011-01-14T16:56:00.000-05:00

I sure did!! We having a PEE-er! Our big boy Bryce sits on his'big boy' potty almost every hour during the day...each time we get a little something...sometimes more than others! So Yes, I'm a very proud mommy with evidence by this post!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

2011-01-10T16:47:00.002-05:00

At around 2am last night the snow started to fall...and then it continued to snow almost the entire day! Even daddy got a snowday!! So what is better to do then to dress the little man up and let him walk into this

***beautiful winter wonderland ***!

Home Sweet Home

2011-01-09T15:21:00.009-05:00

Five years ago you could have never convinced me that I'd live in Tennessee, let alone call it HOME. Crazy how my idea of life could go in such a different direction...Here I sit in Tennessee and feel so blessed to be a part of this beautiful state!! This summer we decided to go ahead and hunt for a home in the area we liked best-Farragut. Luckily, Mark and I fell in love with the same house!! As most of you know we went through many obstacles to get here (Our original move in date was Sept, but didn't own the home until Nov.)...need a reminder??? click on this...(Kawatuska ).

I guess all in all it was worth the long wait...Since Nov. we've had fun filling the empty rooms with our belongings and trying to make this new house feel like 'home'. Here is a post to give you a sneak peak of our latest project!! (oh, and also the Rocky Top song...seemed very fitting too, ha!)

Little man has loved the extra room to run and play around!!

I guess I should end by saying this....who knows where life will spin us in five years from now...could still be here, back up north or possibily even ~~the north pole~~ somewhere else, but whereever life might take us I know our little family will make that feel like 'home' too!

30 years YOUNG

2011-01-09T11:12:00.002-05:00

30 Years YOUNG...Wasn't it Yesterday that I was dating my 21 year old boyfriend?!? Crazy to think he was 'old' to me at that time, Ha!

Yesterday, Jan. 8, at 5:18pm, Mark turned the big 3-0! We celebrated by having family meet us at Wasabi (YUM), followed by cake and ice cream at our place! For those who are wondering, yes he seems a wee bit older...might possibly have to buy him a walker soon ;).

With all joking aside, Happy Birthday to my best friend and the world's best daddy!! Here's to hoping your 30's are nothing but a blessing!!

A Special Gift!

2011-01-06T09:07:00.003-05:00

I could sit and watch my boys play together all day and night long. I love seeing the love that the two of them share…melts this momma’s heart!! Mark’s dad was a great guitar player! He had a few different guitars (string guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar) and Mark has self taught himself how to play each of them. As I watch him play to Bryce, I often think how his dad did the same for him! The Dad/Son relationship is like nothing else, and I’m so thankful Mark was shown such a great example of that, even though it was cut short at the young age of 16. I pray the two of them will always be the best of buds and that even in Bryce’s teenage years (yes, I said the T word), he holds his dad in the highest regard!

Music by Bryce

2011-01-03T15:16:00.003-05:00

Grandpa Drost can play almost every instrument he comes in contact with. He has what we call a musical ‘ear’. This past Christmas he picked out Harmonicas for the boys! Bryce is starting early and really trying to get that same musical ‘ear’ that both his grandpas have/had. Thanks for such a great gift Grandpa!! When I’m famous some day, I’ll be sure to dedicate my music to you ;).

Cousins having fun at Christmas 2010

2011-01-03T15:16:00.002-05:00

It is such a blessing for Bryce to have a cousin so close to his age. It has been so much fun watching the two of them grow into the little toddlers that they are! This little video cracks me up! I love how they copy each other! Can’t wait for our next visit with Mr. Carson!! Ps, who needs Christmas presents when you have a great grandma that has a very good smelling candle *wink

o

My Cup Runneth Over - Happy New Year!!!

2010-12-30T22:34:00.006-05:00

My Cup Runneth Over....These sweet words are used frequently in our household! In 2010, our cup really did runneth over! We watched our little man's crawls turn into steps, his bald head turn into ~~long locks of hair~~ a bald head with a little more hair, and his personality take on a character of its own. We watched him put on a performance as he dug into this first birthday cake and we listened as his coos turned into sweet words- momma, dadda...and most recently "IWUVYOU" (three words blurred into one). 2010 was such a blessing for our little family and the blessings continue to come (and not in the form of another kid-at least any time soon, if that was what you were secretly wishing for)- and for that we are so greatful!

Here's to hoping all your cups runneth over in 2011!

Happy New Year From the Yager's!

Christmas around the Yager's!

2010-12-14T10:43:00.004-05:00

Snowing in Tennessee!!!!!!!!!!! :)

2010-12-13T15:04:00.003-05:00

Christmas #2

2010-12-07T16:41:00.002-05:00

Nothing sweeter than a baby fresh out of the bath!!

2010-12-06T08:28:00.001-05:00

And the little man finally has enough hair for a comb over, got to love that!!!

Peek-a-boo!

2010-11-30T16:45:00.001-05:00

Never too young to have a best friend!! :)

2010-11-18T20:30:00.001-05:00

PS, my bestie's a super great photographer!! :)

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Yager

2010-11-12T08:43:00.003-05:00

Bryce will some day meet his Grandpa in Heaven and give him thousands of real kisses, but until then he sends them up for his Grandpa to catch! Happy Birthday Grandpa Yager...we know you're always watching down on us!

xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A pictures worth more than a thousand words...when it's your own baby!

2010-11-08T21:18:00.000-05:00

Something seems so special about this picture!!

Big Boy Tricks. 18 months

2010-11-04T10:48:00.000-04:00

Oh My!! The changes in just one year! :)

2010-11-01T13:14:00.002-04:00

From a cute little lion to a crazy running around Hulk! :)

Sorry about the pause in blog updates...our lives have been in a bit of a blur the last few weeks. We're officially moved out of the Kawatuska rental (YES!) and into our new home! Today at 5pm we will be owners (started to doubt if I could ever say that, ha).

On a different note, last night we went Trick or Treating in Maryville. Bryce was a champ and was the best little trick or treater ever. I never want to lose the images in my head of him running around crazy in his little costume!

October 31, 2010

October 31, 2009

Leaves.....and Bryce's leaf pile! 18 months!

2010-10-23T15:27:00.007-04:00

Craziness that Bryce is a year a half today!! Oh my, he's getting closer and closer to a teenager. I'm sooo in trouble. I really need to work on getting him un tied around my finger ;)

It's Fall in Tennessee!! Loving all the colors in our backyard!

2010-10-15T15:23:00.001-04:00

Eating like a big boy...being silly!

2010-10-06T20:11:00.001-04:00

Bryce now will only eat if he's sitting at the table like mommy and daddy....makes for an interesting dinner! Sure is cute!

A visit to the Farm (Hayride, Pumpkins, & Animals), October 2nd, 2010

2010-10-02T16:29:00.000-04:00

The many faces of Bryce Jaxon- 17 months

2010-09-29T15:56:00.008-04:00

Kawatuska just can't get rid of us...our current living situation!

2010-09-22T21:14:00.003-04:00

I'm posting this, because I'm CERTAIN, they're will be a day we'll look back at this and laugh. Kawatuska just can't get rid of us (or is it that we can't get rid of Kawatuska? Ha!)

No dishes, but Christmas mugs left in our cupboards...ha!

The family room

The Garage, I know it looks kind of unorganized.

And a few happy pictures!

2010-09-16T21:45:00.001-04:00

These pictures were taken about 10 minutes before the accident that occurred below!

(yeah, sorry about the snot...too cute not to post though)

Playing a little too hard!

2010-09-16T21:40:00.000-04:00

One tough little cookie! Bumps, bruises and scratches...I'm lucky he's still alive! Mr. independent insists on doing everything by himself.....without mommy's help, many accidents happen (picture from last week, I swear he's in better shape this week!)!

Bryce's Word Bank as of 9/11/10

2010-09-11T15:00:00.012-04:00

baby
ball
balloon
bath
blue
book
bubbles
bub bye
car
dadda
dog
duck
geez
gigi (great grandma)
hi
mark
milk
momma
moo
more
nay nay (his aunt)
nice
no
off
please (peeesssss, my personal favorite)
shoe
tickle
uh oh

The day I ENJOYED wearing my boots around the house......

2010-09-06T20:02:00.002-04:00

Memories like these I hope I NEVER forget! Our little goof...

Watch out Y'all....this little football fan is ready for the games to begin!

2010-09-02T13:06:00.000-04:00

looking back...

2010-08-24T09:03:00.000-04:00

16 months old!

2010-08-23T23:08:00.005-04:00

Happiest baby ever!! We love you Bryce Jaxon and you amaze us each day with all your new 'tricks'. I can't believe how BIG you're getting! Seems like just yesterday...

You were in my belly....

100 degree days...

2010-08-19T13:25:00.003-04:00

On our HOT Tennessee days...we enjoy playing with the WATER!! As soon as we open the door, Bryce runs straight to the HOSE.

The Yager's are MOVING!

2010-08-16T09:54:00.000-04:00

One big change after another...We're headed to Farragut, TN (West Knoxville). We'll be moving on Sept. 22nd! The home has been a model home for a new subdivision and Mark and I fell in love with the home the first time we drove by it! Here are a few pictures of the new Yager home!! :)

He did it!!!

2010-08-08T20:29:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Mark's graduation from UTC!! My eyes were filled with tears as I watched him walk aross the stage. Such an accomplishment!! Proudest wife ever!!!
Bryce will love having his daddy around more often, as I'm sure Mark will love being around his little guy more often too!
Here are a few of many pictures taken of our special weekend!!

Suprise for Daddy when he got home from his last graduate class!

2010-08-03T07:21:00.000-04:00

A day outside...July 26th

2010-07-26T15:43:00.002-04:00

a few tricks before bed!

2010-07-25T19:11:00.000-04:00

M2U00108

2010-07-25T19:09:00.000-04:00

It's Bragging time!

2010-07-22T15:33:00.001-04:00

Every wife can brag about there husband every once in a while, right?! I think so! Here I go...Mark has been attending The University of Tennessee (Chatt.) for over two and a half years working on his MBA. He has drove thousands of miles to obtain this degree and honestly has never complained! From our house in Loudon it is 90 miles to his school (obviously this means 90 miles back home). Some semesters Mark was driving (after a full days work) to school 3 times per week (540miles/week, ah!). He never had any extended breaks while in school, he kept his schedule full from the first day he started! Mark was lucky if he'd make it home before 9:30pm (let me remind you that he starts at 7am each morning, just to wake up and do it all over again!). And if everything else doesn't seem busy, Mark also had the duty of a husband and even more importantly the role of dad. He never failed us once. Every day Mark drives 22 miles round trip to come home and give his little man 'love'n' before he has to go back and finish his day (not to mention financially support our family of 3). How amazing is he (best daddy ever!!)? And to brag even further, he's managed to get all A's and B's and has an outstanding GPA! What a fighter. Mark has 3 trips left! What an achievement! I'm so proud that Bryce has such an amazing role model!

15 months

2010-07-22T15:15:00.000-04:00

So tomorrow, July 23rd, this little crazy man turns 15 months! Sweeter and cuter than ever! I haven't taken pictures in a while, but here's one that sums up how Bryce has been this past month...mischievous.

This includes:

Shattering a large light bulb all over the Laundry floor.

Drinking from a spoiled (from the day before) sippy cup of milk. (possibly up to an ounce YUCK!)

Spilling the vegetable oil ALL over the kitchen floor (many uh oh's after this incident).

Throwing daddy's drinking glass in the bath tub and then crying when her heard it shatter.

Geez, makes me feel like I don't supervise the kid ;)

I always say that it's a good thing he's cute, otherwise I would have him hanging upside down by his toe nails somewhere!

At the end of the day, all these incidents make me laugh and bring Joy into my simple life! Bryce Jaxon, you are just too dang cute! xoxo

Doesn't this face say it all?!?

Well said...

2010-07-15T20:42:00.001-04:00

A conversation between friends:

We are sitting at lunch when my friend casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations...."
But that is not what I meant at all.

I look at my friend, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my friend to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine . . . that a five-year-old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive friend, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years - not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a caesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My friend's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my friend could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future. I want to describe to my friend the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.

My friend's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my friend's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings the blessed gift of God and that of being a Mother.

Author Unknown

CHECK IT OUT....BRYCE IF FINALLY GETTING HAIR

2010-07-12T21:58:00.001-04:00

First Family Trip to the Zoo!!

2010-07-10T09:03:00.001-04:00

Gold and Purple

2010-07-02T22:16:00.002-04:00

If you know one thing about Bryce's Daddy, it is that he is a true Buffalo Bills, USC and Laker's fan! Well sadly, the Buffalo Bills usually disappoint, USC does well, however recently announced they are out of the bowl games for the next 2 years, but the LAKERS, on the other hand, usually SHINE! This season they sure made "dadda" proud by becoming MBA Champs!!! Daddy celebrated by buying some championship gear, and because Bryce wants to be just-like-daddy, he got into the celebration as well. Go Lakers !!