Kai's a SUPERSTAR!!

Today Kai had a performance at his school. All of the kindergartner's sang Halloween songs to all of the parents and families decked out in their costumes. Kai had received a Iron man costume for his birthday in September and he was so excited to wear it! Well, I got him ready for school this afternoon and he'd OUTGROWN the costume! It was too late for me to fix it or come up with something else, so poor Kai was the only one not dressed up! So he is easy to spot in the pics! I apologize for the video, Its a little shaky because I used my picture camera and people were bumping into me because it was so crowded! He is so cute! ENJOY!

Sisters!

I just wanted to thank my sisters, Kim, Kelly, and Mara for always being there for me and wishing me a Happy Birthday yesterday!! Its so nice when family members are always there for you and unconditionally love you like my family does!! They are always updated with new stories from my family and looking and sending mew pictures!! That's the way a family should be and I am grateful that I have such wonderful sisters!! Thanks ladies, I love and miss you, I hope I can see Maddox and Lulu soon!

Pippi Longstockings

Friday night, we wanted to celebrate my birthday early with our friends. We went to a restaurant called "Dick's Last Resort" at the Excalibur Casino. Its one of those places where the waiters are mean to you. WE HAD A BLAST!! I have some classic pictures from the night for my birthday I got a special dance from Taco, a very big guy that works there. They also made us special hats that were 2 feet tall that we had to wear all night. Our hats all said something funny, but then Tyson's hat came, and it was the best. Tell me what you all think of this new "Do".

Attention all drivers!!

Watch out everyone! We have ourselves a under age driver on the roads now, keep an eye out. She is about 3 feet tall, Blue eyes and ALWAYS wears a pair of pink sunglasses, she drives a mini version of Tyson's Ford F150....... Also, she only drives in circles:)

Madd & LuLu

Just a few recent pics of my niece, Lauren (LuLu) and Madd (Maddox) These were taken in Denver recently and sent to me from my sisters. They are so cute, I can't believe how fast they are growing up and I STILL haven't met LuLu!! Enjoy!!

GOODBYE, HAIR!!

Yesterday Tyson decided that it was time to shave his head! All of his mom's side of the family men are bald and they all rock it! Tyson just decided it was time. So, we went to his friend's house to watch the Utes play (they won of course) and Tyson's good friend, Jared was more than willing to shave his head. Ashtyn did not like it, she was so scared and thought her daddy was getting hurt by the shaver. She cried and had to go inside the house and watch from the window. Afterwards, she ran to Tyson and hugged him and rubbed his head and said, "Hair all gone." I got pictures of the before and after. It looks great, he's so cute and now he fits in with all his uncles and brother. I think I will steal your nick name Tara and call him BHB!!

Ashtyn~isms

I just have to share some things about Ashtyn that are so cute!! She is talking alot better and Tyson, Kai and I understand her great. There are a few words though that we have no idea how she came up with them. First, She likes to burp JUST so she can say "Shwinky" (excuse me) its funny, of course you all know Tyson taught her that!! Her favorite treat is a marshmallow. If she eats all her dinner, or feels she deserves a marshmallow, she walks up to me or Ty and says, "Can I have a Scwonch scwonch?" (No idea how to spell this new word) And it took me a while to figure out what she was saying. For a while Tyson and I tried to correct her but there is NO correcting Ashtyn. She is very Independant and stubborn (I do not know where she gets that@!) She makes the funniest facial expressions!! The other night we were watching The Little Mermaid and it was a part in the movie where Ariel is crying. Ashtyn immediatley put her face in her hands and did this unbeleivable FAKE cry! I just stared and was like, I have a mini actress as a daughter! She tries to use the fake cry on me but she knows it only works with her daddy:) Its so cute though:)

Family. . . . . . .

A happy family is but an earlier heaven.
-- John Bowring

So far our family has lived in Las Vegas for one month and I have to tell you, WE LOVE IT!! Now don’t get me wrong, I am sure I will have my moments where I don’t love it so much, but moving here has made such a wonderful impact on my children and my relationship with Tyson . Just having my husband home every night to cuddle up to and to be there to hold me if I have a bad dream and to play catch with Kai and to console Ashtyn when she is sad, (not to mention me and Kai) has just been such a joy to see happen right before our eyes. I would never dream of going back to life before this move. Which consisted of Tyson leaving for Las Vegas every Sunday morning at 4 a.m. and stay in Vegas for three and four days at a time just to come home to his family (2 hour drive each way, twice a week) and be exhausted from working so much and driving so much. By the time he would get home, we were all anxious to see him and attack him when he got home and all he wanted to do and needed to do was rest. I was pretty much a single mother for half of the week without friends or family to support us. ( I have a new found respect for single mothers) My kids were also very lonely, it was so hard for them to make friends in St. George.

NOW, it’s so completely different, one of those changes in life that bring you the things that a lot of us take for granted. We have the luxury of living very close to Tyson’s co-workers that have become very good friends to us and they have young kids Kai’s and Ashtyn’s age and they all became quick friends, and so begins the endless cycle of birthday parties!! To Which we enjoy thoroughly. I love to see the smiles on my childrens’ faces to have friends to play with and so much to do here. I also wanted to say publicly on this blog how much I truly adore and unconditionally love m husband, Tyson. Every day he amazes me at his commitment to his family. He truly is a family man and is not afraid to show it. He loves his kids and is wonderful to them and is the most loving, loyal, self-less, supportive and beautiful human being I have ever known. I am a very lucky woman to have Tyson and my kids, Kai & Ashtyn in my life and I cherish and value ever second.

Fun at butterfly park!

These pics were taken a few days ago, I took the kids to butterfly park before Kai had to get to school. It was a beautiful day and the park wasn't too crowded. I met a group of Army wives there also that take their kids every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday since these mornings are the best and least crowded. I made quick friends with them and am looking forward to meeting with them during the first of the week. Here are the cute pics, Kai and Ash had a BLAST!!

Kai is 6 years old!!

Yesterday was a BIG day in the Schrader family!! Kai turned 6!! It seems so insignificant, but of course not for our family!! Kai started school a few weeks ago and I remember dropping him off at the gate in front of the kindergarten yard. There were about 20+ other parents there dropping their kids off also. I gave Kai a kiss and told him to have a good day. He ran up to the gate and before going inside, he turned around and said,
" I Love you mom, are you going to be okay without me for a few hours?" and with tears in my eyes, I said, "yes, Kai, but I'll miss ya."
With that Kai came back and gave me and Ashtyn a big hug and kiss (in front of all these other parents) and ran back into the gate.
My heart literally melted and I immediatley got into the truck with Ash and cried. It was so bittersweet. I was so proud of Kai for starting school, also scared for him and also so full of joy that he was more than happy to show how much he loves his family in front of all those parents. (I know that might change as he gets older)
I called Tyson and told him how sweet it was and I feel like life goes by so fast, we need to cherish every second we have with each other.
Kai's first day of school