T Starts PreSchool!

What an exciting time in Tatum's life it is.  She started preschool one month ago, and she is LOVING it.  The best part is - it is right across the street from Mama's work! :)  Everyone is very happy.  T spends the days doing aerobics, gym class, music class, swimming lessons, water play, gardening in the school's garden, and walking to the library!  How lucky is she??  We are so excited to have her thriving in a fun, new environment. 

Here she is at her first school-swimming-lesson!

Visiting Mama at work!  This happens much more often now! :)

Maui Wowie!

We are so lucky, we got to go to Maui for an entire week in February.  We had an amazing time with KGK and Nana & Papa.  Tatum was in love with the ocean, and so were Mommy and Daddy.  Snorkeling, sunning, playing in the sand, boogie boarding, drinking pina coladas, what a wonderful week it was.  

31 and 1/2 Months...

Princess T Bug is getting SO CLOSE to 3, it's scary.  Oh my goodness she's no longer a baby, she's definitely a big girl!  She tells me very often..."Mommy, I'm growing."  Yes, T Bug, you are growing and it seems you'll never stop. :(

We love you so much.  You're our little monkey that we can't get enough of.  We can't wait to see what new things this month brings.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

2.5 Years...30 Months...

Dear Miss Tatum Bug, 


You are officially 2 1/2 years old. We can't believe how fast it happened.  But it did.  Actually, you're almost 31 months at this time.  So much has changed in the last few months, it's shocking. 


You are officially at the "talking" stage.  You talk. A lot. Daddy keeps asking me what's going on with you because you just.don't.stop. But we love hearing all the stories you have to tell us. You tell us about school each day, carefully discussing details of fits thrown by other children, bad words, and silly fun. You talk to your babies, and tell them why you put them in timeout. You talk to Pugsly. You talk in the car, in the house, outside, on the potty, EVERYWHERE. You have so much knowledge for such a sweet little girl. You know your full name, mommy's full name, daddy's full name, where mommy & daddy work, where you live, you can count to 14 without skipping numbers, you know your ABC's and most importantly, you know how to GIGGLE like a champion.


You still love being outside.  This winter has been tough on you, being holed up inside. But spring is coming, and we have been spending more time outside.  We bundle you up. You were outside with Daddy the other day and Daddy got cold and asked if you could go inside.  You told him "you go all by yourself, Daddy." You silly girl! 


You have no problem with any words.  You say whatever is on your mind, and it is very easily understood. You recently started jumping off of furniture.  You are a serious daredevil, and it frightens us sometimes that you have no fear.  You are definitely a risk taker. 


You are just the sweetest little girl.  You're so little, yet you are bursting with energy and personality. 


Tatum, we are so lucky to have you in our lives, and we love you more each day.  


Love, 


Mommy & Daddy

29

29 MONTHS OLD

Dear Tatum,

You are 29 months old...very close to 2.5 years! We are having so much fun with you! We love to do outdoor things with you, and those are your favorites as well!

You are full of funny things to say. Some of my new favorites are:

(You pretending to shoot a deer). "Mommy, I did not knock him down!"

(You pointing to a sign for our road, STENTZ RD) "Mommy, Look, a T!"

I told you I'd give you pudding if you ate 2 more bites of dinner. You said, "Jackpot!"

You can express your feelings, spell your name (TUM), and carry on a full conversation with us! We love it!

You can now hike on your own, instead of the pack. Today, you went over a mile up the mountains! You are very independent. You can get undressed on your own, and can almost get yourself dressed. You can put your own shoes on, coat on, and zip the coat too! You feed yourself, and you have recently started opening the fridge to find what you want.

We love you so much Princess Bug! We can't believe you're already 29 months old, but we are loving every minute of it!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Things to do with a toddler in the winter...

We get pretty bored in the winter, so we have to get creative to keep Tatum's outdoor time UPand our craziness DOWN.

We have been spending time having "dates" at Chaps for breakfast, Twigs for dinner, and Parks for FUN. We've also dome some shed hunting and four-wheeler riding! And of course, it's always fun to chase the chickens around the yard.

Shed hunting!

Park Play!

WHEEEEEEEE!

Breakfast Date

She loves dates with Daddy.

We are getting ready for SUMMER around our house! :)

Do you think they have golf in heaven?

Rest, Connie, and when rested, fly with your beautiful wings you have worked so hard for.

Our dear friend, Connie, earned her wings last night. After a long battle with cancer, she is now at peace, resting. Connie isn't just another person though, she's not just another person gone to cancer. She's an absolutely amazing, wonderful woman. As you can see from the picture, she's gorgeous too. This is her with her also amazing sister, Cathy.

My recollections of Connie stem from my childhood in Glendive, MT. Somehow my parents become friends of her & Les, and boy did they know how to party. I was young and didn't pay much attention, but I do recall many parties at our house with Connie. She has 3 beautiful children too, all of whom are just as amazing. Her and her wonderful family are all golfers. And they're good. In fact, Connie was golfing even last summer, just to show you what a true warrior she is.

Not one time did I see Connie without a smile on her face. Hell, I don't even think she frowned when she was mad. Full of life is an understatement. She's the type of gal you look at and smile. Oh, and she had the best jokes. Seriously, she would tell dirty jokes, which was hilarious because she's just a cute little thing. But her sense of humor was awesome.

There's something else that makes Connie special to me. I don't know exactly when I met her, but I know I was little. And of course spent countless hours with her until I grew up. But eventually she started teaching a course at the high school. I believe it was called JMG. Ryan was in the class. I think it was designed for "troubled youth" if you will, and (shocking) Ryan was picked. :) Anyway, she impacted Ryan BIG. Trust me, I can tell by the way he talks about her. She loved those kids and she did an outstanding job. Anybody who believes in Ryan is special to me.

We are so heartbroken that she is gone. But we are so glad she's resting, pain free. And we know she's waiting for the day we all meet again. Until then, she'll probably spend some time golfing...practicing up to beat the rest of us.

Rest, Connie. And when rested, fly with the beautiful wings you have worked so hard for. We will miss you.

Love,

Everyone.