"We're off to Trick 'r Treat......."

Happy Halloween!!!

I love Halloween!!! In fact I always have loved it, but adding little ones to the picture makes it even twice the fun. Since C was barely two-years-old she's had a fascination with the "Wizard of Oz." We'll never forget being on a car trip and C at the young age of two out of the blue said, "Give me back your ruby slippers, they're of no use to you!" The fascination has continued ever since and there's never a day that goes by where C isn't having to wear a blue dress, or is found carrying around a tattered old basket with a raggedy Toto (who's a white poodle) inside. Therefore, we dedicated this Halloween to the Wizard of Oz.

A was a great sport through all of this. I don't think that being a witch for Halloween was top on her list but she happily gave in when we presented her the option. Tyler used his creative skills to make her a wicked broom out of materials left over from our yard and a bamboo stick. And of course Cambry was Dorothy complete with ruby red slippers (red church shoes) on her feet.

We went to A's Halloween Parade at her Elementary School and we're excited to find out the the 1st grade teacher's theme was none other than the "Wizard of Oz." C was so excited when she saw Glinda, so of course we had to take her picture with her. Also along the way we ran into the Cowardly Lion, The Tin Man, and A's teacher was the friendly Scarecrow.

Along the way Dorothy decided to stray from her usual behavior and picked up a lonely pirate along with a ballerina munchkin along the way. Of course, Aunty Em (or boring Mommy) was the one behind the camera.

Using a Little More Caution

To borrow from my sister-in-law's blogging style, we have decided to remove the actual names of our children from our blog entries (Thanks Ganelle!).

We don't want to take our blog private, but we do want to protect the identities of our children a little more.

As visitors to our blog, and when referring to our children in comments, please use their first initial in all references (comments with actual names will not be posted).

Hee Haw Harvest

Our family spent a fun filled night at Hee Haw farms. It was a beautiful fall night filled with corn mazes, slippery slides, a haunted barn and crisp fall air!



A & C had fun riding in their pretty pink piggy!

Daddy took C on a fun filled 4-wheeling ride!! It was a great evening until the very last when our daughters decided to enter a blown up haunted house. While every other child came out with a huge smile on their face, A and C came out balling and appauled that we would even consider sending them into a place like that. What can I say, we love our girls but they all need to toughen up!!!

A rare glimpse.

Cheryl,

I want to publicly share my thoughts and feelings surrounding our anniversary. I know that I don't do this enough, as much as you would like.

As I reflect on our relationship, I review the emotions we have shared, the ups and downs, the prosperity and the struggles we have gone through. I can't bear to think how/where my life would be if your life had been cut short after A's birth. After only two years of marriage.

There would be no C, no H, and most of all, I would be without my beloved partner. A and I would be without the mother and wife we love so much. It would be hard to pass July 22nd without sadness and mourning; it would not be a day of celebration of our love and commitment for each other.

Cheryl, I love you with all my heart. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. I know I have much to improve on, much to learn, and a long way to go before I am the perfect husband and father you see in me. Your patience seems to have no end and I feel that you will eventually see my true potential.

I still feel that Tracy Byrd's Keeper of the Stars fits our relationship perfectly:

"It was no accident, me finding you.
Someone had a hand in it, long before we ever knew.
Now I just can't believe, you're in my life.
Heaven's smiling down on me, as I look at you tonight.
I tip my hat, to the Keeper of the Stars.
He sure knew what he was doing when he joined these two hearts.
I hold everything, when I hold you in my arms.
And I've got all I'll ever need, thanks to the Keeper of the Stars."

"I know I don't deserve, a treasure like you.
There really are no words, to show my gratitude."

With much love, your husband and eternal companion,

–Tyler

Thanksgiving Point and Bountiful Temple
(photo illustration by Tyler)

"Through the Years"

Although eight years seems like an "eternity" we have many more to go...but I'm glad that I can spend them with you. Hopefully you can put up with me that long. (JK) I love you Tyler!! Thank you for being a wonderful husband and father to our girls. Happy Anniversary! I hope that the fun never ends.

Eight years . . . REALLY?!?!

Has it really been that long? What have we done in eight years?

2000-2001
Living in St. George, Tyler attending SUU and working at Boulevard, Cheryl teaching at Cross Creek, Wangsgard family trip to Jackson Hole.

2001-2002
Wangsgard family trip to Lake Powell, we hiked the Subway in Zion NP, trip to Hawaii, our temple sealing, Tyler graduated SUU.

2002-2003
A was born, Cheryl fell gravely ill post-birth, trip to Disneyland, we moved to Las Vegas.

2003-2004
Celine Dion concert (Vegas), we moved to Roy, Tyler took job at Lifetime Products.

2004-2005
Wangsgard family Baja cruise, C was born, Cheryl had gallbladder removed.

2005-2006 - Moved to Spanish Fork, Tyler took job at Dentrix, Wangsgard family Disneyland trip, family road trip to Seattle.

2006-2007
Tyler took job at MediaOne, Wangsgard family Disneyland trip #2, Smith family reunion in Midway.

2007-2008
Family road trip to Missouri/Denver, H was born, Tyler took job at BYU.

The only dance that I contributed in was the Chicken Dance. Any other dancing would have made me dizzy and motion sick....especially with being six months pregnant. For those of you who don't know, we are expecting our third girl this April.