Welcome to the Family - Tyce Neal Schaefermeyer

We celebrated Ali Jo's birthday on Sunday, February 17 and that night, after a long week of cleaning and cooking, Brittney went into labor and on February 18 (yep, Ali Jo's birthday) she delivered a 5 lb 7 ounce, 18.5 inches baby boy - Tyce Neal Schaefermeyer.

All of us were surprised especially Marc and Brittney.  Little Tyce is just that 'little'.  He lost a full 7 ounces in the hospital and came home bundled up at 5 lbs.  Mason and Ali seem like grown-ups next to him.

We are so fortunate to have all our grandchildren born healthy with 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 ears, and so forth. 

Marc and Brittney are now trying to figure out how to handle 3 children; who would have ever thought that Marc would be the father of the most children.  He is such a good dad though.  Brittney is now equal with her brother Brandon - the race is on?

Cindy spent a few sleepless nights at their home while Brittney was in the hospital.  Theron and I were in town for this baby and we were able to watch him receive his first bath in the nursery at the hospital.

We are now the proud grandparents of twins - born 2 years apart!  Na, na, Neala, you ain't got nothing on us.  Neala's son Darin and wife Melinda just had twin girls about a week of so before this - Eva and Ella.  They are real twins, but with the exact same birthday, we are close.  You never know from day-to-day what life will bring and we are certainly ecstatic about our little Tyce.  Welcome to the world!!!

3 Generations of Schaefermeyers

Ali Jo is 2 - February 18

Ali Jo is our third February birthday and this year she turned 2.  My how she has grown this past year.  She has learned how to navigate stairs and actually tries to walk them straight up rather than crawl up them.  She can say 'gronpa' and 'gramma' and make all sorts of animal sounds.  She recognizes the animals, also.

Most important are her Ali hugs - she gives the best hugs ever.  Brittney went all out on the cake this year with the theme of Minnie Mouse.  Our little princess - Ali Jo.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Brittney's Birthday - February 13

Brittney's is our second February birthday.  This year she was pregnant and she needed lots of help from Ali Jo and Mason to open her presents.  She is such a sweet mother and wife.  Mason made her birthday cake and it was special and very good.

Happy birthday Brittney!  Next year will be much more comfortable.

Taylor's 9th Birthday - February 3

February is turning out to be the big birthday month, we start out with Taylor's birthday on February 3.  We were in Florida and missed the cutting of the cake and opening of presents, but we talked with him and sang "Happy Birthday".  He is such a special young man.  He told me he has lots of gift cards to buy games and songs and books for his ipod - we contributed to this fund.

I can't believe he is  9 years old already.  One thing we love about him is that he has taken to wearing gym shorts at all times of the year along with a BYU knitted cap.  He is not quite a teenager but almost.

This year he is into the ipod he got for Christmas, he is still playing the violin, he will be in the 4th grade, and he's getting taller by the day (maybe that's why he is wearing shorts all the time, he grew out of the legs of his pants).

Happy Birthday Taylor!!!

Disney World, Epcot and Universal

February started off with "travel."  Theron had a consulting job in Florida for BSD, so he found a cheap airline ticket for me and I flew down to Fort Lauderdale later the first week in February - Feb 2 - Feb 6.  Since we returned from our mission, Theron has wanted to go to Disneyland - well, we did.  We stayed at the Pop Culture Disney Resort and spent one day at Disney World Magic Kingdom - we dragged home.  Lots of ibuprofen and tums and a semi-good night's sleep.  I like the Buzz Lightyear ride the best and I always enjoy It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted House.

The next day, we decided to do Universal Studios.  There were a few rides, we didn't go to the roller coaster side.  This day was spent walking and looking, not as fun as I remember Universal to be.  Again a night with lots of ibuprofen and tums.

The third day, we were off to Epcot Center.  After a few incidental rides, we went on the Mars Explorer - it feels so much like being launched into space, a little weightlessness, and lots of spinning.  Okay, I got off of that one and had to wait for an hour or so before I could do anything else.  After that ride, it was some fairly calm things and lots of walking around the various country spots.  The last of the days of ibuprofen and tums.

The last day, we had to drive to Fort Lauderdale about 3.5 hours away and I had a splitting headache all the way home on the flights.  For four days after, I was sick, but "happy" to have been in the "happiest place on earth."  I think we have had our Disneyland fix for a few years!

It was a great winter get-away.  The palm trees were swaying, the grass was green, the sun was shining, the temperature was okay - a little chilly in the morning and evening, but great during the bulk of the day.  TRIP #1 - 2013.