The Vaclaws

Katie's Baptism and Jake's Blessing

2010-06-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Tyler & Katie

Shortly after we had Jake, Katie turned 8 and was baptized in our church. We also blessed Jake that day after the baptism, it was a very special day for all of us. We are so thankful for him and the sweet spirit that comes with having a new baby in the home, we feel truly blessed.

I'm so proud of Kaite's decision to be baptized, I know she is such a special and sweet daughter of our Heavenly Father. Most of all, I feel honored to be her mother, she has already taught me so much. I know that she will be a great example to her younger siblings as she tries to follow the example and life of our Lord and Savior.

Rock-A-Bye Sweet Baby Jake

2009-12-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

Logan holding Jake aka "Leo"

And now we are 6!

Love at first sight

Jake making his debut

On August 18, 2009 we welcomed our 4th child into our family. Jacob Henry was born weighing 6 pounds and 19 inches long. He came a little earlier than his September 4th due date. I had a C-section this time. Tyler and I both are so excited to have him, as are his sisters and especially his brother, Logan. Funny enough Logan literally prayed this little guy here, telling us he wanted a brother for the past year and a half, even naming him "Leo". I guess he got his wish...Jake is a Leo! If he had been born closer to his due date he would have been a Virgo. I don't put a lot of stock in astrological signs, but when I noticed his birthdate and that that made him a Leo, I had to laugh!

Mary Kate is 8

2009-11-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, has it really been 8 years?! We celebrated before her actual birthday this year, with Jake on the way, I had serious doubts about my abilities to do a sleepover party for 6 girls with a new baby. We had a "spa" party, Aunt Stacy was so nice to let us use her home/pool. Aunt Amy made the cake, it turned out so cute! My grandma helped me make little "spa wraps" for all the girls as a party favor. After swimming we did their "facials" and then Aunt Stacy and Aunt Amy helped do "pedicures". What would I do without the help and talent of my amazing family? The best part was that Katie felt so special and loved by all, which she is.

4th of July continued

2009-11-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

How cute are these kids?

Then they grow up to be teenagers! Naw, just kidding, they're still cute!

What happened, we shrunk? Weird, anyway, my friend Stephani and her family came all the way from Houston to spend the 4th, we sure do miss them in The Ville.

I can't believe how big these girls are, they are so darn cute!

These 3 boys always have so much fun together.

4th of July! * Family * Friends * Fireworks *

2009-11-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

The Family

Boys being boys

Evie being oh so cooperative!

All the girls

The show was awesome!

Swimming Lessons at Sooner Pool

2009-11-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

3 Amigos

Last day of swimming lessons. The kids took lessons with their cousins, Lucas, Izzy and Mack. I have fond memories of Sooner Pool. I used to take swimming lessons there in the summer and spent countless hours there as a kid. My aunt, Marianne was a teenager and she was a lifeguard, I thought she was so cool--still do! They recently made some nice improvements, they took out the old kiddie pool and added a splash pad, the little and big kids love it.

Brooks Johnson Eve, June 11, 2008

2009-11-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

Logan holding Brooks

Katie taking a turn

Grandma Marilyn holding #8 Great-grandchild

We were so excited to learn that my sister-in-law, Mary was in labor! Her water broke and we (my mom, grandma, me and my crew) all headed south to Edmond to meet the newest member of the family! This is the first cousin on my side of the family. He is a beautiful, healthy boy and has awesome parents, they have waited and prayed for this special guy for many years, what a miracle he is!

Hawaii 2009

2009-11-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

We went to Hawaii the last week of May with my family. Jon and Mary couldn't make it because their baby was due too close to this time. We decided to leave our kids with Tyler's mom and take the opportunity to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I was about 6 months pregnant and knew this would possibly be our last chance at a vacation without kids for awhile!

This is an areal shot of Turtle Bay where we stayed.

I was super nervous to go in the helicopter, it was an incredible ride though.

This was our 3rd time to go to Hawaii together and 2nd time to go to Oahu, we spent most of our time on the North Shore in The Villas at Turtle Bay. This was actually my 2nd time to go 6 months pregnant! Our 2nd trip was to the big island, Hawaii for Jon and Mary's wedding in Kona. We took Katie who was 2 at the time and I was pregnant with Logan. We love the more rustic relaxed environment on the North Shore as opposed to Honolulu. Some of the highlights of our trip include visiting Pearl Harbor on Memorial Day, going to the PCC, snorkeling at Shark's Cove, (Tyler actually hooked a ride on a sea turtle), helicopter tour, Tyler and the boys swam with sharks in Haleiwa, laying on the beach and gorging ourselves at the shrimp shacks and shaved ice on almost every corner. The Temple was closed for re-modeling but we enjoyed the visitors center and attended the Laie 7th ward, it was awesome. We almost didn't go to the Polynesian Cultural Center because we went to it 9 years ago, but I am so glad we did, a lot has changed and their show is incredible. It is a must do if you ever find yourself in Hawaii. Another must do is rent a convertible, it was really fun! We love it there, it is truly paradise, hope we can visit again soon, and I really hope to not be pregnant next time!

Spring 2009

2009-11-03T11:56:00.001-08:00

Katie got to graduate to coach pitch softball this year and Logan started tee-ball. Katie and Julianna have been on the same team every year and have had Tyler and my stepdad Jeff as their coaches. This year Tyler got to coach Logan's team with our good friend Randy John. It was fun to have Logan and Austin on the same team and see them learn to play the game. It was also fun to see Katie's progress with batting and fielding.

New Year and New Baby 2009

2009-11-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

We found out over the holidays that another baby was on the way, due September 4th! The kids were very excited when we told them. By the way, Logan had been pestering us for over a year and a half, "when am I going to get a baby brother?" He had even named him, "Baby Leo". We were also excited that my brother, Jon and his wife Mary were expecting their first child. Then later in January to add even more excitement, Tyler's brother Marcin and his wife Brittany found out they were expecting their first! Our kids will never have a shortage of cousins to play with! What lucky kids they are.

New Years Eve 2008

2009-11-03T11:09:00.001-08:00

Tyler and Andy helping the kids play Rock Band.

The adults playing charades.

We spent New Year's Eve at my parent's home. We had all of Tyler's family, my family, some out of town cousins and friends. The kids and adults had a blast.

Christmas Day 2008

2009-11-03T10:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day at my parents home.

Christmas Morning at our house.

Making them wait on the stairs for a picture.

Christmas morning we spend at home, Tyler's parents make the rounds to all the houses to see the kids open their presents. Later in the morning, we pack everyone up and head over to my parent's home. Tyler and I cook a big Christmas breakfast brunch for everyone. Then we exchange presents, hang out/play and then my mom does the traditional turkey dinner. We feel really blessed to live close to both our families.

Christmas Eve 2008

2009-11-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

Every year the cousins act out the Nativity, this tradition becomes more treasured each and every year.

Grandpa Mike reading Luke II

I love Christmas Eve at the Farm. Everyone brings their favorite appetizer to share, the kids act out the Nativity and then the adults do a "dirty Santa" gift exchange, it is always fun to see what this creative group comes up with for presents.

December 2008

2009-11-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Evie is still scared of Santa.

Logan was all business with a detailed list.

Katie telling Santa what a good girl she's been.

Every year the 66 Federal Credit Union has a special party for the employee's children where they get to see Santa and get a present, the kids love it.

November 2008

2009-11-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

Earlier in the month, Logan got to go to his first OU game with daddy. He got a jersey with the number 28 on it and he thought that was pretty cool since his birthday happens to be the 28th of October.

Giving Thanks

We spent Thanksgiving with Tyler's family. Russell and Emilie hosted, it was great to spend the holiday with good food and family.

The "kids" table

After the turkey.

Emilie, Heather, Tyler, Russ & Lorne

One of the days the kids came over and played in our backyard, this a third of the Vaclaw cousins, we would need a longer slide to fit them all.

Tyler put together this set mostly by himself, but for the parts where a 2nd person is needed our friend Tim Green came to the rescue (thanks Tim!). I'm so proud of him, he's such a great dad, the kids and their friends absolutely love it!

Disney World 2008

2009-11-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

I fully anticipate someday Evie seeing this picture and realizing "you mean you went to Disney World without me and all I got was a Minnie mouse doll?!" I didn't realize how baby friendly Disney is, or I probably would have taken her. All I can say is sorry, babe!

Magic Kingdom

Logan had to struggle to stay awake!

Character breakfast with Mickey

Character lunch with all the Pooh Bear Characters

October 2008 - Disney World

2009-11-02T15:28:00.001-08:00

I just love this picture.

Playing in the sand at our hotel.

We went to the "Not so Scary Halloween" one of the nights we were there. I highly recommend this, the kids get all dressed up in their costumes and get to go to Magic Kingdom after hours. The parade is killer and watching the Headless Horseman ride through Main St. was incredible!

The kids got their faces painted and didn't want to wash it off.

October was a busy month, Evie turned 2 on the 6th, and Logan had his birthday the 28th, with everything going on we just did small family parties. Grandpa Marvin got out of the hospital after about 2 weeks and did remarkably well with his recovery, he has always been "young" for his age. For fall break we took Katie and Logan to Disney World with my mom and Jeff and the kids. Evie stayed with Tyler's mom, Robbie. Next time we will definitely take Evie with us, we had a great time and although Disney is definitely a working vacation it was nice to have fun and be silly.

Ken and Barbie get married!

2009-11-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

Matt & Chelsea Eve

June 20, 2008

We affectionately refer to Matt and Chelsea as "Ken and Barbie" and I'm sure it is apparent why! We are so happy to have Chelsea as a member of our crazy family!

Evie was trying to pick the flowers at Temple Square

It was so great to be at the Salt Lake Temple with our little family and celebrate Matt & Chelsea's special day. Tyler and I were also married in the Salt Lake Temple so it was fun to take a walk down memory lane.

The girls felt like little princesses in their dresses.

To everything there is a season....

2009-11-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

Obviously I have had an "extended" season and blogging has taken a major backseat. While I am a procrastinator, my main excuses are...moving twice in less than a year and adding a new member to the family...our baby boy, Jake, and then there is just life in general! Oh well, here goes my attempt to re-kindle the blogging fire. Mostly I do it to keep a family journal/record and at the nagging of friends and family. My brother Matt recently teased me, "Amanda! The Rochester Panel...seriously!?, you really need to update your blog!" Okay, okay! Bear with me though because I'm going to try to post in order and I have a lot of ground to cover, so patience...please!

Castle Valley Ranch

2009-11-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Lodge

Our attempt to get a family picture, Evie was NOT cooperating!

Katie riding

Logan watching the cowboys

We had a great time at the Ranch, the kids got to ride horses, hike to the petrogoyphs and run around. They really enjoyed playing with my cousin Katy's kids. Up above are Logan, Susannah, Katie and Abby, (Evie and Eliza were napping).

The Rochester Panel

2008-07-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to upload my pictures, I am not so computer savvy so in the meantime, I thought I would post this picture. This is the famous Rochester Panel that happens to be on the Ranch property, of course this is open to the public, but it is amazing to look at the detail. It was an easy 1 mile hike, Katie and Logan managed the terrain just great!

Our Trip to Utah

2008-06-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

I have more pictures to share of our vacation to Utah, but I am having trouble with downloading some of the pictures we took. So this is a little journal entry of our trip, photos to come at a later date. We spent 10 days in Utah and it was a whirlwind from start to finish. We got to visit with some of Tyler's cousins, Brian & Chris McAdams hosted us at their home in Lehi along with Clint & Jayna McAdams. It was so fun to see them and catch up. Then the rest of my family arrived and we visited with more relatives on my side of the family. My Grandparents, Marvin & Marilyn Johnson both turned 80 this year, so we celebrated at my Great-Uncle's ranch down in Emery, Utah with most of the family there. I've added a link to our blog. We got to hike, see the famous Rochester Petroglyph Panel, shoot, ride horses, ride 4-wheelers, and enjoy the scenery and company of family. It is a hunting lodge/retreat so there was something for everyone. Then we headed back to Salt Lake for my younger brother, Matt's wedding festivities. My cousin, Katy hosted a great shower in her beautiful newly rennovated home. I got to have lunch with some of my old college buddies, it was so fun to visit with them! We had the "rehersal dinner" at my family's cabin. Then the moment we've all been waiting for...Matt and Chelsea were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. We are so excited to have Chelsea join our family, she also comes from a large family and she is great with children, my kids adore her already! We are looking forward to celebrating some more at their reception in Oklahoma next week, right after the Vaclaw Family Fireworks! Party, party, party!

Easter Sunday

2008-04-29T06:38:00.001-07:00

Easter 2008

2008-04-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

We spent part of Easter weekend at Jon & Mary's down at their house on Lake Eufaula. The kids had a great time hunting for eggs outside.

Better late than never....

2008-02-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

So typical....I remember to take my camera on vacation, but forget to charge the batteries prior to the big event! Back in November we went to Louisiana for my cousin, Jane's wedding. She just sent me some pics so I thought I'd post them. Thanks, Jane!!

Ahlert/Eve/Vaclaws:

Evie, Tyler, Amanda, Logan, Mom, Dad, Matt,

Mary Kate, Julianna, Isaac, Ivan

(we missed you Jon & Mary!)

The Johnsons

This is a pic of my grandparents, aunt and mom. Marvin Johnson (Papa), Marianne Egan, Marilyn Johnson, Lori Ahlert.

The Johnson/Egan/Ahlert/Eve/Vaclaw/Huddleston Crew

My cousin Jane Egan, (now Huddleston) got married over Thanksiving weekend 2007. They (Jane and Jacob) got married in the Baton Rouge Louisiana LDS Temple and the reception was at her family's home. The food and accomodations were great and the company even better!! Thanks Egan Family! The 12 hour car ride there and back and Tyler getting the flu was well...priceless.

Snow Day!

2008-02-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

Snow never stays around long in Oklahoma, so you have to capture the moment! The kids had a great day Tyler and his brothers Ryan and Russ took all the cousins sledding and they built a giant snowman that turned into a Sphynx....wished I had my digital camera for that one! They had a blast.

January 2008

2008-02-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Evie had a playdate with her cousin Ellie and buddy Addison

Christmas Eve at The Farm

2008-02-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

The Cast and Crew:

Mary Kate-Angel, Isabella-Mary, Jack-Joseph, Michael-Wise Man 1, Logan-Wise Man 2, Mack-Wise Man 3, Ellie-Lamb, Lucas-Baby Jesus, Evie-Lamb

We always do Christmas Eve out at Grandma & Grandpa Vaclaw's Farm. Grandpa reads Luke chapter 2 while the grandkids re-inact the Nativity Scene.

Christmas 2007

2008-02-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Logan is like the Energizer Bunny, his list goes on and on and on.....

Evie...scarred for life.

Katie is more concerned about the photo-op than giving Santa her list.

Tyler's office had a special Santa Party for the kids, Katie and Logan had a great time, Evie was traumatized and now avoids all things Santa related.

San Fransisco

2008-02-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year Tyler's parents treated all the girls in the family to a trip to San Fransisco (where they served their mission for our church), we got to see the sights and of course lots of shopping and even more important-eating... we had a great time! The highlight of the trip was The Creche Exibit put on by our church which features nativity figures and artwork from all over the world.

The Sisterhood: Heather, Julie, Amy, Stacy, Emilie, Brittany, me (no, I am not really that short, I happen to be leaning in on Brittany cause it was freezing!)

November 2007

2008-02-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

We had a nice warm day in November so we took the kids out on the 4-wheelers at my parent's house, they love to be outside!!

October 2007

2007-11-01T21:26:00.001-07:00

Mack, Austin, Logan and Noah at our Church Trunk or Treat.

Mary Kate, Avery and Izzy.

Happy Halloween!!! Mary Kate as a Bartlesville Bruin Cheerleader, Julianna as Hannah Montana, Logan as Spiderman and Evie as a Ladybug.

The birthday kids, Logan, Isaac & Jules.

Logan loves his Spiderman cake. We celebrated his 4th birthday with lots of friends and family along with Julianna's 6th and Isaac's 10th.

Katie, Logan & Evie on the slide at my mom's house.

No, Katie is not hurting Logan, he is giving us his best "cheese!" Our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

September 2007

2007-10-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Kate, Evie, and Logan in Aunt Stacy's garden.

The Eve Women

2007-10-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

We got to catch up with my Aunt Jennifer and her daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia, and my Grandma Jo at my Aunt Jawan's 85th Birthday in Nowata last month.

Proud to be Okies!

2007-10-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

Kate & Logan got to join Dad on the Woolaroc Foundation float for Bartlesville's Oklahoma Centennial Parade. Katie is showing some leg, while Logan is tipping his hat to the Ladies, what can I say...they get it from their Dad.

Outing on Papa's Boat

2007-10-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Mary Kate and Logan are all aboard, Evie is not so sure!

The 3 Divas

2007-10-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

These bathing beauty cousins pose after a tub at Papa Mike's lake house, Evie, Rylee, and Ellie

August '07 Hot Tubbin' With Friends and Cousins

2007-10-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

These kids know how to party in style...L to R: Mack, Claire H., Jackson, Claire C., Logan, Izzy, Avery, Austin, Jules, Mary Kate & Kendall...I think they are using the Devil's Pitchfork as King Triton's Trident, at least I hope anyway!!

Fun at G-Lo's Pool

2007-10-11T20:59:00.001-07:00

Logan, Kate, & Jules basking in the Oklahoma sunshine at my mom's pool (FYI..."G-Lo" is her cool Grandma name for "Grandma Lori")

4th of July at the Farm

2007-10-11T19:23:00.001-07:00

The annual Vaclaw fireworks extravaganza, with T-shirts to boot!!