6.26.2008

Do I have something on my face?


She's 4!



It's so hard to believe that I have a 4 year old! It has all happened way to fast, and it makes me think about how fast the next 14 years will fly by. She has been such a joy to have in our family! She definitely keeps us busy and adds excitement everyday into our families lives. For Family Home Evening this week, John had us all tell Hailey two things that we love about her. It really was hard for me to pick, because she has so many fun and great traits. One thing that I told her was that I love how much she loves people and friends. She is always ready to give someone a big cheesy smile and a hug. She loves her friends so dearly that her life literally revolves around them. Although at times she can play pretty rough, she has great friends that love her and put up with her crazy ideas and goofiness. Another trait that Hailey has been blessed with is her brains. She is so smart (too smart most of the time) and it has been a joy to discuss life with her. She is so curious about all around her. I feel like although she is only 4 she acts like she is 6! She has always been so tall and big for her age that others treat her like she is older than she is...this has just made her step up to the plate and act the way she has been expected to act. This also makes me sad sometimes, I really want her to be 4! She needs to be able to be a kid and we try daily to remind ourselves that she is still so young. Hailey is so excited about life that she just can't wait to get up every morning and start living. She is up at about 5:30 each morning, ready to play and party! What a fun girl!


It's a ballerina party!

What's for breakfast? Ice cream and oatmeal of course! She obviously loved it...what more could a girl ask for?
Hailey has loved dressing up as a ballerina this past year and so it seemed almost fitting that she has a ballerina party!
Isabella had just as much fun as Hailey did. She probably thought the party was for her! She has a "P" on her head-for Princess of course. She sure does love her daddy.

We had fun playing games...even the mommies! This was "Fruit Basket" but John called it "Magic Kingdom" instead.
I tried these new wraps, and they were delicious.
Look at all those hungry kids. They were served Peanut Butter and honey sandwiches, taco dip with chips, fruit salad, twizzlers, and a super sugary drink! What a healthy lunch!
I was going to make a fun ballerina cake but decided to make my life one step easier by ordering cupcakes instead. Hailey was just as thrilled with these princess cupcakes.
What a lucky girl! She was given some wonderful gifts from all of her friends! Thanks so much!

6.19.2008

28 weeks...almost!

I had Hailey take my picture today...I'm wearing the same shirt that I wore just 8 weeks earlier in the post about finding out the sex of the baby! Wow...a lot can change in 2 months. Check out this big boy! I am measuring 2 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule so I get to have another ultrasound to see what's going on. I have to wait another week and a half for that appointment though...bummer. Not the greatest shot...but it's fun to see the change in belly while wearing the same shirt. I was 20 weeks in this picture!

I'm almost 28 weeks in this one!

So the shirts the same, I never said anything about the pants! I don't think those jeans would fit me right now. Ummmm....definitely not!

Finally...

Our Trip To UtahWell, the main reason for flying out to Utah was for my grandmas funeral. My moms mother passed away and it has always been so important to my mom to have all of her children together for occasions like weddings and funerals. John couldn't make it because of school, so the girls and I packed up and headed on our way on our long journey across the US. The guy on the end is my cousin Drew. The rest of the guys are all of my brothers. It was great to be together and to remember my grandma with some great memories. She was an amazing women and I am so proud of her for the life that she lived. First of all, she raised my mom...who is so darn great. Second of all, she loved me and my brothers so much and would sacrifice anything for us. I wish that I had a picture of her scanned, but I don't. She was a beautiful, stylish women who loved beautiful things. I know that she has reunited with my grandpa and her family and she must be so happy resting in peace.

Hailey took this picture of my family! We went to Bridal Veil Falls in the Provo Canyon to enjoy Utah's beautiful weather. It was so great to be together, because we are not all together very often. None of our spouses could make it which was so different than we are used to. My brothers and I all went to the movies together one night and it was very special to me. I almost felt like we were all back at home. living with my mom and dad.
The girls had a great time with their uncles. Hailey was very sad to see them all go home. She is still talking about all of them and the fun that we had.

We decided to stay for two weeks, since it cost a ton to fly out there (with less than one weeks notice) and because it was A LOT of work flying with a lap child, a three year old, and a huge belly that takes up my lap already! We had to make this trip worth it! I did so much in that two weeks and loved every second of it. We stayed with my mom the first week and enjoyed shopping, playing at the park, and relaxing. We went to the park at least once every day! It was so much fun just being with my mom. They sold their house here in Virginia and so I tried to savor every minute that I had with her, as I knew that our visits would not be as frequent as we were used to.
I love my parents so much and loved being in Utah with them. They are such great examples to me and they deserve so much happiness. I hope that they find peace and joy in Utah. It's a huge change for them after living in Virginia for over 30 years. I know that it was hard for them to leave their home that they created their family in but they have realized that family will travel with them and we will create new memories in a new home. They love the mountains and are not missing the humidity here in Virginia. We miss them very much and look forward to seeing them at my brother Corey's wedding.

We also went and stayed at John's mom and dads house while we were there. We had so much fun playing with their puppies, and enjoying good company. I love going to the Hecker's because there is always someone to talk to, play a game with, or eat yummy food with. John has 9 siblings so there is always a handful of people living at, or visiting their house. Hailey LOVED all of the pets and still can't stop talking about the sugarglider and the kitty cat! She played dress up all day long with her cousins! Kristine (Johns mom) taught me how to make pajama pants which was soooo fun for me. I have made a pair for me and the girls...watch out if you are on my list for Christmas because you just may be getting some!
Next we drove to St. George to end our trip with a bang. We had so much fun hanging out with all of my cousins. Kaitlyn and Jessica we such a great help. I didn't change one diaper the entire time I was there (thanks Jess)! They both wanted to do anything they could to help and I so needed it after being awake with Isabella all night). She got some weird bug and was so restless at night...it was awful! The girls and I went to more parks, ate even more yummy food, and stayed up late every night playing hide-in-go-seek in the dark. Imagine a pregnant women running into furniture in the pitch dark as she is running away from someone chasing her. Yes...it was hilarious. I laughed for an hour straight every time that we played.

Happy Birthday Chablis!


Birthdays have been so fun this year, as we have celebrated with all of our friends. Chablis' birthday is on Saturday, June 21st. Hailey and her have the same birthday which is so fun. Heidi planned the most magnificent get together and it was perfect. We went to Olive Garden for the festivities, but this was no normal trip to Olive Garden. Each place setting was adorned with a snazzied up candy bar, sweetly wrapped Hershey kisses, and a cd made just from songs that remind us of our friendship with Chablis.

Heidi made a beautiful fondant cake...yes fondant! She did an unbelievable job. Everyone at the restaurant was ohhhing and awwhing. I may actually think about doing a fondant cake after watching Heidi succeed. The colors for the party were pink, silver, and white. The cake totally displayed this beautifully. The center pieces were silver painted marshmallows (edible of course).

Out of the 7 girls at the party, 6 of us were pregnant! It was so fun!! We took a picture for memories sake. We are standing in line in order of our delivery dates. The first girl in line (Shannon) will be delivering any day now!

The four of us girls have grown quiet a bit from a month ago! I'm due on September 15th, Abbi is due on September 23rd, Heidi is due on October 19th, and Chablis is due on Nov. 2nd. After all of our deliveries we will all have 2 girls and 1 boy! Funny huh! I sure do love these girls and will be sad when our party that we call life will slow down. Heidi is moving to North Carolina in one week, and Chablis moves in October. These moments together will be cherished forever!!

Happy Birthday Chablis! You truly are one of the most caring and giving women that I know. You are supportive and loving and so much fun to be around. Thank you for your example, for your beauty, and for your friendship.

6.11.2008

Where have you been??

I have been in Utah for two weeks...I have lots of catching up to do. It was a last minute trip, due to my grandma passing away. I'll download pictures later today and catch you all up.