FaLL FuN 2008

tHe PuMpKin PAtch!!!

We had a blast at the pumpkin patch with my family. It was hilarious trying to get all the kids in the wagon. And, it was impossible to get them all to look and smile. But, at least we can say, we tried!

Connor loved the tractors!

I LOVE this picture of Connor!!

PuMpKiN PaTcH Part II

Dave couldn't make it to the pumpkin patch with my family. So, we went a second time with him and chose our pumpkins! We had so much fun together. It was the perfect night to be at the pumpkin patch.

Connor wanted the "hugest" pumpkin and, as you can see by his smile, he was thrilled with his choice!

Hailey and Connor keeping each other warm!!!

Carving Day!

The long awaited day of slaughtering the pretty pumpkins finally arrived. The kids couldn't wait to carve their pumpkins. I wouldn't let them do it too early, so as to avoid rotting pumpkins on my porch.

Halloween Day!!!

We had an awesome Halloween. We started out by going to Gardener Village with my sisters/sisters in law and all the kids to see the witches.

In the evening we had Dave's family over for taco soup, breadsticks, doughnuts and witches brew. After dinner, the kids went Trick-or-Treating and had a blast.

My little princesses and dragon (or in Connors words, "shragon")

Hailey lives for dressing up and playing the part. She was a High School Musical Cheerleader at school. But on Halloween day, she changed her mind and decided to be Ariel.

Livi loved herself in her costume. When we put it on and showed it to her in the mirror, she laughed and smiled. She honestly couldn't get enough of herself, it was so cute to watch.

Uncle Jake carried Connor the entire time while we were trick-or-treating. Connor loved every minute.

The Loot!!!

and last but not least...

Dave surpirsed us this year with his costume!

I laughed histerically when Dave came out looking like this. The kids laughed to, but then had to ask what he was dressed up as. Olivia would have nothing to do with Dave dressed like this, and, I have to say, I don't blame her!

High School Musical 3

Call me a nerd, call me immature, I really don't care! I just went to HM3 with Hailey, Connor, Dave's sister and her kids, and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!! My kids loved it too, but I seriously loved it! The music is awesome and the dance numbers were SO amazing. It was so fun to see Hailey and Emma (Jenny's little girl) all dressed up in their HM cheerleader outfits, tapping their feet, and bopping their heads to the music. We just downloaded two of the songs on my ipod. So, if you see me in my mini van singing and dancing, just know, its a High School Musical Thing!!!

GO WILDCATS!!

Happy Birthday Connor!!!

Happy Birthday Connor, Con-man, Nonnors, el numero dos, Connor bo Nonnors, Conrad, Nons!!! We love you so much.

10 things we LoVe about YOU!

1. We love the sound of your voice.

2. We love that you hate everything!!!!

3. We love that you love to wear cologne and comb your hair "handsome".

4. We love your obsession with Lightning McQueen and all things cars. And how you have been asking for the Mack cars transporter for months, we can't wait to give it to you!

5. We love that you climb into bed with us every morning.

6. We love that you want to eat blueberry waffles and OJ for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

7. We love, love, love your shy smile.

8. We love your 10 minute prayers

9. We love that you love helping Daddy work.

10. We love lying in bed with you at night and singing you your list of songs!!

Happy big 4, Dude! You are such a good little man and we can't imagine life without YOU!!!

Hailey is Bilingual and Connor can Rhyme

The other day, I told Hailey and Connor to get in the car because we had tons of errands to run. Connor asked, "what does errands mean?" Hailey was quick with her response, "Connor, errands means we have places to go in Spanish."



Connor has really been into rhyming lately. We have had some close calls with a bad word, as he has attempted to rhyme words with truck and stuck. So, when Connor starts to Rhyme, needless to say, I get a little nervous. While shopping for groceries the other day, Connor proclaimed, in a very loud voice, "hey mom, I made a rhyme! Sour and Holy crap!" I was left speechless and scratching my head. First, because my sweet little boy just shouted the word "Holy Crap" in public. And second, because these words don't even sort of rhyme.



It is these crack-up, laugh-out-loud moments that make motherhood all worth the while!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Olivia!!!

Livi Lu we love you!! Here are 10 things we love most about YOU!

1. We love the way you scrunch your nose when you smile!

2. We love to watch you crawl on your hands and feet with your bottom in the air.

3. We love that your favorite word is "Hi" You have been saying it for months and it always makes us smile to hear you say it over and over.

4. YOU are a major Daddys girl. You dive into his arms every time you see him and he loves it!!!

5. You are such a funny baby!

6. We love your wet slobbery kisses!

7. We love all of your personality, you've got it coming out of your ears!!

8. We love watching you love your baby doll!!

9. We love your big huge smile, especially when you had no teeth:)

10. In the words of your big brother, "We love that Heavenly Father sent us the cutest, funniest baby."

Happy first Birthday to our little Livi!

When did she grow up?

I seriously do not know when or how, but Hailey is all grown up and going to Kindergarten. She has been so excited for this milestone and I have had mixed feelings about the whole thing. I wondered if I would blubber and cry in true form, or if I would be able to hold it all together and let my daughter go off with dignity. I am proud to say that I did not blubber. My eyes welled up a few times as I watched her line up and head into the school. And then again when I watched her climb off the big huge School bus. But I held it all together. The fact that she was so excited and happy, made it hard to be sad. She started school last week and has come home every day as excited as if it were the first. She loves her teacher and loves, loves, loves recess. I still get a bit emotional when I think about how it seems like just yesterday that Dave and I struggled to get her strapped into the carseat to bring her home from the hospital. Everyone tried to warn me not to blink or wish away a single stage, but you never can fully understand until you reach these milestones and find yourself thinking: "how did this happen? When did she grow up?"

Hailey all ready to go to school.

(I love how she popped her foot in this picture--too cute!!)

Hailey and Connor outside of the school

Hailey lined up waiting to go into her class.

Hailey stepping off the school bus after her first day.

(She looked so nervous climbing down the big steps, it nearly broke my heart)

Happy first Day of school Hailey!!!!!

Something I never want to forget.

Tonight was just one of those nights when your kids make you feel like you are going to explode, not because your mad, but because they are so amazing. As I tucked Hailey in tonight and listened to her cute little prayer, she said: "Please bless the sheep that they will be safe and stay together in the group." After she finished her prayer, I asked her to tell me more about the sheep that she had just prayed for. She pointed to the Primary poster hanging in her room, the one with Jesus holding the little lamb, and said, remember the story you told me about the sheep? Those are the sheep I was talking about. First, it made me smile because she remembered the story and second, because it was just so darn cute. Next, I went into kiss Connor goodnight and he asked me to sing to him--I love it that he still wants me to do that. Ever since he was little, he has had a list of special nightime songs that he wants me to sing to him. Just as I would finish a song, he would request another. I love to watch him while I am singing--he is so sweet. As I am writing this, I think to myself: how could I ever get mad at these sweet little people in my life? I wish I could bottle these feelings and open them up for those times when I want to explode with anger instead of joy.

P.S. I am also exploding with happiness cause Dave washed all the dishes that I used while making freezer Jam today. Real men do dishes!!!

5 going on 25

This is the exact conversation I had with Hailey today:



Hailey: "Mom, when you first got married to dad, did you go camping?



Me: "Yes, we went camping once or twice when we first got married."



H: "Did you sleep in a tent?"



M: "Yes."



H: " When I grow up and find a handsome boy and get married, I want to go camping."



M: "That sounds fun."



H: Long pause ,"I can't wait for my kids to come."



In my mind I am thinking, Lets just get through the first day of kindergarton!

Other funny kid stories:

The other day, I was reading a Junie B. Jones book to Hailey when she asked, "Why doesn't this book have pictures?" I told her that you have to imagine the pictures in your head. She closed her eyes and after a few seconds, she opened her eyes and said, "The only thing in my head are letters."

While driving in the car I heard Connor say, "Hailey, you know what? Heavenly Father made these flowers.

One night after Dave had put the kids in bed, Connor came out and said, "Dad, I can't sleep, my room smells like Dog Poo."

Today, Connor told me he likes Olivia's eyes because they are sparkley.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

7 years of almost marital bliss! Thanks for all the memories. We have grown so much toghether. We have laughed and cried, at least I have (ha ha). Here are 7 of my favorite memories:

1. Seeing you in the waiting room of the temple on our wedding day in your blue suit and red tie.

2. Dancing on a stage in Mexico in front of all of the locals.

3. Looking at that apartment in salt lake that had a toilet in the shower in a closet in the kitchen. I guess it was charming, if you like that sort of thing.

4. All the times you dress up in silly outfits to make me laugh, especially the time you dressed up in my maternity jumper and stuffed a pillow up it so we both looked fat.

5. Riding with you to shovel snow at 2am and heading to Dennys for breakfast afterwards. Sorry I wasn't much help, I tried.

6. Watching the first season of American Idol together in our first and second apartments.

7. Hitching a ride with the baptists when our car broke down on a Kansas Highway. Do you like tuna fish? Yeah...thats good!!

Good Times. I love you more today than yesterday!!!

Swimming Lessons

Hailey loved swimming lessons this year. She loves to put her face in the water and swim on her back. She was very cautious when it came to jumping off the diving board, but she did it each week and I was so proud of her. But, of course, on the last day of class, when I brought my camera, she faked a belly ache and refused to jump. I couldn't force her to do it because when I was little, I took lessons at this very pool and also refused to jump.

Connor, on the other hand, loved it. He jumped in every chance he got. He has turned into a little fish this year. He loves swimming. Now that lessons are over, he practices his strokes in the bath tub. It's hilarious to watch. He takes a huge breath, plummets under the water, and attempts to swim the length of the bath tub. He is such a funny kid.

Preschool Graduation

Hailey graduated from preschool a couple of weeks ago. It was a darling little ceremony. The kids performed all of the songs they had learned durning the year. She was so cute to watch on stage. I can't beleive that my little girl will be starting Kindergarton this year!!!

Hailey with her teacher, Mrs. Marilyn. Hailey had the sweetest teacher ever. She was patient and kind, the perfect teacher for Hailey.

Hailey with the music teacher, Mrs. Amber. Music time was Hailey's favorite part of school. Mrs. Amber was so darling, Hailey loved her.

Hailey blowing mommy a kiss during the ceremony. Priceless!!!!

Hailey with Grandma Judy just after the program.

Hailey Sue, we are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. You never cease to amaze us!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

We hope you have fun on your 29th birthday. Here are 29 reasons we love you!

1. When we fall down you give us a band aid.
2. You play Soccer with us.
3. You put us to bed.
4. You go to work to make money so we can go to Disneyland.
5. When my bike brakes you fix it.
6. You make my hair handsome.
7. You snuggle us all the time.
8. You take us to church
9. You make the best pancakes.
10. You tickle us.
11. You hang us upside down.
12. You let us ride on top of the garbage can when you take it out to the road .
13. You tell funny jokes.
14. You smell good.
15. You teach us about Jesus.
16. You taught us how to ride our bikes.
17. When we are in bed you turn on the fan.
18. You tell funny stories.
19. You protect us.
20. You have the priesthood
21. You chase us and tickle us.
22. You take us to get ice cream on our special Daddy dates
23. You mow the lawn
24. You cook BBQ
25. You let me wear your cologne.
26. You put our blankets on us when we are resting
27. You make us breakfast.
28. You throw us up in the sky.
29. You are the best dad!!

Love, HAiley,connor and Olivia

Hailey's Birthday Pictures

Hailey had a fun 5th Birthday! It was Hawaiian day at her school on the day they celebrated her birthday. I love this picture because Hailey put together this "Hawaiian" outfit all by herself!

It is tradition to have a sleep over with Grandma Judy and Grandpa Hague for your birthday. Hailey reminded us for months before her Birthday about her special sleep over. She had a blast. They took her to IHOP, her favorite restaurant, and then to Toys R Us to pick out her present. She chose this lovely Princess crown and dress.

Grandma and Grandpa Butterfield are serving a Mission in Kirtland, so they sent Hailey some money so she could go and pick out a present. We went to Target and she had to have this "High School Musical" cheerleader outfit. She loves it!!!!

Mom and Hailey right after she blew out the candles. She requested Rice Crispie treats for her cake.



She stayed in her princess attire to open her presents from her family. She was so excited when she saw her Princess scooter. She has wanted one for a long time!




I guess this Birthday was the year of Dress ups. This is Hailey in her "Fancy Nancy" dress up tutu and crown, riding her scooter. I love this picture because this is how Hailey is dressed 90% of the time.

Dear, sweet Rose!

Last night, Hailey caught a moth, put it in a tuperware and named her Rose. She was so funny about her new pet. She put grass in the jar and kept pulling it out and insisting that I hold it. I was sure that Rose was not going to make it through the night. And sure enough, this morning Hailey came out, opened the jar, and dropped Rose on the floor. She wanted me to help her find Rose, so I said, trying to protect her, "honey I think that Rose flew away." Her reply was, "No, she's dead mom." After minutes of searching, we found her body. I handed the corpse to Hailey and she looked down and said, "Rose, I am so sorry, we didn't take good care of you. We should have poked holes in your jar!! So, tonight we will be hunting for a new moth to call friend. This time, I plan to poke holes in the jar!

Connor makes me smile

The other day Connor came to me and said, "Mom you have got to see this, a Little Red Robinhood is in our backyard." I looked and sure enough, there was a Red Robin hopping around the yard. I had a smile on my face the rest of the day.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy hAiLeY SuE!!

June 6, 2008

HAILEY SUE WE LOVE YOU!!!

happy birthday to our big 5 year old. I can't believe how fast time is flying. You are one amazing gal and we are so blessed to have you in our family.

Just 10 of the many things we love about YOU!!

1. You have one of the kindest hearts.

2. We love it when you sing. Since the age of 2, you have been able to sing all the Disney princess songs. You have the sweetest voice EVER!!!

3. You think you are 25. For as long as we can remember, you have had this amazing determination to do everything "all by yourself".

4. You are Hilarious. You make us laugh at least 100 times a day.

5. We love that you have a curious mind. You ask a million questions, you are always asking what a word means or how something works.

6. Even though it creates messes and extra laundry for mom, we love that you change your clothes 10 times a day. You have your own sense of style and you express yourself well with your wardrobe.

7. We love watching you play. You have an incredible imagination and we love watching it in action.

8. We love your zest for keeping traditions. You never let us forget even the smallest tradition.

9. WE Love to snuggle with you.

10. We love how your eyes sparkle, the freckles on your nose, and your darling smile.

Hailey, you have brought us more joy than we could have ever imagined. You light up our life and you make us want to be better. You are an amazing girl and watching you grow each year is a gift.

The show must go on....

A few weeks ago, Hailey had her very first Dance Recital. She woke up that morning, burning up with a fever. She layed on the couch the whole day with little energy. I told her that she didn't have to go to the recital, but she insisted on dancing. When the time came, she put a big smile on her face and danced her heart out. As part of the dance, the Daddys carried the girls on to stage. Dave said that back stage she kept asking Him to hold her. After the dance, she was ready to go home. She didn't want to stay for the finale and get her rose from her teacher. I felt so bad for her, but I am so proud that she pulled herself together to Dance. She has loved taking ballet.


TRULY SCRUMPTOUS