Haydens 2nd Birthday

Seriously, 2! Most people would say it seems like yesterday my little boy joined our family. But with Hayden it seems like he has been my little boy as a long as I can remember. He had such a special day filled with the best way to celebrate a birthday, yummy treats! He scarfed his strawberry and whip cream pancakes....

Licked the frosting off the cupcakes he took to pool group. And enjoyed a fun meal at Chick'fil A and hard core playing all day!

When I was younger I remember my mom making my birthday such a special day and I now know why. It is so fun to see the excitement out of such little things. Kids get so excited!

When we picked up his cake at Sam's he COULD NOT stop staring at it. When it went in the back seat of the car he just kept pointed and saying "Mannder" "Keen" a.k.a. Mator and Lighting Mcqueen.

Best part of the whole day was the Mack truck Grandma Cindy sent. Wow, he was so excited! He just kept saying "open it, open it, please, please!"

He could have cared less about the HUGE truck mom bought for a super good deal at a yard sale in Ohio and dragged ALL the way across the country just for his birthday! Hadley sure loves it! The last two night before he goes to bed he has to give Manner, keen and Mack a goodnight kiss. Talk about worldly, lol. Hilarious.
Hayden has such a different personality. He is so quite and reserved. But around his family he will talk forever. He is very shy in big groups. He is very particular about things, such as... the fan in my bedroom always needs to be off (even when it 85 degrees.) Doors need to be shut, lights off when you leave a room. Hadley needs a baby doll and blankets need to eat breakfast too. Hayden gets along so well with Mom and Hadley. We went through a stage for a few weeks where I honestly didn't know if I would survive being his mother. Than he turned back on the charm and things are back to normal. But I got a taste of the terrible two's/threes whatever it is. Hayden is such a momma's boy.He is getting better.He is very protective of his sister, and kinda struggles when others hold her. He is just starting to get into the hitting stage and is actually very good about going in time out. He is constantly saying "there ya go" and "Come on!" Like anyone that has brought a little spirit into this world would say, He brings such joy and happiness to our world and I couldn't image life without him.

Welcome

Action shot, digging into the ice cream.

The health profession had an opening social last night. It was such a kick back relax thing. They had free food including snow cones, ice cream as Hayden calls it, and cotton candy. It was so hot that the cotton candy would just melt if you didn't eat it fast enough. All sorts of fun games and little kid games.
They had this fun bubble tent. It just blows bubbles and you do whatever you want to do in them bubbles! Hayden, of course, wouldn't go in without mom. But once he started he really had a good time. Hadley got to sit on the side lines with Dan, it was pretty muddy in there. Later when Dan was playing a game and won a sea lion for Hayden, Hadley flashed the lady with her smiles and got herself a free stuffed turtle. Now that's how you play the game!

Baldy, but always happy!

Bubble Monster!

A few things I have learned in a few weeks

Being in a new place in a new part of the country you learn a few things about life. Here are just a few..
-I LOVE having easy access to garage! You can put almost anything out there and still make it look "organized."
-More space equals more to clean. A lot more to clean.
-Not sharing a bathroom with your husband is heaven.
-Fire ants actually do exist
-I took for granted having my husband around the last 6 months of Dental school, reality is kinda sinking in.
-If you are the one always pointing out the problems, maybe YOU are actually the problem.
-People always have their opinions, my opinion.. girls are MUCH easier than boys.
-You will always want more, no matter how much you have
-Your kids will always turn to mom for comfort, even if mom was the one that put them in time out.
-Life cost money, life in Florida cost LOTS of money
-Ohio people were THEE nicest people ever, Florida people have a stick up there butt.
-Being in a student ward for so long, I had no idea what I was missing in a family ward (AWESOME!)
-There is not really a point in trying to look good anymore, some people just don't age well.
-Life is what you make it
last but not least the best thing I have learned in the last few weeks.... My sister and her hubby are coming down to visit us! Life really is good.

Hadley had her 6 month check up (she really is 7 months) This girl is off the carts, literally. 97% for weight 22 1/2 lbs and a obviously a huge noggin! She is a sweet heart, and so happy. She doesn't cry when she wakes up, she just sits there and talks to herself and when you come in to get her she almost jumps out of her bed with excitement. SO FUN!
Hayden's birthday is coming up. The big #2. His favorite thing to say is "But I want/don't want to and he sings Dora, Dora, Dora. We can be the best of friends until lunch time rolls around and then worst enemies. Any ideas on how to get a starving little boy to actually eat his lunch instead of begging for crackers! I am about ready to give up.

Following brothers footsteps...

If any of you remember when Hayden was 8 months old he whacked his head on his crib and cut his eyelid open and we had to go the ER. Well Hadley is only 7 months and she tried the same stunt the other day. I usually set Hadley on the table and feed her while Hayden is eating also. That day Hadley decided that Hayden left overs from last nights dinner looked a lot better than the green beans mom was feeding her and so she took a dive for them. As she did this (which she actually does a lot) her bum slipped under her and she really went for a dive right on the edge of Hayden's plate. She hit it hard enough that it cut and was bleeding. she cried a little bit as brother was laughing hysterically and mom was practically bawling. She got over it pretty quick, but mom not so quick.Lets just say her bumbo is her new best friend again. Why is it that Hayden had a bump and bruise every other day at this age and I just shrugged it off, but with my little girl I FREAK!

Anyway, I have been trying to get a picture of Hayden the last couple days, but as you can see.. resistance!

where do I start?

So we went to Utah after graduation and spent a whole month there and did so much stuff. Lets see if I can remember. I took NO pictures, the only pics I have are ones Dan took.
We started off with the half marathon and than got to share in Shaylee's blessing day. Travis blessed her that Sunday and he did an awesome job.

Cindy took us everywhere the first week we were there, it was go go go... fun, fun, fun. I would be an understatement to say that Hayden had a hard time adjusting to being around everyone all the time. But most everyone was patient with him, while he was figuring out what was going on. We went to the Childerns Museum, El Madador, baby animal days in the valley, smimming in Layton, the fish farm, rode the frontrunner and trax, went to a splash park. What else? I am sure there is more I just can't remember, all very fun.


gateway splash pad.


Dan got his camping fix met. He went camping with his fam and hit the jackpot with the fishing pole.


Funny story. We were waiting to get on traxs to hurry and make the front runner. Waiting patiently for 5 or so minutes. Get all ready to hop on when the train comes. oh wait Hadley's stroller WOULDN'T"T FIT! wow, talk about blood pressure sky rocketing! Like five people were trying to help us fit her big behind through the doors. It seems like we tried forever but finally the doors closed on us and Dan, Hayden, Hadley and I watched as the rest of the D.R. family waved bye, bye from the windows! And we just sat on the platform. It was hilarious, we looked like a bunch of hoe bows! We did finally make it to the front runner and made everyone late, and missed the train.

U want anther fun story? Just a little pay back for Jam from an earlier episode.
AWESOME!

I made a clean get away, but Jam was in distress. I come to help her and she totally ditches and I am fighting the battle alone!

We got him good, So Ej had to take his stress out on someone. He took Colleen and almost drowned her in the kiddy pool. Totally drenched. Totally awesome. We finished the night out with fireworks to calm everyone down!

It was a really fun, pretty relaxing trip. I got to hang out a lot with my sister Colleen. I had a blast with her fam. Lukie is hilarious. I also got a lot of one on one time with my parents which doesn't happen often.
It was a much needed to trip to Utah, but it is wonderful to in our new home and on a schedule. Hayden is loving it here, but I know he misses bossing Luke and Lily around.

Bear Lake

We had this great idea to head up to Bear lake and run a half marathon/10k. We went camping....not fun. It was pouring rain most of the time. Mom, Dad, Hadley and I got lucky and slept in the camper, while everyone else was stuck in the rain out in tents.

The race was pretty cold, but the rain held out for us. As soon as we all finished it started to rain again. This race was a lot more enjoyable than the columbus half. I hadn't trained and took a lot more relaxed approach to the half. My sister Colleen did awesome, I think she finished like 3 or 4th in her age group. Where do I start with Jamie?? This girl is hilarious, she made an awesome friend that I think she may be in love with now. That is Jamie, she is in a race but still takes the time to make friends. It was Jamie and Mikes first race and they did awesome. Colleen and Ej I would categorized as runners and I wasn't to far off of Ej's finish time! :)

Dan stat this one out to help mom and Dad with the kiddos and I think he had a lot of fun with all the boys back at the camp.

Dan caught us in all our glory running! Colleen was so fast that Dan barley got to her as she crossed the finish line. We were all pretty tired, but it was a good day!

Graduation

Wow, it seems like forever ago. Daniel graduation Dental school in June and it was such a bitter sweet day. I was just welling with pride for Daniel. There was a little reception after the graduation and we had another little party that night. 4 years of Dental school, seems so long, but it went so fast. I could go on and on about how awesome I think Dan is and how wonderful in school he did, but he hates that kinda thing. So I will just say I love him and he has a lot of proud admirers

Don't they just look like a bunch of Dentist!
We also had My sister and Jen along with Dan's parents join us for our special Day.