McKall's First Birthday!

We had McKall's Grandma and Grandpa Barbour and Grandma and Grandpa Wyler over to celebrate her 1st Birthday! Her actual Birthday this year fell on Thanksgiving Day! She really liked the candle-

but wanted nothing to do with eating the cake. She looked at it like "what is this thing you set in front of me." Hayden couldn't resist though. We tried to get her to eat even a little bit- but she refused.

Hayden helped her open presents, and now thinks the toys she got are his. She is crawling all over and loves to walk along the couches and with her walker. She is getting really good at it so soon she will probably take off on her own. She is clapping and waving bye-bye. She is babbling all of the time and says, ba-ba, da-da, ya, and lots of words that probably make sense to her. She is so beautiful and has long gorgeous eye-lashes. One of her favorite things to do is stand on the couch and look out the window, and she wants to be where ever Hayden is, and doing what ever he is doing. She like to snuggle and is very spoiled! She is the sweetest little thing and we couldn't imagine our life without her!

Say Cheese

The other night Hayden was going to bed and McKall wanted to climb into bed with him. They looked so cute laying there together so I ran to get my camera. It was so adorable because McKall was seriously posing for these pictures. Every time I would get my camera ready to shoot a picture she would give a big cheesy smile and then go back to normal when I was not taking a picture. Look at those big cheeks and her little teeth. Ahhhh. Melt my heart. Ya gotta love Hayden's cheesy smile too!

Halloween

We had a little Batman and a little Ballerina this Halloween. It was so fun with Hayden because he really understood Halloween this year. The entire week he wore his costume to school, his party, around the house, and of course Halloween night. We went to Boo at the Zoo - and Hayden had a Halloween Party! He got to invite who ever he wanted, and he served his guests Mummy Dogs and tater tots!

What a combination - we had Strawberry Shortcake, a Ballerina, a Small fry, Batman, and a Zombie! We took the kids trick or treating, but Hayden was done after two streets because he wanted to go home to pass out candy. He loved opening the door and seeing all of the costumes and putting candy into the bags. McKall loved seeing the people at the door, and she and Hayden sat on the couch and looked out the window for more kids to come all night.

Red Hot Baby

Hayden participated in his first organized team sport this year - soccer! His team was called the "Red Hots." All of his teammates were 3 years old, like Hayden, so it made for some entertaining games! He absolutely loved it and enjoyed playing with the other kids on his team. Hayden mostly liked to run and chase the kids, so basically he wasn't really interested in playing the game! He would run up and down the field with a big ol' grin on his face loving every minute of it. He had an awesome coach who was very patient with the team. We are all excited for spring season!

Mckall

McKall is all over the place! She loves to "help" with the dishes and loves to climb in!

She loves to eat! This spaghetti dinner was especially messy and fun.

And she is just beautiful!

Preschool

I figured I better get caught up so I can post some recent pics! This year Hayden started Preschool! His teacher is Miss Annie - who happens to be a wonderful teacher. He goes on Mondays and Wednesdays and on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays he asks if he gets to go to school that day! He loves it. Each week he learns a new letter and always comes home with fun activities he has done. He wears his "Cars" backpack, and I must say he looks so adorable with it on. He has lots of great friends there and is learning so much.

The Castle

I love to go exploring at thrift shops. Mike however, does not, but one day I kindly persuaded him to stop into The Goodwill with me. He agreed, not because he wanted to, but because he loves me. Mike and Hayden took off to the toy area while McKall and I looked over the rest of the store. I was done and proceeded to find the boys. This is when I learned that Mike told Hayden he could pick any toy he wanted. I had to clarify...any toy? That is pretty dangerous when you are working with a three year old I tried to tell Mike. But, it didn't matter because Hayden was already on the hunt. Mike and I tried to jump in and find Hayden a toy that we approved of. He didn't like any of our ideas. He had found the castle. The dirty, broken, gross, old castle. Noooooooooo I pleaded. But, he was in love. I reluctantly agreed (because it was only $3.00). On the way out he found another toy. Bad Guy is the name Hayden gave him. I was so happy to be bringing Bad Guy home too. Hmmmmm.

Even though I hated it and did not want this it has brought hours and hours of playing joy to Hayden, so I guess it was worth the pain! By the way, the castle pic does not do this thing justice for just how gross this thing is.

If you are cool, you like to roller skate

At least that is what Hayden and I think. We took Hayden roller skating and he is a pro. Ok, a pro for a three year old. It was so fun, and he did really good. The place was dead so it was perfect for Hayden to perfect his skating skills without the risk of getting ran over by a thirteen year old girl looking at a cute boy instead of paying attention to where she is going. I know this because I was a skating master when I was thirteen.

These pictures are really bad, but I had to post them. He looks adorable. I taught him to put one foot in front of the other, so he literally said the entire time he was skating "One and then the other," over and over again. It worked. Is it really embarrassing for me to admit that I loved it too. No... roller skating is cool.

This says it all

"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate." - Linda Grayson

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

"Life is like a box of chocolates ... You never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump

What would summer be without...

The Rodeo. The Caldwell Night Rodeo, to be exact. This is my typical attempt to capture a normal family picture of us. And here you see the typical result. Oh well!

We went with Grammy and Grampy Barbour. Hayden got very excited at all of the events, and loved it! Look at that face, so stinkin' cute.

The Fair. And of course Elephant Ears. Here is Hayden chowing down and loving every minute of it.

McKall enjoyed it too, from the comfort of her stroller. I love that smile.

While visiting Utah this summer we went to the Davis County Fair with my Aunt and Cousin. Hayden loved this water pump. He still talks about it and is determined to find another one... he is still looking.

My note to Hayden

Dear Hayden,

Today is your third birthday and I wanted to write you this note so you will always know how much your mommy loves you. I remember when you were born and they put your little body on my chest - I was instantly in love with you. Not a day goes by that I am not eternally grateful to have you in my life. You make me smile and laugh everyday with the silly things you do and say, and with your pure innocence. Being a mom is challenging (you can be a little turkey sometimes), but I would never give it up because I love you so much. You are very intuitive and listen to everything going on around you. You amaze me everyday at how smart you are. I love how you like to snuggle with me right now, because I am sure there will be a day when you will think that is not so cool. I love that when you get an owie all you need is for me to kiss it better. You are so sweet to McKall and she adores you. You call her princess with your squeaky little voice and it melts my heart. I love when you sing and do your dances. I love to carry you up the stairs to put you in your "nice, warm, snuggly bed", as you say it - for that one last moment of the day with you. I love how you get so excited every time we go to Costco and they write a smiley face on the back of the receipt. I love when you wrap your little arms around me and tell me I am the best mommy in the whole wide world. I could go on and on, but I mostly want to say I love everything about you Beans, and you are the best little boy in the whole wide world.

Love, Mommy

4th of July!

We have had a tradition of going to Idaho Falls for the 4th, but we haven't gone for a few years, so we decided we better go this year. We had so much fun being with friends and having a good time. Elizabeth of course came prepared with red, white, and blue nail polish, so I painted McKall's toenails. Can you say cuteness. I love little toes. We went to the greenbelt and fed the ducks, and looked at the river. Hayden was in Heaven.

And of course we watched the fireworks and did some of our own. Both Hayden and McKall really liked the fireworks.

My Girl

My baby girl isn't so little any more... she is about 71/2 months old. She is proudly sitting up on her own, and loving the freedom of being upright and playing with toys. She is rolling and scooting all over and will be crawling soon, I bet. She loves to eat food and is sitting like a big girl in the high chair feeding herself. It is so fun every morning to pick out her outfits and dress her up. She has about a gazillion flower clips and bows for her hair! She is also a Drama Queen already! She knows what she wants and if she doesn't get it she makes this face!

But she also smiles a lot and she loves to play with her big brother Hayden. She just looks at him and giggles. I love how much they both love each other. He calls her princess and he is always concerned about her well being. We love you little miss.

7 years!

Today is our 7th anniversary! When I first met Mike at ISU I would have never thought that he would have been the guy... but I sure am glad he was! I am so grateful for all he does for us, and that we have our sweet babies together. Love you Mikey.

Camping with Daddy

Hayden and Mike recently went on a fathers and sons camp out together. Hayden was more than excited to go... it was all he could talk about! He was so anxious to use his new flashlight in the tent. I thought he looked adorable in this pic! They loaded up the car and headed out.

Hayden slept ok, but Mike didn't. He was trying to keep Hayden warm all night. Hayden didn't want to wear his warm clothes to bed (he didn't quite understand why he had to) so, he got a little cold. He had so much fun running around with the other kids and cooking at the fire. He keeps asking Mike when they can do a camp out again.