The Birthday Vacation

Tessa's birthday is today. She's two. I can hardly believe how fast time goes sometimes. She's getting to be such a big girl...even though we are still very attached to binkies, blankies, and bottles. She can say so many words now, she's becoming quite the little chatter-box. She LOVES playing with Little People or babies. She LOVES books. She loves Jordyn, and when Jordyn goes to dance or pre-school Tessa cries until she come home. Tessa is our little cuddle bug. She loves fruit snacks and grapes. Happy Birthday sweet Miss Tessa!

So, we took a few days off with the Hunter family and headed up past Heber to a cabin. It was lots of fun. We played games, played in the snow, ate lots of yummy food, stayed up way to late, and played a hilarious game of Cranium. Monday night we had pie for Tessa's birthday and she was spoiled by everyone. (Thanks Hunter family for being so awesome!)

Tonight we spent the evening with the Halladays at Grandma's house. We ordered pizza and had pink cupcakes...even though Tessa's favorite color is blue. She was once again spoiled to pieces. (Thanks everyone!)

Christmas Morning

Santa made it to our house this year. We're so lucky! (But really I mean blessed to be able to have such a wonderful Christmas.) Tessa woke us all up around seven. The girls were so excited!
Turn sideways for this one. Here is Tessa's stocking and Baby. So cute!

The only thing Jordyn wanted for Christmas was a high chair for her baby. She was so super excited when she saw it. And that Santa, he's one smart guy because he did all the setting up for us. What a way to go!

I'm not sure if Jordyn was more excited about her high chair or my shark steam mop. She was jumping up and down and screaming, "How did he know? How did Santa know?"

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

The Puzzle

My Dad always buys a puzzle to put together on Christmas day. This year he went to the Hallmark store and picked this one....

Well, when we were done this is what we got....I'm not kidding. Really. My sister started putting it together, she kept saying it wasn't the same. Well, surprise! Can you believe it? It took over an hour of searching on the Internet to find the puzzle we were working on. This one is from 2007 and the one we bought is from 2010. Someone tell me how it happened, please.

First Dance Recital

Jordyn was in her very first dance recital on Saturday. The camera girl (me) got a little distracted at times, and you can hear me telling Heber to find Jordyn. Sorry it's a little blurry. ENJOY!

New Babies

I just love being an Aunt...

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Houston Fred Harding

(Jesse and Julie's new baby)

Born: Monday, December 13th

6 pounds 3 ounces

18 inches long
Hallie Kathleen Hunter
(Steven and Megan's new baby)
Born: Monday, December 20th
8 pounds 2 ounces
Congratulations to everyone!

Because I Have Been Given Much...

...I Too Must BLOG!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love being with family, eating really yummy food the constant reminder of how blessed I truly am. This year we ate with Jason's family. It was really fun and delicious.

The Sunday before we had a Thanksgiving FHE. I had asked each person to give me three things I could take a picture of. Jordyn and Tessa helped me (against my will) put together a huge bored with each picture. We played a guessing game, where each person had to guess who was thankful for what.

Here are a few of the pictures. Camie was thankful for the girls. ME TOO! I love them. They teach me how to be patient and kind. They remind me daily of the Savior because of their sweet innocence. They are so smart and beautiful.

Norah is grateful for Autumn leaves. ME TOO! They are beautiful. I love the change in the season. I love watching the things around me change. I hope that as I'm changing and growing I'm become something this beautiful.

Jordyn is grateful for her toothbrush and toothpaste. I'm not kidding. I asked her to pick three things she loves and this was one of them. I don't really love brushing me teeth, but I'm grateful for all of the things that keep us healthy. (Showers, combs, lotions, medicine, humidifiers, etc.)

Terry is grateful for the Temple. ME TOO! The Temple teaches me how to return and live with my Heavenly Father. It reminds me of my Savior's love and sacrifice. It is the only pace I could have married Jason. Because of the blessings of the Temple I can be with my family forever.

Last of all, I'm grateful for Jason. Where would I be without him. He is my support and strength. He keeps me sane. He is a great dad. He works hard for our family. I love him. So Jas, thanks for being my best friend and for loving me, no matter how crazy I am. I LOVE YOU!

Here's To You Aunt Vickie

Earlier this year, I can't remember which month, Jason's cousin, Ashley, got married. (That was a lot of commas!) When we got to the wedding Jason's Aunt Vickie took the girls away and brought them back in the cutest black and red dresses ever. They were pretty big on them, but very cute.

Because they were so big I had put them away. You know, to keep them nice. (My Grandma Shirley would always save everything new for "Spring". Maybe I get it from her.)

It's Christmas time now, well almost. The past few years I bought new Christmas dresses. This year, as much as I tried, I just couldn't fit it into the budget. Then, the other day, I noticed them, hanging there, in the side of the closet. I got them out. Tried them on. And guess what! THEY FIT PERFECTLY! Seriously.

Now, I know it seems silly to be so emotional over silly dresses... I'm just really grateful to Vickie and her thoughtfulness all those months ago. Little did she know, she saved me this year.

Happy Halloween!

Jordyn dressed up for dance on Tuesday - I didn't take pictures.

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Jordyn dressed up for Preschool on Thursday - I didn't take pictures

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On Friday we went to Jason's work party and the girls dressed up. They looked SO cute! They had their hair done and they wore all the accessories. Jordyn had a cute princess crown in her hair and Tessa was Tinker Bell...with wings and everything. I didn't take pictures.

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Today it rained. I think it has rained the last three Halloween's. My poor girls were tired of their costumes. These are the only picture I took...

Trick-O-Treat - Visiting Grandpa Great

Heber - So Cute!

Come on... Let's go this way!

Check out Mr. Heber Man dancing away. Try to ignore the crazy girl trying to take the attention away.

Hair

I've been trying harder to do the girls' hair. Most of the time it's just a simple pony on the top. Much easier. Takes less time. Oh, and less fighting! I tried to get them to sit for a minute so I could take their pictures. This is the best I could get. Their faces look a little weird, but they are cute.
Jordyn
Tessa

And of course, it wouldn't be right to leave Heber out.

The Other Day...

. . . It Rained.. . . And Tessa and Heber went with me to the store while Jordyn was at preschool. When we were in line Heber grabbed one of the chocolate ball things. Are they called "lindor" or something? Anyway, he ate it. Don't worry, I paid for it. He fell asleep as soon as I put him in the car.

Sunday Clothes

As a little girl, my mom took us to church. Usually my Dad had to work so she would get all 5 of us up and ready all my herself. She did our hair and made sure we had on cute dresses - usually some what matching. (P.S. I have no idea how she did it, because sometimes I can't get my 2 kids ready...with Jason's help.) Anyway, when we came home from church we always changed our clothes. "Sunday Clothes" were to be kept nice and not played in.

Sunday afternoons were spent at home or visiting family. We didn't play with our friends. Sometimes we played outside, sometimes we watched movies. Every Sunday we always fought over who would get to eat at Grandma and Grandpa Halladay's... My Mom always cooked a Sunday dinner and we ate together and then we all cleaned up together. I remember that who ever dried the dishes had to also sweep the floors and wipe of the counters - because washing the dishes was the worst job ever!

I have a lot of found memories of being with my family on Sundays. I don't think the clothes made the day any more special.

What do you think? Do you keep your kids in their "Sunday Clothes" all day? Do you stay in your "Sunday Clothes"? Sometimes I feel bad or not a good member of the church because the first thing I do when I get home on Sundays is put my jeans on. Maybe I feel bad because we should be keeping our "Sunday Clothes" on and maybe it's just because I'm not being/acting the way others want me to... (something I tend to struggle with - always being/acting how others want instead of just being myself). But really, I don't need a skirt to think about my Savior.

Anyway, just wondering...

I Made It

One week. I did it. I was really worried, but I did it. Monday morning this was the scene at the breakfast table.... I had asked "who has a nose" so I could get them to raise their hands for "who wants breakfast". This is what I made....

I learned from Jason. He made this...

I have no idea how he gets the bows to look so good.

Anyway, Monday is the only day that I have all five kids. Then they split up a little. The only major drama was when Jordyn dumped sand on Tessa, Heber, and Paityn's heads. I was so MAD! But hey, a quick bath and drama over.

So, anyway, so far so good on this baby sitting thing.

Has It Really Been . . .

. . . Over a week since my last post! Time flies when you busy. I can't believe that I made a promise to post every week, especially because we don't have the Internet. But, really, nothing that exciting happened this week.

. . . Over 9 years since I graduated from high school. I can hardly believe that next year will be ten years. I better loose some weight.

. . . Only 30 seconds from my last sip of Diet Coke. I think I'm addicted. It just taste so dang good.

. . . 12 hours since I woke up freaking out that we only had 25 minutes to get to church. That was a scary morning. But my missionary skills kicked into high gear and I was only 3 minutes late.

For this week: I'm starting to tend my friend Marcia's kids. Five kids, three and under. I'm super nervous, and a little scared. But, I have high hopes. Paityn is a little older than Jordyn so I'm hoping they'll get along great. Daxton and Heber are the same age, so it will be good for them. That just leaves little Tessa in the middle, all by herself. So, I'll be up to my eye brows in PB&J sandwiches and Diapers. Wish me luck.

WHAT! The Hunter's...

…Who are they?

Did you miss me? No really, did you? I’ve been told a few times in the last couple of days that I really need to update my blog. So, here goes. And, I’m promising weekly posts from now on. Honestly, I’ve missed blogging. It’s like my journal. Plus, I love showing off my adorable kids.

There are a lot of things that have happened this summer. I’m not even sure where to start, or how much to share. So, I’ll stick with some of the major events right now, and go from there.

In June, Heber had his first birthday. I can hardly believe it. Julie planned a party at Cabelas. Jordyn kept asking who Bella was. Happy Birthday Heber!
We sent Steven off to war...but I'm pretty sure I already posted about that.

Jason was able to go visit Steven in Wisconsin for a couple of days with an Employer Group. He said it was really awesome, and great to have a little time with Steve.

P.S. Did you know Steve and Megan are having a baby? Well...it's a GIRL! and she'll be here around Christmas time.

We went up the canyon ONE day. And that was it. Really. I can't handle the dirt or the bugs. Poor Jason, he married a wimp! But, Tessa had so much fun.
Jordyn had a birthday! Three years has gone by so fast. She wanted to have her party at Grandma Sue Sue's house with princess, fairies, and hello kitty.
Jordyn had her first friend party. It was a blast...for her. Not so much for Jason and I. What where we thinking?

The girls took lots of baths in Grandpa Day's tub. When you turn the jets on the bubbles go CRAZY!

We took a quick trip to Park City. The girls had so much fun. I mean, really, look at their faces. Don't they look so happy.

We ended our quick trip to Park City with a stop in the Emergency Room! Jordyn fell off the bed in the middle of the night, while sleeping. She broke her collar bone. She milked it....for all it was worth.
Jordyn started dance....
And Preschool.
We went to the State Fair. See the cow behind Jason...he was checking things out.
I had a birthday.... I'm now 28! YIKES! Jason gave me these flowers....
and took me to see the Lion King at the Capital Theater. It was awesome!

Summer...So Far

Did you miss me? Let me tell you...I MISS YOU! I miss blogging. I miss being able to write about whatever, whenever. I miss feeling "apart" of something. (Is that super dumb?) I miss feeling "up-to-date" with all of your lives. Oh, well. Life goes on. And really, it has.

So, I don't have my calendar here with me so I'm not really sure what we did these last few weeks. Really, my memory is that bad. Here's what I do know. I was called as the secretary in the primary in my ward. NUTS! We were in the Primary Children's Parade...but it was really windy, so it wasn't that much fun. The girls got a ticket to the carnival (which they used) and a free glacier at Taco Amigo (which Jason and I used - it was our reward for walking in the parade). Instead of going to the Strawberry Days Parade we went to the zoo. My family went with us, and it was really fun. Jason and I worked at the rodeo, that was entertaining...especially because...well, that's a secret. If you really want to know, ask me in person and I'll tell you. :)

Let's see, the Hunter family had pictures taken and they turned out so great. Maybe one day I'll get one on here for you to see. Um, I hurt my back...but I'm on the mend. Our yard is looking pretty good still, except the grass in the back is being eaten by something. We're in the process of working on that.

I guess that's about it. We are having a party on the 4th of July at the Hunter house. Our Uncle Steven is heading "off to war to fight the bad guys" - at least that's how we're explaining things to Jordyn. We're so proud of Steve! Thanks for serving our Country...we hope you know you're in our thoughts and prayers - ALWAYS!

Today I had the girls' pictures taken. They turned out SO great! ENJOY!!