Definitely Not In Kansas Anymore

I have no idea why my husband doesn't agree with me that this is the funniest thing ever.

Curly Sue

Ok, now THIS is why having a little girl is completely awesome.





By the end of church, her hair started to resemble that same rat's nest we've come to know and love. But oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

PS - my friend Becca gave this dress to Hayley. Isn't it adorable? Thanks again Becs!

I take way too many pictures.

This weekend, we went to my cousin Laura's wedding in Cardston. It was so fun seeing everyone and meeting her new hubby.

Hayley got a birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa - a cute little outfit with a matching purse.

She LOVES the purse. I think her face says it all:

Hayley and my cousin's sweet little girls:

The next day, we headed to Calaway Park with the Jarmans (gotta use that seasons pass to it's fullest!). The day went really good. We all had so much fun, the kids were well-behaved, no long lines, and we went for free - the makings of a perfect day!












When all us adults were ready to go, the kids were still asking, "Which ride should we go on next?". Isabelle even asked to go on the big roller coaster or "the big up and down train". Um, not for a few more years sweetie! The kids really enjoyed themselves and didn't want to leave.

Go Hayley, It's Your Birthday

On Thursday, we had a little family party for Hayley. Carter got her a Dora backpack and Jared and I got her a princess castle. Both were a HUGE hit.



If you could buy happiness, it would be $34.99 at Walmart.



Then Friday afternoon, we had some little friends over for cupcakes and games in the backyard.

Just Hayley

If Hayley's doing something funny, we say "Hayley, you're silly". And she always replies, giggling: "No. I not Silly. I just Hayley!".

If you know Hayley well, you know that she is totally that: Just Hayley. Our sweet little spitfire. Our calm little spaz. Our polite little bossy-pants. I don't really understand it either, but I don't think any other kid is quite like her. That's why she's Just Hayley.

Today our little gal had her second birthday. Apparently, she didn't get the memo.

And I probably wouldn't have it any other way. Life would be too boring :)


Happy Birthday Hayls! Don't ever change - we love you just the way you are!

Small town. 'Nuff said.

You know hunting season has begun when there's a truck parked at the mall with a dead moose hanging out the back. Yep.

Really people. Can you not just unload the rotting carcass at home before stopping for groceries?

Life is about to get a whole lot busier.

Anyone else ever had that same feeling? I sure do right now because some exciting things are going down at the Whidden pad these days.

First of all, Jared just got a new calling (YM Pres) which means a whole lot more meetings. And if you add that to all my meetings I already have, we are going to have an interesting dilemna balancing our schedules, especially with one of us needing to be home with the kids. Plus, one thing (that has to do with my calling) is keeping me so busy, it needs a numerical category unto itself. So here it is:

Secondly: Super Saturday. The planning for this is all me, folks. I don't even have an Enrichment Leader or anything. So I am calling for all ideas: if you have done any fun, but classy Christmas crafts - pass along those ideas, would ya?

Thirdly, today Carter and Hayley started "school". No, not real school. Carter wouldn't have any of that since he's "not 5 yet" (Stickler). Another girl in my ward and I are doing an at-home-preschool for our 4 kids, sort of like Joy School. We have come up with some really fun lesson plans, crafts, games, songs, and activities - all thanks to the wonderful world wide web. Seriously, what did people do before internet? They had their first one today and I was really surprised how into it they all were, and I think it's going to work really well.

Fourthly, I have "chipped off the ol' block", so to speak, and decided to start teaching musical classes at the Rec Center here in town. For anyone who knows my Mom, she has run her "Showbiz Kids" program for about 17 years now. I was in it when I was little, and then helped her out a bit the past couple years. So biologically, I should have some of that talent running in my blood, shouldn't I? I sure hope so because I start in 2 weeks.

Add to that our weekly playgroup, never ending (or just procrastinated) home improvements, and this family's excessive desire to travel and we have ourselves one busy existence. Plus we got Rock Band. And we all know how much time that takes (a super fun game thankless job but somebody's gotta do it).

Barney

I know, I know. He's weird and creepy. But if that big purple dinosaur can make an (almost) two-year-old sing this sweet little song, he scores big points in my book.

Utah - Part Two

We're back from our family vacation, and it was a gooder. The perfect way to end off the summer. Our second half of the trip was so hot and we spent alot of time outside. Ben and Andrea have the best backyard for kids.




One evening, we took Carter, Hayley, and cousin Cooper to the Dinosaur museum. It was a hit. They absolutely loved it and walked from one exhibit to the next going, "WHOA!!!" and "HOLY SMOKES!!!!" (or "Holy Moly Smokes", as Hayley says it).

Carter's face in this one cracks me up. He is such a goofball.





We went to the Chuck-a-Rama buffet - so good.

While we were there, Andrea and I snuck a picture of these old men. They were sitting at the table next to us and we thought it was so funny. They were just having the best "Guys Night Out" ever! Except it was at Chuck-a-Rama. In the middle of the afternoon. I don't know why, but it was just so cute.

I also got to visit with my friend from grade 6 (Hi Ashley!) from when we lived in Pleasant Grove. It was so fun seeing her and catching up. I went and visited my old stomping grounds in Pleasant Grove and it was kinda fun to see my old house, school, etc. Brought back some memories.

Boondocks was super fun. A "Chuck E. Cheese on crack", as Andrea describes it. So true.




On the way home, we stopped in Idaho Falls for a little break from driving.




The falls and Temple were so pretty, but it also brought back memories of when we broke down and were stranded there in 2002 on our way home from the Olympics (Maybe I'll share that story at a later date. It's still to painful - Kidding).

On another pit stop, Carter asked where we were and we told him, "Montana". Then he goes, "Oh... Does Hannah live here?" Wow, even a 4-year-old boy knows who she is. This chick is way too popular.

So there you have it - another successful summer family vacation! I'm so glad I have a husband and kids who are just as eager to go on these adventures as I am. I couldn't have picked a better family to be stuck with.

And thanks again to the Whiddens for being awesome hosts. We had a blast.