Fall Fun

What a fun week we have had!  The weather was just so gorgeous that we couldn't resist playing outside every afternoon.  The trees down here are finally shedding their leaves so Kylie and Hayden had lots of fun playing in the leaves every day.

We also did something out of my comfort zone this week: we went to play with some new friends!  We had met Mindy and her kids a few weeks ago, and on a whim one day we decided to stop and play with them on our walk.  It was so fun and the kids really enjoyed playing with other kids.  I am glad I got out of my comfort zone and knocked on their door.

Kylie and Hayden are so cute together sometimes.  Yes they already fight with each other and get on each other's nerves, but other times when they are trying to imitate each other they can be so cute!!

On Thursday morning I got my wisdom teeth out, and it has been so hard on everyone.  The kids just want to play with me like normal but it's hard when I am trying to heal and on pain meds.  Brandon was a good help on Thursday, as were my visiting teachers, but I can't wait until this is all behind me and can do everything normally again!!

Kylie did see Santa Claus for a short minute yesterday when we went grocery shopping at Walmart.  She wasn't too impressed with him... even when he gave her candy.

Next year maybe she will get the whole Santa Claus thing, but right now I don't mind that she doesn't know what is going on!  Especially since our Christmas this year isn't going to be that crazy.  But hopefully we will make it up north again to spend the holiday with family!  That is what it's all about ;)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

We finally had a cold enough winter day where we had to wear our big winter coats outside for our walk!  This was Hayden's first time wearing his coat, and he was super off-balanced.  He kept falling down, and then rolling around trying to get up like a big fluffy marshmallow.  It was pretty funny to watch!

Wednesday the kids both got a fun surprise: new beds!!  Brandon had found a good deal on a bunk bed from a friend of his, so Kylie finally got a big girl bed, and Hayden got the crib! Hayden was super excited for his new bed, until bed time.  Then we had a bad night because when he woke up things weren't familiar.  But every night since then he has slept super well and only has been waking up once a night!  Yay!!

Kylie absolutely loved her new bed.  She "helped" Brandon put it together, which was a lot of work.

By the time we got the mattresses on she was fake yawning and kept saying "I'm sleepy" because she wanted to try out her new bed so badly!  The top bunk is a  favorite to play on for both kids, but Kylie sleeps on the bottom.

   
Everyday I am still talking to Kylie about potty training, and every day it is still the same loud, resolute "NO".  Until one day this week she said yes!  This happens like once a month so I was super happy!  Nothing came of it, but she sat in there for a good ten minutes!

On Saturday we finally got our Christmas tree up!  Kylie was a good helper by putting on the ornaments with me.  Hayden was a good helper by promptly taking down all the ornaments that Kylie put up.  So once again the tree is only dressed on the top half because Hayden won't let anything stay up and keeps trying to eat them.  But our house is finally festive!  It's hard to feel like it's Christmas without the mountains of snow everywhere, so I have been compensating by singing Christmas Carols all the time and super loud.  Poor kiddos!

That night, since it was so nice outside, we went to the temple grounds and looked at all the lights.  Hayden could stay at one lit bush forever, and Kylie raced ahead full of excitement.  It was nice to get out with the family and enjoy a little Christmas spirit!

Hayden is ONE!

Today we celebrated Hayden's birthday!  I can't believe he is already one!!

We had a little party in the afternoon where we opened his presents.  Kylie was super helpful in opening the presents, and didn't get the concept that the toys were not hers and if Hayden wanted to play with them he got priority over her.  Luckily there were a few toys so there wasn't too much disappointment on her part.

After presents we played with balloons for a while.  Brandon liked to tease the kids by blowing a balloon up and then not tying it and scaring them with the noises.

After some play time we gave Hayden his birthday cupcake which he was dying for.  Kylie was also happy to have some birthday cake (or, mostly, birthday frosting).

Happy birthday little man!!

Twice the Turkey Day

What a fun a busy holiday week we have had!  Thanks to some help from our families, we were able to go up north and spend Thanksgiving with them.  I was excited for the kids to have some grandparent time, though I wasn't excited to leave our nice warmish weather at home.

Luckily it wasn't nearly as bad weather as I thought it would be.  We were able to go outside everyday still and it was only a little chillier than what we were used to!  Yay!

We left Tuesday afternoon, right after Hayden's first nap, which was a mistake.  He was ready to get out and play, not sit in a carseat for 4 hours.  So we had our first stop in Cedar City, only 40 minutes from home, so Kylie and Hayden could play really quick for a bit.  We stopped at the McDonald's, and they both had fun playing in the playland.

The rest of the trip was nice and relatively uneventful.  Kylie is the best traveller now, always self-entertaining herself and even napping.  Hayden is the one going through all the toys we have in ten minutes and then ready to get out of his seat.

Thankfully we made it safe and sound and had a nice evening at Grandma and Grandpa Knudsen's house.  Kylie also got to sleep with Aunt Kendra that night, even though she tried really hard to sleep in Uncle Jordan's bed (because that is where she slept last time).

Wednesday we had celebrated Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's house.  Kylie helped make the meal and we played outside and ate some yummy food!  Hayden especially liked the chocolate pie, and as usual Kylie only ate rolls.

Grandma Tess was also really nice and took us shopping to get Hayden some clothes for his upcoming birthday.  That kid is growing fast!

Thursday we spent at Grandma and Grandpa Knudsen's and had another Thanksgiving feast with them!  They had extended family over and there were lots of kids for Kylie to run around with.

Brandon even managed to catch their cat and let Kylie hold it, which she absolutely loved.  She always tries to pick up our cat, but he weighs nearly as much as she does, so it's pretty impossible.  But the Knudsen's cat is tiny and hardly weighs anything, so Kylie liked holding it (though the cat didn't enjoy it as much).

Grandpa Gary also got some good Hayden time in and had fun playing with him!

Earlier that morning Grandpa Pete and Grandma Tess came and we did a photoshoot for Hayden's first birthday (which is Sunday).  At first Hayden wasn't very amused, having been woken from a nap, and was serious and only wanted to be held by me.  Then a duck diverted his attention!

Then we tried letting him walk around, which was fine until he fell down and scraped his face.

Hayden finally started smiling when we played on the playground.

Then we went back to the house and let him play in a pile of leaves which was fun!

Thanks to Grandpa Pete for some amazingly cute pictures!!

Friday was our last day visiting, and the kids got lots of family time in.  Especially when us girls went out the the movies that afternoon, and then afterwards Brandon and I got to go on a little date and pick up our new car from Grandma and Grandpa Hansen!  Whoo!

Saturday we left early in the morning, just in time for Hayden's first nap (we learned our lesson!) and only stopped once for lunch and then had smooth sailing all the way home.  The kids were excited to see our cat again and all their old toys.

Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible and for all the help you give us!  We loved being with family for Thanksgiving!  Also thanks to Grandma Shari and Grandpa Pete for letting me use your pictures!