An Entire Month of Fun!

This summer, Hayden and I decided to spend an entire month with family in Utah.  We had a great time.  A big reason we stayed for so long was because my twin brothers Ian and Sean graduated from high school June 1st and then Paul's brother Mark got married on June 23rd.  I was not going to go for their graduation because we weren't even sure they wanted to walk, but then one day my mom called me and said that all they wanted for graduation was to have all their sisters present.  Sean even said he wanted a picture of all the siblings oldest to youngest.  Sean and Ian don't ask for very much in life and I was honored that they wanted us to be there.  Also it's a pretty huge accomplishment for them to graduate with a normal diploma, just like everyone else except that they did it with autism.  They are pretty amazing guys!  You'd think with almost a whole month, I would have seen EVERYONE that I wanted to.  But I still didn't manage to see everyone that is important to me.  Now that we live so far from family, they have to come first, but I was able to squeeze in a few visits with friends.

I took Hayden swimming the morning of our flight because we didn't fly out until about 7pm.  I thought for sure that would wear her out to take a good nap.  Well, she didn't, she just played in her bed and then played on the plane and finally fell asleep around 1 am our time.  She was great, but she did not want to sleep!  As you can see, she definitely new the safety information the aircraft provided!

Graduation was the first big event.  I was worried about taking Hayden and had almost decided to leave her at home to take a nap, but decided to bring her and she did fabulous.  She was a little obsessed with Aunt Shannon and sat with her for most of the ceremony.  

Michelle, Jared & Owen got to stay for about 5 days, so we made the most of it by going swimming, celebrating an early 1st birthday for Owen, going to Wheeler Farm, and The Children's Museum!  

 Owen had fun playing with all his new toys!

 Sunday afternoon at Wheeler Farm, it was super hot!

 Hayden's favorite person: Shannon!  

 This picture accurately shows how obsessed she was at protecting our belongings.  My sister was taking a picture with my phone for us and she was losing it!  

 Children's Museum

 Hayden loved the helicopter on the roof, I bet we spent an hour inside of it!

 Hayden could have played here all day...

After the Oldham's left and Shannon's husband had to go back to work, Shannon was kind enough to stay for another week!  It was so nice having her help me entertain Hayden and so nice to spend quality time with her.  We made fancy rings and headbands (a way fun craft my mom had planned for Hayden), went to the zoo, and made a trip to Logan to see Shannon's apartment and have lunch with Michelle before they headed back to Colorado.  

Hayden always loves a good day at the zoo.  Hogle Zoo was so much fun.  Sean was in a bad mood because he had a headache and Hayden was so worried that he wasn't having fun.  She even offered him a drink of her milk she was so worried about him!

 This has been at the zoo since I was a kid, so I had to take Hayden to get a drink, she thought it was pretty exciting to drink out of a Lion's head.

 Hayden sure loved her Uncle Ian.  She would say he name all day long and come looking for him whenever he tried to hide from her :)  He spent hours with her outside on the trampoline and playing with her in the yard.  

 We went swimming with my friend Kim Smith and then had McDonald's afterwards.  This picture is included because it is the first Happy Meal she has ever had.  I know, I know, I am a lame mom, how has she never had McDonald's?  I guess because I never want to eat there!

 After Shannon left, my mom and I took a quick trip to Cedar City.  I got to see a good chunk of my extended family which is always fun, but my most important visit was with my 94 year old Grandpa Cowan.  He is now living with my aunt and uncle and I'm so grateful he is in such good hands. It was pretty hard to see how he has aged.  He has always seemed so young to me.  We took him to Applebee's for father's day and just spent time talking and watching all the birds out his window.  Hayden was so good around him, it's almost like kids just know he is someone to be respected!

Shortly after returning from Cedar City Hayden and I went out to Tooele.  Hayden got to spend lots of time with her cousins and she had so much fun.  Here she is with Maizey and Maren playing with bunnies.  Hayden isn't afraid of any animals or bugs, she loves them all!

We finally got to pick up Paul on June 17th and we were so excited to see him after 3 long weeks.  Because neither Anne or I had anything to wear to the wedding, we decided we better go shopping and we went to the new City Creek shopping area.  It was beautiful!

 Our time in Tooele was so fun, Hayden literally played with cousins all day long and just loves her Grandma Anne and Papa Steve so much.  We went swimming, shopping, and did lots of fun wedding stuff.  

Here is my new sister-in-law Kelsey with all her pretty flower girls.  Grandma Anne sewed all of these skirts and they turned out so cute, everyone loved them.  Kelsey and Mark's wedding was the most fun wedding I have ever been too.  The decorations, food, everything was so cute.  She had dancing and even without alcohol, everyone had a great time.  Hayden had 9 of her cousins there and the big girls even let her have a sleep over with them after the wedding.  She was on cloud 9 talking about how she was going to have a sleep over.  

They also had a photo booth at the wedding, which was one of the highlights for everyone (especially Trent).  We had so much fun.  I was lame and didn't even get a family picture of us on the wedding, so these will have to do.

 It's not everyday that 5 out of the 6 brothers are together, I'm so glad Anne thought to take this picture.  From left to right:  Kyle, Paul, Scott, Trent and Mark.  We missed Russ and his family so much and wish they could have been here for all the fun.  

The day before we left, we went back to Salt Lake, so my family could see Paul for a day.  We went to the Aquarium and Hayden loved it of course.   Our favorite part was the Otters.  

Hayden also finally warmed up to my mom and was very intrigued by her cello.  I tried to hold her on my lap and play, but she wouldn't have it, only grandma could hold her.  

My Georgia friends kept telling me how quick the time would go and I honestly did not believe them!  We had some rough days with Hayden being possessive of everything and throwing some awesome tantrums, but we have far more good memories that outweigh the bad ones!  Can't wait to do it again!  (Although Paul can, he was pretty lonely while we were gone and was so ready to be with his family again.)

6 Years, 6 States and Still Best Friends

Six years ago, Kristine and I were sealed for time and all eternity.  And while I know that we have eternity to be together, she has been in Salt Lake for three days and I feel like forever has come and gone!  That's what it feels like when you are apart from the person that makes you who you are and who you want to be.  I have always known that my Heavenly Father loved me, despite the grief I sometimes give Him.  What became evident when Kristine became my wife, and I her husband, is that He loved me enough to know exactly what I needed to become the person that He needs me to be.  Is it possible to express gratitude for something so superlative?

"We were supposed to be done saying goodbye."

That's what Kristine told me the night before she returned home for her brothers' graduation and my brother's wedding.  The first summer that we "dated," we had been writing and talking on the phone for nearly 7 months, discovering what can only be described as a bridge from something unknown to something so familiar.  As I remember that first summer, and particularly that first, most difficult goodbye, my mind is forced to settle on how neatly she fit into my arms.  She seemed to draw the loose ends and insecurities that had characterized my life and consume them.  They were swallowed up in the promise that I could do anything with her by my side.  Kristine lifted me, and continues to do so, when so many others either knowingly or unknowingly cut me down.

I am proud to be your husband.  I am proud to call you my wife.  I am proud to have you as the mother of our daughter.  The scriptures say that God will show Himself to us in His own way and in His own time.  I see Him, and feel His love every time I see you smile.  I feel His support every time I take your hand.  I know He is there every time I come home to my girls.  You, Kristine, are everything that I hope for, everything that I live for and the one person I love more than any other.

Happy Anniversary!

Baseball

Hayden had so much fun in March watching her cousins play baseball and so when we found out they were playing in Auburn, AL (about 2 hours from us) we jumped at the chance to watch them play again.  Of course both Ozzie and Cooper's teams won the whole tournament.  They are amazing little athletes already.  Hayden was so excited to see them and the entire drive there she sang there names, "Ozzie, Cooper, Quincy, Jett" over and over again.

Hayden and Quincy have such a special little bond.  He is rough and tough with his brothers, but with Hayden he is gentle, kind, and so much fun!

Hayden was absolutely devastated when we left that night and kept crying for Quincy.  She prays for all her cousins each night and we are reminded how lucky we are to at least have these cousins 6 hours away!

What Hayden's Been Up To!

For the first month after Hayden transitioned to her big girl bed, she stayed in her bed after she woke up.  Each morning she would wait in bed for me to come get her, it was great.  Then she finally realized she could get out of bed and even upon up her door, our door, and come in our bed at 6:30 am.  I wasn't too excited about this as she has always slept until about 8 am, so I got a child proof lock and put it on her door knob.  I was worried she would be so upset, but she just said, "look Mom, so pretty, don't open it!"  So now when she wakes she plays for a bit before I get her.  This is how I found her after a nap the other day:  babylegs on her arms and legs, socks on her hands and feet and slippers!  She went through all of her drawers and closets to find all of those goodies!

Hayden has always played so well with markers too.  I can usually leave her for a bit and I know she won't draw on anything, well this is how I found her today.  She had drawn all over her arms, legs, feet,  face, and oddly enough her arm pits!

Zoo with friends

We went with our friends the Curby's to the zoo yesterday because Hayden has been begging to go back.  She was sad Michelle and Owen couldn't join us, but was so excited to see Britney, Mason and Maddie join us!  They loved the petting zoo!

Mother's Day

Paul and Hayden made my mother's day extra special this year.  They cooked my favorite breakfast, ebelskivers, and Hayden made me the cutest picture full of stickers.  Paul got me a cute scarf (that I wore to church since it was a little chilly that day) and some t-shirts which I have been in great need of :)  p.s.  you can also see our pretty flower beds....

I bought myself artichokes from Costco and we had a delicious dinner and then Paul baked this amazing thing for me:  Pretzel Bottomed Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Pie!  Yes, it was amazing as it sounds!
(Here is the recipe:  http://akmdesignsandelights.blogspot.com/2012/02/bake-me-happy-pretzel-bottomed-reeses.html)

The Oldham's Visit Georgia!

I have had so much anticipation for the visit of my sister Michelle and her 10 month old Owen!  The last time I saw them both was about a month after he was born, so it has been way too long.  They got to stay for almost 2 weeks.  You'd think that would have been long enough of a time for me to get my fix, but it wasn't.  The time seemed to go by so quickly and then normal life unfortunately had to return.

The first few days were freezing cold here in Georgia and it was actually warmer in Colorado where Michelle lives!  So we spent the first few days preparing my flower beds and planting flowers!  Michelle is such a natural outside, she always has been.  She is definitely in her element and I am definitely not!  She just enjoys it all so much, and I think I am slowly gaining an appreciation.  My flower beds went from pitiful to beautiful in about 2 days time (while juggling 2 little ones and working during their naps).  I have thoroughly enjoyed going outside to water my flowers and watch them grow.  Hayden also loves to water the flowers and takes her little watering bucket outside each day to water the flowers.

We also went on some walks and even one run the first few days they were here.  Sadly it took Hayden and Owen awhile to warm up to one another.  Hayden was super jealous every time I held Own and has officially hit the "it's mine" phase of development.  She didn't want to share anything with him and took anything he tried to touch!  Owen was not used to Hayden's loud crazy noises and was pretty cautious around her.  Slowly but surely they warmed up to one another :)

We got to go to the Zoo and Hayden was just in heaven.  2 1/2 is such a good age for going to the zoo, she really gets it and loves to watch the animals.  We even got a season pass and went just yesterday and Hayden was asking if Michelle and Owen were coming too, it was so cute!

Sometimes I think Hayden liked these statues more than the real animals!  Owen was much more interested in trying to chew on the wooden railings and Michelle pointed out all kinds of plants that I never would have given a second glance.

We also took a trip to Marietta Square to stroll around and look in the shops and try out Miss Mamie's Cupcakes (which recently won the Food Network's Cupcake Wars).  There were lots of flavors to try but we finally narrowed it down to 6.  Owen was pretty excited to look at them but sadly can't have one yet :(  Hayden was a little overwhelmed this whole outing and was a bit of a stinker due to missing her nap!

Michelle's favorite part of the trip was probably the Botanical Gardens.  I have heard good things, but probably would have never bothered to go without her.  You know how you enjoy things so much more when you are doing something with someone who is enthusiastic about it?  The gardens were amazing to me because of Michelle's glee :)  Even Owen seemed much more animated and alive at the gardens than the zoo.  He would excitedly kick his legs every time he saw a bird hopping by and was so excited to be there.

  

 It was so fun to hold a baby, Owen and I did finally bond!

 Hayden had such a fun time with the frogs!  They made crazy sounds that Hayden loved.

They had a cute children's garden with sandboxes, a miniature spray park, animal statues and much more.  Hayden loved sitting on all the animals of course, but did not want her picture taken as you can see!

We also took Owen and Michelle to our favorite open play gymnastics place.  Hayden was so much more adventerous this time around.  She held onto a rope and let go into a foam pit, jumped way higher on all the trampolines, and climbed up the big jumpy slides all by herself.  But this little house was her favorite I think, she brought in all sorts of odd things and seemed to have a great time imagining.

Michelle really motivated us and we even burned a good chunk of the rest of our tree branches in our backyard.  It was the last day to burn of the season so Paul was outside until about 11 pm burning.  It was also the hottest night we've had in a long time too poor guy.  So we've taken down about 40 trees and have most of the trees cleared out now.  See those two big ones in the middle?  We still want to take those down too, but they are pretty close to our house so we may just have to suck it up and pay for it!

Our last morning together right before leaving for the airport.  We didn't do such a great job of getting pictures of the 4 of us together.  It was truly an amazing 2 weeks and I am so grateful my sister sacrificed the time and money to come and visit.  Aren't sisters the best?