Happy Birthday Hayden

Wow, I can't believe how fast time goes by. Hayden turned 11 this month. It's great to see him growing and becoming such an awesome young man, but, I am also saddened by how fast they grow up. For those of you who don't know Hayden well, he is sweet and sensitive. If I ever need a good hug, Hayden is someone I can count on giving me one.
HaPPy bIRtHdAY HaYdEn!!!

Catching Up

I'm calling this post catching up... It's a long post, this has been a very busy month. So crazy that I have felt like I haven't had a second to sit down and blog. So please indulge me as I review that happenings of the month.

This is one of the main reason's that the last month was sooo crazy. Every February, I am involved in a fund-raising benefit Gala for the NICU. It's called the Chocolate Extravaganza. This year, I was not only involved in planning and setting up the event, but, I was honored to receive the "guardian angel" award. This is an award that they give to someone that has made a difference in the NICU. I was very emotional and honored to received the award, not because I felt like I deserved an award, but, because of what the award represents in my life. The award was a symbol that as a family we had survived a very difficult NICU stay, and we were able to move on with our lives and make something positive happen for others. I was surrounded by those I love. My mom, even flew in (last minute) from Arizona to be with us. This made the night extra special for me.

Me & Kristy, a special friend who volunteers at the NICU

Some of the NICU staff that I love

Tom and the boys had a "guy retreat" into the mountains. They had a blast! It was a group of friends, mostly fathers and sons that went off and snowmobiled into a friends cabin. They spent the night at the cabin. They came back with all kinds of stories... The girls stayed behind and did what we do best... shopping...movies...and eating. Everyone had a great time.

Hayden received his arrow of light award at the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet

Way to go Hayden!

We had a family snow shoeing outing in the Canyon. Tom received snow shoes as a birthday gift from my parents and was anxious to get the family out to participate in the adventure. What we learned is that we ALL enjoy snow shoeing and that its a fun cardio workout. The only thing we would do different is pack a lunch and enjoy the whole day.
Tom pulled Reagan in a sled for our adventure

Fantastic Four go to Sweethearts

This is the Fantastic Four, that's what they have affectionately choosen to call themselves. They are the best of friends. McKenzie and Courtney are best friends and Dylan and Harris are best friends... and together they are the "Fab Four". They went to the Sweethearts dance together. It was so fun to see them all dressed up! The girls looked beautful and the guys handsome. What a fun nice group of friends!!

The departure photo. Tom followed the kids outside and just needed a few more photos. (He was on assignment as the photographer) McKenzie looking beautiful

Kenz and Court are Best Friends. They spent time together before the dance getting ready. The guys picked both of them up at our house. They looked amazing!

Army Man

Hunter got money from my mom and dad and several friends for his birthday. IF you know Hunter, you also know that money burns a hole in his pocket. Today he went and spent his birthday money on airsoft attire! Looking Good Hunt!

Love is in the air

I need to pay tribute to my awesome husband! He is such a creative fun guy!! This Valentine's day I woke up to all kinds of fun surprises. I don't want you to think that it was just this Valentine's day that I woke up to sweet surprises, he is like this every year. He is ALWAYS so romantic (I know, a dream come true). He waited until I went to sleep on the night of the 13th and then went to work. He strung these giant conversation hearts that he cut out of wood, painted, and wrote sweet messages on. Here are some of the things that they hearts say "Cutie Pie", "What's happening Hot Stuff", "Crush", and "Awesome. I will treasure and hang these hearts for years to come. Thanks for 20 + great Valentine's Days together!

" My Sweetie Pie" and me getting our picture taken in the blizzard

Happy Birthday Hunter

Hunter turned 14 on Valentine's Day. Wow how time flies!! Hunt asked for a semi-automatic airsoft gun for his birthday. All of his buddies have airsoft weapons, and he has been imagining the great battle that they could have. The party was planned for Saturday and of course it was a blizzard. It snowed the whole day! I tried to talk him into going to the movies (a safe, dry, warm activity), but he was dead-set on having this "airsoft war". Finally, I realized that most of the boys that he had invited had also been at Klondike with him a few weeks earlier (an overnight campout in the snow). I loosened up and let him have the party of his dreams. They had SO much FUN!!! The party started around 11:00 a.m., I just figured the boys could have as many battles as they wanted, so we didn't set an ending time. By about 4:00 p.m. most of the boys had come in and were done for the day. Hunter reported to me later. that this was the best birthday party he had ever been to. Hunter and Nathan in the snow
Cousin Jon also got into the action

They used the snow banks as bunkers

Hayden didn't miss out on the fun

From the Mouth of Babes

Tonight as I was tucking Reagan into bed we had a conversation that really made me laugh. So, I am recording this so that I don't forget the cute funny things that little people say. If you want to read it great/if not stop reading, but, I am recording this memory for me. As I was tucking her in, Reagan said, "I want to be a mom when I grow up." I told her how great that was and that there is nothing better in the world than being a mom. Hayden heard our conversation and chimed in with "I want to be a dad." I told him how important it is for the world to have good dads. At this point I could really see Reagan's wheels churning, Well if Hayden wants to be a dad and I want to be a mom, then why not...Hayden could also see her wheels churning and this churning made him nervous. He immediately piped in with, "you can't be the mom and I can't be the dad together, because there would be something wrong with our kids "(who knows where he learned this, maybe basic biology.) This whole conversation had Reagan worried. She said, "Even when we ge to be older Hayden can't be the dad?" and we told her no. Then she said with a even more worried look on her face, "Well who will I marry, I hardly know anyone?"