Thanksgiving

It definitely was not a traditional Thanksgiving at our house, but I think it was one I will treasure for a long, long time. It is the last holiday we will spend as a family of four. We didn't have the traditional big turkey meal, but we spent the day together with the people we love most.

First off we got to have Riley home on a Thursday, a Thursday!! We started the day with Riley's fabulous blueberry pancakes and watched the Macy's parade. This is a favorite of Riley and me, but we figured the boys would watch a few minutes get bored and go off to play. We couldn't have been more wrong. They loved the whole thing. They cheered for the floats and big balloon characters and danced along with all the bands. It was so funny to watch. They were thrilled to see Santa at the end and can't wait for him to make a visit to Arizona.

After the parade we got out the Christmas decorations. This was also a huge hit with the boys. I can tell that this Christmas is going to be so much fun for both of them. They are already singing Christmas carols and spotting Santa and Rudolph everywhere we go. Lunch was a gourmet menu of chips and cheese and chocolate shakes followed by naps and football.

We ended the day watching Polar Express in our jammies. It was a wonderfully relaxing day spent with the people I am most thankful for.

Happy Birthday Haydn!!

Haydn turned 4 yesterday and he couldn't be happier about it. As luck would have it his birthday landed on a day he has preschool so he was able to party pretty much all day long.

He took the snack to preschool and also a special birthday treat. He got to wear his birthday crown all through preschool and couldn't have felt more special.

After preschool we went out for lunch. We usually take the boys to breakfast at McDonalds for the birthdays, but with preschool and a doctors appointment we didn't have time in the morning so we hit "Old McDonald's" as Haydn calls it for lunch.

A couple weeks ago I asked Haydn what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday expecting a pretty general response. Apparently he had already been thinking about it because he responded that he wanted a lemon cake with R2D2 and blue frosting. I was fully prepared to head to the local grocery store and see what options they had for Star Wars cakes, but Riley had a different idea in mind. He got the crazy idea in his mind that he could make a R2D2 cake and that is exactly what he did. Isn't it awesome! And from the look on Haydn's face you can tell that he loved it as well! What a great dad to stay up way too late frosting and decorating all by himself.

My grandparents and Colby and Jessica came over that evening for cake and ice cream and presents. I think it is safe to say that this is one spoiled boy. Hopefully we can get him back in shape before Christmas decides to invade.

I know I say this every year and probably will for the rest of their lives, but I really can't believe he is 4! Haydn is the best big brother. He frequently tells us how much he loves his family. He loves to learn and asked to make sure that now that he was four he could still go to school. He is still 'totally into Star Wars'. He has started saying phrases like,

"That is totally awesome!"

"Wow, cool!"

and

"You rock!"

Haydn we love you so much and hope you had a great day!

37 weeks . . .

Ready whenever you are!!

Halloween

The boys had a fun halloween. The weather was beautiful and they were so excited about their costumes. Haydn was a fire fighter and absolutely loved wearing his boots and hat. He continues to wear them daily.

Taite was a construction worker. He loves tools and couldn't be more thrilled to be able to play with all the new tools that went along with his costume.

The boys also went to the ward trunk-or-treat. Riley got some great pictures of Taite having fun. Let the record show everyone had a lot of fun and are excited to go again next year.