Our weekend camping trip

So Friday night we decided to pack up and go camping.
Okay, so you may notice the grill, and the grass, and I'm sure you're wondering what the kids are watching. Our camping trek took us to the wilds of---our backyard. I think it was my way of camping, we watched movies, cuddled, and ate hot dogs. We lasted outside until about 11:00-Haley was crying because she had an ear ache and there was some lightning and thunder that made us question our decision. We got everything in the house just as the rain started. It never rains in Vegas-just our luck. Hunter was very disappointed so up the tent went in the living room and he had his own little campout in the tent. I enjoyed sleeping in my bed and so did Haley. The kids had fun while it lasted and Hunter especially can't wait until next time.

Last of the Lasts

Okay so I promise this is the last of the lasts (for Haley at least). We've had our last day of school, last T-ball game, and now this week is Haley's last dance class. She has absolutely loved dancing this year. Her teacher Ms. Brenda is the greatest. They have lots of performances throughout the year and learn lots of fun dances. Their final dance recital is this Thursday at 6:30 at the theatre at CSN on Cheyenne campus, so if anyone is bored and wants to come watch the CUTEST 5 year old do a few dances please come cheer her on. I think they are doing 4-5 dances, Haley is most excited about the Hoe-Down Throw Down (from Hannah Montana). She loves to perform and her teacher has said that in class Haley is always front and center because she remembers the dances really well. She is performing tomorrow at a Senior Citizen Center, which I'm excited about. It is a wonderful opportunity to do service and I hope Haley understands that.

Haley and Ms. Brenda

Trophy Day

Haley in the middle with her best buds Sophia and Emmy

Last Game and PARTY

So we had our last T-ball game last week and I must say I am so sad to see it end. It has been so fun watching Haley this year! She has really enjoyed playing and has made some great friends! It's been fun to watch the team progress and learn to play together. I've gotten to know the parents and the kids so well and we've made some lasting friendships! Michael was an awesome coach and did a GREAT job. The kids look up to him so much, and everyone wants to play with him next year. Hopefully we can get most of our team back, there are only a few moving up. Haley's two best friends Emmy and Sophia were on the team to, but they have decided they are only one year baseball kids--Haley on the other hand is set to go, she loves it so much.

I have to add to that she got the game ball at the last game. She had 2 GREAT hits off the coach and 1 off the tee.

Our team party was at one of the kids house. They have a beautiful home with a big pool complete with a rock slide and hot tub. We had to drag kids out of the water for dinner and awards. I was nervous about the party, but I always get nervous when I'm in charge of feeding a bunch of people and making sure everyone is happy. Everything went great and it was fun. The kids were excited about their trophy's and the coaches talked about each kid as they handed out the trophy's and medals. Michael actually got teary as he thanked the kids and parents. It has been a real joy for him to be coaching again, he was raised on baseball and loves to support his kids just like his parents supported him. The team pitched in and got the coaches some movie tickets, treats, and a picture of the team. I had all the kids sign the matting in the frame and they turned out so cute! Michael surprised me and got me a Red Sox jersey for being the team Mom and all the parents chipped in and got me a big gift certificate for dinner and a manicure/pedicure. They really spoiled me! I was totally surprised.

I'm sad to see it end and look forward to next year. I'm worried we'll be bored now that baseball is done, but we still have soccer for another month and I think we'll spend a lot of time in the water this summer. It's the only way to stay cool--so swimming lessons here we come.

Graduation

We've had lots of last days lately and last Friday was Haley's pre-school graduation. They did the cutest program and all the kids had a little speaking part. Haley's part was "January thru December all the months I remember" The programs was full of cute songs with actions and they each walked forward for their little certificate. It was only about 40 minutes long, which is perfect for that age and they were all so excited. Haley is sad not to see her friends and teachers, but is really excited for Kindergarten. I can't believe my baby is going to Kindergarten.

Emmy, Sophia, and Haley

We celebrated the day by going to lunch with friends--McDonalds of course--then came home and got our waterslide out. The kids played for hours in the water and loved every minute of it! Haley got to pick what she wanted for her graduation dinner and picked her favorite-Ribs. So we had a BBQ with ribs, corn on the cob, beans, and watermelon. Strawberry shortcake ended the evening, it was all so good! Haley thought it was cool to be the center of attention for the day and we don't mind celebrating her! She is growing up so fast!

This was the end of the day. I love it when they get this worn out!

Can't help it . . .

Okay so I have way more going on in my life to post about than this, but I must say--I am so glad Kris Allen won American Idol. I unlike many people was not an Adam Lambert fan. I found him very annoying. Everything from his earrings to his nail polish to his skinny jeans. Most of all was his screaming. He has a TON of talent, but when he belts a song and goes up to the high notes, it sounds like he's just screaming. I much prefer a softer sound that Kris had. I was really surprised by the outcome, but really happy for Kris he deserved to win. Anyway, I got that out of my system and my next post will be about something more exciting like Haley graduating from Pre-School (Hey it's exciting to me!).

Where we've been

Long time no Post . . . We just returned on Wednesday morning from a fun family vacation. I love vacations, but it seems like it takes a week before to get ready and a week when you get home to get back on schedule.

Michael had some time off work so we headed to Disneyland for a few days. We had a blast! It was the perfect time to go and the weather and lines were wonderful. Most of the rides had a 5-10 minute wait. My guilty pleasure of the trip was that we left Harmon with my wonderful parents. I felt awful leaving him, knowing he was going to miss all the fun, but it was so nice to not have to chase him all over. He's in the walking mode where he just wants to run everywhere. We made fun of the people there with their kids on a leash, but I think we may have needed one if we took him. We also had VERY long days. We left on Saturday after Haley's t-ball game and Hunter's soccer game. We had a few free days in the park so we headed in that evening for a quick peek. We ended up staying until midnight when the park closed, then we were up at 8:00 the next morning and went all day long. It was a blast! Haley and Hunter were so fun to watch and they were excited about everything! We did have to talk Haley into a few rides, but once she went she was excited to do it again. We went to Goofy's Kitchen one day and I was a little disappointed. We only saw 4-5 characters and the food wasn't that great. I just expected more for the price. Most people love it so maybe we just picked a bad day. The fun outweighed the bad though and we were glad to go.

Haley's D-land highlights were:

• Meeting Tinkerbell and Iridessa
• The Buzz Lightyear ride
• Jedi Training
• Talking to Crush the turtle
• Meeting all the Characters (Tigger was GREAT)
• The Toy Story ride
• Her princess Mickey ears
• Getting a kiss from Mickey (I told her he thought she was Minnie with her ears on-she thought that was pretty funny)
• Autotopia--She LOVED driving those cars!

Hunter's highlights were:

• Meeting all the Characters--especially Goofy.
• Buzz Lightyear ride
• The Jungle cruise
• Snacks, Snacks, Snacks
• The Mickey Ferris Wheel (he was very nervous on the top)
• Picking out his pirate Mickey ears and a pirate sword
• Taking turns riding with Mom and Dad
• The train
• Letting us know he had to go potty 2 minutes before EVERY ride.
• He loved everything and will be talking about it for a long time!

I do have to tell a funny story about Hunter and Sleeping Beauty--we had been telling him that when he sees a princess he should say "What's up Hot Stuff"--I just knew he wouldn't do it. Much to our surprise he walked right up to Sleeping Beauty and said it. We laughed so hard--I don't think she saw the humor in it and taught him how a true gentleman says hello. He actually kissed her hand after that. Everyone but the princess thought it was funny, maybe she was just trying to stay in character. It will be something we remember forever though!

We ended the trip with a GREAT Red Sox and Angels game. I think the game was the main reason we went and it was just handy that Disneyland is down the street. It ended up being such a good game the Red Sox won it in the 9th inning. We sat right behind the Bullpen so we got to watch our pitchers warm up. Pappelbon, my favorite even pitched that night. The kids were hyper beyond control and loved most of the game. By the 8th inning they both hit the wall and got tired, but were still really good. Haley was excited to see Big Papi and Hunter just loved everything else. Everyone around us got a kick out of Hunter because he couldn't help but dance when there was loud music. We headed home after the game and got back about 3 in the morning, the next day was filled with a T-ball game and Soccer pictures. I had to wait a whole day to get Harmon back. I missed him dreadfully, but he had a ball with my parents! They spoiled him rotten and I am so Thankful to them for helping us out!

Derby anyone?

We have our pinewood derby in a couple of weeks and I'm stressing because I have NOOOOO idea on how to run a pinewood derby. I'm not sure how many heats to do, how to keep track of the heats, how to keep it organized, and how to protect the track that I'm in charge of. I really hate being over these things. The last few years we have combined with another ward and the lady in charge was amazing and had pit passes and the whole bit. Hopefully some of her inspiration will rub off on me. I might copy her idea of having Chocolate milk and chocolate doughnuts as treats (Like oil and tires). If anyone out there has any great ideas or has already done their derby's please let me know!