Eat your dinner!

 I just had to grab my camera for this pout session.  Here's Hailey refusing to eat her dinner while Hayden's already enjoying his dessert.

 Now she's trying to give her daddy her sad eyes (they didn't work).

And trying to take the worlds smallest bite.

Christmas Baking

 Before Christmas we made some cupcakes.

 The kids were very excited.  Here they are waiting patiently for me to get the ingredients ready.

 Hailey always has an eye on Hayden.  She's been copying everything he does.

 Is Hailey sneaking a lick of batter?

 They scooped the batter into the cupcake liners themselves.

 So messy!

 Then, as they were baking, we counted the left over cupcake liners.

 And sorted them between us.

 Some for you... some for me.

Look who's helping with dishes.  Just kidding- I wish!  She just wanted to play in the sink.  

December Happenings

 Dawn and her husband Marcus came to visit early in Dec.  We've been friends since we were 14.  So fun to spend time with her and her family.  

 We got a baby sitter for the young kids and took the two older boys to Medieval Times.  So much fun!

 Hailey on the carousel at the Spectrum.

 Angela sent us a special someone (Elf on the Shelf) to join our family.  We named him Gus.  It's been fun to find him each morning!  

 We had a little Christmas crafting a couple weekends ago.  Hayden wanted to make stockings.  It's a good thing he has a talented and crafty grandma! 

 Sue brought some down and they decorated them so pretty.

 While they crafted, Jason and I worked on dinner.  Randy brought down some fillets.  Here's Randy and Jason cracking some peppercorn for the steaks. 

 Finally a picture of Hailey without her hair in her face!  She rarely lets us put clips or pig tails in her hair.  

 And after stockings Hayden requested a Santa outfit.

 Then on to some Christmas card making. Hey were did Hayden's clothes go???

 Papa reading books to Hailey.

 Look whose cooking these days!

 Time to eat.

Hayden standing by his finished product!  I'm glad someone finally put some clothes on that kid!

A Desert Thanksgiving- 2012

 This year Jason wanted to go to Palm Desert for Thanksgiving.  It may or may not have something to do with his golf habit.  We rented a condo in PGA West.  Here's Jason giving Hailey her first lesson.

 Your turn Hailey

 Daddy's turn.  I'm pretty sure this is exactly what Jason had in mind when he convinced the family to celebrate in the desert.

 Hailey lost interest pretty quickly and was more interested in playing with the tees and balls.

 She especially enjoyed lining up the balls.

 And hitting the tees together like little drum sticks.

 Not too bad for your first lesson Hailey.

 Not only did Jason get to play the Stadium Course at PGA West but he also played Ironwood Country Club.

 Our neighbor's parents are members and they were also down for the weekend.  They invited Jason to play.  

 And since the weather was very nice (mid-80's), there was a lot of pool time!

 Hailey's a little water bug.  She loves to swim.  And she's a little too brave for her skill level.  We need to get her into swim lessons when she's old enough.

 Angela treated us to Thanksgiving dinner from Jensen's.  It was excellent.

As for Thanksgiving Dinner, Hayden was interested in two things- eating turkey off the bone and using his placemat he made at school.  Here's a picture of both.

 Beach Papa and Grandma!

 And he found a fun play grounds for the kids.

 Happy boy!  In this new PGA West hat.

 This was a really fun play set. 

 Ready, set...

 go!!!

 And I have to mention that Hailey is going through a stage where she only wants to wear skirts and dresses.  She doesn't like the feel of pants on her legs.  

Both kids have strange aversions to clothes- ugh!

 More swimming!

 Both kids enjoyed jumping.

 Hailey kept trying to jump away from daddy.  I don't think she realizes that she'd sink like a rock.  Oh, the independence of a 2 year old!

 Daddy playing rough!

 Hayden got his own golf lesson.  

 Jason had to bribe him to go, but once there he enjoyed it. Prior attempts to introduce him to golf were not this successful.  Jason now has a glimmer of hope that he might have a future golf partner.

 Jason and Angela took him and both reported that he listened well and even made some puts!

 Coloring at the club house afterwards.

 On the last evening, we meet the Cherney's (high school friends of Randy and Sue) and Uncle Loren for dinner. 

 It was fun to see everyone.  We had to wake Hailey from her nap to go, so she was a bit of a mess, but we managed.

An attempt at a family photo (thank you Angela).  Jason looks extra tan when he stands next to me!