Christmas 2011

Here's a little peek at our Christmas celebration this year.

I love the holidays!

Cookies

A little while ago, my mom and I made Christmas coasters to give to my neighbors this year and I finally got around to making cookies to go with them today. (They were kind of amazing. Just saying.)

Hayes was my cute little helper. 

The label read, "Hope you "coast" through the season with lots of love and joy." 

Hey, what's Christmas without the cheesy neighbor gifts?

Joe and I took them around tonight and met all of our neighbors. 

We were really glad to see that everyone seemed super friendly and normal haha.
This little 8 year old girl answered the door and our conversation went like this...

Us: Hey, we're just dropping by some goodies for your family.  We live across the street.

Her: Did you just move in? 

Us: Yep!

Her: WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

hahaha I'm still laughing about it.

(Sorry about the crappy quality phone pics. Better than nothing!)

We're really excited to experience Christmas with our little Hayes!

Mr. and Mrs.

Hayes and I came to Blanding this weekend for my good friends, Nathan and Sagan's wedding day.  

Nate has always been one of my favorite cousins and I played sports and cheered with Sag and then we were roomates at college before I got married.  

Nate and Sagan were high school sweet hearts and she faithfully waited for him while he was on his mission.

Now, they are finally married! 

They looked so happy and Sagan was a beautiful bride. 

Glad I got to share in their special day.

Nate and Sag with Grandma & Grandpa Johnson

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Einerson!!
Wishing you a happily ever after.

DONE

Joe is finally DONE with his Bachelor's Degree!! He took his last final tonight. 

I'm 99% positive that I am somehow more excited about this than he is.

Ever since I met Joe he has been going 90 miles an hour.  Working full time and going to school does not allow for a lot of rest.  But, he never complains and very rarely gets stressed. 

It blows my mind. I could never do it. 

I've been waiting a long time for the day when Joe could come home from work and not have anything else to do the rest of the night.  It's going to be sooooo nice! Hayes and I have our favorite guy all to ourselves from 6 pm on! Whoop whoop! 

So proud and so grateful for this hard working man I married.

Random Cuteness

Thought I'd post some recent pictures of Hayes that are just too cute to keep to myself. 

Being silly, trying to resist a nap.

Giving in :)

Bath time!

Just playing in his crib.

Kind of a weird angle, but look at his little face! Play time with momma.

Mother's Lounge

Hayes was on one ALL through church today. When I had to change his diaper before sacrament even rolled around I knew  it was going to be a long three hours.  (He hates those diaper stations. I think they remind him of the doctor's office.) During sacrament he was doing everything he could to try to get off of our laps.  I'm not sure where he thought he was going to go when he got off, but he was not going to sit still.  The 2 little kids in front of us were trying to entertain him, which was sweet, but peek-a-boo got a little annoying after 30 minutes.... haha. The rest of church was much of the same and by the time the opening exercises in relief society were over I was EXHAUSTED.  I'm pretty sure every lady was just watching Hayes and I, because he was being soo noisy and throwing toys everywhere (He's got an arm. I guess he takes after his momma :)).  So, I gave up and for the rest of church Hayes and I retreated to the rocking chair in the mother's lounge.  He looked at himself in the mirror and continued to make all sorts of noises, but it wasn't stressing me out in there.  Another mom came in and fed her baby, then left. (Insert awkward small talk in there somewhere) I think she was wondering why I was just sitting in there.... But I didn't care.  Luckily, when I got home, Hayes and I got to take an amazing 2 hour nap and by the time I woke up Joe had our whole house so clean.  Don't you love it when that happens?! Ahh... naps and a clean house are 2 of the most wonderful things. Now I'm looking forward to the rest of a lazy Sunday. Just feeling extra thankful for that mother's lounge today.

Hayes loves having daddy all to himself on Sundays. 

7 months

I feel like Hayes has grown up so much this past month and can do so many more things.

He loves to cruise around in his walker. He’s gotten especially good at it this past week. 

 Ever since he discovered that he can stand up (with assistance), that’s all he wants to do. No more of this laying on his back and tummy stuff.   

He talks all the time.  He says “ma ma” now (yesss) and a whole lot of other jibberish. 

Hayes is a champ at solid foods these days.  He will pretty much eat anything, but he doesn’t love fruit as much as he does vegetables. He’d way rather have squash vs. peaches or applesauce. Weird kid huh? 

He drinks really well from a sippy cup, which is awesome because he has refused taking a bottle since about 4 months old.   

He has been teething like craaazzzyyy, and let me tell you he does not do well with it.  We’ve had a few sleepless nights with this guy, and my happy little Hayes has been Mr. cranky pants on and off all month. It is really tiring and at the same time I feel so bad for the poor little guy. Good news is he now has 2 bottom teeth! Is it weird that I feel like that’s some sort of major accomplishment? 

He mostly wears 6-9 month clothes but his 9 month pants are already getting high water-ish. I wish I got a new wardrobe every 3 months!  

 Also, he’s starting to get some chub on him. I love it! Nothing better than baby rolls!

He recently discovered his tongue and is constantly twisting and turning it. 

He taps things with his thumb instead of his pointer finger. (i.e. ipad screen or toy drum)

Hayes is a spirited little guy. At his last visit, his doctor commented on how strong and feisty he is. (He is not okay with being poked and prodded)  If he isn’t happy, he will let you know! 

He has so many facial expressions and is just full of personality.  

Always playing with his tongue

Cutest little tummy.

 I love learning and growing with Hayes.  It seems like there is something new everyday. What a crazy, wonderful experience it is being a mom!

Breaking Dawn

Amanda, Brooke, Leia, and I had a girls night a couple weekends ago.  We did dinner and a movie. It was so much fun!  We saw the new Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn.  I quite enjoyed it.
Look- I know they're super cheesy, and pretty ridiculous but I still love them.
Just let me love them.

I've actually never even read the books, so I'm just a wanna be "twi-hard."

The movie didn't even start until 10 pm! I know, I know, I'm gettin' crazy these days.
Good thing it was intense and kept me awake!

I'll admit I was having some Hayes withdrawals and had to love on him for a little bit before I went to bed.

Girl's Night Rocks! (Carter didn't quite make the picture)

We're wild and crazy! Didn't you know?

Twi-hards

It's okay, she's pregnant.
(6 candy bars, large popcorn, large soda, and... an apple??)

Anyway, I think we need to do these girls nights more often. Loved it!

Thanksgiving Feast

Mom and Dad came up on Wednesday and spent the holiday in Lehi with us this year. 

It was kind of weird not to go to Blanding, but we had a lot of fun.  Wednesday night we played Thanksgiving Bingo.  I love it!  Joe and I racked up some sweet prizes :) 

We had a delicious feast on Thursday, courtesy of mother dearest.  Yummm.  It was nice to lounge around most of the day and relax. 

We made our annual cookie train that night.  We missed Shad and Brooke in Ogden. 

Friday was spent shopping amongst all the craziness. Friday night Mom and Dad treated us to pizza planet. They have tons of fun arcades, go-kart racing, laser tag, etc.

So pretty much we just had fun all weekend. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Getting ready to start Thanksgiving Bingo.

Joe and I's prizes.

Cookie Train Construction

Joe took over the animal cart this year.

Lant got creative and made Mater!

My usual- the engine.

Dad and Carter getting set for the race.

Joe walked around with Hayes on the carousel.

 

Not really sure how he feels about it.

We tried to see if Hayes would like the slide... He didn't really care.

Cutie.

Starting Line.

Hayes got a lot of playing time with Daddy.

The Feast!

22 Years Young

Monday was my 22nd birthday. I like birthdays. I think I'd like to start celebrating half birthdays as well. Everyone is nice to you on your birthday. They tell you you're wonderful and they love you. Even people you don't really stay in touch with wish you a happy birthday. I think that's nice. You get presents, and treats, and your favorite foods. Birthdays also give you the power of

"Since it's my birthday..." 

Examples: 

"Joe, since it's my birthday, can I have a foot massage?"

"Since it's my birthday, can we go out to eat?"

"Since it's my birthday, will you change Hayes's diaper?"

"Joe, since it's my birthday, can I get this coat?"

Works. every. time. 

I tried it the next day and said, "Since it's my birthday week, will you get me some cheesecake?" Haha. Didn't quite work that time. 

Anyway, I had a great day! Joe took me to my favorite place- Olive Garden. I'll choose to go there every time. My siblings had a dinner for me the night before and got me a new crock pot! I commented that present might be more for Joe, but I'm excited to use it! I love the idea of throwing a bunch of ingredients in the big pot, and a few hours later something amazingly delicious turns out.

Joe got me a new coat and boots! Whoo hoo. Okay, okay, I picked them out, bought them and said, "Joe this is what you're getting me for my birthday, okay?" haha. That night he brought me home flowers, my favorite treats, and the Justin Beiber Christmas album! (Don't make fun, you know you want it too.) Yes. Birthdays are great.