Hayden Turns SIX!!!!

Playing games with Grandma

Hayden signing the check at dinner.

Riding the new bike around the block.

I can't believe that six years ago this month I became a mom. Being a mom is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, I am so lucky to have such wonderful boys! I can still remember everything that happened on April 14, 2004. Hayden's entry into this world was very stressful and scary. I don't know what I would have done without Danny and my mom there to keep me going. My mom has always been there for me and the boys, so it was very fitting that she flew to Albuquerque to help celebrate Hayden's big day. Hayden woke up very early on his birthday (of course) and asked me when it was exactly that he turned six. I told him that he was born at 4:30 in the afternoon. He replied by saying "Oh so at 4:30 I will get taller?" I said "No you just grow a little bit throughout the year." He said "Then how will I know that I am six, I still feel five!" Kids are so funny! We took Hayden to school, where he got to celebrate his birthday with homeade cupcakes and ice cream. While Hayden was at school, Ace, Colton and I went to pick up Grandma at the airport. As I have said before, being in a new town all alone really makes me appreciate everytime someone comes to visit. I still really miss Utah! After we picked up Grandma we came home and played outside till it was time to go get the birthday boy from school. We picked Hayden up and counted the hours till Danny came home so we could open presents. Hayden got a real basketball and the new chipmunks dvd from Grandma and Grandpa. From Brandon, Ace, and Colton he got two new video games. And from me and Danny he got a big boy bike! We ate dinner at PF Changs (my boys are obsessed with chinese food) where the waiter told Hayden that he had to sign the check since it was his birthday. It was a great day, it meant so much to have my mom there for the day. The boys are crazy about Grandma, and they aren't the only ones. I loved seeing my mom, and I can't wait till I can go back to Arizona to spend more time with her and my dad!

Colton's First Haircut!!!

Well my mom came to town last week for Hayden's birthday, and between her and Danny I was convinced that it was finally time to cut Colton's hair. Colton has the best hair out of all my boys! Not only is it California blond, but it is very full and very long. It is hair that girls would kill for, enough said! He was a very good boy and sat on the chair all by himself. The stylist did a very good job, needless to say my little baby looks like a little boy!

Happy Birthday Colton!

My sweet, little Colton turned one on March 25th! I really can't believe is one already, this year has been crazy. He had such a rough start in this world, but you would never tell that by looking at him. He can say "dog" and "dadda", he eats pretty much everything we eat, and he can stand by himself. He is also the only boy out the three to actually eat his birhtday cake, he really got into it! Colton is such a sweetheart, he is always up for snuggling and loves to take naps with me or Danny. Hayden had been telling his kindergarten class all week that "his baby" was turning one on Thursday. So on Thursday when we walked Hayden into class (a little late since Hayden was purposely dragging his feet), his whole class stood up and sang "Happy Birthday" to Colton!! Colton, you will always be my baby. You have such a sweet spirit, you are so easy going, and you have really brought our family together. I love you so much and look forward to all the growing up you have left to do!

SpRiNg BrEaK!!!!

Me, Hayden, and Ace.

Colton and Grandpa snuggling!

Grandpa and Colton.

Grandpa though it would be funny to tie the boys

up with the jumpropes Grandma bought them.

Grandpa's chair? More like Colton's chair!

Train ride at Freestone Park.

Ferris Wheel at Freestone Park.

Grandpa pushing the boys on the swings!

Colton was a big fan of sitting in the swing, just don't

try to push him at all!

One big accomplishment of this trip was that

Hayden and Ace both learned to slide down the

fire pole by themselves.

Me and my boys at the pool, I love Arizona!!

Getting ready for the pool.



For Spring Break, the boys and I thought there would be no place better to spend it than with my parents in Arizona. We left Sunday morning and because of a horrible accident involving a FedEx truck that caught fire, it took us almost 9 hours to get there. The boys got a little restless but were pretty good considering we were at a total stand still on the highway for more than an hour. We spent the week shopping, swimming, eating yummy food, and many hours playing at the park. My parents are so great with the boys, it doesn't matter what we do the boys have a good time. It was especially nice this time because my dad was able to take a day and a half of of work! On Wednesday he took the boys to the shoe store at the mall to buy new Nike shoes, while my mom and I went to do something that was really cool. As many of you know, I am into gymnastics big time. I spent most of my adolescense in the gym or practicing in my front yard, and I watched and still watch every televised gymnastic meet that I possibly can. When the women's gymnastic team won gold in Atlanta in 1996, I recorded every minute of it and watched it over and over again. The team captain was Amanda Borden and while the boys were buying shoes, my mom took me to meet her. Amanda owns a gym in Gilbert and one of her assistant coaches is a client of my moms. My mom lined it all up and it really meant a lot to me. By the time we left on Friday morning, Ace was already asking when we were going to be coming back to other house ("our other house" is what he calls my parents' house). Thanks for a great trip Mom and Dad, you always make our visits so special!!!

Oh Hayden!

Hayden is more than halfway through his kindergarten year. He can count to 100 and he is learning how to read. Hayden is doing so well, his teachers love him and he has many friends in the class. He came home from school the other day and said, "Mom, I sure hope you have something special planned for my birthday party because I just invited my whole class and they all said they could come!" What am I going to do with 22 five year olds?!? Hayden is also a great big brother. He and Ace are best friends, frick and frack, they are always coming up with something fun to play. When Ace was born, Hayden couldn't say baby so he called him "B." To this day he still calls him that, I think that even when they are teenagers he will refer to him as "B." Hayden also loves basketball. Danny and Brandon are huge Jazz fans and they have recruited Hayden. Hayden tries to watch every Jazz game. The 8:30 tip offs are harder, we have actually caught him pinching his arm to stay awake for these games. He knows all the players very well. We were in the car the other day and Derron Williams was giving an interview, I went to change the station and Hayden said "Mom don't change it, that is D Will." My parents bought the boys a basketball hoop for Christmas, and Hayden spends the better part of his free time playing. Sometimes he will play one on one with Ace, or he will play by himself and even do his own commentary. "Hayden takes it to the hoop," "Hayden gets the basket and the foul," are just a couple things I hear when he is playing by himself. Hayden is my most proper/organized child, he reminds me in many ways of my dad. He has a morning hygene routine which includes a breath test (where he blows in my face to make sure his breath doesn't stink), gel and hairspray in his hair, and some of Daddy's cologne. He likes his sandwich cut in squares, and he brings home the crumbs from the table in his sandwich container because he doesn't think someone he doesn't know should have to clean up his mess. He even lines his matchbox cars up in short, straight lines. "Just like a car dealership mom," he says. I love Hayden so much, there is something very special about your first born.

Ace of hearts!!

Ace is 3 1/2 now, he is growing up so fast. This past weekend, I enrolled him in preschool for the upcoming school year. He will be attending the Cross of Hope Preschool, which is a nationally accredited preschool. He will go every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for two and half hours each day. I am so happy with this school, I think it will be so good for him. I have really enjoyed having one on one time with Ace this year, since Hayden has been in school. Ace is a natural born athlete. He can throw a football, hit a baseball, shoot hoops, and even do somersaults. In addition to sports, Ace is crazy about Monster trucks. We took the boys to see Monster Jam last weekend and he thought that was the coolest thing in the world, he stayed standing the entire two and half hours so he wouldn't miss anything. Now even being a total boy's boy, Ace does have a softer side. He loves to help me in the kitchen. I can not cook a meal without Ace being involved. It makes cooking more fun for me and it's also a fun way to incorporate counting. Ace will be totally involved in a project and all of sudden stop in his tracks and say "I love you mom!" Ace I love you too, you are one special boy who has stolen a piece of my heart!

Mama's Little Helper!

It has been so long since I have added a post, but believe it or not these boys keep me pretty busy. I have decided to do three posts this weekend, one for each of the boys. I will start with Colton. Late Sunday night and early Monday morning, Danny and I took turns pacing the floor with Colton because he would just not go to sleep. He was grumpy and mad, we couldn't do anything to get him to settle down. Around 6:00 (the time we all start our day) he finally fell asleep. He woke up a few hours later with his first tooth!!! It is on the bottom and just pokes through a little bit, and he won't let anyone near his mouth to feel it. Every time I go to feel his mouth he sticks out his tongue. Despite having only one tooth, he eats everything. His favorites are chicken nuggets, crackers, bananas, and minute rice. He eats a better variety of food than Hayden and Ace combined! Colton has started to talk a little bit. Right now he can only say gaga, which I hope doesn't mean he has an infatuation with Lady Gaga because she freaks me out!!! He is very close to saying Dadda and Mama, so Danny and I have a bet going on to see which one he says first. I know Dadda is easier than Mama to say, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that Mama wins out. If I win Danny has to fold and put away clothes for two weeks ( this is my most hated household chore). If Danny wins then I have to scoop up dog poop for two weeks. C'mon Colton, make Mama proud! Colton has also become very mobile, not only can he crawl very fast on flat surfaces and even upstairs, but he can walk with the help of furniture or the wall. Because of his mobility, he has become quite the helper. While I am putting clothes in the washer, he pulls them out again. I fold the kitchen towels and put them away, he crawls over and one by one puts them on the floor. I load the dishwasher and again he pulls the dirty dishes out and puts them on the floor. Now even though he undoes a lot of the hard work I do, he is still such a lovable kid. He has learned how to give kisses by placing his wide open slobery mouth on your cheeck. He will also laugh and smile at anyone who gives him even the slightest bit of attention. Living in Albuquerque, having three blue eyed blond haired boys with me everywhere I go, gets me a lot of attention. Everywhere we go I have people stop and comment on the boys, we are definatley the minority here. I love Colton so much, I can't believe he turns 1 next month. Everytime I look at him I remember those emotional days and nights spent in the NICU and I thank the Lord that my boy is absolutley perfect. Keep looking at our blog for updates the other two boys.