The last two weeks have been busy ones around here! My cousin Kim, her two kids, and brother Nathan came to visit! We had so much fun with them here! Addison is about 6 months younger than Haley so we had to do some refereeing between the two of them, but Haley loved having a friend! When they first got here we went to Nauvoo - It was so fun. It has been a while since I have gone so it was really neat. Haley loved riding on the horse-drawn wagon and seeing the temple. We took the trailer down with us and camped at the Nauvoo state park - which is a very beautiful campground. We had fun camping, the kids especially liked roasting hot dogs and marshmallows! And also all the fireflies - Nathan caught some for us and the kids loved it!
When we got back home we played around here. There is a train that goes through Boone county that we went on and the kids had so much fun! We went swimming one day and picnicking. We even made it down to the zoo - even though we didnt get to see everything because it starting pouring rain! It was just a lot of fun!!
This past weekend we got to get away and go camping! Now camping out here in Iowa is very different than what we are used to (since there is no mountains) - but we found a little lake with a campground and all though it was very crowded (parallel parked trailers) we actually found a pretty good spot. The best part is that we were camped right next to the playground! The worst part was definately the bugs! I have never experienced gnats like I did this weekend! We were so grateful to have our trailer! We just bought this trailer from my Grandpa (for a great deal) and we love it! It is so nice - is fully functional with toilet and shower - love it!! Haley and Parker had so much fun swimming and playing in the sand at the beach while Scott and I got to relax a little! It was a lot of fun and hopefully we can do it more!
This blog is to apoligize for the last 3 months of NOTHING! Our laptop computer stopped working (it wouldnt even power up) and so I have felt very disconnected with the rest of the world! Its amazing how much I use the computer and internet for things. I guess we never realize how valuable something is until it is gone! Anyways, we used some tax money and bought us a new computer so I am now connected again!! YAY! So I guess the rest of this blog will be trying to catch up on the last few months (although many wonderful things will have to be skipped.
March: My Dad had open heart surgery with a double bypass! He is still recovering but doing much better now! Thanks to my wonderful aunts, Shauna and Suzanne, I was able to fly home for a couple days when my dad first came home from the hospital to help with the recovery and relieve my mom for a little while! This is a video we took of Parker on that trip - I know its pretty cruel, but I think its hilarious!
April: Finally some sunshine around here! And we were also able to go home for a couple weeks becuase Scott had to work in Logan and Utah State. It worked out wonderfully! And the best part is that the company paid for most the trip (since it was "business")! It was so fun to spend time with family and friends and thanks to all who took us in, fed us meals, and everything else! I think that coming home is actually worse for my homesickness than anything because I am reminded of what we left! But it is good to be home now and I still know this is where we are supposed to be even though it is so hard to be away from family and friends!
We got to go fourwheeling down at the knolls (sand dunes close to Wendover). Haley had a blast!
The kids in their Easter outfits:
Lining up for the Easter Egg hunt at Grandma Wangsgards
Haley getting friendly with the Cousin (Owen) I guess she missed him! I'm not sure if he feels the same way though ;)
The Mendon Easter Egg Hunt - I dont know what she loved more - finding the eggs or eating the candy inside! Parker was happy with just one.
Recently: We just got a new baby horse! A Philly (girl)! We are so excited and she is so darn cute! Haley loves seeing the "foal" (she corrected me many times when I called it a baby horse). We named her "Lexie" (thought it would go well with her sister's name - Trixie). Its been so fun! We have loved the springtime here - everything is soooo green and beautiful!
This was sooo cute the foal came right up to Parker and started smelling him - he wasnt quite sure about it though!
We had some visitors to Iowa this week!! My mom, dad, and little brother - Kellan, came to see us! It was so fun to have them here! Haley loved having her Grandma and Grandpa around! And even though it was snowy and cold most of the time it warmed up enough to bundle up and go to the Des Moines zoo! The zoo also had a lot of indoor exhibits so that was fun. Haley loved seeing all the animals, and she still talks about it. We had a wonderful Valentines Day dinner (steak and shrimp) that we cooked on our grill! It was the best steak I've ever had! We also had a birthday party for all the February birthdays (My dad, Kellan, Scott, and I) and of course Haley had to help us blow out the candles! We were all so sad to see them go home (especially Haley) Thanks for coming Mom and Dad!
I thought that I would write just some few fun and random facts about what the kids are up to nowadays.
Haley:
Favorite word: WHY? ( its such a small word and yet it is so difficult to answer sometimes - and she doesnt let me off by just saying because - she says 'because why?!'
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite book: 'The very hungry caterpillar' (at least it is this week)
Favorite toy: her kitchen and play-do!
Favorite movie: The Lion King
Favorite TV station: PBS Kids (Mine too actually ;))
Favorite food: Anything with noodles!
She talks very well and can carry on a good conversation. Her latest phrase is "I told you" - Example: I'll ask her what she wants for lunch and she'll say "sandwich" and I'll say "how about mac and cheese" and then she'll firmly reply " Mom - I TOLD YOU - I want a sandwich!" Its actually pretty cute.
Her hair is long enough that I actually got it into a single braid the other night!
She is a very good big sister most of the time (sometimes she gets the urge to tackle him or drag him across the room)
She loves to go to nursery and is always singing the songs she learns there.
Parker:
Favorite food: Carrots or sweet potatoes
Favorite time of day: When he wakes up from his afternoon nap - most of the time I know he's awake because he's just cooing and jabbering in his crib.
He has one direction: backwards! He scoots around on his belly and mostly goes in circles.
He is finally starting to sleep through the night (well, besides a couple trips in to give him his binki)
He loves to watch his big sister and is always looking for her and what she is doing.
He gives the best little hugs
Has the biggest smile and the cutest little dimple on his right cheek.
I love these two kids so much! And although there is times that I just wanted to scream, they bring so much joy to my life!
We were able to get up to Hardware Ranch while we were visiting! Haley loved seeing the elk! Funny story though - Parker started screaming right before we got onto the sleigh - he had decided that he was hungry - so yes.. thats right.. that is a picture of me breastfeeding on the sleigh at hardware ranch! Scott helped me cover up with my coat and it actually worked rather well - I bet not many people nowadays can say that they breastfed in a wagon pulled by horses! I guess there is a positive side to everything - although at the time I was pretty embarassed!
The good part is that he fell fast asleep after he was done! :D
