Hayden's Birthday Parties

We had a family party for Hayden.  He was excited for his cousin John to come.  They all played weapons.  He got two new huge nerf guns and was having a blast.

He wanted me to make cookies and cream cake like giant eagle.  It tasted delicious but he didn't like it.


I also made this cute cheese dip since it was fall time (and some other food too)

He had his first friend party the next weekend.  We set up an obstacle course and everyone liked it.

We also had a pinata.

Hayden chose to skip cake and have chocolate chocolate chip cookies and cookies and cream ice cream.


We had both parties before Thanksgiving.  So on his actual birthday the elf came and left him some candy and we gave him the warm blanket he wanted and $50.  He got so much for his birthday and with Christmas coming up we didn't have any more ideas for him.  He was happy.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

A visit to Santa

We visited Santa at the Robinson Mall.  This year we had were offered a fast pass in our email and took full advantage.  We went on a Saturday at 2:00 and his line was cut off for the rest of the night! He is that popular.

The kids made their list before we left:

He spent a long time with the kids and really talked to them.

Hayden was not very good before we left to go see Santa.  I didn't say anything to him but Santa started talking to Hayden about how he should behave and treat us.  All things we talked about at home before we left.  Hayden's face was priceless.  I got a semi good shot of it.

Our new cousin!

 Baby Liliana is here.  She is so tiny...a 5 pounder!

Amelia was super excited to hold her and see her.

Hayden not so much.  He was being very impatient about his birthday party later that day.

 We took Grammy with us to the hospital.

 Next up we need to see this cutie (Quinn's girl -- Sawyer)

Hayden at age 8

Hayden turned 8 on Thanksgiving this year.

Some fun facts about Hayden right now:

• loves nerf guns.  He has an entire aresnal of weapons
• friends are Noah, Hunter, Aidan, Jeffrey and Patrick
• watches courage the Cowardly Dog, sponge bob,
• secretly likes watching Barbie Tv shows with Amelia
• big boy -- wears a size 8
• has lost 4 teeth all the front ones which are all growing in now
• has the stinkiest feet ever
• likes cuddles from his mom and back scratches
• still sleeps with his blueys but they embarrass him
• likes to play video games
• plays with the couch cushions in the basement all of the time
• wrestles with the neighbors
• rides bikes out on the driveway and down the front yard hill
• is loving swim lessons
• playing hockey at the boys and girls club
• still eats the same lunch every day -- pita/hummus cheese/crackers, yogurt, snack
• likes to push the limits with everything
• yells deez nuts often
• still an earlier riser.  7am most days
• is in the highest reading and math classes at school
• loves making paper airplanes and cutting things from paper
• also has been drawing a lot -- he is very creative
• likes to make his own creations with legos
• loves popcorn, reese cups, kit kats, brownies and bubble gum
• he embarrasses easy and is sensitive
• he freely tells me he loves me and thanks me for many different things all of the time
• loves panera bread (mac n cheese) and five guys

Lauralynn's shower

We helped with Lauralynn's star wars themed baby shower.

I made this R2D2 diaper cake.

And the two pictures on the table.

Everything turned out nice.

she got a ton of great gifts.

These cute cousins were so excited to meet their new cousin.  (who is now born and that will be a later post)

Flag Football

Hayden asked to play flag football this fall.

The first game was a monsoon.  But he had fun.

I was impressed with how well Hayden listened and always tried his best.  He is not super fast so he didn't get the ball too much.  He was mostly linebacker.

His team made the finals and go to play at the high school.  He was excited about that and made me put paint under his eyes.


 They lost but he was fine.  He pulled 5 flags that day which is a record for him.




I asked if he was going to play next year and he said no "its too much running".  then asked if he could play hockey !!!!

Hayden is in 1st grade

Hayden is now in first grade.  He was not very excited to go on the first day as you can see above.  His teacher is Mr. Henke and Hayden really likes him.  He is doing well so far.  He scores off the charts for math.  And pretty high for reading too.  

My cup team

I have two teams this fall.  Not only am I doing the high school team, I am doing a cup team as well.   u-13 girls.

We took them to a tournament in Columbus and they came in 2nd.

Hayden and Amelia were super excited that there were extra trophies.

My high school team

My poor high school team is struggling.  We are near the bottom of our section but could be one of the better teams.  We just can't score.  We have gone to overtime 6x this year!  We are the most unlucky team i have seen.

Amelia loves coming with me and being with the girls.  Here she is stretching with them in her dress.