Happy 9th Birthday Haley!

Haley turned 9 on June 17th. I can't believe how old she is. I feel like she was just Whitney's age. She is one amazing girl. I'm not sure how I got picked to be the parent of such a great girl. I have always thought that Haley was an old soul. Since she was a small baby she seemed older than her age. Some think it is because she is surrounded by her older cousins but I think she was just born this way. She just finished a great year in third grade. She usually keeps her self busy playing the piano, doing gymnastics and playing with friends.

Two days after Haleys birthday she had and accident playing on the monkey bars at the park. She fell on her arm and broke it. So unfortunately most of the things she loves to do have been put on hold. She can however still play with friends and we have figured out a way for her to go swimming. She gets down sometimes because of her arm and the things she can't do. But she has amazed me at her bravery and her spirit to keep trying things that are hard for her to do. She usually insists on trying to do thing on her own. I'm not sure where she got that. I think she will always remember this summer. It will be a growing experience for both of us.

There are a lot of other great parts to Haley besides her broken arm. She is smart and whitty. She has a great since of fashion and can sing and play pretty songs on the piano. She has amazing eyes and a great smile. She has great faith in her Heavenly Father and a strong desire to choose the right. She is just an all around beautiful girl. We love her so much. She is an important part of our family.

You Go Girl! Love you Haley! YO!

"Are you having anymore?"

In the last week or so I have been posed by the question several times, "are you going to have anymore?". These people are referring to children. People ask such questions as. "Do we want to try for a boy?, Are you done?, Are you ready for another one?".
I can't help but feel like I am sitting at a dining table, I have already finished my plate, and in my case I haven't just had seconds but thirds. And I get asked if I want more.
Do you know that feeling when you think you could still eat a little more because at that particular moment it tastes so good, and so you agree to have another helping. But then about twenty minutes after you eat you feel dreadfully sick and wished you would have stopped two helpings ago.
This is where I am at. Do I take another helping and enjoy the precious moments of childhood and having a new little spirit in our home. Savor the flavor of sweet soft baby skin, kisses and cuddles. Is there just one more helping, one more child waiting to be a part of our family?
But then there is the other side of the plate. Will I feel completely stuffed and stretched in more ways than one? Can my body go through this again? Literally being stretched, the weight gain, the nausea, the weight gain, varicose veins, the headaches, did I say the weight gain!? Particularly in the upper breast region. And then there is the stretch on my mental health. Can I still be a good mommy when I am going through sleep deprivation, post pardum depression, no alone time with just myself or my husband. Or will I just turn into the wicked witch of our house?

So as I sit with a blank and flushed face, starring at my plate. I am barely able to eat the portions I've been given. And then I look back at those people asking me if I want to have anymore. And I tell them, "I don't know right now, I'm still trying to let what I've already eaten digest."

More Birthdays

Last week we celebrated Monty and Leah's birthdays. Leah is a big six year old and Monty turned the wise old age of 37. For some reason that sounds much older than 36. He still feels like he is in his mid twenties. Fortunately he doesn't act like it.

Leah is finishing her year in kindergarten. She has grown up so much this year. Besides getting taller she is reading and doing math. She is starting to become much more responsible and helpful at home. She still has her amazing unique personality. She is always thinking and trying to figure out why things are the way they are. She loves to play with friends and dance and sing. Last week she gave the lesson for family home evening. She did such a great job.
We recently went skating and when we first got to the roller rink she was very hesitant to go skate and wanted to hold my hand the whole time. After one time around the rink she dropped my hand and said, "see ya mom". As if she was a pro skater after one round. It's great to see your childs confidence grow right before your eyes. GO LEAH!

Picture proof we had fun on our vacation!

Say Cheese!

Waiting for the parade! 

Leah and Whitney driving 

Haley's first car 

Cute Girls 

Giving loves in line 

Flying High 

Pure Joy! 

Haley in her styling Tink hat 

Princess Leah! 

Haley's Big Bed 

Dancing with Buzz 

Tigger TTFN! 

We love Goofy! 

Haley & Leah on Dumbo

Grizzly River Run surviors 

The Happiest Place on Earth

We made it through three days of Disneyland resort with three kids! I was a little frighten at the thought of going to Disneyland with an active two year old. I did not want to be one of those all to familiar scenes at the supposed "Happiest place on earth", were the parent is screaming at the child to behave or the child is screaming at the parent for something, or the parents are screaming at eachother. I've always wanted to go up to those people at that moment and say, "Isn't this just the happiest place on earth?". But I do have some tacted and so I refrain.
luckily we escaped without having a scene like that of our own. Fun was had by all and we came home still loving eachother. Some of the Highlights of the trip.

Leah went on the TOWER OF TERROR! She said it gave her 100 butterflies in her stomach.
Whitney saw Pooh Bear for the first time. So cute.
Daddy riding space Mountain with his girls.
Whitney danced with Buzz light year.
Mommy had a hot fudge sundae from room service at the hotel.
Haley, Leah, Whitney, & Mommy got to dance in the parade at California adventures.
Haley and Mommy got soaked on splash mountain!
Cotton candy and merry go rounds with Leah and Whitney.
Haley and Leah got to sleep in big fluffy beds at the hotel.
Mommy and Daddy got their own room!
Spending time with grandma Ballard in Long Beach.
No meetings, no carpool, no alarm clocks just fun, fun,fun!