Date Night

Friday night, Matt was supposed to assist on a scout camp out that ended up being canceled. Since nothing was planned we decided to take the kids out on dates.
Matt took Owen to Cabella's to see the animals and then out for one of his favorite treats...french fries. When they came home I asked Owen what they did. He told me about the animals and then I asked what else they did. He said "Where did we go, Dad?" (with his crooked, confused face) Matt said "Wendy's" Owen then looked back at me and said "Wendy's, but I didn't see her." I was laughing so hard, he was so serious when he said it, as if they had gone to someones house rather than a restaurant.

Bailee and I went to the store an picked out new nail polish and our own personal sized ice creams. When we cam home we set up a little "spa" in the living room and I gave her a pedicure and painted her nails with the polish she had picked out. It was fun to have some one on one time with her. Quality time is her love language and she confirmed that about five times when she said to me "Mom, this is so much fun!" I love one on one time with my rug rats!

A Royal Tea Party

For Bailee's birthday she was given an Easy-bake Oven. This Sunday, Bailee insisted that we have a Tea Party. She stared planning it on Saturday and was so very excited. We thought that it would be fitting that she use the easy bake oven to make our refreshments. She so sweetly spread out her blanket and set each of us a place. We were each adorned with proper head attire and she picked what she felt was her perfect dress for the occasion (the one with "puffy sleeves", it always reminds me of Anne of Green Gables when she says that). We all had a wonderful Royal Tea Party on our quiet Sunday afternoon.

Pond Fishing

After the wedding it was time to get ready for me to leave for Texas for the anual Girls Trip. The night before I left we decided that we needed some family time before I left.

There are several ponds around the valley that are stocked with fish so people can fish at them
right in the middle of town with the backdrop of baseball feilds and one of the busiest roads in the state. This particular pond had just been stocked the day before so we decided to head over there. There were lots of other people there too, but we still had fun.

Owen tried casting a couple of times...without much success. He was perfectly happy throwing rocks in the pond and trying to catch things in the butterfly nets.

Bailee was diligent and was gettig pretty good at casting, her aim still needs some work. She crossed lines with a couple of people, but they were nice about it. I think that she enjoyed it.

Didn't seem like many people had much luck catching fish. But this guy and three of his freinds did great! We sure enjoyed watching them circle above and then dive into the water to catch their dinner.

Tent Testers

Matt has gotten into light weight backpacking and has found that the cheapest and lightest tent is one that is homemade. A couple of years ago he tried his hand at making a tent, but it was a bit on the small side. So this year he decided to make a larger one. Since for Memorial Day weekend we decided to stay home and do some spring cleaning and not go on any adventures, we tested Matt's tent out one night in the back yard. It was fun. Matt, Bailee and I barely fit in it, but it held up and we stayed dry. We left Owen inside because he is a bit partial to his own bed (no worries, we had the baby monitor hooked up outside so we could still hear his every move). Bailee woke up once or twice because she got a little cold, but we fixed that by stuffing one of her favorite blankets in her sleeping bag. Other than that, we all had a great night's sleep out under the stars and Matt's homemade tent. Bailee and I still sleeping the morning away.

A Visit With Friends

So finally after 3 MONTHS of waiting... Bailee got to see Bethany when we went down to SLC/American Fork. It was kind of funny, they both woke up so excited to see each other... but when they finally did they just stared at each other for a like 3 minutes. I finally coaxed them to go and play. It took a few minutes for them to warm back up. Before we know it they were back into their normal selves playing like crazy.

Kenneth and Melanie are such great friends they watched our kids for us for almost 8 hours so we could go and see DAVE RAMSEY LIVE! We went to lunch with Kenneth, Melanie and their girls at a cute little bakery in American Fork and then Matt and I met Terry and Deb in SLC at the arena. We enjoyed their company at Dave Ramsey Live. Matt and I had to make a little stop at Kohl's on the way back to Kenneth and Melanie's because I forgot our church clothes. It seems like every time we go out of town something of our church attire gets forgotten. In the past we have forgotten Matt's shoes, Matt's belt, and Matt's shirt. But never everything. Luckily I had all of our shoes, Matt's tie, Owen's clothes and a play dress for Bailee. Melanie let me borrow a skirt and Kenneth let Matt borrow a belt, so all we had to buy was a shirt and pants for Matt. He needed them anyway. When we got back Kenneth and Melanie had a BBQ ready and we enjoyed chatting and played a game of Catan after the kids were all in bed.

Kenneth and Melanie had Stake Conference on Sunday so we went with them. After we let the girls play a little while while Owen napped and then headed home.

Matt, Owen, Kenneth and Abby

The girls playing before church.

Playing out side with the girls. Melanie and I taught the girls how to play the bullfrog game. You know "Down by the banks of the hanky panky where the bullfrog jumps from bank to bank..."

We had such a great time with their family and can't wait to see them again.

Play-Doh

On Sunday the kids and I stayed home from church. Owen was sick all weekend and we didn't want Bailee to expose any one else. While Owen was napping Bailee and I made Play-Doh food with her Play-Doh kitchen.

Tacos with "Blue" meat, cheese and tomatoes

The Play-Doh Kitchen

T-bone Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Easter

This year for Easter we went to Blackfoot. On Saturday morning Stephanie, Kelly and Jack came, Of course Maama had a Easter basket for each of the kids.

And then an Easter egg hunt in the front yard. Bailee knew just what to do and loved it. Owen needed a little helping along, but figured it out quickly. It was so funny to watch him because the basket he was using had a really long handle and it would trip him up. The kids had great time finding all of the eggs.

After the egg hunt we all went and visited Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's and then to dinner at Malina's. It was a fun day.

Snowman

We got quite a bit of snow the end of December and first part of January and every day Bailee asked if we could build a snowman. Unfortunately the snow was powder and not good for snowman building. Finally one day we had a bit of rain, just enough to make the snow wet and compact-able. After dinner Matt took Bailee out to build their snow man. He was taller than Matt and Bailee loved it.

The snow ball for his mid section was too heavy to lift so Matt made a ramp.

Bailee named the little snowman "Owen"

Bailee and Matt with their Snowman.

Playing with Daddy

At times like this, I think that maybe I have 3 kids. I absolutely love it when Matt plays with the kids. Bailee loves how silly her dad can be and I like watching him and waiting to see who might get hurt first. Matt or one of the kids. So far we have had minimal injuries and so it is still great fun. Bailee and Matt riding on the spring horse.

Extended Cousins

Bailee had so much fun at GG's house on Thursday. She usually just plays by herself when we are there, but this was a special day for her. My Uncle Paul was there with his daughter, Emily and his granddaughter, Jordyn. The three of them had so much fun together, once they got over their territorial-ness. They all usually are the only little one when they are at GG's. It was fun to see them all together.

Yeah! Confrence Weekend is Fianlly Here!

I always look forward to Conference weekend. I love hearing a Prophet of the Lord speak, but it always goes by too fast.

Saturday night I went to Ladies Night at Desert Book with my friend Krista and we met my Mom there. It is always so much fun to go and hopefully win prizes. I love getting to see so many people that I don't get to see very often.

Sunday we were going to go to my Mom's for Conference, but she was sick so we stayed home. We always have Biscuits and Gravy on Conference Sunday morning, but Matt doesn't like them so I started a new tradition and made Cinnamon Rolls in addition to Biscuits and Gravy for me. Then we also have Nachos for lunch, it is so fun to have things to look forward to on Conference.

Mom, thanks for the fun traditions.

Bailee said some of the cutest things this weekend. She has finally figured out who President Monson is, she had just started recognizing President Hinckley about a month be fore he passed. So every time she saw president Monson she would point him out in her Conference packet and tell us that it was President Monson. She also thinks that our neighbor Brian looks like Henry B. Eyring, so when she sees him she says "There is Brian!" We are working on that.

Bailee is still working on the potty training a little, so when she didn't quite make it to the potty on Saturday she said "My panties a little bit wet from watching the Prophet." Isn't it nice that she is using the Prophet as an excuse for not making it to the potty? Bailee helping Matt mow the lawn between Saturday Sessions.
A new tradition, Cinnamon Rolls!
An old tradition, Biscuits and Gravy!

Sunday Dinner

Yesterday my Mom and John came over for diner and games. We had a great time. We played Hand and Foot, Boys vs. Girls.... the girls won! Mom brought over some of her very yummy wheat bread which I forgot to set out with dinner! Mom finally said something after everyone was done eating. I suddenly felt like the Ross' when the Costanza's brought thier marble rye to dinner (for those of you who are Seinfeld fans). Lucky for me, my mom still left the bread for us. She also brought ice cream and hot fudge for dessert, that was so yummy durring our game of Hand and Foot.

Thanks for coming, we had lots of fun!

Birthday Celebration

We had such a great time with GG last night, we just visited and ate...I think mostly we ate. I made dinner for her and her favorite dessert that she said she hasn't had in years... chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. She made it pretty easy for me. I put the candles in the shape of an 86, I didn't do 86 candles, because we set her cake on fire one year doing that when she was only in her 70's. We love visiting with GG. I think that over all she had a good birthday, she recieved lots of birthday cards, phone calls and even suprise gifts. She is the best and deserves all of what she recieved. We feel pretty lucky to have been able to share that special day with her.
If anyone is wondering why I didn't post any pictures...I forgot my camera!!!!

A Family of FOUR

On Dec. 27, 2007 our little family had a new addition. Owen Matthew came into the world two weeks early, but was happily and anxiously received.

Bailee loves having her little brother home. She is a great helper, she always wants to hold him and tell him "Hi" and that he is so cute.

Little Boy diaper changes are sure different then little girls. I am learning how to be much faster to avoid the inevitable, the pee fountain.

Matt is a proud Daddy, he is excited to have a little more testosterone in the house. And of course another hiking partner. This summer will be fun with two little explorers.

Owen was born at 10:14 a.m on the 27th. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 10 oz. ans was 18 1/2 in. long. He was just a little guy. He is a really good baby so far, he does all of the eating, sleeping and pooping that he should be. I love this little stage, but I can't wait to sleep for more than two hours at a time again.