Thanksgiving/ Kohler Reunion

For Thanksgiving we made the 14 hour drive to St George. There was I believe close to 80 family members and all were there except for 3 cousins. There was flag football(Hailey even got in on it), Thanksgiving dinner, Family photos, a talent show and we even squeezed in a few extra fun things. We went swimming outside in 25 degree weather (SO AWESOME!), Hailey went and saw Tangled with Grandma Robin, and we stopped at the Phoenix Zoo on the way back which was tons of fun too!




Here's my phone showing how cold it was. And the pool of course is heated and it was super nice. We all had a blast swimming in it!




We had absolutely best experience at the Zoo ever! I have to give the PHX Zoo props! The Monkeys were so very cute and active, seriously all over the place. Then they had a squirrel monkey exhibit where you went inside of it and they were just walking all over the place inside there. They were above us and next to us jumping in the trees it was so neat. The highlight by far was the Elephants. (It's funny because josh was like oh the Elephants always disappoint. And I agree, usually!) We went to see the Elephants and we saw one Knocking on the door and then the trainer came out and started feeding them. We got to see them so up close and active and we got to ask lots of questions. Then he asked if we'd like to feed the Elephants and we were like of course. So Hailey and Troy both got to feed them and we got way up close and personal it was seriously the coolest thing ever! They also had a petting zoo full of goats which the kids loved the only bad thing is that we all smelled like that all the way home.

Just Me and my Dad Nov. 20

Josh decided the lawn needed to be cut probably for the last time this winter and everybody wanted in on it. I just think it is so cute how sometimes my kids are just content following me or Josh around and doing whatever we are doing. These are some pretty fun ages/stages (except for Troy at church!) We are very much looking forward to Nursery.

Going out with Grandma Hakes Nov. 8

Hailey got to go out with Grandma Hakes to clean the models, which she does from time to time, and she started earning some money working for Grandma to help her earn a Kaleidoscope she had really been wanting. Grandma also took the opportunity to teach Hailey about tithing. (I thought that was very sweet!) Hailey also got her nails done and got to play with Grandma at the mall a few times! How fun!

Neighbor Kids Nov. 3

We are lucky enough to have a lot of neighbor kids in our neighborhood. I also feel very blessed to live in a tiny colda sac. Also so lucky that they are all very nice and always include Hailey. She just eats up every minute of it and always enjoys her "Neighbor kids." Hailey just loved it when they had a few days off recently so hopefully she'll enjoy winter break!

Happy Halloween!

I feel so lucky, we have been able to get good use of our costumes. We had like 3 nights of activities for Halloween! I decided that I Love Halloween! We had our ward truck-o-treat. We dressed up again to go see daddy at work and everyone else there, we also visited both grandparents and Uncle and Aunt Leslie! We also went Trick-or-treating/Halloween party. Hailey decided half way through that she wanted to switch from a sweet witch to a ladybug/butterfly. I didn't have any family theme which I love and think is adorable but we just did what was really easy! (Thank you Garage Sales!) Troy was tigger. He was very cute but it's not very easy to get him out of it to change a diaper. Another one of my new favorites (thank you Katie!), are these chocolate covered pretzels. The molds are shaped like mummys and haunted houses and ghosts. We also had preschool at our house this week and we did the letter H, so perfect for Halloween! I have it admit that I'm a little sad Halloween's over!


Here's the ward's Truck or Treat!

Troy has a sucker in both hands. He sat in my lap for a long time enjoying those. He has become a little bit of a candy monster!
Visiting Grandma Hakes
Halloween night, New Mexico sunsets are the best. This photo is untouched!
Visiting Grandma Robin and Papa



Sweet Grandma, sweet Hailey :)

My Birthday!

My Birthday was wonderful. I am so grateful for all my family and friends who sent me a message or a text or phone call! My super sweet hubby totally spoiled me. We went to dinner at Olive Garden. He even walked around the mall with me! (Not his favorite thing to do!) I loved every minute of it and he was a good sport. My parents watched the kids, Thanks a ton! I didn't think that I could have such a fun Birthday as an adult! (Like fun birthdays are over so get over it! Not so!!) What a pleasant surprise!
Hailey and Troy being so cute!
The moment get even cuter!
Okay well it can't last but still I love it!

Trip to Texas

I'm in desperate need of updating my blog. I'm thinking about it all the time but just haven't made the time to do it. Anyway about 2 weeks ago Hailey, Troy and I flew out to Dallas to go see Katie, Joe, Nathan, Julia and brand new baby Emily. (We also got to see my Super Sweet cousin Heather and her 5 kiddos! Hailey and Hadley are good buddies!) Katie I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. I was going to rent a car but then she told me, "Don't worry about that we got you covered." She arranged for it to all work and it was such a blast! We went to zoo (Got to spent time with my Aunt Julie, Uncle John, and Kristen too.), went to the park, went to the science museum, attempted eating out at chick-fil-a (with Katie and Me and the five kids), had a girl's afternoon out shopping, went on a nature walk, and went to Emily's baby blessing! It was so much fun! I wish we could be neighbors and see each other all the time! We also played in the back yard and Hailey and Nathan had a sleepover every night. They were so cute but by the end of the week we were trying to figure out tricks to help them get a little more sleep. Hailey keeps asking me if we are going to fly back when it's Tuesday. (We told her on Tuesday we would go so now she asks if it's almost Tuesday!) We are really looking foward to the Holidays so that we can see all of our cousins more!

FYI lots of pictures!

Troy's 15 months

I wanted to document this for my own purposes but love having it in a blog book! (last year's book turned out great!) Troy was 15 months on September 28 and we went in on Tuesday for his check up. He weighed 25.9 lbs (75th %), his head was 48.6 cm (just under 90th %), and his height was 32 in (75th %), The height is what surprised us the most because he was 50th percentile when he was twelve months. The pediatrician said we'll get a better idea of how tall he'll be when he's 2. Josh was especially excited. I'm just glad he's doing so well and is so healthy. Troy is not talking much though. I'm hoping he'll have a light bulb moment. We know he is listen and understanding because there are a lot of times we ask him to do something and he'll do it or mimic noises we make. I try to bribe him to say things like, "Say mama and then I'm pick you up." It hasn't been working so far but we'll see hopefully he'll figure it out soon. We love our Troy so much I can't imagine life with out him! Troy is definitely a mama's boy!
Troy reaching for me and grunting!
Look at my big boy Troy with his daddy! Sorry Josh, not the best picture!
Hanging out with mommy, I took the picture so that is as much of me I could get in the picture.
Troy is sitting on Hailey while she is sleeping, in that wierd way. She is curled around the edge of the couch. I realized I haven't taken very many pictures of just Troy recently.