Cookie Monster

We had a great weekend. On Saturday we decided to check out the new park by the pavillon. I would recommend it to anyone who has not been yet. They have a great grassy area that is soft and fun to run in and a cool maze for the kids. Haley loved all the steps most of all as she was practing her climbing. We even ran into some friends there where Haley took off with Audrey's shoes and wanted to chill out in Eric's stroller. We then took a walk down the waterway to eat and Haley had a minor meltdown. Turns out she was really hungry and chowed down on 3 pieces of pizza when it finally came! On the walk back we enjoyed the lights on the trees and even saw a wedding at the park...how fun! Sunday was Uncle Mark's birthday and Haley helped make the cake. Ok, she just handed off the eggs but hey, what can you ask of a 15 month old. Maybe next year she will be more help.
So lately Haley has had an infatuation with the toilet...I know...GROSS. A couple of funny stories from the weekend, probably TMI but it should make you laugh. On Saturday when we were waiting for our food Haley was restless so I took her into the bathroom with me so she could walk. So I did my business and the next thing you know I felt something really cold on my backside. Haley spanked me! Oh my...not sure who or where she learned that but it was so funny. She just laughed and I couldn't help but laugh away.
Then on Sunday at Grandma's I had finished giving her a bath and she was running around the bathroom naked. She went into the toilet room and had her tooshie against the wall. She started to make the face, you know that face, so I was worried she was going to go poopies right there on the wall. So I sat her on the potty and she proceeded to grunt several times. Nothing came out and then she started to laugh like she was immitating what's she has seen others do! That girl is so funny. I'm sure Haley will kill me one day for telling these stories but they make me laugh and our little one brings so much joy to our hearts.

Here's some pictures from our backyard time eating her favorite cookies. She had to walk around with the big jar the entire time

What a big girl!

Funny faces

Where are my cookies? (My hair is so curly when it is humid out)

Found my cookies...they were ALL in my mouth. Just like a chipmunk

Catching up on Christmas

Christmas was great. We have been so busy over the last 3 weeks I haven't been able to catch up on the blog. Sorry! I'll give a very high level summary of our last few weeks.....Matt's parents and brother stayed with us for 2 weeks thru Christmas. Haley loved hanging on Uncle Michael best of all. She would climb up on the chair and give him hugs. It was precious. Matt's Aunt also joined us for Christmas so we had a full house but lots of fun. On Christmas Eve Uncle Mark and Grandpa Jeff came over to celebrate too bringing Haley lots of fun toys. Christmas morning we opened gifts from Santa including a new outside car for Haley, a kitchen and her very own rocking chair. She liked her gifts but was more interested in Uncle Michael's talking Elmo...go figure. Christmas afternoon we headed over to Grandma Jean's where we met the rest of the family and had a nice meal, and of course Santa stops there too. Overall it was a great Christmas and we couldn't ask for anything more then being surrounded with our family.

We're ready to see what the New Year brings and we wish everyone lots of love and happiness!

Enjoy some pics from Christmas...

Haley giving Uncle Michael hugs

Haley rolling out the Christmas cookie dough

Uncle Nathan trying to get Haley to eat icing while Uncle Mark is decorating a cookie with Haley

Haley and Buster at Grandmas

Checking out the new chair Santa left for Haley on Christmas morning

Opening presents is hard work

Mom and Haley in her Christmas dress

Snow...boys...kisses

Snow! I still can't believe it snowed in Houston! We took Haley out in it but she didn't want much to do with it and quickly wanted back inside. I'm sure it didn't help that I made her wear her thick puffy jacket that she looked like a pink blob in. I did manage to get a few pictures of the back porch and truck.
On Thursday Grandma took Haley to get her picture with Santa at a local shop in Montgomery. They waiting in line over 1 hour! Poor Uncle Nathan who is home from his first semester at college was coerced into coming along. I was shocked she didn't cry when she finally got to Santa. I guess there were tons of kids there so she was quite entertained. Haley seems to like Santa as she always points him out. I bet she likes the beard and the big red coat.
Yesterday we went to a gathering for our friends who are home from Singapore, the Kirkham's. Haley had a good time playing with all the kids and even got her first kiss! Whoa...we are going to have to watch out for those Kirkham boys in a few years!!!
Today Grandma and Grandpa Vara along with Uncle Michael arrived for the holidays. Haley was really excited to see Uncle Michael again and daddy took her for a ride on Uncle Michael's wheelchair. She wasn't sure what was going on but she loves to talk to her Uncle.
Hope everyone has a great week and enjoy our last week in pictures...

It's snowing!

The truck covered in snow

Ben and Haley running around outside

Haley was more interested in carrying the chair around then sitting in it

Haley thinking....hmmm....he is cute!

Ben thinking.... I'm going to sieze the moment and go in for a kiss

Smooch!

Whoa...what just happened?

Ben going in for seconds and Haley pushing him back

Catching up

We have been having some computer problems lately and today is the first day the internet is working again!!! So to catch up....we had a great Thanksgiving with Matt's family coming down to spend the week with us. Haley enjoyed seeing all her grandparents including all on T-day, I think that is a first. On Friday we went to San Antonio where we spent the weekend and enjoyed a day at Sea World. Haley had a blast. She loved watching Shamu and was mesmorized my the show watching his every move. It made it hard for me to get a picture but that's ok. After a long day at Sea World she zonked out in the bed. We ended up getting a season pass so we can't wait to take her back. Later that night we went on a riverboat cruise dinner where we saw all the Christmas Lights along the riverwalk. What a pretty night.

This week we finally put up our Christmas decorations and have finally told Santa what to bring Haley for Christmas. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to start your shopping.

Enjoy our pictures from Sea World...

Getting ready to walk in

This is what I think of waiting in lines!

Shamu

Our family with Christmas Shamu

Boy what a long day...this was about 2 minutes after the picture with Shamu

Our week in pictures

I think the time change is really getting to me. It is already dark by the time we get home so once we put Haley to bed I just want to go to bed too! Or at least that is my excuse for not posting any this week :)
We had a good week. Last Saturday we decided to go to the Ren Fest...wow, never seen so many crazy people in one spot in my life. I've been in the past but I don't remember it being like this. Maybe I just never paid attention before. It was a cool, windy day so Haley just chilled in the stroller. I think she enjoying looking at all the "strange" people too. Matt had never been and I think we both decided it will be some time before we visit again.
This morning I had a moment that other mom's had warned me about. I was looking at Haley in her carseat and realizing that she is looking more and more like a toddler and less and less like a little baby. She is getting so big! Where has the time gone? We just enjoy watching her explore the world around here and learning her personality. And boy she has a personality. Some of her favorites lately include dancing. I'm trying to get it on video but everytime I pull the camera out that takes the video she is more interested in that then dancing. But the other day she was playing with a toy when on TV a catchy tune came on (which she hardly ever watches)...next thing you know she was moving her feet a mile a minute and twirling in circles. She was doing the "maniac". I laughed so hard and she is so proud of herself with a cheesy smile and clapping. Santa might be bringing her some music classes...the elves are looking into that. I'm not sure where she gets the love of music but anytime a song comes on tv she is mesmorized. Guess that explains why she likes to watch Ellen Grandma reports.
Hope you enjoy our week in pictures...

Haley and her purses. She has taken over my extra ones too.

What a big girl at the playground

Cheese

Trying to snuggle with mom and Buster before bedtime. She was right up on poor Buster trying to sleep!

Riding her Alphabet Train...Dad takes her for rides all around the house. All aboard! And notice how messy her face is...and look at the next pic

Hard to tell in this pic but Buster's beard used to be white. It looks wet but it's not. Now that Haley gives him all her food, he is getting fat and his beard is permanently stained. We are trying to cut back on all the human food he is eating...last thing we need is a trip to the vet

Tyring to use the stacker as a megaphone. Grandpa Lewis taught her this but she turns it the wrong way. She also tried to use a box for a megaphone too...didn't work out too well...imagine that :)

The best 4 letter word

I've been trying to get Haley to say "Mama" but she looks at me like I am crazy then "Dada" comes out. I know the "M's" are really hard so I try not to get my feelings hurt. She tries Buster, doggie, bubbles, but no Mama. Well, that was until Wednesday. Wednesday morning before work I was saying.....MMMMMM. She was laughing and finally started with the "mmmmmm". Yeah! We are close. Then wouldn't you know it, out comes "mmmmmm Dada" Matt and I laughed so hard. It's like she is teasing me.
Wednesday night though I finally had my moment. We were in Michael's looking at frames when she bursts out of nowhere, "Mama". Oh my heart just melt! That is such a wonderful feeling :)

The little daredevil

Wow, this week has been a blur. First to get caught up on Halloween. Haley's wasn't too sure about what was going on but one thing she did know was that Matt's costume scared the begebers out of her. He only wore it to one house before taking it off. Guess Haley didn't like daddy as a fat man in a thong (sumo wrestler). We made it down the street then she had enough so we called it a night.
Then came Tuesday morning. I had heard Haley whimper in the night but she went back to sleep so I didn't think anything of it. Turns out she got sick in her bed and slept in it all night. So needless to say after cleaning up chunky pasta out of everything (sheets, bumper, blanket, toys) I was a little queasy myself all day. She ended up with a fever almost all week and not wanting to eat so off to the dr we went yesterday. He said she probably just has the bug that is going around and nothing we can do about it, which we figured. Her fever finally broke yesterday and today she was back to the old Haley. Still not eating too much but at least no more whining, crying, clinging. Poor baby. Now Matt woke up sick today so I just know my turn is coming this weekend....yikes!
Now my funny story. Tonight before bed I've determined my child is going to be a daredevil. Good thing we have health insurance because I see several trips to the dr. in our future. She has decided she loves to climb. So she took one of her push toys, maneuvered it right in front of the chair, then decided to stand up on it with socks on. Now remember that the toy is on wheels...bad combination. We told her no, don't do that...yep...didn't work. She even fell right on her face one time, laughed, and did it again. Ahhh...I can only imagine what we are in for. I managed to get a few shots below of her feat she was so proud of. She was just beaming when she did it!

And finally, Happy Birthday Uncle John. Hope you have a great 20th birthday :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Not too sure about what's going on


Where's my head?


Riding my horse


Playing tug of war with Buster...I love this game! Mom and Dad like it too because Haley and Buster can wear each other out.



Look Mom...I'm on the car

Whoa...this is moving but I'm still laughing