Moving and Apartment Living

Well, we have moved and settled in pretty well to our temporary abode. We are living apartment style while we wait to close on our new home. We will be moving in to our new residence in mid-February. We made it through moving week with as much grace as we could. It was exhausting and emotional and exciting at times. Overall, it went smoothly, though I haven't received our belongings out of storage at this time. The movers were nice people and I am grateful for their service because I could barely do what I was doing which was take care of the kids while they packed and close up shop there while packing to stay in temp housing for a month. Hayden loved having the "Mack" truck parked in front of our house for 3 days and oppositely did not like them packing up his life as he's knows it. He misses home right now and I am eager to give him his new home to settle into with his belongings that make it feel that way. It is hard on him, even at his young age. Clare on the other hand is taking it in stride as they do when they are that young. She is happy as ever. She was exhausted by the end of the week as you'll see in the photo where she couldn't make it through lunch.
We have caught up on our sleep now for the most part and are getting to know our new town. We look forward to our own beds soon!



Parked on the street with the mountains up the hill. Pointed eastward toward our new home.



Could not keep this guy off of the truck. At least by the end he was helping.



Sleepy girl



Playing with his new car road rug that Grandma and Grandpa kept for us after Christmas.



Loving to push her stroller around



Rocking her hot pink sequin purse

Hayden's Tractor Party

So Hayden turned 3 and before we moved we wanted to give him his own little bash with his buddies in New Mexico. He was set on a tractor themed party and as it turns out that is not the easiest thing to find. So I made some banners from tractor fabric and ordered the balloons from Amazon. We had pull back tractors in the party favors and invitations with tractors on them. If we'd been in Kansas, I would have had boatloads of people with tractors and tractor rides would have been on the docket. However, we just stuck with a bouncer this time. It burns a lot of energy off for kids and off sets the sugar they eat. We had a morning shindig and so a cinnamon roll cake was in order. Hayden loves cinnamon rolls and can eat them thanks to his Grandma B's recipe she cooked up for him. She still makes them better than I do though. We'll blame in on the altitude though. He had a fun time with his friends and it was good to have their parents who are our friends in our house to celebrate one last time.











Shocked that even with a bouncer, the kids were interested in the toy baskets.





Little man so excited to hear "Happy Birthday" being sung to him.





Getting ready to chow down.






Gave the little ones their chance in the bouncer after the bigger kids got worn out.





The action wore out the littlest ones.

Hayden's 3rd Birthday

Can't believe we've hit 3. I can't really remember what life or I was like 3 years ago because so much has changed now that its like he's always been here. But at the same time 3 years seemed a long way off when we brought him home from the hospital. I mean it's just right around the corner from kindergarten! So here he is on his actual birthday which was spent quietly at home together. We made it a fun day for him doing things he enjoys and making him cinnamon rolls that he likes. He opened his gifts (which have been unfortunately put into storage until mid February.) He has hit 3 with roaring ferocity! He is stretching his baby wings and trying to gain more independence every day. I love him so much and just when he pushes you too far, he charms you again with what is going on in that smart and sweet little mind of his. He is a great and complex little man and am excited to see what the next year brings for him!





Hayden and Daddy playing with his first Hotwheels track



Safety first, compliments of mama



For our first bicycle that is a balance bike






Taking it for a test drive. Mountains in background (tear)









Yum!

Christmas Day 2011

Merry Christmas 2011! Our little ones are celebrating their 2nd and 3rd Christmases and it was a fun one this year especially with Hayden who popped out of his room asking if Santa Claus came. So precious! Clare just enjoying all the new things to play with (albeit inappropriately sometimes). We shared in an exciting morning together and I'm looking forward to more of this chapter in our lives.



In love with the new BIG DIGGER



Checking out his new chair



Checking out the new kitchen



Happy girl in her new chair. Sit is a new word and this place will be just the right height for her to climb into.



Looking a the new cabbage patch doll brush.



In awe of the fact that there was more to be had



What have we found here?



Getting down to business



Bless his heart, he didn't know if the box was the gift or not. After he unwrapped it, he was ready to move on because he thought what you see is what you get. Little did he know that exciting clothes (every almost 3 year olds dream) lie inside.



Taking a moment to rest from all the unwrapping. Whew!



Clare opening one present, because there was too much to do after that




I think it was a hit as she is giving it a big hug



Eating a little Hayden sweet toast...that's his version of ours



Eating a little baked french toast



Daddy opening his toy and the kids offering their unwrapping assistance



Checking out her new little purse and figuring out how to wear it over her arm



Working a little energy off by wrestling Daddy on the ground



Wearing their hooded towels around the house while playing in their new little kitchen that Santa brought them

Christmas Eve 2011

Clare all dolled up and hamming it up for the camera.



Brother Hayden trying to get sister to look at the camera for me.



Clare making her rounds.



Two cuties!



Before Christmas Eve service





Late at night after Santa's visit!