Oooo Baby the Bradys

In April, my friend Dionne Brady and her lovely family came to town. My parents were also here and we all had a great time! We met on Saturday at the Phoenix Zoo. We love the zoo, but good golly was it HOOOOTTTT!

I miss Dionne so much, especially in the middle of the night at work when I need her to make me laugh at random stupidity. I think we are both pretty hot mamas, but man does she make me look WHITE! Ebony and ivory, come together in perfect harmony...I dare you not to sing that all day.
Joy, her oldest and Parker's life long love, took an instant liking to Grampy and his cool wheels.

Hailey loves Joy and Dionne, always has.

Say cheeeese Brady family...can you guess who doesn't belong in this picture?

(Left to Right: MY CHILD, Joy, Dionne, Miss Lottie aka Grandma Brady, and JJ)

It really was so incredibly hot. Parker kicked Joy out of Grampy's lap and passed out cold.

Sunday we met at Rawhide Western Town. It was terribly tacky, hot, and yet fun :)

This just might be our Christmas card.

It all proved too much for Baby Jayson. Yes his binkie is indeed propping his head up. And yes, we have no idea how long he was asleep before we noticed.

Dionne and Joy decided, to make it all legal finally. The kids are so proud.

Miss you girl!

Update #3 done...check.

Kristy and Kiley Come to Town

A few days before our Bisbee trip, Kristy, one of my BFFs, came to town and brought with her the beautiful Miss Kiley. Oh, and her husband too...sorry Nick!

Kiley is of course gorgeous...was there every any question?!

I mean, with all these good looking people around its a wonder we could do anything but stare at ourselves all day long?!

Hailey established herself as not only the oldest, but also a wonderful mother figure.

Mmmmm, thank you Mama Hailey.

It was a wonderful visit. I loved seeing Spadely, and it was a neat change for us to have girl time together while being moms together. Such a gift. Kiley is a doll, but she was not a fan of Jona. Cried every time he entered the room, which is NOT something he is used to. Luckily, in Bisbee Jenna adopted him as her own and spent most of the time in his arms or his lap or fighting over him with Parker. It was good for his self esteem!

Update #2 done...check.

Bisbee, AZ

I'm way behind on the blogging. So I'm going to catch up you up in pictures and a tad of narration.

In March we went to Bisbee, a weird, hippie little border town. We went with the Walkers, who have become our good friends. Anne takes care of Parker a couple of days a week while I sleep off the night shift. We love her. I mean she is one of the greatest blessings our family has had in our lives since we moved here. Parker loves her, loves her house, loves her daughter, loves her. There has not been a single day of separation anxiety. In fact, the other day when he was getting so sick, I said "are you going to have so much fun at Anne's today?" And despite the fact that he was still in his PJs and hadn't had breakfast, he grabbed his blankie, popped in his binkie, and walked out to the garage to wait by the car. We love her. And she's a super cool girlfriend of mine..the whole package.

We hiked even though we couldn't find the trail.

Hailey and Mikayla became fast friends and loved each other's company. I don't think they stopped talking the ENTIRE three days. I'm not even sure they ever listened to each other, they just talked and talked and talked.


Parker and Jenna continued their bonding over bowls and bowls of blueberries and hummus and snap peas and dried strawberries and everything else they could eat. And you've seen them dancing.

Love the hip swing attitude in this one.

Scott, Anne, Mikayla and Jenna (she's there on her mom's back I promise) Walker.

Ok, one update done...check.

Jenna and Parker Rock Out

I took this during our March trip to Bisbee, AZ. I dare you not to laugh at Parker's smooth moves and Jenna's saucy style!!

Started Strong...

I FINALLY took the kids for professional pictures. The ones we took a year ago are still on my badge at work. New mothers ask me all the time about my cute baby...most of the time I don't admit that my "baby" is now 19 months old!

We started off strong...

They really are so stinking cute.
I mean, this face! THIS face wins me over time and again. THIS face smiles and his whole body lights up. THIS face babbles and giggles and makes my heart sing.

And this beauty! THIS beauty has a smile that shines through any crowd. THIS beauty is brilliant. THIS beauty is sassy and smart mouthed and so incredibly funny. THIS beauty runs the roost and we all know it!

The photo shoot went something like this...

Great job Hailey!

Parker, can you lay down next to Hailey and say cheese?

Please?

For just a second?

How about by yourself?

Say cheeeeessssse?

C'mon Parker!

Ok, that isn't working. How about you two hold hands.

Pretend like you like each other...seriously.

A little closer maybe?

Good job Hailey!

Parker, smile your big smile!

Okay, this isn't working either.

Hailey, let's do a few more of just you. You are doing such a great job!

Ok Parker, now its your turn again!

No, no, stand still!

C'mon Parker, just a couple more.

STOOOOOPPPP!!!!

And that was that!

Hailey's Birthday PartIES

Jona is in Mexico for a conference and he took the laptop...turd. So I am stuck with our desktop which moves at the speed of molasses going uphill in the winter. Lucky for you, that means I can post pics from Hailey's multiple birthday celebrations...

Sean, Shawna and Hayden were here for New Year's and Hailey's birthday. We had a great visit and Hailey loved playing with her cousin! On New Year's Eve we headed to the Phoenix Zoo.

We love our zoo and invested in a membership. We've been at least twice a month since then!

Hailey and Hayden rode a camel. Oh the thrill.

On New Year's Eve, Shawna's parents (who winter in Phoenix) came over for a BBQ and s'more fest!

Parker was determined to light himself on fire. Mommy was very nervous.

Hailey had her first fire grilled s'more and she is hooked ladies and gentlemen.

January 1st, 2006 little miss Hailey Beth made her debut.

Can it be that she is actually FOUR?

Luckily she is not at all spoiled.

And she definitely didn't start the day by licking the beaters I was using to make her cake. That would be unhealthy.

She is officially a big girl in her BIG GIRL bed. This has lead to me falling asleep with her almost nightly when I tuck her in. I think I love it as much as she does.

Her birthday outing lead us to the Arizona Science Center. Very cool, interactive, educational. Got a membership there too!

They learned how to build damn and, well, get wet and dirty inside.

Parker went to space.

And then that weekend we had yet ANOTHER party at Chuck E Cheese.

Again, not at all spoiled.

(Bianca, Hailey, Ella)

Another cake. This one brought to you by Spongebob Squarepants.

Chuck E. even sang and danced with her. He was a little lame but I'm pretty sure she didn't mind.

(Hailey, Ella, Bianca, Alexa, Emily, Lisa, Zoe, Me)

Hailey and Chuck E...BFF

There you go. Life is a party around here.

Crazy Kiddos

2010 has started with a bang! Its really so fun to start every new year celebrating my daughter's birthday. Hailey Elizabeth is now officially 4 years old...HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!?! She is 4, she is fabulous, she is smart, she is funny, she is beautiful, she is way too verbal, she has awesome attitude, and she is in all too many ways my daughter. And I'm lucky, and we have fun, and we fight, and I often don't win. I would post pictures from her multiple birthday celebrations, but they are all on the other computer and I can't handle how hideously slow the desktop is so just trust me, every party and happy birthday singing was super fun and exciting and worthy of my gorgeous girl.

Moving on...Hailey and I had a garage sale in January. She worked really hard, helped me decide what to sell, what to keep, which of Parker's toys were disposable, and stayed outside with me all morning while we sold off our clutter. This was her snack break in the front yard while we cleaned out the garage.

Parker has changed so much just in the past few months. He has fluffy, frizzy, curly, bleached blonde hair, and plenty of it. He sings with Hailey, dances with Hailey, follows Hailey every.where.she.goes. He really, really wants to be Hailey. See...
This time of year has shown us why people live in Phoenix. Clear skies, and I mean not a single cloud to be found, 70 degrees, gorgeous. We are outside daily, and the backyard toys that felt so much love in Nashville are finally feeling it again!

Parker, following Hailey's lead, has really taken to the Maupin family love of books. He reads all day, or begs to be read to, or carries around books, or sits with Hailey on the steps, in his rocking chair, on the couch, on the floor, wherever they stop moving and sit still, and read together.

So we've been busy. And, of course, LOUD-