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-

Our Crazy Christmas Chaos

Travelling for Christmas is a challenge. Especially with two small children and a million presents. But as difficult as it occasionally seemed, it was definitely worth it! Miami was awesome and busy and exciting and exhausting and all together terrific. My entire family was there...all 23 of us!

We played in the Renfroe's new backyard.

Got some fresh air and family time.

We were able to visit with Malinda and Katie and meet Michael for the very first time!

The kids ALL looked gorgeous on Christmas Eve! What a fantastic crew they are.

(Left to Right- Parker, Shelby, Bryce, Carly, Marshall, Chloe, Payton, Hailey, Laney)

The Maupins didn't look too shabby :)

The Big Man was as handsome as ever, looking more and more like his daddy.

We woke up Christmas morning at Grammy and Grampy's house with Mom and Dad, Chris, Sarah, Carly and Laney. Santa had visited over night and left some rather fabulous goodies! He and I had chatted before the big day and arranged things so that Hailey's brand new bike would be left in Arizona but Chloe's bike would be on hand in Miami for practice riding. Little Miss Thing was overjoyed!

All of these pictures are blurry, which I don't fully understand, but I feel like they really capture the excitement of the morning!

Mr. Clean got his very own cart to cruise the house with. Why doesn't my house seem cleaner??

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.

Hailey is a fantastic bike rider...and Parker is a fantastic big sister follower!

I just love this picture. They look so proud and happy, and they are staring at my kids...love it!

That afternoon we all headed up to Boyton Beach, to Rick and Mef's house, for more presents, lots of food, and a sleepover. Soon after our arrival, Hailey and Jade claimed their spot in front of the tree.

Did I mention there were 23 of us??

Seriously. 23 people and 6 dogs. Good lord.

How cute is he?

This was a gift from the Renfroe's. Parker would happily spend all his time on the caterpillar, despite the fact that his feet don't touch the ground.

The girls all got matching dresses and looked so beautiful. And I love Hailey's lips in this shot. Hoochie.

This was taken the next morning after very little sleep. Don't they look happy? What you don't see is the MASSIVE tantrum that followed this joyous moment when I tried to get Hailey into jeans for our family portrait. It wasn't pretty. It all started over a wedgie and got completely out of hand from there. In all of the family pictures, you can either see the top of Hailey's head as she tries to kick and flail her way out of my arms, or her naked legs as I never actually got the jeans on her. Such a proud moment for me.

On Sunday, Grammy and Payton organized a Perrin Family Fishing Tournament. Those of you who know the Perrins, know that this is one of the things we do best! It was great- matching shirts and all!

Parker's shirt was more like a dress, but he didn't seem to mind.

Auntie Kimmie was on hand to help him reel in the big one.

Hailey fell in love with one poor shiner, and actually cried when it fell lifeless in her hands. I tried repeatedly to explain that it needed water, but she thought it really enjoyed her attention.

We were quite a crew.

Both Hailey and Parker almost passed out on the golf cart ride home.

Uncle Keith, aka Captain Fishing Rod.

And yes, of course there was swimming! Thank goodness for the heated Keys Gate pool, it was actually quite chilly while we were there.

All in all, it was busy and fun filled and fabulous. Don't worry, birthday pictures to follow! Yep, that's right, she is FOUR!