Happy Birthday Aaron!

Happy Birthday to my cute hubby. He would say, "it's just another day", but I tend to differ. I told him his goal was to tell 5 people it was his birthday today and he said, "no way. I already had to tell more people than I wanted." I asked him how many and he said, "2!". He's so funny. There are so many wonderful things that I love about him, but here's just a few that come to mind:
He is THE hardest worker. In everything he does. He always put 110% into whatever he's doing.
He is the best dad to Hallie and Peyton. I know you all thing your husband is, but you're wrong :)
He NEVER complains about anything.
He does kind acts in a quiet matter.
He gets along with everyone.
He cleans better than I do.
He always focuses on the positive things in people.
He can always make me laugh.

Love you babe! Hope you have a good day.

Peyton's 3 Months

Little Peyton is 3 months old in a few days. How blessed we are to have such a sweet baby. Here's a few things she's into right now.

Loves her hands. Likes to stare at them, eat them, hold them..

Coos and smiles non stop

Loves to stare at you until you look at her and then smiles from ear to ear.

Just started laughing the other day!

Holds her head up so well

Sleeps through the night! (just kidding! That's a wish!)

We LOVE this little stinker!

Fun Weekend

We had such a fun weekend. Here's a few things that made it SO great.

Aaron finished his Orthopedic Sub-Internship!!!

We went to Nauvoo to the temple,
Stopped at Kathy's Pumpkin Patch,



Camp fire with friends, and made yummy chocolate chip pumpkin cookies (for the third Sunday in a row)!

Where to even begin...

It's been a LONG time since I've blogged and it's a bit overwhelming to know where to even begin. We're back in Iowa now after spending 5 weeks in Utah while Aaron did a rotation at the University of Utah. It was lots of fun, but let's just say I don't recommend leaving the day after getting out of the hospital from having a baby and driving 25 hours!!! It was hell and I lost about all my dignity after that drive. Guess you gotta lose it sometime though, right?

We are doing good here. Aaron is in his 4th year now! Hooray! It's gone by so fast. He just turned in all his applications a few weeks ago for an Orthopedic residency program. So now we play the waiting game to see where he'll get some interviews. We are so proud of him for making AOA. He works so hard for our family and I hope he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He's been working 90+ hours a week lately and I think we'll both be glad when this rotation is over :)

So..if you have a few hundred hours, here's some long overdue posts :)

Peyton's 2 Month Stats

Not always smiles...

I can't believe Peyton's already 2 months! I took her to the doctor a few days ago and here's the results...

Weight: 10 lbs 11 oz~ 50%

Height: 22 3/4 in~ 60%

Head: 15 1/2"~ 70%

Hallie

Hallie has gotten SO big. I can't believe how much bigger she seems to me now that we have Peyton. She's such a great big sister. Always so sweet to her and concerned for her. After she comes running into my room every morning telling me it's a "nice day Mommy!", she needs to know where "baby sister Peyton" is. Poor girl gets smothered with kisses everyday. The doctor told Hallie that pretty soon Peyton will be able to hold toys in her hand (meaning a few months). Well ever since that appointment, Hallie's been trying to get Peyton to hold every toy possible and if she even holds it for a second Hallie screams, "Yeaahhhh Peyton!"

This is where Hallie is every morning. Playing "princess", having tea parties and house with her cash register.

This is the face I get if I tell her to say "cheese".

Loves those cupcakes (or maybe just licking all the frosting off).

She wears this around the house with her dolls in it.

Kayaking

We've been taking advantage of this great weather and have been kayaking a few times at Kent State Park and Coralville Sandy Beach Lake. It's so much fun. Hallie LOVES it. First she was a little hesitant but as soon as she got going she loved it. The last picture has to be my favorite though. I seriously think I laughed the entire way to the lake. I made Aaron stop so I could take a picture of how ridiculously awesome we looked (and to get me a drink of course :)). Aaron didn't want to scratch our car, so he made us take the "Regal" Buick. (thanks Alison and Dan! Thought you missed your car so just wanted to reunite you :)).

Chelsey's Wedding

Chelsey and Jared got married on August 8, 2008. They were married in the Mount Timpanogas Temple and it was so great. She looked beautiful. They had their reception at Thanksgiving Point by the Waterfalls. It was SO pretty. Chels and my mom did an amazing job with everything. It was perfect. Me and Natalie don't know who had it worse though. I had a baby 10 days before and she was 5 months pregnant. Thanks Chels. Chelsey kept joking about how she couldn't have planned it better--she got to be the skinniest sister at her own wedding! And Natalie told me it was payback from my wedding (she had just had Carston). It was all so much fun though. We LOVE Jared and are so glad he's part of the fam. And I'm most excited because they moved to Chicago, so now we're closer!

Bridal Veil Hike

We got a new kid carrier backpack for hiking and thought we'd try it out on a little hike up Bridal Veil Falls. Hallie loved it. I don't know who loves hiking more between her and Aaron. It's so fun to watch them together. She definitely loves the outdoors just like her daddy.

Peyton's Blessing

Grandps and Peyton


Grandma Janice
Aaron's bro Nate
SIL Audrey and sister Natalie

My cute mom!
Aunt Ruth, cousins Megan and Melissa, Aunt Kristi

We were able to bless Peyton at my parent's house while we were in Utah. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful husband who is a strong priesthood holder. It was so nice of all our families to come to this special event. Always so fun to see everyone. And a HUGE thank you to my mom who is always so willing and happy to host everything for me :) You're the best.

Summer Finale with the Family

All in one week, we left back to Iowa, Chelsey moved to Chicago and my parents left to Europe. (poor Natalie). So Chelsey planned one last get-together in the canyon the night before we left. It was SO fun. The kids had a blast playing together and making smores. We enjoyed just chatting and hangin out around the fire. It was great to have Grandpa there with us and we couldn't help but miss Grandma knowing she would've loved to be there too.

More Utah...

Aaron and Hallie camping out in the backyard.


Feeding the ducks
We had a shower for my friend Beth. It was so fun to get together a few times with all my friends from High School. They are so sweet to always plan something when I come. I just love seeing them and catching up on new and old times. (Lindsay, I stole this off your blog :))

Utah was lots of fun. Challenging at the beginning with trying to find a new normal amongst all the changes we had going on. But we worked it out, and had a blast. I love being close to family and it's hard to be away. Hallie is still asking for "Maama, Bampa, Avery" and many others and pretends to talk to them on the phone. She asks if she can see Avery and I say, "not for awhile" and then she says, "tomorrow?".