Year in Review -- 2015

Geez, what a year 2015 has been!

This year was full of highs and lows and so many great times. In 2015 Hayes accomplished a lot and has learned so many great things. He is doing so well and I have noticed so many changes and improvements in him even over the past couple of weeks. We are so excited to see what 2016 has in store for us!

This year Hayes: 
-Turned two
-Went down a water slid for the first time.
- Threw lots of temper tantrums
- Ate a thousand Popsicle
- Moved from a crib to a big boy bed
- Played at the park for a thousand hours
- Got a new hair cut
- Played in the sprinklers, pool, and lake
- Rode on a surf board for the first time
- Hiked in Zion
- Went to the Aquarium
- Went to the Zoo
- Saw the Shark Reef in Las Vegas
- Played at Lake Las Vegas
- Played with the trains at Barnes and Noble for 500 hours
- Went on 300 walks
- Got 400 balloons (which wasn't enough)
- Ate way too many donuts, See's Candy, and treats
- Grew up way too fast
- Learned a lot of new words
- Finally put his feet on his bike pedals
- Got a trampoline and spent countless hours jumping
- Started telling us jokes and being so funny
- Watched Curious George on replay
- Read a million books
- Learned to paint
- Stole our hearts over and over again!

This year Kacee:
- Turned 28
- Celebrated 8 years of marriage with Sam
- Took Hayes to the park, the Children's Museum, and the library nearly every week
- Worked part time
- Worked out, started running again
- Decorated a big boy room for Hayes
- Painted the living room
- Traveling to Salt Lake a few times
- Took Hayes to the Aquarium, Zoo, Shark Reef, and Lake Las Vegas
- Read a few books
- Started treatment for PCOS
- Kept two plants alive all year
- Saw Garth Brooks in concert
- Saw Mannheim Steamroller
-Bought a record player- refinished it and started listening to great vinyls
- Hiked in Kanaraville Falls
- Got called to YW
- Lost my cousin Bart
- Spent more time at the cabin (luckily)
- Loved being a mom more than anything in the whole world

This year Sam:
- Turned 30
- Celebrated 8 years of marriage to me
- Hiked in Zion
- Laid new floors in the house
- Installed new baseboards
- Worked a lot!!
- Got a new truck
- Got rid of his Tacoma (no tears were shed, surprisingly)
- Wake boarded every chance he could
- Cleaned his new truck weekly since he got it
- Took Hayes on a million long board rides
- Tried to teach Hayes to ride his bike and scooter
- Made some pretty fantastic chalk art
- Got two new giant TV's
-Spent more time at the cabin
- Loved being a dad more than anything.


It's hard to remember all of the things that happened over this past year, but as I think back so many things have happened. It's crazy to think about. There have been some really low lows and really great times. I have loved being home with Hayes and watching him learn and grow. I am looking forward to a new year and all of the great things we have coming. All in all, we are so blessed!

After Christmas

I always feel like between Christmas and New Years we are in such a funk. We don't really want to get back to normal life yet, but most all of the celebrating is over. Hayes has spent this time playing with all of his new toys, a lot of time spent jumping on the tramp and eating anything sweet he can get his hands on... Oh and taking some selfies! :) Hayes has loved this tub of animals he got for Christmas and has lined up all of the animals about a zillion times. 

I have worked a little, cleaned up Christmas, starting organizing and cleaning the house, getting the play room ready, and trying to stay good about my exercise. I've done ok with the sweets, mostly because my medicine makes me, but I can't say no to See's candy... even if it makes me sick. 

Sam and I were talking the other day and remember that it was 2 years ago that Hayes broke his leg, what a horrible day that was! I am so grateful we weren't there this year... knock on wood. 

Hayes has been such a good boy lately. I think the past three or four weeks he has done SO well! He is talking and communicating so much better (which I'm sure helps him behave better). He is happier and excited to do things. He is sleeping better (knock on wood again). And we are so happy our little guy is growing up into a smart, fun loving, energetic 2 and 1/2 year old! We feel so blessed! 

Christmas Day 2015

Christmas day this year was something else! Santa brought us a brand new TRAMPOLINE! It was so cold on Christmas Eve night that the tramp had a sheet of ice covering the whole thing, but that didn't stop Sam and Hayes from heading out there and taking a few test jumps. 

After we opened Christmas and had a yummy breakfast at home, we headed over to Grandma Sydney's and Grandpa Rob's. They got Hayes a bright orange SCOOTER! He was so excited to see it, but didn't want to put his feet on it so he just pushed it all around the house. He was so excited! 

After we left there we headed up to Cedar to brave the cold and snow. The only way we got Hayes out of Grandma's house was by promising snow and Stockden. The snow did not disappoint and Hayes played until he cried from being so cold. We loved getting to see our families and spending time together. Our day was full of food, sweets, gifts, love, laughs, and most of all the people we love the most. What a fantastic day! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve 12.24.2015

This year for Christmas Eve, we hosted. It didn't seem like anyone could really make up their minds on what to do, so took charge and decided we were going traditional. We had ham, turkey, potatoes, gravy, veggies, shrimp, and tons of sweets. We also cut up oranges and got cranberries for the water. It was so fun and so delicious! Luckily we had Justin here to do all of the actual cooking so we didn't ruin anything. It's always a little chaotic and loud, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The only thing I wish is I had a bigger house to hold all of the people I love. One day. 

We did the traditional things of having the kids open a present (jammies) and change into them. We ate until we were sick. We laughed. I read a fun book. And then we drove around looking at Christmas lights. It was the perfect traditional Christmas eve. In my head, I'm planning a few years out for how we could do it even better. I love get togethers and family gatherings. I love people being together and having fun. I'm excited for many more Christmas eves with the ones I love most, making memories, starting new traditions and continuing the old ones. 

Brandi and Jesse

This year we were so lucky to have Brandi and Jesse come and visit. We don't get to see them much, so it was so great. Hayes of course had to show Brandi how he loves to take selfies. He even snuggled up to Jesse too! We try to show Hayes pictures of his family that isn't close by so he will know them, but pictures are nothing compared to the real thing! I keep trying to convince Sam we need to go see these Montoya's in Washington! I'm hoping this year we will make it up there!

The sleeping bag

Grandma Susan sent down a gift to Grandma Sydney's house for Hayes. While Hayes was at Grandma Sydney's he found it and unwrapped it... geez. So he has been enjoying this gift since WAY before Christmas, but he's loved it. Hayes loves this sleeping bag and has slept in it quite a few nights. He loves to bring it out into the living room for quiet time and has even tried to take it outside! Hahaha. He is so funny and stuffs all of blankets inside and snuggles up. 

Thanks Grandma Susan! 

Cars from Grandma

Sweet Grandma Phyllis is so kind and for Christmas sent us some money. She said that some of was for Hayes, so with some of his money I let him pick any toy he wanted (with in reason of course). He picked these cars and didn't even want to keep looking at the toys. He has played with them non stop and even tries to take them to bed with him. I need to remember to let him pick his toys more often, he loved doing it and has played with these cars better than just about any other toy. 

Thanks again Grandma Phyllis! 

The Nativity set

This year, to teach Hayes about the true meaning of Christmas, I bought the Little People Nativity Set. It's adorable and indestructible. Hayes was SO EXCITED when he saw it and realized it was something I was actually going to let him touch. He spent hours and hours lining up the people. Something I kept noticing was that when he lined the people up, he always made sure they all faced baby Jesus. I've heard a lot of people say their little ones did the same thing, how interesting. These little ones are so in tune and just know things that would could have never taught them. To me, this was such a testament that Hayes knows Jesus and already just knew that everyone would want to look towards him. I think these are some of my favorite pictures from this holiday season. 

Waiting for Grandma

A couple of weeks before Christmas I got SO sick, like the sickest I have been in years. I was sick all night and couldn't seem to keep anything down, even water. Luckily, my mom came to my rescue and watched Hayes while I tried not to die. I told Hayes she was coming over to get him and he watched out the window for her and kept yelling at each car that drove by "Where Gramen Lynne!" I thought it was such a sweet picture of him looking out the window by our Christmas tree. 

Making candy trains

This year Hayes and I made candy trains for his cousins and for my YW. Hayes didn't really understand what we were doing, all he knew is that he wanted to eat all of the yummy candy I set out. He did love all of the trains once they were put together and played with each of them before we packaged them up. We use to make these when I was little and I loved showing Hayes how fun they are. I think this will be a yearly thing for us because they combined two of Hayes's favorite things, trains and candy. 

The Temple 12.06.15

For my mom's birthday this year we did her traditional temple evening. We got to the temple walk around the visitor center and then see all the lights. It is such a fun tradition that I remember doing since I was really little. Hayes LOVED that his cousins were there and ran around every where. When we were there we noticed the most amazing sunset behind the temple. The pictures could no way do it justice, but it was AMAZING! 

Selfies

Hayes has discovered that he can take pictures of himself on my phone and thinks it is the greatest thing ever. I laugh so hard at that tongue sticking out. He is hilarious. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I started getting things ready for Christmas a little earlier than I usually do. I bought a tree right after Thanksgiving and set it up the first part of December. I left it un-decorated for a few weeks and Hayes honestly would have loved it just the same even without decorations. He was so excited there was a tree in our house. He also was pretty excited when he found out that the tree's lights turned on and off. Christmas time is SO much better with Hayes around and the older he gets, the better the holidays get. 

Lefty

My little lefty! I'm excited Hayes is left handed like me, but I feel bad for him too. I know it's harder to learn sports and writing because you have to learn it backwards from most people, so hopefully Hayes doesn't hate that he got that from me. I hear leftys are usually smarter though :) 

Sleepy Hayesie December 2015

The past few weeks Hayes has been coming into our room in the middle of night and wanting to sleep in our bed. He is a pretty wild sleeper so sometimes this is kind of hard. One morning though, Sam slipped out to go to work and I woke up to this angel next to me and didn't even realize it. He must have been really sleepy because he usually always wakes up when Sam goes to work. He is so sweet!

Ranch

I think my favorite lunch date with always be at Pizza Factory with this little guy. I hope he always wants to go get "Peetsey" with me. We recently showed Hayes how amazing pizza is dipped in ranch, and as the pictures show, he's a big fan. :)