Christmas Crew

The best thing about going out to Utah, besides Cafe Rio...Roberts...Betos...& Tucanos, is getting to be with all our loved ones that we are currently so far away from! These nieces and nephews are growing up so fast I feel like we are missing out on so much. But, the bright side is that we do get to come out and spend time, laugh, and eat lots of good food. Here are some random shots through out our trip.

Christmas Day, all the family finally gathered together (although not all in the photo).

Isaac, Grace, and Sadie

Bubba trying to use someone else's present as his personal stepping stool.

Nattles watching a show in a dress up. She would not take this off.
Even when we went to visit Great Grandma.

This girl was in HEAVEN helping Grandma in the kitchen.

Our Bubba!

Isaac and Uncle Chuck. Isaac loved sitting in this chair and
watching all the action in the kitchen.

Christmas Day

Christmas day! It was so cute to see Natali get so excited. There were a lot of presents under the tree, and we were DESPERATELY trying to tell her they weren't all ours (by that I mean HERS). They were for all the other aunts, uncles, and cousins that would be coming during the day. We felt spoiled as always by Grandma and Grandpa, and the kids loved their treasures.

Natali trying to restrain herself!

Dad & kids! Oh how I love that group of people!

Natali showing off her new princess dress ups. Seriously I don't think she
could have smiled any bigger!

Bubba and his lion rug! He just started doing his little cackle when he saw it.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve ended up being a quiet evening after our big skating party. So Grandma decided to try and use the few grandkids left to do a nativity. With the group consiting of primarily 3 year olds and babies it was very simple and short. Costumes were imediatly ditched and tossed to the side. And baby Jesus was called "baby Jesus" and tended to our entire time in Utah. Natali was Mary, Oliver was Joseph, and anyone else who wandered over was considered a wiseman.

Isaac coming and bearing gifs...is that a spittoon ?

Joseph (Oliver) being oh so gentle

Mary (Natali) doting over her baby.

Isaac and cousin Charlie...don't they look so wise!

2008 Skating Party

Every year there is an annual Hayes family skating party. Grandma & Grandpa rent out a skating rink for the 100+ aunts, uncles, grandkids, and great grandkids. There's plenty of food, door prizes, skating, and inflatable toys to be enjoyed. Not to mention walking around and socializing with people who you have no idea who they are. Ben honestly can not even come close to naming all his cousins, he finally has mastered his aunts and uncles! The kids had a blast and I look forward to it every year we are out there.

Do you think he is having fun yet?

Everyone lining up on the rink to do "The Hokey Poky" (it's quite the sight to see)

Ben and Isaac joined in from the side lines. It was a little intense for Isaac.This year we had a surprise visitor join us! Man, Santa can do one mean Hokey Poky.

Natali and Grace taking FULL advantage of the inflatable slides.

Confession: I started crying during the hokey poky. No it wasn't my sciatic nerve acting up. But as I stood there on the rink looking at all these people (95% of whom I don't even know their names and am related to by marriage) I just got a little choked up. It was amazing to know that all of these people were family and connected just because of two people. It was just one of those moments. I totally blame it on these dang pregnancy hormones, and felt pretty lame trying to hold back the flood gates during the Hokey Poky! For the LOVE!

Iowa Christmas

Due to traveling during the holidays, the last couple of years we have had two Christmases. We have an Iowa Christmas and then usually a Utah Christmas. Maybe that's cheating, but I refuse to buy gifts in Iowa fly with them to Utah, open them in Utah, and then fly them back to Iowa. This year was so much fun with the kids. Isaac participated much more than last year, but still could really care less (still more interested in the paper and boxes). He was however very interested in the M&M's he found in his stocking.

Natali and her stocking

Isaac and his cars
Homemade Tutu

The Bubba

"Seriously...ANOTHER picture"

It's ANOTHER baby...

We had our big ultra sound appointment today. I am happy to say that the baby looks great and everything is right on track and where it should be. We go back in 4 weeks for another ultra sound and a EKG, I think. Just some of the extra stuff I guess from having a high risk pregnancy (thank you diabetes). This morning I was asking Natali if she wanted a girl or a boy to be in moms tummy. She looked at Isaac innocently eating his morning Cheerios and says, "we already have a brother, it's a sister!" Poor poor Natali, she was wrong. We are having another little boy. We are so excited (and honestly would have been either way)!!! But how fun to have our two little boys so close. We can't wait to see what color combo this one will have...blonde hair, red, who knows! I can't wait to meet this little guy.

Best of Buds

These two are great little buddies! They love to trip, poke, and steal each other toys. They are so much fun to watch and Isaac actually tries to say Savannah's name. They definitely know who each other are and now that they are getting older their 4 month age difference doesn't seem so big. Sweet little monkeys!

Let it Begin

(This pic. was taken during our first snow, when it only lasted for the day)

The high today is 24 degress, I think (not including wind chill). I am not ready for this. It is a snowy wonderland outside with lovely sheets of clear slippery ice. Ahhh, winter. It wouldn't
be so completely depressing except that I know there are months and months of this ahead. Although I think my children look darling all bundled up Randy style (think lil bro of A Christmas Story) it makes trying to leave the house a real life nightmare. I love the holidays, the festivities, the sparkling lights, a good snuggly under cozy blankets while watching a movie and sipping hot chocolate...but lets be honest...I'm totally okay with my palm trees decked out in white lights, wearing flip flops with a hoody, and pretending that the balmy 60 degree weather is totally winter! Deep (deep) sigh!

San Diego

Last week we returned back from our trip to glorious, wonderful, ever sunny San Diego! Just the kids and I went since Ben was in the middle of a vascular rotation with school. The traveling went much better than I expected and we made it there and home with pretty much no complications (which seems like a big deal to me with two kids). We had such a blast! The weather was DIVINE, the food HEAVENLY, and seeing my family was THE BEST! Natali loved all the attention and Isaac found a new love...dogs! All my brothers have dogs, but he LOVED Brandon's dog Mutly. We ate In-N-Out multiple times, and consumed as much Mexican food possible. I even hit up and old high school fav. The Yogurt Mill! Let's just say that it's a good thing I'm pregnant to blame all the food on! We went to both the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, and spent part of the day down at Mission Beach. The kids loved the sand. Isaac was covered head to toe, and I am sure ate several hands full. Natali wanted to play in the water and evetnually got knocked over a couple of times by the incoming tide. It was CLASSIC! Thanks everyone for a GREAT trip. We felt very SPOILED! Maybe next time Ben can come too!

Isaac really did LOVE the dog!

Above & Below: I & N at the Wild Animal Park

Dad, Genny, & the kids

Playing at the beach

Playing at Grandma's

Natali and Amber and the zoo

Grandma and the girls (they are about 3 months apart)

Waiting patiently at In-N-Out...yes we did call Ben and rub it in :)

Out going on a morning walk LOVING the weather

Courtney and Natali being goofy cousins

After 19 degree weather here, let's just say I am ready to go back! Thanks Mom & Dad for spoiling us!

Happy Halloween

The Witch, Coach Ben, and lil' Pumpkin

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Selfishly I am kinda relieved to have Halloween over. Natali had plenty of chances to wear her costume this week and we have way to much sugar in our home. Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of it, but I'm ready for a little detox before the next holiday hits. I'm still waiting for Natali to come off her sugar/party high! Here's pictures from the week, carving pumpkins, dressing up for preschool, school carnival, and leaving to go trunk-or-treating at the church. Happy Halloween!!!