Food Network Challenge

My new favorite show is the Food Network Challenge. It is the coolest show!! It a competition between four or five pastry chefs. They have to create a specific type of food(usually cake ) in six hours with a chance to win $10,000. Some of the shows I have seen have been Birthday cakes, Halloween cakes, holiday cakes, and edible ornaments. Two upcoming shows are gingerbread houses and Edible mansions. The stuff they can do is incredible, some of the cakes you would never even guess were cakes. I love it!! The best thing about it is they show reruns at 3:00 in the morning, so when I am up with Hayden I can watch it...sometimes I am disappointed when she doesn't wake up until later.

Phoenix Zoo

Colin and if you look really close you can see one of the three animals we saw at the zoo
Colin and Hayden in front of the pond full of lily pads
Kelly and Hayden at the entrance of the zoo

Last night we went to the Phoenix zoo. During the holidays they have lights up and it supposed to be pretty cool. We got there and the place was packed so we thought it really must be cool. To say the least we were a little disappointed. They had the majority of the zoo closed off. We only got to see the zebras, an otter hiding in a tree stump and some flamingos. I figured if I was going to the zoo I was going to see real animals, not fake lit up animals. In their defense the lights were very pretty and it did make it feel a little more like Christmas. Also the part that Hayden was awake for she liked. She loves staring at lights, so I guess that made it worth it.

We are getting so excited for Christmas. We get to go to Blanding this year and our whole family will be there, so it should be a lot of fun. I love the holidays!!

Finally a good picture

Guess who she's smiling at...I'm glad someone thinks I'm funny!

Hayden cheering BYU after their win against Utah.

Thanksgiving

My poor child has no hope of ever having a decent picture taken of her!!
Hayden's blessing day
She is so advanced already holding her own bottle. She really will hold it whenever you put her hands up and she will keep drinking. It is so cute!!


We had a great Thanksgiving. We spent it in Utah with Colin's family. It was so nice to be back and to see all of our friends and family. We also were able to bless Hayden while we were up there. Everything turned out great. The only down side was I had to work Thursday and Friday (long story), but it was actually kind of fun because I got to see a lot of my old coworkers and the girls I worked with. Hayden did really well on the trip, we were a little nervous about taking her on the plane, but it didn't seem to bother her at all. Now we are back and home just waiting for Christmas so we can go to Blanding!!! I didn't take a lot of pictures while were up there and the ones I did get didn't turn out very well...I struggle as a photographer. I didn't get one good one of her in her blessing dress :(

I've been tagged

Isn't she so strong. If you cant tell she is holding up her head.
Chubby cheeks!!

Hayden smiling!!! I was so mad it turned out blurry. I really am the worlds worst photographer.


So a couple of weeks ago I was tagged, which means I have to tell six "interesting" things about me. This is a very hard thing to do, but I will attempt it.

1. I have an obsession with getting rid of things. I used to have a really hard time throwing things away because I always thought as soon as I threw it away I would need it. I am over that now and love the feeling of getting rid of something. My favorite thing to get rid of is food!!! I love using up the last of something and being able to throw it away. I love when my fridge and cupboards are almost empty!! Colin gets mad at me because if we have left overs, I will throw them away before he is done eating them. Once while I was doing the dishes he got some dip out of the refrigerator and put it on the counter. He turned around to get some chips and when he turned back around I was dumping it down the sink. (I thought he was giving it to me because it was old). The rule in our house is if I think it is time to throw something out I have to wait at least two days and then I can throw it away.

2. I, like my sister Shelly love oatmeal. I haven't always liked it. I actually just learned how to make it. I always had Colin make it for me. I have eaten oatmeal for about three weeks straight now and I am not one bit sick of it. I love it!! I put brown sugar and raisins in it...it is very tasty.

3. I love living in Utah!!! I have now tried Arizona and Texas and they just don't compete with Utah. I love the people there, being surrounded by LDS people, feeling safe, the mountains, the cool air, the green soft grass, the parks, seeing a church every block, and having family and friends close. I can't wait to move back!!!

4. I hate talking on the phone. I think it is one of the worst things to do. No offense to anyone. If I do talk to you it is because I want to at the time and I am not miserable while I am talking to you. I do love email though and this blog thing. I check everyones blogs like five times a day and am so disappointed every time there isn't anything new posted. I can always count on Angela and Amelia to update theirs quite often.

5. I am finally starting to enjoy cooking. Making dinner and cleaning is such a good break from what I do all day which basically is holding Hayden. Not that I don't love holding her, but it is so nice when Colin gets home and takes her and I can make dinner and clean the house. It is so fun!!!

6. I'm pretty sure I am married to best man in the world. I honestly think he is perfect. I could not have found a better man to marry. He is so thoughtful and so patient with me...sometimes I can be a little hard to handle!!:) He is such a good dad and loves to be with Hayden. We are very lucky to have him!!

Now I guess I am supposed to tag someone. I tag Audrey and Tiffany. Tiffany you need to post more on your blog, especially more pictures of Gavin!

More Pics

All dressed up for Granny Jo and Grandpa. She was very hungry during this picture.
Doesn't she always look so pleasant
So sweet!!! The first few times we took her in the car seat she screamed almost the whole time. We figured out if we tuck her in real tight, with her arms down she actually quite enjoys it. I still can't figure out how to make her like stroller rides though. My walks last about three minutes before she starts screaming. Just FYI we have been reading a book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" It has saved our lives. It has a lot of info, but the main thing says to swaddle your baby because it makes them feel like they are still in the womb. It seriously works!! Hayden basically sleeps through the night, only waking up once to be fed. If her arms get loose she will cry, but if you just tuck them back in she will fall back to sleep. Maybe everybody has already read this book, but if you haven't I suggest you do. It also shows you how to swaddle your baby. It can be a very frustrating process if you dont do it right. We call Hayden Houdini, because just when you think you have done the best wrap she starts grunting and twisting her body and the next thing you know her little arms are free and her hands are digging into her face.
Grandpa Lyman and Hayden. He is very proud of her. He makes me and Colin feel so good...like we just have the best, cutest baby ever!! It was fun to have him and my Mom here for a couple of days.

Life with Hayden

Grandma Leah's visit.
Granny Jo's visit Our little family
Hayden on Halloween. She was so excited!!


So this is my third attempt to post something on our blog. I haven't been able to finish one, but I am going to try to finish this one today. The past 2 1/2 weeks have been pretty crazy. My mom was hear helping us for about a week, then I had friend stay with us for a few days, then Colin's mom was here until last night. It has been so nice to have so much help. We really appreciate all the phone calls, emails and visitors. It is so nice knowing that people are thinking about you.

Hayden is doing really good. We are starting to learn how to make her happy. For the most part she is a really good baby. She does really well in the evening and through the night. She has a bit of hard time during the day, unless she is being held constantly. Her latest accomplishment is smiling. A few days ago she smiled at Colin and the next day she smiled at me. I don't know how coherent she is when she did it, but her eyes are open so we count it.

As for me and Colin, we are adjusting quite well to having a baby. It definatly isn't easy, but she is such a sweet baby...all the hard times are worth it. Colin has a really hard time going to work each day. He just wants to stay home and hold Hayden, he is such a good dad.

Well, I think I made it trough. Now I will just try to post some pictures.