This week

US Airways offered all its employees free entrance to the children's museum this month so we took advantage.  The kids loved it as always.  Jackson really likes this mini ice cream stand where you dish out balls into foam cones.  Hallie was scared and hesitant at first, but eventually ventured out and enjoyed herself.  She likes having Jackson around.

We had a family date night including games, ice cream sundaes and a movie, Brave.  FYI: Brave is SCARY!!  with bears fighting and the mom turning INTO A bear!!  This was not a good choice for a very sensitive little guy.  We just cannot find any G rated movies to watch together.

It rained on Saturday in AZ . . .ALL DAY!  It was definitely a rare sight.  I don't think I've seen rain here since July.  This being the first rain in our new house, we discovered that we get puddles all over our yard.  The kids loved playing in it.

Hallie enters the 'terrific twos"

Hallie turned 2 on January 6th.  She ate her favorite meal and what she will ALWAYS ask for . . . EGGS for breakfast.  

We had church and she had a melt down so she spent the rest of the day on our laps (both Dave and I were teaching, so we were worried, but she sat on my lap without moving or talking so it was fine to teach the 6 years olds with her.

Hallie got a kitchen and a cookie set for her gifts.  The hats and aprons were gifts from my mom for Christmas.  They fit right in.  My mom also gave her the jogging suit in the photo.  She had one from Rich and Ashley when she was younger so I love that she has another one now.  

The hardest part  of her birthday was getting Jackson to let Hallie open the gift and play with them  (or at least get the first chance to play with it). 

We had a little party with cake with 2 of her friends that she loves to hug and tackle, Luke and Tanner.  They are actually much younger than her  . . . "all the better to attack them :)"  I think she had a great day.  

At her 2 year check up she was 30.8 lbs (90%)

35.75 inches (90%)

She is our happy, sweet, loving girl.  She loves to laugh and when she thinks something is funny, she will laugh and try to get Jackson going with her.  They can laugh and laugh for a long time.  

When someone is sad or crying, Hallie will try to hug and give kisses and try to make it better.  Jackson was crying because he got his blankie taken and she gave hers to him (even though he got it taken for being mean to Hallie).  

She gets pretty stubborn and will say NO to everything, including candy, treats, games, etc.  She will get her mind set!  Anytime Jackson say mine about anything, she will get riled up and start arguing right back that it is hers.  Unfortunately, this makes Jackson more likely to tease her.  

She loves to read books and can entertain herself for nearly an hour looking through books.  My favorite is how she imitates the looks of the characters in the books or finds something funny and gets antsy in anticipation of that page and picture. 

She uses 3-7 word sentences not and her language is really developing.  She is able to say "baby-sitter" and other long words very clearly, but still struggles with Thank you (gank, gank) and Jackson (Dax).

She LOVES the 'new baby' and will randomly give my belly kisses and pats.  She is so excited for a baby in the house. 

Hallie loves sitting on the potty, but has yet to succeed in actually going.  She is very aware of when she fills her diapers and will let us know it is time to change her. 

I just love this girl.  She adds so much happiness and joy to our family.  She is loving and cuddly.  Jackson and her have a special relationship.  She misses him ALWAYS when he is gone.  

We are so happy she is in our family. 

The winner of our family tie is . . .

The GIRLS!!  Baby #3 was found to be a healthy, active baby girl.  Both daddy and I were thinking it was a boy, so we have to re-adjust our thinking and quickly come up with a suitable name.   We spent a good 30 minutes staring at images of this little one moving around in my tummy.  A 28 week ultrasound makes it so much easier to make out images and visuals of the baby.  It didn't hurt that the baby was head up and face out (lets hope she turns downward in the next month).  Both kids are thrilled and so are we!  I can't believe how close we are getting to having her join our family!

Christmas 2012

Enjoying the activities and carousel at Bass Pro Shoppe.  Hallie warmed up to riding the deer and then loved it.





Before Christmas, we did basically every Christmas tradition we could think of: Temple Lights, Gingerbread trees, Lights on the street, movies, books, hot chocolate, Ward Parties, etc.  We had a great season and both kids were old enough to enjoy.  Except Hallie did NOT like to sit on Santa.  The concept of Santa was thrilling and she loves to see photos or books, but the actual man scared her to death and she would beg for moms lap.  Jackson changed his wish list from a "woody" action figure to a giant dinosaur (because he played with one at a friend's house).  This sent us on a last minute chase for the 'perfect' gift and how to get it up to Utah.  Watch the final video to see what he ended up with.  It was a hit!

We were still waiting for an empty flight on Sunday, but we got to go to church in our own ward and dress the kids up a bit.  Hallie found a necklace in my jewelry box and even though it was an expensive one I thought, "Someone should wear this, since I don't!"  She kept it on for all of church along with her headband!

We made a flight to Utah on Christmas Eve morning right before the white Christmas blew threw.  We had a wonderful Christmas morning (bright and early . . .like at 4:30 am!)  

Hallie was in heaven!  She got a doll that she gets to change her diaper, abby cadaby doll, dress ups, blanket, books, slippers, and outfit, jammies, etc.  She loved every gift (except the scary one Jackson got).

 

Here is when Jackson finally actually receives his giant dinosaur..  He was one happy little kid!

 

Jackson was pretty excited about most presents.  This is how he acted about a thomas the train lego set.  Pretty easy to please (although the Toy Story 3 movie was tossed aside without a second thought . . .)

Jackson got a book of Mormon at Church in Sunbeams.  He already has one (he got when he was 2 1/2) so he decided to give it to Hallie.  I know this is young to get a full version of the Book of Mormon, but both kids love to open the book up and pretend to read and they repeat what Dave and I say.  She is pretty excited for a book full of words :) 

Dave got a Laptop and I got a new phone (but get to keep my number! YAY for a data plan!!)  and a Chi straightener.  We had a most enjoyable and Merry Christmas!