Branson 2012

Paul and Natalie graciously invited us to go to Branson with them for a long weekend.  We were super excited to get away for a couple of days. 

Day 1:

Thursday night, we drove the four hours to get to Branson.  Hadley did surprisingly well!  No crying, no fussing, just a lot of playing with her basketball. 

Day 2:

Hadley watching cartoons in our bed, waiting for us to get ready.

Headed to Branson Landing, an outdoor shopping center.  The cutest stroller buddies I've ever seen.

The water is a lot clearer than this picture.  It really was beautiful and super super windy!

Bass Pro Shops to see the "fishies"

Hadley could seriously watch the "fishies" all day long!  She loves them!  (I had to buy her this hat for $.99 because I didn't anticipate it to be 40*

Hadley making sure Campbell doesn't run off....

Friday night, we went to dinner at Shoguns and then back to the hotel for swimming.  I think Hadley is going to be a little fish...she loves the water!

The pool water was a little cold, so we all piled in the kiddie pool...it was a tad bit warmer.  

My little fishy.

Back to the rooms for bath's and bedtime.

Day 3:

We went outlet mall shopping in the morning...yeah!  I got a lot of great stuff for Hadley! 

After lunch, we went to the Fish Hatchery...Again, Hadley loves fish!  She was thrilled!...and so was her daddy.

Both Hadley and Dane kept pressing their faces against the netting.  The fish think you are going to feed them, so they flock to your shadow.  

Just like her daddy....

Time for Go Carts!  (Now the boys can cross it off their bucket lists)

Both Hadley and Campbell were too small to ride this year, so they just cheered their daddies on.  I told Hadley to yell, "Go Daddy Go"...so she yelled "Daaaaaaddy GOooooo"  (I think it made Ross feel special :)

Love this picture of Natalie and Campbell...

Rossy and Dane won!  He was super excited!

Ross and Avery won the second race too!  Ross said it was so funny, the difference between riding with Dane and riding with Avery.  Dane would yell "Faster" "Yeah" "Go"....and Avery was carrying on an entire conversation in which Ross heard None of.   Girls and boys :)

For dinner we went to Landry's for Seafood.  Hadley looked like such a big girl with her crayons and kids menu.  

Day 4:

We got up, ate a yummy Brunch at what seemed to be the only breakfast place open.  (apparently Branson shuts down in the winter time.)  Breakfast was really good!

Then headed home.  Hadley staying limber in her car seat...  

Thank you to Paul and Natalie for inviting us!  We had such a wonderful time!  Love you guys!

Hadley 19 Months

My Little Mini Me,

You are 19 Months old!  You are the light of our lives!  We honestly spend a good portion of everyday passing you back and forth, fighting over your attention.  We can't get enough of you!  We still race to your room, when we hear you "peep" for the first time, because we both want to be the first one to see your precious face!  We can't help but stare at you in adoration of how sweet and smart and funny and beautiful you are. 

You now weigh 26 pounds!  I had to pass along bad news to your daddy this morning...you have outgrown your pair of overalls.  :(  But you have a lot of cute new spring clothes that I can't wait for you to wear! 

If nothing else, you have definitely got my voice.  It just carries!  But be careful, because I get in trouble from Daddy a lot because of my "voice that carries"...so I'm sure you will too...eventually.  (You still have him wrapped around your finger right now...and that will probably never change!)

Right now, you are a basic recorder.  You hear it...You say it.  Anything AND Everything.  I think you are going to have a wonderful sense of humor, because you are always making Mommy and Daddy laugh.  I love that about you. 

You are now forming some sentences, such as:

Ernie in Bath.
I love you.

You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and You go down the list "Roll Call"

Nonald (donald)
Desy (daisy)
Dudu (pluto)
Goofy (you know these well!)
Minnie
Mickey

You have started to tell Mommy when you are poopy, which is awesome!  Oh yeah, you also say "Awesome!" and it's pretty cute :)   You have even started to tell Mommy "poop" BEFORE you start pushing...I'm so proud of you.  No rush though, we wont potty train until you are good and ready! (and when Mommy is good and ready too.) 

Just Remember:

You is Kind.

You is Smart.

You is Important.

Hadley is Quite the Hostess

Last Friday night, we invited Janelle and Andrew and their Hadley over for some homemade chicken pot pie!  I never liked pot pie very much...I think it was a mushy texture issue, but for some reason when I make it from scratch and bake the biscuit (topping) separately...I like it a lot more!  It was fun to just hang out and eat! 

Hadley Marie and Hadley Joy

I think one "fun" part of Hadley getting older, is that she can actually PLAY with her friends now.  Before she could walk or crawl, she would just sit and watch...BUT NOW...she is the one chasing, and running, and squealing, and scaring, and it is so fun to watch! 

Great Friends, Great night!

Signs of a Good Nap

The Crazy Hair...

The Big Smiles... 

And, of course, Being Half Naked...Taking her shirt off and trying to put it back on...

Try to ignore the snot ball coming out of her nose...

Hadley is the best napper!  She is always excited to see me when I walk in her room to get her out of bed, and that makes a mommy feel pretty special.  I know she is awake because she is either talking quietly OR doing seat drops on her bed...a girl after my own heart  :)

Basketball & Tea Parties

I love going to "sporting events" for Joshua.  It's so fun, 1. Because he really is great at basketball!   2. There is "structure" but no "structure" and sometimes it is just too funny to watch what the kids do.  and 3. I love that we all get together to support him as a family. 



He loves Hadley and is so sweet to her.  He LOVES to entertain her and make her laugh...

Going for Pizza after the game...

Hadley loves her Papa.  He always plays blocks with her, gives her horsey rides, and most importantly, hosts wonderful tea parties with her.  They are so precious together!

Once again, Hadley loves the iPhone...here she is cuddled with Nana, watching Toy Story 3....