Lauritzen Gardens Fall Festival

We just LOVE fall around our house, okay I really love fall! Especially October. October 1st I dug out the Halloween box and started decorating. Hailey is a mini me when it comes to decorating! She loves it! Since then, everyday she asks if we can do some more decorating :) On Saturday October 4th during the two General Conference sessions we went down to the Lauritzen Gardens because they were having their Fall Festival going on. Even though it was a little chilly we had lots of fun doing all the extra activities they had to offer.

Playing in the Corn maze

 

Making a Scarecrow!

Even Austin got in on the action

 

Hailey painting pumpkins

 

Hailey's first day of Preschool

Hailey has been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for her first day of preschool to begin! Ever since she picked out a backpack to wear a couple of weeks ago she has not stopped asking when she could go! It's great because the preschool she is going to is right in Village Green, which makes it much more easy for me :) We like easy. Her teachers' name is Miss Jenny, and she lives right down the street from me. We were able to go meet with her Miss Jenny a week before preschool began so Hailey could get to know it. I wasn't sure how she would do her first day, but as soon as we walked in, she ran right down the stairs, no worries about leaving me! But that doesn't surprise me. Hailey has never had much of a problem trying new things, or being around new people. She is such a social butterfly and I think she will really enjoy going to preschool!

VACA TO UTAH!

We had definitely been looking forward to making our trip to Utah all summer.We were so excited that both Wes and I were able to get time off of work for it. We headed out early Monday morning at 5:00. Needless to say, it was a VERY torturous long drive!! Instead of going to Utah first, we actually drove to Inkom, Idaho to meet my family there, we were having a little family trip to play at Lava Hot Springs. It was so much fun pulling into the house we were staying at and all my family was there cheering us in haha! We were so happy to finally make it! (We made the trip there straight in one day). The Lava Hot Springs trip was great! Hailey LOVED playing with all her cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandma and grandpa! She kept saying she wanted to stay there forever with everyone! We went to the Lava Hot Springs pool a couple days. The pool was PERFECT for Hailey and Austin, the water temperature was so warm (which the kiddos loved), there was a lot of fun play toys in the pool, and it was all 2 feet and under...like I said, perfect! My mom also volunteered to watch all the grandkids one afternoon while, my dad and all us older ones went tubing down the river there. It only takes about 10 minutes to go down, but we went down a few times and it was a blast (minus the few minor injuries some of us received, let's just say I may or may not have risked my life for Wes's flip flop, and Missy definitely risked hers to save Scotty!) haha good times.

Thursday on the way home from the lava trip we had Friel family pics done and then went to Lagoon, it was such a blast!!!! Hailey loved going on all the kiddie rides! The kiddos were slightly exhausted the next day so we kind of took it easy at grandma and grandpa cookies house-where we stayed the remainder of our time in Utah.

Friday evening after the kids were in bed Wes and I met up with Rachel Kendell(Wallis) and her husband for dinner at Red Lobster, it was nice being able to catch up!

Saturday we met Missy and the boys to go swimming at the Lindon pool! Yes- we got lots of sun and swimming in this trip!! Sunday we had a little birthday party for Hailey, all the fam except for the Jenne's were able to make it (they were at Yellowstone). Even Grandma and Grandpa Great (Yorgason) were able to come!! Hailey was of course spoiled rotten by everyone! We had cake and ice cream later that evening.

On Monday us plus mom met up with Mis and the boys again at 'This is the Place'. My mom has a pass there and got us all in. It was really neat, and Hailey had a blast doing all of the activities and crafts! That afternoon we left Hailey to continue playing with Mis, boys, and my mom, so Wes and I could take Austin to Shriner's Hospital (update on Austin to come later). Then we all met up again-including my dad and Scott and Quincy at The Italian Village.

Tuesday us plus mom met up with Missy at Thanksgiving Point and went to her house after to play outside for a bit. Later that evening, Us, mom and dad, and Krissy went out to Abs for dinner-of course that was my request! Then Krissy and I met Katie at Leatherbys for delicious ice cream and catching up!! Krissy slept over that night at mom's house so we could hang out.

Wednesday morning we headed to Beaver. Thursday we went up Beaver Canyon for a 2day/1 night of camping. Everyone was able to come except Jason (who was away for work) we had fun four wheeling, cooking smores, and chilling by the fire.

Saturday we went swimming at the Beaver pool (like I said- we got a lot of swimming in!!) That evening Aunt Elaine, Lane, and Jess came over for a little birthday party for Hailey.

Sunday after church while the kids were napping Wes and I took both the four wheelers out for a long ride! Tuesday was the sad day of packing up and heading back to Nebraska. We decided to split the trip home this time in two days. So we stopped in Brighton, Colorado and had a great time swimming and eating Chili's that night. The hotel was really nice and the kids had a blast.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Utah and of course it was great spending time with friends and family!

Oh yes, on our trip I also got to announce that big news that we are expecting Baby number 3 February 20th!

(pics to come)

Family and Fourth of July

Last week Jamie, Jason, Aria, and Kelly came out for a visit! They made the 14 hour drive to Nebraska and arrived at our place later Wednesday night. Hailey was just thrilled to see everyone and especially to play with Aria- she just adores her!

 Thursday morning we went to an inflatable jumping place, I'm not sure if the girls had more fun or Wes and Jason?! Haha.

 Then later that afternoon we went to the Henry Doorly Zoo...

 Friday was the Fourth of July! We went to a fun neighborhood parade near downtown Omaha.We spent the day playing outdoors, swimming, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, then later we had a BBQ that our friends the Olsen's were able to come to as well. Then of course we ended the night watching fireworks from our front yard. It was the perfect spot because we could see about 5 different shows from our yard!

Bubble Time!

Hailey and Aria in the matching dresses I had made.... and of course their awesome fourth gear from Jamie!

Waiting for the parade

 

Saturday we downtown and played on the big slides, walked around and did some shopping, went to Chuck E. Cheese, went out to Olive Garden for dinner, and managed to squeeze in some time for sparklers!!! Phew!

 

 

I just couldn't pass putting up this little gem :)

When Sunday rolled around we were sad to seem our friends leave us :( But we had such a BLAST over the Fourth of July Holiday and the rest of their stay! Hopefully we can make that a 4th tradition!! Knowing we are going out to Utah in four weeks, does make the parting a little easier. We are SO glad that they made the drive out to visit us!!!

Haircuts All Around

Austin had his first "official" hair cut today! I held him the whole time, but he did rather well. I forgot about getting any before pics of him :( and he was so ready for a nap by the end I could only snap one okay pic of him. Next time buddy!  But he looks rather dashing!

This was Hailey's first REAL haircut. The only previous ones she's had is when Aunt Jenny trimmed off her mullet :) I can't believe how long her hair was! But it was really thin at the ends, so it needed a good cut so it can grow in thick! But I love her short hair, it fits her :) She did so great while getting her haircut done!

Before

look how long!!

After :)

Big Boy Austy Boy

I can't BELIEVE that our little Austin boy just turned one year old!! This little guy has been on quite the adventure and he doesn't even know it! So far he as already flown on a plane twice, has visited six different states (Minnesota, Arizona, Utah, Nebraska, California, and Nevada), road tripped to Disneyland, shopped his heart out at the Mall of America, moved cross country....sounds like this kid is living the dream! Good thing he is such a trooper, I have loved packing him around all these fun places.

Accomplishments: 

Austin does great at standing at and walking along furniture. Though he hasn't quite gotten up the courage to try it on his own yet. I think he is doing SO great, especially considering the fact that he has the task of learning how to balance with his right foot. He has just began to walk with a push walking toy!! But what this kid really loves most is crawling up the stairs, and man is he fast!! We try to keep the gate up the majority of the time considering he hasn't quite learned how to come down the stairs yet, but wowzers you turn around for one second and he is at the top of the stairs. Austin loves to eat "real" food- no more of this baby food stuff, he likes the real deal! Once he had more teeth come in and he could chew solid food, he has been in love....with food that is! He does great at finger feeding himself, some of his favorites include; cheetos, noodles, soups, crackers, cereal, oranges, bread w/ butter and jelly, bananas, pancakes, and his absolute favorite...yogurt. We started him on whole milk at 11 months, because he just wouldn't take much of his formula anymore, and he LOVES it. He went from hardly drinking any, to downing it! And his first and only word so far.... "ma-ma" Yay!!!! What can I say he is quite the mama's boy, and I love it :) He also waves bye bye when mom/dad are leaving (that or he cries)

Likes: 

Chasing Hailey around
Water-bath, showers, swimming, his water table
Swinging at the park
Being tickled
Playing with mommy, daddy, Hailey
Songs-Wheels on the bus, Popcorn Popping
Looking at books
Climbing up the stairs
The bathroom (for some reason he is OBSESSED with this room...more reason for me to keep it clean!)
Having his ears rubbed
Watching Hailey be crazy (she can really get him laughing)

Dislikes:

being tortured by Hailey
getting his face wiped
being babysat

 
For his birthday we had an early little birthday party when my family was visiting and he got some fun birthday presents! Then  on his real birthday we just kept it a small family party. Hailey loved blowing up balloons, decorating, and making cupcakes. Austin had fun digging into his smash cake, and  we had fun watching!

 

We are so lucky to have Austin part of our family. He is such a sweet, good natured little boy. Although he is quite attached to his parents, so it makes leaving him a bit tough, but once he warms up to someone he is all smiles. It's fun starting to see his personality come out. I can tell he is definitely going to give Hailey a run for the money. She use to be the one picking on him, but now the table to starting to turn some. I always tell her she better be nice to her brother because he is going to be bigger than her soon :) Although they do pick on each other, they also adore each other! For now at least! We just love this little man so much and can't get enough of him!!! Love you Austy Boy, Happy Birthday!!!

Exploring

Yesterday we went "exploring" and found a pretty fun park in Omaha. Since we moved here the very end of August last year, we didn't really get to experience summer here. We've been keeping our ears open for new places to see and things to do around here, and we had heard there were some pretty cool parks-so we looked one up and went to check it out! Sure enough it was pretty neat! It had a Grotto area (where I guess a lot of people go to get pictures taken), that had a ton of trees, some cool stair cases, fountains, trails, a riverbed, all that fun jazz. Of course it had a playground as well! Hailey loved that the playground had sand instead of the rocky stuff that is usually in it. It was nice, although made more of a mess for us! All in all it was fun going out playing and exploring Omaha! So far we have really enjoyed it here :)