Cousins!

In March my sister came to visit and Halle had a wonderful time with her cousins.

Ethan-almost 3

Nolan-4

I don't have pictures of Brenden (7), but they had a blast chasing each other in the house and having a pillow fight. It was sweet to see how gentle Brenden was with Halle and then how he'd smack his younger brothers. It really is a bummer that big guy isn't getting his biggest wish, a little sister. Though I'm sure he will enjoy his baby brother just the same.
Rameses enjoyed digging in my parent's backyard. He never digs at home.

Then it was Easter. The Easter Bunny brought Halle this adorable stuffed bunny. Thank you Easter Bunny! And a telescope. Grandma Koren thought the Easter Bunny was a little crazy, but as soon as Halle saw it she squealed, "A TELESCOPE!" That Easter Bunny isn't so crazy, huh mom?

Rameses enjoyed Easter.

Then we went to Houston to visit Halle's other cousins.

Dylan-7

Hayden-4

Kolton-almost 2

We went on walks and enjoyed being outside.

We went to a gym that had this little zip line that Hayden and Halle loved.

We had a crawfish boil! DELICIOUS!

FYI - for those of you concerned, nobody in this group sucked the brains out of the crawfish heads. Dylan thoroughly enjoyed joining us in eating though. And Halle even tried a bite, but preferred her hotdog.

And by our last evening or two Halle finally enjoyed her Uncle Dustin and became quite attached.

So much more to blog about, but I have to organize the pictures first. More tomorrow or Monday!

Cute Quote

Yesterday Halle enjoyed taking a shower in our bathroom. We had this wonderful conversation while waiting for the water to warm up.

Halle: When I'm a mommy I get to take a shower in your bathroom!
Me: When you're a mommy you won't live here. You'll have your own house and a husband. Just like daddy is my husband.
Halle: Who's my husband?
Me: I don't know. Someday you'll meet him and get married in the temple like mommy and daddy.
Halle: But WHO'S my husband? Maybe Nate...or Corbin... (kids from her preschool class)

Me: I don't know.

Halle: Who's Great Grandpa's husband? (she's talking about Great Grandpa Stastny, her only living great gpa)

Me: You mean wife. She died.

Halle: When will she come back?

Me: She died. She's in heaven.

Halle: With Heavenly Father?
Me: Yes. But Great Grandpa got married to Great Grandma in the temple so that means that when Great Grandpa dies he'll see Great Grandma and be with her in Heaven.

Halle: With Heavenly Father and Jesus?
Me: Yes.

I thought it was interesting that she had such concern for Great Grandpa. He lives in San Diego and she sees him rarely, I think the last time was Janae's wedding in September, but she obviously recognized that his companion is missing. When he's here she has such adoration for him, sitting on his lap and holding his hand. Kids are so sweet at this age.

Why hello there!

Miss me? Here we go!

1/3/10 Halle wore this adorable new dress she got for Christmas. It also came with a match for her dolly.

1/3/10 Joel and Kristie's triplets were born! An exciting, but scary day.

Xavier

Amyah (said ah-my-ah)

Matthew (so teeny tiny and not attached to any machines!)

Since the triplets were all in the NICU we couldn't go see them. It was cold outside, so Daddy and Halle were wrapped up snug as a bug in a rug.

1/16/10 I finally got Rameses happy face on camera! Yes, this is his happy face.

2/28/10 Halle did our makeup

3/6/10 Patch looks cute cuddled on the heater and I have to take a picture every time (I spared you the pictures of him on the heater from (1/16 and 3/4).

3/16/10 First bike ride of the year! Happy much?

3/19/10 told you I have to take a picture of Patch on the heater every time. But now Halle has discovered the heater makes her warm too, so they cuddle.

3/23/10 Halle holds Uncle Joel's snake. She loves snakes, but I promise you we will never have one as a pet in our home! I try not to let her be afraid of any animals, just understand that we don't usually touch them unless we are told it is allowed, so she is not scared of snakes at all.

Somewhere in there was 3/6/10 the triplet's photo shoot by me. I'm no photographer, but it sure was fun. There are about 300 pictures, so here's a sneak peak until my next post.

Amyah

With her momma.

Matthew

Xavier

All together now!

Bed Time and The Manipulator

My sweet Halle has learned how to manipulate her parents. Last night this is how bed time went:
8:45 - we read stories, say prayers, hugs, kisses, cuddles, and as I walk out I always say something like, "Stay in your bed, lights off, door closed, and go to sleep. What happens if you get out of bed?" Halle's response is either "You'll take [whatever stuffed animal she's sleeping with] away" or "Go to time out."

She almost always gets a courtesy get out of bed free card and we threaten one more time. The next time, we follow through.

9:00 Watching American Idol and I'm thinking, "Wow! She didn't even get out of bed!" Door opens.
Jared: (Goes upstairs) Halle, go to sleep
Halle: I'm reading to my giraffe! (stuffed animal of choice that night)
Jared: Okay. Well, go to sleep.
(We do our best never to get mad when she is simply reading quietly in bed.)
Door closes.
9:30 Door opens
Jared: Halle, what do you need?
Halle: Mommy
Me: Halle, what do you need?
Halle: I need cuddles.

Seriously. How do you resist that? I can't get mad at her for that. She's really learned what to say when that door opens. Usually it's just that she needs water, or needs to go to the bathroom. But last night she brought manipulation to a whole new level. But, that's okay. Because I think it's great that she enjoys reading so much, and I absolutely love that she wants some cuddle time with her mommy.

On another topic, have you seen Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs? It's a must see. In the movie when the main characters kiss they puff out their cheeks, pucker up, and close their eyes. This is now how we are required to kiss in our household. Halle puffs out her cheeks, then we do the same. Then she says, "close your eyes, close your eyes." We close our eyes and puff our cheeks and she gives us a kiss. What a silly girl.