Happy New Year!

I finally have time to sit down and update my blog! It was a wonderful Christmas. As you can see, I took tons of pictures! Unfortunately, by the time we made it to my parents house Christmas night, my batteries were dead so I couldn't take any more pictures with the rest of my family or Danny's family the day after Christmas. But I did capture some great memories in the days leading up to Christmas. We are all doing well, glad to have had a few days of rest after the hurricane of activity that we've been through this month. I have yet another cold or sinus thing going on that is driving me nuts, but hopefully it will be short lived. Well, here are some pics that we wanted to share.

Hailey and Nick before the big school Christmas Program

Holly and Me after the program

Hailey and Me after the program

Nick and Me after the program

My Kids...Nick showing his loose tooth

A few days later...showing his first lost tooth!

Hailey and Holly after their Christmas dance recital...they danced to Frosty the Snowman

Christmas with the Coreys...our annual tradition...the kids are ready to open their gifts!

Gifts!

Danny and Ellie

Ellie opening her first gift from us, she was a real pro

Amber playing Santa

Nick giving Ellie the gift he got her

Holly giving Ellie her gift

Hailey eating cake at her friend Rion's bday party

Christmas with the Henkes, Holly, Hailey, Jaxon, and Nick

Worn out after their second Christmas

Snoozin'

Christmas Eve...making cookies for Santa
Santa's Cookies and Milk

Santa was here!

Our first gift! Holly has already gotten into her stocking, as you can see!

Well we didn't do the china, but we did have a huge brunch! It was delicious!

My beautiful family sitting down to Christmas brunch!

Nick and Holly riding around on Holly's 4wheeler together, they are getting along great lately!

This was one of the many family nights that we have had while Danny was on vacation...Holly and Nick were doing an activity together while Danny and I played cards and Hailey kept score.

Hailey and Daddy

Long Time!!!

Goodness, it's been a really long time since I posted anything on Hailey's blog! She is doing really well and growing up fast. She is about to start her Christmas vacation...tomorrow is her last day of school until January 3rd. I'm really excited to get to spend time with her and her brother. She is really looking forward to having another baby sister or brother in a few months and I know she is going to be a huge help to me through the summer after the baby is born. Here is a picture taken of her and her very good friend Rion last week at his birthday party. I will try to update more often from now on!

Starting Second Grade

Hailey had a very eventful first day of school this year! She went to school not knowing yet who her teacher was going to be. When we got there, we found out who she was getting and it wasn't our first choice but so far things are working out ok, despite a couple of glitches. She is doing very well so far and we expect her to continue to learn and grow throughout the next several months. When her dad picked her up from school that day, he brought her and her brother and sister straight to the hospital where the rest of our family was, to find out that her baby cousin had arrived! What a great day! Here are some pictures.

Hailey sitting at her desk on the first day of school

Standing with Nick outside of the school

The next night, Hailey got her ears pierced!

Here she is, holding her new baby cousin Eliana.

A few days later, showing off her school style.

Hailey's backpack, featuring her favorite movie!

Last of Summer Break

The summer is coming to a close...Hailey goes back to school next Wednesday. :-( Here are a couple of things she has done to end her summer break on a great note!

Hailey & Baby Jocelynn

Slumber Party with Mom & Nick & Holly

This was the big bed on the floor, filled with more stuffed animals than kids.

Playing Monopoly Junior, right before we watched Elf.

Fishing trip with Dad.

Proud but keeping her distance from the fish!

I love her expression! Haha, she is so her mother's daughter!

Pictures

Just some pics from the last week...

Hailey helping her cousin Adilynn swing

Chewing on her hair...yucky habit

Hanging out with sissy and Aunt Chi Chi

Lost her fifth tooth!

Home from school shopping with Aunt Bebe

Nothing is too difficult...

Hailey lost her two front teeth several months ago and while one of the permanent teeth began growing in a couple months ago, there has been no sign of the other. Her gum had turned a grayish color and the tooth was not breaking through, so Wednesday we made a trip to the dentist. After examining her, he decided to laser back her gum to provide a way for the tooth to come out. Within two minutes, he was numbing her and giving her shots and using a laser instrument to burn through the gum. Through all of this, she was so brave and did not cry once. There was a lot of blood inside her gum and that was what was casuing the discoloration. The gum had gotten too tough for her tooth to break through, which the dentist said he had never seen before. When we left, there was a good sized hole in her gum where you could see her tooth inside. Out in the car, I told her how proud I was of her for being so brave. She said, "Mommy, God gave me the power to be brave and not be nervous." That brought tears to my eyes and joy to my spirit. I told her that she had God's word hidden in her heart and quoted the verse that said those very words: God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. She was delighted. I am so proud of my seven year old. She is a confident, trusting child of the most high God. Two days later, her gum looks much better and her tooth is coming down just like the other one. :-)

Hailey & Adilynn

Hailey at her aunt's baby shower... you can't see them very well but she has ladybug antennae on her head!

And here she is from behind...now you can see her antennae.