Here are some recent comments made by Hailey that made me smile:

“I love you mommy.  I am so happy.”

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“I can see his butt crack.”

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Hailey was having a tantrum about something and I was ignoring the tantrum.  So, Hailey told me, “I’m havin a tantrum!”

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Hailey asked me how old the letter J was.  I told her it was very old.  She responded, “Is J old like Gramma and Daddy?”

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Rich was talking to Hailey about something that she had done that was wrong.  After he was done talking to her he said, “Don’t do that again.  You got it?”  Hailey looked up at him with a confused look on her face, held her hands open and said, “I don’t have anything.”

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After being told no that Hailey could not do something she wanted to do she said, “My heart is broken.”

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Hailey and Rich had played several rounds of hide and seek when it was time to stop for Hailey to get ready for bed. She was trying to convince him to play one more game and said, “We have to play hide and seek because I love you”

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Hailey had to get her pants changed and she said, “Can I see my poop that I did in my big girl pants? Can you put your finger in it Daddy?”

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After reading a No David book Hailey asked me, “Mommy, do you love me when I’m bad?”

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Hailey was drawing a picture the other day and said, “I’m sending Gramma an email and she’s leaving me a comment.”

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Hailey’s new thing is to ask “Why not?” about everything.  She doesn’t ask “why?” only “why not?”  For example Hailey might say, “Can we go to the library?”  And I tell her yes.  She responds with, “Why not?”

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When Hailey wants to know what time it is she asks, “What o’clock is it?”

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The other day when we were at the library Hailey looked at an older man and said (very loudly), “Is that Santa Claus?”

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Hailey was telling me a story the other day and in her story she used the word serious.  Then she stopped and looked at me and said, “Can I say serious?”  I told her that it was okay to say serious.  Hailey responded by saying, “But not fart?”

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Some of the big words that Hailey is using these days:

• hip-in-potamus (Hippopotamus)
• commotion
• concerating (concentrating)
• excellent
• possibility
• confused

She does keep me smiling!

I am always looking for a fun getaway and when I find something great I want to share it with all of you. I know I have talked before about taking a trip to Branson Missouri. While I have never been there I have visited the websites of two great hotels in the area and it really looks like a great place to visit. There is so much to do there that I’m sure there is something for everyone.

There are two great hotels nearby that you could choose from to stay in. The Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel will be close by the fun.  There are always some great package deals at both of the hotels that will make your trip just perfect.  I always see some great specials on their websites.  I love the romance package- it would be perfect for Rich and I for our anniversary.  We would also want to have time to check out the live entertainment boutiques and the river walk.

If you’re looking for a great getaway this could be it. Be sure to check out the sites to see if this is something that would interest you.

A couple of weekends ago we went out of town to visit with some family and had a wonderful time! 

We arrived at my Aunt Gladys and Uncle Dave’s house on Friday evening.  Beka, Bill and Anika were there too and we had a yummy dinner.  Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Anika and Hailey played “Ring Around the Rosie” over and over again!

And their favorite part, “we all fall down.”

On Saturday we went to a baby shower for my cousin Brad and his wife Melissa.  It was the first time I had ever gone to a baby shower with both men and women there.  It was sooooo much fun!  I think all showers should have the guys too- we had a blast. 

I didn’t get a whole lot of pictures because it is a little hard to keep track of  a 2 year old and take pictures at the same time.  And when Rich had the camera he took pictures of things like people’s noses, ears and feet.  So I’ll spare you from seeing those pictures and share the few that I did get.  If you are a family member and want to see more pictures (or a regular reader who just wants to see some more pictures of the fun)- check out my cousin Aimee’s blog- she got some great pictures!  Anyhoo- here’s my pictures:

Hailey and Anika (the 2 on the right) enjoying some lunch with 2 other friends.

While we were waiting for the gift opening to start Hailey enjoyed being in the center of the room bouncing a balloon up in the air.  Brad (the daddy-t0 be) and Melissa (the mommy-to-be) helped her keep her balloon in the air.

Brad and Melissa opening a present from us while Hailey watched.

Anika and Hailey checking out one of the presents- probably discussing how they would like to sneak the present out of the room so they could get a chance to open something.

We had fun playing some games outside.  Hailey and Anika inspected the dirt.

Aunt Ruth (Grandma-to-be) and Brad posing for a picture.

We had such a wonderful time at the shower!!  We don’t get to see all of this side of the family very often so I had so much fun spending time with everyone.  It went by way too quickly.

On Sunday we got to spend a little time with Beka, Bill and Anika again before we had to get on the road.

Anika and Hailey enjoyed dancing together.

Then they took a quick “nap” together before we had to leave.

The entire way home Hailey kept asking, “Are we back on Anika’s road yet?”  It was a wonderful weekend!  We can’t wait to see everyone again.

Hailey loves to look at the moon.  So the other night I took her outside to look at the moon while she ate her snack.  She was sitting on my lap eating her cookies and looking up at the moon.  I was looking at her wondering how it was possible for me to love one little person so very much.  I reached down at patted her leg as I thought about how much I love her. 

Hailey looked up at me and said, “You like being out here with me, don’t you Mommy?”

More than you can possibly know Hailey, more than you can possibly know.

Summer is officially here.  I know that for most people the start of summer was celebrated on Memorial Day.  But as of yesterday summer really is here.  The kids are out of school and people are ready to start taking their vacations.  Or maybe you have already taken your vacation.

We have a couple of things planned for the summer but haven’t decided where we will take our vacation.  And for me, part of the fun is making the plans.  So I am researching and planning.  Today I was looking at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and considering staying at one of those hotels.  While we have never been to Branson Missouri I have looked at the websites of both of these hotels and they both look very nice.

There is an all new Payne Stewart Golf Club that has amazing scenery and is a tribute course made for honoring the life of Payne Stewart.  Since Rich loves golf I know he would enjoy playing there.  I would enjoy just watching!  And then after a game of golf Rich could join me in the enjoying the theaters and shopping.

I’m not sure yet what we’ll end up doing, but I know I’ll be blogging about it!  What about you- what are your summer plans?

A couple of weeks ago my cousin Beka, her husband Bill and their daughter Anika were coming through town on their way to visit Beka’s sister Vicki who had just had a baby.  So, they stopped here and we were able to spend some time together- which was way too short but tons of fun.

Hailey waited all day for their arrival- she could not stop checking the window to see if Anika was here yet.  She was beside herself with excitement!  Here are a few pictures of the cousins together:

And just for fun, here’s Hailey and Anika in August 2008:

*Sniff*  Where does the time go??