TWO KIDS!!

Love this little girl!!! She has already been a huge blessing in our lives. Sure life is a little crazy with two. How many times today did I put my hand in the toilet to pull something out that Dillon had tossed in? Don't ask! Sometimes things are nuts, but we love it!! And of course I always look forward to blessing day. Loved the family, the meeting, the food, and even the super bowl.

Our little angel. Beautiful right? So here's the story behind the dress: My grandma (below) made it before I was born, 25+ years ago. I wore it when I was blessed (as well as all of my sisters), and all of my nieces on my side have been blessed in it. Kinda cool right? It is still in excellent condition! I loved dressing my little princess in it!Hazel and great grandparents (my mom's parents)

Hazel and great grandpa (my dad's dad)

Hazel with Grandma and Grandpa Dyreng

Hazel with Grandma and Grandpa Christensen

And, of course, Hazel with her dad. Such a cool thing to have your husband bless your children.

And...don't feel bad for Dillon. The day wasn't all about Hazel. That day we also celebrated Dillon's 2nd birthday with the family. TWO YEARS OLD!! His entire birthday was centered around his biggest obsession...things that move: airplanes, trains, cars, trucks, and especially TRACTORS!! He's seriously OBSESSED!

My favorite part of my birthday growing up: licking the cake bowl. Of course I intend to carry on this tradition with my kids!

Now, playing catch up. Random pictures of what we've been up to lately.

Dillon LOVES his bed, it's like his safe haven. He takes anything and everything there with him: boots (funny fact: he calls them boobs), books, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and anything else he thinks will keep him company.

We got Dillon snow clothes, and I think he's worn them once. Why??? He just doesn't really care. Casey took him sledding not long ago and worked like a horse pulling him around on the sled. I think Dillon gets more excited about reading books! So sledding? Not worth all the effort! But, doesn't he kinda look like Andy on Christmas Story? :)

Goodbye...

Goodbye heart burn.

Goodbye 3am potty trips.

Goodbye compression stockings.

Goodbye man hands and poor circulation.

Goodbye breathlessness.

Goodbye pregnancy!!

Hello Baby Hazel!!

Hazel made her grand entrance into the world on December 21st. and did she ever come in with a BANG! Our origional due date was the 17th. We had no idea she'd take all the time in the world to come. Luckily, our doctor tentatively scheduled an induction for the 21st so we wouldn't have to spend Christmas in the hospital. The morning of the 21st (yes, the first day of winter), we woke up to piles and piles of snow. We were late getting to the hospital because it took some serious time digging out the truck. Of course it was a process getting going at the hospital. For hours and hours there was no sign of progress. And still... it kept storming and we kept waiting for something interesting to happen. And happen it did. no baby. but the power went off...in the hospital. Casey and I exchanged worried glances, and the generators soon kicked in. Luckily it was only off for 15-20 min.

So we kept waiting. The nurses kept predicting a midnight baby. We were going nowhere, and we were getting bored. I finally sent Casey home to get a movie to entertain us at about one in the afternoon. And, of course, that's when the magic started to happen. At about three o'clock, we were only minutes into A Christmas Story when I told Casey to shut it off. The contractions were coming fast. Too fast. The nurses had to turn the pitosin down so the baby could rest in between. But they didn't slow down, they only got stronger. Soon the nurse decided she better check me, and I was fully dialated. At that point it was just a rush to get the doc there in time. It was a few moments of chaos and scrambling, and shortly after (4:16), Baby Hazel was born. Healthy and beautiful, and we love her!!

Our families had to wait a day to come up and see her because the roads we TERRIBLE. In fact, Provo Canyon closed at one point. It was so great to have both of our parents at the hospital the next day.

Just before leaving for the hospital...

Right after she got cleaned up. We couldn't believe all of her hair after they had washed it. We almost made the nurses check her feet tags to be sure she was ours.

Dillon's first encounter with Hazel. He likes her, but sometimes won't acknowledge her at all. She's just not a big deal to him.

The proud papa. I love him!!

Love this picture... a tender moment Christmas eve morning, just after Dillon had opened his Christmas jammies. He wasn't at all disappointed in his new tractor apparel, by the way.

We really just adore her! Christmas was a little different this year, of course. But it was great to have a few days with just our little family. Casey had several days off from work, and it was so nice to just sit at home and enjoy our new addition. That extra help from Casey was also much appreciated. I couldn't have done it without him...

"Jolly" Old Saint Nicholas?

He is jolly, right? Why is my child so scared of him? From a distance Dillon is all about Father Christmas. He's sure everything with a red and white Santa hat says, "ho-o, ho." Needless to say...our little meet and greet with Santa did not go over so well. We went to meet him in Gunnison, and I've gotta say...I love small towns. They just know how to make these kind of events: Santa's arrival in a fire truck, cookies to wait in line, a GIANT mail box for all letters to Santa, and a goody bag to go. Really, does it get any better?

We're really getting in to the Christmas spirit! I love it! Everything about it is so exciting, and it's great to have a child that loves all the lights and goodies too. This one's for all my siblings. Remember this old thing? It still works! And it's in great hands! For some reason Dillon doesn't like when it lights up, plays music, and moves. He just likes to sit and admire it. If only he played this gentle with everything...

Has it already been two months???

Who doesn't love Halloween??? For as long as I can remember I've loved decorating sugar cookies, carving pumpkins, getting dressed up (although Casey and I are lame and don't do that anymore), and trick-or-treating. I never knew it would get even better when I had a child who was excited about all of it too. I really wanted to make Dillon's costume this year, but... I dropped the ball and ended up buying one instead. This is sort of how our decision was made in the costume store:

Me: Dillon look at dog! See the monster!

Dillon: (nothing)

Me: Look at the monkey. Do you want to be a monkey?

Dillon (nodding his head up and down): ee-ee-ee-ee (giving me his best monkey impression).

And so the decision was made. He looked really cute too. Every time we got dressed up to go somewhere in costume he was thrilled. I think he would wear the costume all day, every day if he could.

In other news, we're still just waiting for baby #2. Only six more weeks! I'm realizing all of the sudden that six weeks isn't very long with all the preparations that need to be made for a baby and Christmas. I'm getting really anxious. With all the babies being born lately, I just can't wait to have mine here. Although, she still doesn't have a name...YIKES! We're so bad at that part... So, we're open for suggestions...

My husband hunts...

.....so, while he hunts, Dillon and I visit home. Along with playing with cousins, feeding the horse, four-wheeling, and sitting on the front porch we get to...

...can apples from my grandpa's amazing apple tree. Nobody knows what kind of apple tree it is, but they are the best apples around!...perfect for apple pie and applesauce. By the way, this little gadget is a miracle worker; nobody in his right mind would can apples without one (believe me, I've tried).

...play in my parents corn field, complete with a four-wheel ride from Grandpa. We also got to freeze some of this fabulous corn. I LOVE IT!

...and finally, visit the Kanosh park, but not before loading up on treats a the famous Kanosh Merc. Grandma always loads the kids up with penny candies and goodies, then we stroll onto the park.

There truly is no place like home, and Dillon loves it. Of course we wish Casey the best of luck with his hunt, which he has been anticipating since last August. With any luck, soon I will create a post showing off the big trophy buck, shot with his bow.

On a side note, did I mention that we saw Lion King at capitol theater...not really typical of Casey and me (especially Casey). I LOVED it! and what's even greater...Casey enjoyed it too!! I wish everyone could see it. The talent was fantastic, the costuming...unbelievable, and the entire show... phenomenal. We had such a fun evening out on the town as a couple. Have tickets? You won't be disappointed.

"Who's your favorite???"

Connor (Casey's little brother) just left for the MTC this week. He's off to Fresno, California. We're so excited for him, but we're all going to miss him. He always tests all of the nieces and nephews with this question, "Who's your favorite?" They always know the right answer: "Connor!" The kids LOVE him! He's always the most fun to play with, and he always keeps all of us laughing..

For one last fling, we all went to Seven Peaks to spend the day. It was a blast! We all loved it! This is Connor with Dillon.

Dillon and Talan, the little water buddies.

Annette, Payton, and Porter.

Dillon and Rilee. Rilee is soooo good to Dillon. At five years old, she is already one of the best baby sitters I know!!
Oh...and Dillon LOVED the kiddie slides. I truly believe he would spend the whole day on them if we let him. Casey spent a lot of the day right here, at the bottom of the slide.

Seven Peaks is great! It was a great way to send Connor off into the mission field! Good luck, Connor! We'll miss you!!!

I love county fairs...

Seriously...Is there anything better than lots of fried food, cotton candy, and rides that spin 'til you vomit? There's just something so summery about county fairs. I really love the carnivals! So this year we decided to give Dillon the ultimate carnival experience.

The excitement before the ride; rushing to get the best car...

During the ride; with three other random children...

And...after the ride. Can they ever get enough???

The Merry-Go-Round (an absolute must!)

And finally...Leaving the fair. None of us were disappointed. Turns out, Dillon loved the flashing lights, spinning rides, and excitement too...