July 15th, 2000

We had a wonderful 4th of July!  We were able to spend the weekend with some family from out of town and it was so much fun.  We were able to see my Aunt Gladys and Uncle Dave as well as my cousin Vicki and her three kids- Lucas, Caleb and Danielle.

Hailey was thrilled to meet Danielle.  She wanted to hold her constantly.

And of course, Hailey had lots of kisses for Danielle.

Hailey read Danielle some books- and Danielle seemed to enjoy the stories!

Lucas and Caleb let Hailey play the Wii with them- or at least let her think she was playing.

Caleb and Hailey enjoyed watching some movies together.

Hailey and Danielle posed in their 4th of July outfits.

Hailey was excited to be able to feed Danielle!

Hailey and Uncle Dave were the first ones ready for church on Sunday, so they read some books while they waited for the rest of us.

After church Hailey loved listening to Caleb read her a book.

Later on Hailey, Lucas and Caleb were all in Hailey’s play house.

On Monday the kids were able to do a little swimming.  The water is still pretty cold but they had fun anyways.

Lucas enjoyed floating in the pool.

Hailey tried to make sure she held onto this ball the entire time she was in the pool.

Caleb posed for a quick picture.

Hailey loved being in the pool.

Since we’re still in the middle of moving all of our stuff is in my parents garage.  We couldn’t get to Hailey’s bathing suit or her swim diapers- so she had to wear clothes and a pull-up.  Do you know what happens when a pull-up gets wet?

I was afraid it might fall apart, but actually it just swells up to a huge size.

The kids enjoyed lunch on the patio and then we had to say good-bye.  It was lots of fun to get to see our family that we don’t get to see nearly enough.  We had a blast!

Last weekend some friends of ours got married, so of course- we went to the wedding.  And of course, I took some pictures.  Here are some pictures from the reception.

While we waited for the bride and groom to arrive at the reception my dad, my brother and Rich made themselves comfortable.  They sat like this right outside the door of the room the reception was in so everyone saw them on their way in.  It was probably not the greeting that most were expecting to find.

While they were busy relaxing and talking I was trying to keep track of Hailey.  She found some new friends and was being really good.  She took one little girl by the hand and led her around as if to show her new friend where everything was.  It was cute.  Then I saw them heading for the cake.  I was on my way to get Hailey before she got too close and the other girl’s father was on his way to get her.  I was not in time.

See that little whole in the cake?  Hailey stuck her finger right in the cake.  It could have been much worse, so I am thankful that is all she did.  Now, if you know Rich- you know that at every event we go to that involves a cake of any kind, he leaves a little finger print.  So, clearly Hailey inherited this from Rich.

The bride and groom arrived- so it was time to get the party started.

Rich kept himself entertained while we waited for our food.

Hailey thought it was funny and tried to get the creamer off of Rich’s eyes.  In a few years she will probably be very embarrassed by such nonsense.

The guys wanted a picture together- Rich, Matt (my brother) and my dad.

And here is another pose.  And I won’t show you the other 20 or so poses they made me take.

Then the dancing started and Hailey was on the dance floor for the rest of the reception.  She absolutely loved it.  She wouldn’t even stop dancing for her cake.  (And she loves cake.)  We didn’t even try to leave until the last song had been played.  I prefer to stay on the sidelines, talk to people I haven’t seen in a while and do lots of people watching at weddings.  That is fun for me.  Apparently Hailey likes to be right in the middle of it all.  She danced with anyone who would dance with her.

And she even had her first dance with a boy.  Rich didn’t think it was as cute as I did

I hope everyone is having a great Easter!  I wanted to share a few pictures with you of our Easter celebration.

Last night Hailey dyed some Easter eggs.  She loved dropping her eggs into the dye.

Hailey was pleased with the results she got.

This morning when Hailey got up there was a trail of Easter eggs coming from her room, down the hall and into the living room.

At the end of the trail she found her Easter basket that the Easter bunny hid.

After breakfast and too much chocolate we got ready for church.

Hailey held still for a few seconds to pose for a picture in her Easter dress.  (If you look closely you can see her hands are still a bit blue from dying her Easter eggs.)

We had a great service at church.  Although I did feel a little bad for the ladies in Hailey’s Sunday School class.  A room full of 2-3 year old children who had chocolate for breakfast is not a place I would want to be!

Hope you’re all having a great Easter!

John 3:16 (King James Version)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.