Haley Bailey

When we found out that we were having a girl, we couldn't contain our excitement. A girl to go along with 2 boys was the cherry on top of our perfect sundae of a family. 20 Months into her life, Haley, has taught us many things including that a girl can get anything she wants when she tells you "pretty" or "love you." With her sweet smile and angelic voice she constantly surprises us with her readiness to learn (or keep up with her older brothers for survival.)

All I wanted was a picture of her pig-tails, but all I kept getting was a picture of just her tail.

See, I told you that she runs this house! Anything she wants, with that smile, she can have it! Haley knows just how to get daddy to say "yes."

Here are a couple pics from a visit with cousin Izzy. Haley is all about babies, she just loves them. She wants to be by Izzy all the time, getting her toys, blankets, and nuks. She is a very big helper.

Izzy on the other hand, "she's looking at me again," likes to have alittle distance between her and Haley.

The little mommy doesn't care, she'd pose for a picture all day long with that smile!

Now and Then....

It has officially happened, my baby boys are growing up. (Sad lip, wipe tears.)

Here, Jacob and Tyler are enjoying lunch with their friends on their first field trip!

I remember when lunch used to be this. :)

I only think I blinked and the last 4 years have blown by. I am feeling a bit nostalgic lately. (Deep sigh....)

A Blizzard of a Weekend

We had a wonderful winter weekend here in Wisconsin. We woke up to snow falling on Saturday morning, about 6 inches. The boys could hardly wait to get outside and help daddy shovel snow or as Jacob likes to do, eat snow. He did tell me that he stays away from the yellow snow, ok, good. Since Saturday consisted of us being housebound all day, Sunday was packed full of weekend to-do's! With all the fresh snow on the ground you know what that means...perfect conditions for sledding! The boys have been waiting all winter for a day like this, the sledding hill all to themselves, sunny, and a beautiful blue sky. After church the boys hit the hill with their sleds in tow. After a quick lunch we were off to a community fair to eat cotton candy and win a few prizes. Then a brief stop at Cabela's to look at stuffed animals, live fish, and shoot guns (total boy stuff!) Our day was topped off by a visit from Grandma and Grandpa and all the Heidenbergers. The boys barely made it into their beds before passing out from exhaustion.

Here are a few pictures from the sledding hill....

Jacob and Tyler with their new speedy sleds!

Whoops, looks like they lost their speedy sleds and opted for a belly sled.

Tyler is all smiles and out of breath after climbing back up the hill.

Jacob is all ready to hit the slope!

Can't you hear the theme to the movie Rocky in this picture! They are the champions!

All Things Girly

I think I have done my time with race cars, dump trucks, and boy noises. A girl in our house has brought babies, snuggling, and an explosion of pink. Here are some candid moments from this morning....

Haley is a girl with lots of personality, this is her "funny" face. She also loves, loves dressing up. She likes to put on the boys' cowboy hats, bunny ears, and bead necklaces. Here she is sporting her new look of a pink tu-tu coordinated well with her pink pajamas.

Of course I couldn't pull out a camera without her putting on her "say cheese" smile. Did I mention that she is a ham :)

Speaking of hams....:) Not to be out-done by their little sister, Tyler and Jacob enjoy some morning fun. Also, notice the barrier gate created to keep the pretty in pink one out of their stuff. I gotta give them credit for their creativeness with their tower of paper towels!

Valentine's Day Surprise!

Yesterday was filled with a special Valentine's Day surprise for the kids... "we're going to Disney On Ice!" We traveled up to Green Bay for the show at the Resch Center, which is located across the street from Lambeau Field (said in announcer style echo.) The boys were thrilled to see where the Packers play.

Next we joined the thousands getting ready to enjoy Disney magic. We were super excited about this show because we had box seating (thank you to Brian and company.)

Here are my three Disney maniacs posing like angels. From left to right...Goofy, Pluto, and Minnie.

The show was fantastic, everything you would expect from Disney. There were all the princesses, Mickey and friends, Buzz Lightyear, Nemo, Aladdin, Incredibles, and more. The show celebrates 100 years of Disney and they reenacted a ton of the films on the ice rink. Here is just a some of the characters.

Haley loved the flexibility of sitting in the box. She could walk around and peek over the edge to point at Pinocchio and watch the show.

The boys were glued to the ice rink. They loved watching it and seeing the stories and characters. They sat on our laps the whole time, taking in every moment.

Haley wanted to show off her enthusiasm for Minnie.

Of course the boys wanted the light-up super Buzz Lightyear swords as souvenirs! They even glowed green for the whole ride home.

We had an absolutely wonderful Valentine's Day and topped it off with a stop at Grandma and Grandpa's on the way home. Hope yours was special too!

'Twas The Day Before Valentine's Day

The boys had their Valentine's Day party at school today and I was lucky enough (thanks Elizabeth) to attend!

The toothless wonder Jacob was all smiles (and gums) for his picture today. And why shouldn't he be when you get to eat cupcakes at 10am!

Tyler was tickled red (and pink) that I came to help out this morning. I received a great big hug when I walked in the classroom.

Jacob is giving me the eyes :) He's gonna break hearts someday with that fabulous face.

The class also enjoyed a story from one of the moms. How is it that they still gravitate towards each other in a class of 20 kids? They'll tell you it's cause "we're brothers, side-by-side." That is just enough to melt the mommy's heart on Valentine's Day Eve :)

I Heart Izzy!

Mmmmmhaw! Kisses for cousin Izzy!

I break down laughing every time I look at this picture! Haley has such a big, sweet, loving heart that she wants to give kisses to baby Izzy all the time. Thank goodness Izzy has been handling it all very well on the inside, on the outside I think that she is asking for help!

Happy Heart Week!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh My!

It was super nice out on Saturday and so we decided that some family time at the zoo was in order. I have never been to the zoo in February! It was great to breathe in fresh outside air and also let the boys blow off some of their winter blues energy.

There really is an elephant in the background but these 3 cuties just love posing for the camera. The boys were in complete denial of winter, they refused to wear a coat all weekend. But at least they wore a hat!

What a beautiful day.

Jacob's New Smile!

Jacob would like to show off his new smile! He lost his other front tooth on Monday morning. It is a very big deal in our house to lose a tooth and have a special visit from the Tooth Fairy. So now the goofy, non-smiling kid (a.k.a. Tyler) just might start pulling out his own teeth out if they don't start coming out on their own. Everything is a competition in this house!

"Hey Jacob, could you please stop watching Handy Manny and smile for mommy, please!" Oh, yeah. Thanks you, for this crazy, 6 year old, total boy and no time to smile for mom smile.
I do love that God made boys just like this...perfect in every way :)

Haley does not miss a chance to smile for the camera. Say cheese and show me all those new teeth coming in! "Cheeeeeesssse!"

Super Bowl Bash Wisconsin Style

Jacob, Haley, and Tyler are ready for our Super Bowl Bash! (Mommy thought that the Packers were in the Super Bowl this year ;)

One lineman, a quarterback, and a cheerleader on a fireplace.

Enjoy the Super Bowl!