Hayden is now 2!!!

This is a little late being posted....

But Hayden is now officially in the terrible twos.... He was already throwing the tantrums for it.

We celebrated his birthday on Sunday with a last minute party. My mom was making dinner for my grandma, (she had surgery on her hand, and it is still healing) and everyone was wondering what I was going to do for Hayden's birthday.... I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had been sick all week and didn't really have a lot of energy to do anything. But it was pointed out to me that I needed to do something for him. I decided to do a last minute party at my grandma Harward's house.

Hayden had a blast and actually ate some chicken noodle soup. (we didn't have to force him to try some!) My aunt's on my mom's side came and gave Hayden gifts. We had brought some of the gifts Hayden had gotten that morning. We played baseball and soccer in the backyard as well as played with his new bubble machine. (the bubble machine is a lifesaver for me and kevin.... we are done blowing bubbles for Hayden long before he is...)

Hopefully it was fun for him... I know it was tiring for me. =)

Yes he really is faking in this video.....

Hayden will be 2 on Sunday!!!

I can not believe how fast time flies! Hayden will be 2 on Sunday! It feels like it was just yesterday that I was coming home from the hospital with him.

It has been a rather bad week for us. Hayden and I have both been sick all week. And Kevin has been sick for some of the week. But on Tuesday I convinced myself that I was well enough to be out and about. So I went shopping for the young women's activity I was in charge of and also for Hayden's birthday present.
We have been having a hard time deciding what Hayden need/wanted for his birthday. We don't have a lot of room and his toys take up a lot of space as it is. We talked it over and decided Hayden would like a pet. But we have been told no on a dog....(so sad) So we went for fish. Easy to take care of and can fit somewhere in our small space.
On Tuesday we bought the tank and supplies. And on Wednesday Hayden and I went to get some fish. We had tons of fish to choose from.... but we finally found the perfect ones for Hayden. They are called mickey mouse fish. I didn't realize until we got home why they have that name. On their tails there is the mickey mouse head and ears.

Hayden has been delighted since we have gotten them. He feeds them in the morning and right before going to bed. He even gives them kisses goodnight. He named them Mickey and Minnie. I had made a vinyl mickey mouse for him and found the perfect place to put it, right on his fish tank.



Here is a video of Hayden with them.

Other news Kevin is going to compete in a black box competition tomorrow. He is really looking forward to it. I hope he does well!

Hayden's new funny thing

Kevin and I went to put Hayden to bed a few nights ago. We cleaned up all the toys and then ask Hayden, "are you ready to go night night?" Hayden then climbed up into my lap, closed his eyes and stared snoring. It was hilarious! I went over to my mom's house today and was able to get him fake sleeping on video. I hope you enjoy!

Crazy Times!

Last week was a crazy week.

My parents decided to go to Vegas for a get-away. And I volunteered to help watch the 3 kids left at home. I dunno how my mom stays sane with all the running around she has to do during the day to stay up with my siblings. She is really amazing. While they were gone Kevin and I hung out with the kids and we all made dinner on Thursday night.

We made homemade pizza! It was surprisingly really good. (having been made by a 10 and 6 yr old) After making pizza we broke out my mom's recipe book and made her sugar cookies.

They were really good!!

All the while Hayden just hung out and reaped the benefit of our hard work.

What fun. Though going from having an almost 2yr old to having 4 kids 15-10-6-2 was crazy. But it was fun and it was good to let my parents have a break.

Now to give an update..... since I haven't been very good at updating the blog.

Hayden is growing like a weed. He is into climbing on everything and his new favorite show is Mickey Mouse. He will go around the house saying "help me tootles, help me"(tootles is the helper on mickey mouse). It is very funny to watch him as he grows. He is becoming more independent everyday and is continually trying to help with everything.

Last Sunday he hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Whitmer for about an hour. When we came over to get him Kevin was asked to help in giving a blessing to his mom. Hayden and I watched as the blessing was given. As soon as it was over he hurried over to grandma and wanted up. When he was up he laid his hand on grandmas head just like he had seen dad and grandpa do. It was so cute to watch.

Hayden also has a new food thanks to Kevin. It is called edamame. When I make some for him he will eat them like they are going to disappear if he doesn't get them all down. They really don't have much flavor. And he loves them! We are talking about the kid that we have to make him try food before he will even give them a chance. He will even turn down ice cream! Yet he likes these soybeans? Weird little child I have.

Kevin is keeping busy with school and work. He recently took 3rd in the skills competition at school. He will be competing in state in March because of it. He is super excited that he gets to go to state and has been going to school on Saturdays to practice. He also was put on the President's list at school for having a 3.93 gpa last semseter.

As for me, I have been keeping busy. I have been helping my mom out. And have been trying to keep up with Hayden. He is a full time job! But I enjoy being able to stay home with him and help him learn different things. I have also been reading books lately. I have reread twilight, Leven Thumps was a new one that I picked up and have enjoyed, and Diary of a Wimpy kid is a really cute one that Kevin got for me.

Merry Christmas

Well, I hope everyone has had an awesome Christmas! I know that we did.

Hayden was hilarious to watch this christmas. He would take every single piece of paper he ripped off and put it in the garbage. So we had no mess to clean up. He was so funny to watch. He loved taking the paper off the most, I think.

Kevin and I also enjoyed our gift which is a 42" ldc hdtv that we got early and have really enjoyed! Thaks everyone who helped us get it!

On Christmas eve, we recieved a 5 min call from brad while at my Grandma Harward's house. He called to tell us that there is visa problems.. so he could be stuck in the mtc til feb if things aren't figured out. But he is doing good.

We also learned that although Hayden loves to watch the snow fall and loves to sit at a window or door and yell "no"(his word for snow) He wants nothing to do with it because it is cold! We took him outside and put him in it. Yea, it was over then. He wants nothing to do with it anymore. But he will still watch it as it falls.


It is so much fun to watch him grow. We hope everyone is safe and well for the holiday's.

Christmas is coming!

YAY! Christmas is almost here.

I setup our tree on the 3rd and Hayden has just been fascinated with it. When ever he gets a chance he goes up and plays with the ornaments and touches the lights followed by him saying 'Hot'. It is very funny to watch him. I can't wait to see his face on Christmas with all his new stuff. Kevin and I are spoiled and got our present early. So we don't have fun stuff to open on Christmas. Oh well we are enjoying our new tv and movies.





Yesterday I dressed Hayden in a white shirt and tie. He looked like a mini missionary. It was so cute. I am sending my brother a picture of it in the mail today. And the best part is he wore his tie almost all day.


Kevin will be done with school after today til January. 4 finals in one day sucks. I hope he does well.


Well that is all for now. I hope everyone is well.

Elder Thorup

Why is it that even though a mission is such a good thing, it is so hard to let go?

Well Brad is finally gone. And with him going we find a big hole in our hearts. Yes, he is going to do good and to teach people the gospel so that they can learn the truth. But why does it hurt so much? I know that I will see him again and that he is only gone for a little while, but that knowledge does not help stop the flow of tears.

On Tuesday before Brad was set apart, we were at my mom's house, Lydia was standing in a corner trying not to let anyone see that she was crying. That made me start crying and we sat there hugging for a while. I then had an idea for her, so we sat down and listened to "I'll See You In A While". It made us cry even more, which was not the effect I wanted. The song is about leaving for a few years and not saying goodbye just saying see you in a while, because we will see you again. I was crying yesterday as Brad was heading for the car to go to the MTC Lydia came over to me and told me " Jen Jen remember it is see you in a while, not goodbye." How greatful I am to her for being so strong and comforting to me. Even though I should be the one comforting her.

Brad has been a best friend for over 19 years. It is like I am losing a part of myself for 2 years. But the people in the Dominican Republic need him more than I do. So I will wait patiently here for him to return. And I will offer any support I can to him. We will all miss him so much.

If I am like this for my brother how will I be for Hayden?