Chili cook off in Idaho City...

This post is a bit out of order... a few weeks ago my sisters & I took all of the kids up to Grandma's house in Idaho City to attend the Chili cook off. Sadly, we arrived and the Chili was already gone! So.. we walked downtown to the Community Center where they had a little bazaar display and free outdoor ice skating. This is Hailey and I bundled up for the winter weather we encountered that day. It was a nice day... had fun with the family.

Meeting Hailey...

Aaron, Hailey, and I flew home today from Grandma Hurst's funeral. I will post more with pic's a bit later. The picture (above) is of Steven and Hailey. Steven is Aaron's oldest. He lives with his Grandma in Arizona. While we were in Arizona for the funeral, Steven got the chance to meet his baby sister, "Hailey." This is the first time he held her. Aaron and I were very happy he finally got to see her. All 3 of the kids look so much alike! It was so nice to see Steven! Just wish it had been under different circumstances.

Grandma Hurst WE LOVE YOU!!!

Aaron's very sweet Grandma Hurst past away last Wednesday.
We sure are going to miss her! She didn't get the chance to meet Hailey :(
which is really sad to us. I'm so glad I know we'll see her again!
Grandma was sick for quite a while. We wish she was still here.
We've been without "Daddy" since... it's been a difficult time for our family.
I took a picture of Hailey while she was sleeping and sent it to Daddy's phone to cheer him up.
I didn't realize she was smiling until I saw the picture!

My baby blessing...

I (Hailey) was blessed on Sunday, February 1st, 2009.

It was in Idaho City. I was blessed by my Uncle Andy. It was a very special blessing! I'm so glad my Uncle Andy is worthy to bless Me... He said some really special things that made Mommy cry happy and hopeful tears. I had so many family members and friends that came to see me. Some even drove from 6 hours away just to support me because it was such an important and special day in my life. "Thank You" for helping celebrate this day with Me. I know some of my family couldn't make it... I appreciate your loving thoughts and well wishes. I know that I won't be able to remember my baby blessing... When I grow up, Mommy will tell me all about it. Mommy thinks I looked like an Angel... What do you think?

Grandma made me a special dress for my very special day.
She made a matching headband and bracelet.
My bracelet says "made with love" on it. I love my Grandma!!
Thank You for making me look so pretty...

The batteries in Mommy's camera died.
My Aunt Amy took these pretty pictures of Me:

Here is my Uncle Andy and Me...
He gave me such a special blessing!

Mommy and Me...
I didn't let Mommy sleep much the night before my blessing.
Mommy was sooo tired! My Mommy takes good care of Me
even when I keep her awake at night!

My Grandma... She made me look so beautiful!
I am going to miss her sooo much when my Mommy and Daddy move me to Las Vegas. I promise Grandma, I'll do my best to visit as often as I can! I want to play with you outside and sneak into your pantry to eat all of your yummy snacks like my cousins do. I can't wait to be big and spend special time with you at your house. Mommy promises she will keep us in touch, so you will be a part of my life as much as possible. I love you Grandma with all my heart!!
I hope to be like you one day...

This is my Great Grandma.
She had a hip replacement a week after I was born.
Great Grandma is healing, but, not very quickly.
She is mostly bed ridden right now, but, insisted she be at my blessing. Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Andy (I think?) helped get her to the church and back home so she could be with Me on this very special day. Thank you so much Great Grandma for coming!!
It means so much to Me and Mommy. We love you.

Grandpa and Me. This is the first time Grandpa held me. I love my Grandpa! I was pretty tired in this picture... Grandpa was so nice to feed me... Mommy was pretty tired. I am going to miss my Grandpa so much. I can't wait to come back to Mommy's home to visit you!! I promise I'll visit as often as I can. Maybe when I am big Mommy will let me visit you for a long time during the summers. Will you take me on walks with you and Grandma? Mommy always loved walking with both of you. I love you Grandpa!!

Hailey's discovered her hands...

Hailey's Updates...

On Sunday, Hailey had her baby blessing. It was very beautiful!!! I'm so glad her Uncle Andrew could do it for her. It was special and meant a lot to me. I'll post more about it when I get the pictures. Hailey rolled over by herself yesterday. It wasn't on purpose and really doesn't count. However, I was surprised to watch her do it. She is very strong and moves herself all over the place. She's doing well and getting bigger every day. She's beginning to cry a little less... which I am very grateful for. It's hard to see her upset. Today she smiled at me for the first time intentionally. Hailey is still trying to get the hang of smiling. On Saturday, she made her first cooing sounds. She loves to spend her awake time in her bouncy chair. It's been a challenging experience but is worth every bit of it. I love her with all of my heart!