Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

June 2, 2014

Oh what do you do in the Summertime?

Here's what we do...

We go for an evening drive. 

We visit friends in Arizona and eat delicious food.

We swim with cousins.

We relax and watch a show.

We eat popsicles.

We walk around the Temple.

We take a break on the steps.

We roast s'mores with friends.

We visit the splash pad.

We eat snow cones while Dad's at mutual.

We visit more splash pads.

We play with friends. 

We stay inside and play with toys.

We go bowling.

May 18, 2014

Update

Dan with our nephew at Sand Hollow.
I suppose after Claire's update I should give a little update on Dan and myself.  As for Dan, he has been busy building websites and sending wrenches to truckers all over the U.S. (a side business he has).  He and his friend are also working on a new business called Tall Slim Tees which are t-shirts for tall skinny guys! So if you know any tall skinny guys, his shirts will be for sale soon.  He is still working on getting the sizes just right.  He is also busy working with the Young Men in our ward and the boys love having him as a leader.  This week the boys are coming over to learn how to grill.  In his free time he has been writing some original piano music, which Claire and I love to hear.

As for me (sorry no picture), I have been busy starting a playgroup in our neighborhood where we head to the park, pool, or splash pad each week.  I've also started walking with some friends in the mornings and love it.  The weather has been so nice!  I'm also busy planning reunions, trips, parties and more for this summer.  It seems we've got something going on almost every week!  I've also made a summer bucket list and we've already checked off some of the activities including the beach at Sand Hollow (pictured above).  I got called to Cub Scouts a few months ago and I wasn't so sure about it, but I actually love it.  It might be the best calling I've ever had.  I just help with pack meeting, so I only go once a month.  I like it because I can take Claire, it's pretty laid back and they do some fun things!  Usually I help with treats so the kids like me :).  Just last week we took a trip to Arizona to meet up with some of my old roommates.  We had such a blast and enjoyed being in a new place.  The weather actually turned out to be so nice and we ate at some of the best restaurants.  Aside from the long drive (lots of crying...) we had a great time!

We are busy and happy.  We love the start of summer and are looking forward to spending more time together as a family as well as seeing extended family and friends!

November 5, 2013

Birthday Weekend: Sunday (My Actual Birthday)

On my actual birthday we got up and Dan made me breakfast, we then got ready for church.  After church Jannifer and Danny had lunch we us, played the new game they gave me (thanks Jannifer, Danny, Noelle & Jared), and then left for Vegas.  They also brought a present from my parents (Piano Guys 2 CD and Cold Stone gift card) and Dan got me a diamond ring for my right hand.  I was spoiled!

That evening Dan's Mom made me a yummy pizza dinner with the most delicious pumpkin birthday cake.  His parents also got me a fun cookbook.  It was a great birthday!

They got me the game, Thurns & Taxis.  We love new games!

27!

Happy Birthday to me :)

Even Claire tried some pumpkin cake!

So yummy!  Recipe found here.
Thanks to everyone who made my birthday a great one!

October 29, 2013

Birthday Weekend: Saturday

On Saturday we went to breakfast for my birthday at the Black Bear Diner.  If you are ever in town you should go there because they have the yummiest pancakes!  Plus they gave me a free birthday meal :).  Dan had this awesome surprise planned but unfortunately it didn't work out.  His gift to me this year was a glass tile back splash in our kitchen; something I have been wanting ever since we moved in.  Well he had planned to have them start to install it while we were at breakfast, then I would come home to it partially done.  Unfortunately the tile he picked had to be sent from California and took forever to get here.  He even tried to overnight it but they said no.  So... he told me about his awesome plan while at breakfast and finally a week later they are starting on our back splash.  I will post a pic once it's finished.

After breakfast we came home for the baby to nap.  That afternoon my sister, Jannifer, and her husband, Danny, stopped by on their way to Vegas.  They joined us for the rest of my birthday festivities that day.

We took Claire to the carousel for her first time:

She really did like it, even though she never smiled while Dan was taking pictures.

Jannifer is clearly having the most fun! I was just trying to make sure Claire didn't fall off the horse.
That night we went to dinner at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants while Claire stayed at Grammie & Papa Joe's house.  Thanks to them and Andrew & Jess and their kids for keeping Claire entertained!  I don't even think she noticed we were gone.

We then finished the night off with delicious Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes, one of my favorites!

Happy 27th to me!

Delicious and pretty!
And then of course we played games with Janni and Danny; one of our favorite things to do while guests are in town!

Birthday Weekend: Friday

On my birthday weekend we headed to a nearby pumpkin patch/farm with Dan's family.  We had a fun evening together even though we thought it cost too much :).  I told Dan we really needed to start our own Halloween attraction to compete with them because there really aren't many down here.  I'm sure we never will, but somebody should!

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with cousins, these pretty much just document Claire's experience at the pumpkin patch:

Watching the animals

Riding the tractor
Petting zoo area

On the hayride

Family photo!  I really like this picture of us especially with the beautiful red rock in the background.

October 1, 2013

Update

I think it's high time for an update on our family.  It's something I don't do all that often aside from Claire's monthly updates.  It's about time I talk about all of us on this blog :).  But we will start with the star of the show, of course...

Here is a pretty good picture to sum up Claire:
She truly is the Princess of the house, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Some might call us a little obsessed, but it's hard not to be with a face like that!  She probably gets tired of us kissing her sweet cheeks all day long.  People are constantly telling me how beautiful this girl's big blue eyes are and I completely agree.  She is very alert and loves looking around at everything.  

This past month Claire has been learning so much!  She isn't crawling yet, but is getting very close.  She now plays peek a boo with us and is learning to wave.  She's also getting her first tooth.  Time is really flying!  She is very content and smiley most of the time.  The minute Dan walks in the room she gives him the biggest smiles.  She is a great eater and loves almost everything she has tried.  Her new favorite snack are Gerber Puffs.  She could probably eat a whole container in one day.  Whenever I pull them out of the pantry she kicks her legs and gets so excited.  She is so much fun to be around, she brings so much joy into our home.  We can't imagine life without her.

Dan is busy maintaining his internet businesses while constantly coming up with new business ideas.  He just started his own web design company (www.thundersparkwebdesign.com) and also started a business with his friend selling specialty wrenches (www.cheaterwrench.com).  His next big idea is to start a roller rink in St. George.  We have gotten lots of feedback from the community saying they would love something like this.  St. George is really in need of a place for teens and tweens to hang out.  We have a couple fun centers but they kinda stink.  Dan has been searching high and low for a building that would work for the roller rink but has so far been unsuccessful.  Most buildings are too small or have lots of poles in the middle.  Dan has always loved hockey and I'm sure he will eventually find a way to bring it to St. George.  Aside from all that business stuff he is busy as a counselor in the Young Men's Presidency in our ward.  He comes up with great lessons to keep the deacons interested and he faithfully attends mutual each week.  He told me it has been one of his favorite callings so far.  

As for me, I am happy being a mom and a wife.  I feel like Claire and I are finally in a good routine and I think all my pregnancy/child birth hormones have settled down and I feel like myself again.  Claire and I try to go walking almost every day with different friends from the neighborhood.  There are tons of babies Claire's age to keep us company.  I also watch my friend's girls 2 days a week.  They are 3 and 5 and so far it's going really well.  They love Claire and constantly want to hug her and hold her.  They always say things like "This baby is SO cute!" or "I wish this was MY baby!"  They are funny and Claire enjoys being around them.  Aside from keeping the baby happy, I try to keep our home in order and I occasionally find time to craft or try one of my many Pinterest pins.  I just decorated for Halloween and I am SO excited for the holidays!  October is my absolute favorite month because it's my birthday (19 days away) and Halloween.  I am starting to get our costumes put together, but you'll have to wait and see what they are.  I'm also looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving this year with my side of the family and I can't wait for the Christmas season.  I think it'll be even more special this year because it's the first year we get to share it with our baby girl.    

That's it for us, life is great! 

August 21, 2013

Family Pictures

All my Mom wanted for her birthday this year was an updated family picture.  The last family picture we took was before their mission, about 6 years ago.  Since then 4 in laws have joined the family and 10 grandkids.  We were definitely due for a new pic!  My brother in law, Jared, took the pictures for us and did an awesome job.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Our family of 3.  Claire looks so cute!

My baby girl!

Cal & Claire with Grandma & Grandpa.

The original Hemingway family.

The whole group!  That's right, 11 grandsons and 1 granddaughter!

Sister pyramid!

Claire with Grandpa.

The 3 sisters with Dad!  And yes, those are our natural hair colors.

Me with my parents and siblings.

My loves :)

With our amazing, beautiful Mom!

It was fun celebrating my Mom's birthday with everyone and getting some updated pictures.

June 19, 2013

Family Reunion

Last weekend we headed to Northern Utah for a little family reunion for my mom's side of the family.  We ate, we visited, we had a talent show, and we shopped at "grandpa's store" (which they used to do when I was a kid and the tradition still continues... everything costs a penny!)  It was also fun for Claire to get to know my family a little bit better.

Us!  I chopped my hair off... got sick of baby pulling it!

Sweet Claire baby

Danny (bro-in law) and Tim (brother) sharing their skills

More sweet baby.  Love that face!  Her hair looks so red in this pic.

The kids were supposed to wear superhero costumes... here's Cal, the cutest little Clark Kent/Superman I have ever seen!

My Dad on the guitar... my family is so talented.

Cute parents!

Nephew Chase and his new gun.

Katie & Riley aka Captain America!

Me and my sis, Noelle, with our babies!

Croquet game!  Dan got 2nd place.

Cousins getting to know each other.  They are both so cute!

Claire and Great Grandma Western.

Claire and my sister, Jannifer, they match!  So cute!

Claire with Grandpa Hemingway.

4 Generations!

Dan showing off his amazing piano skills.

Claire in the car.  She did awesome on both drives!

* Thanks to Jannifer & Jared for letting me use some of your pics :)