Happy Hayes Thanksgiving!

Every year Scott's younger brother, Mark, and his family (wife Meridith and their two boys Riley and Dylan) from Texas come to visit for a few days around the Thanksgiving holiday. This year we were lucky enough to schedule some grown-up time for a wonderfully fun night out to dinner.

Left to right: Mark, Whitney, Scott, Meridith, Wendy, Pat

Thanksgiving morning meant watching the parade on TV and spotting Elmo, Big Bird and numerous other characters that the kids love.

Followed by an early nap and then out to Grandpa Larry and Gramma Judy's house for dinner.

The next morning all the kids (and grandkids) and even Gus got together for a quick hike at Lost Dutchman State Park before the Texas Hayeses had to head back to Dallas.

Left to right: Allison, Katie, Natalie, Dylan, Riley, Gus and Andrew

Eloise's Birthday Party

Once again, our friends and family all came out and made sure that Eloise had a wonderful birthday party celebration at the park. Thanks so much to all who attended and made it special for her!

Being surrounded by so many of our special friends and family really was the best present of all.

After the party at the park, all the Hayes family members came back to our house for presents...

 Thanks to Uncle Pat, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Mark, Aunt Meridith and all her cousins for this AMAZING giant pink unicorn. She loves it.

And of course Elmo was a giant hit as well. 

... but mostly, I think she loved spending the day with her cousins!

Urban Camping

One of our beloved neighbors had an idea: urban camping. So he coordinated with the community and made it happen. Everyone contributed something (firepit, hot dogs, giant jugs of hot chocolate, etc.) and just like that... it was a smashing success!!

Each family or group set up their tent (this photo was taken early in the night before 5-6 other tents appeared) and chairs in the movie area. The kids were free to run and play and eat with their friends in the confines of the greenbelt area of our neighborhood. Once it was dark, there were movies on the big screen and a fire pit to roast marshmallows.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Eloise!

Every time one of these amazing girls of ours gets a year older, it just doesn't seem possible that they are now yet another year older. But it seems so crazy that Eloise is already two. It has been a long and short two years full of snuggles, laughter, tears, amazement, happiness and big smiles.

After dinner, we celebrated with a raspberry pie (Eloise has an egg-allergy so we just avoid them). Turns out, the pie was a HUGE hit with everyone.

Mmmmmmm, birthday pie!

Followed by opening a few presents...

Donuts with Daddy

Each year Natalie's school hosts a fun event called "Donuts with Daddy" for the Kinders (as they are called at her school). The kids spend a few weeks working on crafts, songs to sing and other fun things to give their Dads (or other male role model in their life) at this special morning event.

 

 And the kids filled out this fun page with facts (from their point of view) about their daddy...

Soccer!

Now that the weather is picture perfect, the season is nearly over...

This week we were joined by Grandpa Larry and Gramma Judy!!!

And after the game, we took some quick team photos...