A Merry Hayes Christmas

Merry Christmas! (a few days late!) We have had a very busy week and it has been full of joy (and some boo-boos - more on that later!)

 

We had Christmas Eve at our house. After everyone left, it was time to play Santa and set up the presents for the next day. 

 

 Big presents this year were:
Caelyn - a doll house and barn among a few other times and clothes
Brayden - a standing table and a few other toys plus clothes
Andrew - a scanner and crossbow
Me - a new camera and radio for under the kitchen counter plus other items!

After we opened our presents, I reflected for awhile and told Andrew how really blessed we are. We have beautiful children and Andrew has a solid job to allow us to give our children presents such as this. Not every family can afford presents for their babies on Christmas - we are blessed to be able to do so and very thankful that we can.

 Next it was off to Nonna and Pap Joe's house. They got both kids a number of presents and toys - Caelyn got her first big girl bike with training wheels!!

 Probably one of my favorite presents we gave this year was made by my aunt - matching aprons for Donna & Caelyn. Donna's is embroidered with Nonna and Caelyn's says Nonna's Helper with matching oven mitts. They bake all the time - usually weekly if not more - together!! She was so happy and loved it!

 It was off to my parents house after Andrew's parents. Brayden, at this point, wasn't happy and he whined nearly the whole time.

 My parents bought me the new iPhone 5 and I love it! My parents bought Andrew a tree-stand and boy was he happy! Caelyn got a leap pad and Brayden a number of toys and clothes for when he gets slightly bigger

 Naps were in order throughout the day - very much so! Poor kid was so pooped and overstimulated.

We had such a blessed day with family. This year, Caelyn really was excited for Christmas and opening presents. It was so much fun watching her joy and excitement each present.
Brayden was very excited to see new pacifiers in his stocking!

I hope all of my readers had a blessed and happy holiday with their families and friends.

Happy Easter - 2012!!

Happy Easter all! I hope everyone else had a fabulous day like we did! It started off with just the Caebug and I. Andrew worked :( and because of a large amount of call offs, he was unable to get done early, like he had hoped :(.
But.. We started off the day. She dug into her basket which included two dvds - Team Umizoomi and Max & Ruby, a gardening set, sidewalk chalk, some crayons, and a coloring book. She also got a swing! Plus candy. Duh.
She dug into the candy ASAP which of course resulted in a sugar high!

After awhile, we made our way to Andrew's parents house. They enjoyed watching her dig into their basket at their home - including lots of goodies as well :). Then, Pap Joe hid Easter eggs outside and we went out for an Easter egg hunt!

As a kid, I never did Easter egg hunts every year, but I think its so much fun and she had a BLAST. I think we created a new tradition.

We had such a nice time, despite Andrew missing out on it all. After we spent time with them, we were off to my parents house. They gave her some more goodies and presents, like an awesome bug catching net (my kid is a bug fanatic).

It was my Dad's and Grandma's birthdays today! They decided that they wanted to go to Olive Garden for dinner, so off we went. It was a lovely meal. Caelyn was so good - despite her having to stay seated for soo long (about 2 hours). She ate very well - it was just an overall good dinner out.

Plus, there was birthday cake... and who doesn't love birthday cake?!

Afterwards, we went to Andrew's grandma's house and met up with him and the rest of their family. We all relaxed and talked and enjoyed time together. Then.. we came home and she crashed!
Easter is a very tiring holiday ;-)

I hope your day was fabulous! Ours sure was.

Tomorrow is the last day of my break :( then I have 8 more days of teaching before my student teaching is finished and I am so ready to be done! So excited! Tomorrow is going to be full of things that need to get done!

Caelyn's First Christmas & Sickness Plus an Announcement!

Well, Christmas has come and gone! All of the planning and shopping that was done was over in one day. Its amazing. That has always surprised me. Some people shop for Christmas, ONE DAY, all year round. Anyway...

So, Christmas Eve started the festivities. Caelyn got all dressed up in her fun little outfit! Doesn't she just look so darn cute?

I love my little munchkin! And those tights were just soo cute, minus the fact that they had a hole in them that I never saw before I took them out of the package (Thanks Target!) so I had to sew them up real fast. Oh well.

I really like this photo of Caelyn & I. We never get really good pictures. I like this, I just wish she was smiling as well!

So, first off we went to Robert's aunt's house for a little dinner. Caelyn had a good time chasing her cousins around. She wouldn't leave them alone. She loves other kids!

Honestly, she doesn't see them very frequently, so.. it was nice to spend time with them.

Then, off we went to my Aunt Tami's house. Most of my mom's family was there. We all had a nice time and had a lot of stuff to eat.

Our little family. I just love this picture! For some reason, this photo makes me wish we could expand our family... Now! lol (Thats NOT the announcement, I promise!)

Haha, these photos make me laugh because they are classic take-photos-of-yourself poses that I have a million of with different people. But, these are two good photos of Robert & I, then Bretton (my little sister) and I! I actually like the one of me and Bretton enough that I think I might print it out.

Alright, so.. after the party, we went home. My parents brought of our PJs. Caelyn got Christmas Dora jammies. Dora is her favorite, so she was pretty excited.

She went to bed after I read her "Twas the Night Before Christmas" - a family tradition. Then.. off to sleep she went.

Some time after she went to sleep, Santa visited and let a lot of toys for Caelyn! She must have been a really really good girl this year!

Needless to say, when she woke up, she was in shock and totally surprised. She had no idea what to think!
So far, these two have been her absolute favorites. First is this wooden activity center. I really like this one.. there is a lot of activities for her to do and she enjoys playing with it.

The VTech Alphabet train.. well.. those darn blocks that come with it are ALL OVER my living room, but besides that, she loves it. We took it on Christmas with us places because she loved it so much she cried if you took it away. Go figure.

So, after our Christmas morning, we went to my parent's house.

My amazing parents bought us a grill! Awesome! Now I can't wait for spring and grilling chicken and hot dogs.. I think I want to use our outdoors this year, but thats for a different post lol.

They got Caelyn a lot of toys, clothes, and a power wheel quad for spring time. It was on mega sale so my mom picked it up!

Oh my, I forgot to say what Robert and I gave each other lol. Besides the massive amounts of toys and clothes we got our baby... I bought him a Blu-ray DVD player, some DVDs, a game for his wii and a game for the PS3.. a new Xbox360 controller (yes we have all 3 systems.. why? IDK!).. and a few shirts and a hoodie. He bought me a $50 giftcard to Joanns! (yessss.. I get to do some projects!) and a new Paula Deen cookware set!! I was sooo happy lol plus a dvd and a Wii game - Donkey Kong!


His Aunt Becky came over to give Caelyn her gifts, then off we went to my parent's house.

My grandparents were there.. and they gave us their gifts (Thanks everyone!!).. then we had some AMAZING FOOD!! We always have ham, green beans, lasanga, and wedding soup for Christmas dinner. Delicious. Seriously. I have never had wedding soup as good as my Nana's.. and no restaurant can ever top wedding soup made by an almost 90 year old Italian grandma!

So.. after dinner, we hightailed it up to Robert's dad's house. We were there from 6:30 til 10. We honestly had a great time! They, as well, had lasanga.


They, as well, got Caelyn a lot of toys, like a dancing Elmo and a lot of books, plus very nice outfits. But, her favorite toy was the wagon. Who would think she would actually love the wagon?!

She refused to come out of it half of the time she was there. Robert pulled her around the house and she pretended to talk on her cell phone that they bought for her. It was seriously adorable. She still loves it and its sitting in our living room and she climbs in and out of the door lol.

Well, afterwards, we went home.. put her to sleep, and played Just Dance for the Wii. Its hard!

We went to bed, but woke up at 4:30am to a puking baby. She threw up in her bed, then on the floor.. Then dry heaved until 10:30am.. the longest stretch was an hour.. In between each time she would literally collapse.. and fall right back to sleep on us..

Then, she finally did the last one at 10:30. After that, it was just a slow process of getting fluids and some food, but mostly fluids back into her.. She drank almost a whole bottle of Pedialyte.. and she was feeling a lot better.. This was the first sickness besides a snotty nose that we have ever had to deal with.

But, she was still able to play with her new toys!

We were all exhausted, she went to bed early at like 8pm and wanted us to hold her for along time, so we did.. she woke up at 1am and didn't want to go back to bed til 2am.. but I dealt with it..

She just went down for a nap and its time to clean!

Oh wait.. the Annoucement you ask.. hmm.

Well, I forgot to mention that Robert got me another present that I didn't tell you guys about!

.......

.......

.......

An Engagement Ring! Yes, its official!! We are engaged! It feels so wonderful to say that!

I have a picture of the ring on my phone that I will post later.. We are going tonight to drop it off to have it sized. Oh, I love it and love him!

Baking and Baking

Well.. first, I'm sure to noticed my new little spiffy layout. Its cute, its simple. Whatever, I like it.
I also.. added a new facebook page! Woohoo. I decided that it was time.. Now, I must figure out how to set it all up. But, be a doll and go "like" my page. I have some grand plans for my facebook page and my followers on facebook for the next year! I need someplace also to list all of the yummy recipes I come across!

Ok, so enough with that boring stuff!

I started off the baking marathon. Christmas eve is on Friday! Holy cow!
I normally just don't bake, but with a baby.. come on, Santa needs cookies! So.. today, I baked zucchini bread. Oh man, it was so delicious! I am going to go buy another zucchini and bake one on Friday morning to bring to my aunt's house that night.

I also made oatmeal raisins, but they turned out to be terrible. I have no idea what happened. The batter was oh-so-delicious, but the end result wasn't so good.
I made great sugar cookies! They were so yummy!
And.. I made some glazed cookies, but the icing didn't turn out well thanks to Betty Crocker. Apparently, I had to buy a tip for her bagged icing and didn't. So, not all got iced, but whatever, I tried and they were really really fun to make!
I have to give proper credit where it is due. I can't take credit for these amazing creations.
The idea is of course... The Pioneer Woman! Man, I just love Ree and her creations. It is ingenius and honestly, I can see myself making these on Valentines Day.. Easter.. Every holiday imaginable! All you need is cut outs and you can make these for any holiday or event.

This is from the page with her recipe, but come on, look how awesome they are!

Warning though, the painting with the glaze is time consuming, but its still fun!

Whats your favorite cookie to bake during Christmas?

History Behind Christmas Trees

I have always been fascinated by history - hence why I am studying to one day in my life teach history.

It is so important to understand the history and background of things, even as simple as a Christmas tree.

Christmas tree, for us, is just tradition. For as long as I can remember, a whole day has been devoted to going out, chopping down the tree, bringing it back, decorating it, etc. It was always a magical day for our family and it will continue to be so for my own family now.

But, why a christmas tree? Why an evergreen? WHY?!

So, I looked it up and read a few websites, such as the history channel! Who would think they have the history of christmas trees.

Turns out that the Christmas tree tradition started in Germany when Christians brought evergreens into their home and decorated them. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to add lighted candles to trees as he tried to recreate a scene that he saw as walking.

In England, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, was from Germany and brought the tradition to England. In 1848, there is an issue of Illustrated News with a sketching of their family around a tree.



The tradition was brought to America by German settlers who lived in Pennsylvania, although the craze didn't set into til the early 20th century. Americans decorated their trees with homemade ornaments while others used apples, nuts and cookies. Popcorn joined later when they were dyed colors and strung on string with berries and nuts! With the invention of electricity, lights were now able to be strung on the tree as well. Trees began to appear in town centers and individual homes.

It is apparent, as I read further and further into websites that Christmas tree's origins are not Christianity, but in fact, come from Pagans. This is not surprising, because most of Christianity's celebrations are, in fact, at the same time as Pagans. When the Christians were trying to convert the Pagans, they kept many of their religious days and allowed them to keep some traditions. It seems as if it made it easier for the transitions. This doesn't not take away from the meaning behind Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus is real. It is quite known that December 25th is not Jesus's birthday and it would be extremely hard to pinpoint a date thousands of years ago, but that is not the point. The point is the celebration of his life.

I will leave you with a few websites for you to read and check out yourselves. I find it fascinating that thousands of years ago, people worshipped and were amazed by evergreens! How cool is that!

Christmas Tree Farm Network
History of the Christmas Tree
Christian History
History Channel

Busy Lately!

Lately, I have been really busy! I shouldn't even be blogging, I SHOULD be finishing my take home final for my education class that is due tomorrow at 11pm, but I am lazy.

Yesterday, I made a super yummy chicken fajitas. I adapted a recipe from Mommy Hates Cooking to fit what I had and it turned out delicious! Robert probably had 6 or 7 fajitas, so it is definitely yummy.
I didn't use any red peppers as they were just too expensive at Krogers, so I picked up a few green peppers since they were on sale and I used them yesterday and today, so it was worth it. You can use one or two, just depends if you like them a lot or not. I also didn't use the diced tomatoes with green chiles. I had a can of fire roasted tomatoes. Those were so great with it!

Today, I took my final exam at school for the semester, now as I said, I just need to finish my take home and turn it in online. Caelyn and I had the whole day together. I made some no bake cookies, but they didn't turn out as well because I used too much cocoa on accident. They aren't as good as my mothers - yet. They will be next time!
We took the baby to go see Santa Clause and had her photo taken. It was great! Her little Christmas dress is beautiful!

We got home kind of late and I went right to work in the kitchen whipping up some cajun chicken pasta from The Pioneer Woman. I love her recipes!
Once again, no red peppers here and no red onions, just regular old onions worked great. We used rotini instead of linguini as that is what Robert brought up from the pantry downstairs. Totally fine with me!
This recipe is so delicious and you can add or take away spice. Robert filled himself up to the point that all he wanted to do was sleep!
But, we made enough for his lunch tomorrow, speaking of which I am going to go cut up some slivers of green peppers with ranch to dip in for his lunch tomorrow!

I will leave you with some photos of Caelyn from this evening! The first was from later in the evening after dinner. The rest were from when we got home from getting her pictures taken, in her beautiful dress!

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree...

Yesterday, Sunday the 5th, we went and cut down our Christmas tree.
I can honestly say it was the worse time I have had ever getting a Christmas tree.

I woke up in a bad mood, mostly because the previous evening Robert decided to let his temper get the best of him and he removed the kitchen sink faucet, then was unable to get it back on. So, we had to call our landlord and he had to put it back on.
Great.
So we get going, get our stuff ready, then realize that one of the baby's gloves was missing. Great, so we had to stop at the store and get another pair of mittens.
Then Robert forgot our bag at home with everything in it, so we go back and get it. Then we go to get gas. I realize at this point that we forgot water for the bottle, which the baby needed and wanted, which sparked a huge argument with my mother as she told me to give the baby hot chocolate instead so she won't cry anymore. Really? She is hungry and hot chocolate WON'T help that.
We get out there, by this time she had fallen asleep. Well I put on my layers of coats, the Beco, then put her into the Beco and bundled us up.
It was cold. I love the cold and snow, but with a baby who I had to wake up, it isn't so fun.
15 minutes into it we realize the farm we always go to sucks, so we decide to leave.
Back I go and strip off the layers.
Then, we go down the road to another farm. The problem is by this point I just wanted a precut one. It was too cold for the baby AND this other farm was on a steep hill. There was no way I was wearing her down this hill. So.. Robert stayed in the car and I went down to look for a tree, which I slipped going down and Bretton fell. I slipped a few times, thank God she wasn't on me! Ok. I found it, then I went back and stayed in the car. A good 30 minutes later and a different tree, Robert was back.
Then we had to wait for my parents.
Finally - we went home.
I put the baby down for a nap and Robert and I got the tree ready to come inside.
I did enjoy the snow at this point. I really love the snow. It is beautiful, fun, exciting, but makes having a baby more difficult. I had fun outside, sawing off a part of the tree.

We brought it inside to unthaw and I put up the gate around the tree as such. If there was no gate, I know there would be no more tree. She would destroy it.

We let it unthaw and I made a trip to Wal-Mart. My Grandma Linda came down as we decorated. Mostly it was just me, but Robert somewhat helped.

I really wish I could get a good photo with my camera of the lights on so you can see what I am looking at right now, beside me as I sit in the recliner you can see in the background. It is beautiful. I love Christmas trees.

She looks like a big girl here, doesn't she? She honestly isn't that interested in the tree. She likes to point at it, but that is really it. She goes about her business fine without caring about it. Go figure!

Next year, we might go by ourselves, or something. We will see. I will always want a real tree. The smell in our house is great!

I am off to go study for my next exam, tomorrow at 8am so in 9 hours!

The Turkey Day!

I really had wanted to post this on Thursday night, but we got home late, plus early to bed for Black Friday shopping, then I worked all day! Yikes! But, today.. I am off so therefore, I needed to post this.

Babies first Thanksgiving! It was a great day, full of new memories and new traditions. I loved it.

This was taken at the end of the night, I look terrible, but it was after a long day!

We started off the day by waking up and cooking a HUGE breakfast! Wow, it was super yummy. I got a few of the recipes from The Pioneer Woman, I love that site and her! She is beyond amazing.
I baked French Breakfast Puffs, scrambled eggs, sausage, and Biscuits and Gravy. My oh my, it was a feast and it was delicious. There was so much food I had to laugh at how I overcook.

I have to give some credit to Robert. He really pitched right in and helped however I told him. Plus, it was his idea! Now that we have our little munckin, he really wants to have some traditions during holidays, so.. a big breakfast on Thanksgiving! We both love that idea that one day, our munchkin (maybe munchkins in a few years) will help us cook!

So, off we went to my Grandma Linda's house for Thanksgiving. Oh the food was so yummy!

Can you believe how big she looks here?! haha.. we had to buy a booster so she could sit with us. She chowed down with us, eating biscuits, some turkey, bites of sweet potato and mashed potatoes, plus pumpkin pie and cool whip!

I promise I'm not pregnant again despite the way this picture looks! This is my baby cousin Corey. I haven't had a great picture of us in a long time.. I love this! I love him so much. We grew up together, lived together, spent days and days together throughout our childhood. He is more than a cousin, he is like a brother... a lot taller, but younger cousin!
- side not, I am 5'11"... He is.. 6'5"ish..

Other family came from out of town, like my Aunt Joell! Isn't this picture so good?! I love her! She is my mom's sister.. Her, her husband, and two kids came in from the Toledo area.

The girl in the background is Joell's daughter, Molly - such a beautiful girl! Here is Caelyn in her Thanksgiving shirt!

What a wonderful day, full of family. Isn't that what the holidays are for? Besides the history behind Thanksgiving, I love the family times. I love introducing Caelyn to all of this. It is the best. She is growing up with a huge family behind her, supporting her..

Thank God!

Homemade Christmas

Christmas is only two months away! I am starting to get seriously excited.
This Christmas is going to be different. First, there is Caelyn! It is our first Christmas as a family, it is going to be so wonderful! I am so excited. Second, I am going to be making at least one homemade item for my family members!

I worry that it will seem tacky, but I know it won't. I'm going to spend the next two months working on the projects. I have to be careful as to what I say I am going to make on here because I never know; family might read this!
Caelyn is getting a crocheted afghan, a tag blanket, a hat, mittens, a picture book, and hooded bath towels, so far.
My dad's side always does a drawing for the kids since there is so many and its hard to buy for them all. Caelyn will take my place this year. I plan on making whichever kid we get 2 or 3 chalkboard placements, crayon rolls with crayons OR melted down crayons in fun shapes, then another item -not sure what it will be yet!
Robert's Dad & Bonnie are getting a big gift basket of all kinds of homemade goodies - crocheted dishcloths, personalized coasters, really cute rice heat bags (found such a cute tutorial so they will have cute slip covers of them, a tin full of yummy cookies, some candles, etc.
I am making my little sister a clutch for her purse to keep her makeup in.


I think so far I have my work cut out for me!
Do you think that homemade Christmas presents are nice or tacky?