Dance into the New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

So for Christmas this year, I decided to surprise Chase with an early present. He had mentioned earlier in the month that he thought it would be fun if we went up to the Utah State Bowl Game that was going to be held in Boise. Well I kinda blew it off by saying that we can't afford that, that it wouldn't be fun to drive all that way for one day kinda thing. So then I got planning. I found a sweet deal on Orbitz for a one night stay at the Homewood Suites that I couldn't pass up. The game tickets were kinda pricey but I finally found a good deal and bought them. I told Chase that he needed to be home as soon as possible on Friday because I had a date planned. I thought that he would catch on when he asked if he could make plans with friends for Saturday night and I said no, but he didn't have a clue why. Haha he even asked if he would be able to watch the bowl game on Saturday and I said "Oh ya, no worries about that, you can watch it." So sneaky....So on Friday, I worked in the morning and was planning on having everything packed in the car by 3 when he said he would be home. Well he pulled in at 230 and I hadn't quite thrown everything in yet. I ran downstairs with Haidyn before he had a chance to come in the house and we handed him a letter that said "Get in the car, we're going to Boise. Go Aggies!" He was so shocked and thrilled! Yay! Finally a Christmas gift that he doesn't want to take back! haha So off we went....We drove straight through to Boise and when we arrived at the Homewood Suites, we were pleasantly surprised to say the least. If you ever need to say in Boise, stay there. The room had a kitchen, living area, big screen, king bed and super nice bathroom. The pool was way nice and open 24/7. They even served a Deluxe breakfast in the morning that I quite enjoyed. I was fine just staying there to watch the game! But Chase didn't agree.. so we checked out and headed to the tailgate parties. The parties were so much fun.. The Aggies had a party in the Taco Bell Arena and had Aggie ice cream and food. We had the ice cream and it was yummy. We then went out and watched a band play and Monster Energy Drinks gave out free drinks and had snowmobile stunt guys doing crazy jumps. We got some free french dip sandwiches and potatoes. It was a really warm day for December so Chase decided to leave his coat in the car and go to the game. That was a mistake. I don't know why they don't start that game earlier in the day because by the second half, 50% of the fans that were there had left, and we were trying to think of ways to stay warm... It was soooooooo cold. Haidyn and I probably shared 4 hot chocolates (I know, very healthy), we also spent a good amount of time in the heated bathrooms. By the end of the game, Chase and I were completely numb and I really didn't care who won at that point. Haidyn was bundled up completely and had fallen asleep at the start of the 4th quarter so she was fine. Even though we froze and the Aggies couldn't pull it off, I'm still glad we were able to do a mini trip.

Chase's Surprised Face.

Haidyn enjoying the large bed.

Posing with the Famous Potato.

Cheering on the team as they enter the stadium. Go Aggies!

"A Hosee."

The Bronco Stadium.

Pre-Game Show.

More Pre-Game Show.

Look who turned 2!

Our joyful Haidyn turned 2 years old on December 8th! We decided to throw her a party. Her most recent favorite things are Blues Clues and Princesses so we decided to have a Princess Party. We invited some of her most favorite people... my family, Chase's family, and her Great-Grandmas (including her Great-Aunt Maria and Great-Great-Aunt Donna). I dressed Haidyn up like a princess with a bright pink tutu and a crown. She loved her outfit and was telling everyone that she was a pretty princess haha. We sang to her, blew out candles, ate cake and ice cream, and opened gifts. She was spoiled with all the gifts from everyone. We are so grateful to everyone who was able to come and for all the awesome support you give us! Haidyn was so happy!

Getting primped and prettied up for the party!

Practicing her twirl moves.

Singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles!

Her face when the candles go out is priceless!

Yummy Cake!

Having fun opening gifts!

Great-Grandmas, Great-Aunt, and Great-Great Aunt.

Haidyn loves her Grandma Shannon and Grandma Mindy.

We love you Haidyn!!

Christmas Sweater Party

Haidyn and I ready for the party.

Haidyn and Chase looking great!

Haidyn and her BFF Scarlett cheesin' it.

No this was not planned. Lookin' good boys.

The Stylish Crew.

Mele Kalikimaka

Chase and I got to go to Maui this month! We went with Chase's parents, Mike and Shannon, and Chase's brother and his wife, Brett and Amanda. We stayed at a worldmark condo in the city, Kihei. Chase and I wanted to make the most of our trip since who knows if we will be able to go again. So we decided to take advantage of all that Maui had to offer us...

We went to a Luau at the Walea Beach Marriott Resort. It was very expensive (like everything else there) BUT, it's a must in Hawaii. The food was just okay but they had a great show. The fire dancers at the end were awesome!

In front of the beautiful resort. I wouldn't mind staying there next time!

We drank bottomless Pina Coladas.

Watched this guy open a coconut. Not as easy as one would assume.

And got some fresh water flowers.

Shannon and Mike secretly LOVE each other.

We went on a Kayaking/Snorkeling Adventure out of Makenna Landing with a guide named Kaleo or something close to that. He was a very interesting fellow but I liked him. We swam with turtles and colorful fish. Kaleo dove down and grabbed ocean life for us to look at. He even stuck an octopus on all of us. It felt like I just got a wax when he pulled it off. It was a little bit freaky!

We went on a driving trip around the east side of the Island to a city called Hana. The Road to Hana is really beautiful! It's also VERY curvy and if you drive it, be prepared for car sickness! Amanda and I heard about this stuff called Bonine that helped a lot! We took that and ate a banana. We made it through.

After we reached Hana, we drove to Haleakala National Park. We did a 4 mile hike that lead us to a 400 ft. waterfall. This is a must-do in Maui. The waterfall at the end was pretty cool but it was really about the journey there.

There was a huge Banyan tree.

A Bamboo Forest.

Beautiful Waterfalls.

Amazing Lagoons.

A perfect place for taking awesome scenic pictures. (Wish I had a better camera)

And of course the breathtaking 400 ft. waterfall.

After our hike, we visited the Seven Sacred Pools that looked a lot warmer than they actually were... but Chase didn't mind. :)

We visited the beautiful beaches. Big Beach was a favorite because we loved playing in the big waves (Hence the name).

On our last night there, we went out for some prime rib and lobster at Moose Mcgillycuddys. Seafood is my FAVORITE so I was in heaven!

We also enjoyed the beautiful SUNSET.

We had SO much fun in Maui. But we missed Haidyn tons. We want to give a BIG thanks to my Mom, Dad, and Sisters for watching her the whole week. We love you guys!

"I wike candee"

So this month was an interesting one. We started out the month by going to a condo in Midway over Columbus weekend. We had a blast! We went swimming in the indoor pool at the condo and shopping in Park City. There were tons of great deals and we loaded up on fall clothes for Haidyn which she was in need of! The trip was really fun until the last day when I came down with a horrible flu! At first I thought it was just something I ate and that it would pass so we decided to take the long way home through Provo canyon so we could fish a few times along the way, go to Ikea and some other fun places. We stopped to fish for about a half hour and that's when it hit me. It was the worst sickness (aside from Mono) that I have ever had. It was also the longest drive home I have ever experienced and poor Chase and Haidyn had to ride with me. At least they never got it and I did lose 7 lbs in that one day haha but not worth it.

The trip was a great way to spend time with Chase before he left for a two week work training in Montgomery, Alabama. Chase left on Sunday, October 16th and didn't get home till late on Friday, October 28th. Chase and I have never been apart longer than 2 nights since we've been married so it was quite an experience to be away from each other for so long. I'll be honest though, the first few days apart were actually really nice for both of us. I think it's good for a marriage to get a break once in a while. After those first few days of "freedom" were over, we started to realize how long two weeks really was and that's when I starting missing him so much. I really don't know how other wife's do it when their husband's have to be away from them for months at a time. Haidyn had a really hard time the second week he was away. I wasn't sure what to expect from her, but it was very sad. On Tuesday night, I put her to bed and she did not go down easy like she usually does. She starting screaming and crying "daddy, daddy""where is daddy" "I want my daddy". This continued for about 45 minutes to an hour of me going in and laying her back down and her doing the same screaming thing. She did it every night after that till Chase got home. Yes it broke my heart! She was also very clingy to me and she had an episode at the daycare at the gym where she was yelling for her mommy and daddy and would not stop crying which is not like her at all. As soon as we picked him up at the airport, Haidyn was soo excited. She kept making a shocked face and hugging him and patting him and making sure he was still around. Again, I don't know how other wife's do it. He was only gone 2 weeks and it was very hard!

The Saturday after he returned, Chase and I attended our friends Lauren and Jay D's baby boy Logan Jay's graveside service. It was a BEAUTIFUL service. I cried the entire time but felt the spirit so strong. At the end, their nieces and nephews released white balloons into the sky along with Logan's mother Lauren and it was the most beautiful site to see. We love you guys so much and know that Logan is in a wonderful place and is watching over his mommy and daddy.

We decided we needed to get in the Halloween spirit so we went to Black Island Farms Saturday night and Haidyn was in heaven. There were tons of farm animals which she loves to stare at from afar but is completely afraid of them up close. There were pig races, small slides, giant slides, swings, a cornbox (sandbox with corn kernels) and a mini corn maze. Here are some pics from our great Halloween adventure. (Thanks to Ryan for hooking us up with some tickets!)

My Grandma Nebeker bought Haidyn a little onesie that said Grandma's Little Pumpkin. I thought it was adorable so I had to snap some pics of her and the Grandma Neb's.

Haidyn got to experience 2 Trunk-or-Treats this year. On Friday night, I took Haidyn to my parents ward and we did the Trunk-or-Treat and had yummy soup and salad. Haidyn caught on right away. She had me hold her bag and would run from car to car picking a treat and bringing it back to her bag. She could say Trick-or-Treat really well and always remembered to say "Dank Due" after. I was a proud momma. On Halloween, our ward had another Trunk-or-Treat and Chase and I dressed up as well! Some old guy from our ward said I looked "real nice" (Ryan and Chase Carter impression) Ya probably not wearing that dress again. :) We had fun though!!

This is the group at my Grandma Nebeker's Halloween party. Aren't we something?

Happy Halloween everyone!!