Easter Eggs

In keeping with tradition we had our annual FHE of dying Easter eggs. The girls had a lot of fun. Natalie couldn't wait to be done to eat some of hers. She is the only one that actually likes to eat hard boiled eggs. Ella took a small bite and spit it out. We gave one to Cameron, but he just squashed it and said, "Yucky. Yucky!"

Natalie showing some of her finished eggs.

Cameron just wanted to dip his fingers in the dye so he watched from his highchair with a cookie to keep him happy.

Ella and Daddy dying away. Notice that her hair is done! Only because she had gymnastics that day and forgot to have me take it out the second we got home. A MIRACLE!

The Easter Bunny

At our house the Easter Bunny comes Saturday morning. It is a tradition that my parents started and many of my siblings and I have carried on. It is great for a few reasons. Mainly we do it because it allows Sunday to focus on the Savior without the bunny and candy. It has also worked well for us because we don't have to rush through the baskets and there is not the sugar rush/crash during church. The girls managed of course to wake up about 6AM. Strange how on weekdays I have to go in 3-4 times to get them to wake up, but without fail they are up at 6 every weekend. We waited until about 6:30 to let Cameron sleep a little longer before we told them we could go downstairs. After getting their baskets they started to look for the eggs. The bunny hides them in groups of threes so everyone gets the same number. I really appreciate that he does that because it saves a lot on the crying and complaining. Natalie would find one group and then take the eggs and put them in Ella and Cameron's baskets. They didn't seem to mind too much, this year anyways. I do wonder when they will catch on that they unknowingly share their candy with me. :)

Cameron would stop and open each egg and eat the contents before moving on.

Cameron showing me his hammer from his new tool set. He is so excited to be like Dad.

Ella playing with her new Lego set.

Natalie showing off her Lego girl.

Some funny things said in our house

Yesterday we were watching conference in the family room. The girls were good for about 15 minutes of the first Sunday session and then ran off to play. Towards the end they kept coming in the family room and wrestling, playing tag, asking questions and all together making it difficult to hear let alone absorb something. So when the second session was getting ready to start I said in a firm voice "If you are going to be in here then you have to be really quiet!" Ella looks at me and while pointing to the living room (currently the toy room) says, "So if we are in there we have to be really loud?"

A while back Natalie picked Cameron up and was carrying him around the house. Up until this point when she would do this he would look like he was being strangled or be slowly sliding out of her arms as she went about just squeezing harder to keep a good hold on him. But on this day she had him high enough that her arms were under his bum and was actually carrying him in a way that he or I didn't seem to mind. Realizing the accomplishment she said "I feel just like a parent!"

Cameron is quite the talker now. The girls have a lot of fun asking him to say this or that. He does a great job and seems to be able to repeat most anything. He also has his little phrases he will use throughout the day. "Go way" which may be used if you are too close to his food, if he has snuck his Binky out of his bed and has be caught, or he has just had enough kisses. I think he picked this up from all the times he tries to play with his sisters and is not welcomed.
"Meer." This is 'come here' slurred together and often he is pointing to the ground right where he wants us to come.
"Luv you, nigh nigh" What he says when you put him down for bed. And he will usually continue repeating this even after you have left the room. I can often be down the hall and still hear his sweet voice "luv you, nigh nigh. lov you, nigh nigh"

Thanks Uncle Aaron

My brother was so nice to give Ella and some of her playgroup friends a tour of the fire station. I know that I learned a lot and the kids had a great time. The kids listened really well. They got to see the fire station, the hasmat truck, ambulance and fire truck. Aaron put on all his gear and showed them where he sits in the truck. When the tour was all done the kids each took a turn using the hose. Thanks Aaron!

Wicked

Tuesday night Eric and I went with some friends to see the musical Wicked. I went knowing only what was said on the flier. We had, dare I say, wicked seats! Second row! Yeah so close we could see them spit. Which was good since none of it landed on us. They actors were amazing. The singing was incredible. The story was interesting, funny and heartwarming. If you don't know the story it will make you look differently at the Wizard of Oz. I would suggest not finding out more about the story if you ever plan on attending the show. It is better, I think, when you enjoy the ride with no hint as to what is going to happen. I highly recommend seeing it if it comes to your city.

Remembering Cody

G. Cody Haycock 1977 ~ 2009 G. Cody Haycock, 31, left this mortal existence on Wednesday, March 11th after a lengthy battle with depression. Cody was born on July 30, 1977. He is the eldest son of Gordon L. and Jody J. Haycock. He is a kind and gentle person who never sought attention. Cody was shy and quiet but once he got to know you, you had a friend forever. He leaves this life with many friends, and no enemies. He is loved by all and left knowing that his family and friends love him unconditionally. Cody's greatest quality is that of a peace-maker. He was always respectful of others' beliefs and would say or do nothing to offend. He touched the lives of many people and was always willing to lend a hand or assist someone in need. He loves the outdoors and always found peace and solace there. Cody loves animals and dreamed of being a veterinarian. His most prized possession was his loyal dog Otis, who was with him at his passing. Cody is extremely talented and intelligent and could often be seen helping one of his many brothers and sisters with their school work. He was our family chef and was always in the kitchen cooking healthy meals for his family. He was working as an independent contractor, and took great satisfaction in a job well done. All throughout our home, his handiwork is evident and will serve as a constant reminder of his love for us. Cody graduated from Sunset High School in Portland , Oregon and attended Brigham Young University . He is an eagle scout and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand . Cody is survived by his parents and seven brothers and sisters, Chiara (Bill) Fronce, Carson (Nicole Velo, fianc饩, Curry (Cody Hancey, fianc马 Colter (Jill) Haycock, Carly, Cailey and Caddy, and nephews Mason, Madden, Macksen, and his newborn niece, Marley. Cody is also survived by his grandmother Shirley Haycock, and grandparents Bill and Marjorie Jensen. Cody has many aunts and uncles and cousins that love him, miss him and mourn with us. Since Cody's passing, our family has spent many hours together basking in family love and enjoying stories and memories. We miss him dearly. We want to thank everyone that has touched Cody's life. These past few days have been filled with phone calls, text messages, cards, flowers, meals, visits and we know we have been in the prayers of hundreds. We thank you all and love you. We know that Cody would want all of us to have a deeper love for each other, to watch out for one another and to help those in need. As a family, we take great satisfaction and strength in knowing that Cody is now at peace. We certainly don't understand why things happen as they do, but we know that he now feels the loving embrace of his Heavenly Father, his grandfather Gordon and family and friends that have gone before him. In honoring Cody's wishes, a funeral service will not be held. A private family gathering has been held in his honor. Also in keeping with his wishes, his body will be cremated and his ashes will be spread in his beloved Uinta Mountains where he enjoyed time with family, friends and his dog Otis. (Cody's obituary in the Salt Lake Tribune)

Makors

Cameron's tricks continue. Now before you begin to think that I am sitting on the couch watching TV and eating bon bons I will let you know that this kid is FAST and many of his adventures happen when I am doing wonderful things such a laundry, picking up toys, homework with Natalie or heaven forbid in the bathroom, as was the case with this recent situation. I think I was upstairs 30 seconds when I hear Natalie and Ella yelling "Mom, Cameron got the markers!" over and over. They are really good about letting me know when he is doing something he shouldn't. Now if only the child who had used the makers seconds before had remembered to put them away this whole situation may have been avoided. But alas they do only have two hands (something they tell me on occasion when they are asked to put there clothes away AND brush their teeth)! I am such a slave driver. I quickly hurry downstairs as flashes of things Cameron could be expressing his artistic style on run through my head. Couch. New carpet. New curtains. Table. Coloring book, not likely but I will cross my fingers? Well turns out he chose himself. I walk in the kitchen to find him sitting on the kitchen table coloring his face and saying "makor makor". His face gets this big grin when he sees me and the speed of his coloring picks up as to make sure he gets as much done before his fun is brought to an end. After picking up the markers and feeling relieved that he and the table are the only casualties, I grab the camera. He is all smiles and hams it up for me. These things are starting to be a little less cute to me.

lovely blue marker drool