Judy Yvonne Strebel Hague

I know that I haven't posted in almost a year and this really isn't the post I wanted to make my comeback on, but I couldn't think of any other way to let my friends know that yesterday we lost one of the most amazing women we know. Dave's mom passed peacefully Wednesday morning after a couragous battle with cancer. She truly endured this challenge with strength and dignity. She lived each day with zest and she touched all who knew her in a way that made us all stand a little taller and to stop making excuses and get to it. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have her for a mother-in-law; she was the best. I truly loved her with all of my heart she taught me so much and I will never be the same because of her awesome influence. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has been so mindful of Dave and his family through this difficult time. It is now our honor and privilege to move forward and do our best to live the legacy she has left.

Here is a link to her obituary with details of the services:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=judy-hague&pid=134101834

FaLL FuN 2008

tHe PuMpKin PAtch!!!

We had a blast at the pumpkin patch with my family. It was hilarious trying to get all the kids in the wagon. And, it was impossible to get them all to look and smile. But, at least we can say, we tried!

Connor loved the tractors!

I LOVE this picture of Connor!!

PuMpKiN PaTcH Part II

Dave couldn't make it to the pumpkin patch with my family. So, we went a second time with him and chose our pumpkins! We had so much fun together. It was the perfect night to be at the pumpkin patch.

Connor wanted the "hugest" pumpkin and, as you can see by his smile, he was thrilled with his choice!

Hailey and Connor keeping each other warm!!!

Carving Day!

The long awaited day of slaughtering the pretty pumpkins finally arrived. The kids couldn't wait to carve their pumpkins. I wouldn't let them do it too early, so as to avoid rotting pumpkins on my porch.

Halloween Day!!!

We had an awesome Halloween. We started out by going to Gardener Village with my sisters/sisters in law and all the kids to see the witches.

In the evening we had Dave's family over for taco soup, breadsticks, doughnuts and witches brew. After dinner, the kids went Trick-or-Treating and had a blast.

My little princesses and dragon (or in Connors words, "shragon")

Hailey lives for dressing up and playing the part. She was a High School Musical Cheerleader at school. But on Halloween day, she changed her mind and decided to be Ariel.

Livi loved herself in her costume. When we put it on and showed it to her in the mirror, she laughed and smiled. She honestly couldn't get enough of herself, it was so cute to watch.

Uncle Jake carried Connor the entire time while we were trick-or-treating. Connor loved every minute.

The Loot!!!

and last but not least...

Dave surpirsed us this year with his costume!

I laughed histerically when Dave came out looking like this. The kids laughed to, but then had to ask what he was dressed up as. Olivia would have nothing to do with Dave dressed like this, and, I have to say, I don't blame her!

High School Musical 3

Call me a nerd, call me immature, I really don't care! I just went to HM3 with Hailey, Connor, Dave's sister and her kids, and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!! My kids loved it too, but I seriously loved it! The music is awesome and the dance numbers were SO amazing. It was so fun to see Hailey and Emma (Jenny's little girl) all dressed up in their HM cheerleader outfits, tapping their feet, and bopping their heads to the music. We just downloaded two of the songs on my ipod. So, if you see me in my mini van singing and dancing, just know, its a High School Musical Thing!!!

GO WILDCATS!!

Happy Birthday Connor!!!

Happy Birthday Connor, Con-man, Nonnors, el numero dos, Connor bo Nonnors, Conrad, Nons!!! We love you so much.

10 things we LoVe about YOU!

1. We love the sound of your voice.

2. We love that you hate everything!!!!

3. We love that you love to wear cologne and comb your hair "handsome".

4. We love your obsession with Lightning McQueen and all things cars. And how you have been asking for the Mack cars transporter for months, we can't wait to give it to you!

5. We love that you climb into bed with us every morning.

6. We love that you want to eat blueberry waffles and OJ for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

7. We love, love, love your shy smile.

8. We love your 10 minute prayers

9. We love that you love helping Daddy work.

10. We love lying in bed with you at night and singing you your list of songs!!

Happy big 4, Dude! You are such a good little man and we can't imagine life without YOU!!!

Hailey is Bilingual and Connor can Rhyme

The other day, I told Hailey and Connor to get in the car because we had tons of errands to run. Connor asked, "what does errands mean?" Hailey was quick with her response, "Connor, errands means we have places to go in Spanish."



Connor has really been into rhyming lately. We have had some close calls with a bad word, as he has attempted to rhyme words with truck and stuck. So, when Connor starts to Rhyme, needless to say, I get a little nervous. While shopping for groceries the other day, Connor proclaimed, in a very loud voice, "hey mom, I made a rhyme! Sour and Holy crap!" I was left speechless and scratching my head. First, because my sweet little boy just shouted the word "Holy Crap" in public. And second, because these words don't even sort of rhyme.



It is these crack-up, laugh-out-loud moments that make motherhood all worth the while!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Olivia!!!

Livi Lu we love you!! Here are 10 things we love most about YOU!

1. We love the way you scrunch your nose when you smile!

2. We love to watch you crawl on your hands and feet with your bottom in the air.

3. We love that your favorite word is "Hi" You have been saying it for months and it always makes us smile to hear you say it over and over.

4. YOU are a major Daddys girl. You dive into his arms every time you see him and he loves it!!!

5. You are such a funny baby!

6. We love your wet slobbery kisses!

7. We love all of your personality, you've got it coming out of your ears!!

8. We love watching you love your baby doll!!

9. We love your big huge smile, especially when you had no teeth:)

10. In the words of your big brother, "We love that Heavenly Father sent us the cutest, funniest baby."

Happy first Birthday to our little Livi!

When did she grow up?

I seriously do not know when or how, but Hailey is all grown up and going to Kindergarten. She has been so excited for this milestone and I have had mixed feelings about the whole thing. I wondered if I would blubber and cry in true form, or if I would be able to hold it all together and let my daughter go off with dignity. I am proud to say that I did not blubber. My eyes welled up a few times as I watched her line up and head into the school. And then again when I watched her climb off the big huge School bus. But I held it all together. The fact that she was so excited and happy, made it hard to be sad. She started school last week and has come home every day as excited as if it were the first. She loves her teacher and loves, loves, loves recess. I still get a bit emotional when I think about how it seems like just yesterday that Dave and I struggled to get her strapped into the carseat to bring her home from the hospital. Everyone tried to warn me not to blink or wish away a single stage, but you never can fully understand until you reach these milestones and find yourself thinking: "how did this happen? When did she grow up?"

Hailey all ready to go to school.

(I love how she popped her foot in this picture--too cute!!)

Hailey and Connor outside of the school

Hailey lined up waiting to go into her class.

Hailey stepping off the school bus after her first day.

(She looked so nervous climbing down the big steps, it nearly broke my heart)

Happy first Day of school Hailey!!!!!