This just in: It's been an eventful day!

Grant was having a hard time getting his sweatshirt off.

When asking Jared for help, he says,

" I have a Norwegian head. That means my head is HUGE!"

Nate took his Band-Aid off & said the blood was all gone.

Grant says, "That means you're resurrected!."

I yell at Nathan that he better not be eating any more fruit snacks.

He said he was "just checking" that there were still more left.

Later, I saw that the package was empty.

Charlotte peed on the ground before I put a diaper on her.

After her bath of course.

Jared had his first interview with his new "field."

He has a new field!!

Today I was able to finish my first quilt using free motion quilting.

A few boo boos, but I'm very proud of myself!

Christmas with the Hasleton clan

We had lots of fun with a laid back Christmas this year.

Grant decorated the tree by himself,

the M&M guys were yet again a huge hit,

the Christmas Eve pageant went great (I somehow ended up as a hippie shepherd),

Dad of course fell asleep on the couch,

Laurie busted up at opening her gifts that she helped pick out only hours before,

then she cried at Joey's gift, I picked my first carrots from the garden,

Jared got his bumper plates he's been dreaming about,

the boys got waaaay too much stuff from the grandparents,

Kevin & Tessa spoiled each other,

Charlotte could not stand her Christmas dress my Mom bought for her,

I finally got to show my Mom the quilt I made for her,

my Dad got $35 worth of Legos for $4 (thank you DI),

then came the new year & now we're still trying to clean up.

I posted some of my dream Christmas crafts for next year at my craft blog iliketocopy.

Hope everyone had some great holidays!!

South Dakota Comes to Visit Us!!

The kids having fun jumping on the bed.

At the Zoo for free admission & free tickets for the summer.

It was super rainy, but it was fun.

Charlotte bundled up with the umbrella keeping her dry.

Charly learning how to walk.

Making some crafts.

Doesn't she look like Lisa & Kirsti? Or is it the other way around.

I'm not sure if Henry had undies on here.

Us girls also went to the ballet "The Nutcracker" with the free tickets I got.

So much fun. I miss dancing :(

For some reason the only picture I took of Kirsti was her rear end. I'll not post that.

Get Ready Daddy!!

4 Generations

We're lucky to have a couple Grandparents left. It's always great to see them!!

Been Busy

Needed some good homemade Christmas & housewarming gifts.

Bought some terry clothe,

surged the edges (you can tell I haven't trimmed the edges yet),

and learned how to applique'. It was tons of fun & looks good.

I made some others that look better.

Can't post them cause it will spoil the surprise.

A birthday present for one of Grant's classmates.

She got a dollhouse from her mom,

made her some blankets & pillows for the beds.

And these have been a great hit.

Kirsti came into town with these super cute necklaces.

They are super easy & fun to make.

Here is the site I liked the best for instructions.

Some advice, if you're making these for gifts, make some duplicates.

The hardest part is deciding which ones to give away.

Hasleton Quotes

Conversation between Grant & I:

Grant: Mom, when do we get to go to the Zoo again?

Mom: Love, we don't have money for that right now.

Grant: But I have lots of money in my piggy bank. (maybe $2 in change)

Mom: You know that your money goes into the bank to save up for college, a mission & a nice engagement ring.

Grant: What's an engagement ring?

Mom: After your mission, you will meet a nice girl who has also served a mission, that wants to have at least 5 kids, & that mommy & daddy really like. You'll ask her to marry you, & give her a pretty ring. See, this is the one Daddy gave me.

Grant runs away real quick, when he comes back.....

Grant: But I already have one of those. See look, mine is bigger!

I hope you meet a girl that will accept that sweetie.

During Prayer:

Grant: Mom, will you tell me what to say?

Mom: Just tell Heavenly Father what you're thankful for.

Grant: I'm thankful for my friends, my blanket, my pillow, my books, the stars & boats but I don't think they're stickers, they won't come off, I tried & tried, I think they might be paint, but I'm not sure......

This was his view. Please don't judge the dirty wall.

While in the car.

Mom: Come on guys. I know you can buckle up faster than this

Grant: Why do we have to always buckle up?

Mom: To keep you safe just in case there is an accident. And it is the law. We try to always follow the law.

Grant: If we don't, will the police come get us?

Mom: No, they will get Mommy for not keeping you safe.

Grant: Will they take you to jail?

Mom: If I'm not a good girl, yes.

Nathan: If the police take you to jail, I will kill all the bad guys so they'll let you out.

You have to imagine Nate with his aggressiveness & shooting at the same time. Such a sweetie to kill all the bad guys to break me free.

Hey Mom, look what I can do!

Thankful Tree 2009

We started the "Thankful Tree" last year for Thanksgiving. Starting in November every night (that we remembered) we would say what we were thankful for, write it on a leaf, & tape it to the tree. If you remember last years tree, yes, this is the exact same one. I never took it down. When June rolled around, I figured it would stay on our door for this year also, instead of having to make a new one. Charly kept tearing off the grass on the bottom. Oh well.

This year we were thankful for:

Charly: Raisins, Boop juice. We didn't guess too many for her.

Nate: Ninja Guys, Jesus, Blue Blankie, Daddy, Hot Wheels, Chicken Nuggets, Snake Eyes, Mr. Incredible, Vinnie & Allie, Juice, Mommy, My Family, Legos, Chairs, Charlotte-Me-Grant-Mommy-Daddy. Every night we asked him, 12 times the first thing he said was, "Jesus & Ninja Guys." Love this kid.

Grant: Cereal, Doors, Thankful Tree, Shoes, Charlotte in her bini "she is so A-DOR-ABLE", Pizza (Mark the Pizza guy, does the Payne family read blogs?), Yougert (yogret), Books & CD's, Tang, School Pictures, Candy-suckers-Kit Kat, Apples, My New Book, Fruit Snacks, Bubbles.

Jenn: White Noise, Working Dryer, Yummy Cheese, My Sewing Machine, Child Bearing Hips, Weight Loss, Soap & Dish Washers, Blankets & Heaters, A Backyard to Garden, Healthy Bodies, Working Cars, Refrigerator, New Countertop & Sink (someday), Our Home.

Jared: Church Callings, Actin & Myosin, Combustion Engine, Savings Accounts, Snot Rags, Everlasting Covenant, My Kids, Ice Modalities, A Safe Ride Home, A Good Wife.

It was fun to think about what you're thankful for. I think this will be a family tradition for next year also. Thanks to Jared for cutting out many perfect leaves!!

Last year we were thankful for: Clothes, Me, (a scribble), Chicken Nuggets, My Boys, Something "Healthy Eyes", Books, TV, March Madness, PIE, Toys, Basketball, Bikes, Cheap Gas, Motherhood, Food, Good Deals, Mac n Cheese & Sleep, The Holiday Season, Internet, Scriptures, Oranges, (another scribble), Playing Outside. We didn't write names so we'll all have to guess who wrote what.

Why I don't often blow dry & straighten my hair.....

End of 2009 Update

Charles is just too much for me to describe. She eats more than I do, smiles constantly, growls at you when she wants something, is gorgeous, starting to stand on her own, took her first step yesterday, likes to sing, & so many other things but I'm in a hurry.

We love her so much & can't go anywhere w/o someone mentioning her large blue eyes or how cute she is. She is so well behaved I have no problem taking her anywhere. Her favorite toys are the silliest thing or a ball that fits in her hand.

The Great Nate has been growing the most. He loves to cross his eyes, play G.I. Joe, or some super hero, eats 4 meals in the morning, is never quiet or still (even in his sleep). He can't decide whether or not he wants to potty train. One week he's all about the toilet, the next- nothing.

We change his clothes at least twice a day. He likes to spill, pee, wipe his snot, & hide food in or on his clothes. Too bad my washer just broke.

Grant has started pre-school this year. I am so proud of him, he does what's right & has made several friend's. He learns so much & if you ask him where he learned it, he would say, " my brain just knew it all by itself." He has learned about humor (not very good humor), loves to make up jokes & riddles until Jared & I are asking him to please stop. Our faces hurt from fake laughing.

Grant has just finished his first season of soccer on the Cannonballs team. Poor guy was the youngest, but did alright. We spent most of the game yelling at him to run, or I started telling him there was candy inside the ball. Still didn't work. But he had fun! Learned a lot about sportsmanship, making friends, & kicking & running at the same time.

I know. This picture is super cheesy. Jared was trying to take a flattering picture of me, 20 or so tries, this is what I got. I look like I'm doing a weight loss commercial. My weight is down lower than I can remember, probably my freshman year in HS. It creates a problem, none of my clothes fit unless I safety pin them shut. I know, SHUT UP JENNIFER. It is a happy time for me physically. Currently. Everything else seems to be going wrong. Car issues, no income, things I try don't work out. Oh well. I have the energy I need to keep up with my kids. (Just remember I blow up when preggers.)

I am now serving in Primary to thee buh-est 5 year olds out there. They are super cute, smart & hil-ar-ious. One seriously had me cracking up last week. He even turned to the other kids & said, "look, I'm making her laugh!"

My own kids are the cutest (along with everyone else's) & I love my hubby for working hard. Life is purty good when I remind myself that we will be taken care of.

The hunky Jared has been going back to school. Major: Kinesiology (study of physical therapy/training). This is great since he has always loved learning about muscles, how to work & heal them, etc. He loves to train people, especially on weights. He's enjoying his classes so much that he's getting some pur-tee good grades.

We're hoping for an internship soon, & he'll be taking a top of the line personal trainer certification test this December. His ultimate dream you ask?? A Cross Fit Gym or training in his garage.

Any takers?

He also stepped up as Coach for Grant's soccer team when one was needed. Parents of the kids said he did great. I think he was wonderful & learned a lot about coaching 4 & 5 yr olds.

Jared is currently serving in the YM presidency. Recent quote: "Whoever created Mounds & Almond Joy must have had an unhappy marriage. It had to be a guy. He was the light, fun, nutty person. The wife was dark, bitter & empty." Love how men's minds work.

That's what we've been up to. Hope you've enjoyed.

Halloween 2009

We had lots of fun this Halloween. This is us "normal" Trick or Treating.

Jared's famous mullet, a fairy, Darth Vador, Mr. Incredible, & an angel.

Yes, I think I can pull off an angel.

Daneece, do you look at my blog?

Does this dress look familiar.

A bit of a change for Trunk or Treating.

(stupid underline)

We still haven't carved our pumpkins.

My Mom bought us some good ones because

the ones I grew, grew too early so they looked like this....

This girl loves to smile

Isn't she a cutie?

I got my baby back baby back baby back baby back

WHOO HOO!!!!!

Our cam-er-a has arrived from the doctor.

Might I just say that I will NEVER EVER take this thing for granted again.

No never.

The other cameras I purchased for a cheap price were bootsie (to say the least).

I'm glad Jared picked out such a nice camera back in the day we could afford it.

Although it was a few pretty pennies to get the thing fixed.

The first picture taken with the new lens/aperture & dent taken out?

The gorgeous Charlotte who has found the toilet paper annoyingly rolled up.

To fix it, she must first unroll, then drag throughout the house.

Now isn't that some good quality picture taking?

My apologies to Target.

Thanks for letting me return all the other cameras :p

Who wants to help me make one of these??

Homemade by Jill is AWESOME!! But darn her,

I can never finish what I've got on my plate before she has something else I want to do.

I think it's like a drug addiction.

A Quick Blanket & Congrats to Crista

Talking to my Mom last week, she says a co-worker's last day

before maternity leave is the next day. Really?

I had wanted to make this gal a baby gift & where did the time go?

Mom doesn't live close to work, neither does the preggers.

I told my Mom we could make a baby quilt in no time flat for her last day of work.

So we run over to Joann & grab some fabric.

Well, I was up after midnight finishing that thing.

Next time, I'll know it takes at least 4 hours to do a quilt,

more time if I want to be creative & not to cheat on the binding.

A couple weeks ago, we got a call from Crista.

She asked Jared if he'd like to baptize her.

Astonishment was not our first reaction.

A little bit of unbelief was more like it.

Jared & I had both worked with Crista over a decade ago.

She was married into a LDS family, but refused to go to church.

A year ago, she called & told me to sit down cause she

was gonna ask what time church was.

She came almost every Sunday, but said no to missionaries.

Then moved to Woodland. Starting seeing the miss' and decided

it was time to officially get rid of her stubbornness towards the church.

Congrats to you CRISTA! We are proud of you

& support your decision no matter what!

We're glad you're finally in a position to accept the Gospel.

It's always so wonderful to see someone make covenants with God.

Especially when it took a good 16 years or so to get there.

C'est fini..... well, almost

After seeing this, I knew I just HAD to have one.

So I got to thinking about doing a swap with some others gals.

We would each do 14 of one page.

Yes, 14.

Then swapped them. That was at least a month ago.

Pages were just sitting in the bag.

But now I have a friend's surger & decided I need to get this thing done.

I bought some stabilizer, placed the pages back to back, & went to town.

Mail box with postcards & rotating flag.

Back pocket for wallet, future temple recommend,

money (I still need to cut out the money), & envelope to pay tithing.

Apple tree-pick the apples & place them in the basket.

Super cute bird hiding in the tree.

Water scene-put the fish on the water, use the pole to

catch the fish & put in basket (not in pic).

The fishies have little magnets sewn into their mouths. I know, cool right?

Water scene-froggy comes out of hiding, lady bugs move

back & forth on ribbon, butterfly goes up & down,

everything else is velcro to move around.

Learn to tie your shoe!

I don't think this red fabric is made anymore.

Zip open the lady bug to pull out more spots.

Noah's Ark zips open, I'm gonna find little animals to put in the ark.

Learn to button.

Farmhouse with pig, rooster & cow finger puppets. A pocket to place them in.

I made this one, that was 44 finger puppets to make.

Mr. or Mrs. Potatoe Head. The yellow pocket is for their accessories.

I think I'll make some missionary clothes, or silly face items.

Car theme. The lights are velcro & hide behind the black pocket.

You can place fire on any house & the fire truck puts out the fire.

Car comes from pocket behind house to drive on street.

Super cool. The kids love them.

Now I just need to learn how to do

button holes & find some metal clasping rings to hold it together.

Someday I'll make more pages & make a cover.

Somedaaaaay.

Happy birfday my Love

This day 29 years ago. A wonderful lady screamed

a bit & birthed my future husband. My he is a cutie.

We've known each other for several years. A few of those

years we didn't like each other (yes, before marriage).

He is a wonderful person with a giant heart. A great father & husband.

I thought to myself, what gift can I get this man whom I love so much?

So what am I doing tonight but cleaning the house.

Does Jared really care if the house is clean?

Absolutely not.

But I am happy when the house is clean.

And what more can a man ask for than a happy wife?

That & a brand new sports watch of course.

Every girl's dream

Ok, when I heard i was having a girl I thought, "She will wear her brother's clothes & never wear pink." A couple months later we were at Target (have you been to the one in Rancho yet? It's HUGE) I saw some cute shoes. So I started changing my mind a bit. I bought her 2 pairs of cute little shoes. They were only $2.98 each. But she's still never wearing pink.

Then people starting giving me clothes & hand me downs. I kept all the shoes given to me in a box. I got them out this weekend. 27 freaking pairs of shoes ranging from size 3-5.

27! That's more than I have.

I figured I could share some with a friend. I separated all the shoes by size. In each size there were no duplicates. How could I choose. Maybe one day I want red velvet but the next red patent. I couldn't possibly part from both. What if her church dress doesn't match white or black or silver & she needs the pink ones. SIGH. I am so ashamed to say it, but I only parted with 2 pairs. Like I said, ashamed ashamed ashamed.

It only took a couple months for me to change over. I now like to wear pink myself. Yuck. I even wanted the mauve camera. I now have a purple phone. I think I've turned into a girl.

You'll have to excuse the picture quality. I bought 2 new cameras & neither work well. I returned them & finally sent off my old one for repair.

So this is slightly embarrassing to post these pics,

but I feel I need to post a question

to all my avid readers/bloggers/mommys.

Why are there NEVER any pictures of us???

I'll go through my families' pictures, & find that I'm not in any of them.

I know that's because I'm the one capturing all those wonderful memories.

But still, come on. So I'll give the camera to my awesome spouse

telling him to get some with me in them. Please don't think I'm vain.

It's not as though I feel that I'm so gorgeous & my picture must be captured.

Just that it would be nice to be in some pics with my kids.

So I am posting these pictures as proof.

SEVERAL are the only pics of me on Christmas, 4th of July,

Easter or vacations. It's all I got to remember for that year.

Plus, who needs 20 or so pics of my large rear end?

Maybe I need Jared to take some photography classes.

(Please don't laugh)