It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The tree is up the snow is down, it's time for Christmas!!! We are so excited for Christmas this year. Hunter loves the nos (snow), Santa (which is his word for anything Christmasy), yights (lights), and the man (snowman). Hunter makes everything a gazillion times more fun. He loved decorating the tree. He was very dedicated to the task and placed about twenty ornaments on one branch. You can kind of see in one of the pictures Hunter's Christmas nest. Bring on Christmas, we are ready!

Happy Birthday Craig!

Craig's birthday was the 9th! Another year older. Craig, I love you! You are the funniest human I have ever met. I always knew I wanted to marry someone who made me laugh. You are the only who has ever made me pee! You are my best friend, the best dad, and I'm thrilled I get to have you forever.

Fall Fun

So even though Chrsitmas is just around the corner, I haven't posted any of our fun fall pics. We've had lots of fun looking and leaves and munks (that is pumkin for those of you who don't speak Hunter) and just doing all kinds of fun things with family and friends in this gorgeous fall weather we've had.

Goodbye fall!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What a Bunch of Nerds!

Sorry to say that I (along with a bizillion 14 year olds) am a Twilight fan. I loved the books and was super excited to see the movie. So Thursday night me, a few friends and a bunch of 14 year olds went to the midnight showing of Twilight. People watching was a C+, I was hoping for a lot more crazies, but mostly there were just a bunch of gigglely girls who squealed every time Edward came on the screen. I won't ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it yet by giving my critique. It was a fun girls night. Thanks Gina for hooking me up!

This was the pre-show party. The girls at work are Twilight nuts too, so we all got together before the show to eat, show off some of our goofy shirts, and have fun. P.S. Happy Birthday Kasey!

Oh, we are goofy! Nothing like a girls night out, especailly when Edward is involved ;).

Looking Better!

Hunter got his stitches out and we are so happy about how well his "bonk" is healing. He was asleep when we got to the hospital to have his stitches out and he slept through the removal of the first 2 (there were 10). He was pretty ticked off to be woken up from his nap by some lady tugging at his face, but it wasn't anything an enticing sucker couldn't fix. What a trooper! The bruising is gone already. The cut above his eye is barely noticeable and the one on his nose is healing nicely. I can't believe how fast things have gotten better. Hunter has been such a great sport through all of this. We keep telling him him not to worry... chicks dig scars!

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!!!!!!

So tonight was officially the worst night of mine and Craig's lives. I don't mean that sarcastically, it really was. Today started out as any normal day; hanging out in our pj's until the last possible second before getting ready for church, teaching primary, and then coming home to get ready to go to G&G Q's for a yummy Sunday dinner. That's when it happened. Hunter was playing on our bed and laughing having a good time when he fell and smacked his face on the sharp edge of our footboard. Craig and I felt totally sick. He was bleeding so bad we couldn't even tell wear it was coming from and the poor little guy was screaming so hard. I hate even thinking about it again. I have never seen so much blood and it wouldn't stop! Within seconds we were in the car on the way to the ER. I don't know how many red lights Craig ran, but he definitely pulled out some insane driving skills to get us there fast. Poor little Hunter had to be strapped in a papoose board while they numbed, cleaned out and stitched up a cut above his eye and on his nose. He was so brave. Craig and I were a wreck. We had a great doctor who was so informative and kind to tell us exactly what to expect (babies don't like being strapped to a board and poked with needles, he warned us to expect a lot of screaming). He did a great job with Hunter. We also had a great nurse whose Donald Duck impression could even get a 1 year old with a split open face to laugh. Craig was the perfect husband and was super strong to hold me when I needed to cry. Thanks to my mom and dad for coming down to the hospital to be there for us. Craig and my dad were able to give Hunter a blessing before he went in to have his stitches. I was so glad for that. I love the priesthood and what it can do. Hunter didn't have a concussion and other than some possible scarring, he should heal up just fine. Craig and I on the other hand are going to need a lot of prozac and counselling. I hate, hate, hate seeing my baby suffer so much. Worst night ever!

Happy Halloween!

Trick-or-treat! Hope you all had a fun Halloween!

Coupons

After my post about coupons I have had lots of people ask me about it. Because there are so many who want to know about it, I decided the easiest way to teach you all would be to host a class and let Ku'uipo come and teach you the cool tricks she taught me. So... you are all invited to:



What: A free class about how to get the most bang for your buck.

When: Wednesday October 29 at 7pm

Where: My house (if you don't have my address please e-mail me at janaebarnard@yahoo.com)



Feel free to bring any friends or family with you. I hope this helps you guys out as much as it helped me.

Coupons are the bomb!!!!

Last week I went to a coupon class at my friend's house. Craig was questioning my motives when I told him I needed him to watch Hunter while I attended a "coupon class." I think he suspected me of running off to Wendover with our savings or having a secret boyfriend. I was pretty sure he'd never let me live that down until tonight when I returned home from my first coupon shopping trip. Grand total savings....$154.69. That's more than I even spent! I have to admit I felt a little like super mom as a small crowd gathered at my register to watch my total plunge as the cashier scanned my coupons. I even got a "You go girl!" Hurray! Our little family may finally have a little food storage and not to mention a little extra cash!

My loot!

Cha-ching!

Hey good lookin'!

Hunter got his first real haircut last week. He did such a good job holding still and I think he actually enjoyed himself. How couldn't he. He got to sit in an airplane, watch Elmo and get a balloon! Cookie Cutters is awesome. I totally recommend it.

Before.

Snip, snip!

After!

P.S. Mom thinks he looks super cute and that makes up for losing the curls! He looks so grown up now!

BFF

This weekend we went to St. George. St. George is always a nice gettaway... sun, swimming, and Craig's parents make it worth the drive. This trip, however, was extra fun because I got to see one of my favorite people in the whole world. Melissa and I met in hygiene school and she has been one of my dearest friends ever since. Every Thursday night we would get together and make dinner and watch Friends. Sometimes we'd have a lot of friends join us and sometimes it was just the two of us, but nothing ever got in the way of our Thursday night ritual. It was totally ironic that after 2 years of Thursday night Friends parties that the finale was on the night we took our boards. It really was the end of an era. We had our diplomas, Ross and Rachel had each other, Monica and Chandler were off to the suburbs and we were all off to new jobs, states and our grownup lives. I have so many good memories of Melissa. We had lots of fun "studying" which is code for laughing until you can't breathe or stay awake any longer. Melissa is the funniest gal I know. I don't know if I would have survived school and my first time away from home without her. We had lots of good vent sessions and figured lots of hard stuff out. She's a true friend and I'll always look back on the good old days and laugh.

Thursday night Friends! Mmm..purple ketchup?

A trip to Vegas after surviving finals! What happens in Vegas...

Now.

Our little guys. Just 5 months apart!

A Week in the Life of Hunter

Monday: Hang out in the sandbox.

Tuesday: Hang out with Hannah, watch some cartoons, and chase the garbage truck.

Wednesday: Mommy day.

Thursday: Mom's working late so it's a daddy day which means laundry basket rides, funny pj's (Craig has yet to discover the pajama drawer in Hunter's room so I am always amazed at the outfits he puts together for Hunter to sleep in), lots of wrestling, and tons of fun.

Friday: Go to the park with Grandma Verla to feed the geese and have a picnic. Grandma Verla has neat hair.

Saturday: A trip to the zoo and an evening with cousins Thomas and Henry.

Rocking Sesame Street

I thought these were cute.

Good-bye Summer

Although the fall has much to offer, we are definitely going to miss our summer fun. The pool is closed, the sprinkler is put away, and no more sporting just the diaper (sorry Craig, you'll have to put some pants on :) Till next year!

Random Silliness

This is for you Clayson, Ross and Gina!

What a.... pretty haircut?

Hunter was in much need of a haircut since he looked more like a sheep dog than a human baby. He would do a weird head shake and blink really fast to get the hair out of his eyes. I just couldn't bring myself to cut it. I have spent many years teasing, spraying, curling, and even perming (junior high was a scary time for hair) my flat lifeless hair. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that one day I would have a child with beautiful blonde curls! This is why I can't bring myself to cut it! The other day Hunter and I went with Craig to wait while Craig got his haircut. The barber was watching my poor child stumble around the waiting room. I always thought Hunter put his hands out to balance himself, now I think maybe he was trying to feel for where he was going. The barber asked if she could give Hunter's bangs a quick trim, she promised not to harm a single curl. This seemed fair. Hunter would be able to see again and still have all of his adorable curls. Only one problem. As Craig and I loaded him in to the car to leave, we busted up laughing. Hunter looks like he is sporting a cutsie bob! My boy looks like a girl! You wish you could look this good Suri Cruise! What do you think?

Before/ After

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Hunter turned 1 on August 6th. I can't believe that Craig and I have been parents for a whole year now. I think I can say from both of our perspectives...IT HAS BEEN THE BEST YEAR EVER! We love having Hunter in our family. I can't believe that only a year ago we were in the hospital cradling our little burrito amazed at how much hair he had and how much he looked like his daddy! I remember feeling those tiny fingers (oh so tiny!) wrap around my finger and thinking it was impossible to have so much love in your heart for someone you had just met and was so small. So many precious memories scrunched in to one short year. And now here we are suddenly chasing a gigglehead down the hall and reading book after book about "Mo" (that would be Elmo for those of you not fluent in Hunter). He makes us laugh all the time. Right now everything says "rarr!" Everything. Not just lions and bears, but bunnies, kangaroos and even shoes. He's a big fan of yelling "rarr!" He melts our hearts with his "mmmm" kisses and snuggles. Ever since he was tiny he has loved to snuggle and play with your hair when he gets tired. So sweet. On my wedding day I remember looking at Craig and feeling like my heart had maxed out on it's ability to love. Now after watching him as he carefully held our tiny newborn and wrestle and squeal with our busy toddler, I can't believe how much more my love has grown for him not to mention make all that room for the little guy with his daddy's eyes. I can hear them downstairs now laughing and playing, so before I totally start tearing up and sounding too sappy (if it hasn't happened already) I'm going to go give my boys a big smooch!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUNTER! MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE YOU!

Here, There and Everywhere

12 days, 28 hours in the car, 4 states, 19 cousins, 2 teeth and many priceless memories later... we are back to West Jordan and reality. Our little family took a fun trip to Seattle with many stops along the way. Hunter did great in the car! I am so proud of him. He spent most of the trip looking at books, sleeping, and watching Elmo's World (La, la, la, la. La, la, la, la. Elmo's World.....AAAHH). Craig and I will be having nightmares for a long time about Elmo, Dorothy and Mr.Noodle, but at least it kept our little guy entertained. Here are some pictures of our fun trip.

First Stop: Oakley, ID

Craig's parents both have roots to Oakley, Idaho. After a visit to good old Oakley, his sister, Stacie, and her family fell in love with it and decided to move there from Seattle. Every year Oakley throws quite the party to celebrate the 24th of July, and every year Stacie and other relatives we have there (too many to list all of them) graciously open their homes, yards, campers and everything else to the many who come to participate in all the festivities. Thank you so much Stacie for having us and entertaining us year after year. Oakley is such a blast. This year we took Hunter to his first Rodeo where he got very excited about all the animals and where he got to "Oh wow!" at his first fireworks. We also went to a parade, jet skied on the reservoir, had an Arrested Development marathon, and just enjoyed the company of family we don't get to see near enough.

Fun at the reservoir. Dave cliff diving, Steven and Bird jet skiing, catching crawdads, Hunter boating, Craig exploring. Fun, fun and more fun.

More Oakley fun: Basketball tournament, cousin time, Auntie Shelley, Thomas and Hens, and D.J. fulfilling his football team duties at the parade.

Oakley was a blast, but it was time to move on to our next destination...Barnard Family Reunion 2008!

Second Stop: Pasco, WA

The Barnard family is made up of 7 kids who all live in 7 different cities. They are spread out from Seattle to Philadelphia with Mom and Dad in St. George. So when you have that many people spread out that far it is a rarity when everyone is all together at the same time. The last time the Barnard clan was all gathered together was in Salt Lake City in 2004 for our wedding. So we have all been anxiously waiting for our grand reunion. Craig's sister Stephanie lives in Pasco and was so wonderful to open her home to this crazy brood. The Swanberg's have the ultimate party house with a pool, hot tub, dirt bikes, a huge yard, a rockwall, ping-pong, bedrooms for each family and even llamas! Good times were to be had here, and they were. We had lots of activities to keep us entertained. Bob and Lue Ann did a great family history workshop for everyone to help us all know more about our ancestors. I know most people cringe when they hear the word family history, but it was actually very interesting and fun to hear stories and piece together the past. We also had a family softball game, ping-pong tournament, llama rides, talent show, volleyball game, and not to mention hours of catching up and laughing. Craig, I'm sure everyone is missing your gay dude on weed.

We began each day in true family reunion form with a brief flag pole devotional to kick off breakfast. Thomas is a cow, which was our mascot. I believe the reason Emily said the cow was the mascot was because the american cow gave us milk and we should be glad of that. Well, I'm a huge fan of ice cream, so all hail the american cow! Anyone still confused about the cow, don't worry, just move on.

Too many pictures, basically we made a lot of really great memories.


Third stop: Seattle

In Seattle we kept the party going. First was a trip to the locks and the zoo with Michael. Hunter loved the fish at the locks. He does a great fish impression. At the zoo Hunter was pretty excited about the big gorilla lying next to the glass, until it moved. That sent my baby squealing and trying to climb me like a tree. He regained his composure quickly, but would not take his eyes off of that gorilla. We enjoyed seeing all the animals and making their sounds. At the end of the day Hunter got a stuffed gorilla to remember his zoo experience. He is a much bigger fan of this ape than the one behind the glass, he hugged it all the way home.




One day Craig and I took Hunter to his first trip to the beach. He loved the "giant sandbox" and got an even bigger thrill out of the waves as they rolled in to shore. We let him put his little feet in the water and he would squeal and kick every time a wave came in. Soooo cute!

We got to go to Seafair which was a whole new experience to me having grown up in the desert. Paree took Hunter, so that we could have a grown-up day. I loved the break from being mommy and I was thrilled that Hunter got to spend the day with his auntie and cousins. I learned that Seafair is a giant party out on the lake. Every type of boat imaginable gathers to watch the hydroplane races, take in the Blue Angels air show, and just soak up the sun an party. Until this experience I had never seen a hydroplane, a jet hover or grown men dressed like pirates not on halloween. We had so much fun. Michael was too good to us this trip.




On our way out of town we had to stop and see our pals Casey and Maggie and now Axel. Hunter and Axel hit it off as much as two babies can. We miss our buddies so much. It's not fair that so many people we love live so far away.

So now we are home and in need of another vacation to recover from our vacation. Oh, and don't let me forget our exciting news that happened while we were gone....Hunter learned to walk!



To all our friends and family that are so far away, we love you tons and wish we could see you more. Thanks for letting us invade your homes and know you are always welcomed in ours!