Pepe la Pew

This morning Ben took Roxy out around 7am to go potty. Roxy was sniffing around and came face-to-face with Pepe la Pew snoozing on our front lawn! Okay so it wasn't the real Pepe, this skunk didn't seem French and he didn't wear a bow tie, but he was a stinky skunk nonetheless! Ben sprung into action and quickly turned into Super Ben (our skunk busting hero). He called Roxy back in the house before disaster struck (however, Ben HAS been plotting to "rid" himself of our less-than-potty-trained puppy but having the dog sprayed by a skunk was going a bit far). Luckily Ben returned Roxy to safety. He then proceeded to devise a plan to safe our neighborhood from utter disaster. (I, on the other hand, called Animal Control only to be told they do not respond to skunk problems---losers.) So, it was up to our brave hero to save us all. After pelting the poor thing with dirtballs we were now stuck with a dirty skunk in our front yard and elementary school time was rolling around. (Problem: Elementary age boys walking to school + skunk = big time disaster) Next our hero turned on our sprinklers. The little critter got wet, and that's about it. However, he did move to the driveway for a warmer resting spot. (and I believe he was getting a little ticked off, both the skunk and Ben). Thankfully, Ben the Skunk Busting Hero acquired a sidekick, Skunk Woman. (formally known as Trish Smith our neighbor with four boys dying to get their hands on the skunk . . . ) Trish said we needed to capture it. Ben asked how and Trish quickly responded, "I'm from Hennifer." So, in an effort to prevent her boys from getting to the skunk, she bravely put a Tupperware bin over it!!! What a woman! Next, Ben slid a sheet of plywood under the box. Ta-da! Our dynamic duo trapped the skunk! They carried the little fella to a near (but not too nearby) field. Where he was safely deposited. Whew! What an eventful morning! We are investing in a spotlight with a huge skunk shadow to summon our hero in a time of need. If you would like to donate to the cause please give me a call: 1-800-SKUNK-BUST.

Tons(hell)ectomy

Hailey has suffered from really bad nightmares for the past three months. (We all have suffered). She never sleeps through the night anymore. She wakes up in the night terrified and won't go back to sleep. It has taken its toll on the whole household. Ben and I tried EVERYTHING to get her over this (prayers, hymns, rewards, punishments, spanks, Monster Spray, etc.) but never had success. Finally we decided it must be something physical, not something she is just going to "get over" or "grow out of." She has always snored really loudly. Recently she wakes up scared and seems to be choking (right before screaming). I think she chokes and then has a bad dream as she wakes up really scared. I feel really bad for her, it must be terrifying. We took her to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor that said she needs a tonsilectomy (her tonsils and adnoids out) to create more space in her throat for breathing. So . . . yesterday we did the deed. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed. The Dr. said her adenoids were unusually large and must have caused the snoring, choking, breathing problem and thus cause the nightmares and wakings. We are glad we got them out. Hailey is doing well, considering all. Hopefully we can have some peace at night and have a Happy (not haunting) Halloween season! Here is my little night terror after surgery.
We have been very blessed by the outpouring of love towards Hailey. Many friends, family and neighbors have stopped by or called to wish my little one love and healing. We are so grateful for the love you have shown us. Hailey and I talk about what a lucky little girl she is to have so much support. She loves you all and I do too! Thank you!

Yeehaw!

For Hailey's birthday party I did the big one . . . I rented a pony! When I lived in Centerville my neighbor (Layna) had a pony party for her son. I don't think Hailey wasn't even born yet. I watched the whole party from afar and I vowed that one day, my child would have a pony party. So the day finally came! Thank heavens Hailey's birthday is in a good weather month (else my fantasies of a pony party would be crushed). It was a wonderful party. When the girls arrived (it was mostly girls) they made a pony charm bracelet. Then, we did a pony pinata, finally the pony arrived (he was late) and the kids each got a turn to ride and a turn to walk the pony while someone else rode him. His name was Prince and the girls totally fell in love with him. It was a great party. A little chaotic, but great!

This is the whole party, mostly. The guy holding the little girl is not Ben, it is the girl's father. The guy at the back is the horse guy. My mom is sitting with Aubrey on her lap.

The birthday girl!

Wildcats!

Each year the girls look forward to the mini cheerleader clinics at the high schools. Last year they were mini Vikings, but this year, their cousin Rachael (Kim's oldest daughter) is a Woods Cross cheerleader; so the girls were especially excited to learn cheers from Rachael and to cheer with their cousins Becca and Hannah (Kim's youngest girls). They learn really cute cheers and do a little dance at halftime. It was darling!

Hannah (age 6), Aubrey (age 3), Becca (age 8), and Hailey (age 5)

Aubrey and Hailey with Rachael.

Happy Birthday Hailey

Well, Hailey is officially five. I can't believe it. Time flies. Here is a little tribute to Hailey and some random pictures of her to celebrate her birthday.

Hailey was born on September 6, 2003 at 6:30 in the morning. She weighed 4 pounds 6 ounces. She was a wee little thing. But she was strong and overall healthy.

She is my cute little love bug.

And was best friends with Aubrey from the very beginning. She is a wonderful big sister!! This is Hailey in 2006.

Now she is five and a fireball. She loves soccer and ballet and anykind of dance/cheerleading. She is 100% girl. She loves watching the Barbie Princess movies and is learning to read. Below is a picture of Hailey's little personality. When told to pose for a picture for her first day of school photo, this is what she did . . . when I snapped the shot, she said, "that is going to be such a cute picture!" then she came over to see it. "Yup! It is." She always keeps me smiling. I'm so thankful we have her in our lives!

Oh what to do on a rainy Labor Day?

Bummer. It's raining and it's Labor Day. There goes our annual Labor Day swim and BBQ at Grandma Place's. Now what? Hey I know! Let's do something dangerous . . .

Well, not THAT dangerous!

Or naughty . . . like rob a bank . . .

(Okay, that's Ben and Quin playing indoor paintball)

We could dig for dinosaur bones . . .

We could get another pet . . . naw.

It doesn't really matter what we do, as long as we're together!
That was a great rainy Labor Day after all!