a haunted castle

Dallon and Dawson's haunted castle. We made this together and the boys loved it. They are so excited for halloween. Only 2 more days. We've got a countdown going on here!

carving pumpkins

Monday night we carved our pumpkins for FHE. The boys were so excited! I was very proud of Dawson... he had very little help this year and his pumpkin turned out amazing. And for Dallon, well he picked out about the hardest template in the book and I don't think Aaron or I thought it would work out... but boy did he ever pull it off! Afterward, Aaron worked his magic on the bbq and whipped us up some great burgers. We ate on the patio by pumpkin candlelight! Anyway, you are probably wondering who's pumpkin is who's... Dawson's on the far left, then mine, Aaron's and Dallon's on the far right.

Haley Family Pictures

Image overload... I know. I had way too many favorites! We had a photographer take our family photos while we were in Utah. I just got the cd in the mail and I'm so excited! She did such a great job. I love them all. What treasures!!!

My nephew Owen

Isn't he the cutest? I just love this little guy. I feel so lucky to be his Aunt. I took these pics of him a few months ago. I know... I'm a little late on this post. But I've been playing around alot in photoshop this past month and I was excited to work on these photos today. I just had to show him off.

Baby boys are so much fun. I can't wait to meet my two new nephews that will be born in January.

happy campers!

Last weekend our family spent two nights camping at Lost Maples. Trying out a state park we hadn't seen yet. It's always fun to see somewhere new and explore a new campground. It was beautiful there. There were lots of great hiking trails. As a family we took a small hike... we were carrying Easton on our hip so it was short and sweet. The next day Dallon, Dawson and I set out for a much bigger hike. Dallon and I were really gung-ho about it. Dawson really wanted to come but I realized shortly after we started hiking that he wasn't up for the kind of hike we wanted to do. I held Dawson's hand. Or should I say... I drug Dawson along. Dallon found us walking sticks along the way and that just added to the fun of the hike. Dawson collected rocks and had a shirt full by the time we made it back to the car. When we got back to camp Aaron had made stew... pretty much from scratch. He had cooked it over the campfire and it was warm and waiting for us. I have to say, it was very impressive... absolutely delicious! We rode bikes and sat around the campfire. Told spooky-ooky stories in the tent at night, and played lots and lots of Uno. The boys were chased around the campground by a boy named Ryan with a booger on his finger... (don't ask). We had two really fun trees for the boys to climb right by our tent and they entertained themselves for hours doing that. We weren't sure what to expect of camping with a 9 month old who's always on the move. But it was awesome. He was so happy. In fact... Easton was the inspiration for the title of this post. The whole time we were there he was so happy and smiley that Aaron called him "our happy camper." The last night Aaron and I stayed up late around the campfire and Dallon and Dawson were having a ball playing cards in the tent with the lantern. I looked over and the tent was glowing. I could see the silhouettes of them playing cards. I grabbed my camera... it's the pic at the top of the post. Probably my favorite from the trip. I just love it. I am ready for another camping trip right now. It's just so much fun!

Yay! Gas prices drop.

Our gas prices in Texas have dropped alot lately. The high this past summer was $3.95. Today gasoline is $2.81. What is gas costing you? Leave me a comment and tell me where you live and how much you pay for gas. I'm just curious.

keeping a record

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experiences." -Gordon B. Hinckley

baby boy

Easton actually fell asleep while I was taking the photos.  And I didn't miss a beat...  I just kept on snapping those pics. I loved them even more asleep.

Can I have a girlfriend?.... continued

About an hour or so after Dawson and I finished cleaning up his room together he came to me and said... "Mom, something is missing in my room." "Did you take something that was under my bed?" I asked what he was looking for. He said "some papers from someone." (as he said "someone" he ducked his head and had a big smile on his face). That tipped me off. I just knew he must be talking about his new girlfriend. I asked who they were from and sure enough. He said "Merideth." (I remembered throwing lots of papers away from under his bed. To be honest I didn't look at a single one. Just busy cleaning things up and getting it done. So... Dawson and I went and dug them out of the trash together.) When I saw them with all the hearts and "I love you" I was shocked! I still can't believe he had love notes stashed under his bed.

24 hours

Playing foosball, making carmel popcorn balls, free drinks at the arena, football in the yard, doing chores with pappy, watching conference together, driving a skid-steer and tractor, and making a cute baby laugh.

With Aaron coaching football for Dallon, and our callings in church we are really tied down on the weekends. It had been almost 2 months since our last trip to Stephenville. That is the longest we have ever went in between visits since we moved away. So, we were really missing everyone. We usually plan our trips for a time when we can stay a few days but this time we decided to go even though all we would have would be 24 hours. It's amazing what fun you can fit into 24 hours.

"Can I have a girlfriend?"

Dawson sat down by me on the sofa tonight and we were just hanging out. When out of the blue he asked... "Can Dallon have a girlfriend?" I said, yes. He smiled and giggled. Then he said... "Can I?" I said, yes. He giggled and giggled and giggled. He obviously has a crush! So I said, Do you have a girlfriend? He confessed. He does! Ahhhh! I can't believe it. I'm supposed to be his only girlfriend. I asked what her name is and he said, "I'm not telling you that." Then seconds later he shared. It's Merideth. She sits at his table at school and they don't play at recess. That is all the inside scoop I got.

What's Cooking?

A couple months ago I started having the boys help me cook.   I don't love to cook but I do have fun when they are in the kitchen with me. They love choosing what to make and helping to make it.  They are always so proud of their work.  Here are a few of the things we've made together over the last month or two.

The boys love to help make Calzones.  This is something I never make alone. They just beg to jump in.

Dawson made sheperd's pie and it was delicious.  One of Aaron's favorite meals so he made a big fuss and Dawson loved that.

I taught Dallon how to make one of our family favorites...  augratin potatoes. They rock.   

(I got this recipe from Jen Rouska years ago.  Thanks Jen.  This is definately a favorite...  I make them all the time!)