Party Time

Kimball got to celebrate her 2nd birthday for the 2nd time this last weekend. We had a combined pool party with her cousins, Logan and Jensyn, and with a friend Scarlett. Despite a potential bad weather cancellation the party went on. Of course the day before was 110 degrees, but the day of the pool party was rainy and probably 79 degrees by the time of the party. But that didn't stop Kimball. She was too excited about the swimming pool and giant slide to even wait for cake. So, she was wet and freezing cold as we were trying to take this picture. It was still a great time!




Here she is on her 5th or 6th time down the slide. She didn't ever want to stop.











Even Jack got to take a couple of trips down the big slide.

Kimball got to practice her good swimming skills after a quick break for cake. She decided that putting on a cold swimming suit wasn't worth it, and went back in without it.


Kimball taking a swing at the Nemo pinata.


And then feeling bad that he was broken and giving him a kiss better.
The birthday kids at the end of the night. Who's ready for bed? And maybe some hot chocolate.

Meanwhile, Jack is still working on his walking skills, they're getting better everyday.

An Amazing Husband and Potty Fun

Last Saturday I left Jason with the kids all day so that I could go to a Young Womens activity on the river. I wasn't nervous about leaving him alone that long at all. I figured he would be fine, even if Kimball is in the middle of potty training. I figured the house would be a little messy but still standing. Well, as usual, he continues to exceed any expectations I might have had. While I was gone, he decided to take Kimball and Jack to get their pictures taken. He called his sister to come over and do Kimballs hair. (THANKS KRISTEN) Then he picked out some cute outfits and was on his way. Here are some of the results of their photo shoot.


I love my husband! He continues to find ways to amaze me... And who would've ever thought that Jason and I would make such cute kids. But I am a little biased.

Now onto the current trauma of my life.... POTTY TRAINING. I've decided that it's one of my least favorite parts of parenthood (so far). Kimball is doing okay, but still hasn't figured out the "poops in the potty" part. So that means lots of laundry and carpet cleaner. Anyone have any good advice? I let her go bare bum for a while, but now she thinks if she has anything on that it's okay to poop and pee. I'm trying not to give up, because she is showing improvement with the pee, but man, it's exhausting.

Jack, on the other hand, is growing up in his own ways and has decided to teach himself how to walk. Jason and I really helped Kimball practice, but with Jack we've haven't tried all that much... so he's taking matters into his own hands. I caught him on the camera this morning. Sorry it's sideways... I forgot that I can't rotate videos.

And, I need to shout out a very late CONGRATULATIONS to Jordon (Jason's brother) who got married a couple of weeks ago to Kortni. Welcome to the family!

I also have to brag about Kristen, and all these dresses she volunteered to make for the wedding. The nieces looked awesome!!! Your craftiness is amazing, and I hope to one day achieve get to that level, but it may be a while.

Other than road trips, the wedding, potty training, young women's activities it's been a good summer filled with lots of swimming and fun at home.

Can we go to the pool yet?

Finally, Kimball and Jack are in their "happy place"

Who let the cat out of the bag?

Okay, so my last posted mentioned something about how much I like Disneyland, and I tried to explain my obsession with Disneyland by adding even "IF" I'm pregnant (as in many Disney trips of the past) I still have a great time. Apparently many of you interpreted that "If" as in I AM pregnant. That certainly wasn't my intent of that explanation, but let me just put some of the rumors to rest... Yes, I am pregnant. Apparently I sub-consciously wanted people to know, at least that's Jason's theory to the previous post. I didn't think anyone would take it that way, but according to many of the comments, starting with Jason's like-minded sister, Kristen, I was wrong.

Anyways, I believe #3 will be due around mid-March. But I'll have a better idea after my doctors appointment in a week or two. Jason and I are a little nervous about being out numbered by kids but excited for a new baby. We'll keep you posted on further updates.

Disneyland (yes again) and Kimball's Birthday

Yes, we headed to Disneyland again, but this time with all of my sisters. It was fun to have Sammy and her family there, who lives in Texas. My parents were kind enough to come and help wrangle the 6 kids (all under the age of 2) we had all between us. It was great because Kimball got to be there to celebrate her 2nd birthday. So she got her little pin, and everyone said "happy birthday" to her. She was even dancing by a rag-time piano player who saw her pin and started playing her "Happy Birthday". She loved it and danced around.





Nana even got Kimball her first present of the day, this plush Mickey. She held it all day long, especially on Pirates of the Caribbean. She loves that ride, but the drops are starting to make her just a little nervous.






We had a little impromptu birthday party with cupcakes at the hotel to celebrate, but her real party will be with her cousins at the pool later this month.









One of the best parts of the trip for Kimball was having her cousin Ashton there. These have too much fun together. Even sharing strollers...





...and Nana and Papa. It was a great couple of days there. There's something about Disneyland that I just love, even if I'm prego and can't go on a lot of rides, I just love being there. So, I have to brag about one of the Disneyland workers that helped me out. Right after I took this pic, Kimball managed to kick off her shoe and have it fall underneath the train. It landed all the way underneath by the the far rail next to the wheel. I told the train conductor guy, a young kid name Zachary, and he climbed all the way under and got it for me. I didn't think it was reachable, and that I was going to have to wait until after the train left to be able to get it, but no, this kid just dove under the train and grabbed it for me. Awesome!



Jack even decided he could have a good time riding around strapped to Jason.



So, after a few days at Disneyland, we managed to make it home completely exhausted. We were lucky enough to have Sammy and David stay with us for the weekend before they headed back up to Midway yesterday. It was fun to hang out with her and her family because we really only get to see them 2-3 times a year. I can't wait for them to be done with dental school so they can hopefully move a little closer.

Here are a few reminders of how far our crazy girl has come.

Kimball 2 years old

Kimball 1 year old


Kimball 1 week old.

My how time flies. I could've never imagined how much we would grow to love this crazy girl. We're lucky to have her as our oldest.

The Ranch and the 24th of July

I'm sad to admit that we just barely took our kids to the Hafen Ranch for the first time in July. Yes, they were ranch-virgins. Jason went up to help take care of the yard and other chores, and the kids and I decided to join him. I did bring my camera, but only managed to get this picture of Jack on the way up.


Thank goodness Lowell took this picture of the kids out on the trampoline in their pj's.
Kimball loved seeing the trains go by and visiting with the horses. Jack loved crawling everywhere including up Grandpa Hersch's legs, over the edge of the coach, and even out on the balcony, where he managed to get a huge bruise on his head. All good times until Kimball figured out how to climb out of the portacrib and join us in bed at 3:30am.



The next weekend started a week of vacation for Jason. We headed up to my parents house for the annual family picture and for a baby blessing. All of us where there for the first time in 2-3 years.

We got to go to Park City to ride the Alpine Slides. Kimball and Jason had a blast, I could hear her saying "wee" all the way down.


The scariest part for me was having Kimball ride up on the ski lift with us... she has no concept of fear of heights and was really wiggly. I'm hoping we can get through her childhood with just a few broken bones... and no major injuries.






Jack handled the more mellow merry-go-round with Abbey. Maybe next year he'll be big enough to make it up on the slides.

4th of July Update

I finally got some pictures I was waiting for so I could give and update of our 4th of July weekend. We went up to my parents house to get out of the Vegas heat and to spend time with some of my family. The time we spend at my parents house is all about how much time we can spend outside. Especially for Kimball. As soon as she woke up, she would come downstair, run to the door, and say "outside" until someone took her out to swing, or jump on the trampoline. But this may have been her new favorite toy at Nana's house. My mom finally got a toy that she wanted for a while, the rhino, and we all put it to good use that weekend.

Jason and Nate (Cally's husband) decided to take the scooters out for a ride. Cally and I decided to follow behind in the rhino to make sure our boys stayed out of trouble.

We all ended up on the side of a mountain looking over the valley where my parents live. Notice Jason's new do... or his "scooter fro."

The day of the 4th, we enjoyed a barbecue in the backyard. Kimball and her cousin Charlie,

chowed down at the "little kids" table.

Jack and Jason getting ready to watch the firework. My parents live right next to the hill where they are set off, so the fireworks explode right above us. I was surprised that Jack and Kimball didn't get scared. Brave kids.

And here's Kimball getting excited for the fireworks to start.

I love the 4th of July and the time we get to spend with our families. It also helps me remember the great country we live in. Even though I don't agree with a lot of policies that are being made right now... I will always appreciate the fact that I live here and am allowed to disagree with the government. Either way...I love this country!!!

Thanks for having us Mom and Dad!!

And in this corner...Jack "the Brute" Hafen

After we had Jack, everyone asked us how Kimball was with the new baby. Did she poke him? Hit him? Did she try to hurt him? And generally the answer is no. She didn't really mess with him at all. However, now that Jack is mobile, he seems to have found a new toy to wrestle with. In true "boy" style, he has a very hard time staying away from Kimball when she's in the same room. I'll be changing her diaper, and he'll come and climb on top of her or grab her hair.

He has even managed to tackle her to the ground. I don't have any little brothers, but I can imagine that Jack is going to be the epitome of what little brothers are to big sisters.

I think she should've beat on him more when he was younger, while she had the chance. I wish her luck in the future, and will try to keep Jacks fingernails short to not give him any advantages.





Even when she hides, she's still got a target on her. Well, maybe because she stole his plug in this picture, and he wasn't going to let a little tunnel stop him from attacking her.

Kimball found a way to be protected and mobile at the same time.