Dear Hayden,

A day you have been waiting for for quite some time has come! The backyard is finished and you are having a grand ‘ol time playing back there! It doesn’t matter to you one bit that it is a million degrees outside!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today we went to the Stuffington Bear Factory for a tour. It is the oldest teddy bear factory in the United States! You had a great time with your friends looking around, and at the end you got to make and name your own bear. Your little bear is named Hazel Eloise McCauley. She has the same initials as you do — HEM. The noises scared you a little bit, but you really enjoyed yourself!

Love you,
Mama

You and your friends

You and the BIG teddy bear

Listening to the tour guide explain how teddy bears are made

Checking out some of the different furs used to make bears

Giving your bear, Hazel Eloise McCauley, an air bath after she had been stuffed, sewn, brushed and combed

Hazel and her birth certificate

Playing in the tunnel of bears

Checking out the bears with Hannah Jane

Dear Hayden,

Today, Meggy and Jeffrey came over to hang out and Jeffrey had home work to work on. Well, you can’t see anyone writing on a piece of paper and not participate. So here’s a pic of you and Jeffrey doing homework!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Recently I have been learning how to play the guitar. When I practice, you like to come play, too! Today Dad was snapping pics while we played!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today was another great summer day! You went swimming with Dad and your (second) cousins in Nana and Papa’s pool! You love the water and you sure are enjoying these summer days!

Love you,
Mama

Swimming with Daddy

You, Daddy, Michael and Hannah

Drying Off

Dear Hayden,

Today you saw your first show at the theatre! The show was a musical called The Selfish Giant. You loved the singing and dancing and when you heard a word you know, you shouted it out. That was okay because the audience was all children, so a little rowdiness was just fine! You had a great time!

Love you,
Mama

Here’s a picture of you in the theatre after the show was over:

Dear Hayden,

Recently you have begun sporting the pig tails and actually leaving them in for a little while! Here’s a pic!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

This week, we went on a field trip with our playgroup to Cerreta’s Candy Factory for a tour — and they let each of you make your own chocolate pizza! Here are some pictures of you enjoying yourself and making your little pizza!

Love you,
Mama

Group Photo

Crazy Smile Picture

Sharing Crackers with Hannah Jane

Waiting for Chocolate Pizza Materials

Pizza Chef

Making Your Pizza

Dear Hayden,

We spent this weekend in Tucson with Grandma to celebrate her 70th birthday. You had a great time swimming, watching fireworks for the 4th of July (in your pajamas) and eating Grandma’s birthday cake and ice cream. Our van broke down on the way home (in Casa Grande) so we got to ride the second half of the trip home in a tow truck! You loved it. It was a hot day, so we are very glad to all be home safely!

Love you,
Mama

Breakfast Burrito — on the way out of town!

Hanging out at Grandma and Jiddoh’s

Swimming

4th of July Fun!

Heading out for Grandma’s Birthday Dinner

Getting ready to help Grandma blow out the candles!

Eating cake and ice cream

Watching fireworks with Jiddoh

Watching fireworks with Grandma

Tow Truck

Getting in the tow truck

Getting settled to ride!

Unwinding after an eventful trip home!