Dear Hayden,

Today, Dad is running a half marathon! We are cheering him on from home because there are an estimated 30,000 people down there running! Go Dad! We are SO proud of him!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

You love to play dress up with my fancy shoes – today I have a pair set out because Dad and I are going to his work holiday party tonight. You couldn’t resist trying them on… right over your bunny ear feet! It was so cute!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Recently, you have had some awesome end-of-the-day hair! It’s amazing what a day of playing (and pulling out your pony tail) can do to a hair-do!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today you were a flower girl in Josh and Renee’s wedding. You did a great job! Here are some pictures!

Love you,
Mama

First picture of the day — Just after telling me you would NOT smile in the pictures!

Waiting patiently during pictures

Watching more pictures

You and Conner — the ring bearer

You and Nae, the beautiful bride!

The ceremony

The ceremony

Group pictures — you did not smile during a single one!

Another group picture, tongue out… again!!

Dear Hayden,

On Saturday, you are going to be a flower girl in Renee and Josh’s wedding! The rehearsal was today and you did a great job!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

You had a blast during our Christmas Eve and Christmas day festivities! Christmas Eve we went to dinner at Nana and Papa’s and then we went to church — you were a sheep in the nativity scene — very cute! You had a grand time Christmas morning — Santa brought you a doll house and Uncle Ramsey and Aunt Lisa had a pink pedal car parked under the tree for you, too! We had a great Christmas dinner with all four of your grandparents and Ken and Marcia. You can’t wait to do it again next year!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

We have done some really fun things to celebrate the holidays lately! We went to a holiday circus at Nana’s work, we went to Zoo Lights, we watched the snowfall at Desert Ridge, and went down to Glendale Glitters. You are a great age for the holidays this year… you are amazed by it all and loving every minute.

Love you,
Mama

The Circus:

Zoo Lights:

Snowfall at Desert Ridge:

Glendale Glitters:

Dear Hayden,

Today I caught you staring at the tree in wonder. It’s so fun to watch you enjoy Christmas this year!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Just wanted to tell you that you won second place in the photo contest at swim school! You will be swimming for free for a little bit with your reward — $250 in swimming lessons! Yahoo!! It is a lifesaving skill, and you love it, so we think it is worth every penny, but it sure is nice that a picture of sweet little you has earned us some free lessons!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Santa came to church on Sunday night for all the children to sit on his lap and tell them what they want him to bring for Christmas. You have been telling everyone that you asked Santa for a Barbie. Here are the pics. You are definitely not crazy about sitting on the big guy’s lap!

Love you,
Mama