Dear Hayden,

We are working on getting settled in the new place, and you are enjoying this process!

Every bin or box we empty, you climb inside:

And when Dad takes out the ladder, you are right there to help:

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today you attended your second Thanksgiving dinner, but last year you were too little to eat! We went to Nana and Papa’s house for dinner, and you loved every bite!

Here are some pictures of your mashed potato face and your pumpkin pie face!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Moving day is here! After 7 months at Nana and Papa’s house, we are moving to our new home today. It will be an adjustment for you, as you have enjoyed spending time with them. We are sure to make some lasting memories in our new place. We are so excited to move you to the home you will always remember as the place you grew up.

Love you,
Mama

Here you are going through our new front door!

Dear Hayden,

Today is election day. You and I went to vote this morning. People were very excited to see you there because we live quite close to Sun City and there are a lot of older people at our polling site. In fact, two older gentlemen got into an argument after one of them encouraged you to run for president in 20 years. As the second guy explained, you’d have to run in at least 34 years because you can’t be president until you are 35 years old according to the constitution. Then, as I was voting, you kept running from my voting booth and this nice older lady named Sandy who was a volunteer at the site was running after you for me so I could complete my ballot.

Tonight, Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States. This is an historic election because he is the first African American to be elected to this office. This has been an intense campaign season, and we are lucky to live in a time and place where we can talk freely about our political opinions.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Happy Halloween! You are the sweetest little butterfly I’ve ever seen.

Love you,

Mama

Dear Hayden,

You are officially a walker! You have been taking a few steps on your own at a time since before your first birthday, but just this last week, you became a confident little walker. Your favorite place to walk is right into your dad’s arms.

Love you,

Mama

Dear Hayden,

We are purse people!

Mama

Hayden

Love you,

Mama

Dear Hayden,

We spent this weekend in California celebrating the life of your great great grandfather, Poppie. It was a good weekend because we got to spend it as a family. Poppie lived a long life. He was married to Grams for 75 years and had the rare opportunity to meet his great great granddaughter — you! It is a lucky thing to live a lot of years, and to have a lot of life in them! We will miss Poppie, but we know he was finished here on Earth.

Love you,
Mama

You at Poppie’s Spot

Walking with Madison and Auntie Kim after the service

Exploring with Auntie Jill

Playing with Charlie, Grams and Poppie’s Dog

Playing the Piano

Talking with Dad and Poppie in January

Dear Hayden,

We spent yesterday and today in Flagstaff. I happen to know the mayor of Flagstaff, Sara Presler. She’s a good friend of mine from college. In fact, she stood up with me when I married your dad. I think she’s a great choice for mayor because she tells the truth, isn’t afraid to speak up and cares about things that matter. Anyway, I took some pictures of you sitting at the mayor’s desk and sitting with the mayor!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Just a little update for you! You have such a personality! Here are a few pictures of you doing what you do!

Love you,
Mama

Sweet Face!

Eating Dinner

This is what we call the “Food Do”

Here you are watching the kitties outside