July

Hayden's First 4th of July
This July was so much fun, It was Hayden's first 4th of July he loved the Parade, big thanks to aunt Jenn for letting him use baby Thomas's Hat because it stayed on so much better than his own. Then later that night we headed to cousin Rod's house and then watched the fireworks at the Green belt. Hayden watched most of the fireworks then rolled over in my arms and fell asleep.

Splash Park
 This was Hayden's first time at the splash park, we went with Grandma Paula and cousins. He loves the water.

Hogle Zoo
Grandpa Craig and Grandma Paula invited us to ride with them to Utah to go to the Zoo. We met Annie and her family and Jennifer and her kids came. Annie also brought my Uncle Terry's kids. IT was so much fun to see Hayden with the animals. There was a gorilla that came right up to the glass to Hayden and his eyes got so big.

 With Grandpa riding the train

 Getting ready to walk around the zoo

 A monkey with its baby

 Sitting on the play horse Hayden wanted to chew on the saddle

 The elephant sprays water out of its trunk

 The baby elephant

Chandler with his new friend

 Hayden fell asleep right before we got to the Giraffes

All the Kids in front of T-Rex

 Hayden waving, not he doesn't really do this on command but I thought it was fun.

 Sorry Brian this is my new boyfriend

On my mom's side of the family we have 7 babies due this year. The first five had arrived at this time and Jennifer wanted to buy them matching theme shirts and take pictures. 

 Elise and Chandler Wanted to be in some of the pictures

The theme was ocean

 Star fish

Here are the first 5 in order of birth

Hayden 5, Maybri 4, Eli 3, Thomas 2, Carsten 1  

 So Glad my baby was the one that smiled most of the time, it was bed time for most of these babies.

We had to get a picture with Great-Grandma, Maybri was not happy. 

 Cousins Thomas and Hayden

My baby boy is so cute he was sitting up so well.  

Hayden's First Horse Ride

 Riding with Momma!

 So Happy, I look bad we were on our way to Utah and no makeup for me yet.

With Papa Craig

 Elise wanted to ride with me she started out on the front but then we moved her to the back which she found to be a lot more comfortable.

Chandler was having so much fun with Grandpa and the horses 

Christensen Family Reunion

The end of July Brian's brother Paul was married to a darling girl Bryndy in the Rexburg temple (thanks guys for not making my family travel so far haha). We had so much fun dancing at the reception. Friday through Sunday we traveled to Logan canyon and attended the Christensen Family reunion. Saturday we were able to go to Bear Lake it was not very warm but the kids still wanted to swim so we tested the water. We didn't take Hayden in I thought it was too cold, but those good daddys and Dale still too the kids swimming. 

Lex decided she was cold and needed a break 

Travis and Andrew he was loving the water.  

 Little Ava

Then Jesse and Evy she also loved playing in the water.

We had so much fun spending time with Brian's family at the cabin. And Hayden did great camping in a tent.

Undate for June

Well our little family has been busy and my friend informed me that I have not updated my blog in a very long time. In June we traveled to Oregon to baby Thomas's blessing and then spent a few days at the Oregon coast with my family. It was so much fun to play on the beach and just relax in the house. This was Hayden's first big trip he did great on the drive and we were so happy to have Becca with us, she made the drive go by so fast! While we were there many of the members of my family decided to go deep sea fishing. I did not partake because I get car sick and decided that would not be a good idea. Brian went and loved it. Sad for the girls that went Jennifer, Annie, and Cortney all threw up at least once. All my nephews loved fishing, Evan caught the most fish out of everyone. On the way home we stopped by Multnomah falls I haven't seen in about 7 years.

This is what Hayden did most of the ride.

This was right before a nap, I had to put one of these up.

Elise had, had a long day and just crashed.

Gaby was playing hair salon with Becca

Evan was beating me at Foosball

 We did cousin Pictures at the coast in the house it beautiful.

 This is us at the Falls

We stopped at the Christensen's on our way home and Brian had to take Hayden to see the tractor. He is such a good daddy.

 We had such a fun trip, thanks family for making it so much fun!!!

Giggles at the Christensen house!

I found this very funny and so did Brian I was counting our change jar and started putting back in the jar as I was dropping in the coins Hayden started giggling. He has been pretty hard to get to giggle, (guess we just aren't that funny), Well, I looked over and noticed he would laugh every time I would drop money in. He was giggling really hard before but we caught a bit on a video for all of you.

Here is an up date for the last couple months.

Update


Well things have been kind of busy over here, Brian and I are still trying to get the hang of this parent thing. Its a good thing Hayden is a good baby because he puts up with all of our crap haha. We had so much fun traveling down to Utah for my brother-in-law Collin's 30th Birthday party. We went down and shopped and played, it was also nice to get out of town for a weekend. Garrett and Gaby were such good helpers with Hayden, they loved feeding him and holding him.  


At the end of the month Brian traveled over to Fruitland for his bother Dale's graduation. Hayden and I didn't get to go because I had class. Brian is busy finishing his application for medical school and also he is ready to have a break from school and just work and be a dad.


Also babies number 4 and 5 are here Thomas Reynold Gardner was born on the 10th of May 2011 and Carsten David Kent was born on the 4th June 2011. 




Trying New Things


Recently we decided to try Hayden with some cereal. He did pretty good for his first time. Brian had a harder time feeding him but he was really good for me. Here are some pictures of him having cereal for the first time and a movie.

 

Easter Sunday

We were so excited to celebrate Hayden's first Easter. We were a little stumped at first as to what to get our little boy. We finally pulled things together and found some fun things for the Easter bunny to leave our family. Below are some fun pics of our Sunday.

 These are our "Easter Baskets" I couldn't find any baskets that I thought were worth purchasing so I figured I could be forgiven this year. Brian got some nice new fitted dress shirts, and I got some new sandals for summer.

 This is Hayden's haul.  I got a little carried away with things I couldn't resist. We decided Hayden needed his first swimming suit since we live only a block from the splash park. He also got some cute clothes, two books and two fun toys. He really likes the rattle we bought him.

 This is Brian carrying Hayden in to the living room so he could see what the Easter bunny left him. He wasn't really very interested in looking that direction.

 He did like to chew on his tooth soothing toy, and his dad helped put it in his mouth right away.

 Me and Hayden.  I decided to give the camera to Brian so I could be part of the fun too.

 This is me attempting to hold Hayden's new swimming suit up for a pic. There are the cute shorts, a rash guard, and the hat which he did not want on at the moment.

 We also got him sunglasses because he doesn't like the sun very much. He hasn't seen very much of it since he's been born.

 I picked out the shorts and the jeans that you see in the next pic and Brian said he needed the shirt with a tie on it for church :) He looks so cute in it.

 These are the first three of our Eckersell baby boom. Hayden was born on Feb 2, Maybri was born March 2, and Little Eli joined the family on April 5. This was the first time they have all been together since Eli was born so we decided we needed to take a pic.

Hayden of course was the only one that was awake at the moment. Luckily he was a happy boy. Brian was playing with him and getting him to smile really big. He was making the cutest noises.

Last two weekends.

Last weekend was Hayden's first long car of many to come. Friday after Brian's last final we got in the car and headed to Boise. We weren't sure how Hayden was going to do since this was the longest car ride he has been on to date. He slept most of the way till his mama woke him up to eat. He did great this trip we stayed with Patrick and Cortney in their new house it was so much fun to get to hang out with them, and of course have the help with the baby. Cortney loves babies and does whatever she can to help. She was awesome. While we were there we were able to see Brian's family. We hung out with his parents and siblings Saturday night and Sunday. Brian's grandparents finally got the opportunity to meet our cute baby boy. On Monday we said good-bye to Pat and Cortney and also stopped by Aunt Lucy's so we were able to see Aunt Lucy, Lucy and Steve, Patrick was sleeping when we got there. Aunt Lucy made us the most beautiful afghan. (Thanks aunt Lucy). Then Hayden did awesome again and slept most of the way home until we hit Fort Hall and he blew out this pants. We stopped at the reservation and changed him we bought some drinks on our way out because the cashiers were giving us funny looks.

This week has been a little stressful as Brian was preparing to take the MCAT. Didn't help that I got sick on Thursday night and Friday night my mom offered to come help with Hayden so I could sleep. That way Brian could go up to school and not feel guilty leaving my at home with the baby. I thought I was better on Saturday so I headed to my mom's to see
Annie and her family. Brian finished the MCAT which he feels he did well on (here's hoping). Then Andria and Becca watched Hayden for us so we could go to dinner just the two of us. It was so nice to just be together alone for a bit. Thanks Andria and Becca! Then Brian and I woke up Sunday morning sick and decided not to attend church. So health center Monday morning here we come. Hayden doesn't have it yet (knock on wood) so we are not just going to power through it. So hopefully we get feeling better soon at our house. Brian and I also start school on Tuesday we are excited but nervous at the same time. We are balancing baby this semester so well see how things go. Well we love you all and hope you have a great week.

Update

Well I figured I'd update everyone on what is going on with our little family. Hayden is growing so fast and has his two month check up tomorrow I can't wait to see how big they say he is. He can roll over from his stomach to his back without help. This makes tummy time hard becuase sometimes he doesn't like to stay on his belly. He is also smiles all the time when we talk to him.
This is Brian's last week of school for the semester. He is ready for at least a little break. Then we will both be starting back to school for the spring semester. Brian and I will be graduating in July Brian with his Bachelors and me with my Associates. Then we play the waiting game and see if Brian get accepted to a medical school.
We are so grateful for all of our blessing and wonderful family and all their support. We love you all!