'Tis the season....

Hayden was very helpful as mommy and daddy put up the Christmas tree, stockings, lights and garland.  In between the games of peek-a-boo and ornament chewing, she was not afraid to roll up her sleeves and help put up a few tree decorations.  Unfortunately, as many decorations that went up, they came down just as fast.  She has been extremely fascinated with the pretty white lights and loves to dance to any Christmas music.

Hayden loves to call...

Grandma.  She always has a lot to talk about. 

"Let the wild rumpus start!"

"And the wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws."
  Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Hayden...the queen of all wild things...sports Baby Gap very well.  She is a true wild thing, and this outfit fits her personality so.   Warm, fuzzy and quite a bit of spunk!  =)

The Photoshoot....

This morning was Hayden's 1 year photo shoot.  Grandma Kathy, Mommy and Daddy headed to the hills of Marquette, to the Dodd home, to get some great snapshots.  Always the professional..Shannon did a wonderful job.  She got some great shots of our little girl and was able to take some photos for keepsakes and some potential Christmas card photos. 





Shannon had some great props and creative ideas to incorporate into Hayden's snapshots.  With style and grace, she really embraced Hayden's candid moments.  After of an hour and a half of posing and hundreds of photos later, Hayden had had enough.  Thank you Shannon for a great morning! We're looking forward to seeing the finished products on your blog.  www.shannondodd.com

The Bookworm....

Hayden loves books.  She loves being read to, loves looking at pictures within books, and loves telling the story in her own words.  (She always reads with such animation!)  I hope this means good things in her future...being a teacher's kid and all.  =)

The BIG ONE

It is official.  We are the parents of a 1 year old.  Her birthday party was a lot of fun and Hayden really enjoyed being the center of attention.  With everyone decked out in their black and gold attire to cheer on the Hawkeyes vs. Indiana, we celebrated the "lucky" Hawkeye win and our favorite little girl.  Grandpa and Grandma Reimer hosted the party at their place with family in attendance.  Aunt Melissa, Uncle Chris, cousins, Caeley and Keegan, Aunt Chelle and Uncle Josh, cousins Grace and TJ, Great Grandma Phyllis and both sets of grandparents: Mike and Vicki and Doug and Kathy were there to celebrate. She received a Tahoe full of gifts and lots of love from everyone. 

In preparation for Hayden's first birthday....

Hayden played, for quite some time, with a balloon mommy and daddy had blown up to help decorate for her party tomorrow.  At first Hayden was quite timid and didn't know what to think about the new toy.  She would find it a bit annoying because the string would tickle her face, but then got the hang of how fun a balloon could be.  Around and around she went, with mommy snapping photos along the way.

How Old Are You Going to Be?.....

Hayden's Uncle Josh and Aunt Chelle taught her a while back to hold up the number one using her pointer finger.  Ever since then holding up the number one is one of her favorite tricks. Especially when she sees her Daddy, the number one appears.

Thanks to the Hoegers....

Hayden with her buddy Colton

Hayden and Tate

Tomorrow will be Hayden's first day back to Ann's after her maternity leave.  She is very excited to meet baby Jonah, but will definitely miss the other boys in her life....Colton and Tate.  She loved her time with Nikole and the boys, and everyday was a blast.  Nikole taught her some awesome tricks and helped become a big girl...like how to celebrate Hawkeye touchdowns and baby sign language.  We will miss seeing Nikole and the kids everyday, but we also know it won't be the last "play date" together!

Hayden showing Tate her moves around the Leap Frog table

The Bathtub Experience.....

Ok...I know every mom and dad go through this at some point.  However, I thought WE were going to be the exception.  "Hayden is a little lady and would NEVER!'  Boy were WE wrong.  Tonight Hayden proved us wrong and left a little gift for us in the bathtub.  Here it is HER birthday week and she is the one giving the gifts.  I thought we were the ones to do the gift giving around here.  So, I guess we have been initiated into the club.  Thanks to our little stinker, Hayden Elizabeth!