Halloween 2009

Our Halloween festivities included a trip to our local Pumpkin Patch with Hayden's Head Start class. She had a great time and picked out a cute, little punkin'. Also, there are pics of the Couri Family pumpkin, 2009. The carved pumpkin was one we bought at Wal-Mart. Then I found a bigger, more symmetrical pumpkin at Aldi for only $3 so we bought that one, too! Counting the itty bitty one that Grandma Christy gave Hayden, we have four pumpkins this Halloween! Alas, we (I say "we" but what I mean is "I"...hahaha) only carved one. The other pumpkins are going to double as Thanksgiving decorations. :)


On the hayride to the pumpkin patch


Hayden sittin' next to one of her teachers


A beautiful orange tree...autumn is awesome
in Bartlesville!


The pumpkin patch in the far distance


The Pumpkin Patch!


Hayden running to find a pumpkin


More searching


I like this one!


Or maybe this one...


This is the one!


Hayden and her pumpkin


Swinging on the playground after the search
for her pumpkin had been completed


Hangin' like a monkey


Wee!


More hangin'


Carved and ready to scare! :)


BOO!


His nose is lit up.


An awkward angle of our carved pumpkin

School Days, School Days

Hayden started the Early Head Start program today. She was there from 8 to 11. We went and visited her classroom yesterday and she'll go back for a "full day" on Monday, which will be 8 to 1. She will do this Monday through Friday for the rest of the school year. Essentially, she has started school. This program is structured like school and made to help kiddos prepare for Kindergarten. Since we are dealing with a speech delay, this program, along with her speech therapy twice a week is part of the "prescription" to help her with this delay.
I was emotional this morning, as I sat in my car after dropping her off. Since moving to Bartlesville, this chapter of my life has been full of adventure, to say the least, in my marriage, in my home, and in my spirit. But God is good and has traveled with us the whole way and has no intention of leaving our side. But it has been hard for me to discover what life is like as a mostly-stay-at-home mom, to turn 30, to continually put my desires at the feet of Jesus, scared that they will never be fulfilled.
I wasn't ready to relinquish my baby to the world of school. I must admit, I am ill-prepared for the fear of others influencing her words, her thoughts, her opinions, even if she is only 3. But I must entrust her to Jesus daily. I must lift her up in prayer. I must shine out Jesus in my actions, words, and attitude when we are together so that she will learn to live the truth.
But here are some pictures of her on these first two days of her school years. It seems momentous and heart-wrenching. But one day she will look back at these and have a good laugh with mom. :)



This was taken today--the first real day of school.


The complete outfit


This was taken yesterday--the
visit-to-the-classroom day.


Outfit and backpack from the back


This smile is a funny one because
she was in the middle of sticking
out her tongue when I took the
picture and she's squinching up
her left eye.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Hayden T. is officially 3! Her birthday was last Sunday and we celebrated with a party at the park. A wonderful time was had by all. Here are the pics:


Our party patio


The Official 3rd Birthday Cake: Elmo-Style


Elmo cake again


The cake with the #3 in the nose


This is Hayden sucking icing off of the base of
the Big Bird figurine that was on the cake a few
seconds before I took the picture


We were singing Happy Birthday to her; Her
response was half amused and half annoyed


Sucking icing off of the #3 candle...and some
extremely curly hair


Our big girl!


This was a horseshoe playing court...or as Kelly
liked to call it, pit of nails and danger


Daddy and Hayden are gonna open presents!


She wasn't into gift-opening this year...it was
also super-humid and she had been running
around like a maniac


Five minutes later, Daddy became the official present-opener to the
Birthday Princess!


A play doctor set from Grandma & Grandpa


A bear from Aunt Delaney


Magic Bubbles from Grandma & Grandpa


Elmo jammies from Grandma and Grandpa


Cute outfits from Great Grandma Carlene &
Great Grandpa Paul


Grandma helping Daddy organize his endeavors


A beautiful sundress from one of Kelly's assistant
managers, Samirah, who babysits Hayden


Daddy continues to open presents while Hayden
looks at a Blues Clues book


A backpack from friends Aidan, Zoe, & Gina


Books from Aidan, Zoe, & Gina


A favorite book from Aidan, Zoe, & Gina


A beautiful top from one of Kelly's employees,
Stephen, who has also babysat Hayden


Daddy shows Hayden some shorts from another
of Kelly's employees, Jacey, who also babysits
Hayden


A beautiful pink top from Jacey


A card from Jacey


One of our presents to Hayden: A fish tank with
7 fish...our tank is kind of small so we're planning
on getting a small bowl for the 5 small fish


Another of our presents: more Elmo DVD fun!


Our final present: Soccer Ball!


This is either Zelda Rose or Karyn Mandy...I'm
not sure which it's supposed to be...I kind of like
but this beauty is from Nanny, Papa, & Zizi


Some of the party attendees: Aunt Delaney,
Grandma, & Hayden's friends Aidan and Zoe


Jacey


Samirah & Jacey


Grandpa & Aunt Lindsey


Stephen


Aunt Delaney & Daddy


Daddy


Hayden replenishing her fluids after playing


Grandma tries to pose with the Birthday Princess
but she won't hold still


Walking back to our party patio from the playground...
How's that for alliteration?


Blowin' bubbles with Aunt Delaney & Grandma


Looking stricken after burying her face in the
remnants of the Elmo cake


Daddy snuggles a messy Hayden while whispering
for her to not touch his shirt...

Easter & Our Growing Girl

Long time, no post! It's been a little while since I've posted any pictures but I have some new ones now! These were taken at the Easter egg hunt the day before Easter at our local park, on Easter morning digging into her easter basket & wagon, and while playing outside in our makeshift backyard. I can't believe she's almost 3! Hope you all are well!


We arrived late. They sounded the buzzer as
we were walking toward all of the egg hunt
areas. Hayden and I ran toward the closest one.
Unfortunately, we ended up in the 5-6 year-old
girl's section so we didn't get too many eggs.
Hayden was far too interested in running all over
and away from me.


Trying to look for eggs


Mommy keeping a tight grip!


On Easter Morning


A sleepy smile


She wasn't ready to make eyes at
the camera yet.


Starting to see a smile


So cute!


Trying to get her to look at her Easter
basket and not at the Finding Nemo
DVD on the shelf.


Goodies!


Discovering all the candy


Wait...there's more on the bottom!


Jelly beans in the eggs!


Playing outside in our "back yard."


Our patio with her table...we were blowing
bubbles

Tap Shoes & Snow Boots

Here are several pictures that are just for fun. We've taken quite a few more recently, too. I'll post those in the next couple of days. :)


Tappin' in the new tap shoes


More tapping


Little Tap Feet!


Tappin' for Elmo


This is an AWESOME picture.


A bit happier here... :)


Arranging the many Elmos at Penny & Tommy's house


Bundled up for the snow!


Coming back in from the snow


More fun at Penny's and Tommy's house


"Leave me alone, mom!"
(She was actually sound asleep when
I took this.)


Her favorite outfit...diaper and snow boots


Too cute


Trying out her model pose


A poignant look out the window


This is how she ends up in our bed


Happy girl, just up from a nap


A little sleepy


Hayden & Elmo

A Brand New Year

Well, I hope that all of you had a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Here are just a few pics from Hayden's Christmas Day with presents and such. Hope you all are well! :)


Ready to open Christmas presents!


Look what I got! This was Christmas Eve-Eve


She really got into opening the gifts this year.


Carefully removing the wrapping paper


Oooooh! Look what it is!


Sleeping beauty surrounded by her Christmas presents


Kelly looking thrilled to be awake


I was aiming the camera at something....


Two-faced Cookie Monster and Elmo that jiggles
and talks...Daddy picked it and it was a major hit


She loves this thing. :)


She played with it for awhile before we continued


Last present...what could it be?


Looking under the tissue paper...


Woo-Hoo!


Tap Shoes!

Merry Christmas!

Here are some random pictures and Christmas pictures for your perusal. As you can see, Hayden gets larger daily! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Couri Family! :)


Wearing my shoes...it's her new favorite thing


Wearing Daddy's shoes


Walking in Daddy's shoes


Sharing a chair with Daddy...or trying


What an adorable mischief maker!


Goofy, sweet, precious girl!


Smiling very prettily


Mommy and her little helper


More of Mommy & little helper


The Couri Family Christmas Tree 2008


This was attempt #5 at a Christmas card picture


This was our final attempt (#6) and as you can see,
the one we used for our Christmas card