sAn FrAn!!!!!

Yes- Megan went on a VACATION for once in her life!! I mean- it's not like I haven't had a great life- I went to every singe rodeo arena in the state of Utah and have gone to Lagoon and Seven Peaks a lot!! Colby and I went to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole for our honeymoon which was so relaxing and fun! Then there was my attempted trip to Paraguay-

But it has been a long time since I have attempted to go somewhere! So when Mish told me that her and a bunch of friends were going to San Francisco- I totally invited myself!!! Luckily Mish is a gracious and accepting human being with the attitude 'the more the merrier'! Ten of us girls decided to take this adventure!

So we left bright and early on a Thursday morning!

That day we didn't have a whole lot on our agenda besides just getting there, checking in, and eating some good food! Ha ha-

So we arrived to San Fran and rode the BART system to Union Square where our hotel was and we got checked in and headed to Blondies to get a slice of pizza. Little did we know- poor Kim had been pick-pocketed at the Hotel! The stupid criminal went straight to Barney's (after a change of clothes) and tried to charge $2000 in gift cards there along with his female accomplice! The staff at Barney's rejected their attempts because the stupid lady wouldn't take the card or ID out of the wallet- she said the wallet was 'childproof' so she couldn't- how ridiculous is that??? So- we spen the afternoon in the slums of San Fran at the Tenderloin Police Station- I can't believe I didn't get a pic of the sign! Lo and behold- the cops said that they ultimately couldn't do anything about it even though Barney's had the guy on serveillance!

We spent the rest of that evening wandering around Peir 39 and ate us some scrumptious Island food!

Friday- we woke started off the morning by riding the F-Line down by the Peir and hopped on the good ole SEGWAYS for a tour of the city!! They were 'pee your pants fun' (as Misha would say)! After that, we roamed around Ghiradelli Square and saw how all of the lucious chocolate is made and we ate lunch at a quaint little pub! Our journey next took us through little Italy until we hit China Town- can I say- I didn't think it would be all that China-ish- but WOW!! Chinese people EVERYWHERE!! Some of the ladies ran into some elders there and one was from Bejing China and he barely spoke any English because literally everyone there was Chinese so he didn't have to learn much English!! We finished off the night eating Tia food!

Saturday started off by once again taking the F-Line down by the Peir to catch the ferry to ALCATRAZ!!! Misha had a private tour set up for us with Walter- oh Walter! He definately liked being with 8 ladies! He ended up taking us on like a six hour tour! We took the first ferry out and the last ferry back! We went into every little nook and cranny of Alcatraz! It was SSOOO interesting!

After Alcatraz, we ate clam chowder at the Peir and went through the psycadelic mirror maze! That night we went and ate some crazy Indian food! I have never had food so spicey!!!! It was great for me to try it- but I don't think I'll be craving is any time soon!

Sunday was filled with brunch at the Cheesecake Factory and some shopping!! Then our journey had to come to an end- a couple of the girls ran into one of the actors from Lost at the airport! Crazy- they got pictures of it but I didn't! Apparently it was the nerdy looking bad guy- I didn't watch Lost so I don't know the characters!

Now for the onslaught of pictures! I took over 200 so it was hard to narrow down to even this many!

I am still breastfeeding so I had my dang pump with me the whole time and I felt like I fit in with this fountain mermaid at Ghiradelli Square! It totally looks like she is nursing- haha!!

Beautiful scenery from Alcatraz!


One of the intersections in downtown San Fran- I thought it was very elegant looking amidst the grundge!


Fun in the mirror maz!

China Town~

I love how the lamp posts in little Italy and China town distinguish the territory!

Any one who REALLY knows me knows that I am in love with cupcakes!!! These onse from this little shop were delectable!!!

And another cupcake shop filled to the brim with yummy cupcakes!

It's all in a name! I saw this and just had to have a picture with it!

Poor Kim talking with the police at the Tenderloin Police Station!

All ten of us in the elevator at the hotel getting ready to check into our rooms!

Me, Mish, Raelee, and Jody at the top of the lighthouse on Alcatraz! It was a beautiful view!

Little did we know- Kim's wallet had been stolen just minutes prior to this pic! She is the one looking at her phone- see her bag hanging off her hip!!

Me on the roof of the prison- the Golden Gate Bridge in the background-

Did you know that they constantly have a crew painting that red??? They start at one end and by the time they make it to the other end it's time to start all over again!

We called ourselves the Utah Seven!! Woot Woot!!! Jody, Tara and Tina sure missed out!

The hospital wing at Alcatraz

More sights of Alcatraz!

9 Months--- WHAT????

Hayden is 9 MONTHS OLD!!!! It is so crazy! I really cannot believe how fast these last 9 months have gone- definately alot faster than the previous 9!!! She is so much fun and so challenging all at the same time!! We love her so much! I haven't taken her to the doc to get her 9 months stats- I have an appointment for Feb- so we'll see then!

9 Month Facts about Hayden:

She can finally crawl- (as of today)!!!

She started getting herself to the sitting position all alone about 3 weeks ago.

I think she is understanding the word NO!

She spent 4 days straight with dad and no mom! They both did great!

She fake coughs-

She loves to clap!

I have started doing Independent Playtime in the Pac-n-Play- she will only do about 10 minutes by herself right now- we're hoping to get that increased to at least 1/2 hour!

She does a wierd little breathing thing where she scruntches her nose and breaths hard and fast- with her puckered lips and scruntched nose she looks so funny-

She will sit there and just rock back and forth on her rocking horse and she just smiles!

She's super happy- except when she's not! Ha ha! Does that make sense?? It's either super happy or super ornery!

She is on a SOLIDS strike- even her beloved green beans she'll only take a few bits!

She loves cords- the computer cord- phone chargers- her DVD player charger- anything that she can wrap herself up in and worry mom a little more!

Her dad finally discontinued the swaddle sack=-) He went cold turkey one night while I was at work- she did better than we thought she would-

She goes 12-12 1/2 hours at night with no feedings!

If she does wake up, we just reinsert the bink she can't find on her own.

She's on a solid 4 hour schedule: (This is more for me to look back for future reference)

Wakes up between 7:45 and 8:30

Bottle right when she wakes up (around 5 oz)

Breakfast (Fruit &/or Oatmeal) about 15 min after the milk.

Get dressed

Independent playtime

Play with mom-

Watch her lil movie!

Nap time @ 10

Wakes up between 11:30 and12

Bottle-

Solids (Usually a veggie)

Free play

Nap @ 2:30

Wake up around 4

Bottle then Snack

Run errands or help mom cook.

Dinner @ 6 (a veggie and some of mom and dad's food mashed up)

Play

Watch movie

7:15 Bathtime!

Story time-

Bottle @7:45

8 O'clock bed time!

---------------

She loves playing with her dad!

She got ahold of a pen!!!

My little kitty!! haha
CRAWLING!!!

Kodak Moments!

Oh how I wish that I had a Canon Rebel or Nikon D- something built into my eyes!!! I swear there are so many moments as a mom that I would NEVER be able to catch a shot of! One reason I'd never be able to get these candid moments is because Hayden always seems to pull the same gaping mouth face everytime I bring the camera out!!! I try to get her to smile and she just stares!! Some things I know I'd never be able to capture: at a certain angle her eyelashes look like they are AT LEAST a mile long! Just before she falls asleep her eyes start to roll back in her head- then once she's asleep she has the most serene look on her face! Then there is the poop face- she grunts and strains and you know there will be a present when her bum gets changed! There are many more moments than these- I am constantly thinking- oh how I wish I could have just gotten a picture of that!
Here are a few of my candid camera moments!

She carried this headband around in her mouth for at least 20 min.

Oh how the decor of the home changes when you put a kid in the mix! We never are able to keep it clean! Ha ha!

Just hangin out!!! (Check out the left over sweet potatoes on her nose!)



Talk about candid moments!! I didn't have a onesie on her the other day- she was sitting on my lap and she leaned forward! I couldn't help but laugh!
(and yes I have a stupid Kodak that takes the worst pics EVER)

I'm headed to San Fran this week! First time away from the babe for more than a day!! So sad--- haha- but it'll be good!

New Year- New Goals-

Every January I tell myself that this is MY year to get skinny!!! Of course, that would be nice. However, this year I have a more realistic outlook on my resolutions- I would like to lose this inner tube that has been strapped around my midsection for WAY too long! But I realize that between the combination of genetics, habits, and lifestyle, my dream of having those toned tanned six pack abs will remain a dream forever more! Looking like a Victoria's Secret super model is definately NOT a high priority for this year! This realization has helped to relieve so much stress and self ridicule! Now I'm not saying that I am going to totally let myself go- I am just simply not going to let my poor self image affect me the way it has in years passed!
I am going to look at every stretch mark and think of every little smile that my little angel has given me over the last nine months- I am sure that those gummy grins way out number those red streaks lining my abdomen. AND all of the fun mile stones like rolling over, eating solids, and clapping her hands are so worth the layer of adipose tissue beneath my belly button. Even though my body does not look like Heidi Klum's or Brooke Burke's 9 months out- I am going to try my best to embrace the body I have because it was a price that I had to pay to get the best thing that has happened to me- my daughter- guess what------ she was sssooooo worth it!
Therefore, this year- my resolution does not revolve around MY body- I pledge this year to try my hardest to be the best wife and mother that I am humanly capable of! Colby and Millie are THE most important things in my life and I owe the two of them my every ounce of try-
So- 2011 will be chuck full of learning for me! I will try my hardest to seek opportunities of growth within our little family unit- I hope to not become my usual selfish self along the way so I may need some friendly reminders!! Hint hint!
Here's to 2011- may this year be the best year yet!!