Last Post of 2007!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did! Every Christmas Eve we go to my grandparents home in AJ for pizza and we get to open the presents from them. This year, they both had the flu, so it has been postponed. Instead, we went out for Chinese with my parents and then drove around looking at Christmas lights. Christmas morning came and we realized we didn't put the rest of the gifts under the tree! We quickly did that before the kids (Slade) wondered out to the great room. We opened gifts with the kids...Skylar got me the vacuum I have been wanting, and he got a remote control helicopter that has been his baby ever since. We then got ready and headed over to my parents house to open more gifts! It turned out to be a good Christmas, even if everyone was on a limited budget. I'm pretty sure just about everybody received a homemade blanket.


I had to post this picture of Daisy because she is so darn cute. She posed seriously, all by herself for a few pictures.

Christmas Eve Day, we headed to the Zoo with Skylar. It was his first time going with us! We became members after Slade was born so me and the kids go all the time, but it was really fun having Skylar come this time. It wasn't busy at all, which was surprising, but pleasant. I just couldn't pass up this picture-taking opportunity! Aren't you glad you're not a Rhino?

Slade usually enjoys staying in the stroller as we go thru the Zoo, but since Skylar was with us he had to walk with him and became very unhappy when we stuck him back in the stroller. He really loves his Dad and copies everything he does!

Daisy is getting so big! Time really flies the second time around. Now that she crawls, she always heads for the kitchen because she knows that I am most likely in there. She has figured out how to climb up to the dishwasher but she just stands there frozen as if she is afraid to move. She is not the daredevil her brother was and continues to be. Thank goodness for that.

We received a 3lb box of Belgian Chocolates and Slade loves chocolate. He is always asking for chocolate, whether it be M&M's, chocolate chips, cookies or whatever! I'm not a big chocolate lover. I think Skylar likes it more than I do. And yes, Skylar gave Slade chocolate while he was laying on the couch before bedtime! No wonder Slade likes to be with Dad more than Mom lately.

Kleven Family Christmas Party

Santa's Elves! These are my dad's cousins and they happen to be brothers. They come from a family of 10 kids! Anyway, they always do a really funny skit for the party and this year they were elves. And yes, they are wearing tights!

My dad always has a corny joke or comment, so the elves cropped him in this picture with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour guys. It was a joke on my dad. It was so funny! He's the second from left, obviously! And sorry to Uncle Richard for having your bald head in the picture!

Daisy's first time to sit on Santa's lap! She did wonderful! She didn't even cry or get scared.

Slade did great too! The past two Christmas' he totally freaked out when he saw Santa. This year I kept telling him that Santa is nice and wants to give him a present. He was really nervous, but he didn't cry!

This is our 2007 Family Christmas Picture. My awesomely talented sister Kendyl took it for us. Skylar had to tickle Slade to get him to smile and it turned out great because then Skylar had a great smile too. Thanks to Ashley for letting Daisy wear one of her hairbows! And thanks again to Kendyl and my friend Kristi for letting me borrow clothes! I would have looked like a frumpy dumpy mom without them.

Kids Christmas Pictures

This morning we took pictures of the Stock side grandkids. We went to Lyndsay's in-laws house because her father in-law is Santa every year and sits in his sleigh in his front yard and waits for kids to come by and get pictures with him. Anyway, we used his sleigh for the pictures. We tried getting matching dresses for the girls, but were not able to do so. Although, it turned out cute anyway. This is just a picture that I took with my camera. I am so not a photographer by any means. From left, Madison (Erin's step-daughter) holding Bostyn (Lyndsay's), Kinley (Erin's) and Slade holding Daisy. She obviously doesn't enjoy sitting like a lady. It was fun and hopefully my mother in-law will be happy with it, as she is using it for her Christmas card. This is not the picture that will be used, but something similar. They are so cute! Poor Slade, the only boy. But then, Daisy is the only girl on the Barnes side.

Wonderful News!

My husband has been testing with many different valley fire departments for our whole married life. Time after time, he received rejection letters. We know it is really hard to get on with any department, and it really comes down to politics when they hire. Meaning, you have to know the right people in order to get a job. Well, on Wednesday the 5th, Skylar received a phone call from the Tempe Fire Chief, and he offered Skylar a job! Skylar was not expecting a call because he had gone thru the whole process with Tempe a year and a half ago and was put on their list that lasts two years. Anyway, he has to pass a CPAT (physical agility test), a physical from a DR. and a background check before he can start the academy in February! We are so excited to start this new adventure in our lives. It about time! So, pending those few tests that have to happen, Skylar will be a firefighter! This blessing couldn't have come at a better time. We are truly blessed!

Single Mom for 8 days!

As you know from my previous post, Skylar went hunting for eight days. I was able to experience what it is like to be a single mom. To my surprise, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. He ended up staying an extra day because he wasn't having much luck. He saw two Bull Elk, but they were too small, so he passed them up. After that, he didn't see anything! Oh well. He wants to go up to his parents house in Utah and shoot a HUGE one he says. That won't be until next year, and I assume me and the kids would go along. Having Skylar gone during the night was the hardest thing. My worst fear is that someone is going to break into my home while we are all sleeping and steal my kids. So, my kids slept with me every night. Now Daisy won't sleep in her own bed, but at least I was able to sleep peacefully. I took some random pictures because Skylar had the camera and didn't even take one picture!



This is Skylar shortly after getting home. He just shaved off his "hunting hair".(facial hair that keeps him warm) I haven't seen Skylar with his hair long like this, I was wanting him to keep it long and style it cute, but he wasn't going for that. He likes his hair short, really short. This is him telling me that I am crazy for thinking his hair is cute long. What do you think?





Slade in his goggles. He has a tool set that goes with them. He doesn't like it to go any lower on his nose, although they are designed to protect his nose. And he always wants to wear his jacket, even inside the house.





Daisy is still in the stage where she cries every time I leave the room. I think its actually getting worse. I was making dinner last night and had her in the excersauser in the kitchen so she could see me. Obviously, she was very happy about that.

New at our house...

I don't have too many pictures this time because Skylar took the camera scouting over the weekend. And, he is taking it hunting for eight days starting on Thanksgiving, so I won't have any pics until he gets back. Hopefully my next post with pictures will be about Skylar's Bull Elk!?! Because this hunt is a rifle hunt, he is pretty confident that he will "catch one". He hates when I say that. He usually does archery only, so we will see! I was able to capture a few pics before he left...



Skylar borrowed a super awesome two seater quad from a friend and Slade wanted to drive it so bad! I had to lock the garage door because he would go out there by himself and climb up and pretend he was driving it. He would call it a motorcycle, so I taught him how to say quad. Later I asked if he could say quad and he said, "no mom, quad cycle."

I love the fact that my mom is a bargain shopper! She will stop by Goodwill to see if there is anything good and she came across this double stroller! For $25! I absolutely love it! It is so easy to stear and its not heavy at all.

Slade climbed up into the stroller and was watching TV just like that. He is so much like his father!

Be Grateful

Many of you don't know, but my little brother Austin, who is now almost 17, was hospitalized last year after getting GBS, or Guillain-Barre Syndrome. His blog explains it somewhat, and we are all grateful that he is doing great and living life like a normal teenager. I had just found out that I was pregnant with Daisy when he was in the hospital, and I remember thinking how awful I felt with morning sickness. But as my brother lay in his hospital bed not able to move and having to have my dad help him shower and use the bathroom, I felt so selfish and stupid. I couldn't believe I was complaining! It was extremely humbling. As the holidays approach, remember what a wonderful life you have and of all the little things you are grateful for. Happy Holidays!

Busy Week...

These past two weeks have flown by for me! I am finally able to post today! Last Friday, the 9th, Slade turned 2! My neice Bostyn, was blessed two Sunday's ago, so my in-laws came down from Utah, and, being an 8 hour trip, we decided to have a combined birthday party with Slade and Kinley, my other neice, who will be one this weekend. Then, Slade had a Barnes side party on the Saturday after his birthday. He now sings Happy Birthday all the time and carries around his birthday cards and asks if he can go to a party. Anyway, I am helping Skylar get ready for his hunt that is coming up this month. He is going scouting this weekend, and then will be gone for 8 days hunting over Thanksgiving! And, I get to stay home. He is really excited, so I am also trying to be excited for him. It's hard, knowing he will be gone for so long. Hopefully he finds 'the big one' and comes home early. This is a little of what went on the past couple weeks...



Slade is doing quite well at the potty training stuff. He understands what to do, just not when to do it. For his birthday, I took him to McDonald's for lunch and as I was cleaning up the kitchen, he was still in his highchair saying "mom, bee poo poo!" I turned around to find his Happy Meal toy going poo poo in his chocolate milk jug.



This was my latest project. Skylar made me the frame, I painted it, put glass in it and ordered the vinyl from a lady in my ward. It turned out perfect! I love it. It is going in my nook on a wall that has been naked for about 9 months. By the way, it's huge. I tried hanging it, but it was too heavy for the several saw tooth hangers we put on it, so Skylar said he will have to use screws. That is why it is sitting on the floor.

We also made these two frames. We put them in a boutique this past weekend and sold both of them for $65! Yeah! It's a good feeling to know that other people will buy things that you have hand made.

This is my grandpa pushing Slade on the swings at his birthday party. My sister took all of the other pictures with her camera and I haven't gotten them yet, so this is it. He and my grandma are snow birds from Michigan. I believe this is their 12th year coming down. It is fun to have them still be able to play with their great grandkids.

Good 'ole Taylor Arizona!

We headed up to Taylor this past Friday for a benefit dinner in honor of Skylar's uncle that has Wagener's Disease. All we know about it is that it attacks the vascular system. I didn't get any pictures of the actual dinner and auction, but boy is it different up there than down here! The majority of people were wearing cowboy hats and the items in the auction consisted of wire wreaths, cowboy pictures, antler chandelier, stud services and many more cowboy stuff. I thought it was pretty funny. They also had a cow outside that was part of a raffle. They marked the ground with squares and put numbers in the squares and people got to choose a number and they had to wait for the cow to poop on a certain number and whoever chose that number, won the cow!




This is the Stock Up Feed and Tack store that Skylar's uncle owns in Taylor. They had their 1st Anniversary on Saturday. They served hot dogs and had roping contests.

I realized I hardly had any pictures of Daisy, so I put this one on of her in her car seat :)

This sadle is on display at the store and Slade just had to sit on it. I just saw that Sadle and Slade contain all of the same letters. Hmmm... Anyway, I told him to start riding it like it was a horse, and the wooden stand it was on started cracking and falling forward. I caught him just in time and we tried to make the stand look like it did before, but then I saw they had camera's in the store. Oh well, hopefully they won't get mad because we are family....

Skylar and Slade enjoying the party... Yeah, we had to sit on hay and when you would stand up, it all stuck to your pants. It was great. I stood up once and was brushing off and the wind took the hay over to the lady sit next to me and landed on her hot dog.

This tractor was on Skylar's uncle's ranch and Slade LOVES tractors. I told him to stand by the tractor so I could take his picture and this is how he posed for me. I

Slade loves horses too! I think it runs in his blood because Skylar's grandpa was a bull rider and lives for horses. So does Skylar's dad and uncle. I am surprised that Slade is not afraid of them, but then again, he wanted to get into the Tiger cage at the zoo.

Skylar and Slade by the cows. They have tons of cows and Slade was in heaven of course.

Slade posing for me agian. I promise he did that all by himself!

The Thursday before we went to Taylor, we went to the Phoenix Zoo and visited the Stingray Bay exhibit. It was so neat! You just stick your hand below the water and the stingrays will swim right up to you. It was scary at first because they feel so weird and they bolt at you, but it was really fun. You all have to go! I have a membership, so the exhibit was only $1 per person. For non-members, it's $3 per person and kids 2 and under are free. Slade loved it! I didn't think he would, but he didn't want to leave.

Roosevelt Lake Day Trip

We went to Roosevelt Lake on Saturday to go fishing with our friends. They camp there for four days! I'm glad we just went for the day. We all had so much fun. Although, we discovered that Slade gets car sick almost every time we go on a trip. Luckily, it wasn't too bad this time, but it was right before we got to the camping spot which irritated Skylar. Also, he has to drive super slow so that Slade doesn't get dizzy.


This pic is of Slade as he tripped over his own feet.




This is Slade falling into the lake for a second time. The first time was only 30 minutes after we arrived, which to my surprise was later than I thought.
















Against my better judgement, I let Skylar take Slade out on the pontoon boat without me. But, it turned out to be okay. As you can see, he loves to go fishing.
















I guess Slade either became bored, or decided he was too tired to wait for the fish to bite.















Skylar caught a crappie and was overjoyed. I asked how to spell crappie and apparently this is correct, although it looks like crappy. It is pronounced croppie for those of you that don't fish, like me...















Slade in his life vest. Again, I was surprised that he actually let us put that on him. I thought he would throw a fit, but we told him that he couldn't go on the boat without it and he said, "okay."















Daisy just being herself. She was so good the whole time. We didn't have a life vest for her, so she didn't get to go on the boat, but like she really cares anyway. She would stare at the water and get all excited. It was pretty funny.

Croup...

Last Monday, Slade woke up with a barking cough and a 100.5 degree fever. I took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed with Croup. He was given a steroid and we were sent home with several instructions to get through this virus. He didn't sleep well that night and of course neither did I. Tuesday was okay, he just layed around and coughed. Tuesday night, I noticed Daisy starting to cough a little so I called the doctor and asked if she should come in because of her age. Good thing I got an early appointment because she started the barking cough and same degree of fever Wednesday morning. Off we were to the doctor again. She was given some meds and sent home. The both did pretty good all day Wednesday and we slept better that night. Thursday was a big coughing fest and Friday Slade had another fever! But this time is was only 99.3 degrees. I called the doctor to see if it was of concern and I was told that he must be teething along with this virus. Which makes sense because he has had his hands in is mouth a lot. They are both doing a lot better now, coughing occasionally but acting like themselves. I'm just waiting for Slade's two year old molars to come in, in the up coming months. I hate when my kids are sick because I feel so helpless. All I can do is hold them and tell them it's okay.


My sweet babies! Slade loves holding Daisy. They both must be teething because you can see the drool on their clothes!

This is where I found Slade and Skylar after conference was over. Slade stayed in his dinosaur pj's all day! He thinks he's sharptooth!

Daisy is such a happy girl! She is finally getting some hair... She always has a smile on her face.

On Sunday we took a walk to Aunt Kendyl's and Uncle Tyler's house and Slade was jumping on their couch. His foot got caught in between cushions and he hit his eye on the edge of the arm where it's hard. He ended up cutting his eyelid. It turned a little black and blue today, but he thinks its pretty cool that he has an owie on his eye.

I thought this was so funny. Slade was just minding his own business and I put Daisy on top of him. She grabbed his cheeks and tried sucking his hand and he just let her. He is so good with her.

Scrapbook Store!

There is a new scrapbook store open as of Wednesday! It is on Ellsworth and Ocotillo by Cravings. It's called Family Scrapbook Studio and is owned by the Penrod family of Queen Creek. You have to check it out! Their website is familyscrapbookstudio.com They have the cutest paper and fun ideas.

Tagged Again!

10 Favorites
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Foods: Italian, Mexican, American, Chinese
Favorite Month: May
Favorite Song: Hey There Delila (sp) I love the voice!
Favorite Movie: Haven’t been to the theaters for over a year and a half... gotta be Cars.
Favorite Sport: Track
Favorite Season: Spring
Favorite Day of the Week: Sunday
Favorite Fruit: Pineapples, peaches and oranges
Favorite time of the day: Dinner time!

9 Currents
Current Mood: Rested, happy...I got a nap today!
Current Taste: No bake cookies that my brother made
Current Clothes: Jean shorts, white shirt and camo flip flops (they are really cute I promise)
Current Desktop: Family Picture
Current Toe Nail Color: Pink!
Current Time: 4:49pm
Current Surroundings: Parents house, toys everywhere, Slade reading a book while watching cartoons.
Current Thoughts: My mother in-law just called and I should probably call her back...

8 Firsts
First best Friend: Kristen (Corrie) Rogers, Cali Jones, Mary Shifflet, Lindsey (Passey) Asburry. Can’t remember who came first.
First Kiss: 6th Grade. I’m not saying to who J
First Screen Name: I can’t remember...
First Pet: Bunny named Scruffy
First Piercing: Ears when I was 6.
First Crush: Can’t remember...
First CD: I think it was Brandy...I just have to laugh
First Car: 2001 VW Jetta

7 Lasts
Last cigarette: Never
Last Drink: Water
Last Car Ride: Heading back to my parents from Barro’s Pizza
Last Kiss: Daisy on the cheek
Last Movie Seen: Land Before Time
Last Phone Call: Skylar
Last CD Played: Toddlers Sing-Along

6 Have You Ever?
Have you ever dated one of your best guy friends? Probably
Have you ever broken the law? Pulled over for speeding but no ticket!
Have you ever been arrested? Nope
Have you ever skinny dipped? Yes, at Kristen’s b-day party a long, long time ago! Girls Only!!
Have you ever been on TV? Yes! I won a contest for Mother’s Day and got Chef Eddie from Channel 3 to come make dinner for my mom at her house. They put it on TV!
Have you ever kissed someone you didn’t know? No

5 Things
Things you are wearing: Shorts, Shirt, Shoes, Wedding Ring, Make-up
Things you’ve done today: Took Daisy to the Dr.’s, went to my parents house, went to Barro’s, took a nap, Blogged!
Things you can hear right now: My brother talking, my dad talking, Daisy squealing, Slade crashing cars together and me typing.
Things you can’t live without: My kids, My husband, disposable diapers, food, water...
Things you do when you are bored: Call my mom, my husband, take a nap, read a book or clean my house.

4 Places You’ve Done Today
1. Daisy to DR.s
2. Parents house
3. My house
4. Lunch at Barro’s

3 People You Can Tell Anything To
1. Skylar
2. Mom
3. Dad

2 Choices
1. Black or White? Black
2. Hot or Cold? Hot weather, Cold drinks

1 Thing You Want to do Before You Die
Invent Something

I tag Kayci and Kara!

Okay, I'll update!!

I am so happy for my brothers first baptism! He is on his mission which is Australia Sydney South, Mandarin speaking. He spent 11 weeks in the MTC and has been in Australia for about five weeks now. He has grown up so much already. By the way, he is the one in the white with blonde hair :)

My beautiful babies! Slade loves his little sister so much. He always wants to hold her and give her kisses. He calls her 'My Daisy'.

It's my mom's birthday today so Kendyl took pictures of the grandkids for her as her gift. It goes from left, Ezra Paul, Kleven Christopher, Slade Hunter and Daisy Lynn. Ezra and Kleven are Kayci's kids. Slade and Kleven are 4 1/2 months apart and Ezra and Daisy are 1 week apart. It is really fun having kids the same age. They are going to have a lot of fun together when they get older.

Daisy loves her Leap Frog Lilly. It's really funny how she already prefers dolls and girl toys. I gave her one of Slade's dinosaurs during church once and she didn't want it! So I gave her one of her dolls and she was content after that. And yes, she sucks her thumb.

Daisy will be 6 months old in October and I decided she is finally ready for the exersaucer. She loves it, which makes me love it!

I am so happy to announce the arrival of our newest neice Bostyn Lela Winters. She was born to Skylar's sister Lyndsay and her husband Derek Winters. She came a few weeks early and weighed in at 6 lbs 1 oz. She is doing great and is so stinking cute!

Alright, okay, yes I have antlers in my home. But, I told Skylar that he could have the spare room only for all of his hunting stuff. So, he calls this room the "Estrogen Free Room". The sign by the way says 'We interrupt this marriage to bring you the Hunting Season'. Boy oh boy is that the truth! Kendyl faux painted the green. The picture doesn't do it justice but it is absolutely gorgeous!

Okay, anyone with a girl knows how darn fun they are! I was so excited to paint Daisy's toenails. She was really good and sat pretty still during it. I love it!! Can't wait to do all the other girly stuff. It will be a nice break from almost having a heartattack everytime Slade jumps off something...

Slade found his own table to eat at. Anyone who knows how big Slade's behind is, knows its amazing that he fits in Daisy's Bumbo.

Skylar went hunting in the Kiabab with some buddy's and this is how they had to rig up their quad. This is his friend Cody. The trailer is actually from Skylar's dad's riding lawn mower. Pretty sweet, huh? He did shoot a buck, but hit it too high, so he had a hard time following an almost non-existant blood trail. He also has a pretty scab on his nose from his binoculars hitting him in the face! He wouldn't let me take a picture of his nose, but he was climbing down his tree stand and he got stuck on something and just as he looked up to see what he was stuck on, his binocs hit him in the nose! I would have loved to see that!