Gold Canyon Candle Company!

Hi all! Just wanted to let you all know I have taken on a new business!! I am now a rep. for Gold Canyon Candles! Here is a link to my personal website!!! www.mygc.com/nicoleackley

I Am Thankful For......

I am thankful for my amazing husband and daughter. For the health of my family and friends. For my extended family and my friends being in my life. I am thankful for my beautiful home in such a beautiful place. I am thankful that we have food on the table and warm clothes on our backs. During this holiday season, I hope everyone takes time to reflect on what they are thankful for and feel as blessed as I do!!

Hayden is 18 months!

This last week Aaron's brother and his wife had their first child, a little girl named Avery! She is absolutely prcious and we are thrilled for them. Seeing this little peanut has made me reminice about my baby girl. She will be 18 months old tomorrow and I cannot believe how quickly time has flown. She is such a joy to her daddy and me! We love her so very much! It is true that when you have a child you realize what it is to have your heart live outside your body. Hayden is such an amazing (and busy!) little girl. She is so sweet and gentle. She loves her baby dolls and mothers them as if she were their mommy. She is a curious child who seems to want to know how everything works. She loves to color with her big crayons, and organize all of her toys. She loves Cleo and playing outside! Her favorite character is Barney right now, and watches episodes of Barney over and over again! She is learning words daily and adding them to her ever growing vocabulary! She loves to laugh and be silly! We love to watch her when she does not know we are there. It is one of our favorite things, daddy and I! She is our lovey, ladybug, peanut and Hadey J! Life is so beautiful with her in it!

I love falll!

I cannot express how much I love fall! It is so beautiful in and around Jackson right now! The colors are gorgeous! Here is a picture of my two favorite people enjoying fall!

My 35th birthday party!

My AMAZING husband and my girlfriends Kelsey and Amy threw me a surprise 35th. birthday party last Friday at the White Buffalo Club!!! I had absolutely no clue. I thought Aaron and I were going there to have a nice dinner and then maybe out afterwards. He even got a babysitter...I thought that was my present! HAHA! We went to the club and were sitting up at the bar having drinks. He told me I should turn around and when I did there were a bunch of my friends standing there!! I was shocked!!! We had appetizers, drinks and dinner. Afterwards we had cake that my girlfriends made! It was all so wonderful! I could not believe they pulled this off without me finding out a thing! I usually pick up on things like that pretty quickly! Guess I am getting rusty in my old age! HAHA! Afterwards we went out on the town and I must say I drank a little too much! Ok...ALOT too much! But it was sooooo much fun! Thank you to the love of my life for doing something so special for me!
We are looking forward to Aaron's birthday on Wednesday as well. He will be 33. Yes....I am the older woman! :) We cannot wait to celebrate and spoil him!!
Hayden is doing so well! She is in Mommy and Me dance class on Wednesdays at Center for the Arts/Dancers Workshop. She LOVES it! She loves to dance so this is great! She is such a sweet but very busy child! She does not seem to have any fear of anything (except Sesame Street characters) :) We have to really keep an eye on her or she will be half way up a mountain or off in the woods somewhere!!!
Happy Fall everyone!

September????

Wow time sure does fly! I cannot believe it is September already! We had a great August. We made a trip down to Colorado to see Aaron's parents and my brother the third week of August. While we were there, we took Hayden to the zoo for the first time! She seemed to really like it! She even got close to the giraffes, and was very interested in the Meerkats!
She is growing so quickly. She has a pretty decent vocabulary. We just taught her Thank-You. She now says dadda, Eho(cleo), juice, oll(doll), ookie(cookie and cracker), no, wha this, and many others! She is also quite the dare-devil! I turned around a few days ago and she was standing on top of the dinning table! No fear! She also loves to dance whenever she hears music. It is so funny to watch! We are having soooo much fun with her. She is such a joy to have in our lives!
Hunting season has started. Aaron is trying to go as much as possible, but the businesses are still keeping him quite busy. He has been able to golf more this summer than last summer which has been a plus. Now if he could just get his elk!
Well I hope you are all doing well!

August....Already????

Well we hope everyone's summer has been a good one! We have been very busy with the businesses. Aaron has been trying to fit fishing and golf in where he can but has been working so hard this summer (and every season as usual! :) He finished softball the end of July. They did not win the tournament but had a good time this season. We haven't had the boat on the lake as much as usual this summer. As much as Hayden loves the water and being in the boat, it is alot of work. Especially because of her nap time! Oh well! There will be plenty of time to boat and enjoy the water in the future...hopefully!
Hayden just finished her summer swim lessons. She will start up again at the end of September. She loves swimming in her little kiddie pool here at the house. We just purchased a Burley Bike Trailer so mommy takes her for rides. I am getting the jogger/stroller attachment as wll so she can be my jogging partner! HAHA! She is currently into EVERYTHING!! I think the only words I speak anymore are no, stop, don't touch, hot and DANGER!!! Oh well! Her vocabulary on the other hand is definately growing! She says hi and bye to everyone along with a wave! She loves to call for Cleo(Ehoh) and says momma, dadeee, banana (nananah), what this, ball(ahl), and many others! She has discovered how to open doors and loves to go into the pantry and pull put her snacks! She is such a joy though for Aaron and me!
I have just been busy taking care of monkey and enjoying the outdoors. I have been trying to hike the butte as often as I can. Hayden cleo and I also go on alot of walks which they seem to enjoy. I am working at the shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays while Hayden goes to Nikki her sitter. I have been going to a personal trainer for an hour on those days to try and get into better shape! Wish me luck!
We are all doing great out west here and miss everyone terribly! Hope you're all well!

A few new pictures!

Here are a few new pictures of Hayden! She is soooo much fun! She is even letting me put piggy tails (or more like sprouts) in her hair!!

Pictures from Nicole

Click here to view these pictures larger

Almost 14 months and counting!!

Wow time is flying by! Hayden will be 14 months on the 28th. of June and man is she keeping us very busy!! She is now climbing on the furniture (no fear), playing ball with Cleo (and tormenting her to death), playing with her puzzles, dancing and just being a joy for her daddy and me!!! We are having a lot of fun, but we definately crash in the evenings!!! She is full of energy!
We are thrilled to say that we will have a new niece in October!!! Aaron's brother Anders and his wife Misty are expecting their first..a little baby girl! We are so happy for them. We celebrated last Saturday by grilling steaks and eating way too much!! It was alot of fun!! Congratulations!!
Well I am posting a few more pics of our little monkey!! Hope you all enjoy!

May Babies 1st. Birthday! (and 1 April!)

Well we just had the 1st. Birthday Bash for our 7 babies! It was sooo much fun! There was a huge turn out...over 100 on the guest list! The day was perfect...thank you lord for the beautiful weather! Lots and lots of kiddos and the food was amazing!!! Here is a picture of the babies and the mommies! Hard to believe a year ago (and then some) we were all pregnant and in birthing classes...that is until Hayden decided to come early!!!

Ready for Summer!

Well it has been a crazy few weeks! We had my mom and dad and Aaron's mom and dad and sister come for Hayden's 1st. Birthday and Baptism . It was great! We had a barbeque for her birthday on Saturday April 24th. and then had her baptism on Sunday April 25th. Everything went great and we had beautiful weather while they were all here. We are thrilled they could all make it to Jackson for the big events! After our company left, we had to pack up the house and move out for a litlle over a week while we had some remodeling done. We had a new fireplace (gas) installed with rock and built in custom book shelves. it turned out great and we are very pleased. Thank you to John and Tasha Curry for letting us use your condo while the remodel took place. We cannot begin to tell you how helpful that was! Once the project was finished, we had some major cleaning to do, but I am happy to say we are back in the house and settld in! So far I have had a wonderful Mother's Day complete with sleeping in, breakfast in bed served by my three favorite loves (daddy, Hayden, and Cleo!) and then surprised with a new Dyson vacuum! I know many women would be offended if they got a vacuum for Mother's Day or any other holiday, but not me!!! I love this thing!!!! After a complete vacuuming of the house, we had lunch and are now relaxing all together! Perfect! We hope you all are doing well and that all you moms are having a fantastic day!

Easter Time!

Well we have been busy! We spent Easter here in Jackson. We took Hayden to the Easter egg hunt on the square the day before. Typical Jackson, it had snowed! There were 7,000 eggs! Hayden had fun seeing all the Sesame Street characters as well as the Easter bunnies! The following weekend, Aaron and I went to Vegas for a quick get away. Aaron's mom and dad took care of Hayden while we were gone. I don't think she even missed mommy and daddy! We got to go to the AC/DC concert while we were in Vegas. It was awesome! We also got to catch up with some great friends for dinner before the concert. John and Tasha it was soooo great to see you and little Crew! Now we are getting ready for both sets of grandparents and Aunt Amy to come visit for Hayden's 1st. birthday and her baptism. We cannot wait!
Hope everyone is doing well!

Hayden is Walking!!!!

Well it is official! Our little monkey is walking! She has been doing so for about two weeks now, but is really starting to move. She is so funny! Aaron and I could sit and watch her for hours. She loves to roam around! She is also starting to try and play with Cleo. She likes to give Cleo her ball...Cleo is not so thrilled.

Aaron has his last hockey games this weekend. Bitter sweet. As nice as it will be to have our weekends free, we won't see everyone as often. :( Guess that just means spring is around the corner. We have a busy April coming up. We are having some construction done on the house...putting in a new fireplace and built in cabinets and bookshelves. After that, Aaron's parents are coming to watch Hayden while Aaron and I go to Vegas for a much needed get-a-way!!! Then both our families, including Aaron's sister Amy will be here at the end of the month for Hayden's first birthday and baptism. And I am sure a lot of little things will be going on in the mean time! Looking forward to it all!

Almost Walking!!!!

So I took Hayden to her sitters house yesterday so I could do some work. While she was there (which by the way...she loves!) she walked about 4 feet by herself! Not 4 steps, 4 feet! She has been taking a few steps here and there for about a month now, but this is the first time she walked a significant distance!!! My baby is getting so big! We are looking forward to all her new adventures! I have had the video camera ready for when she decides to take her next steps, but so far she has been camera shy!!!
Aaron and I have decided to take a little vacation (just the two of us!)to Vegas next month. We will be flying to Vegas on the 8th. and coming home on the 11th. We are staying at the new Aria Hotel in City Center on the strip and we are also going to go see AC/DC in concert! I am so excited! We love Vegas! Aaron's parents have graciously offerd to come watch Hayden for us! Thank you!!!! Hopefully by the time they arrive, Hayden will be walking! Although that will really keep them busy! She is really into everything now! Hope you are all having a fabulous week!

10 Months and Counting!

Well I cannot believe that Hayden is now 10 months old! Time flies!! She is soooo much fun! Everyday is a new little adventure with our J-Bird! She makes us laugh all the time! She currently is trying to figure out the whole walking thing. She stands solo and will walk along the furniture but has only taken a few steps on her own on a few occasions. She probably figures she has the rest of her life to walk so why hurry! She can really crawl though! She keeps mommy and daddy moving! She loves to crawl into the kitchen and look at her reflection in the appliances. She also loves to watch the wash spin in the washing machine. Funny! She is also starting to get use to seeing daddy in his hockey gear. It was a little scary for her at first because she did not recognize him with his helmet on. She has her own little language going on right now, and always finds herself very amusing! It is so cute listening to her talk to herself! She had alot of visitors last month. Her Nana and Papa came from Colorado as did my brother and niece. She got to meet her cousin Bella for the first time. Bella was so good with her. We are coming to the end of yet another hockey season here. It has been a long winter but a mild one. I can always tell spring is around the corner when Aaron's hockey season ends! Bitter sweet..... Well we are getting ready to celebrate Hayden's 1st. birthday and hopefully her christening next month. Her grandparents and possibly Aunt Amy are going to come out to celebrate. We are looking forward to that! We hope everyone is doing well!!

Quick Update!!

Well we finally have some snow....alot of snow!! The snow bunnies are happy! We have been offline for a few days because we moved our computer to a different place in our house and had to re-run the cable. So now we are back up and ready to roll! I am hoping to keep this blog updated a little more often and post pictures whenever I get the chance.
Hayden has had a cold/virus this past week. I contacted her doctor and he said it pretty much has to run its course. Not easy for mommy and daddy to hear! We have not had much sleep..poor little thing has a nasty cough in the evenings. We have been runnig a humidifier in her room, doing steam bathes and using her boppy to keep her elevated. It seems to bother mommy and daddy more than her though! She still wants to play and has her appetite! I did finally take her back to the doctor yesterday and they put her on antibiotics for a possible sinus infection. Once again...she seems fine...mommy not so much! We are not going to swim lessons today...hoping she kicks this soon.
Swim lessons are going great though! Hayden loves to swim under water. It is sooooo fun to watch! Daddy had taken one lesson with her while mommy watched and he tries to come watch as much as he can while mommy is swimming with her. We both really enjoy it too! She is now standing on her own and it looks like she may be trying to walk soon. She can crawl quite quickly when she wants to and so mommy has been child proofing! Magazines are still not safe in our house!! She loves to tear them up! She will be 9 months on the 28th! Where does time go????
Aaron will be playing hockey in Park City this weekend. It is also Sundance Film Festival there so hotels were scarce so it looks like Hayden and I will not be going. I really wanted to do some star spotting! HAHA!
Well I plan to post more pictures soon so please check back in a few days!

Hayden's First Swim Lesson!

Well Hayden started swim lessons today. She did amazing!!! She loves the water and even went under!!! Mary Pat her swim teacher said she loved how happy Hayden was to be in the water! We have 6 more classes in this session and we hope to continue. It is important to mommy and daddy that Hayden is comfortable in the water considering how much time we spend on the lake in the summer..plus it is great time for mommy to socialize with other mommies and for Hayden to be around other little ones! Hayden has some new favorites which include pulling all the magazines out of the magazine basket and riding around the house in the laundry basket. She also loves her new high chair Grandma and Grandpa Pryor got her. I am including some pictures!

Aaron has hockey games this weekend against Aspen. It will be a busy weekend for us and with Hayden's new schedule, don't know how much of the games we will get to see! Oh well!!
Well we hope everyone is staying warm! I will post again soon!

Hello 2010!!!

Wow it has been soooooo long since I have updated our site! Where should I begin??? Well I guess where I left off! Thanksgiving! The week before Thanksgiving, I took a quick girls trip to Vegas with some friends from Des Moines. We had so much fun and very little sleep! We did some shopping, gambling and some clubbing! I am way too old for that now...not the shopping! After I got home Aaron's parents came to visit the week leading into Thanksgiving. We had a great time, and they really enjoyed being with their little Hayden. Her two bottom teeth came in that week, and she started sitting on her own and crawling!!! After their visit, things started to pick up leading into Christmas. The businesses were both quite busy, and we were preparing to leave on the 18th. of December for 10 days to head back to Iowa for the holidays. We had a wonderful trip, and Hayden traveled really well!! She is a natural on a plane! Will come in handy when daddy gets his pilots license! We were able to pack alot into a short period of time. On the 19th. we went to my friend Jennifer's wedding. It was beautiful, and she is the last of my high school girlfriends to marry so it was really special. Alot of the girls were there and it was fun catching up. We had one day of relaxing before we jumped in the car and headed to Wisconsin to see Aaron's grandma and Bumpa in Hayward for a day and a half. We had so much fun with them, and got to see alot of family while there. We miss them so much! Again, Hayden did great! We then headed back to Iowa and spent the rest of the week with my mom and dad. It was so much fun catching up with family and friends! Makes us really appreciate our loved ones! We got back on the 28th. and have been catching up at home and preparing the businesses for 2010. We had a really quiet New Years Eve with Sushi and a movie and enjoying Hayden's first of many new years!!! I am posting pictures of our last year to recap and hope you enjoy seeing our little monkey grow and change as much as we have over the last 8 months!! Happy New Year to everyone, and we wish for all good things for you and your loved ones in the year to come!!!