"What She Learned From Her Big Sister!"

Payton has learned to tie her shoes! It was her goal to learn to tie her OWN shoes before she started her first year of school. Ever since she was a baby she has only worn flip-flops. She doesn't own any shoes with ties (by her own choice, I am not that lazy!) But, I have been putting off teaching Payton to tie her shoes. Enter Madison- she is the best big sister and helper to me! She took it upon herself to teach her little sister to tie her OWN shoes. Unbeknownst to me she sat outside with Payton and patiently taught her the "Bunny-Ear" method of tying shoes. After Payton mastered it they surprised me with her newest talent! Notice the shoes she learned on...Soccer Cleats. Proof she doesn't own shoes with laces! I was so proud of both my girls. Proud of Payton because she did not give up until she learned to tie those laces. And proud of Maddie for taking the initiative to teach her sister something new without being asked and most of all for being so loving to Payton. I am so glad they have each other. I know how much I love having sisters, I just want them to feel the same way!

"Falling Asleep On the Job!"

This will teach R.J. that there are consequences to "Falling asleep on the job"! R.J. was asked to baby-sit for his favorite family the Timmermans. He loves planning fun stuff and activities for the kids to do while the parents are gone. But, after he puts the kids to bed he gets bored and just falls asleep on the couch waiting for the parents to come home. Well, Dave and Amy "caught" him sleeping and couldn't resist having a little fun. If you know R.J. then you know he is a deep, heavy sleeper. It is almost impossible to wake him up. Dave and Amy knowing what a big BYU fan (Brigham Young University) R.J. is, took advantage of his "Sleeping Weakness" and made him a Ute Fan (University of Utah)! We always knew Ute fans were sneaky and conniving but, this was pushing it. How could they take advantage of an innocent, unsuspecting, defenseless BYU fan like that. All we got to say Timmermans is..."You better watch your backs, there's nothing like a scorned BYU fan!"

"Mommy in Training"

Payton: "Mom, it looks like I am the Mom because I have a purse and I'm carrying a Baby!"

If only being a mom were that easy!!!

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!"

This past week Madison, Payton and I made a "No Boys Allowed Club"!!! Rob and R.J. left on another Scout trip to Utah. So we took advantage of our "Alone-Time" and had "Girl Time". We had a blast together. We had a Movie day, Mani-Pedi Day, Sweets Day, Clothes Shopping Day and two Beach Days. We did very girlie things and just enjoyed each others company. And of course each night ended with a "Slumber-Party", the girls slept in my bed every night! Their two little bodies equal one Rob body so there was plenty of room. During this week I also celebrated my anniversary, I didn't let the fact that Rob was out of town ruin my celebration. My friend Allison also had hers this week (minus her husband who's on the same trip) so we celebrated together and toasted to our "perfect" husbands at dinner! Rob true to form of course did not forget our special day and had roses delivered to me with a card. The girls and I sure did miss our boys but, it was still so fun to have this time to bond with one another and to especially spoil them a bit!

"Sweets-Day"

Hazen & Weenig girl's trip to Sprinkles

"Beach Day"

"Mani-Pedi Day"

"Anniversary Flowers from Rob"

"Anniversary Dinner with Allison"

"Meet our Newest House Guests"

A couple of months ago I received a text from Rob stating, "Our ward is finally getting OUR OWN missionaries! Can they live with us? Please, Please, Please? Remember where you are, and you are filled with the Spirit!!!!" I got this text when I was at Women's Conference in Utah, while listening to our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson speak! How was I supposed to reply? He sounded like an excited little kid asking if he could bring home a puppy. After speaking to him on the phone Rob explained that in order for our ward to have our own Elders they would have to live in member's homes so the monthly cost of supporting missionaries would not be increased. After returning home from Women's Conference I had only one day to prepare the guest room and clean out the closet for our new house guests. To say the least I was feeling a little overwhelmed and apprehensive. I didn't know what to expect. He said our home was only temporary till they found a permanent home, they would be in our house for only 3 weeks. Well, as you can tell it's been almost 3 months! And I can honestly say, I am so happy and feel so blessed that these sweet Elders are here in our home. Elder Gordon is from Mendon, Utah and has been serving for 18 months. Elder Gulbranson is from British Columbia, Canada, this is his first assignment. They both are tender to our kids, helpful, kind, cheerful, hard working, spiritual boys. What an example for R.J. to see everyday as he prepares to one day serve a mission. It's been so great to hear their stories and experiences, to see them first hand doing the Lord's work up close. They have become a part of our family and the kids adore them. Their room is filled with notes from Payton. I think I do "Mother" them a bit too much, but it's hard not to. It's going to be very sad when it's time for another family to take this opportunity to live with the missionaries. We are going to feel a little jealous because they have become "OUR" Missionaries now!

"Ballet and Tap Recital"

It's the end of Ballet and Tap for Madison and Payton! And we had the recital to prove it. We get the whole summer off. No more Driving to the dance academy 3 times a week. No more making sure the girls dance uniforms are washed and clean. No more looking for lost ballet shoes, tights or dance bags. No more perfect ballet buns in their hair! Taking the summer off is the perfect amount of time because after a while I do actually start to miss it. I love watching the girls progress in their talent and abilities. They are both becoming such beautiful dancers. Each year that goes by they learn and improve so much. It was great seeing the girls up on stage performing their individual dances. They have been practicing their routines since January, it was so good to see their hard work pay off. I think their favorite part of the whole recital is the Make-up! They sure do love getting their faces made up and wearing the bright red lipstick. My heart was filled with pride and joy for my sweet daughters as they danced across the stage! "So, You Think You Can Dance?" Here we come!!!! We've got two little stars who can't wait to shine.

"Happy Anniversary"

Today Rob and I are celebrating 13 years of Wedded Bliss!!!!! It's hard to believe that it has been that long. It seems like only yesterday when our eyes met across the crowded chapel at our student ward in Utah. It was love at first sight! My sister Marie was dating Rob's room mate and they introduced us. After that first meeting we spent everyday and every waking moment together. I was even his first and last kiss after his mission. If I wasn't sick of him after 1 month, I knew he was a keeper. Three months later he proposed to me at the "Roof Top" restaurant in Salt Lake (same restaurant his parents got engaged at!) Then 3 months after the proposal we were married for Time and all Eternity in the San Diego Temple. I feel so lucky to have found this man that makes me laugh and enjoy my life every day. I love you Rob, I am looking forward to spending many more happy years together!

Our First kiss at Zion's National Park

(Group Camp out!)

San Francisco, Where we fell in Love

(Group Trip to see Phantom of the Opera,

the song: All I Ask of You was our "Wedding Song")

The Proposal at the Roof Top

Our Engagement Picture

Just Married

at the San Diego Temple!

The Reception at the Fullerton Arboretum

The Wedding Party

And they lived Happily Ever After!

"What a Waste!"

If you don't know what you are looking for, you could actually miss them! Only one with a keen, sharp eye and one who can recognize "THE" box from miles away. There it is on the very top shelf of the pantry in the plain brown box. Can you find them?

My beloved Sprinkles Cupcakes.

We got extra cupcakes in Beverly Hills when we went to Sprinkles for Rob's birthday. I am a bad Mommy and did not want to share, so tried to hide them and put them on the top shelf of the pantry. I hid them a little too well and forgot to eat them before I left out of town. When I remembered, my heart sank. I wouldn't be able to eat those heavenly cakes. I called Rob to tell him to enjoy them with R.J. because they would go bad before I returned home. When I came home I still found the box on the top shelf! How could he do that? How could he let them go to waste? I cried a little inside, I guess it served me right for being selfish in the first place and not sharing the sweet goodness with my children. For now on I will always promise to share with my kids, as hard as it may be!!!

"Payton's Haircut"

Payton decided she "needed" a haircut. Her long hair was making her so hot this summer. We have been trying to make up our mind on what type of hair-style to do. We finally decided to do an A-Line Bob (like Annemarie's Izzie). We also thought it would be a great idea to donate her long hair to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We went online and showed Payton the website and explained to her how her hair would help a child just like herself. After seeing it she was so happy and very willing to part with her hair! "Before""After"Hair for "Locks of Love"

"A Graduation and a Promotion"

We have hit two milestones in the Hazen Family. R.J. was promoted to middle school and Payton graduated from Pre-school. They will both be going to new schools!

R.J.'s promotion was everything he wanted it to be. All the 5th graders sang the original songs they made up with the music Teacher Mr. David. Every 5th grade teacher gave a touching speech about their classes. Awards were given, R.J. received Honor Roll and the Presidential Award and Pin for Academic Excellence! There is even a signature by Pres. George W. Bush on it. (I think it is a stamp!) But, my favorite part of the program was hearing R.J. give his speech. He worked really hard on it and did a great job presenting it! A few people came up to him after the promotion and said he had a great speech and that he should go into politics and run for President!

Payton's graduation was short and sweet! (Just how we like it!) Payton's class sang a graduation song that was so cute. Then their teachers presented each child with their "Diploma". Payton did a good job waiting so patiently for her name to be called. She is getting so mature. I must admit though, I did get a little teary when each child accepted their diplomas. My FIRST baby is entering the unknown territory of Middle School and my LAST baby is starting real school. There is no turning back now! Boy, where did the time go?

"Put Your shoulder to the Wheel"

Rob and I were asked by our stake youth leaders to be a "Ma & Pa" on the Trek they had for this years Youth Conference. We were so honored, excited and very nervous. We have heard of these before but, have never participated in one as a youth. So, we got our Pioneer clothes together and got ready to rough it. We were assigned to be parents of 5 boys, 3 girls and a 10 pound sack of flour that was our baby girl. We were to treat this "sack of flour" just like a real baby. We needed to really take care of this baby, we weren't allowed to put the baby down. Someone always needed to be holding it. We took this task seriously, I brought baby clothes and a straw hat for the baby and got a face from a doll making kit. I had the kids dress her and the kids decided to call her Lila. The kids took turns feeding her a bottle and sleeping with her and keeping her warm. I must admit we had the best family. The kids were amazing, they worked so hard, never stopped and never complained! The trek took place at Riley's Farm about 2 hours away from where we live. This outfit took care of everything! They cooked, provided the carts, planned the re-enactments from Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Porter Rockwell, who were true to character and looked and dressed just like them. The trek itself was hard! But, honestly I really did not mind. We had such a great time pushing and pulling and helping each other on the trail that you forgot how hot, sticky, dirty, smelly and tired you were. We traveled 10 miles the first day and made camp. One of my favorite parts of the trek was family time. This is when we all split up into our families and had devotionals. The kids were able to share the Pioneer they chose to represent. They shared their pioneer's story and their own testimony. My sister Michele and I chose our Mom as our pioneer. She became the first member of the church in our family. The next day we traveled about 5 miles and spent time at a rest stop that had round-robin stations where the kids could experience how the Pioneers lived. They chopped wood, Shot muskets and bows and arrows. They made shingles for houses out of wood, they even got to ride horses. That morning I informed the kids that their "Baby Sister" was not feeling well and refusing to eat and they they needed to take extra good care of her today. After all the activities we gathered our family and told them that baby Lila had died. We had a funeral for her and talked about the Plan of Happiness and the Resurrection. It was truly a touching moment to see these kids get emotional, they were grasping the concept of this trek. They we coming to understand and feel how their ancestors felt. I talked about how the pioneers might have felt when they lost a brother, sister, parent or loved one. They just had to leave them there without a proper casket or burial and most of the time in an unmarked grave, knowing they would probably never be able to go back to the spot where their loved one was laid to rest. Then the kids each took a turn digging the grave and we placed our sweet flour baby in it. Later that night after making camp we played games. We learned of all the fun things the pioneers did to make their trek more pleasant. We played the Stick Pull, Tug of War, Water games, Stick ball, and other activities. We even had a Hoe-Down with a live band and a Square dance Caller. We all had a blast. The next day was our last day on the trek. That morning all the men and boys were sworn into the Battalion and left to fight. That meant the girls were left on their own to take care of themselves. While the boys went off they were taught marching drills and fought in a mock battle with riffles. The girls participated in activities that the pioneer women did when they were crossing the plains. We made butter and corn- husk dolls, we learned to embroider, make candles and write calligraphy with a quill and ink! Then it was time for the girls and women to carry on in the trek all by themselves. We had to push and pull the carts and rely on each other. Two of my "daughters" were sick and not very strong and couldn't push the way they would have wanted. My third daughter was a little nervous about us two being the only ones really pushing. So, my sister Michele told us she would be right by my side pushing the whole way with us. I am so glad we got to experience this together. We hung in there. It was good to be with the boys at first to learn how to manage the cart and know when to pivot the cart to go down hill. But, we did miss them. Especially when we came to our last big hill. When the first cart was about to go around the bend to the hill, we decided they should get a running start and get momentum. Just as they started running, we could hear cheering and clapping...it was the boys!!! They were instructed that they could not help us but only, encourage us. They wanted the women to feel how their ancestors really felt being on their own. The cheering was just what we need to get up that hill. As I ran my hardest pushing the front of the cart I tried to find Rob's face in the crowd but, I couldn't find it. All I heard was his voice yelling my name and cheering me on. I had so much Adrenalin pumping and my heart was so full of pride. We did it. Even my sick daughters pushed beyond their limits, we never gave up. All the girls and women pushed 13 carts up that hill. And we all did it together. It didn't matter whose family you were in, everyone helped each other. I know that's how it was for the pioneer women as well! There were a lot of tears shed at the top of that hill. That was the hi-light of the trek. After we walked back to where we started and had a testimony meeting. I loved hearing all these great kids share their experiences and how the spirit had touched them. I too did not go away feeling changed in some way. I'm so grateful to have been given this opportunity for a very short time to "walk in the shoes" of our ancestors. I have such an appreciation for their testimony of the gospel. They went through so much for their beliefs. They never doubted it was true. And it was proven to me time and time again on this trek.