Sweet Kids

Tonight I want to share a few of the things that my kids have said recently that show just how sweet they are! Each day I get to hear and see them in kind acts with me, Tyler and each other. Recently Tyler lost his glasses. He and I were discussing the problem in the car and Ashley was quietly listening in the back seat. After a while she took her finger out of her mouth and softly said: "Daddy, you can borrow my glasses if you want to." He smiled and said he would think about it. We so appreciate her generosity and desire to help.

Later I jokingly asked Luke if he thought his mommy was pretty. He smiled and said, "Very". Then I said, "how pretty?" (have to milk it while I can!) And he thought for a minute and replied: "Prettier than all the jewels". Loved that!

This week Jacob pulled a handful of hair out of Ashley's head. When I saw his fist full of hair I scolded him: "Jacob! No, no that hurts Ashley!" She quickly interupted me, bent her head forward for me to see the top and said "It's OK mommy, I have more!" I couldn't help but laugh at her sweet innocence.

I must also say that Jakey is just sweet all around. He is beginning to talk and show preferences for people and toys. He loves playing outside and everything about being alive! He is pure joy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I had a few requests that I post a picture of all of us from the Trunk or Treat so here we are: Looking good as disco hippies, a power ranger, a butterfly ballerina and a tiger. So fun!

The NEW San Tan Village Mall has arrived!

We just got home from an adventure-filled visit to the new mall that opened tonight 1.5 miles from our house. Fireworks, street bands, freebies, balloons for the kids... it was very exciting. Some of the highlights for us are the movie theatre and Paradise Bakery (located directly accross from the walmart, for those of you who know the area), the splash park and kids climbing area- which happens to be surrounded by all the mom favories- gymboree, children's place, payless, DQ, etc. and the pet store! It is an outdoor mall which is great for this time of year, but I can't imagine it being so great in the summer. We'll see. For now though we are excited to have so much so close! When we moved here four years ago we had to drive 6 miles to grocery shop- now we can Christmas shop around the corner!

Trunk-or-Treat - Jake's an Old Pro

Last night we had our ward's Trunk-or-Treat. It was very funny the way Jake was Trick or Treating like he had done it many times before. I guess he is no fool when it comes to filling up a bucket with candy! He was intense! Infact, at one point the man with the brown pants on looked down to see who was hanging on his legs, saw little Jake (the tiger) and said "wow, your clawing at me little buddy!"

THE WEDDING

For those of you who don't know and haven't heard through the grapevine- My sister Ali just married Tyler's brother Blake! This is so great and fun and unusual and weird all at the same time! :) You'll have to email me if you want to whole story on how they got together (and it is pretty sweet) but these are pictures from the big day.

Girl Party

The Hillstead Sisters: Ali (Blake), Me (Tyler), Katie (Zach), Heidi (Brett) and Natalie (Todd)


The morning of the wedding at my mom's house we had a "pamper the bride" shower.

The night before the big day

Here we are, the Hillstead Duo. Below: Drew and my mom, Zach and Kate Hillstead and my adoring Aunt Kristin and sweet husband Ty.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

These pictures of us playing in the snow make me laugh. They remind me of a morning at BYU when my friends Dana and Jen from Arizona and Texas woke up to snow and began singing Christmas carols and ran out to make snow angels. They were basically lying in the grass-gloves, hats and snow pants- with just a THIN layer of white. As I watched them from the fourth floor dorm I smiled and thought they were absolutely crazy. Now my children and I are true, snow-deprived Arizonans doing the same snow-induced thing. Funny how life works.

TYLER in the House

Hi Ladies - You may be looking for the informative blogs that Anne leaves... but not today. You get the short and sweet version from me - Tyler. My dad calls girls' small talk 'foo foo' and I would have to say that blogs seem like foo foo; however, spending some time reading through these things is actually quite fun.

We got back from Utahr this afternoon and it is amazing how nice it is to travel by plane. One could say that we swam.... Ashley and Jake like to inch through the security lines on their back until we can round them up...

Not much has changed since Anne left her blog on Friday except that...
1. BYU clobbered Eastern Washington 42-7
2. We went to Zach / Katie's house which is the bomb. They had a new Apple laptop which allowed your picture to be manipulated similar to a circus bent mirror (pictures to come shortly)
3. Jenna (Anne's sister-in-law once removed) helped Anne to remodel her blog once again... hence the music. I come home from work a couple times a month and Anne has reorganized our furniture so expect this blog to be nothing less and will have many facelifts :)

Enjoy the music. 100 years is a great song. BYE - TY


Disclaimer from me as I upload these.... if you ever want to ABSOLUTELY LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF, get a hold of an apple computer, sit in front of the built in camera and do the distortions to your face.... we about died!

What a Wonderful Week!

It is Friday morning October 19th and I am thinking about what a wonderful week it has been for my family. We are still here in Utah staying at my mom's house and it has been great being surrounded by the people we love. Everything with Ali and Blake's wedding went perfectly. The weddding dinner was a hit; we had a good time experiencing The Melting Pot and had a fun time with that. They looked like they were glowing, on cloud nine and calm as a summer's morning. I am SO happy for them. We got an extra bonus when Drew found out that he was going to be able to be in the Temple with us, which is a very special thing, because his mission papers went in this week (yes, he is back on for going on a mission, and is doing awesome!). My mom feels so blessed that things are going so well for our family! The newlyweds are incredible. They were so poised and happy and I feel such a bond to them both-- obviously. Life for them and us will be unusual with how closely connected the four of us are but I am confident that the benefits will far outweigh anything else. Pictures will be coming as soon as I get home~

Men in tights!

Recently our family went to Tempe Town Lake to walk around after dropping a friend off at the airport. It just so happened that it was "Ballet Under the Stars" night and we were just in time! Ashley was thrilled to see real live ballerinas since that is what she wants to be for halloween.

We really enjoyed the dancers and the cookies that were available to us. It was a cool, breezy night (in comparison to others) and we felt to lucky to have found this fun event.

After a while the men in tights came on stage and Luke asked if they were naked... Tyler and I got the giggles ourselves and soon decided it had been fun... but we we ready to go! :)

Attack of the Superheros!

Every Wednesday Luke has playgroup with three friends from kindergarten: Tyler Eaves, Jake McCracken and Mason Flake. They love playing with his swords and capes and costumes and I get a kick out of watching them play!

Jake the Quake!

Yesterday I found Jake on the dishwasher like this. Moments later I caught him playing basketball with a tennis ball and the toilet! He is such a busy boy it is incredible! He watches his older brother and sister (whom he idolizes) doing so many fun things that he just wants to keep up. I can't say I blame him. I just have to laugh and try to keep him safe!

The Mugleston Girls 2007

This picture was taken last week during a quick visit to Utah for Ali's wedding shower. We are all excitedly anticipating the creation of another Mugleston-Hillstead couple. It really does involve a lot of fun! This picture is of Myself (27), Ali (25), Maddie (19)and Michelle (14). I LOVE my sisters~

Fall Frenzy!

The fall is a very busy birthday time for us!

This year we had fun celebrating, each with their own party at our house.

We are thankful for the great friends with have!

Jake turned one on August 10th

Ashley turned four on October 1st

Luke turned five on September 8th!

(Tyler and I no longer share a room in the month of December, don't worry).