Highlights of the Hyatts

There have only been a few friends in my life that have become almost like a sister and Sunny is definitely one of those.  I always tell people that Sunny is so nice and awesome, you think it has to be fake.  But she's 100% genuinely that nice, humble, cheerful, helpful, beautiful, spunky, talented and fun.  Her family moved from their house around the corner on Saturday. Just to the other side of town but far enough we won't see each other 4-5 times a week at church, school, running, joy school, play group etc.

We made a pact that we were never moving as we saw friend after friend move away. In sacrament meeting our friend Bette-Sue called her a liar ;-) But a wonderful 5th kid is on it's way for them, and I'm super happy but I offered to adopt a kid (I'd adopt any of those Hyatt's in a heartbeat) so they wouldn't have to get a bigger house. I wanted to write some of my favorite memories of our years as neighbors and friends.  There's nothing like someone moving away to make you realize how good you've had it and how much you'll miss them!

Highlights of the Hyatts

August 2010
One of the first Sundays we brought the twins to church I remember seeing her with little Aspen and she was due any day with her 2nd daughter McKinley right after they moved in.  I think the Grover's moved in about this same time. She has a kid close in age to all of my kids, we knew we had to be friends!

2011 Charlotte's 3rd birthday, Aspen, Sunny and McKinley on the left

I was feeling isolated after the twins, especially after 6 weeks of taking it easy before they were born.  I decided to start a lunch get together for all the moms and babies that were born that summer.  My friend Kelli told me Sunny had just moved in and had her baby a few days before. I called up and talked to Jacob while Sunny was resting and e-mailed her and she showed up with her tiny baby.  I remember multiple times she would stay at my house and do the dishes, sweep, and wipe counters before she would go home.  She's thoughtful and such a hard worker always staying until the job is done.  The mom/baby lunches became a regular thing- here we are at Halloween with 8 of the 9 babies born that summer

L to R in birth order Hadlie, Evelyn, Levi, Olly, Abby, Hudson, Jacob, McKinley all born May-Sept 2010 we were just missing Finn in this one. 5 of these kids were in the same class at school this year!

We started running together in 2012 with Kelli, usually and 2-3 mile loop.  We took some breaks to have babies but we've logged a lot of running hours together.  It's exercise, therapy, and social time all rolled into one.  All of which is hard for stay-at-home moms to come by.  I have been very lucky in my running partners.  Sunny is always upbeat and cheerful.  Even at 5am.  We always had lots to talk about.  When we're not running the things I want to talk to her about pile up.  She is good at pushing me but always super nice at staying with me.

One of our last mornings running with Emily May 2016  L to R I think it's me, Cassie, Sunny, Emily but I could be off!

2013 We both had baby boys Miles and Elijah and did another baby lunch for this group-

L to R Miles, Penny, Emma, Elijah, and Elizabeth
Of this group of 7 Miles is the only 1 left in the ward.  4 live in other parts of Mesa, Emma moved to CA, and Penny moved to Switzerland.  Good thing some new friends have moved in. Shows you how much turn over our ward/neighborhood has.

L to R Simon, Steven, Miles, Penny, Emma

2014 Aspen and Charlotte did half day kindergarten together.  It made me feel better that she had a friend.  They got to ride the half-day bus together.

We started trading babysitting every other week for Let's Play Music parent days.  It was such a relief to have someone who needed me as much as I needed her.

2015 Charlotte did her first year of swim team with Aspen. We carpooled every day and took turns watching the little babies at home.  It was a life saver to only sit in the heat every other day alone instead of with 3 kids.  Sunny was Charlotte's nursery leader so she was great at handling her worrying.

2015-2016 We got to serve in young women's together. She often had 2-4 young kids with her since her  husband had bishopric responsibilities.  I think she was pregnant or nursing the whole time she was in young women. She was super woman hiking a mountain 8 months pregnant in the summer that the girls were complaining about.  Driving girls on an overnight camp out while she still had a nursing baby so she had to pump.  Then when I got a flat tire she followed me all the way to Payson and back to make sure I was okay.  I still tear up when I think about that.  It meant so much to me!

Trained and ran our first 10k together.  She kept me going and stayed with me most of the race.

2017 Ran and trained for our first half marathon.  I would have NEVER tried a half marathon if she hadn't done it with me.  Cassie Goodman, Sunny, and I would run at 5am Tuesday and Thursday and for 2 hours Saturday morning.  She was seriously impressive on race day.  We stayed together until about mile 10 then she kicked it into high gear and I told her not to let me hold her back.  I was so proud of her!

She lets me steal Elijah for the park or library along with their friend Carson.  These 3 are a handful in Sunbeams because they spend so much time together at Joy School and park days! The three stooges.  They love to make silly noises and laugh so hard.

These boys love to hide when it's time to go home.  

Being an Octopus swing at the park.

We got to be room moms together for the twins and McKinley's class this year.  Miles and Elijah have become the BEST of friends this year.  They have so much fun together.  Miles is always happy when Elijah is around.  Ezekiel her strawberry blonde youngest and I are good pals.  I'm pretty sure our turtles are his favorite though.  He asks me "I see turtles" every time he sees me anywhere. Not having nieces and nephews close it's been so fun for me to get to know these kids so well.

Moving Day 

May 13, 2017 

I guilted them into coming to the ward ice cream social at the park so we could see them again.  It was fun helping her move and getting to see her new house this week too!

McKinley and Hadlie

Aspen, Charlotte, Keelie

McKinley and Hadlie

Miles was in an awful late nap mood until Elijah showed up!  Best buds!

Last run together as a trio! 

We'll be friends forever but I wish we could stay neighbors forever too!  I wish our kids could play at recess, and be in school classes and church, and go to mutual together.  I wish I could train for a race every year then walk and talk when we get too old to run (you're so awesome you'll probably run until you die though!)   I hate when good things end, and the Hyatt's have been such a great part of our lives.  I've loved doing the young mom phase together.  I can not thank you enough for your friendship, for being so willing to take and love my kids when I haven't had family close. It's a good thing they are only moving across town or I would be a real mess!  Getting almost 7 years together was pretty awesome!