Mckenna LOVES snow!!

It has been so cold lately and it finally snowed! I have been waiting for it to actually storm and have the snow stick so that we (mainly Mckenna) could go play in it. Today we woke up to 3-4 inches of beautiful white snow! I love it!! Mckenna loved it too. She really liked eating it. I kept trying to get her to eat the clean, white snow but as kids will be kids I'm sure she had her fill of dirty snow today!! Oh well!!!

While we were out, Mckenna helped me build a snowman (just her size of course!!). She loved it. She was giving it hugs and kisses too. It was so cute. It was funny because I couuldn't find any sticks to make the arms with so I went inside and got 2 plastic spoons and then put some of Mckenna's extra gloves on the spoons for hands. Well, smart little Mckenna knew that there was spoons under the gloves and took the gloves off, picked out the spoons, and then started eating the snowman with the spoon. It was seriously so funny. She makes me laugh!! I love her so much. She makes life so much better!!! =D


We picked up new boots for Mckenna today too. She didn't really have anything to play in the snow in so the closest I could find was some really cute pink with white polka dot rain boots. They were too cute to pass up and they kept her feet dry and warm so it was worth it!! All and all it was a fun, cold, snow filled day!!

Leaves & Christmas Projects!

We have been busy and with that comes fun family holiday memories and fun Christmas projects!

Lets start with the fun memories.... Mckenna & Leaves!!

This weekend was really cold. Last night the leaves finally fell off of our tree in the front yard. Chris piled up the leaves for Mckenna to play in. It was sure cute watching her reaction to all the leaves. She was so cute all bundled up too. We're happy it is finally getting chilly here!

Next...Christmas Projects!

1st - Christmas Pajamas...

This year my sister-in-law and my mother-in-law had the great idea of making matching Christmas pajamas for all the grandkids. I made Mckenna's pair of pj's. They turned out absolutely adorable! The bottoms are made with the cutest christmas fabric of little green frogs with santa hats! We put a frog on their shirts too! They turned out really cute!

2nd - Nativity Blocks...

So, my sister-in-law (yes the same one with the great idea of making the pajamas!! =D) Missy, found this idea on the internet. We both just fell in love with the idea of making nativity blocks that your kids can actually play with. They turned out really cute. Mckenna actually loves playing with them already. I look forward to the day when I can actually teach her about the special meaning behind the blocks. It turned out to be a really great Christmas project!!

Putting up the Christmas Tree...

Mckenna loved helping put up out Christmas decorations. She helped put up our tree at our house and then helped out again at her Grandma Debbie's. We would tell her to go get a decoration and hang it on the tree and that exactly what she did. (the first time around anyways!! her next favorite game was taking the decorations off the tree and then put it back on the tree. She does this a lot now! =D)

She loves looking at the Christmas decorations. Any time she sees any Christmas decorations or lights she says "pretty!" It's really cute watching how the simple joys of Christmas really do light up a child's eyes!
We went to the Christmas lighting at the temple Friday night and Mckenna seemed to really be enjoying it! =) She slept the entire time. She was very warm and cozy. I don't blame her. It was chilly.

Pine Valley

Today we went up to Pine Valley because there was a storm in the mountains. We wanted to see if there was any snow to play around in. We didn't find too much snow to play in really, but we found the storm! By the time we drove up there we met rain and sleet and then finally it started snowing. =) The snowflakes were really big and beautiful!

It was really pretty too, cold, but pretty! We also saw some deer right off the road. Mckenna loved seeing them out her window. She even tried saying, "deer!" It was cute. She also liked slushing around in the wet snow on the dock of the lake.

All and all, it was a fun afternoon spent together as a family! Hopefully we can go back soon and actually play in the snow!

Pigtails and the Backyard!

I decided to try something new with Mckenna's hair today....PIGTAILS!! Her hair is getting pretty long in the back and so I tried it and it turned out really cute! I think she looks more grown up, like a little girl, not so much a baby. =( I guess babies have to grow up sometime...huh?!

After we got ready, I let Mckenna play in the backyard. She LOVES being outside! We were both enjoying the warm sunshine.



She found one of Chris's tools and decided to play with it! She likes playing with things she normally isn't allowed to. She was having fun banging the screwdriver on everything she could. It was cute!


It was fun outside until Mckenna found an earthworm on the ground and tried to eat it! Yuck! That didn't sit to well with me, so we came back inside!! Oh well...it was fun while it lasted!

Happy Halloween!!

Don't you just love our cute little cow?? Mckenna loves her costume this year. She is really cute when she puts it on. We are excited for this Halloween because she is old enough to sort of enjoy what she is doing! (whether she understands why her mommy is putting a silly costume on her is another story!! =D) It's fun for mom and dad nonetheless! Chris is especially excited about trick-or-treating this year....yummy candy and Mckenna is still too little to eat most of it! He loves that part of Halloween!! ;D

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween Week!!

Corn Maze

Now that I have a minute to myself, I can catch up on what has been going on with our family. My whole family came down to visit the first weekend in October. They came for a triple-birthday party for Mckenna, Chris, and Jacob. They also came since it was Conference Weekend. We had so much fun together. It was the first time we had all been together since dad's funeral. It was nice to be together again. One of the evenings they were down, we all went to the corn maze. It was fun spending quality time together. I know for me, it was much needed quality time together!


Mckenna had a fun time thinking she could do the maze all by herself! What an independent little girl!! Oh, and we didn't even plan her wearing overalls. But, she looked cute and fit right in!!


Mckenna had a great time with her cousin, Addison, too!! They don't get to see each other and play together very often, so it was really cute watching them together this weekend. They would constantly give each other hugs and kisses. It was so sweet!

Mckenna Missing Grandma Debbie

Okay so this is one of the funniest things Mckenna has done so far. The other day we were watching some home videos on our TV. There was one part on the video in particular where Mckenna was playing with her Grandma Debbie (Chris' mom). They were playing with a ball and Mckenna was laughing so cute. I had Chris film it so we could "capture the moment!"

Well while we were watching it, Mckenna saw her grandma on the TV. (Well...if any of you know about Grandma Debbie and the way she is with her grandkids, you will know that her grandkids are VERY much attatched to her and always want her.) Well, when Mckenna saw her on the video she ran right up to the TV and started reaching for her and then she started to cry. It was so cute and funny and a little sad too. She wanted her grandma so bad!! She was literaly distraught the rest of the night because she could see her grandma, but she couldn't reach her
As hard as she tried, she couldn't figure out where grandma was. Even after we turned the video off, she was still crying and reaching for the TV. I'm sure it was confusing to her that she could see her but she couldn't find her to give her a hug

After about ten minutes or so of crying for her grandma, we gave her a bottle and she finally fell asleep. She was so worn out from wanting her grandma. It was pretty cute and funny! She just missed her Grandma Debbie!

Look Mom.....I can feed myself!

Today for lunch I was going to give Mckenna some butternut squash to eat. She normally doesn't like eating jarred baby food, but I was trying to get her to eat what we had in our pantry. Well after about 2 bites from me feeding her, she decided that I wasn't doing a good enough job. So she took the spoon and the jar from me and when to town! She loved feeding herself. She actually ate most of it too. I thought she was just going to play with it. She made a fun little mess and had fun doing it!!

My baby girl is ONE!!

Yesterday was Mckenna's 1st birthday. We had a fun little party for her. She had a good time. She loved eating her cake. She was a little shy at first but dug right in after she tasted that delicious pink frosting. (her cousins helped her eat her cake too. You'll see Caleb in some of the video eating her cake right next to her. It was funny!)

Thanks to all who came to her party. She got a lot of cute clothes and toys. Chris and I gave her a baby set that had a stroller, car seat, and bassinet. She LOVES it. She loves taking her baby on walks in the stroller. It amazes me how naturally it comes to her to love and care for a baby. She will carry the car seat around and rock her baby too. It is so cute.

It's a very bittersweet thing for your baby girl to turn one. I just am having a hard time actually believing that Mckenna is already one. It just seems like yesterday I was holding her in my arms in the hospital. Time sure does fly by. Now I understand the old cliche that kids grow up too fast. It is definitely true. We love our baby girl and although she is one now, she is still her mommy and daddy's baby girl!

Enjoy the video of her birthday!!

Mckenna's Birthday Party

Mckenna is turning 1 this Thursday, September 18th! If you want to make it to her birthday party, you are welcome to come. It is at the Pine Valley Townhome Clubhouse at 6pm. It's hard to believe she is already 1! Hope to see you there!!

Yay......I passed!!!

At the end of July I took the Elementary Education PRAXIS test. I fianally received my results after a long wait yesterday. I am happy and thrilled to say that I PASSED!!!

I was really nervous to open the envelope. Probably because if I didn't pass I'd have to pay a lot more money to take it again and then all of this stress cycle would have started all over again. But now that I have passed I don't have to worry about it anymore!! YAY!! One more thing to cross off of my checklist!!

Time for school already???

Well today was my first day back at school. It is my 2nd semester into the Elementary Education program at Dixie State College. (only 2 more to go!! Yay!) I really am liking it so far. It's hard to believe that summer is already over and school is starting back up. Summer went by too fast but it was one to remember! So far this school semester seems like it's going to be pretty good. I am going to be working at Bloomington Elementary this semester. It seems like a fun school so I am excited. I'm in a 5th grade class so that should be a good experience for me.

I'm especially grateful for family while I am going to school. They are my life savors when it comes to babysitting Mckenna. I was really worried about who was going to watch her this semester. Mckenna's aunt Nicole (Chris' sister) used to watch her on Wednesdays, but she recently got married and moved up to Salt Lake so I was out a babysitter and was really worried about what we were going to do. Luckily my prayers were answered and Jenna (another one of Mckenna's aunts) was able to fix her work schedule so that she was available to watch Mckenna every Wednesday morning! (Thanks again Jenna!!) So everything has worked out! Chris watches Mckenna Monday mornings and Grandma Debbie watches her on Tuesdays. It is so nice and such a comforting feeling for a mom to know her baby is in good hands while she is gone to school. If is wasn't for family being close and able to help I don't know what we would do. The Lord has blessed our little family that is for sure!

Sunsets in Paradise!

While we were in Hawaii we saw some of the most beautiful sunsets. Here are just some of the awesome pictures we took on our trip. Enjoy!

Tattoos and the Polynesian Cultural Center

We had a great time on our family vacation in Hawaii. It was a great trip with my family. We all had such a great time. Great family memories were made that's for sure. Here are some of the pictures from our trip.

This is taken at the Polynesian Cultural Center at our Luau. That was one of the biggest highlights of our trip. We had a very great authentic Hawaiian experience there!! I loved the fresh flower leis they gave us there. Too bad they didn't last long enough for us to bring them home with us.

Sarah, Geneava, Mckenna and I all got the same ankle tattoo at the Fiji exhibit. We learned that tattoos are very popular and important in different Polynesian cultures. We thought we could use a little culture in our lives!! =)

Here is Mckenna's tattoo up close!

Chris, Stephen, and Leonard were like the 3 amigos on our trip. They had to get matching tattoos too. Very tough guys!!

The Polynesian Cultural Center was very awesome.One of the best exhibits was the Tahiti exhibit. I think Chris and Steven especially liked this one because their dad went to Tahiti on his mission. The show they put on was awesome. The girls can shake their hips like 100 times a min. They are very quick movers and it looks awesome when they dance to the drums. We liked watching them dance a lot.


Mckenna loved it when we were nice and let her out of the stroller. She loves walking and especially loves the somewhat freedom that comes from it. She managed to find a lot of huge leaves to pick up and thought that was about the coolest thing. Oh well....At least she wasn't screaming!!

We are in HAWAII!!!

We are on our family vacation this week in Hawaii!! Chris, Mckenna, myself and Chris's brother, Stephen, all came out with my family. We are staing with my uncle right outside of Laie on the North Shore of Oahu, just about 100 yds from the beach and just a couple miles from the Temple. It is so beautiful here and we are having so much fun.


This picture was taken at Polynesian Cultural Center. We had just gotten done eating at our luau. The PCC is so awesome. We have lots of fun pictures and video from there. Anyways....Here is just a quick family picture and we'll post more pictures after we get back.

Playing outside

Since Mckenna has started walking, a whole new world has opened up to her...including the rock pile outside our townhome. Tonight, we were outside playing and she realized that she could walk over there and pick up rocks. But the fun didn't stop there, she found it even more fun to lick every rock she picked up....Yum Yum (I guess!). I guess kids will be kids. And I guess I can't blame her too much because her mommy used to eat red Moab dirt. So I guess Mckenna's cravings are just coming a little earlier in life!!

Another favorite thing Mckenna loves is eating GoGurts! She loves being independent and eating them while walking. It's cute and most of the time an outside activity because of the mess she usually makes!

We bought these sunglasses for Mckenna from Target. They were on clearance and somehow mommy snuck them into the cart when daddy wasn't looking. (Sorry again Chris! =D) But anyways...Mckenna plays peek-a-boo with them. It's really cute! Guess they turned out being a good buy after all!

Yay...My test is over!

Saturday morning I took my big PRAXIS test (with many, many other poor souls!!). It is good to have it done with. Hopefully all my random studying paid off and I passed. I will find out in about 4 weeks, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It feels good to have that behind me, and now I can focus on packing for Hawaii! We're so excited. We leave next Monday for a week of fun in the sun!! We are going with my side of the family. It is going to be partly in celebration of Chris and my 2nd anniversary as well as my 23rd birthday! (which is tomorrow!!! YAY!) Hopefully Mckenna likes the plane ride over there and back....mom and dad are a little worried about containing her for like 6 hours in one spot. She is too mobile and doesn't like to be contained by anyone or anything so we are keeping our fingers crossed about that too!! If anyone has any traveling tips for traveling with an always-on-the-go baby, let us know!!

Fun in the Sun!!

While Sarah has been down staying with us for a while, we've been trying to think up new and fun things to do to both keep Mckenna entertained while also providing us with a little relief from the St. George summer sun.

The other day we decided to go to one of the parks down here and play in their little splash pad they have there. Mckenna really enjoyed it! She loved walking around and splashing in the water. She also loved playing with the other kids that were there. She would say "tids" and point at them playing and then walk up to the other kids and babies there and try to give them hugs or just play with them. It was really cute.
Mckenna enjoyed the fact that she could walk around all by herself too! (and so did mom!!)

Mom and Mckenna playing in the water!


Mckenna (and Mom!) have enjoyed having Aunt Sarah down to play with. Here they are together at the splash pad....I think Mckenna wasn't exactly liking being held. These days she much rather likes being independent and walking on her own...something Sarah had to learn really quickly since she has been down!!

It was a fun summer day!!! We had a lot of fun! It will definitely be something we do again!!

Mckenna...walking AND talking!!!

Mckenna started really walking last week. She figured out that she could walk from the TV stand to the couch and it has been nothing but more and more walking ever since. It's hard to believe that she is old enough to be walking!

This week Mckenna will turn 10 months old! WOW! Time sure does seem to fly by! This week Sarah is also staying with us. She is having a lot of fun with Mckenna and keeping me company as well. We are all having fun being girls!!

Mckenna also started trying to say a lot more words too. Not only does she say mom and dad, she started saying ball and kids too! This is a video of her playing with her new favorite toy (thanks to Addison having the same toy!! =) She loves playing with the balls and now she says ball too!! It's way cute! She also is taking steps in the video as well! (Thats especially for you Grandma!!) So, Enjoy!!!

Family Pictures

I just barely uploaded the pictures from off of my camera from the past couple trips to Moab. I think that these family pictures we took turned out really good. These two pictures were taken the night of Leonard's high school graduation. The one below is the last picture I have with my dad. What a special picture and memory for me! That was a really great time for my whole family. It was the last time we were all together as a family with my dad. I am so glad we took pictures when we were all together. Life is unexpected and it turned out being the last family pictures we have with my dad. What a special blessing to have these pictures. It was a special day that I'm sure we will all remember forever!


This next picture was taken the day of my dad's funeral. As sad of a day it was, it was such a blessing to have my whole family together once again. We have spent a lot of quality time together since my dad became sick. I think our family has grown so much stronger during these past few months. I am so thankful for the blessing of family in my life. Even though my dad is gone, I know that our family will be ok. We have been blessed so much since his passing and continue to be blessed. His legacy really does live on through our family. I know we all will miss him dearly and love him so much. The knowledge we have of eternal families really does bring us comfort at a time like this. I am so happy to have that knowledge and to know that I will see my dad again one day and that my family will be together forever! What better blessing could a family have?