Mckenzie's First Birthday

Mckenzie turned one on January 12th. I can not believe that my baby is already one! It seems like not that long ago we brought her home from the hospital. She is such an amazing baby girl and is so full of life. She follows her brother and sister everywhere they go and tries to join in with them in all they do. She loves to give hugs and is very cuddly. She makes me smile.

For her birthday we had family over for dinner, cake, and ice cream. She wasn't all that sure about opening presents, but had LOTS of help from her big sister. She loves the gifts she was given and is very territorial when Jackson and Addi play with them or take them away from her.

We ordered her cake through Walmart and the cake decorator took the napkins that we were using so she could make the cake identical to the birthday decorations. I was actually pretty impressed.

Walmart also made an individual cake for a penny for the birthday girl to dig into and enjoy. She wasn't so sure about it at first, but....

she really got into it and had to have a bath immediately after. She had cake in her hair, ears, up her nose, it was everywhere. I think she enjoyed it. We had a fun time. To our big one year old, We Love You!!

December 2010, Part 2, Christmas

We had such a fun Christmas season this year. Jackson and Addi understand more and more each year. The season started off with Jackson and Addi spending the night at Grandma Patti's early in December to help decorate her Christmas tree. This has been a yearly tradition with Jackson and this was Addi's first year. They both had so much fun and Grandma always goes the extra mile. Both of the kids came home with new Christmas pillow cases on their pillows that she had made and they both were so sad to see the sleepover end. Brad and I both traveled this month, me for fun and Brad for work, so the month went by too fast. We live in such a great and fun neighborhood and ward. We were constantly receiving treats and gifts from friends and enjoyed giving out my Great Grandma Rowley's chili sauce. On Christmas Eve we had a fun night, full of anticipation and excitement at Grandma Patti and Pappa Joe's with Aunt Jenni and Uncle Justin. We came home and once again Santa's elves had dropped off new pajamas for everyone including mom and dad this year. They also left a magic Santa key to hang on the front door Christmas Eve to let Santa in since Jackson was so concerned this year about how Santa gets in since we do not have a fireplace. The kids woke up around 7:00 Christmas morning and surprisingly followed instructions to "come and get mom and dad up before going in the front room". Addi was not feeling well that morning and did not want to do anything. When we got out into the front room she fell to the floor and fell back asleep. The kids were so excited and had tons of fun opening their gifts as did mom and dad. We had our family tradition of Hot Roll Pull Aparts for breakfast and let the kids enjoy the afternoon with their toys and a visit from Uncle Greg. Later that evening we went to Grandma Donna's and Pappa Kirk's house for Christmas dinner, exchange gifts with cousins and siblings, talk to Uncle Paul, and enjoyed a great game of spoons. Just as every Christmas Day Night, I came home, sat down, and stared at the tree and felt sad. I LOVE the Christmas season and as the day came to an end I was sad that all the excitement, happiness, giving, and focusing on our Savior's birth was done for another year and wondered if I did all I could have in the past days to embrace the kids and such fun moments in our lives. And just like every other year I promise myself that next year will be just as great, if not better. :)

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December 2010, Part 1, NYC

Yes, I am a little behind (as usual), but better late then never. I had the opportunity to go to the big apple with my sister and best friend and we had an amazing time. Brad went to the Utah Notre Dame game back in November as did my sister's husband. My sister and I watched the game together and talked to each other a ton that weekend because neither one of us like being home alone. On one telephone conversation she said we need a girl's trip, so we decided to think about it and talk the next day. When she called the next day I told her that I thought about Park City or St. George and she said that we were so not on the same page and she was thinking Chicago, San Francisco, or NYC. We decided to go for it when her hubby found a great deal on plane tickets the next day. We had such a fabulous time. We stayed less then a block from Times Square, shopped, saw the Twin Towers site, took the subway, ate great food, but my favorite part were the Broadway plays we saw. Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. Phantom was amazing and the girl who played the main part had the most amazing voice. I have never heard such a strong, loud, clear, amazing voice. However, Wicked is my favorite of the two. The story line was great and the music was just amazing. I loved every minute of it and could see it over and over again. I decided that I could go to NYC and just see plays. We had a great time and can't wait to go again. Thanks sis for the great trip! I still look back and laugh at all the silly things (milfo pla and the 29 year old grandma walking down the stairs) and all the great talks we had. It was a blast! Thanks to my Love for making my dream of seeing NYC at Christmastime come true and letting me go, taking time off work and taking care of the kids, and giving me a much needed break. I love you babe!