Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving we spent at my parents'. Due to work and weather we left Thanksgiving morning. However due to everything else we got out of the house 2 1/2 hours later than I planned. Making dinner a little late, since everyone waited for us. It was a yummy dinner. And I have to brag I made one dang good pumpkin pie!!! I surprised myself. We were so happy to see at least one set of grandparents that day. It was a wonderful day! Thanks for having us dad and mom.

McKenna

McKenna turned 3 months on Saturday and it's amazing how time has gone by. I cannot believe that it is now almost Thanksgiving! I love being able to watch her grow and learn new things all the time. I wasn't able to with Brooke so this has been extremely fun! McKenna is a lot different than Brooke.
 Kenna is a very happy baby most of the time

She loves to smile, talk, and will even laugh when she feels like it

She is getting her front teeth

She has lots of hair even though she rubbed a lot off in the back

She tries so hard and is successful at times to sit up

She will roll off anyone holding her or even dive off
She loves her hands. Whether it is just moving her fingers up and down while holding onto your finger or a blanket or shirt or just watching it move to her face
She still loves to cuddle and most of the time will wake up when I put her down while she's sleeping

She loves to be undressed. Even though shes cold she still likes it

She hates to have a wet butt

She loves showers and baths
She hates her dads facial hair
She absolutely loves her dads truck, if it starts up and shes not in there or I'm not with her she has a fit
She loves to be outside
She likes to watch the tv for a little bit- all the motions- she likes looking at my computer screen too
She loves ceiling fans and lights

When she was 9 weeks at her 2 months check up and shots she weighed 11 lbs. 14 oz and 23 inches long

We love having her with us and in our home. Brooke is a great help, to the point of scaring me. Mike wasn't ever too keen on having any more kids but he adores Kenna and she likes him better than Brooke did, and I know he loves having two girls. They are our life and happiness and we love them!!!

Family Pictures

A couple weeks ago we took some family pictures.

McKenna was not happy. She was hungry and I forgot the bottle in the truck that I had ready for just this purpose, so every time we took the binki out of her mouth she cried. I just love the picture.

I never realized just how much I look like my dad until I seen these pictures of Kenna and I.

Red Ribbon Week

A couple weeks ago Brooke had her first red ribbon week and she loved it. She got to wear her shirt backwards, have crazy hair day, pajama day, wear her costume to school for her Halloween party and parade around the elementary school. She also liked all the "disemblies" they had. Here are a few pictures of her that week.

She jad to wear her boots with her sleeper on pj day! Gotta love it!!

Halloween

This year we were going to go to my parents for Halloween, cause Brookey wanted to go trick-or-treating with Skyler and Nolan and Amy. We ended up staying home because of the move. She was a little sad, but maybe next year we'll be able to go. Instead we went to our new/old ward's trunk or treat again. Brooke decided on Super Girl this year (of course it was pink) and McKenna we just got a Halloween outfit for her. After the trunk or treat we Mike, Sena, McKenna and I headed back home to do some more work while Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Willy took Brooke around to a few houses finding her cousins along the way. Brooke had a blast and received a ton of candy, which we have all been loving to eat (especially Selena lol... believe me it was way more than enough for Brooke alone)!!!!

To my parents

I want to thank my parents for all they have done for us. This is late, but I didn't want to not post it. My parents came down a couple weeks ago to help us with the house or move or just whatever we needed help with. About every time we have moved they have either come down to help (or the girls) or at least offer their help. They are always trying to think of things or ways to help us and we appreciate all they do. It's usually just simple acts like making sure we have home grown green beans, corn, homeade jam, etc. or always bringing some food when they come stay and leaving it for us or buying us lunch or dinner getting stuff for Brooke and now McKenna too (I know that's a grandparent thing... but still)... Or a step ladder my dad mysteriously buys and leaves down here for us. Especially knowing how much of a pain it was for me to reach anything on our top shelves at the house we just moved from. I used our flour and sugar buckets to reach everything. It was helpful but I have loved this step ladder and it has come in really handy. Brooke especially loves it-to play or eat on. My brothers have been so helpful with some cleaning or working... Skyler has even helped mow our lawn it was his favorite thing this last summer. And Amy loves holding McKenna!! They have all been a big help and we can't thank them enough for all they do for us, even living an hour and a half away.
Thanks to Mike's parents as well for the use of their dryer right now (as is mine is broke) and helping out with Brooke.

The Move

So... we've moved again!! Yes I know we move a lot. A LOT! The house we were living in was supposed to be a temporary one, when we had to move out of the, we'll call it the big house, we were in due to the owners wanting to move back into their home. Well there was nothing around here at the time, this cute little house barely came up the weekend before we had to be out of the "big house". So we took it, but our contract was for a year. So when Spring rolled around I started looking for another house, especially with  new additions to our family coming. Upon finding nothing for months and months, Selena moved in getting ready for college, McKenna was born and we were still in the "little house". We were fitting 5 of us in a tiny 2 bedroom house. I called the house cursed, because I have never broken so many things in my life, with the whole main floor tile. Christmas time brought many decorations and tree ornaments broke, plates, cups/glasses, cookware/bowl thing (my really nice one), candle holders, and more.
Just when it was looking like we were going to have to live there for another year we were able to buy this cute old house. Granted it needs a lot of work. But we are already working on some of the problems. At first I was a little skeptical because of how much work it needs and how much we really do not have the money for it. But buying it was cheaper than any rent including what we were paying and it would be ours. And with house prices around here us buying another house wouldn't come for awhile still so we took the opportunity. Everything happened so fast and we have been busy for the past 3 weeks or so working on the house and everything else. Because of the type of loan we have been able to do a few things now to fix up the house such as a furnace (very nice), much needed new carpet and entryway flooring, and dishwasher.
But we have also been working on the bsmt, which will be the master bedroom. It had a leak in the one corner which had caused quite a bit of black mold over the drywall. So we ripped all the drywall down only to find that the rock foundation had some problems, some of the mortar had gone to dirt over the years (this house was built in the 1880's... It was actually the first post office in Parowan). There was also no insulation down there. I guess it was used as a root cellar for most of its life. But as with most cases on old houses there are more problems that leak through the more you work on them, as is our case. When they (being whoever put it in) wired they did it half a**** as well as any fixes they did. A lot of the 2x4s were rotten and had to be taken out and replaced with a few extra put in, they didn't even frame with exact measurements for each one... some were 2' apart some were more some were less. One of the main house supporting beams had a split through it. The list of problems does go on, but I won't complain any more other than one big whine right here. The original part of the house, not the kitchen on back that was added on, has pine tongue and groove floor through the living room and two bedrooms, what do you think the "nice" people did to the beautiful original floor??? NAILED plywood to it!! I was so mad when we realized that. We were thinking it would have wood floors under the old carpet so we could just refinish them and have a beautiful original floor, well when we pulled up the carpet it was plywood so we were disappointed naturally. Well when they (being Mike and Sena, since I was upstairs taking care of a baby) pulled down the sheetrock from the ceiling in the basement, there it was the beautiful floor just like we thought, well the space was covered in cobwebs and dead spiders but still. The same floor is up in the attic. Oh but sidenote there is also a great old door up there too!!! I love finding treasures, old things used by people way before I was born.
Anyway so we have come far already, however, Mike and I are still sleeping in the living room patiently waiting until we finish our room. I use the word patiently loosely. At least its starting to get to that point, we are anxious to have a room again!
I am slowly getting things together and up in the house. We moved quickly and was able to put most things away and/or together but there are still things needing done. And unfortunately with a 12 week old baby doing much without her isn't easy. So when I have final pictures on our room I will post before and afters of the whole house then.

More to Come

I've been slacking lately and have more to update on. So there will be more coming soon.

A Trip to the Zoo

Every year since Brooke's birth, except last year, we have gone up to Hogle Zoo. We meant to last year and just never did it. Well I wanted to make sure we went this year to keep up tradition. This year Shilo and Ryan joined us. We ended up driving up Saturday morning of the 9th and met up at their house in AF before heading up to the zoo. Brooke had a ton of fun especially having Sena, Shi, and Ryan with. Kenna slept through most of it and was happy in the stroller as long as we kept moving, if we stopped she would realize she wasn't being held and get a little cranky. Not that she didn't get held too, but it ended up a little chilly. (We were there for hours, longer than ever before). It was a fun day enjoy some pics...
That night we ate at one of my favorite places The Olive Garden. However, I was extremely dissapointed in AF's restraunt. It was not good, and I haven't gone to one that wasn't good. Then Sunday Sena, Kenna, and I went to Sacrament Meeting with Shilo and Ryan before we (including Mike and Brooke) headed off to Cabelas. Of course!! We cannot go up north without stopping at Cabelas at some point. Being that we spent quite a bit of time there, we headed home afterwards. Ever since McKenna was born time has flown by twice as fast as it did with Brooke. So naturally time gets away from us rather quickly. All in all it was a fun weekend, we didn't do everything we planned on doing, but that's ok.

Ryan being funny!

I had to add this one just because of Kenna's face. She didn't like being held up and away from him. But I was very happy that Mike actually did this, let me take his picture willingly. I told him I did Brooke it's his turn with Kenna.

Shilo and Kenna

One of her never ending smiles!!!

Sena and Brooke getting ready to ride the train

Sena, Brooke, and Ryan

One sad monkey!

My Admiration

I wanted to write a little something about my uncle, as most of this blog is for me a sort of journal keeping. This man is such an amazing man!! I have always admired my uncle Jim. At first he was just such a nice one, but as I grew older I have seen many qualities about him. I don't know quite how to say everything. He is a very giving man, very generous, humble, patient, kind, slow to anger, good businessman, bishop, father, husband, friend, son, grandpa, and brother. Everyone around him loves him! He knows, feels and lives by the truthfulness of the gospel! And because of his example and love (and of course my aunt Ann's as well) he has a wonderful family! But right now my awesome uncle is fighting for his health and life. He has been battling cancer for a year maybe two now. Not only him but has to watch his son go through it again as well. I cannot imagine what his family is going through. Nor can I understand the strength and positive attitude my uncle has kept throughout it all. But I admire him so much more! He is such a great example to me. And I am so grateful to have him as my uncle! I know my dad is very grateful to have him as a brother! His family has done so much for mine. And I love them for their great examples and the people they are!!!
I also have to say how much I love my dad! I have always been a daddy's girl without a doubt, but as I have watched him over the years I have grown to respect him. I recently gained a new level of respect for him. And I am so grateful for what he is doing, knowing how he is makes it more special. I am also very grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder.
So thank you to both of these two great men in my life and all the others. I love, respect, and appreciate all that you do!

9-26-10

This weekend was a beautiful Fall weekend, minus the smokey ride up I-15 and 70. Saturday we spent a couple hours with my grandparents who I, sadly, haven't seen all this year. It was so good to talk with them again. Sunday started out a bit off for me, since I woke up late. But my dad gave a beautiful blessing for McKenna. McKenna as some said, had to give her input as well. Mike wanted her to sleep so she would be happy and not fussy in church, so he didn't wake her up while I was getting ready. She has had some stomach aches and been constipated the past week so she hasn't felt very good. So she was able to eat a little before church, but since we were a little late she didn't get to eat to a full stomach. She was a little upset about that and cried during her blessing. My dad thinks he was holding her a little funny. Which could have been part of the problem, she loves to snuggle and being held out away from him might not have made her happy. Plus as soon as they were done and he held her up she immediately stopped.
I was so thrilled to have my grandpa in the circle this time. When we had Brooke's blessing, we did it here in Parowan and with his back was bothering him the way it was a trip down here wouldn't have been good. So whereas we named McKenna after him and my Mickelsen side it meant more to have him there.
We missed all of the rest of our families, but wish them well. After the blessing we had a little lunch at the park, which I am grateful to my mom, sisters, and dad for preparing. I did a lovely job of not helping really at all (it was a great morning). I am still working on re-learning how long it takes to get a baby ready to leave, plus add on a 5 year old. I am getting better most of the time, as long as I wake up on time!! So a big thank you to all my family and friends for helping and well wishes, it helped to make the day so special.

 I love my grandparents and for some reason seeing him and grandma this weekend brought back so many more memories of their house and being with them before all these ailments of older age caught up with them. They are the best grandparents a person can ask for. I wish I lived closer so I could be there to help them with things, listen to more stories, look at all the pictures, and learn to bake/cook like my grandma. But I will take all the time I possibly can get.

  

This dress was supposed to be Mike's when he was blessed, his mom said no way. It was given by his Grandma Stubbs (who was English).

Sena took this and Mike wanted it to go on here
 since he always has to and they both hate pictures.

Later that afternoon everyone that could met at my grandparents' house for a family prayer with on and on behalf of my uncle. We (Mike and I) were again late but caught the end of the prayer offered by my dad. Then they gave my dad a blessing. It was a wonderful site to see so many of my family gather together at my grandparents' again only on behalf of a member of our family, by the end there wasn't very many dry eyes left. I love the fact that no matter how often we see our family now, so many are willing to come together for someone else still. I love my family and I am so grateful to be born to such a large one. And I am especially grateful to be born a Mickelsen. I love my name and I love my heritage on both my grandpa and grandma's side.

McKenna's Blessing

Since none of my announcements have worked on getting out, I am announcing through here as well. We are blessing McKenna this Sunday Sept. 26 9 AM at the Aurora Church. There will be a a lunch following at 11 at the Aurora Scout Cabin. We invite any to come who possibly can, if your not able we understand and will miss you.

Carnival

We have been busy the past couple weeks with the Fair stuff going on. I will help Mike's parents with lunches and dinners they serve to the judges and then dignitaries. We will also help them with putting up and taking down flags when they need help. Then there are the rodeo's, horse races, fair exhibits and vendors booths to look at as well as the carnival.
Saturday we took Brooke to the carnival after the rodeo. No matter how hard we tried to talk Brooke into waiting until the next day so it wasn't as busy she didn't want to. So my pictures aren't that great without my flash. I hate to use my flash because people mistake it for lightening until they figure out where it's coming from. And that's if I haven't blinded anyone with it while taking the picture. Anyway here are some pictures... and this year Brooke wanted her dad with her... A nice change that I loved, especially since I was able to take pictures of him and her.