Christmas

Christmas was a beautiful day, even though the only snow we had was from about three weeks ago making it hard and crusty. The girls got many things and were happy with their presents, although McKenna enjoyed unwrapping the presents more than what was inside. We enjoyed a great day with family. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!!

Ward Party

This years ward party we actually got too. And Brooke had a big role in it. This year they had the primary sing and the youth did a play. Brooke was one of the sheep with the shepherds. She was so cute!! The young women also had to sing two songs. They served us dinner before hand and they had santa come after. It kind of reminded me of the ward parties when I grew up, but a little different. And they could maybe used a different santa, nobody really liked him, nobody sat on his lap. They all stood in front of him to tell him what they wanted. I wonder if it had to to do with the fact that his beard wouldn't stay up nor was his hair sitting right on top his head, hair was all over. But Brooke actually went up there to talk to him, which is a very first for her. McKenna wasn't too sure of him and just wanted the bag he was giving everyone, amazing she must have known what was in it, because that's all she wanted the whole wait in line.

These aren't the best pictures, I forgot my camera so I used my phone and it came out very bright.

She did take the bag from him even though, she was scared.
















A couple weekends ago, we also went snowmobiling. After it snowed during the week Mike, Sena, and I took a friends snowmobiles out on the Little Salt Lake and had a blast. Brooke didn't want to go and Kenna had such a bad cough we didn't dare take her. But we had so much fun! Mike is actually wishing it will snow again, so there will be new clean snow and we can go again!

Baking

We made gingerbread cookies one day and the makings of a gingerbread house. My first attempt and wasn't too bad for an amateur. Although yes it does need some good improving. Both girls loved to help!!! Even better when we decorated our gingerbread house a couple days later.

Christmas Program

Well, we or more importantly Brooke made it to her program this year. I didn't go watch in the morning just waited for the evening one. Since we cannot make it early, and sometimes on time either, we stood up in the back behind all the seats against the wall. Now I will just mention how common this is there were a lot of people standing, their high school auditorium is not very big. However, Brooke did great this year, singing about every song and being happy to be there!! Their theme this year was an American Christmas and dedicated it to all the people serving in the armed forces, more specifically the 222nd and soldiers in our area (their were a lot.. I say were because they are all mostly back now at the time I am posting this) The program was awesome!
 I didn't take many pictures because I video'd the program and this was the better picture of the two. And yes my daughter is the yellow one, she doesn't have a festive dress yet, my girl loves pink! She chose this one over her "cupcake" dress as she calls it because she feels like a cupcake in it and hates it. And she has ripped many wholes in her favorite dress.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving we spent with Mike's family, which consisted of our normal Sunday dinner party minus my sister... Us four, Mike's parents and younger brother Willy and his grandma Rose. We did however get a lot done that weekend though. We started putting up lights on our house on Tuesday and finished everything Thursday morning. Fixing everything too. I was excited Mike actually put most of them up without even being asked. He enjoyed it this year. Since we weren't having dinner until late in the afternoon, I decided to get my living room ready for the christmas tree. I rearranged and vacumned again.
Then Friday we headed up to my parents' meeting Shilo and Ryan there. McKenna is now so used to her bed and dark and semi quiet that anything but doesn't really help her to sleep. It took us quite awhile to get her to sleep that night then she tossed and turned. Like normal she was up early.. Saturday morning had us all preparing for the trek for our perfect christmas trees. Now Friday on the way up to my parents' I had drank some of Mike's monster energy drink. Mistake I have now ingrained into my head so I won't do it again. This has happened before and dummy me hasn't remembered the affects. I guess there is something in these energy drinks that does not blend well with my body any more. I drank some at the end of Clear Creek, and we stopped to get a few things. By the time we reached my parents' house I was feeling pretty crappy. I had absolutely no energy, I felt a little nauseous. Anyway I wasn't up to much so we chose to go the shorter (or thought it would be) trip up Willow Creek instead of  up Gooseberry. I just wasn't sure I would have as much energy as I would need for hiking where we would be going. (I always have to have something to eat and drink when hiking.... not always fun for me. or others that are with me... not sure if that's the hypoglycemic or something else).
Anyway our trip turned into a bigger hike and a lot longer than I think any of us expected, but it was fun. And I did amazing I have to say. There was only one time I had to sit down and rest and we had just climbed up a steep hill then back down a steeper part of the hill across the creek and back up the steep hill.
However we found all our perfect trees, the only sad part was I had to chop a LOT more of my tree than I would have liked. I can't wait for the time I can have a huge tree again!!! But I still love my tree, most people think I am crazy but I love my blue spruce, for some reason not many trees can show me they are the one like a blue spruce! They are my absolute favorite.
We came home Saturday evening after dinner of yummy soup. Sunday we put up the tree and all the Christmas decorations. I love my house decorated for Christmas and it makes me sad and the house feel empty when I have to take them down. But for now it is perfect!
(Sadly I didn't take any pictures of our Christmas tree adventure)

This was a quick picture I hurried to take before we left for Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Pumpkins

We saved a few pumpkins specifically to have for this month. Well I decided one day to have Kenna color a turkey on one of them. She chose her pumpkin and I sadly made her keep her hand in place while I traced it for her turkey. I taped it up, so it would have the semblance of a turkey still when she was done coloring it. These pictures were a few days later when I remembered with Brooke home to have her do one as well. Kenna was finishing hers.... and eating the markers.  She also had just woken up from her afternoon nap, I didn't brush her wild hair down. Brooke loved it and even remembered to draw feet on her turkey. (I sadly still haven't added those to McKenna's).

Carving pumpkins

 This was before Halloween, but... here they are. We started carving pumpkins this Sunday afternoon, however I had a meeting to go to and left them to their fun. Mike sent me these pictures of the girls with their pumpkins.

Halloween

This year Brooke chose an Ariel costume and Kenna chose Batarina. They both looked so cute. We sprayed Brooke's hair red, however it was like a gallon of hair spray in her hair which caused a little havoc getting her hair back in place and looking cute with her hairband. But she still looked cute. She loved having someone going with her again. Kenna was adorable and loved her costume and being dressed up. Kenna took a few times before she would wait for the candy then turn around and head back to us just as soon as she received her candy. It was so cute. She even managed to get two fundips from one man just because she wanted two. lol.

Not Much of Anything

To update, we haven't done much of anything the past little while. The first two weekends of October we went for a couple of rides up the mountains looking for elk. I thought about getting an elk tag for Cedar Mountain, but it was a little late to be thinking whereas we don't know the area all too well, nor have we been out scouting. So I didn't. The mountains look beautiful with their fall colors you just have to get higher past all the cedar trees. I love this time of year especially for all the colors!!!
On the 7th was Mike's birthday. I can't say how old, cause he'd be pretty upset if I did. He isn't too thrilled about turning this number. I did make a cheesecake that day. I gave him a few choices and he didn't care so I chose the one he had wanted me to make awhile ago when we didn't have all the ingredients.
October 1st my little brother Nolan had a football tournament in Beaver, so we all ventured up to watch him play and see my parents, Amy, and Skyler. It was different to watch 10 and 11 year olds play football. However North Summit, who they played against, was very very good. Sadly NS lost by a lot, so they didn't move on. After we met my fam at the park for a little while. It was nice seeing some of my family again. Especially where we haven't been able to travel up home much this year.
Happy Halloween all!! I don't know that there will be anything else to write before then. Enjoy the Fall season. I'm hoping it stays as nice as it has been this week.

A Jr. Cheerleader!!

We finally got Brooke to actually do something. We have tried for a couple years to have Brooke participate in something softball, soccer, etc. She gets excited at first then backs out when it comes time to register. Well this year she finally went through with Jr Cheer. She loved it!!! So excited every day. Friday night she danced at half time at the football game. She was so cute. So excited to be a "jr. cheerleader".

 Kenna hanging out with the blue and gold guys...

 The girls lined up cheering with the cheer leaders

Demolition Derby

The derby was one of those things Mike cant make his mind up over. Lol. He ended up helping his friend Bo with his car this year. They hadn't done too much work on the car just a few minor changes they hoped would help it run better. It was a pretty good derby, but after watching it for years, being behind the scenes for the past few years, and knowing the rules i believe they need to make a few changes. Anyway, Bo was attacked Every time he ran, well most of the p-town boys were. He was hit so hard that his helmet and eye glasses he was wearing were thrown off his head and he smacked his chest on the steering wheel putting the cheater knob into his sternum leaving his chest hurting. ( this was the mini car race, not derby mind you). The judges didn't care they were all racing around him and he didn't have a helmet which was...... Anyway otherwise there wasn't any other casualities. No cars flipping over or on fire. Sorry no pictures, I only took videos.

Kenna's Bday

Well this is late, but I wasn't sure whether I wanted to keep this up. Anyway my baby is now one!!!! Holy cow has she grown so much and time flew so fast. The few weeks before her birthday I kept thinking about the year before. McKenna has been one little walking tornado of an angel in our home. She has developed her cute little personality. She LOVES:

• Being outside
• Eating dirt, sticks, and rocks
• Eating almost ANYthing
• Sticking everything in her mouth
• Running away from us when we try to get her, then making it a game
• Playing with her sister as long as she is nice
• Going for any kind of ride, especially if she's not locked in her seat
• Helping anyone do whatever they are doing, whether we think its really helpful or not she tries
• Playing in the water, dirt, and mud puddles
• Eating!!!! Anytime of the day
• Climbing things and people especially for a better view
• Pulling things out of the cupboards and when you tell her no she'll smile and work faster
• Eating beans and peas and tops of onions (which also make her sick) straight from the ground
• Drinking whatever anyone else is drinking
• Trading. She loves to trade for whatever we have.
• Talking. She can say quite a few words and tries hard to say other ones when you say them
• Whistling. Anyone starts to whistle and she tries to as well, and most of the time is successful at least once.
• Carrying purses or anything with a handle she'll hold onto or put around her neck
• Horses!!! Dogs! About any animal. Real horses up close still scare her a little but she still loves them. She will try to get to any dog she sees. She's finally learning to be more gentle with the little dogs. Great Grandma Rose's dog doesn't really like her from the first time she tried petting her. lol
• Feeding the chickens. 
• Dancing! She hears music and starts dancing
• And go for walks whether by herself or in the stroller

McKenna is such an amazing little girl. She already knows how to work my phone and get it unlocked and call people. She has already called Nancy a couple times. She climbs up and down stairs on her own like a jungle gym, can drive the little 4-wheeler by herself, that used to be Brooke's. When she smiles her whole face lights up including her eyes and she smiles a lot. She's only ticklish when she wants to be. She would rather sleep in our bed than hers if we let her. Amazingly she drinks 6 ounces every 2 hours still! We are trying to work her on eating more and longer length of time in between bottles. Right now she drinks soy milk, hopefully her stomach will adapt and she'll be able to drink regular milk (hopefully sooner rather than later but we'll see). She would rather go without shoes, but it doesn't matter where she walks, she's got some tough little feet. We love having her! We wish she wouldn't grow up so fast, but like Brooke it's happening whether we want it to or not. 

  

  

We're off to school again!

And it starts again! Summer went fast and school has started. Brooke was so excited for school to start. She absolutely loves her teacher Mrs. Johnson. She only had 4 people she knew from Kindergarten and our ward in her class, but she has made new friends quickly. She loves being able to eat school lunch and going to school the full day. We have been thinking since she was in Kindergarten about putting her in a different school in Enoch, it specializes in helping each child grow on their own level so they are not limited or challenged by their grade average. The school has many really good qualities, but now that she has started here she doesn't want to leave her friends. But she likes doing her homework they tell her to do and her book in a bag. Ok so likes is a bit of an exageration, she does it because they have told her she has to. However the extra reading she is supposed to be doing isn't as a big a priority to her. Some things are frustrating, but she is growing and learning and we are trying to be patient and helpful.

Fishing

We have been gone fishing a few times over the past couple weekends. Here are some pics from them. 


Mike's first little fish of the year

 A little something about our little Kenna. She LOVES dirt. Eats it everytime she sees any. So her face is constantly dirty (literally). This is when she kept stealing my hat. 

Them in the boat during the rain. They got pretty wet out there, more than Kenna and I did on the shore

My first fish,and I even got it off without Mike's help, and without touching the fish. And yes it was still alive!

 In the boat taking a ride around the lake.

 And yet another muddy face

 Our little diva. When she wants her picture taken, she is back into posing for me. She found this burnt piece of wood and it looked like a dinosaur tooth.

 Just this weekend Kenna did touch it before she pulled back

Yes she was so thrilled for pictures this time!

The 4th

Well, we had a different 4th this year. Mike and I ended up sick, somehow, just before the weekend, and due to other circumstances we ended up staying in P-town for the holiday weekend, missing our normal celebrations as well as my grandpa H's bday bbq. Needless to say I was a bit unhappy about it at least half the weekend. I did try to be in a better mood, because Brooke was also very upset about staying home. I was trying to set a better example, it didn't work to well. Anyway, we had a pretty dull weekend of not doing much until Monday came around then we went to the parade followed by their day at the park. They had a few things from the one and only time we stayed here when Brooke was a baby, they have added a dunking tank, fishing game, and face painting. They also had a 3 on 3 basketball tournament thing going on as well. Otherwise it was basically the same thing. Sorry this is so drab, you have to understand, I grew up with a completely different 4th celebration and I loved it! The best part of the day to me, was how much it rained, it poured! So we were able to sit and watch the rain all afternoon. Then we went up to Mike's aunt and uncle's to watch the fireworks. McKenna loved the fireworks though, every other time we've watched them she's slept through them. I know that it is about our freedom and a way to honor those who paved the way for us. And we tried to help Brooke understand, but I still would like my kids to grow up having the kind of fun I had.

The other one

And Kenna. Well she is growing growing and learning so much. She walks whenever possible she will stand by herself and takes some steps then gets off balance and falls then resorts to crawling. She loves to hold onto someones fingers and walk around everywhere, just to walk. She gets off of everything, climbs up stairs, still eats about ANYthing you give her. And still loves to eat ANYtime. She absolutely LOVES outside. She will try her hardest to get to the window behind the couch and wine or cry and if anyone goes outside without her, she crawls to the door and throws a fit until they come back and take her with. McKenna is getting so tall and recognizes so many words and things. She knows where our mouth or nose or hair is. She will clap and wave and pat her leg and tell you to come with. She loves to wave to people and clap yah!!! She LOVES dogs, cats, horses, and birds. When outside she will try and head to our dog Dusty. She gets close enough but not to where he can really reach her. If farther away she will pat her leg as she is yelling at him. She has done that with the horses at Mike's work as well. It's so adorable. She is in 12 month clothes for the most part. Kenna loves to drink out of cups or water bottles, but still not a big fan of sippy cups. She also likes to empty everything. Nothing belongs on anything or in anything, that's about as much as she likes to play with her toys. She still likes me to put her to sleep. She will occasionally let her dad, but not at night it has to be mom. But she still likes her daddy. She loves to have their time and do things with him. She has her two bottom front teeth and the top front two have now pushed through the surface. She is now 10 months old and the complete opposite of Brooke when she was a baby. We love having her in our family!

There is literally no room between this little table and the recliner Mike's mom, Dana, is in. But this shows Kenna perfectly. She made her head fit up and between them. And was proud of herself when she did. 

A little about what else has been going on with us. We have had Nolan and Amy down. We haven't done anything too fun, sadly for them. Nolan stayed for a week before he went to science camp at SUU. Amy stayed a couple more. Last Thursday was Opening Ceremonies for the summer games. And it has become a tradition to go watch the fireworks. Brooke loves it! Amy actually happened to be with us last year to watch them. This time we sat on Leigh Hill again, but it was rather cold with the wind blowing. Amy and Brooke manned it out in the back of the truck for awhile, but they were later starting this year and the cold got the better of them. McKenna finally fell asleep and slept through the whole fireworks again.
Then my mom and Selena came down and spent the night Friday night. My dad and boys were at Father and Son's campout. Saturday evening we went swimming. Sena and Amy got to swim for awhile before heading home. The girls LOVED having them here. Now it's a little dull around here. We did absolutely nothing for Father's Day, sadly. It rained here most of Sunday. Otherwise our garden is all planted and coming in beautifully, including weeds. But I've already started on them, and hopefully I will be able to keep up better than last year.
I have been extremely irritated at not being able to go camping yet. They are rebuilding a bridge that leads up to Yankee so the road has been closed. The other route is barely manageable by vehicle (rough terrain) couldn't get a trailer through. Dry Lakes is still pretty muddy with some snow I imagine since Brianhead is still full of it. Although we haven't checked ourselves yet. And Paragonah for some reason doesn't appeal to Mike. And the north hills is a bit too hot this time of year. So I am hoping they are or will be done with the bridge so I can get up to the cool fresh air and have a change.