Family=Fun

How lucky am I? Well, pretty darned lucky cause my mom an Robyn came to visit for a week!

We had loads of fun and when I say loads, I mean a lot.

We went up to Kirtland, played games, went shopping, searched high and low for Ohio State regalia, and just chatted to our hearts content.

We all had so much anticipation built up for their arrival that it almost seemed like they were never going to get here. Now they've come and gone and I'm blogging about it. How does that happen?

We went up to Kirtland. My mom and Jeff had both been there before but Robyn and I hadn't. It was so beautiful. I have been to pretty much all of the Utah church history sites but I had never been anywhere that Joseph Smith had been. I was amazed at this place. It brought things back into perspective a little. We have so much. SO MUCH! The early members of the LDS church sacrificed more than I can even comprehend. They lived in such small homes with such large families. The women had to cook every meal over a fire and all the while, tend to the children. Yet, they found time to become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church today has done such an incredible job with the Visitor's Center to help invite the spirit. The sister missionaries were our tour guides throughout the N. K. Whitney store, school of the prophets and the ashery. They did such a great job. I love the spirit that a missionary carries. It made me miss my mission so much and it still shocks me that I've been home for 5 years! FIVE! Wow. Moving on...

Mac and GG

"Nobody messes with my GG"

Sisters, Sisters (sung to a jolly ole tune)
Mom & Mac
N.K. Whitney Store in Kirtland
The Ashery

Yes, Robyn insisted that we have the full experience by donning the entire outfit! Gloves, apron and holding the huge ladles into the cauldron. (She doesn't get out much)

It was, oh, about 90 degrees with humidity added onto that but at least we've got the memory. Thanks Rob.

Oh and we can't forget the drinks!

Kamden was so curious...about everything. Especially the things that your not supposed to touch. Those things seemed to be calling his name but he had so much fun and the sister missionaries were really fun with him.

Kirtland Temple

My mom is going to kill me for posting this picture but it was SO funny. Kamden wanted "crazy hair" like GG. He thought it was hilarious.

Robyn missed her kids and Andy so much but I was so lucky to have her around. She was so helpful with the boys, especially Kamden. He couldn't get enough of her. When he woke up, he'd go looking for her and if she was downstairs and he was upstairs, he would yell her name and tell her that he was awake and ready to play.

We had the best time and we all miss my Mom and Robyn already.

Thanks for coming ladies and thanks for the fun!

One Year Ago...

One year ago, my life got a little sweeter. Why? Because you were born.
McKay David

You are one year old. How did that happen? I look at you everyday and figure that you must be growing at warp speed. It is the only explanation for the little boy that is toddling through the house.
You're not walking...yet. You are so close. You are cruising all over the furniture and along the walls.
You can even stand on your own, for a second.
You are happy. You are content and sweet. You are going to be able to hold your own with a brother like Kamden.
You love that little thumb of yours.
You weigh18 lbs. 9 oz-3%
You are 29.5 inches-42%
You make this funny little noise that I can't really even imitate. You sound like your clearing your sinuses and it's hilarious. You blabber and talk to us all day.
Your favorite foods are grapes, cheese, graham crackers & yogurt.

So Big- 1 Year Old!

Dino Cake

You knew something good was coming.
You started out nice and slow with a chocolate kiss.
Decided that was pretty good and went in for more.
and more...
It was obviously a happy outcome.
You loved opening your presents (with a little help from brother) and blowing bubbles outside.
Mac, you are growing so fast and I love watching the little man that you are becoming. I look at you and know that I will always have my little ray of sunshine to make me happy.
We love you!

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
-Elizabeth Stone

Camping in Hocking Hills

Memorial Day was awesome this year. We went camping with some friends and had a most camp-a-licious time!

Kamden & McKay both had plenty of sticks and bugs to occupy their time.

They actually did pretty good. Kamden asked to go to bed the 2nd night. Yes, he asked to go to bed. He was so tired.

As we went on different hikes each day I was seriously amazing at how beautiful everything was.

I kept thinking not only were the natural structures absolutely breathtaking but the people that FOUND these places and built the trails deserve a high-five for sure.

Ash Cave

(Yes, that is a very small water fall behind us.)

Mac~Bright and Cheery in the mornin'

Kam walking up a cool rock stairway
When we got home, I asked Kamden what his favorite part of camping was and he said,
"I burn my finger."

While Jeff was getting the fire going, after many warnings issued by a concerned mother, Kamden touched the metal part of the pit. Yes, it burned his finger and an itty bitty blister formed. I had him sit in his camp chair with his finger stuck in a bottle water, which he did for the rest of the night.

He would take sips of his water throughout the night and by the next morning while eating breakfast, the water level in the bottle was well out of reach. However, insisted on keeping his finger in the bottle.

His finger has heeled but the memory of the burn lives on. :)

"How long have you been here?"
"Many moons..." My angel babyCedar Falls Every hiker needs a good walking stick. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they're watching a movie while camping.
Don't judge me.

Upon returning home from camping we had some campfire smell that we couldn't get off for days but it was most definately worth it!

When can we go again?!

Missing...One Ringlet

The time has come...I had to cut my baby boys hair.

Why? Well, I'm asking myself the same question.

It's kinda funny cause I was pretty determined not to cut it till he turned one but it came on all of the sudden. Before I knew it I had the scissors in hand and we were cutting curls and snappin' pics.

Now, I don't want to hear any comments that I shouldn't have done it cause I'm still a little sad about it all. hehe

It was getting in his eyes and if I didn't have lotion or gel in it, it was looking pretty shabby.

Just look at those curls!

It was a transformation, a bouncing baby to a big boy!

I wanted to make sure I got a good ringlet for his baby book but after that first initial cut I was like, "OH NO! It's too short." By then, the damage was done.

Mac would look adorable with no hair. But the curl...

I guess I better just buck up cause that's part of growin' up.