4th of July Visit Part 1

This is probably the first of many posts about the 4th of July. This year we went to Idaho Falls, Menan, and Yellowstone Park for a week over the 4th. We left on June 30th. Denny picked us up bright and early and we headed to the airport. The previous night Mac started teething and was absolutely miserable the entire plane ride. We were those people that everyone stare at on the plane, giving us the "shut your baby up" look. We gave her Tylenol, and used Orajel teething medicine, nothing made her feel better. So, we just tried to entertain her and made the best of it. We rented a car and drove to my dad's house in Idaho Falls. We chatted while Mac had a much needed nap. Grampa and Gramma Rue and Chelsey arrived that night and we went to dinner at Smitty's (classic old restaurant on the Snake River.) The rest of the first night was spent playing cards and relaxing. Sometimes Mac didn't even want to eat because her teeth hurt so much. We had to be silly and make her laugh.

--Here I am feeding her yogurt on the floor--

The next day we drove to Menan, and Mac was still in a lot of pain. She never had problems with any of her other teeth - but this time seemed to be different. We hung out at Great Grandma Watsons and talked with Aunt Caroline and Uncle Rand. We got caught up with Jessi, Lyndsi and Mikayla. The have been very busy. Jessi wants to pursue her doctorate in music - she is an amazing pianist. Lyndsi is starting BYUI next term, she also has a horse that she loves. Mikayla plays the cello and loves ballet. The live in the farmhouse that my great grandma and grandpa watson lived in. They have almost completely remodeled it and it looks amazing!

By about 5pm Mac was done. She didn't feel well at all. We headed back to Idaho Falls early and she went to bed. I think he excitement, painful teeth, and time change was too much. We spent the evening playing cards and helping dad around the house.

Grampa Bubba recently had back surgery. He had a bulged and a herniated disc. He was in pain for 5 months before they finally agreed to do surgery, then had to wait 5 more weeks just for a surgery date! He lost 30 pounds because of the pain pills, but was 2 weeks post op when we got there. He couldn't lift anything more than a gallon of milk, but was healing ahead of the doctor's expectations! Glad to know he is not in pain anymore! Will talk about the rest of the trip in next posting!

New Toys

This weekend Gona and Baca got some new toys. We took Rylee and Mac out there on Saturday to see them. Rylee had a blast running at full speed with Lucky. Lucky outweighs her by about 10:1, but she held her own!

When we got there a small four wheeler and a big four wheeler awaited us. Kade and Tali both drove the little one. Josh took me for a spin on the big one and Mac on the small one, which was named Jack by Kade. There are lots of trails all over their 15 ace property....lots of fun!

--I was not happy that Josh was taking her on a ride (overprotective mommy genes kicking in)--

--He went very slow and was safe...she really enjoyed it--

On Sunday we went to Wes's 30th birthday party in Nevada. We couldn't stay long because Mac wasn't cooperating. Josh played croquet and we got a chance to hang out with Wes and Sarah. Good to see them!

McKenna is getting so adventurous. She is now climbing up and down all of our stairs...we need to invest in some baby gates. She also figured out how to use her bouncing horse that Heather got her for Christmas. Will get some video and post shortly!

Father's Day and Wedding

This weekend was busy! On Saturday a friend of mine from work got married. She has been obsessing about it for months - so will be good for her to relax now that it is over. They were married at the methodist church in Ames, and had their reception at Hickory Hall. They had a hawaiian theme for the shower, the rehearsal dinner, and the actual wedding. We had a really great time, and it was Mac's first wedding! She has to practice, because she has been asked to be a flower girl next year!

--Here we are all dressed up for the wedding--

For father's day we got daddy a card and the expansion pack to Settler's of Catan. Now we can play with more than 4 people in the event that more than 2 of our friends learn how to play :)

--Mac playing in her yellow dress--

--This one's for you dad, thanks for sending the dress from Hawaii!--

Love the puppy and Josh's birthday

If you've spent any time with Mac and Rylee, you know that McKenna loves her puppy. I put some pictures below to show you how she climbs up on the sofa, sneaks up, and gives Rylee a hug...it is too cute!

--very sneaky--

--awwww Rylee hugs--

Last weekend was Josh's 29th birthday! We had ribs at our house. Everyone brought food (thanks everyone!) and I made an experimental layered lemon cake. It turned out great, and there wasn't any left, so I would say it was a hit! I got Josh an ipod for his birthday. I had cleverly hidden it and he had no idea. A few weeks ago he was picking out a new cell phone (because he dropped his...oops) and was focusing on the MP3 feature. He was sold on one and was picking out all the accessories and memory cards and I finally had to tell him not to get them because I got him an ipod. This happens every year, about 3 weeks before his birthday he buys exactly what I got him. Oh well, he likes it so I guess it doesn't matter!

--Here is Shelly (now 20 weeks pregnant) helping Mac unwrap daddy's gifts--

--Recently Mac figured out that hats go on your head, she is trying to put her hat on--

--Just a cute in your face shot--

One year checkup

Mac had her one year checkup on Wednesday. Happy to say she is healthy and is now immunized against chicken pox :) She weighed in at just barely 20 lbs. She is 28" long. That means she is in the 25th percentile for weight and height, but 80th for head size!!! Must have big heads like her parents :) She has 10 teeth, with two new ones poking through! We also stopped with the bottle...and last night she was not happy about it. Sure it will get better :)

--Trying to take the camera from daddy--

--Crawling around and screaming--

--Rylee and Mac saying bye bye to daddy as he goes to work--

--Loves to climb, and loves to smile!--

Gryte's 40th Wedding anniversary

This weekend Gryte's celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Cyndi is a good friend of Josh's and the Gryte's are her parents. Cyndi and Nikka planned the event months ago and invited all of their closest friends and family. We went to McFarland park where Cyndi had ordered quite the buffet! Shrimp, salad, hummas, sandwiches, lemonade, wine, it was amazing food. Gryte's arrived and we completely surprised them. They thought they were coming to a picnic to celebrate Sarah's (another of Josh's good friends) new job. It was so fun to see the look on their faces :)

--Lake at McFarland Park--

McFarland park is a very pretty park in North Ames. It has a lake with lots of trails to explore, or walk around the lake on. We also got to see Wes and Sarah and learn that they are moving to Ohio soon. Sarah just received an offer to coach a volleyball team at a college about an hour south of Cleveland. They are living in the house that Sarah's mom grew up in! They are both very excited, and we will have to plan a trip to visit them soon!

--Kade, Emmi and Mac--

--Josh, Mac, Me, Chris, Cyndi, Sarah and Wes--

--Happy couple--

--Gona and Baca trying to keep Mac's hat on :) --

Back to School

I can't believe that I am actually choosing to go back to school. I have been toying with the idea of getting my masters degree for months now. I am working 3 days a week, and Best Buy pays for up to $5500 a year towards graduate credits...so why wouldn't I pursue it? I have always wanted to get into counseling, primarily elementary or high school kids. Drake (a very prestigious private college) offers an amazing program in counseling. With little optimism I applied in March. I have a degree in engineering, and no relative experience, aside from what I do at Best Buy everyday. I didn't think I had a shot. I made it past the first round of evaluations, and was asked to come in for an interview. I heard they had 80 people apply for fall term, and thought my chances were quite good. The interview went well, I wasn't nervous, and they laughed at my jokes (all good things.) At the end, I asked how many students they were accepting. They told me 4......4!!!! 4 out of 80! I started looking at other options. Then, on Wednesday, I got a letter from Drake. It was thin - and I was sure that it was going to be a "thanks for applying, but we chose someone else" letter. But it wasn't, I GOT IN!!! I am still in disbelief...but now I have to remember how to study, because I start at the end of August.....woohoo! I should be able to get my masters in education in 2.5-3 years. Who woulda thought?

McKenna is 1!!!!

It has not been a year since my little girl was born. It really seems like it has been hours, not months. We did have quite the celebration though! Gramma Rue flew in on Friday (Mac's actual bday.) We did some shopping and just played. On Saturday we had Mac's party at 2. I made brueshetta, design your own pizza on the grill, veggies and dip, cupcakes for the kids, and strawberry cream cake for the adults. Gona, Baca, Aunti Em, Mark, Tali, Kade, Mommy, Daddy, Gramma Rue, Pat, Claire, Dick, Sam, and Grandma Great came. She enjoyed all of the attention until it was time to eat a cupcake and to sing the happy birthday song. Apparently we all have horrible voices because she instantly started crying! When she finally figured out that cupcakes taste great, and when we stopped singing, she calmed down!

--What a mess--

She got so spoiled with pianos, swimming suits, clothes, an outside water toy, books, money, I can't even believe all of the presents!

--Before everyone got there--

--Mommy, gramma rue and mac--

--Miller/Christians--

--Attempting to take the hat and bib pic--

--Mac playing with her hat after we gave up--

--Mac's response to our horrible rendition of "Happy Birthday"--

--The song was forgotten after she started eating--

--Crazy cousin Kade--

--Time to open presents--

--Spoiled rotten!--

--Water park from mommy, and swimming suit from gona and baca--

Thank you to all who came, we had such a great time!

Gona's Birthday

Today we celebrated Gona's birthday! It started with an 8 am pontoon boat rental. Everyone got a chance to ride, including McKenna! Then Gona, Baca, Emmi, Mark, Kade, Tali, Grandma and Grandpa Great all met back at our house.

We had shrimp and veggie skewers, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, breadsticks, cheesecake and a lemon beehive cake that I experimented with. We ate outside, even though it was a little windy.

The whole family gave Gona a leather journal that she can write about her travels in. Josh and Emmi wrote a little something in the front that made her cry. Grandma Great quilted a pansie quilt for Gona's bed. We also got to look at the slides that Gona and Josh have been feverishly putting on DVD . Josh hooked the computer up to the TV and it was a really good show! Was fun to see what Grandma and Grandpa Great were doing when they turned 60!

Happy Birthday Gona!

Now poor josh is working on our never ending deck project.....sigh.....

--Here we are eating dessert--

--Gona opening presents, a quilt sewn by grandma great--

--Gona and all her loot, Mac is ready for a nap!--

--My experimental honeybee cake, not quite as good as Emmi's homemade cheesecake!--

Amazing Weather and Landscaping

I don't have a whole lot of new news. The weather here has been amazing! We haven't really even watched TV in the last 5 days or so! With the purchase of the new baby bike trailer, and the stroller, we have barely stopped moving! I love it!

With nice weather comes a million projects. Josh spent all weekend breaking his back in an attempt to build a limestone retaining wall. I was not much help, but managed to mow the lawn while he did that :) We (and by we I mean Josh) still have a long way to go to get it completed. I am hoping to plant a garden in the area that the wall creates!

We also need to reground the dog fence, organize the garage, build a "mud room" off of the garage, stain the deck, clean the carpets....and I am sure there are a million other things to add that are slipping my mind at the moment.

This weekend is Gona's bday. We are hosting, and can't wait! Then the weekend after that Mac is turning 1!!! I can't believe it! And gramma rue is coming out for the festivities....

Lots going on...yay spring!

Nothin New

Other than horrible weather - nothing much happening in Iowa. We went from a few weeks of amazing 70s to crummy 50 degree weather with rain :(

This week we are having all the materials delivered to build a retaining wall and garden in our backyard! I already feel sorry for poor Josh's back. We also got our new bike trailer delivered yesterday. Mac LOVES it!! We also got it big enough for two so that Damon and Shelly's kid can ride along!

--This was worth EVERY penny!!!--

--Helping dad set up the new home server--

--Pretty much the cutest picture ever--

Birthdays and Trees

I have been bad about keeping up with all the events in our family. I failed to even touch on my amazing birthday! Josh surprised me in the morning with swing dancing lessons- he signed us up for a 6 week course :) Also he made a cute frame for me with a pic of Mac to take to work.

Later I got to open my presents at Gona and Baca's house. I got spatulas, a cake frosting kit, a train cake mold, slipper socks, a new rug for our front entry, a picture frame, and many other wonderful gifts :) I am so spoiled!

--Oh so elegantly blowing out my candles--

We also found out that Tali was going to her first formal dance. So, she couldn't resist going through Emmi's old dresses and modeling a few....

--Baca bought this one for Gona....not quite up with today's fashion...--

--This is a flashback dress from another time--

Also last weekend was a destructive weekend. The storms we had this spring really destroyed a lot of trees at Gona and Baca's house. Daddy helped the whole family knock down trees. We also got to meet Lucky the newest addition to the family.

--Daddy chopping wood--

--Gona and Mac watching the action--

--Newest addition to Gona and Baca's house, Lucky, a 3 year old adopted pup...very good dog--

New Car!!!

I am sure that some of you have heard our horror stories of our trailblazer. It has been a decent truck, and we did get a good price on it - but it has had its fair share of problems. Just a few miles outside of the 60K warantee, the fan started making a horrible noise. After we took it in, the told us that it would be well over $1000 to fix.....crap! Then we got a chip in the windshield and had to replace that, $250. Finally we needed to replace the brake pads, get new tires, and it was making a funny noise when we accelerated - so we decided to trade it in rather than spend any more money on it!

It is really ironic because I sold my infiniti FX35 when we found out McKenna was coming. The car payments were too high, but I LOVED that car!!! Also, a few years ago (around 2003) Josh really thought that the Nissan Muranos were a sharp car. I didn't like them at all at the time. But, the Miranos have the same styling and feel as the infinitis, and after I drove one, we had to have one!

We have been looking for a few weeks, but finally bought one yesterday. Below are the pix of old and new!

--Old Trailblazer--

--New Murano (MUCH BETTER!)--

Visit

This last week we had some visitors. Great Grandma and Grandpa Skinner came along with Grandpa Bubba. They were here for a sad occasion as my Great Aunt Marie passed away. She got pneumonia a few weeks ago and was admitted to the hospital. It progressed and caused a stroke and blood clots in her legs. She didn't make it, but didn't suffer. My dad flew down to Grand Junction Colorado and picked up my grandparents and they all drove out here. My aunt lived in Ottumwa which is about 2 hours southeast of Ankeny. I didn't know her very well, but her and my grandma were very close. She lived to be almost 88. Makes you cherish every day!

On a lighter note, they all stopped by our house on the way home. We played cards, caught up on news and went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We had never been there. It is one of those places you eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. It was pretty good, and Mac made a pig of herself! Visit was too short, but was really good to see everyone!

--Mac and Great Grandma Skinner--

--Mac and Great Grandpa Skinner and Grandpa Bubba--

Tali's Birthday

Tali had a birthday party on Tuesday. Gona and Baca came, along with a few of Tali's friends. She even got to have a slumber party on a school night....I think that is a big deal when you are 14! I got there kind of late because of work, and Mac was a little fussy because of her cold, so I really only got to see her open presents, then had to run. We got her a really simple digital camera so she can update her blog with pictures. Gona and Baca got her some really pretty diamond earrings. Emmi and the kids got her lots of good stuff like a new hairdryer, mirror, bra (that embarrassed Tali), and a certificate to get her ears pierced again. Seems like she made a haul! Can't believe she is 14!!! Happy Birthday Tali!

--Tali and her loot--