Some McKinleyisms...

I was laying in McKinley's bed with her a couple of nights ago at bedtime. I had been having a very nostalgic week, so this was how our conversation went:

Me: McKinley
McKinley: Yes Mom?
Me: Could you just stop growing? You are just getting too big, I want you to stay my little McKinley forever and ever.
McKinley: Mom, you're right. I should stop growing. If I don't, I might get too big and I won't fit through the door.

Hmmmm... very true, but not quite where I was going with it. I love the things 3-year-olds say! Life is so simple to them, why do grown-ups make everything so complicated?

Yesterday we were making zucchini bread for some neighbors. We hadn't made it before, and apparently McKinley hadn't heard of it either. She watched me curiously and helped me add flour and sugar. Finally she said, "Mom, why do you want to put a bikini in the bread?" I explained to her that is was actually a vegetable called zucchini, and then showed her what it looked like before I shredded it up. I think she understood, although she is still referring to it as "bikini bread". :)

"Horsey Rides"

McKinley went into Mason's room when he woke up this morning (as usual). I was a few minutes behind her (again, as usual), but I could hear them over the baby monitor and Mason kept saying "horsey ride, horsey ride." What in the world are they doing in there? I came in to find them straddling the side-rail of the crib in true 'horsey ride' fashion. They really can entertain themselves with anything, anywhere!

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand...

So I love Carrie Underwood's "So Small," but this is no grain of sand. This is one of my FAVORITE things to do in the world. In college, Matt and I went rock climbing in the local canyons almost every day after work with our friends. We LOVED it, my days revolved around it, I even (occasionally) ditched class for it. However, as life moves on and other things (family, kids, etc.) become the priorities, fun hobbies (like rock climbing) become just that. Hobbies. Occasional indulgences. Well, last summer when my brother Austin came to visit us we decided to take him climbing for his first time. We figured it was something fun to do that he hadn't tried before. He loved it so much that when he got home he joined an indoor climbing gym and has been practicing all year. He came ready to climb. We loaded up our kids and joined some climbing friends of ours from college (who happen to have two kids exactly our kids' ages) and headed for the canyon. We found a great spot just off of a paved trail so the kids could run around (usually we have to worry about them falling off of cliffs and they have to be harnessed in, so this was a nice change). The down-side was, however, that the easiest climb on this route was a 5.10b, then after that a 5.12a. Sooo... not a great route to start on after a year of non-climbing for me. Needless to say, I didn't make it all the way to the top, which is a blow to my competative ego, but I did get a great workout in the meantime. Matt and Austin were the only ones that day to make it all the way. Matt even messed around on the 5.12 and busted some pretty awesome moves (if I do say so myself :). We even let the kiddos mess around, they both thought they were sooo big! They were so proud of themselves. Unfortunately, now that I have been once this summer, I am an addict. I think we'll have to get a babysitter one Saturday morning and go for a good long climb - without the little monkeys :). Enjoy the pictures!

Matt leading the climb

Austin... mentally preparing?

Austin climbing... woo hoo!

Matt on belay... with Mason's help?

Mason really enjoyed the Camelbak

McKinley learing about the figure 8 knot

She starting out climbing so seriously

But then ended up enjoying just swinging from the rope :)

Mason wasn't too sure about the rope swinging part, but once he got down he wanted to go again :)

Like father, like son

We finished the day by cooling off in a nearby river... soooo refreshing!

Just can't get enough!

Have I mentioned that we LOVE summer?!? We went boating on Utah Lake with my brother and our neighbors, Ryan and Alecia, and their kids last Friday. Even though Utah Lake really isn't the prettiest lake, it was still pretty fun!

El Capitan :)

McKinley LOVES boating!

Austin's first ride on the ski bob (aka the water weenie :)

McKinley and Dallin are too silly!

Mason and Uncle Austin enjoying the ride

Mason thinks he is TOO COOL!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Although I maintain that Pioneer Day is not a real holiday (if you are NOT from Utah, you know what I am talking about), I have to say that I do love this holiday. It is a great time to reflect on our pioneer heritage, and the sacrifices of our ancestors. And of course, it is also a great excuse for a summer BBQ with the family! My brother Austin flew in from CA to spend the weekend with us before EFY. It was fun to have him here to share in the festivities. We attended the Bountiful Pioneer Day Parade on the 23rd (which the kids LOVED since their cousins were in the parade), then spent the 24th at Lisa's BBQ-ing, swimming, and just having fun with the family. That evening we went to a baseball game and enjoyed an awesome fireworks display afterwards. What a great day! I thought that I had left my camera at home during the parade and swimming, so no photos of those events, but I found my camera in the car on the way to the ballgame, so there are a few photos from the good old stadium.

Mason getting what he deserves from Uncle Greggie :)

McKinley loves her BROTHER! I love their hugs!

Tyler with the kiddos - and Kinley just being Kinley!

McKinley watching the fireworks with Grandma

It is a far, far better place...

I am pretty sure if Dickens was referring to heaven, he surely meant somewhere like Bear Lake (sorry Jane, I don't share your loyalty to CA). I absolutely LOVE Bear Lake. Every year it is by far the vacation that I look forward to the most. We go with Matt's whole family up to Lisa's cabin for the week. We love to spend time with Matt's family, and my kids love every minute of attention from Grandma and Grandpa, their Aunts and Uncles, and OF COURSE their fun cousins. We spend the entire week out on the lake boating, wakeboarding, skiing, (wake) surfing, tubing, and just enjoying the beautiful water and warm sun. In the evenings we took the kids for 4-wheeler rides, enjoyed shakes at LaBeau's, and even hiked around some ice caves (thanks to Greg for the fun idea!). We had so much fun, I didn't have time to take pictures of everything! However, be forewarned, there are a TON of pictures in this post. Sorry! Words just don't do Bear Lake justice, it is so beautiful! Awwww... Grandparents :) Cute cousins... I love that my kids have such wonderful cousins! Matt and his cute parents Is Mason a mini-me or what? McKinley took her job as the flag-holder VERY seriously Matt and Mason on the ski bob - Mason was obsessed with his lifejacket! He even wore it in the cabin! We had to hide it when we got home! Mommy and McKinley bobbing My poor little ones are worn out! I love those tired faces! Mason getting ready to wake surf with Matt - we have video and pictures of him actually surfing, but I couldn't upload them. He was so funny, he stood there on the surfboard with water rushing past him saying "cheese!"
McKinley loves to dance! This is her shaking it on Lisa and Greg's boat :)

Some clarification needed...

Last night we were playing Mario Kart on the wii with my brother while McKinley watched. There is a little character named King Boo (who happens to look like a ghost) who kept beating me at the game. I kept trying to outrace the little ghost. I finally did and Kinley was excited for me, she said "Yea Mom! You beat the Holy Ghost!" Hmmmm... that may need some further explanation. I tried to explain that the Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Holy Ghost, but he is not actually a ghost. Hopefully that made sense, it's a hard one to explain, but I don't want her telling people that I beat the Holy Ghost! Thought I'd share that one for a laugh. I do have tons of pictures to post, watch for them this week!

There are hardly words...

I could try to describe Mason in a nutshell, but there really aren't words to describe his contagious laugh, quick wit, and crazy sense of humor. Sights like this are pretty normal around our house (I won't even try to define 'normal'). Mason decided to take off his diaper and wear it on his head (luckily it was clean, I had JUST changed him), put on his sister's Curious George underwear, and find some of Kinley's hot-pink summer shoes. He went to the bathroom stepping stool to check out his new creation in the mirror, he thought it was pretty funny. Of course, so did we. We shouldn't laugh, it only encourages this kind of behavior :), but we just can't help ourselves. The way he does it is what makes it hilarious, he just has a funny little personality. We love him to pieces - even with a 'diaper hat' on!

Sweet Siblings

Mason woke up just as I got out of the shower this morning. McKinley was already awake and in my room jabbering away. I asked her to go say 'hi' to Mason and tell him I would come get him in a few minutes. I got dressed and went into his room, and this is what I found...

Neither of them wanted to get out, they just layed in Mason's crib cuddling and giggling... so silly. I love these little guys!

Weed Party

No, it's not what you think :). There were no hippies or 'special brownies' involved, just a good old fashioned family day of weeding the yard. If you have seen our backyard recently, it was LONG overdue! I would be mortified if I posted before pictures of the weed jungle that we had growing in out backyard, so here are some photos of the work in progress.

McKinley was a little stressed out about me pulling out her 'flowers' (aka, morning glory and dandelions), but they she decided to help out. I tried to get her to turn around and smile for the picture, but she informed me that she was 'too busy to look right now'. Wonder where she's heard that before... :)

Matt hard at work - we were all up to our eyeballs in weeds ALL day, but by 6 pm we were finally finished!

Mason...helping? He must have been taking a 'quick' water break :)

McKinley and I found a praying mantis. She spent the rest of the afternoon 'taking care of him.' He finally stopped moving (I think he was held a little too tight :), so we told her to put him in the shaded flower bed for a 'nap' since he was tired :). Ooops!

"The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can't." - Mark Twain

For book club this month we were supposed to choose our favorite Children's Book to share with the group, as well as learn about teaching our children to read. I had a hard time choosing my favorite book, since I have several favorites. I find that children's books are hard to buy. Some look fun and pretty, but the storylines are just pointless (I am sorry, but in order for me to enjoy reading a book to my children, I have to like the story). So, I thought I would share my kids' all-time favorite books, for those of you who are looking to start or expand your children's book library. Please share your favorite books in the comments as well, so that everyone else (myself included) can benefit from your fav's! Thanks!

1. Fancy Nancy By: Jane O'Conner
McKinley's ABSOLUTE favorite book is Fancy Nancy (if you know her, you understand). I actually LOVE reading this book to her because it is well written, pretty funny, and SO true! According to Nancy, 'everything in French sounds fancy,' now who doesn't agree with that? This is the one book that McKinley is constantly requesting to read, and it's one that I don't mind reading over and over. There are now several other Fancy Nancy books, as well as Fancy Nancy dress-up costumes, Fancy Nancy dolls, etc. (I have seen them at Target). This is a little older book, so depending on your child's attention span, probably appropriate for age 2 1/2 and older.

2. I Love You As Much By: Laura Krauss Melmed
This is a very sweet story about how much Mommies love their babies. My kids love the pictures of the baby animals with thier Mommies. The pictures are beautiful, and the wording is very simple, yet sweet. This is one of our favorite bedtime stories. I have been reading this one to my kids at bedtime since McKinley was only about 6 months old. (Our other favorite bedtime story is the classic Goodnight Moon, By: Margaret Wise Brown, we have been reading that since McKinley was very young as well).

3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear By: Bill Martin, Jr.
This is an old classic, but an all-time favorite with my kids. They love to guess what animal is next, point out the colors, and make the sounds of the animals. This book is awesome for learning colors, recognizing and naming animals, and practicing animals sounds. Another similar favorite is the ever-popular Dr. Seuss's Mr. Brown Can Moo. These are great for any age, especially toddler/preschool age children. I love that due to it's simplicity, McKinley can tell the whole story word-for-word just by looking at the pictures. She loves to read Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Mason. We also have this one in a felt story, which allows her to tell the story in a different medium.

I hope some of these reviews were helpful, and I look forward to hearing your book suggestions. Thanks!

Mason's Musings...

Mason was being very silly this morning (as usual). I LOVE that he can tell me what he is thinking now. He didn't say a single word until about a month ago when he suddenly decided to start talking in sentences. He does get a little camera shy (although he does know to say 'cheese' as soon as he sees a camera :), so this isn't the full effect of our little chatterbox, but you can hear his cute little voice. Enjoy!

Cute Grandparents

'Grandpa's Hands' - I just loved this photo that my niece Amanda took of Mason. He was sitting in Grandpa's lap, loving every minute of his attention when she snapped the perfect candid (and LOVE the B&W, good job Amanda!). When Mason was a baby, he was VERY picky about who he would allow to hold him, however, he always loved Grandpa. He and Grandpa have always had a sweet special connection.

After over 40 years, still so adorable!

On Thursday I had to go to the DMV (ugh) to register my car. I was trying to get out of the house early and get all of my paperwork together. Once I had everything together and we were ready to go, McKinley had disappeared. I looked all over the house, then I spotted her in the backyard. I called her to come in so that we could load up the car. She brought in a lovely handful of dandelions (again with the weeds :). She told me they were for Grandma. She was so excited about them, she couldn't wait to give them to Grandma (she told me that Grandpas don't really like flowers, just Moms and Grandmas - so cute!). I told her we probably wouldn't see Grandma for a few days, but she could call her. She had a fun little conversation on the phone with Grandma, then we went on our way. Well, it turned out that we were running errands in the same area as Grandma, Grandpa, AND Matt that day. How lucky is that?!? So, we all met up for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen (yummy!). McKinley was SOOO excited to have lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, she just loves to see them! Here are a couple of pictures from our lunch.

Kinley thought she was being very funny 'petting' the horse in front of PF Chang's :).

Faith of a Child

I am not very good about writing in my kids' journals, so sometimes I write their stories down on notebook paper, napkins, or whatever is handy, then stuff it in my nightstand until I find the time to copy it into their journals. I was just copying this story from Christmas (I am just a little behind :) into McKinley's journal, and I just thought is was so cute I had to share.
It was Christmas Eve and we were headed to Aunt Lisa's house as a family for Christmas dinner. The weather had been pretty bad all day, and as evening drew near it worsened. We have an SUV, so were weren't too worried about the snow, but I never look forward to driving in a snowstorm. We were running late as usual, so we had rushed out the door with kids, food, and presents. The drive was slow, but we were moving. Once we hit the freeway it wasn't too bad, a little slippery, but not terrible. That was, until the windshield wipers went out. No big deal, right? Well, that depends. In this case we were in a snowstorm at night with pretty bad visability anyway, but the window covered with thick snow wasn't really a safe way to drive. Matt reached his hand out the window and wiped the snow enough to see to get off of the exit (with the storm so bad we didn't want to pull onto the side of the freeway, no one would see us and we could get hit). We got off the exit and pulled into an empty parking lot. We tried and tried to get the wipers to work, but to no avail. They had just completely quit on us. Of course, we knew what to do in this situation. We all folded our arms and said a prayer as a family. I had no doubt that this would work, after all, you hear about miracles like this all the time, right? What a wonderful opportunity to teach my daughter about the power of prayer, right there on Chrismas Eve. We all had full faith that the wipers would work. We tried a few more things, but after about 30 minutes it was clear that the wipers just were NOT going to cooperate. Finally, we gave up and drove the rest of the way to Lisa's house with no wipers (NOT a good idea, by the way). Matt drove with his head out of the driver's side window in blinding snow, but we arrived safely. We enjoyed our family activities, but I couldn't help being a little bit bothered by the incident. Here I had taught my daughter to pray when she needed help, and this had been the perfect opportunity to physically show her just how that works. Sure, we made it safely to Lisa's, so essentially the important part of our prayer had been answered, and I was grateful for that. But still, it nagged at me. I didn't mention it again. A few days later it was raining as I rushed the kids into the car to run errands (we were late for something, AGAIN). I buckled the kids in, put the car in reverse, and without thinking flipped on the wipers. From the backseat, McKinley shouted "Mommy! Mommy! We said a prayer and the wipers work!" I still can't tell this story without tears in my eyes because I realize that my children don't need me, I need them. They are so innocent and free of the cynicism that comes with adulthood, they see things as they really are. How can I be so blind sometimes? Even a 3-year-old could see and understand that the Lord does answer prayers, but it is in his own time and in his way. It was such a small and simple lesson, yet that is something that I have struggled with my entire life. I can pray with all the faith in the world, but then I expect instant miracles. Sometimes there is something we need to learn before our prayers can be answered. I hope that I can always remember what my daughter taught me that day, and I hope that someday through my children I can learn to have the faith of a little child.
P.S. - This is NOT a very good picture of me, but it was the only picture that I had of our family at Christmas :)