Naughty Lists

McKenna is so grown up this year! She wasn't even afraid to jump right up there and get down to business. It seems like the time is just flying and I don't know how she is growing up so stinkin fast!
She marched right up to the elf that was helping Santa and wanted to know if she knew who was on the naughty list. Then she proceeded to inform the elf that Swiper the Fox was on the naughty list
and was working to get off the list. So cute! She was so worried that she might be on the list, but the elf set her straight and Kenna was all smiles:)





Telling Santa exactly what she wants this Christmas...a swim puppy, a playhouse, and babies, lots of babies.

....And she almost forgot her candy cane-oops!

It's been 8 months...seriously??

Wow, so I guess I am getting the lamest blogger in the world award:) I really can't believe how fast this past year has flown by. I am pretty sure around March I was determined to be a better blogger and somehow life got off track and here we are in November.

Today as I was running on the treadmill at the gym (yay me!) and the song Permanent by David Cook came on. Somehow this song made it into my workout music, not sure how. I then proceeded to start bawling and I am pretty sure those around me thought they were running next to a nut case. And as a side note...it is nearly impossible to run, breathe, and cry at the same time...I am lucky I didn't break something! The song is about David's brother who had been fighting cancer. For a long time now I have been meaning to post about Chris, but it has just been too hard for me to put my feelings down in words....

Chris is one of my heroes. He is the example of everything I hope to become. He is what helps me get through the rough days that life has been throwing at me. I love the saying he and his amazing wife Jen always said through out it all. They never complained, they just said that " There are no bad days, only good days and better days". If I can tackle my trials with that attitude and faith I can survive anything.

He fought cancer twice in his life and passed away April 25th of this year leaving behind his wife Jen and baby girl Sadie. Both times Chris had an amazing spirit and strength that touched everyone he came in contact with. His faith was unfaltering and I am so blessed to have had him as my brother and as my friend. I feel so thankful for the trials that brought me to Logan and allowed me to spend so much more time with him before he was taken home.

I have been reading a copy of Chris's journal and while my whole life I have known that Chris was something very special and an incredible person, it has really hit home reading his inner thoughts and feelings. His testimony of the gospel gives me such strength to get up everyday and be so grateful for everything that I have, even the trials that seem so hard to bear because those trials refine us and mold us into something even better. I love to read about how much he loved and respected Jen, that he counted himself so lucky to have her. I am so grateful to her for being such an inspiration to me. She is such a good mommy to Sadie and I know that Chris is watching out for them from above and just amazed at how well Jen handles everything that comes her way. I am so grateful that Chris was able to become a daddy. Sadie is a true joy and I love her to pieces! (Who couldn't though...have you seen her infectious, non stop smile??)

While at times my heartache seems so unbearable and I miss him so much, I know that Chris was needed at the time he was called home for very specific purposes. I am so thankful to have him rooting for me on the other side! I hope that one day I can become half the person that Chris was.

Happy Halloween!

Bryson and Kenna cheesin it with pumkin heads








Kenna making a yummy cupcake witch. Thanks Grandma Vickie for the fun activity!




Mommy, Daddy and Kenna trick or treating at the mall...it was just closing down as we got there and she seriously got like three pieces of candy and was soooo excited!

All Grown Up

McKenna got a new bed today and she has been bouncing all over the walls about her "big girl bed". She can't wait to be able to snore in it..how funny. Every single time she has a "milestone" I am torn between being so proud of who she is becoming and how much she has accomplished in her short little life and missing my baby girl!! sniff sniff. I am truly blessed to have her and grateful for her example to me. Please take note of the awesome quilt that Leilani made for Mckenna when she was born...it rocks! You are so talented- thank you so much!


chillin in her new digs



pretending she is snoring in her new bed

Chris's Birthday Party

On Saturday we got to celebrate Chris's 31st birthday! I still can't believe he is 31this year because that means that I am 30 this year...auuuuggghh how did we all get so old! We all had tons of fun and there was a huge turnout! Thanks Jen for putting it together and to Lisa and Dave for hosting:) Happy Birthday Chris-we love ya bunches!!

Princessland (also known as Disneyland)

We got to take a weekend trip to Disneyland with some of our friends. McKenna had a blast! She told anybody who would listen about all the princesses, but particularly Cinderella. I have to say that I am a much bigger fan now that I have gone with a two year old. It was enchanting. McKenna's eyes sparkled the whole time we were there! For an entire week McKenna has talked about how "Mickey gave her a hug and kissed her on the nose...just like that!!" We had a ton of fun and left completely exhausted! Thanks Steph and Chris and Nicole and Shaun...always a great time! The girls had so much fun together!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Need

A few weeks before Christmas Becky and I were driving down Main Street in a blizzard and we passed the Food Bank. There was a line to the road of men, women, and children standing there in a line, freezing and waiting for food. I have never seen anything like it. The image is burned in my mind and I can't help but feel so grateful for being able to provide shelter and food for my own little girl. I found myself in a situation where I really felt sorry for myself because I felt like I have had so many trials in the last year, but I have never once had to go without food or not had a roof over my head or had to look at my baby and not known how I was going to keep her warm that night. I really am so blessed. I am so grateful for all the small things, for family, for our health, for our happiness, and for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for knowing that I have a Savior who has never left my side. The lines at the food bank have gotten even longer since that time before Christmas. We were asked in our ward this week to donate to our local community food bank because the need is so great right now. I thought I would extend the same opportunity to serve to any of you who read this. Donate to your local Food Bank! Donate anything you can...clothing, blankets, food, money... There are so many opportunities to serve and so many families who really need assistance right now and I feel so strongly that the Lord wants any of us who can to succor the poor and needy, to make sure that we take care of those around us and give what we can.

wishing and hoping

I have gotten so addicted to Facebook that my blog has severely suffered, but I have decided its ok to share my love equally and start blogging again. Life has been super crazy these last few months. I started school again and am NOT loving it! Its so hard to have to decide between hanging with McKenna and having fun and boring...studying for hours and hours to pull off a measley C!! I am sure it will get better as I get used to having to study, but right now I am thinking I was crazy to bother going back!

I can say one thing for sure though...Logan is sooo cold! I was loving the snow and cold weather up through Christmas, but now I am wishing and hoping for some warm, sunny weather! Its just cold and dirty now and if I rub against my filthy car one more time and get myself all covered in crapola I will scream! There's only so many times a week you can wash a car lol. Apparently McKenna is sick of the cold weather as well because today she rounded up a swim diaper, got her swimsuit and sun hat out, stripped down and pulled on her sun gear and begged to swim. She was totally confused when I would not let her pull out the swimming pool. She was so cute I had to take a picture. I am posting one of her so excited to have snow in all her now gear and one from today all done with the snow and wanting the sunshine...or maybe she is desperate for a sunny vacation just like mommy lol