Ok, so I believe this is the longest I have gone without updating the blog. Life, let's just say, has been hectic! But here goes my shot at summarizing the past 3 months....
Christmas:
We had a GREAT time!! We were able to go to Stanley for a few days before Christmas and celebrate with Jared's family. It was so good to see Adam and Jenna and Caleb (we only get to see them like 1-2 times a year!). We had a blast being pulled on the sled and just relaxing! Because of my job, we had to be back so I could work Christmas day. We left Stanly on Christmas Eve and drove home. My parents and Aunt JuJu then met us at the house and we had a lovely Christmas Eve. This was the first year we did all of Christmas on Christmas Eve. I had the kids get their baths done and then Santa came to our house early. We let McKinlee know that we volunteered to have Santa come to our house on Christmas Eve so that he would have extra time on Christmas day to deliver to the rest of the world. Logan had a wonderful 1st Christmas and was his usual happy self. He knew exactly what to do with the little basketball hoop Santa brought him. McKinlee would have been happy to just get the Ariel necklace and princess crown and wand. I was sad to have to work on Christmas day, but our family lived through it! My brother Russ and his family were supposed to come up on Christmas day but because of the weather they weren't able to make it. We still had a great Christmas dinner and the holiday was just splendid!
January - February
Not a ton has gone on. I have been working Tuesday-Friday 3 pm - 1 am, so needless to say, I don't see Jared much, but I do get to spend time with the kids. Jared has decided to take yet another fire class. This time he is taking Driver Operator. He is gone on Monday and Thursday nights for that. He also got a new calling as the Priest advisor. He loves it and does a great job. So between me working, Jared taking classes and mutual, we really don't have much of a chance to see each other. I am grateful for phones and for the weekend. We actually did take a mini-vacation to Vegas with just myself and Jared. It was wonderful! The weather was perfect and it was nice just to be together for a couple days.
It seems like we have been sick for the past 2 months, also. Hopefully we are all on the mend. Little Logan had an ear infection and he is trying to cut another tooth...so needless to say he hasn't been as happy as usual. McKinlee has had the typical cold, but amazingly enough when it comes to playing with friends she isn't sick at all! (weird how she can be sick one minute and well the next....)
McKinlee turned 3!
This past weekend McKinlee turned 3! Holy crap, I can't believe 3 years have gone by! It is amazing to look back on the past 3 years, though, and see how much our lives have changed. McKinlee is a joy and we love her more than anything. She still has a little attitude, which I am sure will never change, but it is that personality that makes her McKinlee. We went to Twin this weekend for my nephew Jacob's baptism and decided that for part of McKinlee's birthday we would stay in a hotel and go swimming. We had our good friends Deven and Shelby and their 4 kids join us and had a blast! McKinlee is a little fish and it looks like Logan will be taking right after her! We then went back to Pocatello Sunday and celebrated with my parents. On Monday (McKinlee's actual birthday), we took her to Red Robin and had the waiter's sing to her....she wasn't too impressed! Then we came home, cooked some Papa Murphey pizzas and had Jerry, Stacey, Luke, and Wyatt (our neighbors) over for dinner and gifts. Jared's parents are coming up this weekend to celebrate...so basically McKinlee is getting a birthday week instead of just one day!
Kid updates:
At McKinlee's 3 year well child visit she finally weighed in at 30 lbs and measured 36 inches! Wahoo!! She is just barely wearing 2T, but I would rather her be petit than big. Logan had a doctor appointment for his ear infection and he weighed 19.5 lbs. It is amazing he doesn't weigh more with as much as he eats! I swear, that kids eats more than the rest of us combined! He and McKinlee are a great pair because whatever she doesn't eat (which is most everything) he finishes for her. He is hilarious and HAPPY!! Even when he was sick, he tried so hard to just be happy. Well, I do believe that is 3 months in a nutshell...here are some pictures of everything that has gone on.
Logan unwrapping presents.....he loved the wrapping paper and ribbons!
So cute!! enjoying the Stanley snow
Mom and McKinlee making snow angels! McKinlee riding the 4-wheeler....or should I just say, sitting on the 4-wheeler!
Mom and the kids ready for church * Dad and Logan playing after Christmas * McKinlee and her princess gear