Back to Work

Unfortunately I had to go back to work on August 14 and life has been a whirlwind since. I feel like I never have any time to do anything and I am constantly playing catch up. If I just give it a couple of more weeks I will get used to it and back in a schedule - for now a my complete break downs are at about two a week! McKenna has finally gotten used to going back to my sister in laws for babysitting. The first week was awful - she would scream as soon as we walked into her house and grab at my arms. I have no idea how people choose to work when they have kids - it is so heart wrenching to see them so sad. With that said, my daughter is a wonderful actress and puts on a pretty good show, as soon as I am gone she is fine! I finally told Jade that he had to go pick her up in the afternoons because she throws another tantrum if I pick her up...it's like she has to let me know that although she likes the babysitter's she would rather be with me. My sister in law watches these two cute boys that fight over McKenna. The three year old told me this morning that McKenna was his girlfriend not his little brother's. McKenna has gotten better this week and hopefully it will stay that way. One nice thing is that she adjusted her nap schedule so she takes both naps while I am at school - then I get to play with her all night!

My class this year is really cute - they are fun kids that are going to give me a run for my money...they all like to talk as much as I do! - If that is possible. Jade started teaching a behavior unit at the junior high. He really likes it and the kids are behaving well. I like his hours better, they are the same as mine.

McKenna has not yet gained the desire to crawl yet, she is getting on her knees now, but no motion. She has decided that she likes to pull herself up into a standing position, can stand if she has a balance, and loves walking while holding onto the couch or our fingers. With that new mobility came McKenna's first real ouch. Yesterday I was getting ready for work and she reached into the open drawer and fell over. Immediately she was screaming and I saw a huge green line appear on her head. I started crying because I felt so bad - I felt like it was my fault, why did I not shut the drawer? I thought for sure that she was going to have a huge goose egg, but she ended up with a small bruise. My mom consolded me and reminded me that things like that happen with kids..."just wait until she walks," she said. Hopefully that is a ways away. If you look real close you can she her first bruise on the right.

Crescent Bar

My whole family made it out for the Crescent Bar vacation this year. It was so fun to be with everyone. Kyle's girlfriend, Jen, came and Staci's boyfriend, Chris, made it as well. McKenna loved the water and Miley was in heaven as everyone threw the ball out in the river for her. Jade and I are so lucky to be able to take the time in the summer to go on vacations. It was so hard to leave yesterday...I wanted to stay with my family longer. I wish that we could jump places like in that movie - all we need to do is think of the place we want to be and then we could go there...it would make seeing family a lot easier! I took about 150 pictures during the week, but here is a sampling of our vacation - mainly McKenna pictures.

Peek-A-Boo

We just got back from a vacation with my family in Crescent Bar on the Columbia River. We knew that Miley would love it so we decided to drive the twelve hours to meet my family. McKenna and Miley were great! - In fact, we had to stop more to allow Jade bathroom breaks than to let the dog and baby have breaks! On the way back McKenna started playing Peek-A-Boo with me. I love her little personality. I was lucky enough to get it on video for your viewing pleasure.

Zions National Park

I had to go to Cedar City this past week for a Science Seminar. Jade had to stay home to go to his New Teacher Workshops, so my mom traded her work schedule so she could come watch McKenna. I am so lucky to have such a fantastic mom! Not that many people would take off like that to help you out. One day after my class we drove to Zions to look around. I had never been there before and it was worth the trip! You drive around the mountains and have a breathtaking view of Zions. We thought we would just take the shuttle bus and maybe go on an easy hike, but we decided to hike the Emerald Pools. The Lower Emerald pool is an easy hike that everyone should do if they are there...little kids can even make it. The Middle Pool was only 0.6 miles higher so we decided to go. It was a little steeper, but worth it. McKenna giggled as we put her feet in the water.

We made it to the Top Emerald Pool and it was amazing! I had to take a break and McKenna wanted out of the wrap so we sat up there for a while and just enjoyed the beauty. We made our way down and decided that for that day we would be done hiking. We took the shuttle to the top and wished we had more time to hike around. I really want to go back some time and spend a few days there. As we left the Park we stopped for Bumbleberry Pie - probably the best pie I have ever had!!! Thanks mom for coming - McKenna loves to have you around.

24th of July

The 24th of July is a big deal here in Spanish Fork. We had a full week of activities. McKenna was in the Children's Parade due to the fact that I had to be in it, rode her very first carousel, watched her mom fall and crack some ribs playing kickball (yeah, I tripped over the second baseman's foot!), watched her first parade (which she fell asleep at after the first ten minutes), and went to her first rodeo. We bought her a hat but she didn't want to keep it on, oh well. She loved watching the horses run around the arena.