Happy to be 5!

Mackenzie was so happy to turn 5. She just couldn't wait. She is such a sweet girl and she is definitely my fire ball. She is a very spirited girl and I love her for that. She has so many talents and so much energy, it will be fun to see what this girl will be. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for her and it will be great. I am so proud to be her mom. She makes me laugh, she teaches me patience and keeps me on my toes. I love her smile, her competitive nature and her willingness to help me in anyway, most of the time. She is such a blessing to our family. We love you Mackenzie Lynn!

Taya, Mackenzie and Mia at our family birthday party.

Sweet Cousins!

We had an Eloise party. It was so fitting for Mackenzie.

She reminds me of Eloise. It was so fun!

Happy Birthday!

Paco and Sunshine

Our newest members of the family are Paco and Sunshine. I never thought we would get birds again but we gave in, actually, Rich gave in, I just went along with it. They are nice birds and all the kids love them, even Ryker. He loves to hold them, even if they scratch up his arms.

Special Delivery

I know this looks mean. But Ryker loved playing in the bag and Madison thought it was so funny. Yes, those are Ryker's feet hanging at the bottom of the bag.

Snow Day

This was one of the first snow days of the year. The kids really wanted to build a snowman, so I gave in and got the winter stuff out. They had so much fun and Ryker didn't know what to do with all the snow. He mostly sat in it and ate it. He looked so cute!

1st Snow

Ryker's 1st snow that he could actually see and enjoy. He was mesmerized and just babbled and pointed out the window. It was so cute. We had a big snow storm on the same day we were carving pumpkins. It was a great day to spend indoors together as a family.

Pumpkin Carving

It is our tradition to carve pumpkins together as a family and make a day or night of it. We had so much fun and Rich really got into it with the girls. Everyone was able to carve thier own pumpkins, even Kenzie. We also bake the seeds in the oven and eat them. We all love it.

Pumpkin Patch

Mackenzie has the cutest preschool teacher. Mrs. Heidi is always doing really fun things with her class. On this day we all went to the pumpkin patch. All of the kids got to pick out a pumpkin and got through a corn maze. They had so much fun and so did I. Ryker just wanted to sit in the dirt and play and sometimes he just laid in it. Typical boy.

Our Soccer Girl

In the Fall, as a very last minute idea, I signed Kenzie up for Soccer. She had been asking me since the Spring. Well it was a great idea, because we discovered that she loved it and it turns out she is pretty good at it. I know they are only 4 years old, but she was on that ball every second it was in play. She especially loved to score and did it often. At the end of the season, the coach said to her, "when you make it to the World Cup, I will be there". She had no idea what he said, but I thought it was cute. It's funny because ever since she was in soccer, if she sees someone on T.V running she will say, "I can run faster". She is probably right, that girl can book it. She has a lot of confidence that I hope she will keep forever.

Halloween 2009

Yes, I am trying to blog again. I know it has been awhile, but this next year I will try to keep up with it. This year we wanted to be the Wizard of Oz family. Ryker was the lion, Mackenzie was Glenda, Macie was Dorothy, Madison was our adopted nerd daughter(She wanted to be twins with her BFF, Karli), Isabella was the Wicked Witch (our niece), I was the Scarecrow and Rich was supposed to be the Tin Man, but had to work. He did go trick or treating with us, just not in costume. We had so much fun. Here are a few of our pictures. Enjoy!

The girls were playing dress up. Mackenzie really wanted

to be a witch and Glenda. So she dressed up like a witch

everyday. The best of both worlds.

Mackenzie and Elle ready for their preschool party and parade

Ryker and I at our Ward Party

Madison and her friends

Everyone at Nana and Papa's Trunk or Treat

The Wizard of Oz Family

Mackenzie as Glenda

Ryker the Lion

Manners Day

For Valentine's Day Madison had Manner's Day at school. She did not want to go. She had to sit with a boy and use her manners. The boy had to get her food, pull out her chair, clear her food and some had to lock arms and walk to lunch. She said she didn't like it, but secretly I think she did. They were so cute and smiley. I just had to surprise her at school and take some pictures. Don't worry I wasn't the only mom there. She is growing up way to fast. What cuties!

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day the kids got these stuffed dogs from Abuelita and Papi. They loved them and still do. However, Ryker had never seen anything so big. He was just not sure about it and took awhile to warm up. Eventually he did, it was so funny.