A St. Patty's Day Story by McKenna

Flowers don't lie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spring is coming! Spring is coming! Spring is coming!

As you can see, I am sick of the cold weather. My daffodils and tulips are a sure sign that winter is almost over. Thank goodness!

Some random pictures of our week...

Ryleigh and her shoe fettish.

Dan enjoying his new Cutco sandwich spreader and knife (since that is the only thing we can afford from Cutco).
McKenna playing electronic Uno and losing.


Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
(Kiss us, we're Irish...well at least my husband and girls are:)

Denver

Ryleigh borrowed a lighter jacket from Brooke because the weather in Denver was 60 to 70s the whole week. It was fabulous. Ryleigh and Brooke are the same height, but Ryleigh is 6 months older. We have a shortie on our hands. Did you expect anything more?

The Denver Zoo was really fun. We saw tons of animals and McKenna was able to get some energy out by running around.

The Children's Museum was ok. It was mainly entertaining to McKenna only. If you have kids over the age of 5 or 6 or under 2, I wouldn't recommend it.

Ryleigh did like the magnetic letters. They reminded her of home and the dishwasher and fridge. She loves to take off the letters and have mom put them back on.

The Kids' Expo was interesting. They had a petting zoo, bounce houses, and lots of games. Ryleigh had her first dumdum lollipop. She enjoyed it. McKenna had trouble deciding what to do next. They have this huge blue bear standing on the outside of the building looking in.

On our last full day in Denver, we drove to Colorado Springs and visiting the Garden of the Gods. The rock formations were huge. We had a picnic lunch and strolled through the park. At one point, I was pushing McKenna in a stroller uphill. She is getting heavy or I am out of shape. Most likely the latter.

Our trip to Denver was great. We really appreciate Tracie and Troy for letting us crash at their place and introducing Dan to Ticket to Ride. He loved the game. Also, thanks to Tracie for being our chauffeur the whole week. McKenna was really sad coming home. She kept telling me she missed her Aunt Tracie. Ryleigh misses you too or at least Brooke's toys. What a little thief Ryleigh was. She kept stealing all Brooke's toys in the car. Now I have a little clue as to what she may be like as a big sister.

Mark your calendars... the big ultrasound is scheduled for April 8th in the morning.

Wahooz! (formerly known as Boondocks)

Dan and McKenna went out for a daddy daughter date last night. McKenna dressed up in a pretty dress and Dan took her to Wahooz and they had a blast. McKenna even won big on a game called Catapult. It is where you put the coin in and try to launch it into the moving cup. Dan was showing her how to play it and was about ready to launch it when Kenna says "Like this?" And she launched it right into the bonus cup, winning 52 tickets. McKenna especially liked playing in the jungle gym area (hard to play in a dress). She came home with toys and treats for all of us. After they came home, Dan had a quick church-related home visit and then he took us all to Iceberg for icecream. The Iceberg just opened up a month or so ago. We were really excited to see it here. We really like the Black Raspberry shake. Yum!

Ryleigh is really into books right now.

My Valentine's Day flowers from Dan

Dan In Real Life - Dear Red Rover

Times change.  Sometimes you wait many years for something to happen, and then somehow it just falls in your lap.  That was the story of Red Rover.  Red Rover pretty much by chance just fell into our laps.  

Since I was a young boy of 15, with a license in my pocket burrning to drive, I have always wanted a 4Runner.  It had to have 4 wheel drive to be able to take all over the mountains and to my favorite fishing holes and campgrounds.  Of course it had to be UTE Red too.  

One day as I was driving my Ute Red Corrolla to my Mother's house, with sweet little 2 year old McKenna in the back seat, a semi truck decided to bring Red Rover into our lives.  Well not directly, but the semi started a chain recation, that led us to get a great deal on the 4x4 - 4runner of my dreams, Red Rover.  

Red Rover has taken us many miles accross this country, from Oregon to California, and back.  He never gave me a worry in the world, and would always get me out of a jam.  Red Rover was there to take Rachel and McKenna up the trechorus hill to my parents house in the winter, and there to take us to the beautiful mountains and lakes of McCall.

But now a greater cause has entered our family, the fact that Red Rover could not fit 2 car seats and a booster seat all in the back row.  Red Rover was the best car or truck that I have ever had, but, a new child is worth the loss of a good friend.  So in honor of Red Rover, I wrote a little poem.

A Farewell to Red Rover

With all my will, with all my heart,

We two friends now must part.

The memories I will hold so dear,

my only comfort, the roads that lie behind us.

With your four wheel drive we had no fear,

over peak and mount we have climbed through the muss.

 

Many tears will now be shed,

yet the remembrance of you shall never be dead.

No dew’s drop shall blur my eyes, 

because of our differing paths, the past moments I’ll save.

Countless ventures, mist twilights shaded skies,

and your 4 liters’ 266 pounds of torque I will forever crave.

 

Go thou to East, and I to the West.

Without you I will forever endeavor my best.

At the great journey’s end of two friends so sweet,

I will bid you farewell and luck to another guy.

When someday, amazed on some back trail we’ll meet,

you will see, the tears of remembrance will never dry.

I’ll miss you Red Rover.

Big Silver

This is Big Silver. He is our newest addition to the family. At the beginning of January we had to make a car decision. The end of lease date on the 4runner was coming up and we needed to decide whether or not to keep her. McKenna nicknamed her Red Rover. New Year's Day we took a drive to the car dealership to check out new and used cars. Unfortunately, all the car dealers were closed New Years Day. We thought that was weird. We were about to give up when we drove passed Big Silver. He is a 2005 Toyota Sequoia with leather interior, sunroof, and holds 8 passengers. The price was right (the same if we purchased the 4runner) so we went back the next day to trade up. McKenna loves Big Silver (Heigh ho Silver!) and loves sitting in the third row all by herself. Ryleigh is now sitting facing forward and loves to be able to see everything. I am still getting used to driving a larger vehicle, but he drives similar to Red Rover. I never thought I would see the day when I, a 5 ft tall girl, would be driving such a beast. Don't worry, I can see over the steering wheel just fine. We really like our new addition. He will come in handy when we have more kids.

Which brings me to my next little bit of news...

That's right everyone! We are expecting child #3! I am almost 11 weeks pregnant (on Sunday)and feeling it this time. I have to constantly eat or I feel nausea. And I am always tired. Lots of napping for me. We visited the doctor Wednesday and the baby is right on schedule. I am little more nervous having three kids than having two, but McKenna is a great helper. Maybe too good of a helper, but I can't complain. Ryleigh loves her big sister and now gets to be a big sister herself. It will be an adjustment but we are ready. That's all of our good news for the last month. 2009 is off to a good start. Just have to get taxes done...

Oh, thanks to Mandi for all the box tops. McKenna was one of the box top winners for the month of January because she turned so many in. She got a pencil and a game.

HaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this makes you smile too!