Newport Beach, California

We were able to go on a vacation and it was FANTASTIC!!! I want to go back already. I loved being with my family 24/7 and not having to worry about life too much. These pics are not in order. We went to Newport Beach for the first few days of our vacation. We left Meridian the night of Oct. 7th and headed to Burley to pick up Mom & Dad Alvey. Dad got a suburban from his work and we all rode together. (Mom, Dad, Josh, Me, Hunter, McKenna, Krystal, and Reed) It was a tight fit but we did it. We drove all night thinking that the kids would sleep for most of it. My kids are good in the car and usually sleep, but not this time. They were still very very good but didn't sleep much. They didn't want to miss out on being in so many states! Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. (I think that's all) Thanks to Brad & Andrea (Josh's uncle & aunt) who we met in Newport, for hooking us up with a sweet room for all of us to stay in. We were here til Tuesday.

McKenna was exhausted from going to the beach. She loved the water and thought it was so much fun.

Hunter likes being close enough to see the water but not close enough that it touches him. The first day we got there we went to the beach and the wave came and he fell down and is a little nervous about those big waves now.

We had some extra time before we could check in to our hotel and we all really wanted to see the San Diego temple, so we made a pit stop. It's even more beautiful in person. We want to go back and do a session!

My cute, tired, dirty children at the temple. We had been in the car for about 15 hours or more at this point. They just wanted to run around and stretch their legs.

The hotel had a basketball court, golf course, playground, hot tubs, pools, and tons of other stuff. This place is actually a time share so it has lots to do. Hunter and Josh went and played basketball one morning. He loved it!

Hunter said a ton of funny things on our trip and of course I didn't write them down and I sure don't remember them all. But here are a few.

*On the drive to CA, Krystal let Hunter listen to her I pod and then he started singing his own songs. It went something like this: I know you and you and you and you're a dump truck...

*When we were packing the car to head to Disneyland, Hunter was in the car up front while we loaded. And a lady came out and Hunter asked her where she was going. She replied, home. Where are you going? We all thought for sure he would have said Disneyland, cuz he was so excited to go, but he said NUTS!

Hunter's 4th Birthday

Josh and I decided that Hunter could have a friend party this year. In the past we have done family with a few friends. I was feeling guilty too because I was doing the St. Luke's Women's Race, on his birthday and didn't want him to feel left out on his birthday. We invited a few friends to go bowling with us. I made a cute bowling pin invitation (that I didn't take a pic of).

This is the whole group that came to spoil Hunter at his party. L-R-Landen, Hailey, Hunter, Cole, Ali, and Dylan. (I hope I got the twins right)

Hunter bowling

These are supposed to be bowling pin cupcakes. The book looks much better than the real thing. It was kind of hard because the cupcakes and donut holes I used are not all equally proportionate. And the fruit roll ups that we bought were not regular ones, they were design ones so they don't have straight lines like they are supposed to. They started melting on the way to the bowling alley, so they were kinda messy, but the kids loved them!

Hunter opening up his presents. He loved everything he got and he definitely got spoiled!

In the group picture, Hunter is holding a bowling pin. Yes, it's a real pin. The guy at the bowling alley, Ron, knew it was his birthday (and it was the same day as Ron's brothers). He said he wanted to give Hunter something for his birthday and wanted to know if I wanted the party date on it or his actual birthday. I had no idea what he was giving him so I didn't know what would be best, so I told him to decide. A few minutes later, Ron comes back and has his hands behind his back. He told Hunter he wanted to give him a present and to hold his hands out. Then he put the bowling pin in Hunter's hands. Hunter was right up against me so I didn't see his face but Heather and Lisa said it was priceless. Hunter loves his bowling pin and thinks he is the coolest kid on the block because he has it.

P.S. those pins are heavier than you think!

Hunter had family over on his birthday to help celebrate his special day. He had Grandpa & Grandma Alvey, Grandma King (we missed Grandpa King), Krystal, Reed, Great Grandpa & Grandma Mathews, and Becky. The girls all did the race that morning and then we came home and had sandwiches and chips for lunch and he got to open his presents from everyone.

He had a fantastic day and we are grateful for our friends and family who got to share in his special day.

McKenna's 1st Hair cut

I know I am way behind on blogging but we've been busy.
McKenna had her 1st hair cut and did GREAT! She sat there and let Candice cut her hair without fussing once. We did bribe her a little with goldfish but I say whatever works.



I didn't really get any after shots for some reason...

Change sucks!!!

I am all for change, when it benefits me. Right now, I'm not liking change. I got released from Young Women's today! This has truly been my FAVORITE calling in the world. I love young women's and we have AMAZING girls. I wasn't warned this was happening until after Sunday School right before Sacrament Meeting, so of course all through sacrament I was bawling and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna bawl for another 2 weeks. I've been in since Feb. and I truly can't get enough of my Young Women. I love them and they taught me so much in my short time that I was with them. I know this is all part of Heavenly Father's plan and I hope he has something good in store for me, cuz if not I might become inactive (not really but still). I fear it's Primary and I really don't want to go there, but I guess if that's where I'm needed I'll do what I have to (but I can't say I'll do it happily) I have a few bones to pick with Heavenly Father right now and I just hope I can get over it sooner rather than later.

Girls Camp

Back in February I was called to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Women's. I was definitely not expecting it but was super excited about it. I love the Young Women's program and had a blast when I was a Young Women. I love having the MiaMaids! They are such a fun age and amazing girls. When I was called to be the counselor I knew that meant girls camp too. :) I LOVED girls camp growing up and I couldn't wait. Although, we do have some city girls so it was a little differnt. But I had the TIME OF MY LIFE!!!! I loved being a leader at camp instead of a girl. It was so amazing to watch our girls gain testimonies of their own about our Savior. It was stake camp and I always liked ward camp better growing up, so I was a little nervous. But the stake leaders did a FANTASTIC job with it. The them was Testimony-I know for myself. I was a little worried to because, of course, as a leader I had the itinerary and they had us scheduled for something every hour. NO KIDDING! We started with flag ceremony and breakfast at 8 and had something every hour until about 10 each night. We only had 1 hour every day for free time. We played different games, did service projects, had a testimony hike, and all sorts of stuff. Our girls we always in bed no later than 10:30 every night but the last night. We didn't have any fighting and bickering, which from a leader stand point was very nice. One day they had an activity of rock climbing. I have never done rock climbing before and have never really been interested in it either. I am TERRIFIED of heights! I have a MiaMaid who isn't as outgoing as some of the other girls but she said if you do it, I'll do it. As a leader, how do you back out of that? So she tried it and then I held true to my word. I did it! I was scared to death but I did it and hope I never have to do it again. :) The stake had several firesides and devotionals throughout the week, that were always amazing and I think really helped the girls. Through the week they focused a lot on trying to help the girls recognize the spirit speaking to them. And tried to explain that not everyone feels the spirit the same. Some people have a pounding heart, some have thoughts come to mind, and such and such ways. How just because one person feels the spirit one way, doesn't mean another person feels the spirit the same way. And that we may not feel the spirit at the same time as another person either. It was truly an amazing experience to be a leader and to strengthen my own testimony and feel of the spirit in MY own ways and to watch our girls grow in the gospel. I absolutely love my calling and really wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life in Young Women's.

walk walk walk

McKenna took her first steps on July 2. Then since then she has not really been to interested in walking. She would do 3 or 4 steps here or there but only if it was her idea. :) Well this last friday (29th) she decided it was time to walk for reals. She has been walking all over the place and that's all she wants to do now. I'm hoping it will make her life a little happier now that she can do things easier. I hate that she's growing up so fast but love that she's my baby girl.

McKenna's 1st Birthday

We went to Burley this year to have McKenna's party. Her birthday is May 27th, so it falls right at Memorial Weekend. Since we had an extra day off from work (okay Josh had an extra day) we thought it would be easier to have the party in Burley. (That's where most of our families live) We had it at my parents house in their shop. We kept it simple. We had a bbq and everyone brought their own meat and a salad to share. We opened presents and ate and had ice cream sandwiches for treats.

This was a Disney princess plate, cup, bowl set

Here's some of the cousins playing together

I wasn't going to do cake this year because I didn't want to make my dad's shop too messy and I didn't have time to make one and I refuse to buy a cake that is gross and cost $25 or more. Well my sister got wind of this and didn't think it was fair, so they bought a little mini cake that McKenna got to keep all to herself. My camera died or was full and I couldn't get an after shot but she had it everywhere! She even had pink boogers. I told my sister to remember this because she has twin boys and I'm doing the same thing for them. :)

She got a tea set from Krystal and she loves to play with it.

I took McKenna in for her year check and she is doing great. A little on the small side but otherwise healthy. She is 27 3/4 in. long and 16.75 lbs which is the 1% for weight. She just long and skinny. The doc said not to worry too much as long as she is eating.

We had a great weekend and are so grateful our families could be there to celebrate with us.