Halloween Fun

I couldn't resist putting this picture of Courtney on. She loves her chickens and is speedy fast at catching them! We let them out of the coop occasionally and on this day, I decided we needed to put them back in before they tore up the back yard. So being the capable mother that I am, I thought I will go out there and help Courtney catch the chickens (I would catch and she would "help"). Well maybe it's because my belly is growing, but I couldn't seem to catch a darn one! Courtney caught everyone of them! And I did a fabulous job at holding the door open for her.

For Halloween this year we went to California and spent it with David's family! It was a blast. I've decided Halloween is definitely one of the best holidays to spend with family because it is just plain fun and an opportunity to see people's fun silly goofy side. This is one of the McBride Family Traditions. They have a special Halloween dinner where there are skeleton bones in the meat and bugs in the potatoes and veggies. The kids loved it!

For dessert Grandpa fed Kali a Spider!

Here's our little Kali Bug dressed up like an alligator!

Courtney loved being a witch and singing "I'm a Mean Old Witch" song all month long. This is at the ward trunk-or-treat. Courtney couldn't decide which she liked more giving candy out to the other kids that came to our trunk or getting candy when she said the magic words, "trick-or-treat." We went to a Fall Harvest Carnival and had a great time watching the kids ride on some rides. Courtney loves all of her cousins! They are so kind and polite- genuine gentlemen to their 'little girl cousin.'

Here's our Masterpieces 2010.

Summer in Review

This is Our Summer in Review I snapped this picture before Dave had a chance to know what I was doing. I was playing with his phone.

Kali celebrated her first birthday! This is her cupcake on her actual birthday but we celebrated it later at her great grandma McBride's house.

This summer I spent my first trimester being sicker than I remember being with both Courtney and Kali. I spent a hundred hours volunteering at the Learning Center for Families to finish up my bachelors and basically just trying to survive. Here is a happy moment in time after I got home from doing visits.Courtney is my little sunshine and I love her enthusiasm for life. Thank goodness for big buckets when cleaning up toys!

Graduation

Today as the impact of completing my finals has come full rounds, I find myself quite somber. I have reflected back on what exactly 'Graduation' means. As I was talking with my Grandma yesterday, we decided it meant perseverance. It means you were diligent in complying with anothers demands upon you and came out victorious. One thing is for sure it's like my mom always says, "you will never regret it." It is something that no one can take away from you. I did it! I have my Bachelors Degree!

Even though I would be wearing the black gown, I have decided not to walk. I had my triumphant party when I graduated dental hygiene school in 2007. It is those pictures I have posted below. It was definitely the best of times and the worst of times. Thanks to all those who have made it possible. My family, friends, and my ever patient husband.

Reality Check

So I was reading back through my posts and realized I only write the positive happy things. I want people to know I have problems/issues, well not everyone (I am still hopeful some of you out there think me perfect) but honestly, I am a living breathing mistake making person and I can't do it alone. In fact, without the support of loved ones I wouldn't be doing anything! I do think it is important to be optimistic and look on the sunny side of things. Yet, if I was reading my blog I would think 'oh get real'. I guess I am more like my mother in that way, I have a tendency to remember only the good things and that's what I write about. So this post is a note-to-self as an effort to be more 'real' in the future.

Kali's Baby Blessing was way back in September but I wanted to post a few pictures. She was absolutely beautiful and was a perfectly sleepy baby for her big day!

Thanksgiving was a blast! We enjoyed the nice weather in California and the girls loved the ducks! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for all your hard work and great times.

One of Courtney's favorite things is to have Kali lay next to her while I read her 'night night' story books. Kali loves it too! She thinks her big sister is pretty cool.

Christmas was WHITE! Dave and I learned what the difference between cold and really cold was. He went hunting pheasants with my dad when it was -13 degrees! He had a great time though and came back exhausted. We also enjoyed sledding with Clint and Jess and their family. Kale was a sledding maniac he couldn't seem to get enough!

Here we are in our matching pajama's...thanks Mom. I look forward to them every year!

Growing Before My Eyes!

This is a picture of Kali when she was one week old. A friend of mine had a great idea of taking pictures of your baby next to an object so you can really see the size difference. Thanks Mom for the darling elephant!This is a picture of Kali exactly at 2 months old! She is double her birth weight! Crazy Huh?? I'm just so glad she is healthy and strong. We had a very mean flu two weeks ago and it left everyone tired. Kali came through it a champ! We are glad she has a little extra weight on her for when she is sick.

School

What was I thinking? College classes after being graduated for 2 and 1/2 years! My brain doesn't think anymore. Between my newborn and Courtney they took my brain cells!! Okay, so today I am more than a little overwhelmed. But hopefully if I can get my mind greased up and thinking again I will be doing better tomorrow. Listen to my classes Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Research Methodology, and Leadership. Have I ever mentioned I don't particularly like research? Okay, I'm done now. I'll get back to reading my chapters. Thanks for receiving an ear-full!

She's Here! Kali Marie McBride

Kali Marie was born July 23, 2009 weighed 7 lbs. and measured 19 inches long. She has dark brown hair and blue eyes. She has a similar look to her sister but looks more Barton than Courtney does. Kali is an amazing Baby! She is a good eater and sleeper and is an overall easy-going girl. Everything went well with delivery besides a scare with the placenta tearing and possible emergency c-section but all turned out well. Recovery has been a million times easier this time around. We have been truely blessed with another beautiful addition to our home!

Maternity Pictures

My really good friend came down from Provo and took some amazing maternity pictures. I have always thought maternity pictures would be awesome but I never thought I would ever be able to get them. (Sometimes it's hard to feel like having your picture taken when you feel huge and just not that cute). But I think Marie is a fabulous photographer because they turned out really well!