Happy 12 years Babe~

So, this year was just like many others.........but today I am more thankful for you then I was yesterday. Why?????

12 years ago

A trip down memory lane..............

Aug 31, 1996. The hottest day of the year! What a day. I remember sitting at my Mom & Dad's house with Dyana primping me. She did my hair and makeup. I was so hot I had to keep leaving the bathroom to get air. I remember getting my gown on at the temple and thinking......HERE WE GO!!! I didn't see you until we were waiting for the Temple Sealer to come talk to us. You looked so serious and nervous. hahaha I guess that's just you huh. As we made our way into the sealing room, I remember seeing my Mom first. I just cried. I was so overjoyed. We had so much support from so many different friends and family members. Taking pictures in that weather was unbearable! We didn't take many outside, I was sweating in every crevice of my body. haha

The sealing was beautiful until we got the giggles having to stare at one another. That was funny.I looked into your eyes across the alter from me and saw the most handsome, hard-working, honest, lovable, talented man. I knew I loved you, that I wanted to share eternity with you and you made me the happiest girl around! As we traveled back to my parents house to have a lunch-in, I remember going up to my "OLD" room and saying to you......"Say good-bye to this room!!" we chuckled and got out of our clothes to go eat with everyone.

The reception was so beautiful. I couldn't have asked for anything different. Everything was just the way I wanted it to go...oh' except for the line......I will pay my girls to do away with that one! My feet were killing me. I was so hungry I thought I was going to pass out. So, you decided to shove cake in my face thinking that I needed help serving myself. LOL. I can remember getting to our new apartment and just falling to the floor of exhaustion. We opened a few presents together and headed to bed to wake up early to get to the airport.

Nothing to fancy, nothing to elaborate.....just perfect for us. You sure have made up for the not so nice moments we have had. You are such a wonderful husband and have learned to love me for ME!! For that I am eternally grateful.

Today, you surprised me with a weekend in Vegas. Just the two of us. To a show, dinner and a nice walk in Town Square (yogurtland was the best!) Walking hand-in-hand reminded me of the moment you took my hand in yours and told me "yes" you wanted to be with ME for eternity. Just the quiet moments in the car, without the constant interruption of kids, starring at you as you drove. How lucky am I? You are such a wonderful husband. I love you with my whole being. Thank you for choosing ME!! I can't wait for the next 50 years!!!! love ya babe!

Jenna's Friend Party

This year we finally let Jenna have some friends from school come and celebrate with her for her 9th b'day. She had a pool party with 12 little vivacious girls.

A few of the girls on a noodle. Hunter, Jade, Jenna, Kamryn & Ashlynn

Hunter was trying to impress us with the fact that she could SHOVE a whole cupcake in her mouth at once. Tucker then had to try it........

Tagged................

1. What is his name? brandon
2. Who eats more? I would say I eat more often 6x a day, but quantity.....him!
4. Who is taller? I could never date someone shorter than me, so he is
5. Who is smarter? uhhh...i can't even figure out a 4th graders math!! HE IS
6. Who is more sensitive? If you don't know that I am something is wrong with you! ;)
7. Who does the laundry? I do mine & the kids......he does his....funny ha. I won't, well unless he begs me to
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I always have
9. Who pays the bills? can't handle that stress so i passed it on to him!
10. Who cooks more? hahahahaha I am really laughing. HE DOES!!!
11. Who is more stubborn? hands down him
12. Who is the 1st to say they are wrong? I can probably count on 1 hand how many times he has said he was wrong, actually i lied.........i can count on 1 finger!! hahahaha this is a fun game!
13. Who has more siblings? me....2 brothers 4 sisters
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? He used to, but i stole them about 3yrs ago ;)
15. What do you like to do together? LOTS. swim, movies, chat, laugh, vacation, relax, camp, 1/2 of church. hahahaha etc.
16. Who eats more sweets? me too Mellisa.......he has soooo much control.
17. Guilty Pleasures? ONLINE! for him that would be movies and throwing fight night parties
18. How did you meet? hahaha (laughing again) at his girlfriends party the summer going into 11th grade. He broke up with her that night and I snagged him. did I mention she was one of my best friends. oops that didn't go to well!!!
19. Whom asked who out 1st? did we even do that back then cuz I don't remember
20. Who kissed who 1st? uh.........mutual. standing on my driveway
21. Who proposed? He did....nothing special after 4 yrs of dating. boo hoo
22. His best features & qualities? best features.....eyes, legs, butt, shoulders and lips. His sense of humor kills me sometimes. He is so quick with come backs. His qualities......he is a very hard worker, well more like a work-aholic. He is a firefighter and owns 2 businesses. One in Las Vegas and one in St. George. He is a wonderful dad. He has come a long way!! I love him to death and think he is a hottie-tottie!!

I tag.......Corinna, Julia, Jennifer H., Marla, Cortni, Brittney and anyone who wants to share. It really is fun!

Jenna's fun day.

This was Jenna's family party.......with the Gray's & Brewers! hahaha

Jenna will have a friend party next week, so these are just a few pictures on her "real" birthday!

Jenna's cake

Best of friends. Brylei Brewer & Jenna


Brothers for LIFE!! haha. This is Brandon's childhood friend that is also our neighbor and DEAR friend. Billy takes credit for hookin' Brandon & I up. Funny story!!!! We love his family.

100TH POST!!!!!!

Wow has time flown. I remember reading so many blogs that were near their 100th post and thinking that was a LONG time away!! Well, I have been thinking a lot about what do post for the big 100!!

I wanted to post something that might inspire others. I was blank.......until I thought of what inspired ME!

I purchased this book about 3 yrs ago and told myself I would read it. I didn't read it or have any true desire to change anything until after Tucker was born. SO, after my 6 weeks I was cleared to start exercising, I then read the book and started my first challenge. It is a 12week process of 3days of cardio, 3 days of weight lifting and 7days of eating 6 small meals a day with a balance of 40/40/20.

The book was just what I needed. I started my first challenge in on October of 06. I never finished. I got to week 10 and the holidays ruined me. I knew at some point I HAD to do this for myself.

I started and never finished challenge after challenge, but always knew that I needed this for myself, but just couldn't muster up the energy or self discipline it took to achieve something. On January 7, 2008 I knew I HAD to get this in the bag. I had to start with a purpose as if this was my 2 minute warning in a football game. That is when the football players seem to know that either they HAVE to give it their all to win the game or defend the goal so the other team can't win. I HAD TO WIN MY GAME.

I did it!! I completed my challenge and it literally changed my life. Emotionally, Spiritually, and Physically. I was lifted. I was inspired. I was thankful. I was ME! (you can view my blog about the challenge in April archives.)

I want everyone to know that Bill Phillip's new book comes out in October. This is a book that will coincide with the Body For Life book. It is a continuation of his brilliant work. I hope this is in someway inspiring to those of you who say "I will start Monday", or "I will get in shape this year" It is about NOW! Don't wait till Monday, don't give in to those obstacles that seem to creep up on us EVERYDAY. PLAN. That is what it takes. PLANNING.......oh and MOST IMPORTANT

A DESIRE!

Just a little something to look forward to in the book.....


We’ll only change the big picture by accepting responsibility for the problem and rising up to the challenge as individuals. Our personal transformation becomes the message, the example, and the inspiration which helps our families, our societies, our nations, and our world.
As you begin to walk this path, there will be moments when you may feel like giving up. Make no mistake about that. There may also be times when you question your ability to make the transformation. That’s all part of the process. Always remember this: I believe in you. I know you have the power and ability to make the change. And now, with this book, you have the keys to open the gate and discover your highest potential.
I know you can do it. I don’t “think” you can, I know you can. And soon, you will know it too.

Jenna ReAnn McNary: born August 23, 1999

• this year you started 4th grade with lots of fun girl friends.
• you love to play outside, swim and ride your bike or scooter.
• you get braces this year and funny thing is you are excited!! just wait!
• you are an amazing friend to me too
• I love your questions, you have tons. I just hope that I teach you correctly.
• you love to learn about the teachings of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
• you are a beautiful little girl with so many great qualities
• you know how important Jesus is in your life and love to talk to him and about him often.
• your favorite toy to play with right now is your American Girl.
• you love things simple
• you HATE a messy room that is usually made by your roommate :)

Jenna, you are such a joy in our lives. We are so thankful to our loving Heavenly Father for his guidance in your life. I am so glad that you love Him and Jesus and know they love you too. I appreciate your help and understanding when I am not the best at being a Mom!

I love you to the moon and back sweetness!!! Love Mommy

YUCK!!!!!

So, as we were walking out the door today, my sister ran over to our house and said "the girls have lice!" WHAT!!!! I pulled Jenna's hair out of her pony-tail and sectioned it down the middle.............sure enough.........there it was! LICE. I was dying. WHAT THE HECK! My poor kids. The first week of school and they have to stay home for 4 days. After treating with the Rid shampoo and gel, the mayonnaise method, and the olive oil method........ and combing through it SO many times my shoulders and center of my back were on FIRE, I think we got them all.

It was funny, the first day it happened, my sister ran down to the bus stop to warn the other parents there about the situation. Her girls were scared, they really didn't understand what was going on, so all the girls put beanies on and came over. Before researching, we thought they could fall or jump out of the hair. I feel like the lice pro now, which isn't the "coolest" title to have, but hey.....I think I am now. If they get this again........mark my words "they will never ride the bus again" and I don't even know if that is how they got it!!!!!

It had to be the worst week of my life. About 20 loads of laundry, cleaned and put away. Bedrooms, striped of EVERYTHING, cleaned and sealed off. 15 bags of blankets, dolls, doll clothes, toys, towels, etc are in my garage for a 2 week quarantine! I could have thought of a million other things I would have rather done!!!

back to school!!! YIPPEE!!!!

Jenna was so excited to start the BIG 4th grade this year. She was sad that a friend moved before the school year started, but all in all she was excited to get back to school. We walked into class and she found LOTS of friends from last year too!

Madee wasn't so excited! She had a stomach ache the night before, just like I used to have! She has most of her friends in her class (which scares me!!) Hopefully peer pressure won't get to her!! hahaha.

This was the "CREW" this year. Poor boy!! The first row (except the little girl in the black shirt, who is in 2nd grade!) are all starting first grade today!! Such a GREAT group of friends!

Tucker was so sad to see the girls go off to school, but SOOOO excited to see the bus. All he kept saying all morning was "BUS, mama, BUS!!"

We had a quite day today, just me and Tuck. It was very strange and hard at the same time. I felt like those hard days of potty training where I was entertaining him ALL day. He sure missed those cute girls. ****so did I***** ;(

Daddy.... Money

Funny/cute story. I had to take Brandon down to Las Vegas to pick up his work van and decided to make a day of it with shopping for school clothes. So, we went to several places and were coming up empty handed. We decided to go to the Downtown Outlet mall. With it being outside, it was a tad bit hot, so Tucker found a vending machine with candy and goodies to satisfy himself. He yanked on the lock, banged on the window and stuck his little arm inside to see if he could reach the treasures. With no luck......he walked over to Brandon, stuck his little hand in Brandon's pocket and said "daddy..money!" We got a good laugh out of that one. My 2yr old knows his dad!!

Happy #2 Tuck

Little Tucker.................

• you are now 2 and have entered the wonderful life of "terrible twos" and living up to the name!
• you love to run around and play games with anyone who will play.
• your personality is a riot! you are always making us laugh.
• your words are starting to become more clear. you are saying names so well.
• your favorite word lately to me is "NO" and "GO" oh' how I love you.
• you have shortened your naps from 2 a day to just 1! too bad for me!
• your laugh is infectious. you love to be tickled and scared. it is fun to just sit and watch you laugh.
• every time we take you to nursery you scream like we are pulling a limb off. it hasn't always been that way.
• your favorite food right now is a mini-Popsicle. (about time these came out!)
• how I love to just cuddle you at night and get you to bed.
• POTTY TRAINED!!!
• i can't believe my baby is 2! where has time gone? you bring pure joy to our lives.
• thank you Tucker for choosing our family. we LOVE you!
  

We had Tuckers birthday on Saturday a few days late, but we had a blast. Swimming, pizza, presents and cupcakes. What more could a 2yr old want. He received some really fun gifts.(thank you everyone)

just some fun pictures I took out on the jump rocks. You are so dang adorable.

Batman!!! Dunanananananana...........Batman!

Incredible smashing hands......they talk like the hulk when you hit something. Funny!!

Potty Training Bootcamp!!

Tucker's first day in Big Boy Underwear!!!

So, I decided that I was ready to conquer the wonderful task of potty training early. I purchased an ebook online and it was wonderful.( http://www.3daypottytraining.com/) Potty Training a child is no easy task, but I figured I might as well start now. We started the day after Tuckers 2nd birthday. It was pretty intense and I had lots of help keeping the girls occupied by neighbors and my sister Tracy. I was in the house on lock down for 3 days. I didn't leave the house and neither did Tuck. I made all the neighbor kids stay away and that was pretty hard on Tracy's kids. Tucker seemed to have with drawls by the 3rd day.

We did lots of fun things together during that time. We read lots of books, did puzzles, played games, colored and snuggled. He helped me with my daily duties of being a mom. Helping me make lunch, vacuum, and just clean around the house.I couldn't leave his side and at times he would tell me to "GO!" Literally..........I felt like a 2yr old. I was on his heels chasing him around waiting for the moments to happen. When they did....we rushed, laughing on the way to the potty. He has done a remarkable job. A few minor accidents here and there, but what child doesn't have accidents on the first week of training. He hasn't had a wet bed yet!! I am so proud of him and thankful that I made it through boot camp as well!!! BIG BOY TUCK!!

Tucker insisted on vacuuming his room.


Boy did it tire him out!!

Coloring with sissy.

He had fun getting on the table and washing it down.

One thing I had to do was get Tucker off the sippy cups at night. So, we purchased a few new sippies with the straw and told him only BIG BOYS get these. He thought they were pretty neat.

JETTA THEFT!!!!

So, Tuesday morning I got a phone call from Brandon in Las Vegas that his Jetta has been stolen. I couldn't believe it!! From behind a FIRE STATION. The nerve of these kids these days blows my mind. We love that little car, it is his commuter car and gets GREAT gas mileage. Thinking of having to get another car, the process that we had to start was just a little over whelming. Brandon had to work again on Tuesday at another station so, he hitched a ride from another fireman. I had to start the phone calls.....the insurance. I hate these phone calls. There were checks from customers from his carpet cleaning business that were in the car, so I had to call them and ask them to issue stop payments and re-issue another check. They didn't like that. We had just purchased a new Van for Brandon's business and the title and bill of sale was in there too!!! He was dying. I was watching Tracy's kids amid all of this and now had to go to Vegas to pick him up. So, I grabbed a few of mine and a few of hers and headed to Vegas. While I was driving down I got a call from Metro stating they recovered the car. No rims or tires but the car was recovered about 2 blocks from the Fire Station. Brandon had to take possession of the car and get a tow truck out to SOMEHOW get it out of this ally...........the car is in the body shop and now we get to try to replace a few personal items stolen. WEDDING RING!!! Clothes, tools, cd's, etc. At least we got the little cute car back that gives us 42miles per gallon and living in Utah and working in Vegas..............That is all we asked for!!

4th of July

Here are a very few pictures I took with some of the cousins this week. My sisters Shannyn and Cindy came for the week. We had an amazing time. LOTS and LOTS of swimming, great food and relaxation!! We really soaked up the sun. The parents got to go to dinner and a movie one night and then we took the kids to a movie the next. The 4th wasn't like normal. We didn't go to Brian Head, our usual spot, so we went to St. George and watched the fireworks and hung out in the town square. All that mattered was that we were together as a family. We really enjoyed the time we spent with each family. The kids had so much fun. We were able to keep a few of the cousins for a whole extra week after the parents went back home. That was such a treat. We don't get to see them as often as we would like, so we jumped at the chance. I took so many pictures but I can't post any of them because I am not allowed!! Bummer! So, here is just a few to enjoy.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy

We love and appreciate all you do for us. You are an amazing man, father, husband and friend.

Love,

US!

Girls Camp

M.A.S.H

Must Arise in Strength & Honor

I had the wonderful privledge to attend girls camp with the stake this year. Our theme was based on MASH. Must Arise in Strength & Honor. I was Klinger. *in the red dress* I know a little goofy, but it really was a blast. I looked forward to this for months. I felt like I needed that spiritual kick in the butt! I got it too. It was so fulfilling. Laurel Christianson came and spoke to the girls about Who they are. It was edifying. I could have listened to her all day. We had the usual role call, songs, skits, and delicious food. Nothing like campfire cooked food. The Stake Leaders did the most amazing job with some of the fun activities. We had a really fun game in the meadow that was kind of like capture the flag. We used little trophies that we had some of our team protect and the others had to go steal the other groups trophies from them. After it was done we surprised them with a helicoptor fly over us (REALLY LOW) and drop a box of ice-cream sandwiches. The girls loved it.

These were the YCL girls and leaders from my home ward. I love these girls. They were so awesome! Loved to help the younger girls and they made me so proud.

These are a few of some dear friends that braved camp with me!!

Laguna Beach & Disneyland

Every year we go to Laguna Beach and hang out on the beach for the week. This year we asked our dear friends Melissa & Travis to go with us and relax on the beach!! We had the best time. The kids really love each other and got along the whole time. We thought that it would be fun to bring 2 babysitters who are in my ward. It really didn't go as planned, but all that mattered was that we had a really good time. The adults got to got to dinner 2x and breakfast one morning without the kids. I have always loved the beach, how relaxed it makes me feel. The sand on my toes, listening to the waves crash. We had a girls pow-wow one night and stayed up talking till 1am and watched the waves come closer & closer to the deck we were on.

These are some random pictures........some at the hotel pool, some on the beach. I know I do have to explain a few. The first picture is of Travis digging a hole......we told him for about 1/2 hour to put sunscreen on but he was TOO busy!! That night we went to dinner with just the adults to PF Chang's and Travis had a hard time sitting down!! He burned his crack!!! hahahhaha NO really I laughed so hard!! The next is of Delaney & Jennna goofin' around at the pool. The picture of Brandon in the window was a riot. As I was in PacSun trying on clothes I come out one time & Travis & Brandon have these pimp hats on. I went to go pay for my items and Brandon I guess got bored!! So he decided to go and try to scare people by being a manikin in the window and when they walked by scare them. We laughed so hard, I was crying. We got to go to Disneyland AGAIN........so there are some random ones there too. Tucker found a phone that he just wouldn't put down while we were waiting for the Dads and older ones to get off a ride. We really had a GREAT relaxing time. We have next year already planned with more friends to join us, but we are renting cottages next time!! Thanks Melissa & Travis for a WONDERFUL time!!