OurLittleMcFamily.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NIKKI!27 February 2010

Out of all the cake molds she had to choose from, she went with a “cake” because it had “pretty colors!” Adam made the cake per his usual talent. :)Oh, and she named her little stuffed dog “Princess Doggy!”

So it’s not exactly like home, but I’ll take what I can get. Our Las Vegas skies have been gloriously cloudy for a couple of weeks now. Every morning I wake up to a window full of gloominess with temperatures hovering between 45 and 60. Oh, early February, how I wish you could linger a little longer. :)

Our favorite family activity during this time of year is to go walking in the dark. The kids take their flashlights and get soaking wet in the puddles. Adam and I follow just enough behind to not get completely drenched. We just enjoying wearing our rain jackets…hoods and everything!

Denver, Finally!!! This friend trip seemed extra-long in the making (due to my canceling the summer). Here are our lovely hosts:

(yeah, we keep him around; great entertainment value!)

A mountain retreat with girlfriends is exactly what this girl needed after the holidays. The massive amount of talking, drinking (purely diet coke), and scrapping was enough to push any husband over the edge–good thing the boys didn’t come along this time. I only finished six scrapbook layouts, but I napped, ate, and lounged in between each layout. It was perfect. I think Jes’s numbers were in the 20’s and Amy’s were in the 30’s. They kick my trash every time–and I am totally okay with that.We also hottubbed in the snow, ate loads of sweet chewy Chex Mix, and walked around Breckenridge. A huge thanks to Grandma Carlson for letting us use the Mountain House.

Other highlights
Amy’s local day spa–I haven’t had a massage in so long. Thanks for the treat, Ames.
Downtown dinner and walking with Steffan–The chicken fajitas were also a treat.
Shopping for scrap supplies–Archivers and Hobby Lobby.
Talking until midnight in the basement–wish we could do it more often.
Spending time with Mya and Peyton–I miss them already. They are growing faster than any auntie would want.

Resolutions Made
Join Weight Watchers
Scrap more often
Drink less diet coke
Plan next girlfriend getaway

And could my friends be any cuter? I think our thirties suit us well. :)

We are starting a new McCracken tradition in 2010, or should I say carrying on an old one. Adam’s family kept a Family Home Evening Journal with notes about what happened etc. Adam has fond memories of looking through the books and reminiscing over them with his fam.

We have decided to keep our journal online and then make a yearly FHE blog book. That way pictures will be easier to incorporate. So without further ado:

11 January 2010

Gratitude, by Ezzy
Ezzy prepared a game called The Gratitude Gopher. We put our hands in a paper bag and pulled out a picture of something we should be grateful for like home, friends, etc. If we pulled out a picture of the gratitude gopher we could pick our own thing to be grateful for. Then she talked about how it is important to show our thanks for gifts that are given to us.

Songs:
I Love to See the Temple
I am a Child of God

Scripture:
D&C 78:19
…And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

Activity:
Christmas gift thank you cards

Treat:
Ice cream

FOURTH annual BFF trip, not third.

I totally spaced 2006 BYU Women’s Conference, which started the whole tradition. Phew….glad I caught myself before Jessica or Amy corrected me. :)

Six more days and I am on a plane to Denver. It is Amy’s turn to host our third annual bff trip, which I am soooo excited about. My back injury this past summer foiled our original vacation. We had planned a summer vacay with our three families. I know the girls, including myself, were super disappointed.

On the bright side, we get a girls weekend all to ourselves. Massages, scrapping in the mountains, and lots of talking on our short list. I am sure we will throw in a McDonald’s breakfast and a couple of diet coke runs just for good measure. Ladies, I can’t wait to see both of you!!!

Here’s some awesome sledding video from our trip to Washington. Where it gets really interesting is at about 1:50. Adam’s true colors shine through. I love being married to this guy!!!

Adam uploaded all of our sledding videos here.

Tio Brian and I took Danny, Ezzy, and Brooklynn up to White Pass on our Christmas vacation. It was the first time for the whole McFamily. It was Brooky’s 2nd time and about the 10,000th time for Brian :) We had a blast. Danny was a natural - he went with Brian and Brooky on a longer, higher run, while Ezzy and I got lots of practice on the lower slope.

Brian got some pictures also that can be seen on the Hirschi’s blog. Stay tuned for more Christmas adventures!

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, I took Ezzy and Danny to one of my favorite places - the hike to Bridge Mountain in Red Rock. It’s far enough out of the way to have a little less travel than the more popular hikes that are closer to the loop. It was a little bit cold and windy, but the cooler weather was nice. We made it out to the sandstone and stopped for a lunch of Jetboil ramen and oranges, a true culinary delight!

Click here for more photos.

On Saturday, we got together with the Moore family for a trip up Icebox Canyon. Juan Pablo talked everyone’s ears off and everyone hiked, ducked, and scrambled their way to the top. Once again, temperatures were just right for hiking.

We may not have soaring mountains and rushing streams, but we do have dirt piles and a lot of fun!