Meet great-grandparents Penning!
The whole Penning tribe made a very special day trip to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma to spend some time with them. I am so glad we got pictures. Let’s face it grams and grandps…you’re no spring chickens anymore. :)
We also celebrated Danny’s birthday…the Nerf bow-n-arrow is something Danny’s has been asking for for 18 months. he LOVES it.
We all had a great time. Hopefully, the kids will remember the experience for a long time to come.
JULY 2010
Daniel, age 10
Esmeralda, age 9
Nikki, age 8
Juan, age 7
Welcome to the beach!
The Penning tribe:
This is Adam and I in 20 years:
The Girlie Cousins:
My siblings:
And more of us:
June 26th saw Dad and the kids heading to Mount Charleston for the Cathedral Rock Hike. This hike is located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the northwest of Las Vegas. Even though we climbed to over 8,500 feet, it was still in the 90’s here in lovely Southern Nevada. After the hike, we visited the Nature Center near the campground. Everyone survived the day, even Juan, who told me in the first 300 feet of walking that he wanted to be at home with mom. Too bad, kiddo! :)
The setting: Last night, driving home in the truck.
The player: Juan P
“Hey Mom, before we go to Aunt Jaimee’s house, can I take a shower so I don’t stink the baby?”
Yes, you read that correctly, Juan wants to make sure that his new cousin is protected from the stink.
We love you Mr. Stink. And yes, please take a shower. Many.
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!!!
