OurLittleMcFamily.com

Growth. Family. Grace. Forever.
Isn’t this the best picture ever? We had a blast at our ‘after party.’ Thanks to everyone who made the effort to attend the sealing. The children felt very special and safe and loved. And that makes me smile! We sure love our family and friends. We are so blessed to have such amazingness all around us. :)

we miss you…………come back soon.

We drove up to Washington in March for Victoria’s baptism. I try to make it to as many special events as I can. After all, that’s what a Penning does. That’s what my parents taught me to do. And I enjoy doing it. I really really like my family…especially my nieces and nephews! I suppose that being Anutie for so many years before getting married helped solidify their places in my heart. :)

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Harvey
Terrace Heights Cemetary (July 2010)

I know how much Grandma Harvey would have adored the ninos (and does from afar now). She would have called them her precious little angels. She passed away in 2003, nine months before Adam and I got married. Grandpa Harvey passed away Christmas 2007, just eight months before we traveled to Bogota. He was the gruff, WWII type. You know, the guy who was tough on the outside, but a teddy bear on the inside. The guy who would give you the shirt off his back and the shoes off his feet. He and Nikki would have been best buddies. I can see her sneaking her way onto his lap and into his heart.

Can’t wait for the ninos to meet them in person one day. For now, pictures and stories will have to suffice.

Utah and Montana Road Trip…June 2010

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.

Adam’s mom, Grandma McCracken, earned a Master of Library Science degree this year. We came home from our summer vacation to specifically celebrate this momentous occasion. We would not have missed it for the world. Debbi has worked so hard over the past two years to accomplish this rigorous degree. She has a great love for books, and for learning. What an example she is to our children, as we try to teach them that one is never too young, or too old, to accomplish the things he or she desires.

Congratulations, Grandma McCracken. We are sooooo proud of you!

Sending lots of prayers to St. George, UT and Tacoma, WA tonight. The ninos prayed really hard so everything WILL be okay. :)

Brian turned 34 on May 29th, but he was kind enough to defer his celebration because my adoption shower in Logan was planned for the same evening. Thanks, Brian! Since it was our last weekend in Utah, we all went up to the Lake and stayed in one of the Hirschi’s cabins. Brian had brownies for his cake and we had a camp fire. The kids had a ball playing in the sand volleyball court and running around with Uncle Adam playing frisbee. The weather was perfect for outdoor play. Thanks Hirschi family for inviting us to tag along.

As we head to Las Vegas to await our travel date to Colombia, we must say goodbye to the Hirschi Family in Logan. We are so grateful to Jaimee and Brian for their support, generosity, and kindness this past year. We never felt like strangers or guests in their home. They helped us feel like it was our home too. A few things we will miss the most:

*Brooklynn watching Spongebob in bed with Uncle Adam

*Spencer screeching and giggling at the top of his lungs when we throw him in the air

*Hand and Foot

*Leaving our bedroom window open and listening to the rain

*the many nearby hikes in and around Logan Canyon

…….and much more. We pray that your business prospers this summer and that you enjoy your time at the Lake. The next time you see us, we’ll be a family of SIX!