OurLittleMcFamily.com

Thank you for allowing us to attend your baby blessing, little guy. You are truly a miracle!

27 March 2010: Logan, Utah

We are so proud of you, Nikki! You have grown so much over the past 20 months, physically and spiritually. You definitively know who the Savior is, and that he loves you. We love how excited you are to learn about Jesus. You LOVE primary right now. You get excited about paying your tithing, participating in the Sacrament, and you try your very best to do what is right. Our family would not be the same without you, Maria Daniela.

You with mommy’s sisters, Tia Jaimee and Tia Lindsey:

You with Grandma and Grandpa Penning:

12 April 2010
Hiking/Camping Safety, by the J. DeMarco Family

Our annual Memorial Zionfest is quickly approaching so we were presented with a lesson this week on safety procedures for the kiddos. We also received Child Safety Kits to have on hand in the unlikely (or very likely) case of a missing/lost child while we are there. Loved our group FHE this month. Thanks DeMarco Family!

Song:
I Am a Child of God
Book of Mormon Stories

Treat:
Strawberry Shortcake……again (YES)!

Nightly Funnies:
Jena to Dave, “everyone knows you’re picky…that’s what got us put in charge of the camping potluck!”

Jaime Lynne, “Alright, we’ll be in charge of the t-shirts, but you have 48 hours to respond people and that’s it. ”

Juan……..well pretty much everything he said tonight was funny! :)

Easter with the McCrackens…..4 April 2010: Las Vegas, NV. They didn’t have fun at all!

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Easter with the Pennings………28 March 2010: Logan, Utah.
Uncle Brian surprised the kids with an early Easter egg hunt.

5 April 2010
President Monson, by Nikki
Since we just had Spring General Conference, Nikki decided to present a bio about President Monson. We cut up strips of paper with fun facts about the prophet written on them. Nikki let each family member come up and choose a fact to present. She also presented a picture of the prophet.

Song:
Follow the Prophet

Scripture:
3 Nephi 10:12
And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets…

Treat:
Strawberry Shortcake…..YUMMY

Nightly Funny:
Dad, “How long did President Monson serve in the U.S. Navy?”
Daniel, “Umm, 400 years. Oh wait, I mean four!”

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.

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