Long time . . . no . . . ME!!!

Quick catch up since the last post ~

Mocha died the middle of May. We don't know why. He just died during the night. We were all devastated. We felt the need to have a dog, so we went to get us a cute puppy and ended up with 2 puppies. Now Rico and Mazi are part of our family. They are part Miniature Pincher and part Cocker Spaniel. Rico is more Spaniel and Mazi is more Pincher right now. We sure didn't know what we had in Mocha until he was gone. He was such a smart, good dog! We miss him so much!

Megan (16) participated with the Granite Youth Symphony this summer. They played a few concerts around Salt Lake and then they went to St. George and California for their summer tour. She had a great time! She has been doing EHS (Electronic High School) this summer to earn credits so she can do more towards college in high school. She wants to do something in the medical field - nursing or OBGYN, she isn't 100% sure yet. She is getting ready to go to girl's camp next week. Both her and Amanda are going to be doing the 4th year overnight hike this year. We'll see how much fun they have with that.

Amanda (15) had the opportunity to go to France this summer. They visited Belgium, France, Italy and Switzerland. She had a wonderful time! Between getting her learner's permit, going to France and the new Harry Potter movie, Amanda has had a wonderful summer! Now she is preparing for girl's camp next week then starting at Kearns High the end of August.

Lexi (11) went to Mill Hollow a few weeks ago. She had a good time. Not sure how much fun she had cause she is so quiet and keeps her comments to herself (most of the time anyway). She just started 6th grade this week. It is hard to believe my tiny little Lexi is growing up so fast. She is in a growing spurt right now and is changing from a little girl to a young woman. Lexi has been quite a reader this summer. She is almost finished with the Twilight Series.

Kristen (9) has been playing on a competition softball team this summer. She is part of the Fox Hills Foxies. They have done very well considering they are a beginning (8 and under) rec team. She just started 4th grade this week. She is quite a social butterfly and just HAS to be with her friends as much as possible.

Zac (5) is asking every day if tomorrow is Monday. He wants to start school so bad. He will be starting Kindergarten this coming Monday. He is excited and so am I!!! I will miss him dearly, but it will be nice to have him busy and in school.

Jason and I have lost a combined weight of 85 pounds this year. I have lost 45 pounds so far and Jason has lost 40 pounds. We are following a "no carb, high protein, no processed or refined foods" diet. (Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution is the book we have read and are basing our diets off of.) We are feeling much better! I no longer have to take medication for my diabetes since I've got it under control with my diet. It is awesome! I told Jason I am on my way to wearing that bikini on a beach for our 20th anniversary. I still have 2+ years to get there :) I'm not going to back down on this goal!

Since my last post my parents have returned from their mission in Auckland New Zealand. It is hard to believe only a year ago I was preparing for my trip to visit them. I'd love to go back again!!! My dad is still having some health problems, but is doing okay. Mom is starting in with health problems of her own. I've got to get them started eating right and see if we can get them healthy again. We love having them just right up the street from us (well, a few miles east of us anyway).

I've spent quite a lot of time with my grandma. Everyone knows Grandma Mackay, right? She is 87 years old and is doing wonderful! I love to spend time taking her places and just sitting and visiting with her. I love my grandma so much!

That's about all for my update for now. For my friends who are frequent bloggers, I will try to do better on my blog. I just get hooked on Facebook and working all the time and don't think to blog anymore.

I've got such a wonderful family and wonderful friends!!!

Megan

Since I discovered Facebook I have totally neglected my blog. I haven't been able to find time to keep up with everything I have to do lately. I am sitting up waiting for Megan's Sweet 16 birthday party to wind down. I think I'll have a few more hours to play on the computer before it is time to take kids home.

Yes, my baby is 16 today!!! I can vividly remember the happenings of February 19 and 20, 1993. Megan came out kicking and screaming at 4:14 a.m. What a blessing she is in my life! She has really grown up fast. My little baby is now 16!!!!



Megan asked Kwinton Payn to go to Sweetheart's Ball at Kearns High last week. They had a lot of fun! It was quite an experience to go out shopping for a dress that was modest. We ended up finding a halter dress and getting a little jacket to cover her shoulders. It only took us 15 hours to find a dress and shoes. It was worth every minute shopping when I saw her leave the house for the dance! Thanks to Auntie Meredith for doing Megan's hair!!! Start preparing for the next dance ;)



Megan and Kwinton went in a group of 6 to the dance. The couple in the red is Megan's BFF Andrea and her date Michael. The couple in the blue is Megan's friend Tyler (girl) and her friend Alex. They had a very busy, very fun day that finally ended at about 2:30 a.m. I thought everyone would like to see pictures of Megan on her first date :)



Next thing coming up for Megan . . . DRIVER'S LICENSE!!!!! (Monday afternoon - YIKES!!!)

Goodbye 2008!!!

Where did December go? I can't believe it is the end of the month and more especially the end of the year. I guess we better get ready to start a new year. Ready or not . . . here it comes!!!

Our family had a great Christmas! The kids were spoiled rotten! Jason and I broke down and bought a Wii for the family. We got Aerosmith Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, Wii Sport, Wii Play and Wii Fit. The kids have had a great time with it! Jason and I were forced to play a couple of the games tonight since we hadn't played before. We bowled one game, played a few games of tennis and then did a round of boxing. Yes, Jason beat me in all three games, but we had fun! I can't believe I am sweating after playing video games!!!

We have had a great 2008 and look forward to an even greater 2009! I have been thinking of some New Year's Resolutions for myself. The first thingI am going to work on is to get my Diabetes under control. I was officially diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few weeks ago. I was started on Metformin. I will be going to Diabetic Counseling at the hospital next week. I am actually looking forward to it because I want to feel better. I will actually learn what I need to do and what I need to eat so that I can keep my sugars under control. Today makes it one year that I started working out at Curves. I can't say that I've lost much weight, but I have lost a lot of inches and I am stronger and feel better. I am going to stick with Curves again this coming year. I just need to be better at attending 3 times or more a week. I also am making a goal that I will be more organized this year. I will work at decluttering my house.

This year we have a lot of things to look forward to . . .
* Megan turning 16, driving and dating :0
* Amanda taking a trip to France this summer
* Zac starting Kindergarten
* Lexi turning 12 and going to young womens
* Kristen turning 9 and knowing everything there is to know about everything (yes, she is right behind me reading over my shoulder)
* Jason getting a 1% raise - hee hee
* Me getting smaller and healthier
* Mocha (the Stud) getting a date or two

Those are just a few things we have coming up this year.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

This is for Mom : )

My mom just sent me an e-mail wanting me to update my blog. Apparently she didn't see my "I'm thankful for . . ." entry that I made last night. I know I have been bad at updating my blog. Things have been crazy!

Here is what has been happening in our family: Megan is busy with school (classes and social life in the Student Activities Committee and Key Club). Amanda is busy with school also (classes, preparing to start Academic Games and Student Body Officer meetings). Lexi is busy practicing her clarinet for her concert next week in school. Kristen isn't that busy these days. She just loves to come home from school and watch re-runs of Extreme Home Make Over on the DVR. Zac is just Zac. He is happiest just trying to keep Mommy on her toes all the time. Jason is working lots of overtime hours. Allison is relieved to have the Ward Christmas Party over with!!! She is also busy shopping and getting ready for Christmas.

We had Megan's friend Andrea take some pictures of our family last night so that I could get some Christmas cards sent out. Here are a few of the proofs . . .



The "real one" will be coming soon in the mail (if I have your address). If not, I will post it on my blog soon.

Take time to enjoy the season!!!

I am thankful for . . .

I've been reading a lot of my friends' blogs and have been inspired to take time to list some of the things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for . . .
* My husband
* My kids
* My parents
* My brothers and sister
* My in-laws
* My grandparents
* My home
* My health
* My friends
* My testimony of the Gospel
* My many, many, many blessings
* ETC, ETC, ETC

I am so very blessed! I thank my Heavenly Father for loving me so much and for blessing me with so much each day!

It's about time!

Okay, I've been getting a little bit of slack (okay, a lot of slack) from my friends wondering if I am ever going to update my blog. I really haven't had time to keep up on it too much. I keep thinking that maybe things will start to slow down a little in my life, but they never do.

Here is what we've been up to since my last post:

Halloween Activity at the church. Jason and I are the Activities Committee Charimen in our ward. We had an activity on Thursday, October 30th. It turned out to be really great! We had a LOT of people come to our activity, parade, trick-or-treat around the church. I was glad to see so many people there! It was a lot of work, but certainly well worth every minute spent planning!

Halloween - October 31. My kids were all out of school that day, whether being off track, no preschool or out for the end of the term. We went to Gardner Village to see the witches (along with everyone else and their dogs). I was really ornery, but trying to be happy for the kids. We visited with Great Grandma for a bit as we went trick-or-treating at her house. Then we came home to get ready to go out for the night. The kids got way too much candy and I was way too tired when we got back home. It was fun, but I am glad it is over for another year!

November 4 - Lexi's 11th birthday!!! I will go into more detail in another blog. She had a very good birthday and was spoiled rotten :) She had a birthday party this past Saturday (Nov 8). We went bowling and to Leatherbys. We had a great time!

1st big snow day of the season! Zac and Jaxon played outside for about 3 hours the day it snowed. They helped me shovel the sidewalks and then they went out back to build a snowman. They had so much fun! The snow was about melted when the girls all got out of school so they missed out on playing outside.

Today - I went to preschool for about an hour with Zac until he was okay. He has been throwing major fits when I leave him at school lately. It is driving me crazy! I've tried to ignore it and just leave him kicking and screaming. I've tried staying for a minute and then leaving. Today I stayed for an hour and helped cut papers out for an activity. I left when he was no longer looking back at the table for me. I hope he did okay. This "power trip" or whatever Zac is going through right now is about to drive me crazy. I love him dearly though!

Okay, so I tried to upload some pictures to add to this, but there is something wrong with my computer. I will put photos on later.

Phantom Photographer

I was just downloading pictures from my camera to my computer and found some mysterious pictures that have been taken. I thought they were cute. I think Zac got a hold of my camera and was taking pictures of many different things around the house. I thought I'd post his cute glow-in-the-dark ghost and shape witch that he did in preschool.

Lloyd's Custom Welding

Please check out our business blog. It is at http://www.lloyds-custom-welding.blogspot.com/

This is where we will be posting pictures of some of the metal art that Jason has done. I am trying to get him to be more productive in his off work time ;)

Anyone see my horse?

I went to Walmart the other day when I was having a bad day. I was walking around looking at all kinds of stuff. I came across something that made me actually laugh out loud! I made an impulse buy, but it was worth every penny!

Hey, has anyone seen my horse?




Ride 'em cowboy!

(Yes, I am a little crazy!!!)

October Update

Where did this past month go? We have been so busy doing so many things in our family. I will try to remember the main things that have happened.

We spent September and part of October at the Vista Softball Field. Lexi (Blue) and Kristen (Red) played softball. They are both doing so good! The games are a lot of fun to go to! Both girls played in many different positions on their teams. Kristen was awesome at Catcher and Pitcher. Lexi was awesome at Shortstop and Third Base. I love softball!

We went to an open house for the Oxbow Jail. Jason was part of a demonstration for the M-Cirt (Movement and Critical Incident Team). It was awesome! I about died when I saw him march in with all the gear on to show how they deal with non-compliant prisoners. I'm glad Jason is prepared for an emergency at the jail, but I am even more glad that they don't have to use these skills very often. It was impressive! (That is Jason trying to force the door open.)

Lagoon - we have spent most of our summer there and especially the past few weekends at Frightmares.

Besides all the other "normal every day stuff" this is what we've been up to this past month. That's about all for now . . .

The BIG 4-OHHHHHH!

Okay, so I did it . . . I turned 40! Can you believe it? People are saying now that 40 is the new 20. I hope that is true.

I had a big surprise to come home to after a softball game early Saturday morning . . . Megan & Amanda had decorated the inside and outside of our house with "Over the Hill" stuff and tons of balloons. They also baked me a cake and lit 40 candles. We just about had to call in the fire department. I got lots of nice presents, phone calls and e-mails for my birthday. It is always nice to know there are people out there who love me ;)

Zac starts preschool and turns 5!!!

I am way behind in my blogging. It has been over a week now since Zac started back into preschool for the year. He is going to Bacchus Elementary Preschool this year. He loves it. Here he is on his first day of school . . .

Also, Zac turned 5 last Friday. I can't believe my baby is 5 years old! He had a really fun SpongeBob birthday party. Here he is on his 5th birthday . . .

First Day of School (the second time)

Okay, so Amanda was looking over my blog and saw that I posted Lexi and Kristen's first day of school and not hers. She was a little jealous! Here are Amanda and Megan on their first day of school for the 2008-09 school year.



Amanda is in the 9th grade at Jefferson Jr. High. She is a student body officer this year, Media Specialist. She loves it!



Megan is a Sophomore at Kearns High. She is really enjoying her health class (Pre-Nursing) and driver's ed.

Las Vegas Wedding Album

Las Vegas Wedding Album

This is the wedding video of my brother Scott and his beautiful bride Jerilyn. They were married at the Belleza in Las Vegas. I am very happy for both Scott and Jerilyn. I want to officially welcome "Aunt Jerilyn" to the family (even though you've been part of the family for years). Congratulations to the newlyweds!!!!!

Field of Dreams at the Bees Game

Kristen's softball team was chosen for the Field of Dreams at the Salt Lake Bees game last night. They were able to take a tour of the stadium, stand by the players during the National Anthem and had their names announced and pictures shown on the "big screen." It was so much fun! They had a wonderful time! Kristen and I both enjoyed the "mommy & me" time we were able to spend together also!

First Day of School

Monday, August 18th was the first day of school for Lexi and Kristen. Lexi is starting 5th grade and is in Mrs. Cloward's class. Kristen is starting 3rd grade in Mrs. Weller's class. I am very excited for both Lexi and Kristen this year in school!

Scenery of New Zealand

I couldn't get all my 400+ pictures to add to my last slide show, so I put mostly people pictures on the last one. This one will be just the beautiful scenery. It was very cloudy and overcast so you can't really see the total beauty of what I saw. I still think it was the most beautiful place I have visited so far! Grandma and I had a WONDERFUL time!

New Zealand

New Zealand

Kia Ora! Grandma Mackay and I have made it to New Zealand safely. Our flights were good and we experienced no problems at all. We have seen some BEAUTIFUL countryside here! Mom & Dad live in the city. We haven't gone around Auckland yet. I think that is today we will be checking things out around "home." We have been up North a little way and then to Corom.... (something I don't remember the name right now) Penninsula yesterday. The scenery here is so amazing! I hope my pictures can capture at least a little of the beauty here. I will have to post a slide show with all the pictures I've taken. We are waiting for Dad & Mom to get back from the mission office this morning so that we can go out and look around. We will be going to Takapuna Beach today. The sun is up and shining right now. It is cool but not cold. It is just beautiful! I'll update later . . .

Boating & Utah Lake

Phil & Keli invited us to help them test out their boat this past weekend. We had so much fun! Phil, we are really glad that your boat is fixed finally :) We'd love to go out boating with you guys any time. The kids are already begging me to call you and ask you if they can go again ;) The weather was perfect and the water temperature was perfect. We had so much fun!!!