Disneyworld!

YAY for DisneyWorld! We just got back from our awesome vacation and we had a great time! It all kind of started out pretty shaky- and for a little while there- we weren't even sure whether or not we were even going to go...but we did and it was fantastic! We had a little accident on the plane ride over. Kennedy was coloring with colored pencils and McCarrey reached over to grab something off of the little tray. Well, Kenna thought that he was trying to take her colored pencils away and she screamed, "No! Mine!" and jerked the pencil away...and my eye happened to be right in the path of the pencil. It stabbed me right in the eye and gouged my eyelid. So at this point in time- I am in crazy pain and my eye is blood-red and I can't open it or see anything out of it. But- we flew all the way to Orlando and I am just thinking- "Get me off of this plane- and get me home!" It must have really been awful- because the paramedics were waiting for me when we landed in Florida and I spent most of the night in the hospital. The puncture hole was literally touching the border of the blue in my eye- and the Doctor said that if it had gotten me even a millimeter over I probably would have lost my sight. Scary! They gave me some drops and some painkillers, patched me up to look like a pirate-and released me. So at that point- I am really miserable and we are just planning on catching the next flight back to Utah. But! I was given a blessing and the next morning- my pain level was down considerably! I still couldn't open my eye all the way- and I looked like I had bloody, fake eye- but I was able to function. It literally was miraculous as far as I am concerned! I didn't get any infection from it, and I was able to stay so that my family could still have a great time together. I tell ya though- it'll be a while before I give colored pencils to a 2 year old again.

The Magic Kingdom was all decked out for Fall time and it was just magic! We went to a Halloween Party that they had after park hours and it was the FUNNEST night ever! They had a Halloween parade and fireworks and we were all dressed up in costume and they had trick or treating all throughout the theme park. They had fog machines going and characters EVERYWHERE and it was so fun to see Disney from a different perspective like that. I have been to Disney... I don't even know how many times and that Halloween party was the best yet.

Kenna loved all the rides,and we got big balloons and mickey ice creams- it was awesome. We stayed for a week and we got a WAY good deal on our package. All of our meals were prepaid and we could go anywhere we wanted to eat. We went to lots of fancy restaurants and lots of different character meals where they would come around to the different tables. Kennedy was kind of unsure at first with all of the characters but by the end of the week- she was asking to go and see them. She loved all of the characters, and the princesses and such. But her all time favorite day was when we went to Hollywood Studios and she got to meet the Little Einsteins. I had never even heard of them before she came along- but now we are official Little Einsteins experts and she was in awe of meeting them,and meeting Handy Manny. I found the whole thing absolutely delightful.This last picture is of my little princess with her Fairy Godmother. She wore this little dress for the Halloween party and when we ate at Cinderella's castle with all of the princesses. In this picture she is a little unsure of whether or not she wanted to smile for the camera- but I thought it was darling anyway. We had so much fun and we wish that we could have had more family come along to enjoy it with us. I love Disney- and the magic that it is for little kids. Kenna had the time of her life and that made it even more fun for us. I am thinking next year that Mexico sounds pretty awesome for a vacation... What do you think?

Gotta Love the Fair...

It's Fair time! YAY! I absolutely love going to the State Fair! It's a must do- every year...even though the booths never change and I already have purchased the "ring cleaner", and the "salsa maker"...McCarrey and I took Kennedy and we all played at the fair on Monday night. Kennedy LOVED it! She was just enthralled with all of the people and the lights from the rides, but most of all the animals. It was as good as the zoo as far as she was concerned- and BONUS! The animal owners weren't shy about letting Kennedy go up and pet all the animals.
Kennedy's "fabilate" (that's how she pronounces favorite...) were the fluffy little bunnies. I have to say- I have always loved the bunnies too. I remember once in high school when we went to the Summit County Fair and my mom, my brother Neil and I were looking at all of the rabbits. Neil said, (I think almost jokingly) that he wanted one and thought it would make a fun pet. I sat there thinking..."Ya right! No way in heck mom'll go for that!" And then later on that day we left the fair with a sweet little gray rabbit. We called her "Bunji Rabbit" and she was such a sweet pet and we loved her for years- now the rabbits are always my favorite at the fair.
Kenna was kind of scared of the little goats. However- They kept trying to eat her clothes or her hair- so I guess I can't blame her. Too Funny...
And of course- the crowning glory at the Fair- the amazing 700 pound butter statue. I can't go to the fair without oohing and aahing over the butter cow. Anyhow- the lady that sculpted it happened to be there when we went over to see it. I swear- one of the great moments in my life...or not.
At any rate- we had a great night. Filled with pigs, the big yellow slide, navajo tacos, and "live info-mercials" - and we can't wait for next year when the fair rolls around again.

Happy Adoption Day for my Gorgeous Girl!

Well- we survived it- and we had a WONDERFUL time! Kenna's 2 year adoption day was this week and we had the best time with a lot of friends and family. This is her cake- which the awesome ladies at Costco were more than happy to turn into an adoption cake fit for a princess. I thought it was darling and I was so excited because they didn't even charge extra for it! YAY for Costco! I swear I couldn't survive without that store.
We had a BBQ- and grilled up Burgers, Brats and hotdogs. There was WAY too much food, and awesome company. Mac and I feel so blessed to have such a great support system- everyone has been so incredible and supportive since we even started thinking about the whole adoption process and they have welcomed our little girl in with open arms- we love you guys and are so grateful for your love and friendship-

We had a pinata for the kids that were there. Most of them were small enough that we just didn't even bother with the blindfolds or trying to save the pinata from getting hit. We were just lucky that the darn thing even broke! (Well...ok- I guess I have to be honest- the darn thing didn't break and I literally had to just shake everything out of it!) But once it was all out on the grass- the kids just scrambled and it was absolutely delightful! We had the best time just visiting with everyone- and Kenna loved playing with all the other kids. It definitely was a wonderful night- just celebrating our family coming together. Hey- it makes me think that we should have more random celebrations like that- just celebrating the fact that you get to be a family...I know I like to shout it from the rooftops...let's start a petition and maybe we can get a holiday out of it!

The Big Girl Room Revealed!

TA DA! I know I know...the moment you have all been waiting for! Kenna's official Big Girl Room!! You have to understand the insane pleasure I get out of this tiny little bit of square footage. It went from the nastiest- junk room in the whole house to a bright, pink and purple toddlers haven. Kennedy loves it- and is always asking to go up to her room so she can lay in her new bed. she has it made because everytime we go up to lay in her new bed she wants lots of storybooks which we are always happy to oblige her with. McCarrey and I had a great time looking for all the bargains and deals we could to fix it up on our little budget...and when all was said and done we were able to outfit the whole room, including paint, furniture, shelves, and accessories for only $350! Wahoo for us! We have been having a great time watching her have tea parties and play in her new space. She is still getting used to the idea of actually sleeping the whole night in here...but I guess I can't expect everything to go smoothly. :)

Adoption day Preparations...

The other day Kennedy was throwing a HUGE fit. I was trying to calm her down by saying things like " There's no need to cry- you're ok. You're a good girl...when you wanna be..." and things like that. I guess that I didn't take into account how much Kenna sucks up into her brain every time I speak, because shortly after she finally calmed down and I was working on wiping off the counters, Kenna comes up to me and says "You're a good cleaner Mommy...When you wanna be." Awesome.

Yesterday was Kenna's official adoption day- but we are going to celebrate it tomorrow when more family can come over. I am just trying to get the last minute things done today...like buying all the groceries, making all the salads, cleaning the house, and ok..ok... I have to do EVERYTHING today. I am really looking forward to having everyone come over to celebrate with us. It's kind of hard for me to describe my feelings over the last couple of days. Celebrating adoption day seems like more than just a birthday to me. I love Birthdays and believe me I will NEVER forget the day Kenna was born and I got to see her and hold her and it was INSTANT love at first sight. But- adoption day is when I could officially put my fears at rest- and that point she was ours legally and I knew no one could come back and take her away. Then being able to go to the Temple that day and be sealed... no words can describe that. I used to be kind of jealous about parents who got to have the experience of pregnancy, and all of the different feelings and emotions that come with that. In a lot of ways it felt like a loss that I had to mourn, almost like a death. BUT- now that I have experienced adoption- I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world. When I married McCarrey-it was such a beautiful day- and looking across the altar at my new husband at the Temple was wonderful- and I always used to say that I wish I could repeat that moment in time. Well- when Kenna came we were able too- and being able to look across the altar onto the love of my life, and my beautiful, brown, baby girl was incredible.
Well- I guess I have gone on and on enough. I have lots to do today- and I don't have much time. This has just been a wonderful week. Lots to think about, and celebrate. August is the month that my family came together. I don't think that anything can be better than that!

Five Years and still Counting!

Look at us goofy kids! We have the most cheesy faces on the face of the planet! (I am sure that it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that we were dropping off Kennedy with Grandma and we were just about to go out and spend the day together with just us...) Yesterday was our 5th wedding anniversary! YAY FOR US! McCarrey and I both had the day off so we decided that we would make the most of it. And a HUGE thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Hancock for watching Kenna all night! So-We started out our day by going for Indian Food! (My absolute favorite!) Thank Heavens I have an adventurous husband who is willing to try anything! He must love me lots and lots because he takes me out for Indian food all the time. We found a new restaurant downtown called the Star of India and we went there for lunch. Mmmmm! Then we decided that we would drive up to Park city and go horseback riding- which I would have LOVED- but sadly when we got up there they were full for the day and we weren't able to go. But- we consoled ourselves by doing the alpine slides and the mountain coaster. I really like the alpine slides- but I always get so nervous going on the ski lifts. I know it is dumb and ridiculous- but I just have this thing with heights and the whole way up I keep thinking to myself..."Well- if the cable has to break... I hope it breaks here because then I could land in those bushes..." or other irrational thoughts like that. We were able to talk alot though which is great- and I survived the ski lift. Oh my heck though! The mountain coaster is SO FUN! We had done it before- but I just have to say how much I loved it! I love that you get hauled all the way up the mountain on a track- like a roller coaster- so I am always close to the ground and don't feel like I am going to die. It is SO much faster and so many more dips and turns and SO fun!! We had a great time in Park city and got amazing caramel apples from Rocky Mountain chocolate factory. After that- we headed back down the canyon for dinner and a movie. We saw "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3D. It was fun and definitely a novelty having the whole thing in 3D. Then we went to Ruby River Steakhouse for dinner. Can I just say Amazing?! All in all it was an amazing day- and I was just so glad to be able to spend it with my honey! Sometimes it just blows my mind that 5 years has come and gone already! I am such a lucky girl to be able to ride through this crazy life with someone as wonderful as my McCarrey is! This is a busy week for us- our anniversary yesterday and adoption day is on the 28th! So many wonderful moments to remember and celebrate! Kenna's big girl room is officially done and I will have to post the pictures of it next time around. Happy anniversary McCarrey! I love you!

Just a quick story...

Today is our FIVE year anniversary! YAY! Because we are out doing so many things today- I don't have tons of time, but I thought this was pretty funny- and I will try and get some more posted maybe tomorrow. Anyhow- I went to the store with Kenna and I was looking for some ribbon to wrap a gift. I happened to see a bag of old fashioned creme drops that were fairly cheap. I LOVED these as a kid and was so excited to see them. So I bought them and was telling Kennedy how much I loved these awesome candies and how lucky of a girl she was that she got to taste them with me. I gave her one and she took bite out of it and said, "Mmm! This is good Mommy!" then she puts her hand up by her head like she is thinking and says,"Hmm... I wonder where the garbage can is?" HA!! I laughed so hard! She was trying so hard to please me by telling me that she liked my treat- but at the same time she was NOT impressed at all! i just thought it was a priceless moment. I could definitely hear her thoughts at that moment where she was thinking, "Ok mom...whatever! This stuff is crap!" I just love that little girl! Well I am going to go and have an AMAZING day with the love of my life! Happy Anniversary to me!