Graduation

Today as the impact of completing my finals has come full rounds, I find myself quite somber. I have reflected back on what exactly 'Graduation' means. As I was talking with my Grandma yesterday, we decided it meant perseverance. It means you were diligent in complying with anothers demands upon you and came out victorious. One thing is for sure it's like my mom always says, "you will never regret it." It is something that no one can take away from you. I did it! I have my Bachelors Degree!

Even though I would be wearing the black gown, I have decided not to walk. I had my triumphant party when I graduated dental hygiene school in 2007. It is those pictures I have posted below. It was definitely the best of times and the worst of times. Thanks to all those who have made it possible. My family, friends, and my ever patient husband.

Reality Check

So I was reading back through my posts and realized I only write the positive happy things. I want people to know I have problems/issues, well not everyone (I am still hopeful some of you out there think me perfect) but honestly, I am a living breathing mistake making person and I can't do it alone. In fact, without the support of loved ones I wouldn't be doing anything! I do think it is important to be optimistic and look on the sunny side of things. Yet, if I was reading my blog I would think 'oh get real'. I guess I am more like my mother in that way, I have a tendency to remember only the good things and that's what I write about. So this post is a note-to-self as an effort to be more 'real' in the future.

Kali's Baby Blessing was way back in September but I wanted to post a few pictures. She was absolutely beautiful and was a perfectly sleepy baby for her big day!

Thanksgiving was a blast! We enjoyed the nice weather in California and the girls loved the ducks! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for all your hard work and great times.

One of Courtney's favorite things is to have Kali lay next to her while I read her 'night night' story books. Kali loves it too! She thinks her big sister is pretty cool.

Christmas was WHITE! Dave and I learned what the difference between cold and really cold was. He went hunting pheasants with my dad when it was -13 degrees! He had a great time though and came back exhausted. We also enjoyed sledding with Clint and Jess and their family. Kale was a sledding maniac he couldn't seem to get enough!

Here we are in our matching pajama's...thanks Mom. I look forward to them every year!

Growing Before My Eyes!

This is a picture of Kali when she was one week old. A friend of mine had a great idea of taking pictures of your baby next to an object so you can really see the size difference. Thanks Mom for the darling elephant!This is a picture of Kali exactly at 2 months old! She is double her birth weight! Crazy Huh?? I'm just so glad she is healthy and strong. We had a very mean flu two weeks ago and it left everyone tired. Kali came through it a champ! We are glad she has a little extra weight on her for when she is sick.

School

What was I thinking? College classes after being graduated for 2 and 1/2 years! My brain doesn't think anymore. Between my newborn and Courtney they took my brain cells!! Okay, so today I am more than a little overwhelmed. But hopefully if I can get my mind greased up and thinking again I will be doing better tomorrow. Listen to my classes Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Research Methodology, and Leadership. Have I ever mentioned I don't particularly like research? Okay, I'm done now. I'll get back to reading my chapters. Thanks for receiving an ear-full!

She's Here! Kali Marie McBride

Kali Marie was born July 23, 2009 weighed 7 lbs. and measured 19 inches long. She has dark brown hair and blue eyes. She has a similar look to her sister but looks more Barton than Courtney does. Kali is an amazing Baby! She is a good eater and sleeper and is an overall easy-going girl. Everything went well with delivery besides a scare with the placenta tearing and possible emergency c-section but all turned out well. Recovery has been a million times easier this time around. We have been truely blessed with another beautiful addition to our home!

Maternity Pictures

My really good friend came down from Provo and took some amazing maternity pictures. I have always thought maternity pictures would be awesome but I never thought I would ever be able to get them. (Sometimes it's hard to feel like having your picture taken when you feel huge and just not that cute). But I think Marie is a fabulous photographer because they turned out really well!

Why We LOVE Summer!

Happy FOURTH of JULY!!

Where I am so close to my due date, the doctor recommended I stay local for the holiday. However, we've had a trip planned to go to California for months! So we took the risk...and it was well worth the aches and pains associated with a 6 hour drive and 36 weeks pregnant (I thought my tail bone was broken)! Afterall, the Fourth of July is the only summer holiday!

Dave's Mom & Dad always have huge festive dinners. It was delicious! And I think we ate enough watermelon to make us all sick. After a tornament of horse shoes, we sat at the water's edge and watched the neighbors shoot off about $5,000 worth of fireworks right over our heads!!! It was awesome. In fact, the 'real' fireworks shot-off across the lake were a let down after our front row seats! One of Courtney's favorite things was the boat light parade.

We LOVE Family Reunions!, and Swimming!

Dave's Great Grandpa had a reunion at Warm Springs in Nevada. Talk about crystal clear water!, and a bunch of people I didn't know. We had a great time getting to know a lot of people and of course swimming in the natural springs.

We LOVE Boating!

We have gone on our boat at least once a week with anyone who will go. In fact, Courtney loves the boat so much she'll start to cry everytime she catches a glimpse of it! She'll help her Daddy drive, hold the flag like a champion, and clap for anyone when they do a trick on the wakeboard!

A really fun night was when we threw in hot dogs and forgot bricketts. Gunlock is pretty laid back so we just made a fire and roasted our dinner on randomly found sticks!We also love having my sister Tawna her husband Jonathan and their son Drake stay with us this summer! Courtney has had to learn how to share and 'be soft.' In fact, quite often when I say, "be soft" she'll skip right to giving Drake a hug!We also LOVE the Splash Pad!

Courtney isn't totally crazy about getting splashed on but loves water, kids, and toys. So I endure the heat (until lately when it's been too hot for a big momma)!

We LOVED Cinco de Mayo!

It was truely as close to a fiesta as I can image from 'white folks'. We ate an amazing Carniacada grilled by Dave with cilantro fresh from our garden! Then proceeded to make a chicken coop!

Ok, the story behind the chicken coop...Courtney is CRAZY about animals and we've really wanted to get her a pet but anyone who knows me knows I'm not really crazy about dogs especially in a small suburban house. So it was between a fish, rabbit, or chicken. Fish just aren't that fun for a toddler so that was out, a rabbit well, I'm not sure why we didn't get a rabbit but we did get a chicken because I guess Dave thought it made us more self sufficient. I know it sounds weird but I love chickens I had a pet chicken when I was in college given to me by a good friend. Since Dave never does anything halfway, he made an amazing chicken coop and they are quite cozy in it. In fact, it's like the Chicken Coop Hilton! We also LOVE our Garden!

We have zucchini, banana squash, tomatoes, and an assortment of herbs coming out our ears!!! I have learned several fun recipes and have made an entire dinner out of food from our garden! It is so rewarding!

Our Official Announcement!!

We are having a BABY GIRL!!!

I want everyone out there to know how extremely overjoyed I am to have another little girl!! And its really funny because as soon as I tell most people I'm having another little girl the next question they ask is..."how is David with that?" hahaha, if they only knew how incredibly infatuated he is with his little girl!? In fact, he said if he had 6 girls it would be great but then he added a 'but'... "I hope I get at least one boy." :)

Little peanut is doing great she is healthy, happy, and growing strong. This pregnancy is no walk-in-the-park but it has been a lot easier than my first pregnancy. Thank goodness!! I can still function and be a Mom to Courtney! In celebration of the Pink Power I've finally changed my wallpaper.