Adrianna and Mackenzie

Family Pictures

2011-11-28T10:57:00.001-08:00

So I am very thankful that I have so many talented friends that I have come to know and love... My friend Jill and I were hanging out about a week ago and just out of the blue I asked her if she could take some pictures of Mackenzie and I so I could send out a Christmas card to my family and friends!

She did such an awesome job and I am so thankful! Dont wanna give them all away so here is one to hold ya over till I get the card sent out!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-15T20:48:00.001-08:00

So just as every year with I am sure every child out there Mackenzie went through a million options of what she wanted to be. We went from Buzz Lightyear to Belle to Iron Man to Spiderman to Cinderella and finally settled in on a black cat. Which I was very thankful for as that was honestly the cheapest way to go. I never really noticed how expensive costumes were until I actually looked!

So after deciding on being a black cat we went and got her a full black outfit for less then $10 bucks SCORE! All that was left was ears and a tail which of course were more expensive then her clothing lol!

So on Halloween night we got ready and headed over to my parents house to have pizza, which occurs every year, and to get psyched up to go trick or treating. I fixed Mackenzie's makeup and we were off! Mackenzie actually walked the whole way this time but about 3/4 the way through she was getting tired and wanted to go back to MOM-A and POP-A's house to see what she got!

After thoroughly checking her candy and throwing out the bad stuff she went to town on what I would let her eat! It wasn't too long after that we headed home and she was done for the night... we got her changed out of her costume and off to bed even with all the sugar that she had eaten!

Happy Halloween!

Happy 4th Birthday Mackenzie!

2011-11-13T21:10:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that my baby girl is yet another year old!

I can still remember the day that I went to the Dr and she told me that something was wrong and she had to get me to the hospital to make sure that Mackenzie was okay! I remember sitting in my room all night wondering and hoping that nothing was going wrong... not so late in my pregnancy and that in just a few short weeks you would be coming. Little did I know I would be having you within the next 12 hours! I remember the Dr coming in giving me the options the next morning of what to do to ensure that you would be coming safe and sound. I ended up deciding that induction was the best for both you and I. I can remember every contraction every thought that I had... All of it just like I had you not to short a time ago! I remember the moment that the nurse told me after what seemed like the longest day of my life, that you and I were ready and it was time to start pushing! After what seemed like an eternity mommies Dr said just one more and I would be holding you and he was right... the moment I heard you cry I knew my life was changed forever. I knew that no matter what, I would always have you and you would always have mommy. Holding you on my chest with the both of us crying you looked up at me with little squinty eyes and I just knew that the decision I had made to keep you was the best decision I had ever made in my life and I was right!

Now just 4 short years later you have turned into a wonderful little girl... although you have your moments of terror I know that always inside of you is that little girl that is amazing. Mackenzie you are so smart, sweet, caring, loveable, sincere and kind hearted. You hardly ever have anything mean or bad to say about anyone and you are the first child to run up to a friend after they have gotten hurt to make sure that they are okay. Already at your age you are trying to learn how to read and have already mastered writing your own name, which mommy really considers a HUGE accomplishment because your name is so darn long! Your always asking questions and trying to figure things out, most of the time on your own, but you have always been so independent! I know that you are going to do so well in school and I can't wait to see how much you will accomplish!

Mommy loves you so much and I can't wait to continue to watch you grow into an amazing little girl! In just 8 months you will be entering Kindergarten and mommy is already terrified of your first day! I know that, that is the day you will start your adventure as a true BIG GIRL and as happy as I am that I will be there to hold your hand and walk you in the classroom, I will be one of those mom's who sits in her car and crys because your growing up so fast!

I love you with everything I have and am Mackenzie and I am so proud to call you mine and cannot wait to continue this journey called life with you! <3

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS.READING WITH HER AND KNOWING HOW HAPPY SHE IS.

So I know that its a little late to be posting about Mackenzie's 4th birthday as it was in August but I guess better late then never...

ABOUT THE PARTY:

This year my gracious friends, Tim and Nicole, allowed me to host Mackenzie's party at their home in Gilbert as I didn't want to ask my parents again since they have hosted her parties twice already =) Mackenzie decided that she wanted another beach themed party this year and so I went with it since I had a lot of things from her first Luau and I was on a strict budget as this was the first time I was throwing her party all by myself.

I think that even though we were on a budget constriction it ended up being so much fun! She was able to see a lot of her friends that she hadn't in a long time and she also had time to spend with some of her family members that she also hadn't seen in forever.

We started off with a good amount of swimming... this is the first summer that Mackenzie has even thought about swimming on her own. I was so proud of her for just putting on her arm floaties and swimming away with her friends who have been swimming for so long all by themselves. All the kids had a blast swimming but soon enough it was time to eat... after stuffing the kids full of hot dogs, fruit, veggies and chips it was time to open presents. I love how all the kids ran inside and sat right in front of Mackenzie to see what she had gotten! It was somewhat like a school as they sat in rows and just watched in awe... Squealing when she did and laughing at the funny things she said.

I want to thank everyone who was able to attend and for all the gifts... I am usually very good about thank you notes and feel terrible that life got away from me and I wasn't able to send them out this year!

After presents we got to sing to my beautiful baby girl... she was so quiet and had the biggest smile on her face as well all wished her a very happy birthday. Although the kids were excited about having delicious cake they were more excited about the fish pinata that they got to bust up and get candy out of! Its crazy how Mackenzie doesn't go after the candy until its almost gone and then she is still happy with what she gets, which makes me happy!

Shortly after the pinata fun everyone started trickling out and it was time to get everything together and clear out my friends house! Mackenzie had a wonderful birthday and she tells me that she cannot wait to be 5! Slow down baby girl please... I can't wait to watch you grow up but I want you to please take your time!

Finally back in action!

2011-11-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

So it has been so long since I have blogged about anything going on in mine and Mackenzie's life that I don't even know where to start! I had thought for a long time to shut down the blog and to restart or just up keep Mackenzie's blog alone. After long thoughts and time to really figure it out I decided to keep it. :) Which should make the out of towners happy to finally know what is going on with my littles and I. I cannot believe I haven't let anyone know about us for almost an entire year... There has been so many ups and downs with Mackenzie and I the last year and it is finally starting to mellow out and look up for the both of us.

So to start from the beginning... All know that Mackenzie's father and I split at the beginning of the year and as hard as it was I finally understood that it was the best thing for the both of us to go our separate ways in life. After that I was in a rush to find a job and finally after a long 3 months of looking and waiting for a call back or just an interview I finally got one. I have worked there now for 8 months and hope to find something a little more stable soon. I have been applying vigorously at many different pharmacy's in the valley to actually use my Pharmacy Technician Certification and get the proper training needed to work at a better company in the near future!

Mackenzie has been up to so much lately and getting to be unbelievably smart. She is close to reading and is already writing her own name and a few other words... Its amazing to think that she is only 4. I hope to god that she will be reading and fully writing before she enters kindergarten.

Another great thing is that I have met a great guy... Nick. He has been so amazing to me and absolutely wonderful to Mackenzie and so welcoming to helping with her whenever he isn't working or going to school! =)

A little sneak peak of what to come next... HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY MACKENZIE LYNN!!!!

Until next time... Which wont be so long!

Puppy Dog Chow!

2010-12-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

This is an all time favorite for me... I have been making it with my mom since I was in middle school and tonight for the first time I made it with my little one! I am sure your wondering what in gods name it is... well in short its deliciousness! LOL! It is a very easy recipe and the kids will LOVE it...

9 cups of Rice Chex Cereal

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup semi-sweet choc. chips

1 1/2 cups powder sugar

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate; add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until coated.
Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal and shake until well coated. Store in airtight container.

Like I said very easy and so much fun to do with your little one!

I am now off to enjoy my after dinner snack with the little monkey who helped me make it!

Surgery!

2010-12-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

Well last Tuesday, Nov. 30th Mackenzie had to have her tonsils and adnoids removed... I have to say that was and still is the highest on my list of the scariest things I have ever done as a parent... Having to watch your child being rolled off while you stand there and pray nothing goes wrong and no freak accident happens... is just a terrible feeling! As Gary and I stood watching Mackenzie being rolled off all that kept going through my mind was, "God please if this is the last thing I ever ask for, let my baby come out of this okay." Thank you for listening!

Her Dr. said she did absolutely amazing... and her Anesthesiologist fell in LOVE with her. They had some nice 'pillow' talk before she fell asleep on the OR table! The surgery took about 45 minutes which was just enough time for Gary, My parents and myself to go get something to eat @ the cafeteria and get back as they were wheeling her back into her room... The poor thing was just zonked out, but I guess strong drugs will do that to a 3 year old!

Ready to go in... Such a big girl!

I'm ready mom!

Thankfully "momma" brought her ipod and Mack was able to play games while waiting patiently!

Right after surgery...

When she woke up about 11:45am the poor thing was in so much pain all she could do was cry... and here I am telling her not to because it will hurt her even more... Oh it was a huge train wreck that first 30 minutes or so! =) But we finally got her some ice chips and some more "feel good" drugs and she was on top of the world again. She was LOVING the nurses... at one point I went up stairs to have lunch and when I came back she was having a full blown conversation with her nurse about the Nickelodeon channel! It was absolutely adorable!

Been awake for about an hour... Happy juice and ice chips!

She loves these slippers...

Laying down watching Dora the Explorer!

Her and her ice chips and of course her monkey and puppy dog watching over her!

*Thanks momma and Pop-A for my monkey*

Playing Peek-A-Boo with daddy and the camera... Finally caught her face!

Unfortunately we did end up having to stay the night in the hospital as Mackenzie has sleep apnea and they needed to monitor her breathing. Needless to say that was a sleepless night as she was up about every 3 hours crying her little eyes out because she was hurting so much! I felt so useless that I couldn't comfort her with just a hug and a kiss... it was much more intense and needed a a little something stronger! lol =) We did get to go home EARLY the next morning which was very nice because as said before I HATE being in the hospital and I needed sleep...

When we got home on Wednesday it was all just a blur of exhaustion and then sleeping for the both of us... Since then she has been doing really well with all of her medicines and taking her pain stuff, except for at night when she is half asleep and I literally have to pin her to take it so she can fall asleep again! Poor thing... but other than that nothing bad has happened and she thankfully hasn't gotten any side effects of the surgery which is a miracle for this child! I am hoping that this is the start to something great for Mackenzie considering she has been sick so much in her short life... Maybe this is what we needed in order for her to start off healthy and remain healthy!

Thank you too everyone who prayed for her and sent her well wishes!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well although Gary wasn't home this year we still had a great Thanksgiving... We spent it with my parents and had a great day just relaxing, cooking, playing Dr, and playing "bags" AKA Corn Hole! It was weird having my mom relax with us for most of the day but she had prepared a lot of the food the night before!

It really is nice having family and so close too because I know so many who miss their families around the holiday because they are so far away! Until I had Mackenzie I really didn't listen or know the true meaning to Thanksgiving and Christmas! But having her has brought so much more to my eyes and I love it!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Mom finishing up the last bits of cooking!

Monkey and Uncle Michael waiting patiently to eat!

Dad carving the turkey...

Playing bags with the brothers... Dad/mom was next to me...

Perfect way to end a perfect day!

Until next year....

Whats new!

2010-11-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

So many things have been going on in our house and it is so hard to keep up with everyone and everything thats happening! =) So instead of always telling one person at a time I figured," Hello I have a blog for a reason!!!"

Mackenzie:

Oh the little one... She is way to smart for her own good. She loves getting into trouble and doing things that she knows mommy is gonna lose her mind over! I seriously think children do this on purpose! LOL She is going through a growth spurt right now all she wants to do is eat and sleep all the time! I LOVE it... My big girl =) She just recently stopped going to daycare 2 times a week as I am done with school... but she misses it so much and asks me every day when she can go back... I may just have to give in and take her once a week just for fun! This month she will be having surgery to get her tonsils and adnoids removed... mommy is freaking out... but Gary and I know that it will be a good thing for her since she is always sick and and her sleep apnea is getting worse! Other than that she is just being a normal 3 year old running around all day long playing with her toys and getting into trouble like she should be doing! =)

Gary:

Oh this poor man... He has been working his butt off the last year... Always gone from us and when he is home he gets about a day or two and then is off to work again, sometimes even working while in town. This year he will be missing Thanksgiving as he is still in Washington =( But we both know that he has to work in order to keep our family going! **Cant wait till he is home though** Although he will be missing Thanksgiving we are so excited for Christmas and New Years as he is taking 2 weeks off. During those two weeks he will have his older girls for an entire week... We are so excited about that since we havent seen them going on a year and a half! Mackenzie misses her sisters and Gary misses his other babies for sure! It will be a great holiday this year for sure!

Adrianna:

Well not to much is going on with me... I just finished my Pharmacy Tech program and can now take the boards to become a certified Technician! I am so excited and proud of myself as I finally actually finished part of my education! Now onto just getting the Associates in General Studies so that when I can get into a nursing school I will only have 2 years instead of 4 years to complete it! =) I am really excited about the future and what it holds for our little family! So many good things have happened this year and a few sad and bad things have happened but that is the story for everyone! I am also still playing softball 2 nights a week now instead of 3... I dont think that I will ever stop as I love it too much and it keeps me active at least 2 days a week! Along with that I am continuing to go to the gym and make an effort to take off the extra "CUSHION" as i like to call it... lol! =)

Its been an interesting and long year... and its not even over yet! =) WE are looking forwards definitely to the holidays this year and can't wait to see the older girls!

Until next time...

**Picture taken by Erin Hicks of http://www.elhicksphotography.com/**

AMAZING!

2010-10-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

That is all i have to honestly put for what my mom is... she is the most amazing person i know. She is the type that knows just what to say to her children to make them understand when she is mad, happy, sad, excited, etc. I dont know if i will ever be able to tell her how much she means to me and how much i love her!

She has gotten me through so much and has changed my life the last 13 years! She knew what i needed, LOVE, and she has given me that more and more each day and continues to do so! She has always been there for me through EVERYTHING... when I was in trouble, when i needed cry, when I needed to yell, or just sit there and be there with her. I can't believe sometimes how she puts up with my nonsense... i put her through so much and yet she is there and never gives up on me. When I tried hurting myself in high school she was there with open arms and she cried with me and helped me through what was bothering me and what was making me want to not go through life anymore! I have a picture from the night i graduated high school, she was standing right next to me with the biggest smile and shine in her eyes. I knew she was proud of me and she would have never had to say a word.

Now I am not saying that my mom and I haven't had our ups and downs we have had many downs... some that I didn't know if we would get through, but being the amazing person she is... she waited till I pulled my head out of my behind and was there with open arms ready for more!

Why do you ask am i making a point to say so many things about my mom! Aside from the fact that she is my mom and she is AMAZING! But because I owe her a thank you for the person that I am right now and someday hope to become!

Mom,

Thank you so much for always being here for me... through anything that I may have put you through and will put you through in the future. Thank you for doing what she wouldn't for me and being my mom! You will never know how much you have changed my life! Thank you for helping me to admit that I do have things that need fixing in my life and that before I can move forward that i need to fix what is behind me so that i can have a great future with my daughter! You are the type of mother that i want to be and hope that i can be to Mackenzie! I love you mom!

Adrianna

So proud!!!

2010-05-27T01:33:00.000-07:00

On June 21st, almost 6 years ago my nephew, Dom, was born! It was a hard time for all of us considering all that he had to go through and how he had to fight to stay in this world! I can still remember the day that my family and I had to go down to the hospital to baptize him just because we didn't know if he would make it or not! It was a very hard time to deal with for me as this was my first nephew and I was his Godmother, I just remember going to work after and crying in the bathroom because I was so scared... All the things this little man has endured over the years is almost enough for a person to go through in there whole life! But he has taken everything head on and never had a doubt in his own mind that he would make it and become a strong little person!

On Tuesday, May 25th, Dom graduated from kindergarten and I couldn't be more proud of him! Although I missed the ceremony I was able to make it for refreshments and to get a few photos of him. He looked so happy and it just made me realize how special this little boy is and how much he could do if he really set his mind to it!

On the way home this evening we were talking about just random things and he just so happened to tell me what he wanted to do when he grew up, "auntie, I wanna be a soldier." I just thought it was the cutest thing in the world, and as we got to talking I asked him if after high school would he want to go to college, and he told me no! I was curious so I asked him why, he said because school isn't as important as being a soldier, and I cried, tears of happiness! He made me so proud and happy when he said that... I eventually told him that although a soldier is an important person, school is also important. I continued to tell him about how becoming a soldier could help him pay for school and that just made him so happy... so he finally told me, "okay auntie, i am going to be a soldier and then for you ill go to college. *tear*"

I cannot wait to see what this little boy does with his life. I love him so much and cannot believe that he will be six in just under a month!

I love you sweet boy!

Mothers Day 2010

2010-05-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

In the 3 Mother's Day's that I have had, Gary has not ever been home for one of them so this was a very special time since he was able to be here this past weekend. He started out the morning by getting up with Mackers and heading out of the house for a little while! As soon as I got up I went and showered, quite and alone *one of the best gifts ever*, I got ready alone as well which was nice since I didn't have to tell the 2 year old to stop it 1200 times! After that I headed downstairs to finish up the dessert for my family...

Gary and Mackers showed up about 45 minutes before we had to leave to take my brother to work and to head out to lunch with my family! We are making a tradition of going to one of my mom's FAVORITE restaurants Buca De Beppo, every year! I love spending time with my mom on Mother's Day. We had a fun lunch and a awesome time afterward at my parents house with my grandparents here from out of town!

All in all it was a great day and I got some wonderful gifts from the loves of my life!

I LOVE my coffee cup that Gary and Mackers got me! Say's MOM in all different languages!

The AMAZING cross that Gary and Mackenzie got me...

The flowers my grandparents got me...

The cake I made for Mother's Day!

Thank you everyone for a great Mother's day and happy Mothers day to everyone I know and love!

Aubut Family...

2010-04-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

I found this AWESOME blog about a year ago and just started participating in her giveaways.... I love everything that she reviews and even if I dont win I try and go and get something from all the posts!

This week I entered a contest to win a Misikko Hana Professional Flat Iron since mine is about to go bad on me! I hope to win this one!

But check it out whenever you get the chance she has some great stuff on her blog! =)

http://www.aubutfamily.com/

Been too long...

2010-03-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

I think the title says it all, its been entirely too long since I have been able to sit down and let everyone in life know how we are doing.

I don't even know where to start honestly, the last time I actually had time to sit down and blog was Christmas time... Scary to think that was 3 months ago...

So in the last 3 months A LOT has happened... Mackenzie and I came off the road (kind of sad to think about it), we lived with my parents (thank you so much =0)), got a new place to stay, and of course I am back in school (although not doing to well right now) and the biggest accomplishment: MY TWO YEAR OLD IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!! I love it and am so thankful that it was as easy as I was praying it would be. Although I tried three times to start trying to train her it fell through twice and well I guess like people say, "third times a charm" and it was for us! She took to it within two days, with #1 and about a week for #2 and I am so proud of her she even stays dry all night and is in underwear all day long and to sleep in. Its amazing what a little hard work could do. =0)

Our new house is nice, although extremely far I am very thankful and grateful to have a home to call our own, at least for a year lol. My younger brother Michael is living with us again, which all in all is the best situation for him as he seems to only listen to Gary and I anyways, (sorry mom and dad). He is working and going to school at the moment so he is always busy which leaves me without a car a lot of the time, but that also makes me focus on the more important things in life. Like my daughter and all the fun things we have been accomplishing lately, everything from: hair bow holders, quilts, finger painting, watercolor painting, coloring, playing out in this gorgeous weather AZ is seeing right now and planting flowers.

We recently attended a birthday party for one of Mackenzie's friends: Madison. Her mom was an amazing hostess considering she had a baby no more than 2 weeks prior to the party. In Mack's gift bag when she left there were flower seeds. The next morning, after promising Mack, we went to Walmart and bought things to plant the seeds. I honestly DO NOT have a green thumb at all but luckily the are growing and she loves looking at them everyday. Well at least at the green stems and leaves no flowers have come out of it yet but its only been a few weeks. Thanks Lisa for the great gift bag, it made my little one VERY happy! =0)

So not to much else has been happening around here. We are trying to stay sane while being stuck at our house 85% of the week, and I think I am keeping the 2 year old well entertained for not having too much to do! =0) I think tomorrow we will go look around for the neighborhood play area and start heading over there once a day until it gets too hot! =0)

Well until next time which I promise will be sooner than 3 months....

Our destiny changes with our thought; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire.

Orison S. Marden

A nice quote I came upon just the other day...

*Sorry no pics...havent had time to upload any to my computer!*

Happy Birthday....... Jill!!

2009-12-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JILL.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!

I am so lucky to have this lovely lady in my life! She is a WONDERFUL friend and such an inspiring woman! She has always made sure that everything in everyones life is alright sometimes even before herself... You are a wonderful woman, wife, mother and friend!

I love you Jill and I am so lucky to have you as one of my best friends! Thank you for all you do whether or not you want to!

Jill and I at Jessica's shower!

Jill and I at MNO!

Redwood Forest!

2009-12-19T18:17:00.000-08:00

AMAZING is one word that I can think about when I think about the Redwood Forest. It was absolutely beautiful and just HUGE! The trees were gigantic and just the neatest thing I have seen in a long time! We were able to stand in the middle of one and I was taking pictures looking up out of the center of the tree! It was so cool and Mackenzie thought so too... she just kept saying, "whoa big trees mom." Gary had been before and knew exactly where to take us, but he didn't mind because he loved it last time and said he couldn't wait to go back! On the way we were able to stop at a river and we played around there for awhile. Mack and daddy threw rocks in the water for about thirty minutes and just laughed and played in the FREEZING water. I of course was behind the camera except for one family shot inside of a tree! =o) Its alright with me though I love taking photos of my family, just being there is enough for me!

Love the colors of winter/fall... GORGEOUS!

LOVE my little happy family!

I had so much fun going through here... It was an amazing experience and I would go back in a flash! The biggest Redwood that I saw was at least 15ft in diameter! Just a great time!

Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon!

2009-12-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

FINALLY... is the word that comes to mind when i think of the Northwestern part of the USA! I have been waiting very patiently to get up to Washington and Oregon since our little journey started in September! When I heard that we were headed up here I jumped literally for joy and was just happy as could be!

I have to say that when we first got into Oregon it wasn't as pretty as I had hoped and then all of a sudden we came upon mountains, and that i have to say is just drop dead beautiful! All the green and trees and the smell.... oh if only I can keep it in my thoughts and the scent in my nose forever. There are parts to Washington and Oregon that are just bleh and then there are areas that are so vibrant and green and GORGEOUS! The last week I have had the best time just watching the trees go by and the water...

While in Washington we were up in the Puget Sound and my goodness was it COLD! Being right there on the water was amazing but it was amazing from the truck! =o) Even Mackenzie didn't want to go outside, which says a lot for her! But I was able to get a few pictures from the customers house that we were unloading at!

Over the weekend we sat in Tacoma, WA, which by far is no where near as pretty as Bremerton, WA. But none the less we had a great week and weekend.

This week we were back in Oregon but in another area! We were in Portland and now in Oakland, OR on our way to San Diego, CA! Where I might sadly say is going to be great but not nearly as amazing as WA and OR have been. We will be hitting warmer weather, which is weird for us now that we have been to 0 degrees and below. I am just happy that we were able to make a run up here before our journey comes to an end!

Although I did not get any photos of Utah or Idaho, well ones worth using, I do say that I made up for it in Washington and Oregon! I had such a blast going through these two states and now look forward to traveling California literally from top to bottom.... until next time!

Thanksgiving 2009!

2009-12-12T18:31:00.000-08:00

With Christmas fast approaching I guess I should get my post about Thanksgiving up... =o)

This year was the first time in about 7 years that we have gotten our whole family together... I was able to see all my cousins and my aunts and uncles. It was a great time getting together with everyone! I even got to see my great Aunt and Uncle. We played cards, drank, ate and just had a fun time! It was so nice to have the whole family together even my older brother made it out to NM, although it took him a little longer than anticipated (he took the scenic route). But non the less we were able to get photos of our whole family together, which we haven't done since before my youngest brother was born!!! My mom was also able to get pictures of all her kids together for the first time in about 4 or 5 years!

All in all it was a great time and we were all able to see our family members, it was a long wait but it was great!!!!

We had a great weekend... hope to go back again soon! Cant wait for Christmas at my Gammy and Papa's house!

So much to catch up on!

2009-11-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a long time since I have had the chance and have wanted to blog. It has been really busy with Mackenzie and Gary and trying to keep this whole being on the road thing working! =) I notice I hadn’t posted at all for October and so many fun things happened then! Everything from traveling approximately close to 10000 miles to being able to go home twice to seeing my grandparents for Halloween to seeing the Alamo for the first time, to being up in freezing Nebraska. It has been a long journey over the last month and a half or so! We have covered seven states so far and we are headed at the moment to Louisiana and then headed on through to FREEZING Colorado!

The Alamo was amazing... I had so much fun relearning about what happened and walking through were it all happened! Mackenzie had a lot of fun too she walked around and asked us to take pictures of her everywhere, which is her new thing. We then had the opportunity to walk up and down the Riverwalk. We spent most of the morning at the Alamo and then spent the rest of the day at the Riverwalk and the San Antonio mall. The awesome part of the Riverwalk was we could walk around with beers in hand and no one even looked at us because its allowed! HAHA!

Most of our trip has honestly been go go go... Although it is Winter season for movers we have been fortunate enough to keep running and that is a major blessing for us. I love being out here with Gary and the baby although at times it can get very frustrating with a 2 year old it is totally worth it!

During the last month we were actually able to get home two or three times. It was great considering I hadn't seen anyone in almost two months and was dying for my family and friends. The first time we came in was the weekend of my mom's birthday, I love that we were able to surprise her. I LOVED IT! On Sunday of that weekend we were able to head down to Willcox,AZ and go to a Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. Although we travel for a living we didn't mind driving close to 400miles that day for a day with the family =o) Aside from that I was able to attend two of my mom groups events, one was cookie decorating playdate and the other was a MNO we went to Graham's Central Station and danced our bum's off!

After that weekend we left Monday morning for California, (first time since we started the journey) after that week we were able to come back home and spend Halloween weekend and most of the following week at home! During that weekend and week we got a lot of things accomplished, Mackenzie's 2 year photos, our family pictures, trick or treating and hanging with friends and family... Although we were glad to be home we were ready to get back on the road, because sitting doesn't do us any good! Again we headed back to California. We loaded there all week and were able to get the trucks starter fixed FINALLY and then got ourselves back on the road. Again we were able to pass through Phoenix and see our friends one more time before knowing that we are going to be out of town for a month or so!

Thankfully this up coming week we will be meeting my parents and brothers in Los Lunas, NM for Thanksgiving. It will be the first one in about six or seven years with our family! Cant wait... I miss my grandparents and other family! As for today we are headed to Louisiana and Arkansas and then off to Colorado! Until next time which I promise will be soon!!!

STATES WE HAVE TRAVELED:

Kansas, Nebraska, California, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma.

THE ALAMO AND RIVERWALK PICS.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

NEBRASKA PHOTOS...

Concentration...

Nebraska was very cold...

Gorgeous tree...

My baby... (sigh)

Thumbs up... she is ready for the winter...

I'm cool...

PICS OF CALIFORNIA PT. 1

Self Explanatory...

Morro Bay, California

Big big smiles... Love my little one!

HALLOWEEN 2009

On the run for candy...

Mom, Devin and Mackenzie

My little hippie...

PICS OF MOMS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

My mom and dad...

Family shot...

Birthday girl...Happy Birthday MOM!

Michael...

Brother and Parents....

She found a good one....

Mommy found a pumpkin...

Mackers and Daddy

Uncle Michael and Mackenzie

Apple Annie's Pumpkin Patch

CALIFORNIA PICTURES PT. 2

She looks stoned... Thousand Palms, CA

Pretty little girl... Thousand Palms, California

Driving down PCH... Love it!

Hammy... Thousand Palms, CA

Picture taken while driving down PCH.

Week TWO & THREE...

2009-09-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

Okay okay... So I know that I have been slacking at blogging. I was so busy with school last week that I just couldn't do it! So over the last week we have been through Five States: Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas! Another thing that I have been slacking on is taking pictures but I have taken some!!!

While in New Mexico we were able to stop off at my grandparents house in Tijeras and we spent two nights and one day it was a great visit!!! I love being able to see my family especially since its not an all the time thing!

After that we had to hurry down to El Paso and unload on Friday, Sept. 11th we ended up staying in El Paso for one because we were all tired and for two because the rain was so bad that it was hard to drive with all the flooding. The day after we headed to Killeen, TX that was a long drive but right in the middle of that we stopped at a rest area and played for a good hour... we just ran around, kicked the ball, and climbed trees. After that Mackenzie took a great nap and so did I!!!

All last week we unloaded and loaded in Killeen and then headed to The Woodlands... right outside of Houston... OMG do I love the Phx heat compared to that nasty humidity!!! That night we drove up to Wichita Falls, TX which was a long 5 and a half hour drive with a screaming two year old!!!

Side note: It is rough to have a two year old that is going through TERRIBLE TWOS and going through so many changes! Its rough in a small truck and a hyper father and a psycho mom! lol But we have started getting a good system going!!!

While in Wichita Falls, TX we unloaded on an Air Force Base... I got a couple pics of two different planes. I wish we could have walked around the base but we had to get out of there to make it to Oklahoma City by night fall.

So that brings us to today... Last night we were in Oklahoma City and this morning we ran around and did a few things (like get my stroller) =) Got some groceries and then headed out of town. After about a four hour drive were in Salina, KS. Right now we are on our way to COLD Denver, CO. =)

Next installment hopefully to come by this weekend... Love to all back home cant wait to see everyone!!! xoxoxo!!!

Week ONE!!!

2009-09-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hello to all our family and friends back in AZ. Well we have officially made it through one week of traveling together! =) There have been HUGE bumps in the road and it has been tough getting the little one to sleep through the night and it has definietly been a challenge to keep her attitude in check but she is getting a lot better with everything now!

So for week one we were able to spend it in BEAUTIFUL Colorado Springs. I am loving all the green and mountains and needless to say the weather is AMAZING!!! Before getting to the Springs as everyone seems to call it we were able to stop off and see Gary's mom, Step-dad and brother in Alamosa, CO thats were we dropped Gary's buddy 'KC' off so he will live the remainder of his life out roaming around their land. =)

The first day that we were here Gary worked on the army base here Ft. Carson. I have to say one of the nicest bases I have seen. The homes are beautiful and the people that we moved were so nice! After that Gary worked off base the next day... This past weekend we got a hotel room because we all needed to get out of the truck and sleep in a real bed. Although we didn't get out of the room to do anything except go to the store it was nice!

As for our Labor day we spent it having a great time just hanging out with each other we got Mackenzie's monster trucks out and had races and jammed to music had a couple beers and then I made dinner and then hung out in the truck with the monster asleep and we are watching a comedy. One fun/interesting thing that did happen today was that we found a little bunny rabbit. He/she couldn't have been more than a year old... Gary tried to pick him up and succeded once and then the bunny just jumped out of his hands and all of a sudden we saw the mom and backed off...

Mackenzie hanging out....

Right before a storm...

Whats up... Dad is her chair since she hates grass.

Mackenzie hidding behind Gary appartently something was hilarious!

She didn't like the bunny ears...

ONLY SHOT I GOT OF THE BUNNY...

All in all we are having a great time and thankfully not fighting as much =) Next week we will be in Colorado Springs till about Thursday after then we will head to TEXAS! Until next week.....

Two!!!

2009-08-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

So I have finally gotten around to posting about Mackenzie's second birthday... She had so much fun with all of her friends and family being here at our house! She of course had a Handy Manny themed party... she is in love with him as most of you all know! =) I think that the party was a lot of fun and all of the kids were able to go home with there very own tool belts... which thankfully I had finished in time! =) I tried keeping it short this year because the attention span of 8 two and three years old's only hold out for so long! So we played pin the tail on the donkey and we had a pinata which most of the kids took a turn at whacking! I left breaking it open to my younger brother Devin but naturally the plastic that holds it up broke so we had to pull it apart anyways but all the kids were able to stash a bunch of candy... I KNOW ALL THE PARENTS LOVED THAT! =) Thanks to my friend Sue I was able to get photos of all the kids with Handy Manny... some cooperated others weren't to happy about it! =) Well enjoy the photos...

Mackenzie stealing all the icing off cakes that were just sitting around... Oh thats my fat kid!!
Kendall taking a whack at the pinata... too cute!!!
Mackenzie opening gifts...

Pin the tail on the donkey...or mustache in Mackenzie's case!!! lol...
The AMAZING cake that my best friends mom, BECKY, made for her birthday!!!

I cant believe another year has gone by... I hear two is a lot more fun than one though!!! Its gonna be a blast! =)

Tiffanys 22nd Birthday party....

2009-08-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

OMG it seems so unreal to think that along with myself, all my friends are 22 now as well. It seems like just yesterday that we graduated high school and we were all headed into the "Real World" and boy has it been a ride.

On the 25th of July a couple of us and Tiffany all set out for a night of fun and boy was it! I had so much fun celebrating my best friends birthday with our closest friends! We went out to Glendale and celebrated at "The Shout House" such a fun and amazing place! We got there around 8pm and the first thing that happened myself and our friend Aspen were called up onstage.... we were supposed to be dancing but had no clue what we were doing so we just laughed and did some stuff! =) But all night one or two of us would get called up to do random things... from Justina having to shimmey to Tiffany having to be an alligator stuck on her back (this was for her birthday). Like I said a really fun night! But like smart people we got a hotel room so that no one would drive drunk! =)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY... LOVE YOU!!!!

Favorite photo of the night... she'll probably kill me for this one! LOL

Tiffany, Justina, and I...

Alaina, Tiffany, Justina, and I...

Tiffany and I

Happy happy joy joy!!! =)

*Thanks Jill and Jimmy for watching Mackers for me that night I had so much fun and I couldn't have with out you both... Your awesome!*

The night sky...

2009-07-16T21:04:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things to do, and has been for as long as I can remember, is sit outside and listen to the rain or watch the lightening and listen to the thunder. I love the sense of excitement that I get because I never know when or where lightening is going to strike next. Its a feeling that I dont think I can ever explain to someone because thats just how much that I love it! Well tonight was the first night in a long time that I was able to just stop for a second and enjoy the "Show" and it was awesome especially after the trying day that I had. But just wanted to share the 1 photo that I was able to snap and the video! =)

Fourth of July in California!!!

2009-07-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I drove with the three girls to Anaheim, CA to meet Gary for the weekend. It was supposed to be a very chill layed back weekend and that was exactly what it ended up being! We all had so much fun the entire time and it was great because NO one fought... not once! =) Originally we were going there just to hit the beach and hang out on the fourth of July but ended up being able

to go to Downtown Disney and to Knotts Berry Farms thanks to the fact that I have to find deals for everything or we dont do it! LOL! So like I started we left on Friday morning... with a couple little mishaps on the way (one being having to replace my car battery... sort of need one of those! LOL) then a few other silly things. It wasn't to horrible of a drive but having four girls in one car of all different ages, it was sure nice to get out of the car when we picked Gary up from work! So after we got him we went to straight to the hotel and got all checked in and set up then went for a swim...

we were all so excited to jump into a COLD pool and ended up getting a warm bath with an enormous amount of chlorine! LOL but it was fun either way because we were all together! After swimming Gary and I went to the Hotels restraunt and had a great dinner just the two of us! =) After we were done we went to bed about ten so that we could get up early enough for the next day!

The Girls On Our Drive...

RIGHT AFTER WE PICKED GARY UP...

Hanging out in the hotel room...

Saturday came and we were all able to sleep in until 9am thanks to Mackenzie who decided she wanted to sleep in! It was awesome! So after getting ready we went to Target and go a few things to snack on and a couple sand toys and headed off to Redondo Beach! It was so beautiful... when we got down there around noon the sun wasn't quite out yet but as soon as all of us got set up on the beach it was like someone said alright NOW and the sun came out! *Side note: last year I took

Mackenzie to the beach and she hated everything about it the water the sand all of it* This year she hated the water still and wanted nothing to do with it unless it was in her pails but she loved the sand! Thank god we brought like seven towels because she absolutely destroyed two of them with mud!!! =) We spent a good two and a half hours just playing in the water and taking turns playing

with Mackenzie... but thats all you need and you are horribly tired! =) So after that we went back to the Hotel and low and behold Gary and Victoria and Ariel all were little lobsters. Ariel not so bad but Gary and Tori were a nice bright shade of red!!! *Side note: No matter how old always make sure

everyone has sunscreen on* So we relaxed for awhile and decided that we were all pretty hungry so we made our way down the road for some dinner and Baskin Robbins right after! YUMMY!

BEACH PHOTOS...

After having dinner and dessert we couldnt think of anywhere to go and watch the fireworks so we went back to the Hotel and found out that Downtown Disney had a great display so we made our way back out to the car and over to Disneyland! Besides the parking we didnt have to pay for anything (well parking and my coffee!!!). The front desk lady was right... the fireworks

were great! The finale could have been a little better but other than that they were beautiful from having different shapes to the color it was an amazing experience and I hope that we can go again next year but actually be inside of Disneyland!!!

DOWNTOWN DISNEY/ FIREWORKS...

So Sunday came finally the day the girls had been looking forward to... again Mackenzie allowed all of us to sleep in until 9am... except for the fact that she stole my side of the bed and I ended up on the floor for some reason!!! After getting ready we hunted down a Starbucks due to the fact that I was cranky and hurting like HECK... and started our drive to the park! We hadn't told the girls anything but that they had a suprise on Sunday... the whole way to Knott's Berry Farms the girls had to sit with there eyes closed and right when we got under the sign the opened them and I wish I would have thought to get a picture of their faces but was way to into the moment! So we finally got in their and right away Ariel and I jumped on one of the fastest roller coasters in the park! I would have to say the #3 for the day! But in the words of Ariel "We should have done a warm up ride first" =) Which in all reality she was correct! After Gary and Victoria went we just went crazy and finally we heard a little voice go "me go wheeeee..." So we hunted down the kids area of the park "CAMP SNOOPY" *Knott's Berry Farms has the Charlie Brown theme for a lot of stuff* After a good hour or so she was done with rides and we were all bored! LOL So we sat down and had lunch (Thank god they allow you to bring in food) and after doing two more SNOOPY rides we found one of the last wooden roller coasters around and got onto that one! It was so much fun Gary and I went on that one together and had so much fun! We sat of course in the first car and just had a blast! It was an amazing ride and the picture at the end was so funny that we bought it! Oh the laughs that is going to cause! =) So we kept riding for about another three hours and finally decided that it was probably time to go... UNTIL we found our #1 ride of the day... the Xcelerator! It went from 0-80 in 2.3 seconds and somehow I got talked into that one twice... again in the front row! But I dont regret it.... the funnest ride of the day! After that we took our last ride... a water one considering we were all hot... even Mackenzie was able to go onto it so of course we bought the picture for it as well!=) After that we made our way out and drove down to Escondido (outside of San Diego)... It was a great drive due to the fact that I was all alone in the car... all three girls went with Daddy in the big truck. I drove with the windows open and radio going... after about thirty minutes I looked over and I was driving right on the coast it was amazing! After driving alone in the car i didnt want to get up and make the long drive home with a two year old... but we finally made it!

KNOTTS BERRY FARMS...

It was a great trip that all of us are going to remember... ESPECIALLY because it was our first family vacation! =)

Our Vacation!!!

2009-06-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Mackenzie, Michael and I all hopped in the car and headed for Albuquerque! Let me tell you I do not like driving with a less than two year old! =) On the way there it actually wasnt to horrible but my goodness on the way back she was throwing temper tantrums left and right and crying to get out of the car!

But onto the reason for going: HAPPY RETIREMENT GAMMY!!! We had the opportunity to join my papa and gammy in celebrating not only her retirement but also there house warming party! My grandpa built there home last summer and I believe finished it and got all moved in the Saturday before Thanksgiving! =) But while we had a ton of fun out at there house we were also able to visit with my Grandma and Grandpa Perea, Mackenzie's Nana and Tata it was a fun time seeing my cousins and aunt and uncle. A huge treat of the trip was going to see my Nana Cuca, Macks great great grandma "nana" =) We were able to get a five generation picture which in most families is impossible! In the pictures I dont if you will even guess how old my Nana is.... she just turned 91 at the beginning of June! She is still living alone in her own home and gets up at 6am everyday and goes out and works on her own yards. She amazes me!

But enough gibber gabber.... here's is what you wanted PICTURES! =) Enjoy!

Mackenzie watching "Fishes" (Finding Nemo) on the trip!

FIVE GENERATIONS: Nana Cuca, Grandma Sally, My Dad, Me, and Mackenzie Lynn

All of us with Nana. My mom Loretta, Little brother Devin, My dad Marc, Mackenzie, Me, Brother Michael, Grandma Sally and Nana Cuca...

The great grandkids and the one great great granchild...

Mackenzie talking to someone....

It was a great trip and I cant wait to go back! Lots of fun times... but like all good things they have to end! But I will leave you with a funny video of Mackenzie riding a play tractor! If you can hear her after her uncle asks for a turn she says "NO!!" LOL Then she floors it when he holds onto the front! So funny! Im scared for the type of driver she will be lol!

Here are some other photos of the trip. Just a slideshow of driving and of dinner with the families! =)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Summer has finally begun!

2009-06-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well our summer has finally started... the older girls have arrived! Mackenzie went absolutely nuts when they got to my parents house this evening. She was so excited that I was passed by completely so that she could see them! Its very nice to have them home! =) So excited that we have them for three months! YAY! Well here is when we first got home! =) More to come soon!

MORE PHOTOS TO COME SOON!

Birthday dinner for Sue....

2009-05-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I was invited to a birthday dinner for one of my friends, Sue. Her husband threw her a dinner at a place in Phoenix called Maizie's Cafe. The food was so good and the drinks were absolutely delicious! =) We had so much fun just talking and laughing at one another. After dinner some of us decided that we didn't want the night to be over so we went to a pub called George and the Dragon, (sorry Sue if this is wrong) but it was a good time. We all got to sit around some more and drink a little bit more and talk. All in all the night was really fun and I am so glad that I was able to celebrate Sue's birthday with her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE!!!!

Mothers Day!

2009-05-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was Mothers Day... We didnt do to much just hung out with my parents, went to lunch and swam a little! =) Mackenzie acted up pretty bad during lunch so her and I had to go and sit outside while everyone finished their lunch... but I did receive a couple cute outfits from my parents for the holiday... Thank you to them ( I had no summer clothes)! It was an interesting day to put it lightly! =) Hope everyone else's was good!

The family at lunch! =)

Mommy and her little monster!

My beautiful little girl!

Saturday and Sunday Easter! =)

2009-04-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday: we spent most of the day just lounging around playing with puppies and running around the house like little crazy people... but Saturday evening we went over to my parents house to color our Easter eggs. My mom, Devin, and I had fun doing it as Mackenzie was too busy trying to eat one of the eggs that she lost interest in coloring them! But it was a fun night nontheless!

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Mackenzie wanted to eat the eggs instead of color them!

Mackers dipped her first one in...

The finished product of the night!

Sunday: Well here is another Easter... Mackenzie's second! She was way more into it this year than last year! She was very excited to wake up in the morning and walk out to an Easter basket! =) She was more than thrilled with not the candy but: her baseball glove and truck! (Sorry grandma!!!) After Mackenzie opened her basket we precided to get ready so that we could head over to my parents and finish Easter over there. It was fun and Mackenzie had so much fun opening her baskets from her pop-A and momma... she was particularly excited when she saw that she received tools, and not just any but the tools from the Disney show "Handy Manny", oh my goodness does she just love him! So after the opening of baskets and a nap we had lunch and then....HUNTED EGGS! Mackenzie did so good this year hunting for the eggs and this year my big girl (with the help of mommy) got the GOLDEN PRIZE EGG!!! YAY... That is a little more money added to her almost full jar of "monies". She had a blast all day, ate a lot of candy and played really hard! So another holiday come and gone and she had a blast! =)

Mackenzie's Easter Basket (Mommy and Daddy)

One of her favorite candies... Sixlets!

Showing off her pretty dress..

Pretty Girl.

Hunting for eggs...

My big girl found the golden egg!!! YAY!

She was checking out all of her goodies that she found out in the yard!

Well it was a great weekend all around and Mackenzie had a good Easter....

Its been awhile...

2009-03-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Well hello to all.... it has been awhile since I have updated this blog! I have been very busy from school to softball to being a mom and keeping up with Mackenzie! We were actually able to get out and do some fun things this month with some of our friends... We have gone to the zoo (Dont know what happened to my photos), Artville, Toy town and of course the toddler zone McDonalds (even though she will not eat there food)! We have had a lot of fun the last two weeks. Before that all of our family was sick... from Mackenzie getting her sinus infection to me have ear infections and sinus problems and then Gary bringing home his cold we all just kept passing the grossness around! But I am finally 100% better Mackers is about 90% and Gary is just left with a little cough! Well nothing else has really been happening around our house hold and I havent heard from the older two girls lately so as soon as I do I will update on them. =)

MCDONALDS-TODDLER ZONE

MACKENZIE, MAKENZIE, AND MADISON

MACKENZIE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO TAKE MADISONS "BO-BO"... THESE TO ARE ALWAYS TOGETHER!

MACKENZIE LYNN... STARING OFF INTO SPACE! LOL

AZ TOY TOWN

This place was so neat! The whole building was full of life size doll houses. There was a hospital, police station, dress shop, grocery store, auto shop, dominos and a few more. Great place to take kids in the summer when it gets unbelievably hot!

THIS WAS A DOMINOS PIZZA.

SHE WAS LAUGHING @ HERSELF! IT WAS ACTUALLY QUITE AMUZING.

MY LITTLE PIRATE WENCH. SHE PLAYED IN THIS DRESS FOR PROBABLY 75% OF THE TIME THAT WE WERE THERE!

PUTTING THE ICE CUBE TRAY BACK!

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS TRAIN TABLE. I HOPE I CAN GET HER ONE SOON. SHE LOVES THEM EVERYWHERE WE GO!

ARTVILLE

MACKENZIE LOVED THE SLIDE... YOU HAD TO WALK UP INTO A TREE IN ORDER TO SLIDE DOWN... IT WAS SUCH A NEAT IDEA!

HERE IS MY LITTLE SMART ONE... PUTTING PUZZLES TOGETHER. IT TOOK HER AWHILE BUT SHE FINALLY GOT THEM ALL IN THE RIGHT SPOTS!

CORN CORN CORN... HER FAVORITE!

HMMM... CAN I REALLY EAT THIS! SHE TRIED AND FAILED.

THIS IS HER FRIEND MADISON. THEY ARE THREE WEEKS APART IN AGE. THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER AND THEY PLAY REALLY WELL!

Well I will try and stay updated this time! Mackenzie is sick again so we wont be doing anything for the next couple weeks till my little one gets better! Enjoy all the photos! =)

Visitors...

2009-02-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

During Valentines weekend my grandparents came into town from New Mexico. It is always so much fun when they come out here. They are both so upbeat and very active people. But it had been so long since we had seen them (last year they built their home) so it was a great treat for all of us! We cant wait to see them again the next time they come out here which I am hoping is really soon!

Pop-A and Mackenzie...

My mom and brother Michael...

My papa, gary and Devin...

This is the rose my papa bought me for Valentines day... my mom, gammy and i all received one!

Gammy taking pictures too....

So other than that not too much has been going on here in the Perea-Cannady household. Just living it day by day! =) Happy Sunday!

Playing in the Yard and Nevaeh's Birthday Party!

2009-02-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

Well this past month nothing much has been going on. We have both been looking for jobs and finally by the grace of God Gary was able to take another position with the company that laid him off. Sort of strange but we are going to take what we can get, its just sad that he will be going back on the road. So onto better things... We have actually had him home for about a month now! =) Mackenzie and him and I have had a blast in just staying home and being with one another! The both of them do so much together it is absolutely adorable. She loves going outside now and we give her every chance in the world to do so and she loves playing with her puppies, Arnold and K.C. But other than spending time with one another we havent been doing to much. Just hanging out with the family and going to sporting events for the younger siblings. My uncle and cousin came in from out of town this past weekend and that was awesome didn't get any pictures which I am sad about but they will be back. Also Mackenzie was invited to a friends birthday party this past weekend and she had an absolute blast! Her friend Nevaeh turned 2! YAY... Happy Birthday Nevaeh!

Well here are some photos from a little of everything! Enjoy!

Mackenzie and her puppies...

Nevaeh opening gifts on her birthday...

Mackenzie outside again!

Mackenzie and Nevaeh getting into trouble together on the stairs...

I love this picture of her outside... i hate that her face isnt in it but a neat picture....

Happy Birthday to....

2009-01-18T14:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday night we celebrated Gary and my aunt Kak's birthdays. We had so much fun just hanging out and talking and acting crazy like my family usually does! :) Gary and Mackenzie spent probably and hour playing with the red cups... stacking and then destroying them... We had a wonderful meal that my mom and dad made... then had fun dancing around the living room making fools of ourselfs. It was a lot of fun! And of course I got out of it by being the picture taker lol... and of course cake that I baked! :) Then we finished out the night with a family tradition of gambling with one another. LOL Gary and I usually end out on top but we got our butts handed to us by the end of the night!

Mom, Mackenzie, Devin, and my aunt all dancing!

Just my aunt and mom!

Mackenzie and my mom dancing! This is how it all started and my dad also playing 80's music! :)

Daddy stacked the cups....

See her hand... she wanted to destroy and...

....she did! And from the looks enjoyed every moment!

Posing with daddy for a birthday photo moment!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY & KAK!!!

They both wanted a different cake! Naturally lol!

All in all we had a lot of fun for their birthdays... HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY AND KAK!

R.I.P.

2009-01-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Today my Great Grandma Marie passed away @ 7:00 pm. She was an amazing person who never thought anyone could do anything wrong. She loved you unconditionally and always made sure that you knew it. She was one of the only people in my life that never said a mean thing to me. She may have told me what she thought and I know that it was only to make me a better person and I thank her so much for that and love her dearly! I cant imagine how life is going to be without her, she lived a long and strong life and I will miss her so much. It is funny to think how life is, just last night i was sitting in her hospital room joking that next year we were going to celebrate her 90 birthday. God saw otherwise and I thank him for letting us keep her for this long. I love you Grama and I will miss you so much!

R.I.P. Grama Re, we are all gonna miss you but we all know its for the best!

Change...

2009-01-03T22:05:00.000-08:00

Just to let all of you who follow Mackenzie's personal blog... I have deleted the old one on babysites and created one here on blogger. Here is the URL:

http://mackenzielynnperea-cannady.blogspot.com

Thanks everyone!!!

Family Pictures!

2009-01-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

The weekend before Christmas I had a great friend of mine, Tanya, take some pictures of my family. These are the ones that I have received so far and cannot wait to see the others that she has! Thank you so much Tanya for doing this for my family. I love the way they turned out!

Our girls have grown so much in the past year. Started in March when Victoria turned 11 then in August when Mackenzie turned 1 and shortly there after Ariel went and turned 13 on us! Its scary to have a teenage in the house, but sadly to say her mother will probably get the worst part of it considering they live there. But its just amazing to look back on the photos just from last January and then these and think about it! :)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

Well to say the least this year has been fun...

~We started out the year with a bunch of close friends at our old home and that couldn't have been better.
~ Gary was able to get a great job that finally pays well enough for us to cover our bills... and hopefully now our savings will go up! LOL
~I had surgery in April to help me feel better, thank god! :)
~Gary and I were able to watch our beautiful daughter turn one and turn into the smartest little thing ever. :)
~We watched out daughter get baptized into the Catholic Church... yay Mackenzie!
~We have been able to see our oldest daughters more than past years which was pretty amazing (considering tickets are so much these days)...
~We were able to travel for the holidays this year and see some family that we haven't in a long time... thank god for parents!
~I am finally able to attend school this Spring with the help from our lovely government!

To say the least we have had a pretty great year. We all have great health, our bills are paid and we are very happy and blessed to have such great friends and family members. Thanks to all that helped us in 2008 you are in our hearts and we love you! Happy New Year and maybe 2009 be better than 2008!

I was so happy to be able to spend New Years Eve with my best friend... Here is a collage of us @ the Mill block party!

Thanks Tiffany for a fun night!

Christmas and Adrianna's Birthday!!!

2008-12-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Well the holiday season this year was full of exciting things. From having Christmas parties with Mackenzie and my play groups, to the older girls coming out, to decorating cookies and gingerbread houses with the grandparents, my birthday, and of course Christmas! The holiday season started out on the 19th when the girls went over to my parents house and spent the night and decorated Christmas cookies and a great looking gingerbread house with my younger brother and Mackenzie of course had to help with the cookies!Then on the 20th my best friend threw me a birthday party and let me tell ya that was very interesting. From the decorations being GHETTO to my cake looking so funny I couldn't believe I was the one that made it!LOL! Then that night she took me out with another friend who just had her birthday and let me tell you Sunday was not a nice day for me! :) Hangover city... thank god Gary was home! So on the 24th my actual birthday the girls, Gary and I all went over to my parents house and had a dinner of my choice that my mom makes for me each year! (Thanks mom!!!) It was fun being around all the family and just hanging out and having a great time! CHRISTMAS was so much fun! All of us woke up together and had a blast opening gifts. Mackenzie opened hers like a little lady and had so much fun with the dump truck w/ lego's that Santa brought her. :) Then of course we went right back over to my parents and I helped my mom (somewhat) cook dinner and we opened gifts there and I got my awesome electric skillet I wanted (lol) and some other awesome things.... and of course Mackenzie got some really cool things from Uncle's and grandma and grandpa but duh what else would she have received! But just like tradition has it we ended the night with a long game of poker and then headed home! So today (28th) we took the girls to the airport to head home! :( It seems like its gonna be forever till we see them again! But only till the end of March and then they will be right back YAY! But all in all it was a wonderful time having the girls and Gary home at the same time! :) Lots of help around the house and with the monster baby! Well here is a slide show of our holiday events! Enjoy!

Big Sisters and Santa Claus!!

2008-12-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

So this past week the older girls came into town (YAY) we are all so excited to finally have them here for the holidays. We also went awhile back and got Mackenzie's pictures taken with/by Santa Claus... she is deathly afraid of him and I just don't know why! I guess some kids are just like that! When we were on the Polar Express she even freaked out! Oh well! :) Enjoy!

Starting to cry cause she doesnt like him!
She didnt wanna be around Santa but she got the cookie afterward!
Playing with chalk with her sisters!

Well there will be more photos to come of the girls and there little sister. So be looking out for them!

1st. Christmas Party!

2008-12-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

Well today Mackenzie had some of her friends over from one of our playgroups and had so much fun! We played and ate and ate and ate, we also did a fun ornament craft (thank you Karen for providing everything for it!) we also did a book gift exchange and the kids had a blast doing it! Mackenzie received "Merry Christmas Curious George". Here are some pictures of the event!

MERRY CHRISTMAS QUEEN CREEK MOMMAS!

Kids Playing

Mackenzie and Madison

I didnt get that many pictures its hard to play hostess and to get pictures of all the kids. But we all had a great time and thank you so much for everyone that came, Mackenzie and I had a blast!

Cheerleading....

2008-12-11T19:26:00.001-08:00

Well our oldest, Ariel, has decided that she loves to cheer, she is on the Cadet squad for the junior high kids. Just wanted to share a few photos of her recent competition!

She is the one on the top right...

Here she is top row second to last on the right side...

Ariel is on the far right side holding the girl up in the air...

Over all in the competition the girls took 3rd place, which in your first competition is really great!

So Proud...

2008-12-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

I am so proud to say that our middle child,LOL, was on a commercial back in Indiana for helping with a toy drive. Victoria is seen in the picture on the bottom left. She has always been into helping people and Gary and I couldn't be more proud of her. I just wanted to share what an awesome thing she did in helping other children get a GREAT Christmas!!!

Thanksgiving and the Polar Express!

2008-12-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

Well this past weekend was Thanksgiving as I am sure all of you know! LOL! Well we did the craziest thing ever, we put seven people in a car and drove to Albuquerque, NM for the holiday weekend. It ended up being so much fun! We all had a blast with the snow and just being somewhere all together was the best thing of all.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents new home... they just finished building it and moved in the Saturday before! It was awesome. On Friday we had the chance of a lifetime, we all went up to Durango, CO and rode the Polar Express! It was a great experience for the children that knew what was going on but I think that Mackenzie was just to young to even understand it, (and she freaked out when she saw Santa Claus)!

But other than that now we are all getting ready for Christmas. Our older girls fly in on the 17th and we cant wait for them to be here. I also have my birthday coming up here pretty soon and thats exciting! So we are going to yet again have another busy month!

Our Family....

2008-09-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

Hello to all... Well where to start out is a hard thing to do in our family considering things are always way to complicated... LOL!

Well ill start with Gary and I we have known each other for a long time now but have only been together for two years ... and it has been two of the happiest years of my life. Of course couples have there ups and downs, but its the downs that really test whether or not you are good for one another, and well I am here aren't I? So its just been fun and games, we all know that's bull!!! Well to talk about our adorable munchkins, Gary came into our relationship with two daughters, Ariel (13) and Victoria (11), they are such wonderful girls... both extremely smart and very athletic. Both are in a Catholic Elementary school right now where they live in Noblesville, IN. Ariel, eek, a teenager already is getting ready to go through what my mother likes to call the crazy phase, I don't think I ever left mine, but I think I am ready for it. She is a good girl and such a major help. Victoria is just like her daddy, smart ass! But you cant nag on her for being who she is... but I know that mouth is going to get her into trouble one of these days... LOL!

Well another addition that came into our lives was our HUGE surprise little miss Mackenzie Lynn. She came into this world about fourteen months ago, on August 8th, 2007, just kicking and screaming. :) Best way I think! She is such a smart little girl, talks a lot, runs away from mommy... all the good stuff!

But that pretty much sums up our crazy family into a few lines... don't worry you'll be hearing from us soon!