YiKEs..............SSSnAkE!!!

I went out back to move the sprinkler and guess what was just outside our fence! Yes a Snake! Jeff and Aydan were the only ones brave enough in our family to leave the back step. Here are a few choice pics (from the back door)....there is NEVER a dull moment at the McKinneys.

March Madness!!

The Grizz turned 6 on March 8th...I am still in disbelief that my baby is as old as he is!! He loved taking Rice Krispy Treats to his kindergarten class! His teacher lets the birthday child pass out the treat and then after everyone is served, the birthday child gets to take the first bite! Aydan thouroughly enjoyed being able to take the first bite and took his "own sweet time." I have been able to volunteer in his class twice a week here in Kansas and really have enjoyed it! When we first arrived and I found out that he would be in school all day (because that is how they do it here), I almost had a heart attack! Aydan has thrived and made many friends and loves his teacher too. I know that I am partial - but he is the most special and smartest boy! He can read and uses big words that never stop surprising Jeff and I like..actually and exhausted which he uses in as many sentences as possible. He also had a part in his music program this year, he did a great job as "Johnny works with one hammer" LOL. I know that Aydan would enjoy life more here if his "best friend" grandma Kathy lived closer, but he will have to talk to her often on the phone and make frequent visits to Southern Utah. He is a joy and blessing to our family....Happy Birthday Aydan Douglas!!!

Trying to get CAugHt uP!

It has been since January that I have posted. I am going to try to highlight the past months. February 2 Wyatt turned 13 years old! Our second born arrived on Ground Hogs Day (it was a Sunday). He was born in the same state that his dad was ...North Carolina when Jeff was stationed at Fort Bragg.Yes it is true we officially have two teenagers in the McKinney house. We had a family party and he also went on a sledding trip with his good friend Luis. Wyatt has always been pretty quiet and easy going...don't get me wrong, he is not a push over, but he gets his point across well "without drawing too much attention." He is an awesome reader and he seems to think out everything he does. I love how good he is to me and I love his thoughtfulness toward his Dad and Bryce.....and most of the time he is great with Blayne and Aydan (he would defend them to the end but they seem to make him CRaZy most of the time. I joke that Wyatt should have been an only child because the chaos that seems to follow us everywhere is not comfortable for Wyatt. He would rather be in his room or hanging out with the pets in quiet. I do not know where our family would be with out "Dub" he is such a good kid and we love his sense of humor and his "voice of reason." HAPpy 13th Birthday Jeffery Wyatt McKinney.

Cheers to the Murie Sisters

Today my sister Jodi would have celebrated her 39th birthday. It has been almost 22 years since we lost her and I still miss her and think about her daily. Our family cherishes the memories and laughs we have of our beautiful sister, daughter, cousin and friend. Neshia and I have nine children between the two of us and three of the five girls share part of her name. All of our kids know about Aunt Jodi and enjoy the memories of her we share with them. She touched many lives during her short seventeen years with us. Growing up the oldest of three girls was great for me....I fought with my sisters, they let me fix their hair, sometimes we got in trouble, but I always remember sticking up for each other! My parents divorced when I was 6, Jodi was 4, and Neshia was just under 2 years old. Our house was full of four strong willed females...I think back on some of the poor guys that took my mom on dates, (we did not make it easy for them)...I guess we just didn't want to share her. Our house only had one bathroom (& the bathroom only had one electric plug outlet-that only worked if the light was turned on)...but that is an entire other story. In the end we all learned to share and love each other dearly! Happy Birthday Jodi....Cheers to the Murie sisters!

Happy 15th Birthday Brycie

It was fifteen years ago tomorrow, that I gave birth for the first time....Jodi Bryce McKinney made her grand entrance into this life several weeks early, at 1:19 in the afternoon. She had beautiful locks of dark hair and pretty olive skin and although she had to remain in the ICU for a while, we were thrilled and blessed to have our princess here. We named her after my sister Jodi and she has always had a sweet and determined personality. I do not know what we would do without our only daughter and oldest child. We count our blessings daily that we have been given such wonderful kids, and even when we fall short and make mistakes parenting, we adore each of our children. Happy Birthday Bryce! We love you and are very proud to be your parents.

On the 9th of October Blayne celebrated his eighth birthday! It just happened that there was no school that day so he was able to have a birthday party. We had his party at Burger King, here on Fort Riley....since we are new to the area (and do not know many families) we allowed Blayne to invite his school classmates to celebrate with him, and they turned out in force. Blayne kept saying that he wanted his friends and cousins from Utah to surprise him for his big day (which made my heart hurt) but, we convinced him that they would be wishing him well from afar. The kids were able to play on a great inside playground, they ate lunch, opened presents and enjoyed yummy cake. Blayne wanted an Army theme which was pretty easy. All in all he had a great day. I was very proud of him for being a good host. Now that he is older we really tried to impress upon him how important it would be to welcome everyone that arrived (especially because he would know the kids & we would not) he took everyone's coats and gifts and introduced them to Jeff and I, just like a little gentleman. Happy Birthday Blayne! WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Kansas,Here We Are!!

The McKinney's have a new address! Yes, it is true we reside in Kansas now....a lucky stroke of fate has brought us together as a family (if only for a few months). Jeff will not deploy until Fall of 2010, so the boys and I were able to join Jeff at Fort Riley on Labor Day weekend. We are fortunate enough to be able to live in military housing here on the army base. The boys are enrolled in school; Wyatt at Fort Riley Middle School and Blayne and Aydan at Custer Hill Elementary (yes, the school was named after General Custer himself )! Kindergarten is all day here so I have been trying to unpack our household goods during the time school is in session. Jeff is pretty busy, as his Brigade is preparing to deploy....but the time we are able to spend with him is wonderful and irreplaceable. Bryce did stay in Cedar City with my folks and we miss her desperately, but understand the need she has to fulfill commitments she has there as she is now in high school. I do not know what we would do without such wonderful family and friends at home. Saydi the dog is with us and is now settling in here as well. If any one is passing through or would like to come and visit, please know that you are always welcome and we would love you to stay with us...we will show you around the area. I will write more about our escapades very soon. I also hope to find our camera so I can post photos as well!