Announcing...

I just finished making this birth announcement for my sister. I had taken these pictures of her new baby girl, Haley, just a couple of weeks ago. It was so fun since Haley was a little older and just giving us the cutest expressions. I loved it!! And it makes it so much more fun when it's your own niece of course!! Anyways- the announcement turned out cute, so I was excited to share!! Let me know what you think!!

Check this Out!!

So the other day I was looking at Rachel thinking, "Man, she REALLY reminds me of someone!!" But I couldn't figure out who. So I busted out a book that we have that has some baby pictures of Vern's mom Cindy, thinking maybe it was her. But as I flipped through the book, I came across this picture of Vern's younger sister Shirley. Check out how much she looks like Rachel...Isn't that Crazy!! I love it!! And if you haven't seen Shirley...she is quite the beautiful girl!! But everytime I see this picture, it just makes me smile! Now, at least, I know for sure that our tiny little Rachel didn't actually get switched at birth (she's so small compared to our others...that I was beginning to wonder! jk). Genetics is one crazy thing!!

Updated Preschool Blog...check it out!!!

Okay...so I just added pictures and updated my preschool blog- and it looks SOOOOO cute!! And since I have been less than consistent on keeping up with my personal blog, you should check it out to see all the fun stuff we've been doing at preschool!! I LOVE IT!!! We have such a good time. Just FYI- I am also running a Spring Special where I will be lowering my tuition to $90/month for the same 3 days and the same quality education!! If you know someone who's looking...be sure to pass along the info!!

www.mackeypreschool.blogspot.com

Saying Goodbye!!

Vern's older brother Morgan stole his family and moved them to Oklahoma (the nerve!). Actually- he is doing is medical residency there and we are hoping will only be there for a few short years! Still...it was really sad saying goodbye!! But that's what phones are for!! Here a just a few of the fun pictures we took while "helping" them pack up (I obviously spent a little TOO much time behind the camera...but it was worth it!!). Rachel and Sydney had a blast playing- it was the cutest thing to watch!!
And cousin Malita was there for the fun...lucky girl!! haha

Two little buds!! We are going to miss getting our boys together!!

feeling the love!

One fun group!

The Riggs Clan...some of our favorite people!!

Morg & Katie...we miss you TONS and are counting the days till you come back (not literally!). Good luck in Oklahoma!! We love you!!

Rachel is One...can you believe it??!!

Our precious little Rachel just turned one this month. I still can't believe it!! She has been such a delight and we all just love her to pieces. My absolute favorite is watching the kids play with her. They certainly love their little Rachel...and she loves them right back!!! What a novelty babies can be!! We all had so much fun celebrating her Big Day!!Rachel had a BLAST eating her very own cake (which is always my favorite part of a One year old's birthday...and apparently Rachel's favorite part too!!)And Hannah, in her usual helpful way, made sure that Rachel's cake didn't go to waste!!Vern was in charge of clean-up...well, at least the clean-up of Rachel. Which was quite a job all by itself...note the apron!! hahaTyler was adorable...he woke up that morning and wanted to make Rachel's birthday poster all by himself. So he did. Spelling and all (well, I helped with "Happy"...the rest was all him). Isn't it cute!!
Which left me with the food...but I didn't mind. It's sometimes fun to try new recipes- like this Chicken Salad on croissants. It was scrumptious!! Rachel loved the fruit!!

But most importantly...we all joined in on celebrating our Precious Little Girl (who's standing next to me right now just babbling and laughing...what a fun age!!)

WE LOVE YOU RACH!!

Pinetop...Day #2

So our first day here, we met this wonderful lady and her kids while we were visiting the horses. She then took us on a mini tour of Pinetop. It was so fun...but the best part was when she told us of an old barn up in the mountains. I knew right then that I had to get to that barn to take pictures of my kids. So I offered to take her family pics if she took us to the barn. So that's what we did. This barn was awesome...the whole place was beautiful. And we all just had a blast. Thanks, of course, to our new friends the Kerrs. It never hurts having friends that are locals (especially when they invite you back up to stay with them!!). Here's just some of my favorites.






Oh...and the best part is that on the way home we saw a heard of around THIRTY elk galloping through the trees. It was the coolest thing to watch. The kids loved it!!

Pinetop...Day #1

We just got up to Pinetop today and are absolutely in love. It's beautiful and the perfect place for snapping crazy pics of my kids. Here are just a few from today. We've had so much fun (and still have 3 more days to go)!!

MACKEY PRESCHOOL

So I am officially putting my hard earned (and very expensive) Montessori training to work. I am starting a preschool this Fall out of my home. I still have a couple of openings- so if anyone knows someone who is interested, let me know. Below is an article on Montessori Preschools. Below that is my very own preschool flyer (got to love Photoshop!!!). Please email this post to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks!!

A Traditional Preschool Alternative: Montessori Preschool
Article discusses the difference in traditional preschool and Montessori preschool.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/418721/a_traditional_preschool_alternative.html

Today's CARversations with Tyler

One of my favorite things about riding in the car with Tyler is all his random thoughts and questions. Sometimes they're gospel related, sometimes they're all in the same thematic family...and then sometimes, like today, I wonder where the devil he is coming up with these things. All kinds of random!!! So, here are today's CARversations!!

Tyler: "Mom, when you go hiking, you need to wear tennis shoes because tennis shoes are STRONG shoes. You can't wear flip flops. Flip Flops are WEAK shoes. They are only good for hiking on the street."
Mom: "Very true Tyler, thanks for sharing."

1 minute later...

Tyler: "Mom, there was this girl in my class last year that wanted to be a Mermaid when she grows up. I told her that mermaids weren't real. She didn't believe me. Are mermaids real??"
Mom: "No son, you were right- mermaids aren't real."
Tyler: "I thought so."

a few minutes later...

Tyler: "Mom (he always starts with "Mom" as if there's someone else in the car he'd be talking to), how do blind people see?"
Mom: "They don't see, that's why a lot of blind people have seeing eye dogs to help them."
(tangent on "what's a seeing eye dog")
Tyler: "So, if someone in our family got blind, we'd have to get a seeing eye dog?"
Mom: "Well I sure hope that no one in our family ever becomes blind."
Tyler: "Yeah, because you're allergic to dogs. I guess if someone got blind, and we had to get a seeing eye dog, you'd just have to be allergic."
Mom: (stifling fits of laughter...because of course the reason I wouldn't want someone in our family to be blind is because I would be allergic to their dog)
Tyler: "I sure hope I never get blind."
Mom: "Me too Ty, me too!!"

Somedays, a little bit of Tyler's mind makes the car ride so much more interesting!! I love that kid.

Our Week in Recap

(this is a catch up post)
Sunday, June 21st: FATHER'S DAY
By far...one of the best holidays. I love celebrating my husband!!! And he certainly deserves it. The kids and I woke up early and hung a bunch of papers all over the room which had the reasons we love Daddy!! They loved it, he loved it...and I just loved them loving it!!! The best part of the day, however, was when I called Vern from the church (just before a meeting). Our new phones like to talk to us and tell us who's calling (I love it!! It's like another adult in a house infiltrated by kids!! jk). So, when I called- the phone rang and stated "Church of Jesus Christ". Tyler, who likes to listen and tell me who's calling, turned to Vern and said, "Hurry, I think it's Jesus calling!" haha!! If only!! Isn't he cute!! I kept chuckling to myself at inappropriate times during Ward Council (the meeting I was at...and snuck out of early to fix Vern pancakes!!). But I couldn't resist.
And here is a picture I am sure everyone is dying to see...Tyler making pancakes in his underwear. And apron...we can't forget the apron. Vern made sure we had pictures of this one!! What a kid!!

Monday, June 22nd: Rachel's Well Visit
Well, I have officially done it folks!! I have created a SMALL child. I'm still reeling over this. I took Rachel (our 1yr old) in to the doctor. And guess what...she's in the 5th % for weight (and 50th % for height). Seriously!! She's absolutely puny!! And if you've ever seen my other children- you have got to be just as perplexed over this as I am. My other two kids NEVER went lower than the 50% for weight. And neither Vern nor myself are what you would call petite. I can't help but wonder just where this child has come from!! Must be those petite Mackey genes (all of Vern's sisters are tiny-tiny!!). But we love our little, little baby girl!!
Wednesday, June 24th: Puppy Time
So, the girls and I were coming out of a grocery store, where a lady was selling the cutest little puppies. And I just fell in love. I never really wanted a puppy before, but we hope to get one for Tyler eventually. So I figured- if we were going to do it eventually...why not just do it today (not exactly the most fool-proof reasoning). So I made it home from the GROCERY STORE with a dog and no dog food. Absolutely brilliant. But it was meant to be a dog for Tyler- and Tyler absolutely loved him- and named him Max.
Thursday, June 25th: Parasite Time
So, apparently no matter how much you love your puppy, or how good a deal you got for him...they ALL come with crazy big vet bills. And if we are going to have to learn a lesson- might as well learn it right off. We took Max to get shots and walked out $200 later with medication for a stomach parasite (and no shots). I now know that buying a dog in front of a grocery store from a white trash couple is perhaps not the best idea. LESSON LEARNED. But he's sure a cute puppy...or was. I ended up being allergic and we had to find him a new home!! I miss that dog!!
Friday, June 26th: Prince John
For those of you Disney lovers...you may have seen "Robin Hood" once upon a decade or so ago- and thought to yourself that Prince John, with the thumb-sucking and ear-grabbing was a little over dramatized. I mean, really...who does that?!! Apparently Rachel does- that's who. She just started her very own Prince John impersonation. I thought it was just a fluke...but I'm actually writing this almost a week later...and the thumb-sucking, ear-grabbing combo is still going strong!!
Saturday, June 27th: Our Hannah
So I feel like Hannah has unfair representation in this week's recap...but I can't seem to bring any stories to my mind. But let's be honest...Hannah is her own story!! She is our little bundle of excitement- you just never know what she's going to do next, or what she's going to get into next, or who she's going to drive CRAZY next. But she is truly adorable!! And we love her!!

A little bit of normal

So you know your tired and had a long night when you wake up, get dressed and later realize that your pants aren't just on backwards but inside out. Hmm...it's a good thing I was just hanging at home.

Lovin' the Wipes

So last night we woke up to Hannah at the foot of our bed (which isn't an uncommon occurrence). But she kept talking about her blanket being yucky and her bed being yucky...and that late at night- it takes a while to process anything that's being said. And Vern was having an especially hard time. So I suggested smelling her "yucky" blanket (assuming it was a pee accident). It wasn't- it was throw up (and I half expected Vern to vomit in response...he has a very big gag reflex!). So I took over and got everything all cleaned up and everyone back in their beds.

Then not much later, I realized that Hannah's door was open. So I went to investigate just as Hannah was coming back down the hall (from the family room) with baby wipes in her hands. I didn't even have time to ask about it before she was vomiting into her handful of wipes. Knowing those little hands wouldn't hold out against large amounts of vomit- I took over. By the time I got to the sink to dispose of my handful of regurgitated food (sorry for the visual)...I realized that I hardly had any on me. The wipes had kept me vomit free. So- despite the late hour and the gut-wrenching smell...I was feeling rather pleased that Hannah (1) had the self composure to wait to throw up until she had something to catch it (even if it was just wipes) and (2) that she chose the wipes in the first place. They were like ready made gloves. So today- I'm loving the wipes!! (and the fact that no one else has thrown up...yet!!)

Feeling Pretty Lucky

My kids have been in a crazy Mama phase lately (which makes no sense to me since their dad is rockin' awesome). But so it is. And Sunday (sitting in sacrament meeting), I found myself covered in kids. Rachel was in one arm, Hannah in my lap, and Tyler cuddled against my other arm. I found myself thinking (amid the mayhem), "Wow, my kids really love me (maybe a little TOO much at the moment). Is there anything better than this?"

Then we took our kids to primary/nursery and found ourselves sitting quietly next to each other in Sunday school. No kids between us- just Rachel on our laps. So I sidled up to Vern, he put his arm around me and smiled. And then I realized, "I am absolutely in love with my husband. And this feeling definitely beats all!!!" So, amid the chaos of life- as long as I have kids that love me and a husband I adore...I think I'll be just fine!! What more could I possibly need??

Worth the Chaos!!

Today was a fun, yet crazy day. We had some of our cousins over in the morning so that we could take some pictures. I had found these adorable dresses at Target (now on clearance FYI) that I thought would combine to make such cute pictures. So then I had to find my subjects...and it just so happens there were a couple of nieces here that are just about Rachel's age (there's actually another one...but her dad took her away from us. Something about Dental School in Colorado. LAME EXCUSE JAKE!! We miss our nieces!). So we took the three that were left and took some stinkin' cute pics. They were so funny. But between them and their siblings...it was a bit chaotic (but surprisingly not too stressful!). I didn't realize just how worn out I was until I sat down to read a book- and found myself asleep on a pile of laundry. But it was DEFINITELY worth the chaos (cousins always are!!). Check out a few of my favorites!!

Aren't these girls just too cute!!! We are definitely going to miss having Sydney (in the orange) close by!! Why do our cousins keep leaving? Hm...perhaps it's us??!! jk

Just one more post!!

I went to log out (I mean really, how many posts can one make in a day)- but I felt guilt. How could I recognize the birthday of one special man in my life without mentioning the birthday of the MOST special man in my life. That's right...Vern just turned 31 this past Friday. I don't know why I love his birthday so much...but I do.

We started the day with our mini Birthday bash. Complete with presents, singing, candles, a cake (or rather a PANcake...it was breakfast after all!!) and a rather talented photographer (that's right, Tyler is behind the camera).

Ty did a great job taking pictures and was so excited it was Daddy's birthday. So we had to do presents in the morning. And being the not-so-prepared person that I am...I didn't have them wrapped. But that's okay- there were plenty of clean bath towels to do the job. And like everything else...it's what's on the inside that counts.

I am tempted to continue with the exploits of the day...but more importantly I just wanted to say that I LOVE my husband. He is so amazing in so many little ways that I often see him lying there beside me and think (for the millionth time) that I must be the luckiest woman in the world. He is my everything and I thank God for him each and every day (usually more than once!). Maybe that's why I love his birthday so much- I realize it is his birth that had made MY life complete. So let's celebrate!! Happy birthday Sweetheart!!