I have a new nephew!!!

Lochlan Bradley McKee

He arrived in the wee hours this morning. So excited to meet him!

Family Pictures

It's so handy having a photographer in the family. Amy took these pictures for us right after the baptism  while we were dressed in our church clothes. I didn't know that she was going to take pictures, so please ignore the tie issues. 

I love them. Thanks Amy!

Hiking with the boys

Lohn and Ryan took the boys out for a hike while the women went shopping.

Gunnar climbed to the top of this rock and said, "I'm king of the world!"

It was a good day. Liam got baptized and we got family pictures taken. I'll post them tomorrow. 

I am thankful for... (Part 22 in the Thanksgiving Series)

So far I have posted that I am thankful for electricity, my mom and dad, Lohn, Notre Dame football, Ander, Tamsyn, Gunnar, Sylas, my right to vote, having family close by, mild winters, Netflix, cub scouts, our soldiers, friends, budgeting, cameras, My Savior, Scripture Tots, and health. In addition to all this, I am thankful that my vehicles are still running, that we have enough money for our needs, that the Dahles do service for Christmas, for all my excellent in-laws, no grays hairs (yet), medicine, technology, my church, mirrors, chocolate, vacuums, health/dental insurance, dramamine, Costco, shavers, and contacts. And many more things. My life is so blessed, and I am so grateful. 

Pictures from this awesome Thanksgiving day!

For breakfast I made two quiche- spinach/feta/mushroom quiche, and zucchini and ham quiche.

The Thanksgiving feast

I was the pie lady. I made Chocolate cream, banana cream, lemon cream, pumpkin, and pumpkin cheesecake. 

Lohn's favorite was the pumpkin, Ryan's was the pumpkin cheesecake, mine was the lemon, Grandma McKee's was the banana cream, Amy's and Mason's was the chocolate. 

We put a puzzle together today. My portion was the grass at the bottom. And I'm very proud of it. Admire.

We played Balderdash. My favorite definition of the night- "Mucus secreted by Oysters in the pearl making process." I didn't win any points by it though...

Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends and family not here with me! I love and miss you all!

I am thankful for... (Part 21 in the Thanksgiving Series)

Health!

We are so blessed with healthy, happy kids. And since Lohn and I want to climb mountains with our kids when we are 80, we are going to do our best to be more healthy.  After Thanksgiving, we are going to have to go through sugar detox. Maybe start running. And eat grass. 

Our little family is now in Purcellville VA, spending Thanksgiving with these wonderful people...

I have to pay $2.50 a month for my blog now. I guess I've used up all of my free space. I had no idea. So what do you think? Is my blog worth $2.50 a month?

I am thankful for... (Part 20 in the Thanksgiving Series)

Scripture Tots!

Once a week I go to the church and watch kids while mom or dad go to an institute class. It's only for two hours, and we sing songs, have a mini lesson, do a craft and have snack and play time. It is so good for Sylas, he loves it. It is a great addition to his preschool we are doing. It's also good for me because I get to visit with the other moms (talking to adults, yay!) I also like the $100 I get paid for doing it.

 His cute creation from today.

A few things that Sylas has said lately that made me laugh-

"Mom, that earwax was ALIVE!" Said after he pulled a chunk from his ear. 

"Mom, I just saw a naked hair guy!" He saw a bald guy.

Yesterday I was in the process of making copious amounts of quiche for Thanksgiving morning breakfast, and Sylas made this-

End pieces of zucchini, flour, egg shell, cheese, ham, water, milk, diet coke, onion skin, and whatever else he could get his hands on while I was cooking. I love having this little guy home with me. He is so much fun and keeps me laughing. 

I am thankful for... (Part 19 in the Thanksgiving Series)

No long post for today. Today I am grateful that my migraine from yesterday is gone. It was a monster. 

I am thankful for... (Part 18 of the Thanksgiving Series)

MY SAVIOR

I am thankful he knows me. I am thankful that he cares about me. I am thankful that he came to Earth. I am thankful for the records we have that tell us about his life here. I love the stories of his compassion towards those that needed physical healing. And even more beautiful are the stories of those he gave spiritual healing to.

I love that he sees the true us, not what every one else sees. 

I am grateful he paid for my sins in the garden of Gethsemane. I am grateful that in addition to paying for my sins, he also experienced every physical pain I've had, and emotional grief I've dealt with. Because of this he understands all of us perfectly. 

I am thankful he died on the cross for me.  My heart breaks when I think of how he was treated. It soars when I remember that he was resurrected. 

I am thankful for his perfect example of service and love. My goal in life is to be like him, and teach my children to walk in his footsteps. There is peace and joy to be found there.

He is my brother. He is my King. He is my Savior. 

Forever and ever, Hallelujah. 

I am thankful for... (Part 17 in the Thanksgiving Series)

Cameras!!!

I love being able to document vacations, birthdays, outings, births, funerals, moments that are funny or cuddly or cute or endearing, anything memorable.  So grateful that we have cameras. 

On that note, here are birthday pictures from last night at our family party and her party today with friends.

Tamsyn has always liked sea food. For her birthday she wanted shrimp, scallops, artichokes and mashed potatoes. The hot dogs were for the boys. They were brave though and tried the sea food.

Opening presents

She was always very expressive as a baby, and she still is. Just look at these faces...

For her birthday dessert she wanted this caramel apple cheesecake dessert. Pinned here. Caution: It tastes unbelievably good and you can't stop eating it which makes you feel gross. 

Pretty girl

I looked around the table and was laughing when I saw this-

 And this-

 And this-

And this

And now I know where they get it from. Barbarians.

 Today we had 12 girls in my house. Prepping for birthday parties stress me out, but we actually had a ton of fun. We played balloon volleyball, 

Had a coloring contest- Tamsyn judged.

Played a guessing game where they had to guess what the object was inside the bag.

Tamsyn wanted a chip bar (doritos, ruffles, cheetos, tortilla, cheese puffs, fritos) and love potion. Potion pinned here.

They made their own rings. I bought the rings 10 for $3 at Hobby Lobby, and then bought buttons and cut the backs off. They glued the buttons to the rings. They were a big hit, and super cute. 

And she got some awesome presents.

All the girls went gaga over Lilly. There was only one girl who wouldn't hold her. That kind of surprised me.  Crazy new generation.

We had a great day!