McKenna Meets Laurie Roberts!

(Have I really not posted since July? Yikes! I'm really going to try to be better about keeping up on things in 2010!)

My best friends cousin happens to be a Christian music artist. We've been blessed to have a copy of her CD's and listen to them quite often. McKenna especially loves to listen to her music ANY chance she can. Don't get me wrong, we enjoy the music as well, but McKenna LOVES to listen to it ALL the time! In fact she has several of her songs memorized.

Last summer while on a trip home to Seattle, McKenna was asked who Laurie Roberts was while sitting at Ivar's Fish Bar on the waterfront downtown. (she was wearing her"sacred" as she calls it... Laurie Roberts t-shirt.) She even offered to sing a demo of her music to the lady and her 2 kids. It's obvious McKenna is a true fan!

McKenna and Laurie have been "pen pals" as McKenna calls it, for quite some time. ( Might I mention, I think they live a total of 10 miles from each other:)

McKenna's #1 item on her Birthday and Christmas list this year was get Laurie Roberts tickets with backstage passes! ( I love it!)

Needless to say, over Christmas break we surprised McKenna on a Sunday evening when we announced to her that we'd be going to a Christmas program at my friends church where she and Laurie would be involved in singing a variety of Christmas songs. McKenna FREAKED out to say the least. Then she went into a mode of being a bit nervous, then anxious, yet couldn't quite wait. She kept telling me " I can't believe I'm going to meet Laurie. Tonight! FINALLY!"

The night was perfect. It was a wonderful program and McKenna claims Laurie is everything she expected and more. I'm grateful that Laurie has influenced my sweet McKenna and blessed her little life with her music. I've always known music is a powerful thing and when it touches you like Laurie's music has touched my McKenna, it's something that leaves an imprint on your heart forever.

There is something special I love about this picture of McKenna on the Oregon Coast last summer wearing her Laurie Roberts t-shirt.

Seattle - July 2009

I've had many phone calls and emails in regards to my lack of blog post's over the past 4 months. I love the idea of blogging, so that I can print what I've posted each year and put it in a book. Kind of like family journaling. Anyway, I guess I just didn't realize how many of you were faithful readers. So for you, I'm back at it and maybe you'll inspire me to keep up better. :)
Last week the kids and I made a trip up to Seattle to see old friends. The main reason for the trip was to get together with my old "youth group" from church when I was younger. It was sooo fun and such a treat to see old friends I haven't seen in years. We had a gathering at a park one afternoon with our kids, then a dinner that evening. Ahhhh.... what great memories.


This is a picture of part of the group of us girl's. (I don't have a picture of the whole group :()

Aimee & I

One afternoon while we were there, we went to Seattle to do the waterfront. This is one of my kid's favorites. We started out at Pike's Place Market.

The kids always love to go watch the throwing of the fish! This time they even got their picture's taken. ( McKenna was a little grossed out, but a trooper. )

Next we headed down to Ivar's on the water. This is my favorite stop!

The kids LOVE to order french fries and could literally spend hours playing with and feeding the seagulls. It was defiantly fun to watch.

The rest of the week was spent with friends and family playing, going to the lake, hanging out at the pool, and just catching up on life. Good times!

McKenna & my cousin Lauren. We stayed with my Aunt & Uncle. The kids just LoVe being there as do I. McKenna especially enjoys hanging out with Lauren. Shes off to college next year. Willamette University.

The Kids and I sure missed Steve but had great week! It was good to get away from things and enjoy a taste of summer. I'm so blessed to have the kiddo's I do. They're so good to me.

France & Italy - March 2009

What a Week!

We had quite the week last week with Blake's mishaps and accomplishments. The week started out with Blake spending the night in the hospital due to asthma complications that arose during the week. I have to admit it was the first time in a LONG time Blake has had any issues with his asthma. The shot therapy has been going great and his body seems to responding well, for the most part. You're never really "out of the woods" with any type of therapy, it's just a preventative and will help with the severity of things when an attack does occur. I'm so thankful for Blake's treatments, and know that if they hadn't been in place, our stay at the hospital that night might have been a lot longer.

Then, Tuesday morning I dropped Blake off at school. All was well and he was excited and ready for a new day. When I arrived at the school a few hours later, Blake had tripped outside and crashed his head into the cement. OUCH! He's response when he saw me was, "Don't worry mom, I just had a bit of an accident." " It doesn't even hurt!" I couldn't believe it. It was like one thing after another. As the week went on it continued to get black and blue and the scabbing was rather unattractive, but I'm happy to report it's looking much better this week.

The day after his "head crash", was Blake's school Music program. The kids had worked so hard and it was a great program to watch.

This is Blake with his teacher, Miss Kirkland after the music program. She's GREAT and Blake has really been enjoying her classroom this year. Not to mention, the kids LOVE Her!

This is a clip of one of the songs they sang. Blake really likes this one! (So did the boy standing behind him in red.) You'll have to of course mute the music on the side bar to hear.

We then finished off the week Thursday with the Blue & Gold Banquet. Blake earned is Wolf badge and is excited to move on in scouting. We're so proud of him and all the hard work he put in to earn his Wolf. Way to go Blake!

I'm happy to report we are nearing the end of the next week and things are going well. Our week has felt rather normal. Busy of course, but nothing out of the norm. No crazy crashing heads stories to report, along with unexpected trips to the hospital. Here's to many more week's like this one! :)

Meet our "Dancing Queen"

Saturday was the beginning of clogging competition season and McKenna's team took the stage in one of their dances dressed right from the 80's! Hair and all. It was a sight to see. Too fun! The crowd LOVED the dance and the girls loved shaking around those big wigs as they moved their feet to the song, Dancing Queen, by: Abba

McKenna with some of her teammates just prior to heading backstage.

McKenna with 2 of her teammates, Jordin & Reegan in the bathroom after removing their wigs. ( 50 bobby pins later mind you!)

Kenna's Friend Jenna, dressed like a NERD for her dance!

McKenna & Lauren hangin' out, watching clogging.

It was a great day and a great way to start the season! Go Idaho Rhythm!

This is a clip of Mckenna's solo. ( you'll have to mute the music on the side bar to hear it) Also, when I uploaded it to blogger it cut off her feet part of the time ( kind of an important element when your clogging.) You can still get the idea and I will maybe try to upload it to my facebook and see if that is any better.