McKenna Family

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year.  My side of the family all headed to the cabin and we just had great relaxing time.  The cousins loved being together and I love the feeling of being surrounded with those we love during the holiday season.  Grandma Linda really went the extra mile and made loads of sugar cookies for the grandkids to decorate and it was really fun for them and fun for us to see their creativeness....or lack thereof (for those just more interested in eating them).   I love Thanksgiving and for what it represents.  We truly are so blessed and have been given so much.  

This year was a big one for Nick.  Turning 12 is pretty cool.  Not only does it just sound a lot more grown up, but he received the Aaronic Priesthood and now is passing the sacrament at church.  He was SO adorable the first Sunday after turning 12.  He was a little nervous but also very excited.  As he did his little route, he had the biggest grin....teeth and all.....the ENTIRE time.   It was a proud mama moment and also one of those when you just want to go grab your baby, throw him on the floor, kiss him to death and tell him to STOP growing up so dang fast.   Nick is such a good kid.  I think he is the only one that actually listens to my advice and actually thinks I'm smart enough to know something, and then EVEN follows that advice and LIKES it.   It makes me happy.   He is also such a sweet brother.  He also started babysitting the neighbors recently and is such a cute little babysitter.  He truly is the "baby whisperer...

We love to get together with our Chinese friends.  In the summer we try to meet up and do a little playing in the park.  We all brought our own dinner and just let the kids run wild.  They had some fun water games and everyone had a great time.  So fun to see these kids grow and flourish with love.   Nick played lacrosse this fall and had a good time.  The fall league isn't nearly as big of deal as the spring league so it was kinda nice.  It was more laid back and didn't take as much commitment.  He really improved a lot and we are hoping he will want to play next spring.  The jury is still out on whether he really likes it or not.  But he's a great little player and we love watching him.  And he's super fast! J.D. opted to play flag football this fall and actually would have done lacrosse as well but I made him choose.  Sports are important but I like family time as well....and we never have enough of that no matter how hard w...