Back To School

Summer went to quickly for me this year.

I cannot believe the kids are back in school.  Generally I am pretty "okay" with school starting up again.  But this year, I'm kind of sad.  We had a great summer, spent many days at the pool, playing at the park and just hanging out together.

 I guess they have to go back...to learn...?

So, here they are!  All ready for their first day back.

Cooper is starting 4th grade and Charlee is going into 2nd.

They are growing up to fast.



Pine Wood Derby 2011

The Cub Scouts Annual Pine Wood Derby!

Cooper and The Mario Kart Wii Derby Car

The Check In - Weigh In.  Here the pressure begins.

The Car.  Lined up and ready to race.

Heat 1 - First Place

Heat 2 - First Place

Heat 3- First Place

Heat 4 - First Place

The intensity and satisfaction.  All his hard work is paying off.

Overall - He didn't win.  So close though.

Coop - you did  AWeSoMe.  We are so lucky to have such an amazing kid.  He congratulated the winners, encouraged those who's cars didn't move so quickly, offered help to the den leaders, and was just oh so happy to be there.  I can't believe how quick you are growing up.  You will ALWAYS be "My Little Man" even though you are turning into quite the young man.  Congratulations on an excellent race!

Seriously, is he not the freakin' cutest kid?

Our Little Bran Muffin.  She loved every minute of the race.



Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas!

2010

Why does it always seem like we wait forever for the HOLIDAY season to get here, then once it's here, it's OVER? Just. Like. That.  Even thought the season comes and goes so quick, I still love it, enjoy it, miss it, and wait for it to come around again.

This year our family did a little something different.  Around Thanksgiving we sat the kids down for a Family Home Evening.  During our lesson we talked about the real reason we celebrate Christmas.   The birth of Christ was much different than a the birth of a child today.  For Christ was born in a manger, not a hospital.  Mary and Joseph delivered the Christ child alone - no doctor, no nurse.  Baby Jesus was a gift to the world.  A gift like no other, for He would bring peace, joy, and eternal life to this earth.

We then proceeded to tell of the Three Wise Men who traveled for many years to find the Christ child.  They had THREE gifts to give Him.  Frankincense, Myhhr, and Gold.  Baby Jesus did not receive these gifts at birth.  It was many years later the Three Kings found him, then did Jesus receive them. 

This year, we did the same.  Each child was to receive THREE gifts.  And ONE gift from Santa - because the fun and excitement that Santa brings should be enjoyed by all children!

I know many of you have heard of this idea, and I was told about it from a great friend!  Thanks Tara!  I do have to say, our Christmas was much smaller this year but much more meaningful.  I truly feel my children had a new respect for Christmas.  They were even more excited this year than in years past because they had to really THINK and PONDER what they wanted.  Since they only got three gifts, they knew they needed to put what they really wanted and needed on their list.  Not just every toy they saw on T.V. that looked like fun.  Without a doubt this will become a tradition for the McRae Family!

Christmas Morning.  Growing up in my family, all the kids would sleep in ONE room Christmas Eve.  My kids have taken on the tradition without any encouragement from me.  I guess it's a known thing with kids....they all LOVE each other a little more during Christmas!  See!?  Can you just feel the LOVE!  Aren't the so stinkin' cute!?

Me and the Grifster.  He insisted on a picture with EVERYONE!

Mike and Griffie.  He just loves his picture taken!

The kids trying their BEST to be PATIENT while we make sure Santa came!

All Charlee wanted was MAKEUP and NAIL STUFF!  She makes me slightly nervous.  What six year old doesn't want toys, or dolls?  My daughter.  She wants big girl stuff!

Cooper!  I LOVE this kid!  I told Santa PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.  No more video or computer games.  Cooper needs something else to do with his time!

Griffin is ever so sweetly modeling a pair of pajamas.  But he's taking after his big brother with NO SHIRT!

Santa brought Griffin a BIG WHEEL TRIKE!  I think I had more fun with this than Griffin did!  He is now catching on that this toy is pretty freakin' awesome!

I hope each one of you enjoyed your Holiday Season as much as we did. I hope you all felt the Spirit of Christ in your hearts and homes. This time of year brings such joy and happiness, may we carry it with us throughout the NEW YEAR!

Cooper's Final Draft

I was cleaning out Coops backpack this morning, while going through his school work I found a paper he wrote.  It was so cute and funny I had to share!  Here it is word for word and exactly how he wrote it:

Final Draft by Cooper Date 9/10/10

"My favorite place to go is Salt Lake because I get to see my cousins.  Their names are Kalli, Hanna, Izeck and Macie.  Every time I go up there we go to Lagoon and Cherry Hill.  I love Salt Lake because when we go up there to Lagoon and Cherry Hill I get to see my Grandpa and Grandma!  I love Salt Lake so much that I want to live there for the rest of my life!
Also before I stop writing I just want to say that if you live in Salt Lake you have snow in the winter.  Oh yeah!"

I thought this was so sweet because he truly does love his cousins Kalli, Hanna, Izeck and Macie!  He loves to spend time with them and go to Lagoon and Cherry Hill.  But my favorite part is how he said before he stops writing....snow!  Well, I guess when he's older he can live in SLC but his mama is going to stay right here in sunny St. George!!!

Cooper's Baptism

Cooper Is Getting Baptized!!! 

If you would like, please join us on this special day!!

Talk About Sweet!

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. Cooper is the sweetest kid I know! On Wednesday Cooper came home with a birthday party invitation that was being held at Jumpin' Jacks. He was really excited and nervous about the whole situation. Why? You would ask yourself. What kid wouldn't be so super excited to go to Jumpin' Jacks with a bunch of his friends? Well, my sweet, tenderhearted, thoughtful, eight year old Cooper.

Jumpin' Jacks is one of Charlee's favorite places to go and Cooper was sad because Charlee wasn't invited. He didn't want to hurt her feelings and go without her.

The day of the party rolls around and I asked Cooper if he was going to the party. He looked at me in a serious face and said "No, I don't want Charlee to feel bad because she can't go. I will stay home with her instead." Oh, I do believe Charlee has the BEST big brother ever!

Happy SPOOKtacular Birthday Cooper!

My Cooper turned EIGHT! Can you believe it? I have an eight year old! And, a GREAT eight year old at that! We had a Spooktacular Birthday Party full of Frightful Delights for his party!

The "Spooky Swamp." Totally cheesy I know, but this was a hit! My dad stood behind the sheet and the kids tossed a fishing line over and he hooked all kinds of Halloween goodies to the line and tossed it back! They kept asking if they could play again, and again, and oh yes, yet again! So cute to see kids being kids!

"Marry the Ghoul." We had three rings and each kid took a turn to try and get it on the Ghoul's Ring Finger! If they did...they WON 10 pieces of candy! Whoever made it on was absolutely over joyed because they got way to much candy! Sorry parents!

"The Pumpkin Patch." Here they had to toss ping pong balls into pumpkins! This one was a little to easy for them...but they still liked it. I think it was because we gave them lots of candy if they got all three ping pong balls in the pumpkins!

"Donuts on a String." This was hysterical! I thought since they were young kids I would use the small hostess donuts! Well, I shouldn't have "thought" anything! These kids had NO problem sticking those donuts in their mouth...WHOLE! I was laughing so hard watching them try and swallow a powdered donut...practically choking. Serves em' right for stuffing the WHOLE thing in! Geesh, where's their manners?

Cooper had such a fun time! I am still in shock that he is EIGHT!

Cooper, you are such a wonderful young man. I know sometimes it is hard being the little guy. I know you struggle with people always asking "Who's older? You or your sister?" I know you can't wait until you grow and are taller like the other kids! But, I want you to know that no matter how small you are, you are the most amazing EIGHT year old kid I know! You are so sweet and kind, everyone wants to be your friend. You are funny and have a great sense of humor. You know how to laugh and have fun, but you also know when to be serious and respectful. You are sensitive and in tune with our Heavenly Father. You know how to make good choices and be an example to others around you, including me. I watch you with Charlee and Griffin. They are SO lucky to have such a super, awesome, cool, PERFECT big brother. You are their protectors, you watch out for them, you stick up for them. You are the big brother that everyone wants and needs. I know you are ready to be baptized and be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know you are so excited to be baptized! I know that it is hard being the man of the house, but you do such an excellent job. I know you miss Dad and want him home...not only to relieve you of your "man of the house" duties, but you need him! You have gone through so much in your eight years of life. Most kids have never and will never experience some of the things you have. But, you have not let those trials and experiences hold you back, you have taken them and ran with them. You have done your best in all you do! I am so proud of you. I know your Dad is so proud of you! We both love you so much. Happy Birthday Cooper, I Love You!

It's NOT Funny...But It Kinda Is!

My day....

1. Charlee wakes up, she doesn't feel good...she is going to throw up.

2. YUCK!

3. Around noon she is feeling better.

4. Get ready to head to the Raptor Romp.

5. Cooper tells me he doesn't feel good.

6. There are too many people there.

7. He is nervous.

8. I tell him to get down there and perform.

9. He runs back, "Mom, I Am Going To Throw Up!"

10. And..... he does....in front of EVERYONE!

11. Rush him out of the way, using his shirt as a catch all.

12. DOUBLE YUCK!

13. Gather up everything.

14. Come home.

15. Started the day with throw up, might as well end with it too!

And so is my life.......sigh.........sigh........sigh!!!!

Sweet, Sensitive, Thoughtful Cooper

I must say I have the sweetest, most sensitive, and thoughtful seven year old on the planet! Why? Well, the story goes a little something like this.

Yesterday was rough. Church starts at 9:00 a.m. and I try to get there early to set up a table to promote Enrichment Night and activities. Normally I like to try and be out the door by 8:30 - this gives me enough time to load the kids, load the stuff, unload the stuff, set up the table, unload the kids and get them to primary...yes, there is much loading and unloading! So, we didn't get out the door until 8:45 and in my book, WE ARE LATE! And, I don't do LATE. (Don't get me started on being late...that is another post all in itself!) Surprisingly enough, I get everything taken care of ON TIME and I am feeling pretty good about things. I have just a few minutes to get the kids out of the car and into primary when someone "says something" and totally hurts my feelings. Yeah I know, sounds childish, but I do have feelings and they do get hurt. I walk out to the car doing my best to hold in the tears, but didn't make it to far. Cooper sees me crying and is insisting to know why I am sad. I told him not to worry about it, I was okay and to go to primary.

And the church day continues.....

We get home and Cooper is still persistent. He wants to know why I was sad. I told him someone said something that made me feel bad, but I was okay. He apologizes and gives me a hug and then wants to know WHO it was. I told him it didn't matter, it was over with and just to forget about it.

Conversation with Cooper later in the day:

Cooper: "Mom, what time do you wake up in the morning?"

Me: "Around 7:00 so I can get you guys up and ready for school. Why?"

Cooper: "Because I am going to get up early, I have a surprise for you."

Me: "Okay! (with excitement)

And that was that. I didn't hear anything else about it the rest of the day. We go to bed, I go to sleep and I am sleeping pretty good - I was stinkin' tired!

Alarm sounds at 7:00 a.m. and I hit the SNOOZE button, I needed a few more minutes...eight to be exact! Then all of the sudden I hear a shuffle and a soft whisper "Mom. Good morning!" I open my eyes to see Cooper and Charlee standing by my bedside holding a plate of breakfast. I sat up with a smile, looking down at what they so sweetly made me! An Eggo waffle with syrup, a Dove chocolate on the side and a can of Coke! (I would have taken a picture because it was so adorable, but Charlee managed to break my camera...yep, she's in BIG trouble!)

I don't think it gets much sweeter than this! I truly have wonderful children! Thank you Cooper and Charlee for breakfast in bed!

Just A Little Flashback....

Okay! So I am in my bathroom blow drying my hair, Griffin is at my feet playing with whatever is in the drawer. I look down to see Griffin holding my flat iron with the biggest, happiest smile ever! It was then that I experienced my FLASHBACK!!!

When Cooper was around two years old and Mike was gone to Basic Training for the Army, my little man Coop LOVED my blow dryer. He carried it around the house, played with it, took naps with it (it was then I cut the cord off!) and even had to take it in the car and to the store...sometimes even daycare! Kind of strange, and I am totally happy he grew out of the phase!

I know I have a picture of it somewhere.....???

Is my little Griffin going down the same path...Only with the flat iron instead? If so, I had better go buy a cheap one cuz he AIN'T carrying my Chi around!