General Conference Weekend Traditions

First off I need to give a HUGE shout out to my wonderful husband who let me get away for 2 days and go scrapbooking! I had a WONDERFUL break from my kids and I got to scrapbook to boot!! So I was gone from Thursday night until Saturday evening--it was General Conference Weekend and I really ENJOYED being able to listen without distractions to Saturday's sessions before heading home to a sick Kaitlyn.
As a side note, I talked with a fevering, seal coughing Kaitlyn Saturday morning and tried to smooth the waters by explaining to her on the phone that because she was sick she may need to rest in a different room from the rest of the family for the day. She BURST into TEARS!! "But Mom! I HAVE to watch Conference!" Who is this kid?!?!?! My kids LOVE Conference, we make it fun with bingo cards, games identifying the Prophet, his counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve.


But Sunday I was home and we were in Conference Weekend Tradition mode. Here's what we do at our house:

#1: I ALWAYS make Cinnamon Rolls to enjoy!

#2: We build a tent like the people in the Book of Mormon who listened to their dying prophet, King Benjamin. Usually the tent is constructed such that we can see conference from it, we had to watch on the computer so that didn't happen, but we constructed it anyway.

And Dad even got in it and enjoyed "napping" with Lindz and Sam!!

All in all, we really enjoyed conference and all the powerful messages taught there! Can't wait to review the counsel in the Ensign next month!!

An Evening with the Lewis'

We hadn't seen the Lewis' for a bit so we invited them over for dinner. These are my kids waiting "patiently" for them to arrive....

"Guys, what are you doing?"

"Caught you!!"

And when they got here, Kaitlyn enjoyed holding her baby cousin Elenore! so sweet!

It's official, #4 is on the way

(ULTRASOUND PHOTO COMING SOON--computer is having issues)

We're THRILLED to announce that McKneely #4 is officially on it's way. Official due date of March 31st--I guess my body just really likes being pregnant at this time. KP was born April 1, Sam was born April 12 and with Stephen's birthday April 16th let's just make the party a bit more rowdy!!

I'm almost 13 weeks, through my first trimester. This time it was fun to keep it a bit of a secret for a little while. But we told our kids this morning so the secret is no longer safe.=)

My belly is poking out a bit earlier than usual--I guess when you've already had 3 your muscles are tired and get back into the same old routine. =) I'm over the feeling sick and being exhausted part so that's great. Now it's to the in between wardrobe issues.=)

An "BRIEF" Story

So Sam is not potty trained for #2 yet. We've been working on it but he's just not ready. We've tried EVERYTHING but he's just going to do it when he decides he wants to. We've even been wavering a bit on going #1, which he so can handle so for the last week or so we're back in a focused plan getting at least #1 mastered and hoping that we'll get #2 eventually. We're saving $$ on diapers and I'm practicing patience.

So we're into day #3 of focused intensity potty training. Sam has a diarrhea type diaper. (what timing right?) I'm rinsing it out in the toilet when I start to wretch and dry heave. I flush the toilet to get the smell gone and I accidentally let go of the underwear. Shwoop! They're sucked down the toilet. Sam's favorite Red Diego Underpants are in the toilet plumbing. I tried to reach down with my hand but their further than I can reach. So that's totally a Stephen job to tackle when he gets home.

I do have the forethought to try and rummage up a snake (plumbing tool not an animal) from a friend to assist my tired and handy husband later that evening.

Stephen gets home from work, Sam's at the dinner table and he announces, (complete with hand motions by the way--hands open and in front of him enphatically punctuating his statement) "Dad, something really bad happened today. My Diego underpants got sucked down the toilet. But we got a snake so you can go get them out."

Needless to say the pants were not so far into the plumbing and with some elbow grease (thanks hon!) and a plunger we were able to flush them out of the system. We then checked the other water appliances further down the water line of the house and so far so good.

But now Sam is in mourning that he can't have his pants back--we haven't explained to him that he really wouldn't want them back at this point. I've assured him that there are no animals under our house that will get them, and I'm sure that they'll bring a smile to the sanitation worker who finds them.

Kindergartener Kaitlyn

The day has finally come, we have a child in regular, everyday school. It's week #3 and she's LOVIN IT!!

First day of school was a bit hectic as it's new for all of us. We have to get up earlier than usual (which I thought was early before!!)

A healthy breakfast of left over cinnamon rolls, a banana and milk.

We had a new backpack and lunch bag packed and ready to go! I know you're shocked that she chose pink.

Say c-ya to big sister!! Loading up the car with all the kiddos (thanks to my friend Kim who took the younger 2 for about 30 minutes for the first few days while I could focus on just KP)

Olson Elementary is a BRAND NEW SCHOOL this year and so it was new for every parent too--mass chaos in the parking lot both for the drop off and pick up. We were almost late getting there as we had to park quite a ways away. We could walk them into their classroom (it's the only day they allow that--after that it's into the cafeteria to wait with their class for their teacher)

We found her desk, (at the green table next to a sweet girl) did a worksheet, mom had to do a couple things and then I said to Kaitlyn, "It's time for me to go." She whispered, "I'm not ready for you to go yet." I said, "Okay I'll go stand by the wall for just a minute." After a minute I walked over and said, "It's time for me to go, I'll be back to get you after school is over." "Okay mom." Hugs and kisses and I was out the door! (totally shocked by the way!!)

Now on the 3rd week of school, I am amazed at her growth. For a few days I walked her with 2 in tow into the cafeteria to find her class and wait with them. After about 4 days I suggested that she could walk into the cafeteria by herself and say good-bye to me at the door. On day 5 she wanted to try it. We did that for a couple of days and then I suggested that she could find the cafeteria by herself from the door of the school. She didn't think she could, so I asked her to show me the way and see if she could. She could and the next morning she announced that I could leave her at the door of the school. Then after a couple days of that she announced that I didn't need to escort her to the door, I could just drop her off in the carpool line and she could find her way along the sidewalk into the school and to the cafeteria where her class waits. We've done that for about 2 days now and I have to admit it makes me more nervous than her. I always sit and watch her until I can't see her anymore just to be sure she's made it. I can't believe how independent she's become and how she instigated it! What a girl!!

STAY-cation part 3

So we had yet another Dinner party on FRIDAY night too-this time with Aunt Rachel and her boyfriend Nick, Laura's dad came again and we ate AMAZING HOMEMADE PIZZA!! I know our group ate 4 larges, but I am still craving some and can't wait to make more.

Friday didn't get any photos taken, we played at the pool--Sam had a scare when he fell through a tube and wasn't wearing his floaties, but he's recovered.

SATURDAY also was another day of water fun but this time at NRH2O! We'd never been to a water park with the kids. Stephen was busy helping some people at church move and my options were either to stay at home with the kids or go with the whole McKneely clan (yup, even Grandma, Grandpa, Joey and Sarah were going--along with Uncle Doug, Aunt Debbie, Mary and Katie!!) to have some fun.

I was really busy keeping track of my kiddos so I didn't take the opportunity to snap some pictures, but my mother-in-law did and I will try and snag some of hers to put HERE.

I was surprised at how well my kids did. They were amazing at trying new things. Sam and KP did and loved the water slides, trying the smallest then going to the next biggest, then the next--so long as they went with an adult. At one point Sam pointed up to the sky at the largest one that is typically only for adults and said he wanted to do that one next!! KP LOVED the wave pool and felt very confident once she had a life jacket on. Lindsey's just a fish so she loved all of it as well. And I am so incredibly grateful for all the cousins that volunteered and happily followed my kids around the park letting them have the fun--it's so selfless of them and a HUGE help to me.


We left shortly after lunch so we could get in good naps because our Day wasn't over!!! We had purchased a great deal of Family Pack Tickets to see the FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS (minor league baseball) that night for the 7:00 game. I need to brag on this deal just a bit. $30 for 4 tickets to the game, 4 baseball hats, and 4 certificates to eat at McDonalds--DEAL right?

Our kids LOVED the baseball game. They had "fun crazy stuff" (KP's words) after each inning that was as entertaining to them as the game, and they learned some of the rules of the game. Lindsey loved dancing to the music in the isle and she shrieked with pure pleasure whenever this big bird looking masco came onto the field. Kaitlyn loved learning what to shout and when (CHARGE!!) and when to clap. Sam liked watching the baseball men hit and catch!

Being Silly

Being as normal as can be expected!

We'll do this again for sure! All in all, our stay-cation was a HUGE sucess. So glad for all the fun memories!!

STAY-cation part 2 (the Dallas Zoo)

So we doubled our house occupancy and things were wild and crazy and FUN!! Last week was 1/2 price all week at the Dallas Zoo and we decided to head out!!

To add to the excitement we took the DART down to the zoo because it drops you off RIGHT THERE. Plus because of the DART passes (which we also had to purchase) we got an additional $1 admission to the zoo. Our family got in for $13!! What a steal huh?

We were quite the crew! 4 adults, 2-5 year olds, 2-3 year olds, a 1 year old and a 5 month old. When we got there we met up with Stephen's sister Rachel and Stephen's two cousins Katie and Mary. They were a HUGE help!

It was so HOT!!! Seriously, we stayed really hydrated, found airconditioning to eat our picnic lunch and enjoyed a spray bottle regularly! Our last stop was this splash pad for the kids and we got them all in their swimming suits and I just soaked my feet--it felt good!

Around 2:00 we were totally pooped and headed home. But not before a wonderful ride on the carolsel!! All 3 of my kids LOVED it! Kaitlyn rode on the most beautiful horse, Sam rode a gorilla and was standing right by Lindsey and I don't remember but I think she was on a Rhino or a Hippo!!

We'd seen amazing animals--the Gorilla was right against the glass of the observation deck and we sat and watched him awhile! We saw elephants and giraffes, Rhinos and monkeys, Tigers and crocodiles, Birds and lemurs--we were FULL of animal fun.

AND it was time to go home and get dinner ready for Aunt Laura's family to come over and hang out! I am so excited to finally have a home that can host get-togethers like this! Fun!