Learning lessons

At the McDaniel house, we are getting REALLY excited for the holidays. Not only do we get to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, we have birthdays and anniversaries sprinkled in as well. As Brad and I prepare for the temple, I am super emotional about the smallest things. I try to hold it in, but sometimes I just cant.
This month in primary we have been learning about serving others. This week, the primary president stood up and said that she has really been trying to teach her daughter, who is around the same age as Bostyn about serving and giving. She said a quote that really hit me, and made me emotional........ I decided Bostyn could learn from this as well.
"There's always room on Santa's list when you think of others first".
I know that I especially get wrapped up in my kids, and giving to them and sometimes let the Christmas spirit pass me by. I hope this year things will be a little different.
This morning I talked to Bostyn about giving a Christmas to other children who might not get presents. She said that Santa would take care of them, and we shouldnt worry. But, after a little convincing she came up with a good idea, or so she thought...... she is open to giving some of her old toys to other children. I guess we still have some work to do.......

St George, Annie, and Zions

This last weekend we were able to go down to St George for a little weekend getaway! It was so nice to get some sunshine again and spend some time away with the fam. We left on Friday morning so we got there in time to eat our FAVORITE, In N Out. Then, that evening we were all able to go see Annie at Tuacahn. I thought Bostyn was a fan before, I KNOW she is a fan now! She, and the rest of us, have been singing all of the Annie songs since we left. It was really AWESOME!!!!! I am a sucker for live theatre as it is but they did such a great job re-creating the movie.

The next day we were able to go shopping and I got some really cute stuff for the kids. Then we made cookies and watched the Utes kick some butt! We were so close to Vegas, my dad, brother and Brad were tempted to go to the game but opted to hang out with us and the kiddos.

On Sunday on our drive home Brad got his way and we stopped and hiked at Zions. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!! There is just something for me about being with family outside in the nice weather that just gets to me. In the beginning Bostyn was against the whole hiking business. I am not sure where she gets that from, ;). After we got going, she was so fun! She sang the Annie songs with a mix of you are my sunshine to keep us and all of the other hikers entertained. She found lots of treasures along the way and even planted some of them, hoping to get a treat when we return. Thanks Brad for making me o things that I dont CHOOSE to do! I love my family so much and I am so happy we were able to make some fun memories!!!

lots to blog about BUT.......

our laptop is broken. Well, kind of. Bostyn decided she lieks to do "numbers" on it and I think that nanny must have decided to let her dance on it one day. Needless to say, I have been a horrible blogger. Once it is fixed there is going to be some major overload.
Brads birthday, Fynns 6 month pics, Bostyns preschool program, 4th of July in Oregon with Ar, Kenny Chesney, adn LOTS LOTS more!
Some of the things that have been going on in our lives...
1. The kids are still the cutest ever!
2. Bostyn is starting dance and preschool early September and is so excited.
3. We hired a new nanny, just last night! LONG STORY!
4. Fynn is a little monster and can get all over our house, yes even up the stairs!
5. Brad and I are almost officially ready to go through the temple. just set the date!
6. Life is just busy as ever!
7. Our transmission died on our Volvo, so the VW with 116K miles on it is now the old reliable.
-- cant wait to get it fixed, thanks dad!
8. Looking for a new car, any suggestions would be great. Looking for something SUVish with a 3rd row for our growing family! (no that isnt an announcement, too soon for that!)
9. We still LOVE our fun neighborhood and all of our fun new friends!
10. LOVING every moment that I get to spend with my beautiful little kiddos, and my WONDERFUL husband!
Hope everyone is well, and cant wait to get all caught up!

One of the most special days......

I know this has been a while ago, but I am going to post all of my old pics and get caught up, so stay with me, :)

On March 1, 2009 my wonderful husband, and Fynns outstanding father gave him a name and a blessing. It was one of the most touching things I have ever heard, and I have never been more overwhelmed at what a great companion I have to be with FOREVER! I knew that he was so nervous, and wanted everything to come out just right. This is something Brad believes strongly in and KNOWS that whatever blessings he and the Lord bestowed upon our son would be cemented into him forever. I know that Fynn will grow up to be all of those things and so much more. He is such a sweet little guy and is ALWAYS so happy. It doesnt matter who it is, Fynn can always get a smile out of anyone (even complete strangers). I am so grateful for the decision Brad has made to get him where he is today. I have loved him since the day I met him because of his strong personality and motivation to succeed in all things, once again he did it. This makes me even more excited to be sealed as a family and have him and my children with me always. Thanks for all of you who came and supported us. Thanks to my mom and sister who helped (took over) all of the stress for the day. It was GREAT! We love you Fynn, and are so thankful you are here in our family to enjoy all of the McDaniel adventures.

We're back!!!! And there is lots to post about. Where to start.....

I guess we'll start with Easter, and these will be all out of order! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Easter time. I love the changing weather, the happier attitudes people seem to get with it, and the all around reason we celebrate Easter. With Brad and I preparing to go to the temple this Easter meant alot more to me!
About 2 weeks before Easter, they had a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny at the Mall. We took the kids, and they had so much fun! They even had a little breakfast so we started our day off right!

We started Easter out with a scavenger hunt. We had candy leading downstairs for Bostyn and then in Drews room the Easter Egg scavenger hunt began. At each stop there were gifts from the rabbit himself. Some of them included bikes, a wagon, toys, and of course candy! The kids had so much fun! By kids, that includes Brad! We stayed up until 2 am preparing for the festivities. I am glad we did, we laughed so hard coming up with the clues. One of my favorite parts about the holiday was having Arlee home from Oregon. I miss her so much!

Then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Williams where there was an egg hunt and more baskets! My parents always go overboard. It is so fun for me to see what they prepare for the kids. My sister (from Vegas) sent her 2 kids up so they were there to join in the fun as well. The night before we dyed Easter eggs there as well! Good thing Brad, my mom and Arlee are so patient because well, I would have lost the Easter spirit!

Next, we headed to my cousins house (on a farm) for a MAJOR egg hunt! My aunt outs it together and it is better than any community hunt I have ever been to. She gives them all baskets and hides 15 dozen eggs. we got some fun pictures there as well!

After all of this we were pretty worn out! I am thankful that we have been so blessed! I am overwhelmed as I think about my family, husband, kids, religion, friends, and how much this all means to me especially during this season.

Happy Birthday to my SISTER!

My sister and best friend (next to Brad), turned 25 on March 22. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AR!!!!!!

We just love Arlee. I always tease Brad and tell him he got 2 wives for the price of 1, and boy has he been feeling the truth of that lately. Arlee moved up to Portland for work a few weeks ago. We miss her so much!!!! She used to help so much with the kids, and always joined us in the evenings for our favorite shows, dinner, and of course a good laugh. She got to come home this weekend for her birthday and it was SO much fun! Bostyn was so excited to see her, and Fynn surprisingly acted like he remembered her. She is such a good sister, and in her high maintenance way, still so giving. She came home with surprises for me. She got me this cute headband from nordstrom that I have wanted FOREVER, and took Bostyn to Build-A-Bear on her own birthday. Then, was forced to share her birthday song and celebration with Bostyn because she was convinced it was her birthday since Arlee had gotten her a present. Of course Arlee gave in and shared her special day with Bostyn.

Arlee, I just want to tell you how much we love and miss you! I know that it is hard to be away...... but now we have an excuse to go shop all day when you are home, and no one can complain! I cant wait for your next trip home. Until then, smile, shop, call me, and shop some more. Oh, and update your blog... you slacker!!!!

10 of my favorite memories with Arlee:

1. Our semi-annual shopping tip to Oregon (no taxes) :)

2. Pulling each others hair while driving 35 mph down Wendover Boulevard

3. You singing R E S P E C T to me after I told you that you should respect me because I was your older sister.

4. Sitting up late into the night with you when you had your halo on trying to make you comfortable.

5. Our late night talks and getting caught up on reality TV.

6. Crying on your shoulder when I had postpartum with BOTH kids.

7. Decorating both of our houses!

8. Vacationing to Florida, California, Oregon, San Francisco, and all the other fun places we have been together.

9. Saturday shopping!!!! There never has been enough time for that.

10. Sluffing to go get Burger King breakfast in High School!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARLEE!!!!! Thanks for being so great! I cant wait for your next trip home!

A Healthy Breakfast??!?

Lately Bostyn thinks that just because she is a BIG sister that she runs the McDaniel home. I constantly have to remind her that she is still a little girl who needs to use her manners. The other morning we were deciding what she was going to have for breakfast and she told me that she had it taken care of. Next thing I know, she has chocolate milk in one hand and spaghettio's in the other. She was dead set on having this as her first meal of the day. Arlee was there and encourages Bostyns already free-spirited mind. After much convincing she ended up with scrambled eggs. Oh what the world would be like if children were in charge.

How come....

My little Fynns breath smells like cream cheese. I LOVE it, but isnt it so weird? I love to just give him endless kisses, it just makes me want to eat him. My sister and mom used to just think I was weird but now they can smell it too! Does anyone else have a cream cheese breath child? I am sure it is just the formula. One more fun fact about this little boy. I just love him and his cream cheese breath so much!

Grown up Tag!!

Kamerin tagged me a while ago, and well I am just getting to it. I am getting so behind again.
Grown Up Tag
RULES OF THE GAME:
1) Each player answers the following questions
2) After answering all the questions, the player tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves a comment letting them know they are tagged!

10 years ago we were: I was just graduating from high school and headed off to Snow College, where, little did I know I would experience the most homesickness EVER! Brad was working at Discover, enjoying being single, and had his first son Drew in '99.
5 things on my list to do today: 1. Wash all of our bedding 2. Paint the fireplace 3. Take pictures of the kids. 4. Upload all of my pictures and attempt to blog about them 5. Do something fun with the kids!
10 Things I would do if I became a Billionaire:1. Take my family on an extravagant trip 2. Put up our fence 3. Buy new cars 4. Build on to our house, cause I love our current house and the location. I wouldnt want to be anywhere else. 5. Put money away for the kids' college 6. Give all of our immediate family members a million dollars 7. Choose one random family and pay off their house and all of their debt. Buy a vacation house/yacht that can be sailed all over the world 8. SHOP 9. SHOP 10. SHOP
3 bad habits:1. forgetting how blessed I really am 2. Being pessimistic, this doesnt last for long because Brad is such an optimist 3. Procrastinating
5 places we've lived:1. West Jordan, Utah 2. Wendover, NV 3. Wendover, UT 4. Ephraim, UT 5. Orem, UT Brad has lived in California Travis Air Force base, Murray, UT, Salt Lake City, Utah
Something most people don't know about me: I have a slight case of ADD (at least I feel like I do). I get sidetracked very easily, especially while I am cleaning.
5 jobs I've had:1) Waitress 2. Dental Assistant 3. Student 4. Investment Consultant 5. MOM
People I tag...1. Brinley 2. Christine 3. Stasha 4. Arlee 5. Aimee 6. Jessica

painting, decorating, and carpentry work, the kids' rooms are FINALLY complete!

I know I have been promising pictures of the kids' rooms. We finally got them done, and I must say they are rather cute! I had a really hard time choosing the theme for Fynns room. Brad is so great and just went along with whatever I wanted to do. It brought back memories of getting Bostyns nursery done. I came up with this extravagant plan to paint plaid on her walls. He really tried and it just didnt look right so my sweet husband re-did the whole thing. This time I made sure of what I wanted to do before we even started and it made things much easier. It was alot of work but I am so pleased with how it turned out. We painted the top 1/4 of the room with a light blue color and then did a red rail with pegs in it underneath that. I have hung red stars of all different sizes to match the sheeting from the pegs. I also got a steal of a deal on a Navy Blue Rug from Pottery Barn Kids. It was originally 200.00 and I got it for 30.00. I know, I am addicted! Finally, I found this trike and I thought that it would look so cute in his room until he can ride it. Thanks Santa for coming through on that one.









When we found out we were pregnant with Fynn, I knew that we had to get Bostyn out of her crib. Well, than and she was going to be 3 years old. :) We looked at beds but they were so expensive and there werent really any that I loved. I finally talked Brad into re-finishing our old bedroom set and we would get a new one. After approximately 70 hours of sanding, painting, re-sanding, re-painting, and sealing the set it looks absolutely wonderful! My husband is so talented. I found the cute flower picture hangers and Brad painted them and made them work as drawer pulls. Arlee and I painted all of the cure little decorations to match her bedding. Then, I came up with the idea to paint the vines on the wall to match her quilt. My friend Mindy drew it on the wall, and my talented sister painted them. My mom made the wondow cover to keep the sun out while she takes a nap. GENIUS... you would think she ran a daycare for 25 years or something! :) Bostyn loves her new room and her HUGE bed, every night when she says her prayers she thanks Heavenly Father for her pretty room. I also love how it turned out. Thanks to everyone who helped, and enjoy the pictures.

Fynn is 2 months old

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." I cant believe our little prince has been with us for 2 months. He is still the best little baby, and such a joy to have in our family! I am so overjoyed with him and dont know how we ever felt complete without him. We went to the Drs for his 2 month checkup. He weighs 12lbs, 13ozs, He is 25 inches long, and is looking FANTASTIC!!! He received his immunizations, well most of them. Apparently, the manufacturer of the HIB vaccine went on a month long vacation. I KNOW, UNBELIEVABLE! The Dr. wanted us to wait to get this shot. First of all, I couldnt stand not having his immunizations complete, and second when I asked her to tell me what it was exactly for, here was her description: "It is a nasty fatal bacteria that infects teeny tiny babies." Well, I decided I wasnt going to wait. I asked her if i could just go to a regular clinic, she helped us find a few places that might have it. I called around and a few of them did but expressed urgency in getting in because they were almost out. They all closed at 430 and we was downtown. We rushed to the one in West Valley, and boy were we in for it. First of all, the receptionist reminded me like 50 times that they close at 4:30 and that I needed to hurry. Then, the waiting room was filled with sick kids, most without shoes, and looked like they hadnt had a bath in 2 weeks. I was so irritated. This was the last place that I wanted to have my brand new baby, and curious 3 year old. Brad was with me and just kept giving me a look like, is this okay? Needless to say, we got the shot, and I hope that the manufacturer never decides to go a long vacation when I have a baby again. :)

After that, we decided we should celebrate at Red Robin. Brad wasnt feeling well, so Arlee joined Bostyn, Fynn, and I. Fynn slept the whole time, but Arlee, Bostyn, and I enjoyed ourselves and dove nose first into a chocolate malt. It was delicious.

Fynn, thanks once again for choosing to be a part of our family. You are such a sweet tiny baby, and I already can tell you fit right in with us. I love when I talk to you and you give me a BIG smile! You are also learning to talk and coo. It makes me so sad that you are growing up, but I guess I cant stop that from happening so I will just be happy for the milestones you reach. Sorry if I sometimes make you wait to be fed or have your diaper changed, its just that you have a high maintenance 3 year old sister. I love you so much, more than you will ever know. Thanks once again for being the best son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew we all could ask for!

When I grow up I want to be a.........................

CLOTHING DESIGNER! I was cleaning upstairs today while Fynn napped and I went into Bostyns room to this. Normally her dress-ups are all unorganized and thrown into a bin which is easily accessible by her. Not today, she decided that she would match everything up. She found all of the shoes that went with the outfits, and the ones that had jewelry were lined up there as well. She was so proud of it and told me which one each of them was and even wanted ME to try them on. What a sweetie, she completely disagreed when I told her that I wouldnt fit into them.

Honest Scrap... thanks Holly!

Honest Scrap

The Rules:
1. Post 10 honest things about yourself along with the award picture.
2. Pass this award onto 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.
3. Have Fun!

1. I am super curious and interested in what is going on in the lives of people I know and love. I guess we all are, and that is why these blogs are becoming so popular.

2. I have a problem....... I love shoes and jeans! You can never have enough of these two things! I think that I have even turned my little Bostyn into a jean girl. She has a few pairs of true Religions and she loves them! I can blame this love of hers on Arlee, she started it!

3. I have another problem.....SHOPPING! I absolutely love it. For me, my husband, kids, ANYONE! I love to go browse through stores, find good deals, and cute clothes. Sometimes, if things are cute enough, they dont even have to be a good deal! :)

4. My sister Arlee is and always has been my "BEST FRIEND"! We are so close and I can tell her anything! I hope she feels the same way. Although she fuels my shopping habit, I still LOVE her! We can hang out and do absolutely nothing and still have the time of our lives! How lucky am I to have her as a sister and a friend! Thanks for everything Ar, you're the best!

5. I have another "best friend" Holly! She said is best in her blog that although we dont see each other too often, when we do things are still exactly the same! She has been there for me through some of the best and worst times in my life! Thanks Holly, love ya!

6. My parents are the BEST! They have shown me what unconditional love is. They have of course seen me through everything in my life and through it all have still loved me! :) My mom is so easy to talk to, and I cant go a day without at least a brief chat with her. She can always cheer me up and knows just what to say! My dad is such a genuine person. He would do anything for anyone and lives life to the fullest! Love you guys!

7. I married the most handsome, helpful, giving, cheerful, humble, tender, hard-working, smart, confident, compassionate, loving, sarcastic, witty, wellspoken, responsible, excellent, ideal gentleman in the whole world! I absolutely positively LOVE Brad and the kids with all of my heart! Sometimes I just sit and wonder how in the world I am so lucky!

8. I LOVE reality TV! It make sit even better when Arlee, Brad, or Holly like them as well because then I have someone to discuss all of the happenings with. The bachelor just started and I am already hooked! Also, right after it was over, they premiered a new show called True Beauty and I like it also! Oh know my life is being taken over by TV. I guess I also love DVR!!

9. I live in Utah, and hate the snow! It is okay for about 5 minutes and then I am sick of it! It looks gross after all of the cars have driven through it and made it into a sloppy mess. It is a pain dragging kids through it. It makes you freezing cold, and you have to shovel walks. The only good things about it is the cute clothes that I get to wear.

10. I have the cutest kids ever! I know, I know... but it said to be honest! ;) I love my kids and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to send me these 2 sweet little spirits to teach, raise and love! Brad and I are seriously lucky! And since I am being honest... my kids are lucky too. Afterall, they do have the best parents ever!

I am giving the Scrap Award to Brinley, Stasha, Debby, Emily, Brittany, Kristy, and Arlee!