Seven Years:)

On the way up to the top of the mountain

Proof about the whole toilet thing-we are big dorks and we know it:)

We were literally in the clouds

A few weekends ago Chris and I were able to go up to Flagstaff and celebrate our seven year anniversary. It is crazy that it has been that long because it seems like yesterday we were newly married and living in our little shanty apartment. He is still my perfect match and I am so lucky to be linked with him forever. When we arrived Chris was feeling nostalgic so we visited NAU and walked around and I got to see where some of his old classes were. That night we also went up to the Lowell Observatory which was interesting if you like space(the film they showed made me want to take a nap). But, we did get to see Jupiter through the telescope which was impressive. The next day we went up to Snowbowl and did the Skyride and at the top of the mountain I used Arizona's highest toilet-impressive I know. We actually got rained on the way down and right before we got off it started to hail. It was crazy because at home it was like 102 degrees and in Flagstaff it was like 60 with hail-it felt really nice. Later that day we both got massages which was so nice especially with being pregnant. To top it all off we saw Julie and Julia that night which means that Chris really does love me:) Of course I saw one of his movies the next day. It was a glorious little vacation and I'm so thankful for my parents for watching McKenna for us. She of course had so much fun with everyone but was excited to see us when we got home. Probably the last time we will have a vacation to ourselves for a while, so I cherished every moment of it:)

Summertime

       

Very cool ensemble                                                           

                                                   Great Grandpa Braegger's Crazy Birds

Playdate with Avery at the Lagoon

Rylan and McKenna having fun with dress up

Putting all of her animals night night with blankets:)

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I haven't been very good at updating my blog lately. I don't really know why just caught up in life I guess. I have had so much fun this summer with McKenna but I will admit that I am looking forward to being able to venture outside again:) I signed McKenna up for a messy art class this summer which she loved and a dance class which she had a love hate relationship with. Both were offered through the town and were pretty decent for the price. We also have had the opportunity to swim a lot. McKenna finally decided that she would wear her floaties and she has developed a new sense of confidence in the pool. Of course, now she thinks that she can swim, but we will continue to work with her. McKenna's beloved pacifier was taken away about a month and a half ago and she did really well. Only whined a little bit and now when she sees that a baby has one she will insist that the baby needs it. (Next step-toddler bed in about a month and then potty training-any tips would be greatly appreciated:) We are singing a lot these days, especially, Old McDonald and Wheels on the Bus. It is amazing how fast kids develop and grow everyday. I am still enjoying my time working with the YW-I will be very sad when I am released because it is seriously been such a joy to work with the amazing girls in my ward. My pregnancy has continued to go well-starting to realize we don't have too much time left and it is both exciting and nerve racking. We have an ultrasound next week which is always fun and reassuring at the same time. Chris and I will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary on Sept. 6th and it feels sort of surreal. It dosen't really feel like it has been that long and I still feel so lucky and blessed to be with him. (Good thing:) He is wonderful and he is even ready to be surrounded yet again by another girl-

Solana Beach 2009

Smiling with Elmo and Zoey

Last night we were there-beautiful

Posing with Papa and Grandma

One of my favorite pics-so cheesy

With Aunt Erica and Avery

Aunt Becca had just spoiled her with ice cream

I look really pregnant here:)

Same cheesy grins

Posing with Daddy

The tigers are sleeping. They go night night

This was at the wild animal park-it was cut off

My pretty butterfly

At the 3-d Sesame Show at Sea World-she loved it:)

Being goofy with Papa waiting for a 10 dollar hamburger

I see Bruce-every shark was Bruce from Finding Nemo:)

We recently just got back from our week long vacation near San Diego and it was heaven. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time seeing and spending time with our family. Chris and I kept busy though taking McKenna to Sea World, the zoo, and the wild animal park. It was great being able to be outside and active since I feel like we have been hibernating at home. McKenna loved Sea World. She loved all of the animals, especially Shamu or Hamu as she lovingly called him. She actually took a nap in her stroller while we were there and it was great because when she woke up it was time to go and see Elmo and she literally freaked out. She ran away from us and kept going back to him and finally when I told her it was time to leave she told me no, I seeing Elmo. I had to send Aunt Jessie in to carry her out. The wild animal park was kind of a disappointment. Too much walking and not enough to peak any interest. We did go on the tram through the safari and that was the highlight of the day. The San Diego Zoo was beautiful and the animals did not disappoint. We were able to see three tigers huddled together sleeping-one of the cutest things I have ever seen. A panda was out and about eating bamboo and it's funny because when you ask McKenna what a panda bear says she will say "hiya" (from Kung Fu Panda for those of you that don't know:). McKenna was really looking forward to seeing the hippo but it wasn't cooperating but the polar bear made up for it. He was right up at the glass playing with a ball and McKenna just chased him up and down the glass following him-it was pretty neato. The beach there was cold. Chris got in the last day there I just got in to my knees. McKenna I think was trying to make sense of it and she decided that it was okay on the last day to get in and then run away. Also, some big news as many of you know McKenna could care less about smiling for a picture. But, on this trip for some reason she started to care and we have some great pics of her showing her pearly whites:) We were sad to come home especially when we drove through Yuma and it was 110 but I think we are acclimated now. My ankles did swell a little on the ride home but I think it was lack of movement and the sudden surge in temp. So far this pregnancy has been great and it was weird because yesterday I passed the half way mark-only 20 weeks to go until we meet little girl #2:)

Well Chris and I found out that we are having a girl and I could not be any happier. Here a few of my ultrasound pics- my favorite is when she has her pinky up to her mouth. I think she is going to look like McKenna but maybe with darker hair-we will see. On Saturday I will be 20 weeks and officially at the half way mark. Crazy how fast it has all gone by. Chris was able to feel her the other day and that was fun for both of us since I have felt her for so long and now he can share in the experience. I am so happy that McKenna is going to have a sister and hopefully she will be as close to her as I am to my own sisters. I was also very excited that I won't need to buy much of anything for little girl since she will get all of her older sister's hand me downs. Now Chris and I are considering names and we are just so excited:)

Minnie Party and Party Hats

Happy Girl!

Blow Blow

Kicking in the Water

I got it

Babba Babba Umbrella

Puzzles from Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Derrek

New Big Girl Bed from Nana and Papa Braegger-we won't use this until we need to:)

I need googles

Minnie and Mickey

Well McKenna turned two this past Saturday and she was so excited for the day to actually get here. Everyday this last week she would wake up and ask Party? She chose Minnie decor for her party so everything turned into a Minnie Party. She busted out the party hats a few days before hand and wore them for longer than what she did on her actual birthday. Chris and I made the cakes- a Minnie and Mickey cake and I think they turned out super cute. Not bad for two novice cake makers. McKenna was super spoiled by all of our family and she was so serious when she was opening her presents. All she kept telling me was I do it until she got to her Elmo live and then she only wanted to see that. Another popular gift was a Yo Gabba Gabba umbrella from Grandma and Papa Wright-she is obsessed with it. From that point on she could have cared less about the other presents and then she proceeded to tell me mommy do it. -Gotta love it- She enjoyed blowing out the candles and then told me over and over yummy cake and icecream-she ofcourse asked for more. I wonder where she gets her sweet tooth? I can't believe she is two it has gone by so fast. She has become so independent and it is fun to actually have a conversation with her. It is hard to think about life without her. She told me the other day after I got her some cheese Thank you Mommy Love you and I almost started to cry-she is the best and I am so lucky to be her mommy.

Guess What... I'm Pregnant:)

It has been really hard not to share the news for so long but I am finally far enough along where I feel okay to share the news. We are going to be adding to our family on Nov. 21 and we could not be more excited. McKenna insists that the baby is a sister and Chris and I kind of feel the same way. Not that I would be disappointed if we had a boy, I just feel like we are having another girl. So far things are going well and we should find out in about a month what we are having. Pics are not very clear but you get the idea.