First Day of School 2011

As always summer has to come to an end. But, with the new school year, means many new things. Payton is now in first grade. She was very scared on the first day because it wasn't until then that she realized that she would not be in the same kindergarten class. She was very upset and we barely squeaked out this smile.
Madi, of course, loves every thing and everybody. She was so excited for school to start and is loving her 2nd grade teacher and class. she has her hands up because she wanted to show off the blue nails.

Here is a picture of all of us. Madi told Greg that I was going back to school also, so I get a back to school priesthood blessing. It was very nice to get the blessing and I was not nervous about the start of the year at all.
Payton did not want to be in the pictures, so she took a picture of the family.

Summer

When you ask the girls what they did this summer, they will tell you they watched TV. I was horrified the first time they told someone that. I mean, as a teacher, I should be ashamed. But, it was the truth. This summer was very low key. We went to the free Regal movies, story time at the library, and we went swimming a lot, but we also took daily naps and watched a lot of TV. The reason we were lazy was because I have been so tired. I also was taking a graduate level on-line class in order to renew my teaching license. The class was a 6 week course and I spent 15 hours a week on the class.

In July we did go to Washington to see Greg's family. We spent a week over the fourth of July. It was a great week of swimming and spending time with the McClellan family.

In August I found out that I have gestational diabetes and the umbilical cord has a vain on it. This means that I go to a specialist twice a week and I am on a strict diet. I have lost 5 pounds since I started the diet. But, with the twice weekly ultra sounds, we can see the baby is roughly (as far as the doctor says) is about 6lbs 5 ounces. That was at 36 weeks. I am now 37 weeks and split between the wanting to have this baby TODAY! and wanting to wait for a few more weeks. I am so over going to the doctor twice a week. I go through so much gas in my car, I pay a copay every time I go in, and the girls come with me and sit in the appointments. The girls are so good!! I can not complain, I just feel bad they have to sit in the office with me for hours at a time. But, on the other hand, it would be nice to have him stay in for a few more weeks, so I can get things ready at school, the substitute that I have lined up is going to be out of town the last week of September, and open house is next week. So, for now I am just trying to make it through one day at a time and hope that when little Iain does decide to come, we will be ready. Which reminds me, I haven't packed my bag yet, I should really do that...

Here are so pictures from our great trip to Washington.
Our drive to Washington, the nothingness of Northern Nevada!

The girls and cousins watching intently as the boys set off the fireworks.

The fireworks were CRAZY, but we survived!
Payton with her face painting from a work picnic
Of course Madi chooses fire=)
Larry and Jody enjoying their ice cream.

Super Hero Story-Time

We went to the local library and attended the Super Hero Story-time. It was a lot of fun. The kids heard stories, danced, sung songs, made capes and masks, and even leaped over tall buildings.

The Circus

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus. I had purchased the tickets way back in April and I completely forgot about them. (Thanks to my pregnancy brain!!) I realized it the morning after the day we were suppose to go. When I realized it, I called my mom bawling. (Thanks to my pregnancy hormones!!) My mom took pity on me and bought us tickets to go the next day. We had a lot of fun. They had a pre-show that we were able to go down and participate in some of the activities. Thanks mom!!

Waiting for the show to start

Madi walking the tight rope

Payton walking the tight rope

Payton and Madi each got a clown nose

An elephant who eats bread and paints pictures

Payton had to get a stuffed toy. She calls it Ellie.

My Crazy Life

Well, life has finally come to a slow crawl. I got very sick in January because of this pregnancy. I was sick for a good ten weeks and am just beginning to feel like I can clean my house and make dinner. Being sick, working full time, helping the girls, etc. was extra hard on me. More so then when I was pregnant with Payton and raised Madi on my own while Greg was away on duty. This pregnancy has been completely different. My thyroid has been off for 5 years, but being pregnant has changed how many times I go to see my endocrinologist. He wants my thyroid to be hyper, so I feel like my heart is racing all the time. My progesterone was so low, they told me that the baby should not have survived the first few weeks. But, now that is OK; and then I as told that my placenta had implanted itself on the front of my belly, so now I have to worry about it moving higher then 2 inches above my cervix or I will have to have a c-section. I know that it will be OK, but I only have sick pay for a normal delivery. I have faith that things will happen how it needs to be, so I try not to think about the blade cutting me open. Aagh! My back has been killing me and I tire out super fast. I guess that's what I get for being 6 years older then the last time I was pregnant.

We found out that the baby is a boy. We are leaning toward calling him Ian Brewster McClellan, but we do not want to spell it the old American way, Ian. We have researched different ways to spell it and have come up with Iain or Eoin. The girls are very excited for the new little addition to the family. They can't wait. Payton keeps asking when her birthday is, not because she is excited to be 6, but because she knows the baby will come then. Madison keeps talking about how she wants to hold and feed the baby all the time. I am glad the girls are the age they are at. I know they will be big helpers.

Another school year has ended. Payton finished kindergarten and Madison first grade. They both did very well in Academics. Here they are receiving there awards from the principle.

Christmas Break 2011

In the McClellan House we had a very relaxing two weeks off. We started the vacation off with going to see the Bellagio water show and conservatory. It is a very common Vegas pastime, that I love, but don't do very often. No offense to tourists, but I don't like them. Anyway, we braved the cold and people and went and saw the pretty flower displays.



We heard two songs, a Christmas song and a classical, it was perfect.


We ran to the Sephora store between water shows. We had to cross the street to get there. As we were at the stop light waiting to cross, a billboard on wheels stopped right in front of us. Madi looks up at the "direct, women to you" billboard and says really loudly "WOW!" I immediately tried to direct her eyes to the Paris' Eiffel tower instead of the three nearly naked women on the billboard. She wouldn't have it. Well, needless to say we are going to be very careful next time we are on the strip.

On our anniversary, December 22, we drove to Phoenix to see Greg's sister and family. It was so much fun. Stephanie watched our girls for us as Greg and I went out on the town for a night and day. It was good to be away from kids for a short 24 hours. We then spent lots of quality time with the Eaton's. We made candy trains, went shopping at Last Chance, played dominoes, words with friends and ate lots of food!! I love Stephanie's cooking.

Can you guess what this red and green thing is?

It's french bread. I went to the grocery store to buy some french bread for a breakfast casserole for Christmas morning. I only found this red and green bread. I went to the baker and inquired what it was suppose to be. She said it was french bread. I asked her where the regular french bread was and she said that this was it. So I bought it and sure enough it did taste just like regular french bread. Who would have thought?!
The girls get pj's every Christmas eve. Here are their cute pj's.
The girls each got a bike for Christmas.
Madi got her bubble bath that she wanted last year!!
We had to run back home the Sunday after Christmas. Greg had to work, so the girls and I spent some time with friends the last week. One of the days we went to M&M world. It was so much fun. They actually updated it quite a bit.


Waiting in line for the 3D movie!
Then we headed over to Coca Cola World. We sat and drank Cokes and Sprites. (Daddy wasn't very happy that Madi got a Coke, but hey this is only her 2nd one in her life. She survived.)

The girls were so cute, they said cheers to every person who walked by. Everybody loved it. I was a little worried when a couple teenage boys took a picture though. I guess somewhere in Asia there will be a picture of the 5 girls on a guys camera. I just don't want to think about it to much.
Well of course with M&M's being $13 a pound at M&M world, we didn't want to buy them there. We headed to Sam's Club and found the Christmas M&M's on sale for $4.95 for 56 ounces.
The New Year's was great. The girls went to a friends house for a few hours while Megan and Tyler McHenry came over. We played games until midnight. We drank sparkling cider and then finished our game before going to bed. The next morning we went to Krispy Kreme, which is a tradition in our family. I was sad to go back to work, but hey, I know Greg and my pocketbook are happy! I hope everyone had a great Christmas like we did!