Summer 2010

In July Greg had to go to a training in Utah. My friend Megan's husband was also gone one weekend, so we decided last minute to make a trip to Sea World. It was a fun weekend.

The kids posing right in front of the park.

The kids were tired of walking so we had all of them sitting in the stroller. It was quite funny!

Madi begged for cotton candy all day, so we finally got them a bag.

The kids are soaked from the dolphin show. But still smile for the picture.

Madi's favorite thing at Sea World is the touch pool were she likes to pet the star fish.

What a fun day, but it ended on a sad note. That afternoon I got a call from Greg saying he was coming home because his grandmother had passed away. So that next day we drove home to meet Greg and then we turned around a few days later and headed to Idaho for the funeral. On the way we stopped in Utah and saw Emily and Scott. We went to the dinosaur museum in Thanksgiving Point.

Madi kissing the dinosaur.

The only picture I have of Emily. Greg loves to pull faces in pictures. (Nice one Greg).
This was a fun museum, the girls can't wait to go again some day.

The funeral was very nice. We had fun with Greg's family in Idaho Falls. We wish we could have met on different terms, but it was a great week.

A picture in front of the falls.

A few weeks later it was Megan's birthday. A few of us went to a resort on the strip and stayed up all night swimming, talking, eating and playing games. It was so much fun.

Megan with her birthday cake.

Every summer we get free passes to the Lied Children's Discovery Museum. The girls were excited to go, so the morning after Megan's party we went over there.

Payton in a bubble.

Payton blowing bubbles.

Madi fixing a car.

We spent a lot of time with Tara and Megan's kids this summer. Here we are at the pirate water park.
It is so sad that the summer is over, but it is a relief to be back to school and in a routine. Until next summer...

Sea World

We ended the summer by going to San Diego. We went to the Wild Animal park, Sea World and the beach. I forgot to bring my camera into the Wild Animal Park, so I only have pictures of Sea world and the beach.

Here we are waiting for the park to open. As we waited here a women came up and gave the girls each a stuffed animal. She said that she couldn't bring her grandchildren to the park, so she wanted to buy a toy for our girls. We were so surprised. Payton loved her doll and carried it for the rest of the day.

In the shark tunnel at Shark Encounter
The girls loved the Sesame Street play area. We went 3 times that day.
Payton in the tubes.
We sat in the last row of the bottom section in the Shamu show. Here is Payton hiding under the bleacher screaming because Shamu got her wet!!

Madi watching the dolphins
Madi petting a starfish.
Payton petting a starfish.
The girls digging at the beach.
Madi took the picture for us!
The girls at the end of our trip. It was fun to get away for a few days!

Payton's Big Day

With the start of the school year, it brings the birthday of my little red head. Payton turned 5 this week. Yesterday we had a fun Princess and the Frog birthday party for her. I can't believe my baby is 5 and in kindergarten. She is such a sweet red head and I can't wait for what the future holds for her. Love ya Payton!!

Pizza and salad lunch

frog cake

Madi enjoying lunch

Payton posing while she dances to the music

"Kiss the frog" game

Blowing out the candle

Tiara Pinata

Payton's Ballet Recital

Payton has been doing Ballet since last September. She has had her first big recital. I was afraid how she would do, but she did awesome! She sang her heart out and danced all of the moves. She was in her element! Here are a couple pictures and a couple movies. I am sorry that the movies are not the best. But, it is all I could do with my mini camera!

This is the only picture I have with Payton almost all clear. She is the second on the left!

Payton's mermaid costume!

This is the "Kiss the Girl" costume

I had to volunteer behind the stage one night, here is Payton and I wasting time back stage!

Payton and her class

4th of July 2010

We had a great 4th of July weekend. Greg was able to have a four day weekend, so we started out Friday by going to the temple. Then Saturday we stayed home most of the day. On Sunday we went to church and then had a couple friends over for a barbecue and we went and saw fireworks. Then Monday we spent all day swimming and eating yummy barbecue with our other friends. I am so sad that it is over. I am so grateful for such wonderful friends!

The kids playing with snap its!

Madi with a sparkler

Payton with a sparkler

Wagon ride to the high school for the firework show

My little family, my husband thinks he is so funny!

The kids waiting for the fireworks!

Man, can you tell it's after my bedtime?

Madi enjoying the fireworks!

Swimming at Megan's house!

Madi and Megan

Madi is getting so brave in the pool! Go Madi!

Cricut

Last summer I was introduced to and had fun using my mother-in-laws Cricut. So, I decided I wanted one. On Black Friday I found one on sale. I was very busy and didn't even open the box, until my friend Angie came over this Spring and helped me set it up. Since then, I have had the Cricut out for every occasion. I can pop out a card in ten minutes, or I can sit for hours and make card after card. I am not the most creative women in the McClellan family, but I do my best.

Here is my kitchen during the card making process.

Here are some of my end results.

Making cards is my new favorite past time. I also have used this for school bulletin boards and table decorations. I love my Cricut!!

Spring 2010

It has been a while since I last updated my blog. This Spring has been a time we spent as a family. Here are a few highlights from the last couple months...

Payton graduated from preschool. She loved her time at UNLV preschool. She misses it so much already.

Payton and her teacher, Miss Robbi

The boy to Payton's right is the boy Payton loves. His name is Adam. Adam does not like her though. Tristan likes Payton. He is the boy behind her right shoulder. (She has kissed both boys on the playground at school.)

Payton graduating

My birthday was so fun. The kids picked out these flowers for me. I got my Nook, which I LOVE!! and we spent the day as a family.

We went to the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage.

The place also has tigers, lions, alpaca, and jaguars.

Here are two of the dolphins

It has been an emotional time for me. Madi has finished her first year of school and Payton starts Kindergarten next year. My kids re growing up!

Madi receiving her certificate from the principle.

My little Madi holding her certificates

This is not all the highlights from my Spring. We were able to go to Phoenix and visit family. When we were there, Greg got really sick. He went to the Urgent Care and found out he had strep throat. After telling the doctor what medicines to prescribe him, he was on a very slow recovery. The next day I was outside with the kids and my in-laws (Greg was on the couch the whole weekend) and Madi slipped and fell on her face, then she immediately rolled into the pool. There was blood EVERYWHERE! My wonderful sister-in-law helped me bring Madi to the ER. She got 4 stitches in her face. That was almost four weeks ago and she still has a red nose, but the scar seems to be healing well.

We thought we would be moving this summer, but we have decided to stick Vegas out for another year or so. Greg is being put on orders to work in the Las Vegas Armory to fill out paperwork for injured soldiers. He will take the GRE soon and apply to the University of Phoenix to get his Masters in Counseling. It is crazy how things end up. I am really happy to be staying and teaching another year at my school. We are grateful for the last three months we were able to spend with Greg.