This Royal Family Continues to Roll with the Punches

As many of you know we have had to begin to explain things to our kids at an age you never hope to have to start. The term for today was layoff. That's right DHL did their layoff and the Salt Lake team including Burke was effected. So Burke is making the transition to stay at home Dad, fortunate for us he will continue earning salary and bonus for a time to come. So with this large change comes laughter that kids bring. After explaining to not only Danika, but Mary, Willow, Pepper and Copper the difference between fired and layoff we received a call. From Mary letting Burke know that they are hiring a janitor at her school and he can get a job there. Kids are sweet and helpful (as Mary was 100% serious, she thought it would be great to have Burke at school) for now though he will adapt to the stay at home dad.

Asserting her Independence

As of the last month Mckall has definitely started asserting her independence. For example the toddler bath tub and high chair have gone by the way side of the trash can. One thing about this princess is that when she makes up her mind she is very determined. For example when she decided that she was not going to sit in her high chair there is no bending/manipulating/forcing her into it. She has also taken to being exactly like her "Sis". When Danika brought out her backpack to show her Nana and Papa Mckall was at her heels with her own backpack saying "I go school". Even though it was 8 at night Mckall didn't care she was headed to school.

Thank you!

As most everyone knows by now (and if you don't you may be living under a rock, do you have room for more?) my company/job is going through very turbulent times right now (to put it mildly). I will say that in the past week I have learned about things I never thought would come about, I have worked very hard, and am tired both physically and emotionally. As with every major change nothing is for sure yet, only time will tell. As I hope for the best I will keep you all updated, but that is not the reason for my post. I wanted to thank everyone that has reached out to see how we are doing and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Some of you I have not spoken to in years and I definitely have to say in a time of stress and sadness it was phone calls from all of you that made me smile and realize just how much worse things could really be. I have my husband, princesses and dog, things will be fine (just not sure what shape when we are done). Thanks again for all of your calls, cheering up and jokes, I really do appreciate it. Thank you!

Busted...

It is definitely true that as kids get older they get smarter. Especially the case with Princess #1 (she may have been born knowing it all). Last night in the car we were driving to the movie store and she said "Mom did you see that cute little dog." I replied it was really cute (having not actually seen the dog, but I am sure it was cute). She instantly said "You are driving and your eyes are on the road, you couldn't have seen it, you lied." Here is where the smart part comes in.. "What color was the dog," she asked. I responded with White, no it was Black and I was done for. Lesson learned, even white lies will be caught be your children starting as early as age 4. We proceeded to the movie store where darling (she is anything but darling right now, she is in a tornado phase) princess #2 picked out another Care Bear movie. She must really like the Care Bears right now because the last month every time she gets to pick a movie it has been about the Care Bears. Well I guess I know what kind of Birthday Party to begin planning for her.

P.S. Kami - You would be proud I have updated pictures, all of 2005 is now on my smug mug site and I will began working up to 2008 soon! (I'll keep you all posted on my progess, as you all know current pictures are my weakness).

Bear Lake Adventures

Well we packed up the kids, boat, clothes, food, toys, (OK you get the picture) and headed to Bear Lake again this year for Labor Day. The girls have become great boaters over the summer. For example I no longer have to wrestle Mckall to the ground to get her life jacket on, she actually buckles it herself. Danika is jumping off the swim deck and swimming in the water. Not to mention she and I went on our first tube ride together while at the lake.

Despite the weather forecast we still got three good days of boating in. Thanks to Pepper who decided to introduce the family to the wake skate we had a new toy to try out. It looks just like a wake board, but with no bindings. Needless to say I was slightly (and Burke totally) skeptical of just how to get up and more importantly stay on the wake skate. Well Pepper figured it out and then we all took a turn on it, however Pepper and Pep were definitely the stunt masters. Burke definitely is getting better at the wake board, giving the boaters some jumps to ooh and ahh about. However it is slightly more difficult experience for Burke to get up when I am driving the boat.

The only downside of the trip was when poor Danika got her finger smashed in the cabin door (the wind blew it shut). The impact was so hard it completely smashed the finger nail off (OUCH)! She cried when it first happened but since then has been tough, so hopefully it grows back quick.