Weekend Escape

We recently informed everyone that Bretts job out here fell through. When we found out we quickly listed our house with a realtor and started looking for jobs. Brett has applied for jobs all over the Northwest, but the ones we're most interested in are in Montana and Washington. He has interviews scheduled and will be flying out to visit some of these hospitals in the next month. On Monday we got a job offer from a hospital in Michigan. They made us an offer that would be very difficult to refuse, but Brett has already agreed to interview with some other hospitals, so we are going to try and keep an open mind going into those interviews. It is really nice to know we already have an offer, and its a really good one.
We listed our house a week and a half ago. The realtors came over and gave us the unfortunate news of how much we could get for our house. Before the realtors left we gutted our house of any family or religious pictures, unwanted furniture, or items they felt added clutter. Our house looks so empty now, but atleast we got a jump start on packing. They also left me a 3 page list of things to clean, fix, remove, rearrange, etc. I'd always thought I was a fairly clean person, but by the time they left I felt like the worlds biggest slob. I have been working on their list for the past week and finally yesterday we were able to have them come back to take pictures for the MLS. Its weird how taking down family pictures can make your home feel like its just a house.
The past week has been very stressful as we've been trying to get our house ready. Last Friday was our 5 year anniversary. For our anniversary we spent the weekend in Battlecreek, MI. We stayed at a hotel with a pool. McKinley loved swimming in the pool with her dad. I debated letting Annabelle get in, and I even brought her suit, but I changed my mind once we got there. The next day we went to the Binder Zoo for opening weekend. We had a lot of fun. Its not near as big as the Detroit Zoo, but its clean and has a lot of shade. It was a great weekend, and it was nice to get away from all the stress for a little while.
I can't believe Brett and I have been married for 5 years. I feel like the luckiest women in the world. Brett is such an amazing husband. He is so good to me. The past 5 years have been wonderful. I have a lot to be grateful for. I have 2 cute kids and an amazing husband. I would claim that I have the best husband in the world, but I don't know how I would prove that. So what I will say is that I have the very best husband for me. Nobody could love me and appreciate me the way he does. He makes me feel special and happy every day. In my book he is husband of the year every day. Love ya Babe!
It was such a beautiful weekend. The weather was perfect. We tried to spend as much time outside as possible.


On Sunday we were outside trying to soak up some sun. Brett and McKinley decided to see if they could bury each other in the grass. Meanwhile, Annabelle was hiding in the shade under a hat and layers of sunscreen.

Annabelle was able to discover sunshine, fresh air and grass. Usually when we are outside she is covered in her carseat. I think she enjoyed being outside, but its hard to tell by her confused expression.
I love having relaxing weekends together as a family. Especially when it's so pretty and warm outside. We'll keep you all updated on the job situation.

Easter and Family Fun

We were able to celebrate Annabelles first Easter on Sunday. Since we have 9am church we told McKinley the Easter Bunny wasn't coming until after church. McKinley was so excited about having the Easter Bunny come.


McKinley loved everything the Easter Bunny brought her. Afterward she kept telling me "That Easter Bunny is so Nice."

Annabelle didn't get near as excited as McKinley, so McKinley went through Annabelles basket for her. Annabelle got one of those Bumbo chairs for Easter and she loves it.
We had some of our friends come over for dinner and then we had an Easter Egg hunt for all the kids.


McKinley made a haul. As you can see from the picture, she was picking up the eggs 4 at a time. We are going to have Easter candy until next easter, Oh well! :)

McKinley recently decided she is a beautician. If you sit still for to long she'll plant herself behind you and start putting bows in your hair. She is always fixing my hair. Yesterday Brett came home from work and had to do some work on the computer, so McKinley decided to give him a makeover.

He's such a good sport. Secretly I think he enjoys it. Afterward McKinley told him that he looked "Bootiful".

Aren't they cute?!! McKinley sure does enjoy her Daddy time.

I've been desperately trying to get a picture of Annabelle smiling. She actually smiles a lot, but whenever I pull out the camera she get shy.

Then she gives me her "Are you kidding me?" look.
Finally we caught a glimpse of a smile with the camera. It's not one of her big beautiful smiles, but beggers can't be choosers.

My girls are so stinkin cute!... if I do say so myself.

Farewell Michigan

Over a year ago we signed a contract with one of the local hospitals. They offered us a sign on bonus if Brett would commit to work for them for the next 2 years. Brett will be graduating this August and then we were going to stay another 2 years working. There was a couple of times in the past year that we debated leaving and going to work somewhere closer to home, but we didn't feel right about backing out of our contract. We had become comfortable with the idea of staying for a few years since we had a home, friends, and a life out here in Michigan. About 2 weeks ago we heard that the hospital was going to hold interviews for their job openings. Bretts job was one of the jobs they were hiring for. On Monday we found out that they ended up hiring another person from Brett's program to take Brett's job.
When we first found out we were really irritated. I think I was more upset about how he lost his job than that he lost his job. By the end of the evening we were both starting to feel okay about the situation. We know that things will work out the way they are supposed to, and we've decided that maybe Michigan isn't were we are supposed to be. Brett has been applying for other jobs, most of which are in Washington and Montana. We have another 4 months before Brett graduates to find another job, and to hopefully sell our house. We are a little nervous about how we are going to sell our house that fast. We will keep you all updated on when and where we are going. Keep us in your prayers.

Attack of The Nurse- Part 2

A few months ago I shared the story of McKinley hitting the nurse in the hospital. When I was in the hospital having Annabelle McKinley became really concerned and over-protective towards me and Annabelle. She ended up hitting one of the nurses because she thought they were hurting me. Well, we now have another nurse attack story. Last week we took Annabelle in for her 3 month check-up. Annabelle did so good while the doctor was checking her. She weighs 12lbs and 1oz and her height is 24 3/4 inches. When it came time for her immunizations I told Brett that he needed to keep McKinley busy, because I knew she would get mad if she saw what they did. I was with Annabelle while she was getting her shots. As soon as they gave her the first shot she started crying, and by the time she got her second one our concerned little McKinley was standing there watching. I picked up Annabelle and she quit crying almost immediately. When I looked over at McKinley I noticed her eyes watering and she was almost crying. I showed her that Annabelle was okay and told her that she would be fine. McKinley's look of concern instantly turned into a look of anger. We've seen this look before on occasion. It's the "I'm going to hurt someone" look. She turned around and located the nurse and then started stomping towards her with her hand up in a fist. I knew this was going to end badly and quickly got Brett's attention. Luckily, he was between McKinley and the nurse and stopped her mid-swing. The nurse turned around and smiled at McKinley. She had no idea what bullet she had just dodged.
McKinley and Annabelle love each other so much. Whenever Annabelle sees McKinley she gets so excited. McKinley always wants to hold and kiss her. I love having girls. Its been so much fun to watch them interact with each other. They are such a blessing.

Idaho Vacation

Me and the girls arrived back in Michigan on Monday, after taking a 2 week trip out to Idaho to visit family. It was great to see everyone, but I decided 2 weeks is way to long to be away from Brett. We all missed him like crazy, especially McKinley.
While we were in Idaho McKinley and Annabelle were able to spend time with a lot of their cousins.

We spent some time with Brett's sister Jennive and her cute little boy Mason. Mason almost weighs as much as McKinley and he is 6 months old. He has the cutest chubby cheeks you will ever see. I can't wait until Annabelle and Mason are old enough to play with each other.

It was fun spending time with the Maxfields. They had all sorts of fun surprises for the girls. McKinley had a lot of fun playing with Grandpa and Uncle Tom, while Annabelle got cuddled by Grandma Maxfield. Thanks for the good food and good times Grandma and Grandpa Maxfield.
While we were in Idaho we were able to spend some time with our good friends the Kraus family. McKinley loved playing with their little boy Logan. I just wish we could have spent more time with them.


What Crazy Kids!
We stayed with my parents while we were out there. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed all the late night soaks in the hot tubs, McKinley enjoyed playing with all of her cousins, and Annabelle loved all of the one-on-one attention. I think both of my girls are going to go through withdrawls now.

My kids have the best grandparents.

They also have the best Aunts and Uncles. My little brother Spencer was always so cute with both of the girls, and so willing to help me with the girls at any time.
If I was to pick who McKinley will miss the most from Idaho, I'd probably have to choose her cousin Madison. McKinley played with Madison everyday.

Morgan was so cute with Annabelle. Annabelle would always smile when Morgan would talk to her. However, I think I'm going to miss my sister Deidra just as much as my kids are going to miss her kids. It was so nice to spend time with my brothers and sisters. I love my family!
We were able to celebrate some birthdays while we were there.

We had a big party for my Grandma. Isn't she cute?

We were also able to get a 4 generation picture with Annabelle.
The day before we left we celebrated my niece Savannah's birthday at Green Canyon.
Going to Green Canyon has always been one of our favorite things to do.
I really enjoyed being able to spend so much time with my family. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us crash at your house. We had a great time. Love you guys!