The first five people to respond to this post will WIN

something made by us!

Our choice.

For you.

**Please read the fine print.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. we make no guarantees that you will like what we make!

2. What we create will be just for you and will completely help you feel our honor and gratitude.

3. It'll be done this year.

4. You have no clue what it's going to be. We are pretty crafty people, so who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5. We reserve the right to send you whatever it is we feel most excited to make and deem suitable for you, our loyal blog reader....and a word of caution:

6. Don't expect something expensive, we are students near starvation! But, we do have quite a scope for the imagination. ;)

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. ...We'll be checking! :)

Talan...Talan...Talan

This post is devoted to Talan! His imagination has gone crazy, and I love it! I keep wishing I would write down all the cute things but I never seem to do it! It's fun you can talk to him almost like any other adult-and he responds in almost complete sentences ;) Lately he has been having imaginary people. When we were playing with his horses and dinosaur there was an imaginary "horse doctor" and today he had an imaginary brother that was going to come over-his name was Henry! He has done great going the bathroom and has been able to wipe his bum all by himself, he's doing a pretty good job. A couple days ago I was in the kitchen feeding McKenna while Talan was going to the bathroom, he wanted me to come see him and then he walks out of the bathroom and says he is a "chicken." The sight I saw: Talan walking out with his pants off, sticking his bumby out and shaking it with toilet paper sticking out his bumb like a rooster!! He kept shaking it and saying he was a chicken! So it sounds pretty bad but it was really funny!
This is a picture of Talan with my swim cap on, he thought it was really funny!
Talan is all about trying to make funny faces! Here is his most common face!

If were not making faces then we are building. He starts off with building the cabin or "spaceship" and then you incorporate the trains. He continues to be amazed by space ships and planes. After watching Horton Hears a Who now he imagines we are on a little planet...called "Planet Who"

With the cold, cold weather we try and have "play dates" sometimes to have some interaction. These are a couple of Talans buddies, Henry and Gunner. The gate is to keep the babies-McKenna and Jack away from the train track! The weather has been beautiful with the bright sun, but very, very, cold! Talan loves to see the sun and then says, "it's a good day mom" It sure is a good day but really, really cold with the wind. When it is really windy he says it is "a hard wind." To get some of the built up energy out we have gone to Arctic Circle and played on there new play structure and today we went to McDonald's to play-he had a great time!

2nd Swim Meet-complete!!

Last Friday was my second meet, and I survived again. This week I competed in the 100yd freestyle and 200 freestyle relay where I only have to swim 50 yrds. Knowing I was swimming the 100 the night before gave me butterflies all day!! I can consistently swim 75yrds but 100 I usually stop for a second, or two...or three! Well...I did it! My goal was to FINISH! My time was well...slow to say the least but I wasn't too far behind the last person. For you swimmers my time was 1:51...ok you can stop laughing ;) This just again means I have room for ALOT of improvement! Some days I will have to admit I do not want to go to practice but as always when I'm done I'm glad I went. Swimming is definitely not something that comes natural to my body. This is probably one of the hardest things I have ever done! I am so glad the support that Scotty gives me and the encouragement-it has been great to have such a challenge every week! Our next meet is this Friday...I'm anxious to know what events I will be in?? Oh..I am also going to be trying a mini-triathlon the school is putting on!! I am very anxious and nervous mainly for the swimming section. I say mini because we swim 400yds, bike 6miles and run 2 miles... a little short from a sprint tri...

Happy Valentines!!

I hope everyone had a special Valentines day! Today was a little different for us. Scotty last minute headed to Reno Nevada yesterday morning to go to a large construction conference that had a career fair today with over 50 construction companies. He said things went really well he felt the trip was worth it! Well, Talan loves it when we decorate with streamers so of course we have new hot pink streamers across the ceiling and as most of you do the table is all decorated red, white and pink with heart confetti, balloons, fun plates and table cloth...McKenna got a new pink stuffed animal dog and Talan a mini lego set that makes 3 different planes! He loves it but it may be a challenge keeping all the small pieces away from Kenna-we will see how long it lasts. Talan was so excited when he woke up to see everything decorated. I wish I was able to get some pictures but Scotty has the camera so we pulled out the video camera (which I wish I did more often!). Talan helped me make this new recipe I found called Caramel Apple oven pancake...it was so good!! I ate probably more than half-sad but true! After breakfast we played and then decided to venture to the cheep theater and watch Bolt...I was a little worried taking the two kiddos by myself-I haven't taken Kenna to a move since the summer. She actually didn't do too bad. When there was about 30 min left she started to get really antsy so I stepped out but Talan did great. It was cute he would come out and check on Kenna and I to "see how we were doing" ;) I told Talan he could pick out dinner and his choice...mac n' cheese with hotdogs! It's been along time- and actually I was a little excited-it hit the spot oddly enough! It was really sweet a couple families from the ward brought over yummy sugar cookies and valentines for Talan.

Journaling

McKenna has become quite the talker/babbler! A couple days ago we noticed she was saying "whats that?" We ask her that alot and she caught on. Yesterday I was getting a drink for Talan and she got all excited and kept asking, "Whats that?" Then I told her what is was and she said "oh" with her lips in a perfect circle...it was precious! So we as parents may be the only ones who know what she is saying-but it's cute ;)

Yesterday between preparing all our paperwork for taxes and playing with the kids Talan looked different to me...he is becoming a true little boy that is growing up! It's been so fun to see his creative imagination! Lately he is all about Super Hero's (because he is one and will only wear super hero underwear!) and space ships (he wants dad to draw them constantly and fly paper airplanes that are space ships that fly to the moon-the moon is our living room light!). He of course still wants to build everyday with his lincoln logs, legos and have the train tracks go through and around his buildings! Talan has started asking why, whats that....the questions that can sometimes drive me crazy all the time!! Those little minds are so curious! He loves to play with his friends and really likes to show them how to do things-draw, build...

McKenna's 1 yr Check-Up

Today McKenna had her one year check-up. She received 5 injections...poor girl! But she did great! Here are her stats:

Weight 16.4 lbs. 1%

Height 26.5 in 1%

Head circumference 16.8 2%

BMI 16.4

So as you can see...she is still quite little compared to others. She is only in the 1-2 percentile! But she eats way more than Talan-go figure! Our kids don't have much hope looing at their short parents ;)

25 Random facts about me

I was asked on a different website to do this and thought it was a little interesting so I thought I would share...
This is alot...we will see what I come up with!
1. I hate washing my face at night...I know I need to do it but I rarely do-hense the zits!
2. I love to read, doesn't mean I have time for it. This is a new thing in the past 5 yrs...I used to hate to read!
3. I love peanut butter-Adams Natural Crunchy!
4. I am not a big fan of chocolate...crazy I know!
5. My favorite color to wear is black
6. I love chick flicks-pretty much anything I am not much of a critic
7. I am a calorie counting fanatic...it's not crazy, I'm just aware!
8. I don't listen to CD's often . I like the randomness of the radio.
9. I really like audio books for those long runs!! Especially when I 'm not on shuffle ;)
10. I enjoy cooking now that I plan ahead!
11. My hair is naturally red-I probably will never dye the entire thing until there is too much grey to cover with highlights!! Hey maybe I'll go natural-all grey....
12. I don't mind cleaning toilets but I hate cleaning the floor
13. I miss school sometimes, but I love my job as a dental hygienist
14. I cannot sing-but I like to try
15. I'm not a big fan of dogs...I hate it when they lick me...but I do like gizmo and fletcher especially after their bath!
16. I love excerise-running, eliptical, swimming, cycling...i cannot wait for the ice to melt!
17. I love playing with my kids and wish my husband was always home!
18. My favorite color is red
19. I like to sleep with the window open and a down comforter year-round
20. I've lost 45 pounds since having my baby girl!! YA!
21. I like to get dirty
22. I love camp fires especially with friends
23. I want a simple life...easier said than done sometimes
24. I'm a pack rat...just ask scotty
25. I went through hunters education class when I was like 10 yrs old? (or sooner??)

Strawberry Jam

Talan has always been such a good eater. He eats avocados, oatmeal...almost anything-but he doesn't eat very much...he's our little bird! Lately his favorite thing is Low-sugar Strawberry Jam!! He wants it on EVERYTHING! He also has recently loved green salad and dip the lettuce into ranch or at least that was until two days ago when he wanted to dip his lettuce in jam-yes, jam...he has dipped a mini corn dog in his jam as well as adding jam to celery like I do peanut butter. I am sure like everything else this phase will fade...

I can do it!

As most of you know McKenna turned "1" last Friday and well...she doesn't roll over from her back to stomach without some encouragement! Don't get me wrong it's been a blessing in terms of her sleeping. She lays on her back in the crib and kicks her legs and talks to herself, then falls asleep. Today after her nap I heard her talking to herself and then suddenly I heard her mobile music on which meant one of two things her legs kicked it and turned it on which she has only done once in the whole year or she sat up and turned it on! So I rush up to her room and there she is standing at the side rail talking away!! We were so excited for her!! Until bed time...she laid down great like normal and then soon enough I here her crying awfully-and there she is standing up! I am excited for her to roll over on her own free and will now...but not too ready for this new adventure!

A bad day!!

Yesterday...Sunday-I thought started out great. Scotty had a meeting at church and wasn't sure when he would be getting back before church so I thought I better get ready early and start getting the kids ready so we didn't feel so rushed. The morning went great! Kids were both in good moods and we were all able to get ready and scotty came home earlier than we thought ;) For once I didn't feel rushed to get to church. If you know me I tend to be a little bit of a procrastinator but it feels so good to just be prepared especially for a day I want to be relaxed. So we get to church and due to the construction of a new building we have church inside one of the Universities buildings. Our first meeting is in an auditorium setting which can be difficult when you have kids and may need to get up because crying, need to go potty...Scotty always says, "To be early is to be on time, to be on-time is to be late, and to be late is unacceptable" I think is a good philosophy but sometimes being early isn't to our advantage. When we are early to our first meeting we usually have to move toward the center...so that's what happened. McKenna wouldn't take a nap before church so she was getting restless and Talan was just whining!! By the end of the first hour I was ready to go home-and scotty could tell but I knew going home wouldn't make things better even if I thought it might-so I said we needed to stick around and go to the rest of our classes. Which I am glad we did. Did I feel completely happy and back to normal, no, but I was uplifted. A light bulb came on- I think this is a concept we are all aware of but sometimes I need it spelled out to apply. "The Lord is not going to do things for you that you can do for yourself." Someone gave a great example about the rising up of Lazarus. Jesus had the people their do everything they could do for themselves-show Jesus where the tomb was, open the tomb, unwrap Lazarus...but Jesus did all the things they were incapable of doing-rising Lazarus from the dead.

**Wonderful Day**

Today started out hectic but ended great. We were lucky to be invited to attend my cousin Jerome's sealing to his wife Kelsie and their little boy Hayden. Everyone invited went through an endowment session first, which they had so many family and friends come to support that we filled up a room 50+ people! Then after the session we all went straight to the sealing room for them to be sealed. It was really special to see everyone in their temple clothes. It's such a great feeling to know that we are sealed for all Eternity and will be with our families forever. I was really moved the most when they brought in their little boy to be sealed to them!! It was so special to see the three of them together...the spirit was so strong. I feel so fortunate to live so close to the temple. Scotty and I took more advantage of the situation last year-each of us went weekly by ourselves. This semester we have not done as well...It was great to spend time with family. We will surely miss everyone if/when we move!

First Swim Meet

Today was my first swim meet!! I was sooo....incredibly nervous today! But...it turned out ok. I participated in the 200 medley relay-freestyle leg and the 50 yd freestyle. I think I swam better during the relay since it was the first event and first heat! My time for the 50 freestyle was 50:52. So for any of you swimmers out there...that's not the greatest ;0) I am reminded that it just means I have ALOT of room to improve!! It's great though, my team and friends were very supportive and positive so I had a good experience! Go Titans!!

McKenna's 1st Birthday!

I attempted to make Kenna's great birthday cake...I thought it turned out cute...it could have been better but I liked it. It definitely doesn't compare to my sisters master pieces! She is the baker of the family!
Good morning!! It was cute we decorated the living room and kitchen with streamers and balloons. Talan has anticipated this day all week. When he woke up this morning and went downstairs then I heard him walking upstairs and this was the conversation:
Talan- "dang it..."
Mom- whats wrong?
T-It's Kenna's Birthday tomorrow!
M-no, it's today.

T-today? YA, lets go mom-get Kenna...happy birthday Kenna!!!

Kenna was so excited! She didn't want to even open her presents-all she would look at was the cake! Once we put the cake in front of her she went to town eating it like crazy and laughing!!!

Talan ate his cupcake and wanted more...so he started to grab for Kenna's cake and she gave him 'THE LOOK"

Yummy!
She ate more than I could imagine-we were curious to see how she would feel late ;) Well as she was winding down she started to scratch at the inside of her left arm were she tends to have eczema...so I was thinking since it was covered in frosting maybe it was irritating her skin so I wiped it down then started to notice she was getting hives on her wrists as well! So-we decided to end the festivities of eating cake and gave her some benadryl and a good bath! It did the trick. By the time she was done bathing her arms looked alot better...this poor girls skin is so sensitive! We had a great day celebrating McKenna and can't believe how fast her first year went! We love you Kenna cakes!

Mississippi Caviar

So here is my first recipe! I received this from my Uncle Don who cut it out of his local paper in Rupert! And-we LOVE it!! It's perfect as salsa for chips or side to chicken, beef or eggs.

1 (15oz) can black-eye peas, drained
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (15 oz) can whole kernal corn, drained
2 lg tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 med onion, diced
1 med green bell pepper, diced
3 TB minced garlic (about 8 cloves)
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 (7oz) package dry Italian dressing mix (such as Good Seasons)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup vinegar
Combine first 11 ingredients (peas through seasoning) in a large bowl. Stir well.
Combine dressing mix, oil and vinegar. Pour over pea mixture. Stir well. Chill at least 2 hrs. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes about 8 cups.
ENJOY!
(1/2 cup=130 calories, 7g fat, 4g protein, 14g carbs, 3g fiber)

I Survived!!!

Today was my first swim practice...yep I joined the BYU-I swim team! Crazy I know!!! Heidi has been great over the past few months teaching me how to swim-and I think I have came along way! Well a couple months ago she brought up joining the team and honestly I thought it was totally out of my league. We talked about it off and on and had came to a decision that we weren't going to try out and just continue to meet together each week and swim. Well back and forth, back and forth-yes, no, yes, no-here we both are-team Titans!! I really wasn't sure what to expect and kept asking Heidi several questions. The 'unknowns' are what make me the most nervous! So I went-and I survived!! I didn't make all the times but I just kept telling myself "just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..." ;) (off of Nemo-just in case you weren't sure) I completed about 2000 yds which is more than I have ever swam at one time! I'll keep you posted how it all continues! Keep me in your prayers that I don't drown!!

I thought I'd share...

So I am going to use this blog of mine basically as my journal. I read on someones about 2 months ago that her blog is solely her journal...I've thought more about it and really like the idea-it's always been really hard for me to keep a consistent written journal and I tend to post about my family which is what would be in my journal. So you may see more narratives-feel free to skip over if I bore you ;0) BUT...I love going to peoples blogs that share talents, crafts, music, but especially recipes....so I thought I would try and share my favorite recipes and then my blog could maybe be useful or helpful for you! Over the past few months I have cooked more than I have over the past 8 1/2 years of marriage! Thanks to family and friends who have taught me!! Believe it or not...I actually really like to cook now!! My brother would be oh-so proud! One of my good friends and I have been sharing our creations together which has been alot of fun to add some good recipes to the collection! One of our favorites to experiment lately with is quinoa. Scotty has never really cared for rice but he loves quinoa and its so, so, good for you!

Talan's First Talk!

Our little boy is growing up!! He went to his first day in Primary 3 weeks ago as a Sunbeam and he loves it! Well today he gave his first talk! He held up a picture of Jesus with 4 children and he repeated what I read on the back of the picture about how Jesus loves all people and wants his children to be happy. He did such a good job, you could hardly hear him but he didn't act too shy! We love you Talan!

Little prayers!

Earlier this week we noticed McKenna folding her arms and mummbling during prayers! It's so precious. Yesterday when I was putting Talan down for nap I had finished nursing Kenna and was burping her while Talan and I were saying a little prayer and I felt McKenna push off my chest, then I looked down and she had her hands folded with her head down. Even though she didn't see anyone folding their arms for prayer just the tone of our voices she knew what was going on...sometimes I think she says 'amen' :)

West Yellowstone

For the 3-day weekend we went to West Yellowstone. The weather was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We of course decided to go Friday evening about 4pm but first we went to the temple to do sealings...so we didn't head out of town till about 7:30pm. We are well known for our last minute planning, but the trips are always so worth it! Thanks Heidi for the yummy cookies that we enjoyed on our drive..thats as far as they made it!
We went to the Discovery Wolf and Bear Center. Talan called it the 'Zoo' The Grizzly Bears were HUGE! It was fun to see them play together and look for the food the keepers hid.

Talan enjoying his cereal-w/o milk lately?!

McKenna did great! She loved being all bundled up in the backpack!

We didn't bring a sled..oops...so

Talan found a pile of snow where we were staying and slid down on his bumby! It was pretty cute.

At the Discovery Center!

I am going to try and be better!

So if you really care to see ALL of our happenings in the month of December you will have to click 'old posts' at the bottom...we will see how I do this month!

McCoy's

Papa and Talan building castles with blocks...

There was a little bit of snow at my parents and Talans first idea was to go make snow angles...he loves it!

Clean up

McKenna helping Grandma clean up the Christmas decorations! Grandmas house is always so wonderfully decorated...it felt so festive-we loved it- as well as the kids!!!

New Years Eve

For New Years Eve we followed Katie and her family to our friend Kim's for a party. It was alot of fun-we ate alot of yummy food and had some great conversation. The kids had a great time playing together-I was suprised that the kids stayed awake until the ball dropped with-out any melt downs!! They all played so well together. Talan loved the airplane...Thanks Reid. McKenzie and McKenna even went to bed in their porta cribs with all the noise!
McKenzie and McKenna having fun together!

Katie and McKenzie-

All the kids watching a movie seeing if they will fall asleep

Christmas Day

Baby Kaleb enjoying his sleep even with all the craziness.

Talan and McKenna taking a bath with their new bath toys...ya

McKenna enjoying eating while we open gifts. She wasn't all too interested. Only in the toys that Talan had. Grandma and Grandpa gave each family a Wii with Guitar Hero and Scotty has sure been enjoying playing...everynight!

Grandma J and Kenna cakes

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve everyone comes over to the Thompson's for Dinner and fun!
Bailey and McKenna enjoyed rearranging all of Grandma J tuperware!

McKenna wasn't too sure of Grandpa! For the first few days Kenna was giving everyone 'the look' which was actually quite cute.

Bailey and Talan singing and dancing to "ring around the roseys"

SNOW!!!

It was FABULOUS! Portland broke records for snow fall in the past 40 yrs!! It was great! Talan loved it especially for the first few days he constantly wanted to go sledding!

Scotty, Jessica and I enjoyed the snowfall in the hot tub, it was great! The unfortunate time happend when after one night of major snow fall the power went out for a couple hours and messed something up with the hot tub...and scotty and Grandpa couldn't get it working :( So no more hot tub for the rest of the month, which was actually pretty sad!

The first big snow fall Scotty and Talan sledding down the culda sac (sp?).

CATCHING UP

So-sorry I am so, so bad at updating 'the blog'. So over the next couple days I am going to try and catch up and then try and not only make 1-2 posts per month...we will see. The downfall I forget I cannot move around posts so you get to read from most current down-sorry or not?! I will try and be better!

Continue our journey-

So in the morning we heard that the pass to Hermiston was closed but as the day went on we decided to head out and hope it opened...we were stopped before Baker about 2 hours and time actually went by quickly. Scotty has a CB radio in the Land Rover and we had a good time listening to the truckers and letting McKenna out of her seat to stretch. We made it to my parents in Hermiston around 8pm that night and felt that it was unsafe to go through the windy Gorge till morning. We headed to Portland in the morning and this is what we saw...the roads were coated in ice! It was a long journey but the worst stretch was from Hermiston to Portland...so I missed my first day of work with Dr. Thompson but glad we made it home safely!

The Beginning!!

So this is the beginning of our journey to Oregon for Christmas. We left Rexburg on Saturday Dec 12, 2008 to head toward Logan Utah to my Uncles for my Grandma's 80th birthday. It was great to see family we don't see too often. That afternoon we headed to Sandy UT to see Katelyn and Dallins house they bought a year ago and their two pups Macy and Max...the kids were a little scared at the Yorkies at first but they soon warmed up. Thanks for letting us stay with you, it was fun! We left Sandy again in another snow storm! We went to my Uncle Don's in Rupert ID for a gourmet lunch that he made (Thanks again) and then to my Sisters in Twin Falls ID where we stayed the night! We love staying with 'Aunt Shell' Talan adores her and the girls. Jonathan and Mr T are playing so well together. Hopefully they will be close cousins.

I can help mom!

McKenna has become quite the little helper!! She loves to sort anything...she picks it up and tosses the item over her shoulder :)