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Beauty Pageant Picture Contest
UEA Break Vacation to . . . Wyoming!
Brian had business in Wyoming over Lincoln's two day break from school, so right after Lincoln's last soccer game we hopped in the car for a 6 hour drive to Laramie. We utilized all the regular road trip luxuries - Wendy's, gas station candy and Red Box. We were at the hotel by 1:00 and everyone was asleep by 1:30, even McKinley in her portacrib. Lincoln did not want to share a bed, so he opted for the chair in the corner and made his own bed. Truman slept with Brian (he usually ends up sideways) and Jefferson slept with me (he snores - guess he got Grandpa Page's genes).
In the morning Brian headed off to work and we took a walk (the boys ran)to the Carl's Jr down the street where a nice worker gave us balloons.
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| From 10-18-08 |
We headed back to the hotel and went straight for the pool. We had it all to ourselves and I would have gotten in if it had been a reasonable temperature. McKinley sat on the step or wrapped in her towel on my lap and the boys had a hey day. Lincoln's favorite was the hot tub, Truman liked swimming in the pool and Jefferson who is half fish enjoyed the fountain, pool and hot tub all equally. He was the last one out both days of swimming.
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Once Brian came back and everyone was napped and fed we headed out to explore the area around Laramie. First we visited the giant bust of Lincoln seen from I-80 on the way to Cheyenne. It was pretty windy and cold so we were out of the car long enough to put our sweatshirts on and take this picture. The kids were all wondering why there are statues and monuments and pictures of Lincoln everywhere and not of Jefferson, Truman or McKinley. Lincoln thought it was because he was killed.
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| From 10-18-08 |
Then we went over to Vedauwoo which is a park area with really interesting rock formations. The boys and McK loved hiking around and finding cool things to pick up for "collecting".
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After a fun day we watched an unfortunate football game and then cuddled up for bed in front of a movie. Friday we swam and packed up to head to Cheyenne for Brian's last appointment. We found a mall with a kid area for the kids to stretch their legs in and then the kids and I went to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua while Brian went to work. (Ok, I hoped I would never have to see that movie from the first glimpse of the preview because it looked beyond D-U-M-B as we say here, but it way surpassed my expectations. NOT a must see, but it was not torture like I thought it would be and the boys sat through it with their popcorn and drinks without moving. McK slept:))
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We had a long drive home, but the kids did well. McK had some issues, but I brought suckers for her just in case - she is not great in the car since we turned her car seat around. The suckers did the trick and we survived. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of our fearless leader and photographer, but we are so glad he let us join him on his trip because we sure miss him when he is gone. He always leads us out on great adventures and makes life fun and memorable. Thanks Daddy! We love you!
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Here are a few words to go with all the pictures.
McKinley -
This tiny girl loves: baths, balls, cars, babies, binkies, bananas, food, milk, drinking from straws, running after her brothers and screaming at them, blankets, knowing where Mom is, wrestling with Dad, walks in the stroller, shoes, playing with dishes, animals, and is deathly afraid of the stairs.
Jefferson -
Brian has a major soft spot for this little guy. He is two, so I mostly hold a grudge against him until I see how cute Brian thinks he is. We recently switched sides of the bed so I can have the short cut to the restroom leaving Brian in the taking kids back to bed all night spot. Jefferson will come with his pillow and blanket and say, "I sleep with you, Daddy" in his soft high voice. Brian cannot resist this, so we have a little teddy bear to sleep with most nights.
Jefferson says "kickles" for tickles.
He was screaming in the car the other day and Brian asked, "Is that necessary?" Jefferson answered cheerfully, "No, it's just me"
Yesterday Brian announced that the Cougars were playing on Thursday in a loud very excited voice which must have startled Jefferson because he immediately scolded, "Dad! Calm down."
Truman -
Brian was at the computer and I was in the rocking chair of our room chatting when Truman came in and started ninja fighting on the bed. We were made aware of this as he jumped, kicked and said in his tough voice, "You wanna piece of me?"
Lincoln -
Every fall I try to pull the winter clothes out and put the summer ones away and every year Lincoln thinks he can wear short sleeves and shorts in the snow (wonder where he gets that idea Daddy:). He also refuses to wear anything remotely nice - like a polo, or anything with a collar, or khakis, etc. He has certain socks he would not wear until I convinced him his feet had grown enough for the socks to not be too loose. Lincoln even whines and flops when I suggest we brush his hair for school. Of course we still love him and appreciate all his help - especially cause he is a cleaning maniac when I get him started - but here are a few of his traits that wear away my patience.
Maegan -
I teach Relief Society now and after my lesson a sister said I did well and my Grandma (who lived in this ward for 40 years) was a great teacher and she was so funny, "but you are not as funny as she was." I do not aspire to anything so great as Grandma Page's humor.
Brian -
Brian is always leading us on new adventures. We love the bird place he discovered and trying new recipes and games. Most of all we love watching BYU football with him. Go Cougars, thanks for making Brian's day every weekend so far:)
Conference Weekend Pictures
 We went to get pictures at Brian's favorite place. It also happens to be a sanctuary for birds. One of the best things about it is that hardly anyone knows that it exists. So we enjoyed the quiet wilderness Sunday after conference. (Well, it was quite before we got there anyways). It was nice to go where the boys could run and jump and yell and throw rocks into a mud puddle without disturbing anyone else. It was such a peaceful place that Jefferson slept in his car seat the whole time we were there...hence his lack of pictures. |
 Lincoln found this great rock to take pictures on where you can see the Bountiful Temple to take pictures on and thus, theoretically, our house is below. What he really wanted to do was walk through the bushes and find all the birds that his Dad looks for when we come to the reserve. This kid loves a good nature hike. |
 Here is the little "Nini pants." Somehow we kept her out of the big mud puddle because she is wearing her authentic Chilean sweater brought back from Libbi's mission. McKinley also enjoyed sitting on the bench all by herself. |
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Choose McKinley's Halloween Costume
We are having a little trouble deciding which of these should be McKinley's Halloween Costume. Please let us know in the comments which one we should choose!
A Lady Bug
A Lady Bug
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| A Cow |
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A Bunny
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| A Giraffe |
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| An Angel |
1st Birthday
It has been one year since we added a little ray of sunshine to our home! McKinley wanders around our house smiling, talking, singing and generally brightening whatever corner she may wonder into. She loves to follow around her brothers and greet Mom and Dad with a big hug.
Click here to see the post from a year ago today.
Click here to see some of the 460 pictures we have of her.
Click here to see MORE of the 460 pictures we have of her.
We are so glad she's been here for a year and we look forward to many more years and smiles in the future. We wish all of you (near and far) could enjoy McKinley on a daily basis as we do. Here is our little video of pictures in order from her actual birthday to her 1st birthday.
Truman's Profile
Name: Truman Young Duryea
Nick Name: Choo Choo
Birthday: May 15th 2004
Height: 3 feet 6 inches'
Weight: 40 lbs
Eye Color: Blueish Green
Teeth Count: 20
Binky: Never
Favorite Hobby: "Go to Sleep" and "Play Soccer"
Favorite Food: "Cookies"
Favorite Parent: Daddy
Secret Passion: Finding Cute Clothes for McKinley to wear
Most Embarrassing Moment: "When everyone stares at me"
Favorite Drink: Chocolate Milk
Favorite Game: Football