They're here!

Okay, these pictures posted in the backwards order and I don't know how to fix it! so #3 first...

David having a nice relaxing bath and checking out gram's tub. He likes pulling the lever up and down!

Helping Uncle Joel with his typing...so far David likes Uncle Joel the best!

Just arrived at the airport! A long day in airplanes but they are finally here and ready for fun!

Of course they are very tired and are on GA time so they are in bed now...but it

has been fun visiting with them tonight and having David warm up to us. Tomorrow will be even better! We're so happy they're here!!! Dale, thank you for sharing them with us for two weeks!

Reflecting on the past...

As we have been going through my mom's "treasures" this week, we found these old glass sacrament cups. I remember seeing these years ago and asking my mom about them. It is fun to imagine them being used in Sacrement meeting and then probably the Relief Society sisters washing them for the next week. They are not all exactly the same size but the same shape. And who knows how old they are...I have done a lot of reflecting on the past and my heritage in this last week. I am grateful for ancestors who accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the sacrifices they made for what they knew to be the truth. I am especially grateful that the Gospel has always been a part of my life. I am thankful for my mom's treasures and especially for our treasure of the knowledge we have of our Savior and brother Jesus Christ. I gratefully take the sacrament each week in rememberance of Him. Even though it is in paper cups now. :)

Baby David is 1 Today!

My grandbaby is a year old today...I cannot believe it! We were just there seeing him be born! I guess he's not really a baby anymore...Amanda is having a little party at her apt. with a ducky cake! Then she will be here next Friday and we will have to have another party! :) I can't wait for them to get here! Amanda promises me pics on her blog soon of the party and his 1 year old picture...I will try to wait patiently!

Little Helpers...

When little children want to help around the McKinney house, we give them shovels and hula hoes! :) This kept them busy for quite awhile today...they are like mini rototillers for Dave's garden!

Precious Moments

This is sweet - when your macho son picks up the baby and spends time with him...and enjoys it...it was fun to watch...

Company!

We have company! My "little" brother and his family have come to visit for a week and we are so excited! He has come to help me go through my mother's things and of course to have fun and play a LOT! Eric and Randa have three little children and it's so fun to have them here to play with. We met little baby Carson for the first time. He is a sweet, happy baby! Kai is 5 and Makayela is 3.

Makayela looks like little Cindy Lou who


Randa, Carson and Kai at dinner with us

Me and my little brother Eric

The Lord's Vineyard...

Good thing we have people who know what they are doing! Way to go Craig!

My favorite helper...

The sisters looking over the vineyard...

The cutest helper in the vineyard...he's great at twist tying!

Bro. Olsen is another professional...with heavy duty clippers!

Many hands make light work! Our ward has FIVE of these LONG rows!!

The unruly vines before we take our clippers to them!

Don't they look so much better? They will make lots of grapes!!

Walking all the way back after a good days work!

This is what happens if you stand still too long... grape vine antlers!

The sisters working in the vineyard...the field is white..but not quite ready to harvest.

Well done thou good and faithful servants! Put your clippers in your pocket and head home...

Happy Birthday Clark!

Ashley enjoying her freckled lemonade...isn't she cute? :)

Clif and Joel being silly as usual. :) Aren't they cute too?!

Clark turned 21 on January 3rd! wow...We all went to Red Robin for dinner on the 6th because that's when everyone could go. we celebrated good though! Love you Clark!

My word for 2009

Okay, I think I have found my one word for the new year...JOY. I don't find enough joy in the journey, and I need to focus more on that...I have lots of things that make me happy, but I need to look for true Joy...and I think I will find that as I "try a little harder to be a little better" like Pres. Hinckley has admonished us in the past...I will find Joy as I study my scriptures "a little better" as I fulfilly my callings in church and family "a little better" and as I strive each day to live as Jesus would want me to live, "a little better."

My biggest joy is my family, but sometimes I tend to get caught up in the trials and challenges of the day and not see the true Joy...so I am going to "try a little harder" this year on my journey, to seek out the JOY. There you have it...my one word. JOY.

First project of 2009 completed!

Okay, so I really made it in 2008, but I did the last of the fringing to "complete" it yesterday while we were watching movies. :) this has been a project I have wanted to do forever. I have saved my kids' jeans from when they were little to make this! There are some of mine and Dave's too, but mostly the kids'. It was a fairly easy project, but time consuming. Now it is done! I finally have my patriotic, jean quilt for picnics or whatever. Okay, now on to more projects for the new year...I have an ongoing list! Happy New Year!