My first popsicle!!

So I gave Hunter a Strawberry popsicle the other day, and he absolutely loved it! I just barely started introducing solid food to him, and apparently he LOVES sugar! It was the cutest thing to watch. Everytime I took the popsicle away from him, he cried. I know his hair is SO long, but I just can't break down and cut it.....I'm afraid that once I cut it, he won't look like a baby any more, he'll look like a little boy. I know I need to cut it, and eventually I will. Also like our dirt pile in the background?? Grass coming soon!!

How Can We Help?

I'm going to do something a little different with this post, hopefully to use my blog to help someone in need......

My brother Brad has a friend named Justin. His dad Russ passed away last week. Those of us who know this family can testify that they are always willing to help those in need. That's a trait they learned from their father Russ. When Russ passed away he didn't have insurance and lived in Arizona. The kids are paying for the funeral and the expense to have their father flown here. I know this is a huge weight on all of their shoulders and I think all who can should try to lighten it a little. This family would kill us if they knew we'd been soliciting for help, (they like to help, not ask for it) but we know it's something they will appreciate in the long run.

So there's two ways to help....

-The family set up a memorial fund at Zion's bank under Russ Vanderlinden

-Or donate to the 'Ride In Paradise' (RIP). For the last three years my family has put together a motorcycle ride/bbq in memory of my brother Jason after he died and donated the money to "Operation Kids." This year we wanted to help families that are mourning directly. Any money that we have donated has been possible due to the great people we are surrounded by. Next Saturday were going to show up at Justin's house and hopefully have a decent amount to help cover the expenses they now are dealing with.

Having gone through the experience of losing a loved one directly, we were greatly blessed with others who showed their generously. Now it is our turn to help. If you would like more information, you can email me at kerihennefer@gmail.com. And just think, by serving others, you are serving the Lord.
Obituary link:
http://www.legacy.com/DeseretNews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=106965217
Ksl Charity Ad:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=3013631&cat=2&lpid

Thanks for your help!!

Thanks Nana!!

This past week my mom came and stayed with us for a few days, and we had so much fun. She came just to visit, and because she missed us. She is such a great mom and "Nana." We stayed up late and made new things for McKinlee's room, and had great talks. She helped me come up with ideas for McKinlee's room, which hopefully will turn out cute. We went to dinner, lunch, to St. George to go shopping (which was hard with the kids :), and went to the park. Too bad my kids don't like shopping as much as my mom and I do. But they were troopers, it was a long day of shopping for them. McKinlee loves her Nana. She cried and cried when she left. McKinlee can't wait until Kelly has her baby so we can come up and visit! So get on the ball Kelly! HE HE It was so much fun to spend time with my mom. Thanks Nana for coming and visiting!!

Easter

I love Easter time, especially when it is warm.....well that didn't happen this year! Easter was really early, and it is still too cold! Saturday morning we went to the Easter Egg Hunt here in Cedar, and it was crazy, and freezing! I couldn't believe how many people were there! It was a madhouse. And to top it off, there was a group of FIVE adults with ONE child, and they made a mad dash and each one of the adults had a bucket and filled it with eggs. One of them even filled his shirt up. It was crazy. BUT sweet little McKinlee didn't know any different, and she had a blast. Of course we didn't win any of the fun prizes, but McKinlee was happy with the candy. She was especially excited because she got a couple "princess" eggs.

McKinlee and Canyon before the madness! McKinlee was shivering.

McKinlee, Canyon, and Sahara aftwards.
After the Easter Egg Hunt we (or I should say Jordan) worked on our backyard. Then we went to dinner as a family. McKinlee and Hunter were really good. Then we colored easter eggs. McKinlee loved this, and so did Jordan. He ended up doing a lot of the work.

Jordan, McKinlee, and Hunter dyeing easter eggs

Dyeing Easter eggs

Easter outfits

McKinlee in her Easter dress

ENCHANTED

I don't know how many of you have seen the movie "Enchanted," but when it first came out, my mom and sister-in-laws Jena and Kelly took McKinlee to a princess party and saw the movie. And since that day she has become absolutely obsessed with the movie! So I decided 3 weeks ago to make an Enchanted Sticker Chart. I needed some way to motivate my little sweetheart, and reward her for being good. Plus she loves stickers. There were about 50 empty slots (I know that seems like a lot, but I had 3 weeks until the movie came out, so I had to take some time), and McKinlee had a list of things she needed to do to earn a sticker. I could also take away a sticker, and one day Jordan got home from work and the chart was empty. He asked what happened, and I told him it was a bad day. She had done more bad than good that day. But all in all it actually worked pretty well. She started making her bed, and most days she ate dinner better. She even has been nicer to Hunter. (Wahoo!) So on Wednesday, she put the last sticker on her chart and got the movie. She was so proud of herself for filling the entire chart. We even stayed up late that night to watch the whole movie. Jordan absolutely loves the movie (HA HA). Did I mention that she knows EVERY song from the movie. (Thanks Nana for buying the CD) She loves to get in her princess dress and sing at the top of her lungs.

But now she wants to know what he next prize is.......ideas?

Hunter Growing Up!

I can't believe how fast Hunter is growing up. He is such a good and happy little guy. He loves to smile, and he loves attention. He usually is pretty mellow and just hangs out, of course until he gets hungry. I started feeding him cereal, and he absolutely loves it. He snarfs it down. Last night we went to dinner and had dessert, and Jordan fed Hunter some whipped cream. He loved it! He kept opening his mouth wanting more. It was pretty funny. I guess it's time to make the good old homemade baby food! I have to get motivated first to do that. He also loves McKinlee. She can get him to laugh and smile more than anyone else. He finally rolled over for the first time, but he can only go from his belly to his back. McKinlee loves to put him on his belly and watch him until he rolls back. I'm not pushing for him to become mobile anytime soon, I'll just take advantage of him being a baby. Time goes too fast as it is. It seems like the days just fly by. I am ready for Spring, and to finally have a backyard. Yes we are working on finishing our backyard. It will be so nice to let McKinlee RUN outside and not worry about her running in the road. She loves to be outside, and has lots of energy she needs to let out! Hopefully Spring is coming, and it doesn't trick us by snowing again!

Our Little Dancer

Ok so McKinlee had her first dance performance tonight....and it was so cute! Cedar City High School had a little Jr. Drill Clinic, and McKinlee and a couple of her friends did it. I have to admit that I thought that I wasted my money and time, because one of the days of the clinic all McKinlee did was lay on the ground. She wouldn't do anything that her teachers told her to do. But she was so cute at the performance! Yes that is her walking around before the dance, and yes that is her kicking her doll. I was a very proud mom! I've had some issues downloading my videos, so I tried a new program, so hopefully this works. If anyone has suggestions on how to download my videos better, let me know! Enjoy the show!


Untitled from Keri Hennefer on Vimeo.