Merry Christmas

Here is a little of what we have been up to... (other than Derk working EVERY day until Christmas) Hope everyone has a safe and fun Holiday.

the anticipation...

Derk turns the BIG 30...

You know you're turning 30 if...
-you ever had a mullet, "tail", or a side ponytail
-you have used a commodore 64
-you owned a trapper keeper
-you can name all the members of New Kids on the Block
-you remember wheb fast food burgers came in styrofoam containers
-you had a crush on Kelly Kapowski or Zack Morris from Saved By the Bell.

Derk turned the big 30 yesterday. Of course we had to celebrate. The entire McDermaid Fam came over and we had lots of fun listening to Beatles music (a family fav.) and watching our wedding video with the slide show of pics of Derk growing up. Everyone says the 30's are the best years. Lets hope so :) Happy Birthday Derk. We love you.

Derks uncle Rick and Derks dad Paul...

Uncle Sheldon and Jackie
Kendra and Emily (my two good friends since 3rd grade)
This wasn't even all of the kids :)
Derks aunt Cheryl and Brightyn
Derks cousin Bree, Aunt Dolores and Aunt Cathy
Emily, Brightyn and Dylan
DQ Icecream Cake. YUMMY!

Jamie, Ryker and Marty (good friends of ours)

Hold You?

When Kinlee was little I used to say to her, "you want momma to hold you?" and so when she was old enough to talk, she used to say to me "hold you" when she wanted me to pick her up... Now, it seems we have come full circle. Brightyn has been on this kick lately where she wants to be held ALL the time... It makes for an interesting day when you are trying to do a million other things while holding a baby. Some people used to tell me that by doing this, you are spoiling your child. I disagree. I call it LOVING them. How could I not want to "hold you". One day when you are older, you will not want to be held, so of course I am going to enjoy every chance I get to be as close to you as I can, and if that means having you at my hip all day, then so be it :) Brightyn is getting so big. Literally! She is probably pushing 14 pounds (more than half of what Kinlee weighs). She talks to us all day, and blows lots of bubbles. She watches Kinlees every move and smiles so big at her all the time. She is at such a fun age. Kinlee had been such a good helper most of the time. When she is not going stir crazy in the house. She just got better after having a 5 day long flu virus which totally wiped her out ;( I cannot believe she is almost 3 years old. She told me she wanted to have a GO UTES birthday party. So I geuss red it is... I may atttempt to make a U pinata for the kids. We'll see... As for Derk and I we have been really busy lately. Sometimes it puts a strain on things. when you work retail, it's part of the territory that you work LONG days with little time off (which makes for a LONG day for mom with the kids). I may be quitting Carters after Christmas. That is still undecided. I really enjoy doing photography and would like to focus more time and energy on that. I am taking some classes in January and I am super excited to learn some new things from a professional. Well, there you have it... Thats what has been going on with us. How about you?

Family Pics

I have been wanting to get family pics done since Brightyn was born, and we finally got them done! Thanks Misty for doing these for me! Kinlee and Brightyn both were being difficult so there were only a few keepers :) I just wanted one pic by "the truck" and I got it! You are always so much more critical when looking at pics of yourself. I think these turned out great...

Where to start...

We have been a little busy lately and I have not taken the time to blog for awhile, so here is whats been up...

Derks mom got tickets to Disney Princesses on Ice. So last night the three of us went (Brightyn stayed home with daddy). I have never seen so many little princesses running around in my life! Kinlee absolutely loved the show, even though there are several princesses we have never watched (due to the dvd's being in the Disney vault).

Kinlee was Cinderella. This is her new favorite show.

She wanted a 20.00 light up Tinkerbell thing that they were selling. I said NO :( This picture looks JUST like a pic of Derk crying when he was about this age.



Kinlee and Grandma Kathy

Noodle and Chubba Bubba

Brightyn has recently been so interested in looking at everything. She loves the birds on her swing, and this little playmat.

My two pretty ladies.

Halloween at Derks aunts. This is the first year since we have been together (9 years) that we have not dresesed up. To hectic with the kids, and we did not want to spend the money on costumes.

Trick or Treat, Smell My feet!

Kinlee and cousin Dawson.

Party at Jamie and Marty's. Pin the hat on the witch.

Musical Chairs. Notice Kinlee is the ONLY girl?

Lil miss smiley. Such a happy chubba! She talks to us and smiles all the time.

Freezing cold at the pumpkin patch 2 days before Halloween.