Life always revolves around TIME...

Since time is the reason I never post on my blog then I obviously don't have time for a LONG catch up post so I'll try and just keep it to a couple pic's per month as much as I can and give the 'short' version of this past year since I've posted last - here it goes!!
February~

 Happy Birthday 1yr old! (He wasn't so sure about the cake as you can tell)

Happy Valentines Day! And Brian and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary too :)

March~

 James became famous, he/we got interviewed for a fundraiser on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia's!

 Happy 4th Birthday Spencer!!

 Zaxton, Gracie & James at their combined Birthday party!

Had a combined party for the 3 cousins all born w/in weeks of each other!

April~

BYU Women's Conference - Stayed at my beautiful friends place in Park City, good times!

 Spring Break in Las Vegas - took Brooklynn & Ezzy to The Lion King - amazing!

 Girls Weekend in Arizona w/my besties from High School and forever!!

 Spencer on his bike w/out training wheels for the first time like he was a pro :)

 Happy Easter and General Conference Weekend :)

May~

 Spencer graduating his year of swim lessons!

 Happy Birthday Daddy!

Graduated his first year at All Academy Preschool :)

June~

 Spencer @ 11mths

 James @ 16mths - at least James gave me 5mths longer till the terrible two's started...

 Spencer's 1st season of Soccer - and he played T-Ball as well all in Bear Lake!

July~

 All the Penning grand kids w/their gifts from Grandma & Grandpa from Italy!

 Exactly what me and my 3 girl cousins would be doing when we were growing up in the summers :)

 Happy Birthday Mommy!

Good times at the Hirschi Hideout...

August~

 Ice Skating in the middle of summer :) Brooky missed out :(

 Hooley's visited us in Bear Lake - Awesome family!

 School day's & carpooling begins...

 Lagoon day - very hot day but FUN!

The new 'official' McCracken family, got 3 new incredible niece and nephew's!

September~

 Bear Lake Heritage Day's - 'Fish Catch' poor Spencer was super scared of doing it for some reason...

 Sunday Hike w/Randi and the kiddo's up Limber Pine Trail in Logan Canyon!

 First day of his 2nd yr of Preschool for Spencer - James REALLY wanted to go too!

Our awesome friends Becky & Eric, he rode in Lotoja and I got to be a cheerleader at the Montpelier stop :)

October~

 Traditional pumpkin carving FHE night!!

 Boo at the Zoo - Grandpa Hirschi took them while sitting for us during our trip!

 Traditional Fall picnic at Green Canyon w/fishing and hiking!!

Pumpkin Walk at Elk Ridge Park!

We got the opportunity to go to Cancun, Mexico in October as well so I'll leave that for the next post b/c there's so many great pic's and this is already full of so many - so to be continued :) Hope you all had a great summer and just recently Halloween now onto Thanksgiving and the holiday's I just can't believe there already here - soooo crazy but lots of fun to be had :)

The big double digit's!!!

She had to do this in order to get her wish made - her brother was too excited to help her blow out the candles!

This was a very happy Birthday girl indeed! I just still can't believe it's been 10 years since I had her - crazy how fast the time goes by! She has been a BIG blessing in our lives! We got to celebrate it at the Hirschi's the Sunday before and then again on her actual day which was Thursday the 6th! She had her best 2 girlfriends over, some family and our family friends the Hooley's! She picked Chocolate cake of course and got ice cream w/it! Opened presents and played around the house! It was a good night :) She also got many loving phone calls from family that couldn't be here and they all sang her happy Birthday which she felt very loved!

Here are some of the best traits and her favorite things and hobby's about Brooklynn that make her special and a very important child of God:

• Loving
• Caring
• Loves her heavenly father and the gospel
• Gentle heart
• When her brother, Spencer, is really sad especially at bedtime she'll sneak in there and give him loves or read him a book to calm him down.
• Loves and cares for animals
• Has great values
• Her smile brightens up the room
• She is very smart and tries really hard at her school work and improving at things she knows she needs to be better at.
• She is still a kid and not in a hurry to grow up too fast (this is my FAVORITE thing)
• Very creative 
• Helpful 'most' of the time ;-)
• Responsible and trusting
• Learns and adapts quickly
• Is good at helping w/baby James when asked to! (but still asks for a baby sister) sorry girl!!!
• Is getting better with her social skills at school and making new friends
• Is a GREAT reader and loves to write
• Absolutely adores horses!
• Loves to play games (that's my girl)
• Is a 'daddy's girl' 100% through and through!
• Is pretty good at sharing her time and space w/the little brothers - get's better everyday!
• Really enjoy's her 'alone' time though!
• She loves to ski
• Likes to ice skate
• Loves listening to music and just got an ipod shuffle for her b-day w/$ from her grandparents in WA
• Is just easy to love -- period!

Back to School...

Talking to her dad on the way to her first day!

When we got back from our Washington trip Brooklynn started school that next morning at her new school. We decided to try out Thomas Edison Charter School for a couple years and see how it goes for Brooklynn! So far she loves it! She is in the fourth grade now - just unbelievable to me that she's so close to middle school already just makes me so nervous! This school also doesn't have bus systems so we carpool w/some neighbors which works out great! She loves that b/c she hated riding the bus!

I've really started seeing a change in her this school year, don't know if it's the school, the grade change, her getting older or not having the negative attitude b/c of the bus but whatever it is we are loving it! She helps out a lot more at home (which is partly my fault that she didn't before I needed to be better at teaching her) but I am now and it is working out great! She helps out w/her brothers a lot, not always w/a willing or nice attitude but more so now then before! Homework was a big challenge in August and into September but it is slowly getting a lot better and she is learning the new phonics system this school uses that she has never used before slowly but surely! We just had her conference w/the teacher and it was very positive and uplifting! Her teacher seems very nice and Brooklynn likes her a lot! As she sais it's her 2nd favorite teacher - I really don't think any teacher will beat out her 2nd grade teacher Mr. Bushman she adored him and he was really good w/her! But she seems to be coming in a close 2nd place ;-) She's getting A's in History, Homework, Reading (not surprised), Science and Writing! B's in Spelling and Grammer and her Math and Phonics are her downfalls but the teacher wasn't worried too much especially since she is learning at 5th grade level so she really skipped a grade, even though she's in 4th grade at this school they learn a grade level higher than normal so I know she'll catch on to the Math and Phonics it's just going to take some time! Poor girl she got her Math skills from her mama (I was really bad at it) but we'll get her there! Also socially she is doing great her teacher said which is a big improvement from Greenville last year so that is so good to hear as well! We are so proud of her and the strides she is making, I can't believe she'll be 10 (double digits) in just 3 short months :( My baby is growing way too fast! But that's how life goes and we just move along w/it :) 

Birthday Catch up!

Well this is way over due, poor Spencer! His Birthday was on March 5th and he turned 3! James was in the hospital during that time so he didn't get a big party or anything b/c of being in Salt Lake but we did the best we could due to circumstances! So we took him to a Birthday lunch w/grandma & grandpa Penning to Olive Garden! It was really nice b/c the waiter said they don't sing for Birthday's so we didn't expect anything. So when a group of them came over we were really surprised and excited they did it anyway just for him! He was a lucky little boy :) He got a cool remote truck, Spongebob towell & Spiderman plate from Grandma & Grandpa, a bubble gun and road/train track rug for his room from Mom & Dad. He also loves his gifts from everyone else that gave him one, thanks to all of you :) Then Grandpa & Daddy took him & Brooklynn to a really cool kids museum! Also he stayed the weekend w/us at the Ronald McDonald house and got to play a lot in the kids room at the hospital which was really fun, so much to do there :) Happy Birthday big boy! We love you!!

And Happy Birthday to dear Brooklynn! I did do her's during Christmas time but hadn't posted pictures from the actual day! We celebrated her Birthday the same night we had Christmas w/Grandma & Grandpa Hirschi since we were in Washington. She wanted a horse cake so that's what is on top of the cake, she loved it! Happy big 9 Brooklynn dear :) We love you too!!

Out with the old & in with the new!!!

But will always treasure the memories this last year has brought! We just got back from Washington for Christmas and are all missing the family already but finally getting settled back into everyday life. Here are pic's of the fun trip we had together w/lot's of fun adventures!

Waiting at the airport for our plane to board!

The first night we got in all the boys took the older kids to get our 'real' Christmas tree for the upstairs. Grandma loves getting to watch the grandkids decorate the real tree so we got a super deal since it was only 4 days before Christmas! They got a $60 tree for $8 bucks! There was a lot of snow in Yakima before we came but the day we came in it had warmed up and rained so most the snow was gone but the kids found a snow pile and immediately started throwing snow balls

For Family night dad & Brian put the lights on the tree, the grandkids put all the ornaments mom had from all the years of us kids growing up on the tree and us girls finished up decorating mom's house w/the rest of the decorations that hadn't gotten up yet! And of course we couldn't have a day w/out the daily wrestling match between all the kids! Spencer was in HEAVEN...He loves to wrestle and all the kids in our family love it too so he got to wrestle someone everyday while we were there...and most the time his wrestling partner was either his 4 yr old cousin Logan or his grandpa! Grandpa is usually always the instigator but the kids love it! What a first night to start out our holiday vacation - bring on the fun!

Here is the end result when the kids were all done!



The next day was big kid day w/Brian & Adam at the slopes! They went up to White Pass ski resort w/Brooklynn, Danny & Ezzy! This was Brooklynn's 2nd attempt at skiing & both Danny & Ezzy's first time ever along w/their daddy Adam! So basically Brian was the only one up there that really knew what he was doing but it all turned out great! The kids LOVED it, no injuries, and I think Adam even had a great time even though he was learning too! I have a feeling Brian will be making skiers & snowboarders out of our children b/c so far they LOVE it!

Wednesday was a fun night too but I didn't capture any pictures! I made the famous Applesauce bread for my dad so we could do our traditional caroling drop offs to his families he home teaches! It was fun to see the families we visited that I grew up around. And the singing was fun too! On the way to one of the houses we drove past a parade of BIG trucks (semi's, coke truck, etc.) all decked out in Christmas lights & decorated w/Christmas decor! They also played holiday music w/a loud speaker on there trucks as they drove by it was a really cool sight to see and I wish we could of taken pics but it was too dark and they were moving so they wouldn't of turned out anyway. There was about 5 of them all driving slowly like a parade it was a perfect ending to our caroling night!! And Brian actually sang too!! He's such a trooper...love that boy :)

Christmas Eve day Rachel put on a cookie decorating party w/yummy hot chocolate! She had some friends from high school come w/their kids and it was fun seeing them, what a blast from the past! Brooklynn was digging this activity she is very crafty! I was shocked that all Spencer wanted to do was play outside when there were cookies to be had! This was his reaction when I tried getting him to come in and decorate cookies (if you can see it w/those big sunglasses on, he kept those things on the whole time he was outside, he thought he was pretty dang cool) - so I let him play and he just enjoyed eating the cookies after they were decorated he is a true boy that's for sure!!!

Then for Christmas Eve night we had lot's of family over for a Christmas Program! It started out with the Christmas Story that my dad narrated while all the kids were in their costumes and played the parts in the story! Brooklynn was very lucky and got to be Mary and Spencer well let's just say he was a wandering Shepherd! He of course didn't stand around Joseph & Mary like he was suppose to but hey at least he kept his outfit on and he was good until he decided it was more fun to try and use the cane as a weapon ;) Very humorous night - let's just say all my family and extended family really got to see how full my hands are w/this boy! Then at the end cousin Victoria (the Angel) sang Silent Night to everyone and it was very beautiful she has a good voice! Then each of our families were in charge of doing a devotional which we read about how the song Silent Night came about. Then it ended w/some fun games! We all got presents & lot's of candy by the end of the night - Thanks mom & Leticia for putting on those cool games it was a lot of fun! Definitely many laughs and love going around that night at the Penning home!

Then there was Christmas Day! Kids all woke up early and started on the stockings! Then all the kids opened up their gifts from Santa, Grandma & Grandpa! Then once the kids were done and playing w/their new stuff us adults got to open ours! Started out a little hectic but ended very nicely and of course went by way too fast like always. Then onto making Dinner - very busy doing that so I didn't get many pictures that day. But the dinner was fabulous and delicious as always! My mom is the best at Turkey's it was so moist and yummy! Later I attempted some Oreo balls dipped in Chocolate (thanks to Colleen Widmer & sharing her recipe) and oh man they are so good, very rich but so worth it! Then no more cooking -- Turkey sandwiches and leftovers for the rest of the day and night! We relaxed & played games the rest of the day! And spent some time w/our good friends the Gagnier's and Fox's! It was a good day and the best part I think were the pies and games, games & more games! Oh ya and the Turkey sandwiches too.


Then on Saturday the last day w/the McCrackens before they left back to Vegas we had a sledding day! Had to drive a while to get to snow but they all had a blast so it was worth it. I of course can't sled so I didn't go and stayed back w/my mom & sisters. Rach had to pack for the trip home and that was a perfect opportunity since everyone was out of the house! So it was some nice quiet time at the house which didn't happen very often.

During the trip the kids had so much fun even just at the house! They watched Christmas shows, played together, played outside a little, the little one's rode bikes since there the little trikes that can be inside and whenever I couldn't find Spencer he was inevitably upstairs in my sister's apartment playing w/Logan & Haiden and their awesome boy toys! He loved it up there!!! Him and Logan really got along so well this time I think their both coming into a good age and play together so well, most of the time! It was really nice for both mama's!!

Then that evening (Sat night day after Christmas) we celebrated Logan's 4th Birthday! His Birthday is Dec 26th so Adam & Lindsey made an awesome Spiderman Birthday cake...They put a lot of time into it and it turned out amazing! Adam LOVES decorating cakes so Lindsey is always excited for his cakes every other Christmas when he's around to decorate it for her! And while we were doing it we sang to Brooklynn and gave her presents as well since we were all together and her Birthday is Jan 6 which is this next week! I can't believe I'll have a 9 yr old ~ Life sure flies by so fast! Thanks Logan for sharing your Birthday party w/Brooklynn what a fun party!

Then Sunday I got to go to the ward I grew up in and see my dad up on the stand conducting since he's the Bishop and this was his month to conduct! Saw many familiar faces and it was a good spiritual day! My lifelong friend Josie and I are only 4wks apart in our pregnancy's so we had to get a picture together before I left! She is due Feb 8th and having a girl so I had fun picking out a gift for her, I love buying girl gifts!! It's crazy how many of my friends/family are pregnant at the same time w/me and so close together too. It's an amazing experience and won't ever take it for granted.

We left Yakima on Tuesday afternoon and that was a very sad day for me. I miss them all so much already and especially all the game playing I got in too! And the chocolate pie, laughing so hard I cry, just being in the same room as my loved ones, making yummy meals together, baking yummy desserts together, the leftovers, laughing at the kids while wrestling w/grandpa or eachother, the togetherness of family all of it I miss so much and I don't know what I'd do w/out being able to have memories to hold onto cause that's what get's me through until the next time I'm w/all of them. Thanks family for being the best family ever and having such loving hearts, love you all! Hope everyone has a great New Year w/many loving memories to hold onto as well!