How to catch up?

It is time for my yearly post. So much has happened and yet I feel like nothing has changed. I am not exactly sure where to begin, so I will try to post a little by little every week. Of course, I know the only one who is possibly still reading our "blog" is my Mom. This one's for you!

A quote from James Thurber sums it all up,

"Boys are beyond the range of anyone's sure understanding, at least when they are between the ages of 18 months and 90 years."

I will definitely receive some flak for this photo, I just don't care. This sums up the experience I have with my son on a daily basis. My initial assumption is that Morgan is a "typical" 2 year old, but as I have very limited experiences with 2 year old boys...I honestly don't know for sure. I can only hope that other moms (not for their sakes, but for mine) wake up with salt poured all over the floor, cabinets -and walls- used as coloring books, milk spilled on the table from morning cereal...I could go on. However, for every ounce of "trouble" this child inflicts on our lives he brings twice as much JOY. I wish he were a snuggler, because I can't get enough of holding him and smooching on him. When he is an angel he is irresistible. Physically he has changed a lot over the last year- he has become very ACTIVE and can do a lot of physical activities that McKenzie still hasn't mastered. He weighs only 2 pounds less than her and is less than a foot shorter.

He loves furry things, four-wheelers, candy, presents, cars, making loud noises, "reading" books, our dog bones, Daddy's hats, and coloring on everything. All of these things can't add up to his greatest love of all- McKenzie. He can't stand to be away from her for more than ten minutes and it is a mystery to almost everyone- because she has made it her life mission to make him miserable.

His personality makes him most special. He is by nature a "ham". I have never seen him being "shy" and can't imagine him going anywhere without making instant friends. He is incredibly helpful and independent. At times he just "zones" out and becomes quite pensive- very interesting. He has my quick temper, lack of communication, and ability to turn the other cheek. He has Heath's energy, sensitive nature, and curiosity. Morgan, I am quite confident, has a strong heart and will continue to be exactly who he is for a long time to come.

Look, I Still Blog...

Honestly, one blog every 8 months is sufficient for our rather stale lives. Some things have changed since April (mostly not though)...

Heath:
Shameless Plug: *If you or anyone needs a dent(s) removed from a vehicle- I know someone. No more working at a restaurant. Heath is now working as a paint less-dent remover, which has interesting hours and a really cool car attached to it. He is currently working on a very special project that has a very large amount of secrecy surrounding it- McKenzie tells me "it's" a horse, I have no clue. Confused? Me too. The deer hunt this fall was unsuccessful (no tears were shed by me). Tip: when the deer live in your backyard I think they are "on" to you.

Me:
I am a "teacher". My life is filled with grading papers, cutting, pasting, planning, copying, etc... I wish I got paid by the hour. I love my job though- there really is nothing like being in charge of a group of children all day long and feeling good about what you "do". If it weren't against the law I would post a picture of the class on "red" day (it looks like someone vomited U of U in our classroom). I am running the Ragnar (apparently) in June. Also, I have taken up a new hobby: real-life bumper cars. I've also decided that I need some items to add to my dinner menu, it is difficult cooking every night.

McKenzie:
As cheerful as always McKenzie is clearly cut out for being a girl. She will be getting married in the spring to a lovely boy named Afton. I've only met him once (while eating his go-gurt during the zoo field-trip lunch picnic) but he seems able to tolerate her drama so he's "in". McKenzie is enjoying her preschool time and will continue her dream of becoming a world renowned dancer (or princess, whichever comes first) one dance class at a time. Her hobbies include, but are not limited to: torturing Morgan, singing, talking nonstop, torturing Morgan, playing with princesses, watching movies, being tortured by Morgan, painting fingernails, and crying.

Morgan:
Boy. Boy. Boy. Into everything. Sticky, stinky, silly, adventurous, handsome, sweet, needy, spoiled, boy. Morgan didn't start walking- he ran. He climbs and is taking his time with the talking- I blame the tumble off the bed onto the hardwood floor when he was an infant as part of the problem, but more likely it is the binky (pacifier) he clings to like a bald man to his toupee during a windstorm.

Morgan Turns One

My sweet little blue-eyed boy reached his first-year milestone on April 8, 2010. Here are some photographic highlights:

Before:

After:

Easter 2010

Easter was fun, we had Heath's parents down from Wyoming. It snowed like 10 feet, so the egg hunt was inside and fairly uneventful. Did I mention there was candy?
I ate it and then I had gas.

"Sharing"':

A little girl and her bike...

Together, sometimes...

Another successful Christmas. This year we spent our time in Wyoming with Heath's family: above is a picture of us on Christmas Eve.

School has started again for me. Another full-time semester, and more work than I care to share with others. I work part time at the restaurant as a server, still. I am with my two children and husband with what little time I have during the day- I am so grateful for the love and support of all my family and friends!
This past year has brought some changes for McKenzie- such as: potty training, turning 3, seeing the princesses, being a princess, playing with princesses, talking like a princess, watching movies, (OK- so not very many of those are changes, but she is grown up before our eyes)...She has a big personality to go along with her big smile!

Morgan is 9 months old. He is in the 90% and above for height, weight, and head size. He wants to be mobile but lacks the basic understanding of how to work his body (thank goodness). Our family dynamic has changed completely since the birth of Morgan last April- we are so happy to have him... Such a good boy. Also- he has four (almost five) teeth now.

Heath is working as Manager at the restaurant. He is excited about a new job he just started at a local academy for older kids- he will be teaching them to fly as part of their extra curricular activities. He has only been an employee for one week and has yet to know if he really enjoys the job. The big deal is- he gets to fly everyday!