Big Ham and Coy Boy

Aren't pictures worth a thousand words? Ian is SO difficult to photograph! He does NOT cooperate!


I hope this isn't a preview of teenage years to come. (I think I've said that about his older sister too.)

My How They've GROWN!

I'll have to find an old picture of these two way back as babies. It's crazy that these were the first two McKendrick cousins of their generation, and now they seem so BIG! Caden's in first grade, and is too cool to hug his mom when she drops him off at school!
If that day ever comes for me, I think I'll cry! Wait a minute, on second thought, I'll probably do something really embarrassing that will get ALL of my child's friends' attention so that next time my child will just hug instead of risk the other alternative. (I am so my Dad! Yikes!)
Anyway, back to pumpkin patch, no back to hugging! Caden used to run up to me and give me big "Aunt Desi" hugs, but nowadays, he's reluctant. Caleb hasn't outgrown them yet. Ian sometimes punks me out though. I'll ask him for a hug, and when he gives me the "no" look, Brooklyn will run over and give me a hug. Thank you, Brookie!

Friendship Brings Happiness

Here's a little taste of how lucky we were this month: we got a surprise visit from some of our favorite friends, the Southwicks, who moved up to Monterey a few months ago.
Gabe, (not a Southwick) helped us decorate Halloween sugar cookies too. It felt like old times. We decorated cookies, (thank you very much, Lori), ate at Red Robin, hung out, and made a shopping trip to Mission Valley. Aaah! Life was good!
Another day, we were fortunate to have a few extra visitors romping around for our first turn at the co-op babysitting. We had a blast! Here the kids were dancing to some music.
Below is the only scene I snapped on camera from our recent ward camp-out. We went on an overnighter near Palomar Mtn. I was a better sport and actually went this year instead of sending Stephen and one of the children. Yes, it was a terrible night's sleep, yes the gnats were out in full force, and yes all our gear begged to be rid of lingering campsmoke when we returned, but it was worth the memories of singing off-key round the campfire, getting super sticky s'more fingers and feeling around in the dark for baby wipes, having your children eat more potato chips than anything else at dinnertime, and "holding it" as long as possible in the morning to avoid getting out of the tent and into the outhouse. Despite popular belief, Desirae Badger can muster "roughing it" with children for one night with a good attitude despite her neat-and-control-freakish ways. And it was genuinely fun. I didn't even have to try or pretend that I was enjoying. Really though, there is something uplifting and spiritual about breathing and sleeping in the wilderness. Aaaah.
Soooo, now that it's said and done, I think that I can check my "family campout" off the list for this year. :)
And I do apologize to my children that I'm not as fun as most other parents, especially Jana and David who plan their own super fun family campouts without the help of the ward activities committee. I am making strides though.

Flattered

is what Stephen should be.

Family Outing

What can I say? We fit right in.


I love the clean-up station right outside of the petting zoo. Everything is just rightly child-sized.

The zoo is best when Dad comes along. Then I don't have to push Ian in the stroller while also cheerleading Brooklyn along that she really CAN continue to walk. Retelling of the story The Little Engine That Could has become especially helpful in teaching her the power of positive thinking. (Thank you Nora for helping to create that poignant college memory in my class "Drama in the Elementary Classroom.")

Only a Month Behind

So much time, so few posts! Sorry we've been MIA on the blog scene lately. Here's a brief update. Ian (and Brooklyn, not pictured) enjoyed the finger painting activity that Brooklyn earned from her parents by participating in the Primary program this year in sacrament meeting. She knows most of songs from the Children's songbook, but for some reason, shied away from participating in the primary's sacrament singing on Mother's Day and Easter this year, so we had to go with a bribe...it worked.

Here's a reading time so quiet that...
Stephen actually caught a little snooze. Notice how shamu got booted off the trampoline, poor guy!
Brooklyn has been practicing reading and making simple words. I love the phonetic spellings she came up with. It makes sense to me!

His and her Mr. (and Mrs.) Potato head glasses
I'm loving the trade of babysitting Lorenzo in exchange for a haircut. He is such a cutie with those HUGE brown eyes! No, this is not a subtle announcement, but Ian loved playing the older sibling part.
My husband and children love the idea of a new baby in the home...
I just don't know if I'm ready for a year of fragmented nighttime shut-eye. How did our mothers ever do it without a complaint?

This and That as a matter of fact

This was taken right after church at Nini and Papa's house. Ian wasn't all that cooperative.
That's my boy! All smiles when he sees me :)


Potential Christmas card photo...don't hold your breath though. We haven't sent one out....EVER!
The cheese and pig tails.
This one should be censored...That's right!
Who me?
Watch out world, here I come!
Trouble gathered all around one table...Can you believe we gave them cups with no lids?
Carol is 1....plus 30. If you couldn't tell, that is an apple crisp, and yes, it was deliciouso.
I pity the po' foo'....who took my gold chains?
These boots were made for walkin'
The park at the beach was a little chilly.
"Underdog, please!"
Pianist in training...
Ocean creatures...grown in our own bath tub.
I am like a star shining brightly....
WE LOVE CHOCOLATE! (Desirae, Brooklyn, and Ian came up to the hospital for dessert. My coworkers threw me a little going away lunch party.)
Here's my tidy office.
I am now the former patient logistics manager of Scripps La Jolla.
Brooklyn got her stuffed animals ready for church.
Do these outfits remind anyone else of Eric and Rebecca? (Thanks Mom)