You Say It's Your Birthday

McKell turned eleven last Sunday. She picked to eat out at Texas Roadhouse on Saturday night. Grandma and Grandpa Pinnock were here and got to celebrate with us.

She decided that to have her birthday on Sunday is a little boring, but we had cupcakes and ice cream. She got to open 11 presents and loved having a big chocolate birthday milkshake, a new tradition that we stole from the Arfmann's (thanks).

Instead of a big party, I talked her into having a small get together with her closest friends. Monday after school we went for ice cream at Coldstone. They ate and talked and did a lot of laughing.

They decided to go outside and pose for some pictures. I have said it many, many times but McKell's friends are just so great. I get to teach them all at the school and they are so fun, kind, silly, and totally cute.

Eleven things about McKell: She has great fashion-sense, loves math, she is counting down the days left of elementary school, still loves to dance, is NOT a morning person, is dying to have a cell phone, loves to jump on the trampoline, likes to be in charge, loves cookies and cream Hershey bars, likes spending time with her cousins, loves to hear stories about when I was her age. Happy Birthday McKell.

Hollywood Vibe

It's that time of year again - dance competition season and McKell LOVES IT! And, who am I kidding, so do I:) In the middle of March she went to "Hollywood Vibe" her first dance convention in Ogden. She had a great time taking classes from the best. I got to go along and just loved it and thought it was such a great experience for her.

Here was most of our little group of 5th and 6th graders. This was after the first night. They were pretty worn out.

Back at it again the next day - just stretching getting ready to dance.

One of the highlights was taking class from Ade (from "So You Think You Can Dance") pictured above. They also had classes in tap, lyrical, ballet, jazz, and hip hop with the teachers pictured below.

And this last picture below is at the first competition of the season. It is her favorite competitive number this year, it is a dance with 6 girls to "Shake it Up." This dance got a platinum (the highest) that day. She has also decided that she doesn't like wearing her glasses to dance this year so it is harder for me to spot her on the floor. She is darling either way.

Meg, Emme, McKell

Jr. Prom

A few weeks ago, Braxton went to Jr. Prom:)

The answer. His date left this cute flower on his jeep one night.

The corsage. It was beautiful, complete with red feathers and silver ribbon. I loved it. I guess his date did too.

The tuxedo. He thought it was really cool to wear a tux and he looked so handsome.

The date. He went with Madi and they had a fabulous time. I am so glad he went, his high school years are coming to an end too quickly.

Rockstar

Miss McKell is quite the little rockstar. She never stops moving. She loves to sing, dance, drum, and sometimes just be crazy.

One night her and Cam decided to put on a concert. Cam played drums and sometimes the guitar while McKell sang and danced.

Derek and I were invited to watch the very loud concert put on by the "Bedazzled Heroes." Yes, a name they made up themselves.

About a week later she rocked out at the Justin Bieber movie. I love the poses she is always doing. She has never been one to shy away from the camera. Sometimes I feel like her personal paparazzi:)
Here she is with Berkley and Meg rocking out to Thriller at school for an activity with our principal.
I wouldn't trade her rockstar personality for anything. She is tons of fun. And today she even rocked the school spelling bee and took 5th place. She is the best.

Valentine's Day

We had a fun Valentine's Day. Last week in class McKell made this huge envelope to collect her Valentine's. It was so cute. She also got to get dressed up and go to the "Manners Tea" a tradition at our elementary school.

The minute we got in the house after school she dumped her envelope to look through and read all the valentine's from her class. She got quite the haul, her class has 35 kids in it.

With Valentine's Day on a Monday, I decided to do something different. Derek and I had already went out over the weekend so we had a dinner at home for the four of us. McKell helped me decorate after school. And the roses in the middle were my Valentine's gift from Derek that were delivered to me at work today. I love them:) The dinner was yummy (takeout from Chili's).

Of course, we ended with chocolates and treats.

Did You Know?

Derek has been alive for 18.4 million minutes

His heart has beat 1.29 billion times

He has slept 98 thousand hours

Did you know he turned a year older today?

Did you know that when I met Derek my life became ten billion times better?

Well, now you do!

10 for '10

Here's to 2010 - in pictures:)

Derek (and me) turned the big 35 in 2010. When we moved into our current neighborhood, 10 years ago, we were the youngest couple that lived up here. I remember multiple times saying how old I thought everyone was - they were around 10 years older than us at that time which is 35. So, all I can say is either we are old or 35 really isn't that old. I may have somewhat of a breakdown in August when I turn 36 and will be closer to 40 than 30:)

McKell turned 10 and has been around for an entire decade. She has been such a joy. In 2010, she started her last year of elementary school, walked in her last Halloween parade, danced a lot, and played with friends. She is growing up, she is 10 going on about 16.

Derek took his young men on a little trip. They did some service, went to the sand dunes, and more. His calling as YM President has been a big part of 2010, it is great, but keeps him busy and he loves it and the boys.

Our family had a neat experience of participating in a mini pioneer trek. It seriously was hard. I learned a few things that day: 1. It made me appreciate all that I have and what the pioneers went through and 2: I will never be crossing the plains with a handcart or without one for that matter.

McKell made a summer list. She said her favorite thing was going to the Hogle Zoo. The list kept us busy this summer, but, allowed us to spend a lot of time together as a family and do fun things. We will be making another this summer.

The girls in my family all got together and had a tea party. We made some great memories and hopefully we will have another this summer since we missed Allison and Stacey.

FOOTBALL 2010 - many days and nights were spent watching and cheering for LHS. Braxton spent even more time practicing and playing. It has been a big part of high school for him and he loves it and we love to watch him.

We spent many holidays and just some random weekends with my family. Honestly, family is everything. I love that my family is close. It makes me sad when I talk to people who don't spend time with their parents or their siblings, they are truly missing out. My immediate family consists of 35 wonderful people and we love spending time with them.

Derek spent some time this year at Crossfit and still enjoys it. He won the 12-week challenge this past fall.

Braxton turned 17 this year and is a junior. He loves driving and has been dating and going to dances. I am so glad he enjoys high school. He is still a great kid. Overall, as I was trying to think what big things we had done in 2010, I couldn't come up with anything that was just huge. We have just done normal, everyday things, but have had a fun year.

So here's to 2011. A year that will be great and full of firsts for McKell as she heads off to middle school, and a year of lasts as Braxton will start his senior year. Hope your 2011 is great too.