Monday, February 24, 2014

Introducing Susan Dawn MacKay (if this is the only picture you've seen so far, scroll down for more details!)


Birthdate:  Monday, February 17, 2014
Time:  12:38pm
Weight:  6lbs. 14oz.
Length:  19inches
Significance of her name: Susan- after my mother, Dawn- after Jason's mother

So last time, with the twins, I got the ultimate 2 for 1 deal.  Well this time I got a 3 for 1 deal!-1) Beautiful perfect baby girl, 2) Tubes tied-yes folks we are done, 3) Appendix removed.  Bet you didn't expect that last one-- neither did we!  Apparently, my appendix was looking fairly suspicious and turned out to be in the early stages of turning nasty.  So hey, why not save me from a future surgery-- out it goes!  Crazy huh.  

The kids LOVE their new little sister and fairly glowed when they got to hold her for the first time.  It's so sweet to see their excitement for her.   

 
 
While we were at the hospital, the twins stayed with Grandma and Grandpa MacKay while the boys stayed at home with Nana so that she could take Jacob to school.  We are sooo blessed to have so much loving family support nearby.  DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD DO WITHOUT THEM.

 


All dressed up for the ride home.
Literally the day after we got home, Ethan and Brooklynn came down with fevers and cough, Braden got an ear infection, and Jake was still finishing up a cough he'd gotten earlier in the week.  So pretty much since that first day in the hospital they have seen very little of their new sister.  All I can say is THANK HEAVEN FOR NANA!!!!  
While I've been slathering myself with hand sanitizer, spraying everything including myself with lysol, and keeping Suzy on quarantine in the bedroom, Nana has energetically taken on the task of cleaning my house from corner to corner, laundering everything in sight, and tending to the needs of four sick little children.  She is AMAZING

One afternoon, Jason took the boys to "run errands" and came back with a bouquet of daisies with personalized cards they had picked out for Nana and Jason gave these to me.
I love this man.
Another interesting happening, the doctor who signed me out made a mistake in my pain meds and only prescribed half the amount I was supposed to receive.  So, I felt like wonder woman for a couple of days.  But, when the weekend hit, which means I couldn't call in to get any more, I suddenly ran out of the more powerful pain medications and spent Saturday and Sunday pretty much lying on my bed.  It's probably a good thing, because I think the initial meds may have been a bit too powerful and this forced me to slow down.  The boys, baby Suzy, and Jason and I still made it out to Grandma MacKay's house for Sunday dinner though (just switched from my bed to their couch.)  Shauna and Colby, and Jesse and his girl Whitney had come into town so we couldn't resist seeing all of them.  And we got to hear some pretty exciting news. . . . . . Shauna and Sharie are both expecting and are due on the same day!!!  So pumped for their families!
To sum things up, we are doing well.  Bray is looking all better and the twins are finally fever free and on the mend.  And Suzy- she is such a sweet amazing baby.  She has been eating well, getting on a fairly regular sleeping schedule, and even giving me extra hours at night here and there.  She is so mild and sweet and curious about everything.  I love how when I bring her out she can't stop turning her head and looking around at all the different sights and sounds.  Heavenly Father does answer prayers in the best possible ways.  So thankful for all of the love and support we have and are continuing to receive from family, ward members, and special friends.  A BIG thank you to all of you. 
I think Suzy has more of those sweet fleeting baby smiles than any other infant I've ever seen. She's just a happy baby.  Here's one Jason was able to catch on the camera!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Co-op Fun!

I am so blessed to have good friends!  Not only do Remi, Alyssa, and I really enjoy eachother's company as women, but we have great kids who also love playing together.  Every week we take turns hosting a co-op and give the other two moms a break!  Here's a few photos.

 Playing dress-up and having a tea party!
Last week Remi had the kids and decided to take everyone down the street to see the Grange's birds.  They loved the chickens and doves.  And, as you can see, Kristen let them hold a baby bird!  Their innocent excitement and curiosity are so precious!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Family Fun

The weather lately has been dreary and cold and rainy...  So today we spent another Saturday inside and tried not to go stir crazy.  Solution:  Turn lunch into a delicious art project!  I rumaged through the fridge and the patry and found everything I could use to put together a healthy, entertaining lunch for the kids. 
 This was a new concept for Ava and Brycen, so there was a bit of a learning curve - but it turned out to be so much fun - and everyone ate ALL their food!

Tada!

Mandy - Ava - Brycen

These are the best kids ever!

Happy Valentines Day

We "mustache" you to be our valentine!  The kids had such a fun time with their friends on Valentines Day.  My friend Alyssa did an "Art with Alyssa" day on Friday.  The kids made their own valentines and did a fun exchange-- needless to say we've been candied out the past couple of days!



Just wanted to let you all know that we love you and are thinking of you.  Hope everyone had a marvelous and happy valentines day and felt the love of family, friends, and our Heavenly Father.  Extra hugs and kisses from the MacKay clan!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our family and friends!  This year Drew was on shift at the fire station so we decided to go out the night before.  Drew took me to the wonderful Red Lobster!  Oh how I love seafood!  Tonight I ordered a lobster tail and a steak with a peppercorn hollandase and green beans!  In know, delish!  It was sooooo nice to go on a date with the most handsome guy I know!  He is an amazing husband, father and my best friend!  Love you Drew! 

While we waited for our table to be ready at the resturant, we walked around the area and "window shopped."  This store is currently remodeling and I couldn't resist a picture!

On the actual 'big day' I wanted to bring Drew and his crew something to enjoy - since they were all away from their families on this special day.  Drew has often mentioned how the firefighters try to eat healthy, so this was my solution - instead of cookies.  It took a bit of work to get them to stay in the bowl, but I think it turned out great and I'm kinda proud of myself!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Mom's 96th Birthday!

HAPPY 96th BIRTHDAY TO GRANDMA AFTON!

 
Still spunky and healthy!
We love you!


Sledding

 The first few times Riley was happy and ready to go.
 Braxton and Kanyon
 We only had two tubes so Kevin got in touch with the old school way of sledding and got a shovel from the truck.
 And took Riley for a ride.
The last trip down was the ultra-train...as ultra as it can be with only two tubes.  Riley didn't want to go and as Kanyon was pushing them off he got pulled on by Kevin so everyone got one last ride.