SALT LAKE CITY TRIP

The kids had Friday off from school so we decided to take a little trip and stay in downtown Salt Lake City. We had everything packed and surprised the kids on Thursday when they got home from school. We stayed at the Marriot on Thursay and Friday night. On Friday we went to Temple Square and The Gateway. We couldn't leave without making a stop at BUILD A BEAR. After a long day we went back to the Hotel and Jackson took a nap. Ryan stayed with Jackson so me and the girls went to "The Garden" at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for dinner. We had a wonderful girls night out. The girls had so much fun, they said they can't wait for Aunt Jodi to get here to take her to eat at The Garden. We did alot of swimming while we were there. We met alot of families while we were there and they were doing the same thing. I think we should do alot more of these small vacations more often!!!

view from our room on the 12th floor
Ryan and Jackson running thru the water at The Gateway

Jackson after the water got him

girls at The Garden Restaurant

Temple from The Garden

Reagan


Kennedy


Swimming and having fun

Build A Bear's (have speakers in the feet to play music from your MP3)

TOOTHLESS REAGAN

Reagan's two front teeth have been loose for about 6 months and we can't get them to come out. So finally on December 31st we were over at my parents and she got hit in the face with my moms METAL American Girl doll bed. It knocked out one of her front teeth and made the other one very loose. It was driving Ryan CRAZY that the other tooth was barely hanging in, so he talked Reagan into letting him tie dental floss around it and pulling it out. I don't need to explain anymore, the pictures explain it ALL!!!

BEFORE

Putting dental floss on

Dental floss on and now getting scared

Get ready - 1, 2, 3
even the cat had to see what was up

All Done

AFTER


She was such a great sport, she only cried for a little bit. I don't think she'll ever let Ryan talk her into that again. Well after all said and done the tooth fairy did come and brought her $3. She now has $6 from her teeth in the last week.

CHRISTMAS 2010

We had a really nice Christmas this year. My sister and nephew Justice came in from Tennessee to help me with baby McKinley and my other kids, but I ended up having McKinley 3 weeks early so I felt great when they got here. They stayed for 11 days and we had so much fun while they were here. They've only been gone for 5 days and we already miss them so much. We wish they could live here!!!

Christmas Eve - SURPRISE everyone got new PJ's

Christmas Eve - Decorating Cookies

(I think Jodi & Justice had the most fun)

Christmas Morning

Aunt Jodi & McKinley

McKinley's shirt says "All I want for Christmas is my Auntie"

Kennedy, Justice & Reagan getting ready to go sledding

McKinley 1 Month

McKinley is now 1 month old. She is doing wonderful. She is now 5 lbs. 2 oz. and growing. This little girl is such a miracle and we truly believe she was sent to us from Ryan's dad that passed away in October of 2009. We named her after her Grandpa Lynn Patterson - McKinley Lynn Patterson. She'll be our little reminder of him everyday. We love and miss you so much dad and thanks for the wonderful gift!!!

I also want to thank my cousin Nikki for taking this cute picture of McKinley. She did a great job. More wonderful pics to follow.

McKinley

McKinley Lynn Patterson

she loves her paci

we finally get to hold her after 5 days


McKinley is doing much better. They took her vent tube out, took her off sedation, took blood gas line out and we were finally able to hold her after 5 days. Today she was finally able to eat, she got her first bottle at 5:30 am. If all goes well hopefully she'll be home by this weekend.


I want to thank everyone for the prayers and well wishes. I also want to thank all my family and friends for all your help thru this. Thanks for the help with our other kids so Ryan could be with me and McKinley at the hospital and for the dinners. That helps so much so I don't have one more thing to worry about.


Thanks Again and I Love You All Very Much!!!