Ahhhhh! so cute! PICs with Ethan

Ethan is already getting close to the three month mark. We thought we better get at least one picture of him. The next picture is what are family typically looks like when Ethan is around--can't get enough of that cute boy. Sorry, no smile, but we were lucky to get him awake. He was pretty tired by the time we took his pictures and I had to keep wiggling him around so he'd open his eyes. I remember taking Zach and Cameron to get their pictures done when they were young. They cried the whole time. I finally told the photographer to forget it and apologized for her time and effort. They were nice and sent us a few pocket photos though of the kids with pouty lips and crocodile tears- so funny now to look at.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! LOVE, THE MCKINNEY'S

2009 has been a wonderful year! We had 2 weddings in the family-(YEA!) and a brand new addition to the family.
Ethan is a joy in our home. The kids can't get enough of him. He on the other hand, let's them know when he's had enough. His personality is starting to emurge. We love the cute agoo's, ahhh's, laugh's, smile's and squeeks in that low boy voice of his.
Brooklyn is as tiny as a minute but as fiesty as a giant. Don't let her sweet demure and quietness in public fool you, at home she is a ball of energy and you can hear her cute voice all over the house-(yes, sometimes even bossing her big brothers) She loves to sing, dance, and dress up. She's a great help to her mom with baby brother in the mornings when all of the other kids are at school.
Hailey is big time this year starting Kindergarten. She's the smallest in her class but that doesn't intimidate her. She loves school and does well. She is quite the socialite and has made lots of new aquaintences this year. We're still working on her speech (C and G) but it doesn't seem to hinder her communicating with her friends. Hailey loves to color and draw, dance, and play school with her sister.
Jonathan is in 1st grade this year and seems to love going. He's usually quite responsible in getting his homework done every day without mom having to remind him. He is as active as ever and doesn't seem to slow down for a minute until his head hits the pillow at night. He got 1st place in all of his wresting tournaments this year and their soccer team was undefeated. He loves doing sports and there's always a smile on his face even when his face is smashed against the wrestling mat. He doesn't have too many scars this year which gives me hope that he's starting to learn that there are limits to doing most things.
Cameron is in 4th grade and doing well. He loves to draw, read, and play with and trade his Pokemon cards. He's still doing soccer and their competition team has done quite well winning all of there tournaments and 1st place in their outdoor season. They play in the championship game this wednesday for his indoor season. Cameron is a pretty simple kid-doesn't like to wear anything to fancy(a pair of jeans and plain t-shirt suit him quite nicely) and quite content with just staying home. He has quite the personality and isn't shy about being silly - even in public.
and then there's Zachary. It's hard to believe he's in 5th grade and his Elementary days are quickly winding down. Just one more year and he's in Junior High AHHHH! Where has time gone. Zachary has been a great help at home with Ethan. He's taken on more responsibility in helping me with Ethan(yes- even changing diapers) He's a smart kid but we're still learning on how to help him focus on getting tasks done and not getting distracted. He is quite coordinated and enjoys being active at home with his brothers and at school. He did wrestling and soccer this year and did really well. He has quite the personality. He has a lot of self-confidence and will get up in front of people to sing a song, do a dance, or act out a character.
This year we have wept over the knowledge of my little niece's diagnoses of a terminal illness but have had joy in spending precious time with her and seeing her be so strong and blessed as far as her health is concerned. She is a blessing to our family and we ask for continued prayer and fasting in her behalf and her family for we know that has helped her so much. I start up dance again and look forward participating in that passion of mine once a week. I'm back in young women's again and look forward to teaching the Beehives. Wes is still as busy as ever. I have seen him grow in his abilities as a bishop. He gave a great talk yesterday- I guess practice makes perfect. HE, HE, and he's had a lot of practice. He's a great dad and his kids adore him.
We love all of our family and friends and are so grateful to have you all a part of our lives even if we aren't able to see some of you much. Our thoughts, prayers, and love go out to all of you- especially this special Christmas season where we reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the perfect example that he led. We love him and are grateful to share in the Christmas spirit. We decided this year for Christmas instead of buying our children and each other presents that we would try to help someone in need. The Tijuana Christian Mission in Mexico is an orphanage in which we picked 5 children(each one are one of our kids ages) and then picked out toys and clothes and goodies for them which we mailed to them for Christmas. Our children have delighted in doing this service and Wes and I have truly felt the spirit of Christmas. I don't think this will be a yearly tradition, but I think we all can find someone in need every Christmas holiday. We love you all! Take Care and hope to see you all sometime this next great year.

Jon's 7th Birthday

Jonathan had a great birthday- our ward Fall Festival was the same night and so he got two parties. The kids love the fall festival with face painting, fish pond, pumpkin carving contest, ring toss w/pop, games, pot luck dinner, and trunk or treat. The kids were so full by the time we got home they passed up birthday cake and sherbet. I'm thinking as many birthdays our family has in October we should have an annual Halloween Family Birthday Party (Mom, Dad, Angela, Chad, Lucy, Jocey, Scott, Jonathan) What do you think?

Halloween 2009

The annual carving of the pumpkin-Family Night Fun!

OHHHHHAAAAAAAHA! I VANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD!

Introducing Pedro- who can make all your wildest dreams come true- and Alfred the whiz kid(aka-NERD)

And last but not least, Tinkerbell and her Pixie Hollow friend- Rosetta.

Ethan's Big Day

November 1st we blessed little Ethan Samuel McKinney. It was a great day- beautiful weather, a house bursting at the seams with family, lots of food, and the sweet spirit that we felt while Wes gave him a blessing surrounded by a host of worthy priesthood brethren. The spirit just flows and fills the room. What gratitude I felt to be able to raise another one of Heavenly Father's special spirit children and grateful for the joy he has brought into our home.

A little yawn after a long but- grrreat day! Notice my new blessing outfit that Grandma Smith made me. HANDSOME LITTLE MAN!Chubby CHEEKS! The kids seem to measure how chubby his cheeks are every day with a little squish with their hands applied to each cheek- they are quite excited that he's getting chubby like cousin Jackson and Beckam.

Grandma helped out for a week. Here's her and Ethan bonding

Ahhhh, big sister's got the touch

1st Pics of #6-Ethan Samuel McKinney

September 29, 2009 was finally just a nights wink away. I was scheduled to come in at 7:30am and then they were going to prep me so that I could be wheeled into surgery around 9:30am. That morning I woke up around 2:30 am because I couldn't sleep. I tried to go back to sleep when I started having contractions which isn't unusual but they were coming every 6 to 8 minutes. So now what- I thought maybe if I walked around they would go away- but nope- so I decided to do whatever any normal 9 month pregnant lady would do when in labor- curl my hair! Yup! I figured if I was going to be up timing contractions I might as well do something constructive. Well, now it had been 2 hours of continuous contractions and they started to hurt more and more- I was afraid if I waited till the time I was supposed to be at the hospital that my uterus could very well rupture inbetween now and then- so I called down at labor and delivery and they told me to "Come On Down"! Everything went as well as could be hoped for- my bladder had adhered "cemented"to the top of the uterus so other than having to cut through "a whole lot" of scar tissue and find another route to cut open my uterus to take the baby out- everything was fine. The doctors said this was a really good baby to stop on and if you saw how disfigured and ugly the outside of my body was after hearing how scarred and messed up the inside of my body was- you'd probably agree. Before they pulled the baby out they asked Wes what he thought it was (remember-I kept it a secret(he he) and he said GIRL. Well after they popped his head through and pulled him out they said "It's A Boy"!!!!! He came out crying which was a relief to me since we had two babies who came out not breathing. He was 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He was born at 8:42am. We obviously didn't have a name picked out. Right after he was born when I was in the recovery room Wes said he liked Kaden Samuel McKinney but once I was in my regular room he decided he liked Ethan Samuel McKinney. Samuel was my great grandpa's name who was the son of Joseph F. Smith and Wes's great-great grandpa Samuel was the first member of the church in Western North Carolina.

I stayed in the hospital until Friday morning. Wes is great to stay with me the whole time and "sleep" in a reclining chair. He's a better nursemaid then some at the hospital. I appreciate him. Nana and Pawpaw were troopers and lifesavers taking care of the kids while we were in the hospital. I wasn't surprised after we got home they were ready to go. Let's just say Nana goes above and beyond the call of duty. The kids just love them and she really works hard and waits on them hand and foot. The kids only got to see Ethan in the hospital once because they made a new rule that anyone under the age of 14 could not go into the labor and delivery area because of the flu. It's very serious in newborns and pregnant women. When we got home the kids were so excited- though maybe a tidbit disappointed. Ethan didn't quite react to the peek-a-boos and the toys they were waving in front of his face. We appreciated the friends and family that stopped by the hospital with gifts and support and all the friends and family that have dropped by the house since we've been home-we are SPOILED! We have the best friends, family, and neighbors EVER!!!! Most of the Smith Clan(my family) came Sunday to see the baby. It's nice being together with family(though the absence of Mel and the Lunt clan was felt) Ryan and Meagan worked vigorously in the kitchen and others helped to make a yummy lasagna lunch after a GREAT uplifting Conference session. I'm doing well. Wes has stepped in to take care of the kids and the household so I can concentrated on Ethan and myself. We hope all are doing well. We can't wait to see all sooner or later. LOVE YA -(Notice- the HAIR- he has hair and it's brown!!!)