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.