Happy Dad's Day!

Here is to Mark's first official Father's Day! What a miraculous man I married. My husband, Mckinley's dad...he does laundry, keeps Mckinley fed, clothed (sometimes even picks a matching bow to go with the outfit), cleans the house, makes the bed and ultimately, makes the sacrifices of the average "bread winner" to be home with our little girl. He is an amazing father with so much patience and love for our daughter it boggles me. I love to see them snuggled up in our bed in the mornings before I leave for work- nestled close, Mckinley's hand tucked gently into Mark's goatee- I love them! Here is to all the dad's out there- love and adoration. HAPPY DAD'S DAY!

7 months

Not a whole lot to report. The weather here this week has been unseasonably cool and we are taking full advantage. I got up early and went yard sailing yesterday-not too many good finds. The most noteworthy- "Blades of Glory" & "Quigley Down Under" for $2.

Mark, Mckinley and I went swimming for a bit yesterday- she LOVES the pool and it was fun to watch her. These are some pictures of her right after her nap...if you look closely you can see her two teeth on the bottom :)

Grateful for Sundays- I love to sit down and read the newspaper. I especially like that we have church @ 1:00 so I can max and relax in the morning. We are having the Iunds/Stephens over for dinner tonight. Always grateful for friends.

In a few short weeks we will be back in Utah. I am grateful for the vacation and the reprieve from the hot weather. Mark and Tony are going to Cali for the motorcycle races so this will just be a girl trip-two full days off work!

Where it's at...

Two weeks of no blogging can be deadly! These first pictures are of Mckinley's first trip to the zoo. It was actually pretty "cool" for Phoenix standards, one of the last days under 90 so it was nice. Mimi, Papa and Brittnee came with and it was fun. Mckinley was pretty ornery but fell asleep right as we were leaving. She did look super cute in her shades and hat.

This last weekend, we headed to Utah for the shortest trip of ALL time. If you are reading this and you didn't know we were in town, take no offense, we got in late Friday night and left Sunday night so there wasn't much time. Do not fret, I will be back in July for a little longer :) We had a good time for the 48 hours we were there. Did some yard saling (Herriman put on a great show!), went to Sunni's MS Charity Boutique which was such a good idea, my sweet mother-in-law's retirment party and Mark got to go to the motorcycle races with his dad and brothers.

Mimi and Mckinley

Above is my sister Bree and her husband with Mckinley (Bree is pregnant and due in Sept...Mckinley is excited to meet her cousin) and then, lastly, this is me and my closest cousin Ashlee and her twins Finn and Sophie. All the kiddies played together and it was fun to see.

We are so blessed to have friends and family. We do miss Utah and will eventually make it back but the short trip revitalized us for a bit.

Pictureless

I think this is the first blog ever that won't have any pictures. I just needed a place to type a few things.
1. I woke up super early this morning. The sky was gray and the air was thick and wet, so un-Arizona-like. I ran. I hadn't run since Tuesday and it felt great. I blasted some Rod Stewart (he needed a little redeeming after his dreadful American Idol performance). My hair was wet, shoes soaked, legs burned but it was so peaceful and great. A small reprieve from the heat.
2. I finished another journal this morning- the last page gets me so excited to start a new one. The new one- zebra print with a pink strap. It is exciting to imagine what life will be like mid-journal and interesting to thumb back through the old one and see where I have come. This one, mainly the treacherous journey to pregnancy, throughout and the first 7 months of my sweet Mckinley's life.
3. I painted my nails black- deep black with a sheer, shiny coat on top. I love black nail polish. Not like Emo Kid black or Adam Lambert black (hallelujah he is gone!) but a dark color that hides the imperfections of my nibbled cuticles. It does have it's down sides though- the chipping of it drives me insane and inevitably, it won't last the weekend.
4. Tomorrow, my parents and little sister Brittnee come into town. The weather should be great while they are here and I am grateful for that.
5. Sunday Mark and I get to speak in church. My talk is pretty much done. I find the less I write, the less I rely on reading so I am at a good stopping point.
6. I had to teach last week in Relief Society- went well. I know in my nervousness I turn into the Micro machine Man (talking a million miles a minute) but I feel overall, went pretty well.
7. My boss, Tyler Nelson, let me take the day off today. I had no idea how much I needed it and how my prayers were answered. I was really stressing because I needed just one day. One single day. I enjoyed it. Lunch with friends @ the Cheesecake Factory and jewelry class tonight.

Life is good. Too blessed to be stressed.

The Best Ride of My Life

Stike A Pose!!

Who is that sexy man on that beautiful red machine

This was the haunted hotel I was scaring away the ghost with my awesomeness

Tony had to pose for this picture twice and he still doesn't look as cool as me

Well my good friend Tony and I went for an awesome motorcycle ride this weekend. We went from his house to Prescott and then to Jerome. The road was clean and clear with lots and lots of twisties to be had. I think it was the most fun I have had with my clothes on in a good long time. I had to take it easy because the VFR has sprung a leak in the front forks but she held up fine for this trip and some new racing springs and fresh seals are in the mail to fix her up as good as new. We had breakfast in Prescott at this little cafe where lots of people were dressed up like wild west cowboys six shooters and all. Then we went out to Jerome. I don't know who has been there before but that place is wierd. It is up in the mountains and they built the town on the mountainside. It looks a lot like Europe according to Tony. We went to a haunted hotel and walked around a bit and then headed back. Tony has been bugging me to do this ride for like two years and I am amazed that he was actually right about something for the first time since I have known him. It was great. I look forward to doing it again, maybe when it cools back down it is now getting to hot to ride. I will have to take apart my bike now and get it painted up and ready for next fall.

This is ground control to Major Tom

Today, 6 years ago, Mark and I leaned across the altar and sealed the deal for time and all eternity. This morning, @ 7:00, we descended over the east valley accompanied by our pilot Myles. I got Mark a flight lesson (well, more like, you get to go up in a plane and drive it to decide if you really want to spend the $12,000 to become pilot). I didn't think I would be able to go, but when we got there he asked if I wanted to go too. Tom and Joanne Asburry came, and good thing because they were able to watch Mckinley (thanks guys!). It was fun. I know Mark really enjoyed himself, anything mechanical that goes fast :) We flew over Saguaro Lake, saw some HUGE houses that are in a gated community. It was fun and just cool enough at 4000 feet. After that we went and had a great breakfast and then we all came home and crashed for a nap.

Mark got me an IPOD for our anniversary so I will spending the rest of the afternoon loading it up with every CD I own. I truly love him. He is amazing. I even venture to say that I snagged the best man out there. Here is to eternity Mr. Williamson....

Half a year.....

I have officially decided that 6 months is the best age. Mckinley is so much fun! She is quite the chatty Kathy and we love to watch her play- she entertains herself by banging whatever is in her left and right hand together. She LOVES solid foods, loves to sit up and more importantly, loves her "dada", which she says over and over. Oddly enough, she also REALLY likes her Domo toy. What is Domo you ask? He is a Japanese plush character- I have always loved him and now, luckily, you can buy him @ Target (dressed in various costumes for various holidays). She thinks he is the funniest thing ever--we are truly kindred spirits Mckinley and I :)

We also bought a new car this weekend- a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. I know what you are thinking about the Hyundai- I was skeptical too BUT it was a great deal, has the best warranty you can buy and it is really nice. I will post some pictures later today but this morning is dedicated to my little Miss. A video of her "talking"- she thinks screaming is communicating and morning time is when she is the most talkative. We love her so much! (sorry the video is crooked!)