Winter?

Had to post about our day today!  The weather was AMAZING and we headed to the beach to enjoy it.  Yes, we went to the beach on December 29th.  Life is good!

For some reason, the photos are always in reverse order, so here is the end of our day!

Mia running away... 

The hole!  (Mia discovered this on our walk, I looked away for 2 seconds, and she disappeared.  I only had to panic for a minute before her little head popped up!)

The boys had a blast leaping over the occupants of the hole.

Christmas Lights!

Jason had lots of fun designing the lights for our new house!  Isn't it festive?  We are sooooo excited for Christmas!

How many posts can you post in a day?

So, it's been a while since I updated the world on the McDonald news.  As I know you are all breathless with anticipation, I thought you should know there are like 5 new posts along with this one... so go ahead, scroll down and get your fix.

  

Warning:  if you faint at the sight of blood, close your eyes!

Jarom wanted me to post his gnarly injury, and claim he was attacked by a shark while surfing.  I'm more inclined to think it was a young men's dodgeball injury... you decide.

Thanksgiving in St. George

We LOVE Nethercott Reunions!!  We had a total blast in St. George seeing all of our crazy family!  We had 50 people sitting down for dinner in Jason's brave sister Angie's house.  I think I saw Jarom and Jacob twice the whole time we were there.  C0usins are the best!

Our fam with the sweetest Papa ever!  (along with Nana in the background doing dishes :))

Jason and some of his sibs!

Huge shout outs to Angie for saving me from my roots, and putting up with us bunking at her house.  Also to Cinda for letting half of my brood hide out at her already insanely packed house for the entire trip.  Nethercotts ROCK!

My Hero!

Jarom- you are amazing!! He survived a grueling season of water polo, so to celebrate I am posting the much requested photos of him in his uniform!!!

He even had his own personal cheerleader!

Here is the team!  Love the "wildcats" embroidered on their behinds!

This is Jarom (#10) getting ready to throw the ball for an awesome assist!  Go Wildcats!

Student of the Month!

Way to go, Jase!!!

Jase was chosen by his teacher to be student of the month representing the value "citizenship"!  He looked mighty proud standing up there in front of the whole school!

More Visitors...YAY!!!!

It's been a while, but I had to document our fun visit from the Hofheins fam!  We had loads of fun, and even pawned off our boys on them for a zoo visit... see monkeys below!

Here is our somewhat chilly, but still super fun trip to the beach.  Wendy is still a total babe... and wins the prize for cutest boys ever!
Wendy and Tyler also treated us to the most AMAZING meal ever at a swanky spot in La Jolla called Nine Ten.  The chef is an old friend of Tyler's from Sundance, and totally gave us the royal treatment- be jealous.

Repeat after me... Halloween is fun!

HApPy HaLlOWeeN!!

Seriously, is this not the most beautiful child you have ever seen?  She looked even more adorable in person, but spent the entire night trying to tear her wings off.

Mia loved to trick or treat!  She is VERY independent, and we had to chase her from door to door!

Jase made an excellent Indie, don't you think?

Hobo Jacob!!  Good work!

With half of our earthly belongings still safe in their moving boxes, we knew it would be an interesting Halloween.  Luckily, we found the costume stash just in time, and me being the awesome mom that I am told the boys "If you want to dress up, you'll have to find your own costume in our old stuff!"  I think they did a pretty great job!  Jarom had a water polo game, and is too cool to dress up anyway.  Wish I had a picture of him in his "uniform"!  

A New Post!! Who's Excited?

After a long and not so restful month of packing and moving 2 households, I'm back to catch you up on all things McDonald!! Whilst I was working my little fingers to the bone on my first trip to AZ (I went twice in as many weeks), our friends the Tylers came for a super fun visit!  Jason took the kids to play at the beach, and for the highlight, took them to Legoland!  The boys were THRILLED to see their long lost friends!  Jase and Emma were joined at the hip whenever they were together!

Vader looks scared!!

The only picture of Jacob, as he and Jake got to roam the park alone like the big tweens they are!!

True love- no kidding!

Ode to a girl named Wendy

My dear Wendy is turning the big 36 tomorrow, and in honor of this momentous occasion (ya know, closer to 40 than 30), I committed to complete the "tag" she asked for oh... about 6 weeks ago.  So my friend, here goes!!!  Happy Birthday!!!

• I am...  happy; a lover, not a fighter; clumsy (never without a bruise or two).
• I think... life is full of surprises
• I know... my testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel is my greatest treasure.
• I want... my children and my husband to know how much I adore them, and to feel worthy of adoration.
• I have... way more than I need, including (but not limited to) a big butt, and really small boobs 
• I wish... the world didn't have so much ugliness and cruelty in it, and that my kids could be innocent and carefree for so much longer than they are.
• I hate... anger. 
• I miss... my piano, my tempurpedic mattress... pretty much the entire contents of my house.
• I fear... not teaching my children everything they need to know to have happy and fulfilling lives.
• I feel... way too young to have a high school student for a son; grateful to have such a wonderful life.
• I hear... wii golf, Jack Johnson, barking dogs
• I smell... do I?
• I search... for the right answers to my children's questions, my phone, lost socks
• I wonder... when He comes again...
• I regret... not taking full advantage of my BYU experience
• I love... my babies, my husband, Mia's birthmother, adoption, the temple, shopping for a girl, king crab legs with melted butter, see's candy... this could take all day!
• I care... about what kind of life Mia's birthmother will have
• I always... make a big breakfast, trip on corners
• I am not... a crafter
• I believe... there are no coincidences- everything happens for a reason
• I dance... WAY less than my husband would like
• I sing... WAY less than I should
• I don't always... send birthday cards on time, keep myself organized, eat what I should
• I write... silly poems, love notes, grocery lists, weekly menus
• I win... when Jason and I play "dance dance revolution"
• I lose... my mind, a little more each day 
• I never... pick a fight.  I despise confrontation.
• I listen... for quiet promptings
• I can usually be found... in the kitchen- cooking, then cleaning, then cooking, then cleaning...
• I'm scared of... heights
• I read... only an occasional work of fiction, since it takes over my every thought until I can finish the book.  Why can't it be so with the scriptures?
• I am happy about... everything!  
  

Let's see... who to tag...  I know!  If you read this and think it looks fun, consider yourself tagged!!!

"I love you, Mom and Dad!"

To say that Jarom is a Jack Johnson fan would be a gross understatement.  I guess if you have to idolize a star, you could do worse, so I'm not complaining.  When we found out he was playing in Chula Vista, we figured Jarom would appreciate a "Daddy Date" to see the concert.  Boy, were we right.  The icing on the cake came after the concert when Jarom found out that he shares a birthday with Mr. Johnson.  Coupled with the fact that Jarom's grandmother's maiden name is Johnson, you have to admit, it's a little spooky! (Are we stretching?)

Counting down the minutes!

Yep, that's him!

Trying not to inhale.

It also bears mentioning that this amazing teenage specimen starred in the ward roadshow and won "Best Actor" for his performance as Toto!

The School Bell's Ringing!

Introducing...

Jarom: "the studly sophomore"

Jacob: "the smiling sixth-grader"

and, Jase: "the fabulous first-grader"

This is Jase enjoying running club (code for "sap every ounce of energy from the children before school so they behave in class")

This is Jase enjoying a luv from his teacher, Mrs. Bolton.  Can you say "crush"?

Jase's spot!

Boy do I miss my little monkeys, but I must admit, I don't exactly hate having time to myself.

That's My Boy!!!

A day in the life of...

JACOB!

This awesome critter was found on Jacob's first camp out with his new scout troop!

Are you sure this is a good idea?

Oh yeah!  This is a great idea!

Winner of the Carlsbad Stake pie eating contest!

How could anyone not LOVE this kid?

Sending Wishes to Heaven

Our sweet friends, the Nielsons, were involved in a terrible private plane crash in AZ.  We have been praying non-stop for them and their families to feel the loving arms of our Heavenly Father around them.  On Saturday, people all over the world united to send balloons to heaven with our wishes for Stephanie and Christian attached.  How inspiring to connect with a little group of fellow Californians!  The internet is miraculous to say the least!

We love you Christian, Stephanie, Claire, Jane, Ollie and Gigs!!!

Happy Birthday and Other Happenings!

The summer is winding down, so we are trying to have as much fun as possible!!  Here are a few pics to make you all jealous that you don't live in San Diego! ;)

Can you say "DRAMA QUEEN?"  So this is what girls are like...

Do you love the sad little tear?

Jase is pretty excited about conquering the rock!

Huge rope thingey at the new park by our house.  I climbed it in flip flops... aren't you impressed?

Mia's first pig tails.  Requires large amount of gel. 

  

Beach day with Dawne (Jason's sis) and fam!  SO fun to see them!!!

Jarom and Thor have the same DNA- it's spooky.

Happy 39th Mr. McDonald!  I have a feeling we'll be celebrating this one over and over!

I don't think he looks a day over 29 :)

HOTTIE!!

Swinging is Mia's new fav!!  

EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

It's official- we're Californians.  Today we experienced our first thrilling earthquake!  No injuries or catastrophic damage, just really excited kids.  I guess it was a good wake up call- we have no idea what earthquake protocol is.  Luckily, Jarom researched and we have designated the "earthquake hiding spots" in the house.  Yikes!

New Shoes and Ridiculous Cuteness

Mia continues to amaze us with her darling personality!  She is the happiest, most loving baby!  She has learned that the camera means "ham it up" and Jason took these photos of her saying cheese! 

The other scary discovery is that she is quite the shoe lover.  We finally found that crocs will fit on her fat little feet, but the journey of trying on a million pairs of shoes was a total delight to Mia!