Jack Johnson!

Had to document this fun bonding experience with 2 of my men! We had a blast at the Jack Johnson concert... Jarom has been counting the days to this event since his last concert tour 2 years ago! I must say he didn't disappoint, especially the surprise appearance he made before the show out on the grounds! The video is turned sideways, and the sound is terrible, but this was totally the highlight of the concert for all of us. I thought Jarom was going to die being that close to Jack. He's already planning their joint birthday party in May. He found out Zach Gill has the same b day too, so it will be quite a shindig! As a sidenote: am I shrinking?

Lessons from the McDonald Dinner Table

We usually have fairly stimulating conversation each night as everyone regurgitates the experiences of the day. Last night was no exception. Jase excitedly informed us that he had learned that if you send a frog to a place where there were previously no frogs, the place would be crawling with them in no time. From there the questions ensued... Don't frog eggs need to be fertilized by a male frog? (We can always count on Jacob!) I could see the wheels turning in his brilliant little mind. Finally, he incredulously asked "so you're telling me that boy animals have to poop on eggs to get them to grow?" Then, "What? That's what fertilizer is... poop!" Wow... I'm thinking we should cut down on gardening and get that boy some books about the birds and the bees.

Dear MVT 20 Year Reunion Committee,

I am so sorry to say that I won't be attending your upcoming reunion festivities. You see, my husband has been insistent that I develop the perfect gluten-free pizza recipe so that he can make his millions marketing it to local establishments. Boy, have we eaten a lot of pizza! What does this have to do with my attendance, you ask? Well, I am no longer able to button my skinny jeans, and as we all know, this is the reason we attend these types of events, right? I am still certain that my children are the most adorable and gifted, and my husband the hottest of all the competitors, but that is meaningless if I don't look better now than I did in high school.

Regretfully yours,

Kara McDonald

My, how time flies!

So... I've been toying with the idea of actually doing a new blog post for a while now (okay, over a year if you're going to be picky about it). I'm guessing no one even bothers to look anymore, but it's about posterity- right? Quick recap: over the last year, we have survived the expiration of our Disneyland passes, an entire school year homeschooling a 7th grader, finding out officially that I can no longer enjoy my life (I'm allergic to gluten, duh!), and the transformation of an angelic 2-year-old into a somewhat less angelic but no less adorable 3- year- old, and most traumatic of all, the beginning of my first born's senior year in high school. Not to mention the baptism of my precious 8 year old. Wow, now I feel even worse than I already did. Here is a smattering of photos to bring us all up to date. Hopefully it won't be another year before the next post. No guarantees.

In order from most recent:

Not to spill any confidential info, but Jason turned 41 (yikes!)

The cake was his brainchild carried out by me. Note to self: never again attempt rolled fondant on an ice cream cake.

Number 17 for an amazing boy! Seriously, he just knocks my socks of every day with his goodness.

Aforementioned 3rd bday. This family party was preceded by a princess dress-up party.

Yes, those are Stacy's Naked pita chips in her hand. That's how we roll.

One of the best mom moments so far...

Thirteen hasn't been so bad...

It IS great to be 8!

Dad's 80th birthday surprise! Boy, was I tired at the end of this day, but it was totally worth it!

Saying our last goodbyes to Mickey after a lovely, full year of Disneyland joy. I tear up just thinking about it.

First time at the monster truck rally. You can bet Jarom will be back!

Lucky girl surrounded by incredible people!