PiCtUrEs

I finally have a few minutes to write about everything that has been going on in our life here at the Kettenring House. I have tons of Pictures and some Video of McKinley that I am going to post so this might be a really long blog entry.

The whole Forman Family, Grandma Forman, Spence, McKinley, Bret, Me, Anna, Mom and Dad

Even though it has almost been two weeks since Spence has been home, I still gets to me every time I call my parents house and he answers the phone... its a real trip. It is so nice having him around. I know that Bret is glad that he is back too, they were really good buds before Spence left. Its hard for me to think that he was gone for 2 years, because to me now, its almost like he never left.

Spence Running down the escalators

Spence and McKinley, She doesn't know what to think


My mom and Spence

McKinley turns 1 next month and its so hard for me to believe that she has already been around that long. I totally recommend having kids to everyone who doesn't. She seriously makes a bad day so much better and a good day wonderful. Its fun to see her grow and her personality starting to emerge. She is such a BIG tease and she is my dads little shadow. I think sometimes she likes him more than me. Here are some videos (as soon as I can figure out how to get them to load.. they won't process right) of some funny things that she has done... Singing Karaoke... she wouldn't let anyone have the mic back, blowing on her potatoes, blowing her nose... well pretending to at least. Also some pictures of her, Bret and I at Jayson's basketball games. Boy she LOVES basketball. Too bad I think that she will be short like her mom instead of tall like her dad.

Sunday Bret was released as Young Mens Pres. and put in as Elder's 1st counselor. That was a huge relief for him, although he is really going to miss his young men, he is glad to be able to focus more on school and his family.

I would feel as if this blog was not complete if I didn't write something about President Hinckley. I am so happy that he was the prophet while I was growing up. His focus was so much on the youth of the church and I am grateful for his insight that seemed to be directed to me and the things that were happening in my life. His counsel really did lead me closer to my Father in Heaven and because of him and that counsel my life will forever be blessed.

He's HOME!!!

Hey everyone, I know that it has been forever since I have written in my blog. I really need to get everyone updated on everything. So much has happened since Christmas and I am waiting for a moment that I am able to write it all down.
So until I can have a few minutes to do so here is a quick cap of what has happened this month.

• I got to hear the babies heart beat for the first time. Its funny how hearing it really makes me remember that I am having another baby
• We set up our ultrasound appointment for the 6th of Feb. So we will find out in just a couple more weeks what we are having
• I got put into Primary as 2nd counselor and was released for RS teacher and Sunday School teacher.
• McKinley stood by herself without holding on to anything for the first time
• Bret started school again
  
• Last but not least and the most exciting..... SPENCE IS HOME!! It was such a neat experience and I am SO glad that he is back.

Well hopefully I will be able to find time to update this more in the next couple of days!

A Look at 2007!

I guess that since everyone else has done this, it is my turn. Although I am a little behind on getting new things posted, it still is the beginning of the year. Right?


Funnest Event:
Probably would have to be all of Jayson 's football games. I looked forward to every Thursday during his football season and went through withdrawals when it was over.

Biggest purchase of 2007:
McKinley... haha we still don't own her yet. Believe me, some days I would like to call the hospital and say 'technically you still own her, she is yours today!'

Favorite movie of 2007:
Enchanted
Night at the Museum


Least favorite movie of 2007:
Pirates 3.. The ending made me SO mad!!!

Favorite celebrity for 2007:
I have always liked Jessica Simpson

Least favorite celebrity:
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and Kate Holmes and Tom Cruise. These couples are extremely overrated.

Guilty Pleasure:
The Disney Channel

Saddest moment of 2007:
The day the hospital called to tell me I couldn't come in to be induced and then Jo's water broke that same day and was able to have her baby that wasn't due for another 2 weeks... Anyone who has ever been pregnant understands this one...
No hard feelings Jo

Sickest moment of 2007:
The day I found out I was preggers again... that was a VERY bad day

Favorite song of 2007:
I have quite a few, but I was very excited for Kelly Clarksons new CD

Least favorite song of 2007:
Umbrella: Rihanna! AMEN!!!!

Achievements:
Had my first baby
2 years of happy marriage
Being able to juggle, Bret going to school full time, working full time and still spending time with him. Along with being a mom and working part time from home.
Started a blog

Lessons Learned:
Sometimes its just best to not say what you are really thinking
I am way to quick to anger
Being a stay at home mom is the hardest job yet the most rewarding
Your plan isn't always his plan, expect the unexpected

In 1 word 2007 was:
Demanding

In 1 word 2008 will be:
Rewarding

My hopes for next year:
To keep the weight off I loose during pregnancy (I do the opposite of most women)
Be a better wife and mother
Not be so quick to anger

So this is Christmas!

Wow! It sure is amazing how time flies around the holidays! I sure hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that they were able to spend time with family and friends.

The 3 Wise Guys

On Christmas Eve, the Duehlmeier's had their annual Christmas party. Doug and Susan host it every year and they always do such a wonderful job. Despite the crazy snow storm everyone made it there safely, some earlier than others. After we all fed our tummies, we had a special visit from the 3 wise guys who brought gifts to all the unmarried grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the family. This year Bret was able to play one of the Wise Guys. McKinley was so funny sitting on his lap. You could tell she recognized the voice, but not the face. But most importantly she didn't cry. (Santa wasn't the best experience) It was fun to be there with the family hear the Christmas Story, and sing Christmas Songs.

Danny and Bret the Wise Guy

Jayson and Bret the Wise Guy


Bret and Mike the Wise Guys, Ethan and McKinley


McKinley and Dad the Wise Guy


McKinley and Dad the Wise guy again

This year for Christmas Bret and I decided that we wanted to do things a little differently and much to both our parents disliking, we had Christmas for the first time since we've been married at our house first. (usually we haven't opened the gifts we got for each other until about 4 or 5) Although it was very different for both of us, it was nice to be able to do things the way we wanted to do them.

McKinley with her Maraca

McKinley surprisingly enough actually liked the toys we got her more than the wrapping paper boxes and bows. Bret got me my weight set I wanted and I got Bret anatomy flash cards for his i-pod. It was a lot of fun to see McKinley's face when she opened her gifts.. the smile was tattooed on her face for almost 3 days until the lack of sleep finally kicked in.

McKinley and her blocks

Later that afternoon we went to my parents house to open gifts and to talk to Spence. It was really nice to hear his voice and his laugh again. I almost had forgotten what it sounded like. It made me that much more excited to have him coming home in just a couple weeks.

Mom and McKinley

After that we made our way over to Bret's mom and dads. We had made a deal that we would sleep over and open gifts at their house the next day. It was SO nice to be able to do it that way. I really felt like we were able to spend the amount of time we had wanted to spend with them every Christmas without being rushed from one house to the next. Mike and Robyn showed up a bit later and brought the Wii! We had a blast building our characters, playing tennis, baseball, and guitar hero.

Laura and Jay playing Tennis

Mike laughing at Jay and Laura's attempt to play tennis

Christmas this year was really nice, the best part though was that we were able to spend a lot of time with our families and that Bret was able to have the WHOLE week off of work! (hurray for left over vacation days)

Oh I almost forgot... We also told our parents our big news... We are going to be having another baby! Although it was a bit unexpected and I cried the first month I knew everytime I thought about it, I am finally ready to tell people. McKinley and the next baby will be 17 months apart. I always said I wanted my kids to be close in age, but not this close. But now we don't have a choice and we are getting excited to have another baby. The biggest thing I have learned this year... Sometimes YOUR plan isn't HIS plan. Now we pray for a healthy baby.

Baby Ket #2

Nose Picker

A long time ago (earlier this fall) Bret and I were playing around with Robyn's camera at one of Jayson's football games. Robyn finally got around to downloading everything to a disk for us and I was so glad to get all the pictures and video of all of us. There is one video of Bret that was on the disk that makes me laugh every time I see it, so I told Bret that I was going to post it.... I hope you all think it is as funny as I do.

Family Matters

Yesterday Robyn (my sis in law) and I went to Layton to pick up a few things for Christmas and we were able to visit a little while with Kelli (Brets cousin) and her kids. Kelli's little girl Karlee, is 4months older than McKinley, but they seriously look like they could be sisters. Since McKinley was born I have always told everyone about how much the two of them look alike. But now that they are getting older, they look even more alike. Yesterday while we were there, they both pulled the same smiley face at the same time. It was a crack up! I took a picture of Karlee and decided that I would post it up here next to a picture of McKinley just to see what you all think too.

Karlee is on the top and McKinley on the bottom

The King Singers

Yesterday was the day that my family (the Forman side) and I look forward to every year at this time. We were able to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choirs Christmas Concert. This year they had the King Singers.

This of course for me brought back SO many memories of choir in high school. If you haven't heard of them I recommend checking out their website. They are absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed myself. They sang O Holy Night with the men in the Tab, and it was the most beautiful version of that song I have EVER heard. Bret thought that I was crazy to be so ecstatic about hearing them sing live. It was well worth the huge crowds, walking in the freezing cold and even paying a babysitter.

Just a side note, Spencer comes home in 32 more days!!!!