McBlog – Page 37 – Love mortality; you're only here once.

The Pleasure of the Fernstens’ Presence

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

Nathan & Rachel rolled into town for a quick Labor Day weekend visit. What fun! It was nice to lie around, chat, play, eat, have extra help with the kids, etc.

Below was the T-Girls’ favorite photo. For whatever reason, it cracked us up big time. The uninteresting background info is that Jessica kept putting her foot on Rachel’s tummy, claiming that there was nowhere else to put it, but there really was elsewhere to put it! I loved how we were all just sitting there, entangled.

We went out to Red Robin to celebrate Jessica’s and Nathan’s birthdays. Look at this cute newlywed couple!

….And this semi-cute non-newlywed couple.

Chase insisted on wearing this blue bowtie when we went out to dinner.

On Sunday, we had a huge barbeque feast, including these 3 chocolate cakes that ended up at our house! (Laura, Gretchen, and Chase had each made one.)

Charlotte really loves men. When Nathan’s around, she is content to sit with him and check out the phone (or computer, or printer, or whatever techie gadget he may have on hand).

Personal

Do You Want a S’more? …S’more of what?

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

Pace had foresight when he decided to build us a simple firepit in our backyard a couple years ago. We’ve used it a lot this summer, and of course we usually have to bust out the s’mores. I love it!

Here, Charlotte has already had her fair share, but she’s searching the empty wrappers for any signs of leftover chocolate. *Sigh* She’s her mother’s daughter and both her grandmothers’ granddaughter!

Personal

Sweet Summertime

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

Oh, how I love the sunny days of summer! There is so much we can do outside on these warm days. I relish this beautiful time that we enjoy before the frigid winter weather shows its mean, ugly face (can you tell that I’m not a fan of cold weather?).

Ranting

Poor Pig

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 10, 2010

function show(){document.getElementById(‘movi’).style.display = ”;}
function stop(){document.getElementById(‘movi’).style.display = ‘none’;}

I need your help McBlog readers. Our flash guy at work made this amazingly cute pig bank that kept shrinking when money was spent. Well editing time came and the pig got cut. I was so sad because this pig made me smile so much every time I saw it. Will you help me spread this pig across the internet? I have him available in an animated flash object, an animated GIF, and a PNG image file. Please use which ever you’d like and post the pig around the internet. Or just share this blog post about the pig. We’d like to dedicate this to all the great work people do that gets left on the cutting room floor.

Watch the original clip. PLAY / STOP
clip copyright VitalSmarts®

This content requires Adobe Flash. Please install or upgrade Adobe Flash and revisit this page.

And here is the cute little guy in sharable format:

This pig requires Adobe Flash. Please install or upgrade Adobe Flash and revisit this page. The pig is worth it.

Flash

PNG

Happy Pig
Animated GIF

Personal

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 9, 2010

Fear not mcblog readers! We will be having a spike in mcblog posts starting next week. Joy will have a new setup to blog with and she will fill the internets with pictures of us.

Just a note for hope

Reviews

Wow

Post author By McAdmin
Post date September 3, 2010

This gave me the chills, it was so good!

Chase Adventures

Chase’s New Life

Post author By McAdmin
Post date August 29, 2010

Preschool and soccer have brought a new element of excitement into our lives! Chase started both of those activities last week. He’s the type of kid that needs action and movement most of the day, so we’re glad he at least has these activities going on.

I checked out a couple of preschools in our city (I didn’t want to drive far or pay a ton), and this one out of someone’s home was the best one I found! Mostly, I just love the teacher’s imagination and her loving, bubbly personality– so perfect for guiding these little kids. Also, this is her 12th or 13th year teaching preschool, so I figure she’s got it down pretty well!

Pace volunteered to coach Chase’s cub soccer team, so he’s officially their coach for the season! When my mom was here, she had the brilliant idea of highlighting all our team’s games on the schedules for each family, and assigning the snacks for each game from the get-go. So far, this has worked out really well! We liked pretending to be organized little soccer moms and getting all the papers ready to hand out at the first practice.

The first game was a challenge, because the kids didn’t really know what was going on, and everyone was getting used to the whole idea.

But the second game was awesome, because everyone knew the drill, the kids (including Chase) were more excited to play, and our highly energetic bro-in-law came to help coach (which was especially helpful, because Pace had rolled his ankle the previous day). Chase played well, and we were very proud of him. I tried to take a video, but I’d forgotten to put the battery back in the camera after charging. Next time, though!

Here are a couple more riveting photos of Chase checking out his new preschool.

Family Fun

Visit from T-Grandparents

Post author By McAdmin
Post date August 28, 2010

My parents came for Education Week a couple weeks ago. It was a lot of fun! My wonderful mother stayed with Chase & Charlotte every morning so I could attend Education Week! It was so great. It was pretty weird being back at BYU taking classes, especially because one of the classrooms I went to was one I actually had for a class or 2 while a student at BYU! I loved taking classes without the pressure of any actual tests. I’d be glad to go back every year if I could! (hint, hint)

We got to spend the afternoons and evenings doing fun activities like playing games, going to the park, library, & Costco, etc.

We went to the County Fair one warm afternoon. It wasn’t an amazing fair, but the parking and admission were free. And we saw an entertaining juggler, lots of animals, and all the fair entries like crafts and garden vegetables. I actually only spent 5 bucks there (for cotton candy and a ride for Chase). It was a great outing and a great week overall! Thanks to Dad & Mom for the visit, the love, and the Costco groceries!

Personal

Elder Tyler McCulloch

Post author By McAdmin
Post date August 25, 2010

We’re so proud of Pace’s little brother, Tyler, who has chosen to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is serving in a California mission (I will not provide further details because this is a public blog).

It’s a big, important decision to go on a mission and people sacrifice so much to do so. I feel that it’s even more of a challenge these days with all the things they leave behind, like cell phones, texting, facebook, IPods, etc. But the sacrifices are well worth it. Way to go, Tyler!

Family Fun Personal

Scary Day at Snowbird

Post author By McAdmin
Post date August 25, 2010

I failed to mention that a few weeks ago, we almost died! Well, our lives were in danger, at least. We were at Snowbird, a ski resort that is open year-round and has some fun attractions. We had hopped on a ski lift to go up the mountain, and almost immediately there was a heavy downpour, thunder and lightning, sleet, and hail. I was a wreck on the inside because I was nervous about the height in the first place, plus the freezing cold, the lightning, and the painful hail… and I was holding sweet, innocent Charlotte, who was freaking out and trying to wriggle herself out of my arms!!! Aaahhh! Scariest thing ever.

But Gretchen was on the same chair and helped us stay somewhat calm. It was one of the freakiest times of my life. We said a little prayer together on that chair. Pace & Chase had an umbrella with them on their chair, so they stayed somewhat dry, thank goodness. When we got to the top of the mountain, it was freezing cold. Pace immediately took off his shirt to warm Charlotte up a little.

Eventually, Gretchen found a random little heater in a tunnel so we warmed up. Then a Snowbird employee gave us a truck ride up some dusty switchbacks (almost died again!) to the tram so we could ride back down the mountain in something that was covered and not as vulnerable to another crazy storm.

We lived, which is great, but we will not be going back to Snowbird for a while! And I might not get on a ski lift ever again.