Me with Morgan and my niece Jessica on Mark's boat before we try our hands at wake boarding.

Morgan taking part in one of many water fights.

Blast from the Past

Q: What television show or movie did you want to be in when you were little?
A: Gone With The Wind. I loved the dresses, swooning, and being carried up the stars

Q: Which character or star?
A: Hello, Scarlett O'Hara of course

Q. Most embarrassing moment your friends will never let die?
A. I had been trying on shoes before a date, and forgot to match them up once I'd decided which one to wear. I didn't realize it till I was at the play, and looked down at my feet while my date was getting refreshments.

Q: Your proudest moment or accomplishment?
A: Delivering my three children without cussing out the entire hospital staff or my husband.

Q: What adult did you have a crush on when you were little?
A: Rock Hudson. (I know, he was gay, but when your 10 years old you haven't quite refined your gay-dar.

Q: What habit or personality trait do you have of your mother?
A: We like to refer to it as 'Type A Personality'. I like to think of it as being thorough, and organized.

Q: What did you want to change your name to when you were little?
A:Tracey. (my mom had a Laurel name Tracey. She was pretty, popular, and I idolized her)

Q: Who was your first kiss?
A: I never kissed anyone before Matt (That's what he likes to think and we'll let him tell himself that.)

Q: What are 3 adjectives that someone from high school or middle school would use to describe you?
A: Let's go with JR High, since I hated HS. Friendly, Good Listener, and Witty

Q: What hairstyle, clothes, or other accessories did you rock back in the day when it was cool?
A: Banana clips, pegged pant legs, Guess T-shirts, scrunchies, bangs, jelly shoes, - all things 80's.

Q: What job did those long and annoying surveys in school say you would be good at?
A: A teacher or lawyer

Q: And what did you try and make the test result outcome be?
A: I didn't

Q: What made you laugh harder than you have ever laughed before?
A: Quoting Princess Bride with Emily till 4 in the morning.

Q: Favorite memories of hanging out with your best friends?
A: From long time ago...anything Emily and I did together was awesome. If we did it, we did it well. Recently, my fondest memories are my annual weekend getaways with the girls. We rent a hotel room, eat way too much, got to the movies, and shop till we drop.

Q: What is the most trouble you have ever gotten in with your parents?
A: I don't think I ever got into trouble...I was such an angel? No really, I can't remember, but I'm sure if you ask them, they can think of something.

Q: What was your 5-year plan when you had to write it out in high school?
A: I was going to graduate with a degree in Political Science and then go on to Law School with my Football Playing jock of a husband. See, dreams do come true! (LOL)

Q: What is your 5-year plan now?
A: To keep bettering our little family, and possibly moving into a bigger house by the end of those five years. But, if I'm still potty training kids at night I plan on driving off a cliff.

MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY ALIENS!

I had Women's Conference this weekend, and as I was on the Kitchen Crew, I had to leave early Saturday morning to get to the restaurant to cook the Peach Cobbler. (10 giant pans of it!) I woke Matt up before I left so he could get to work on the back fence before the kids woke up. ...

(3 hours later...)

My dad shows up at the church to bring supplies for mom, and says to me: "well, I'm glad to see you haven't been abducted by aliens after all".

me: What?

dad: I had three kids show up on my doorstep this morning saying their mommy and daddy had been abducted.

me: they didn't.

dad: yeah, in their p.j.'s

me: where was Matt?

dad: don't know, putting up the fence I think

me: I'm gonna kill him

So after getting three sides to this story, here's what happened.

Matt got up after I left, and opened the garage door to get tools out, then went to the back to get the fence going. The kids were still asleep. About an hour later he came in the house to check on the kids, and they were all gone. Panicked, he called my parents to see if they knew anything, and my dad told him they had been there for a couple of minutes. I guess Chandler woke up, and after searching the house for us, came to the conclusion that we had either been abducted, or there were bad people that had gotten us, and that they were not safe in the house, and that they should go to grandma's house. (down the street and around the corner) So, he got Gabe, and Morgan, grabbed their shoes, and herded them down the street at 9am on a Saturday morning. I wasn't sure who to be more upset at. Matt was just doing what I had asked him to do, putting up the much needed fence for our dog. And Chandler was just acting out of concern for him and his siblings. At the end of the day, I'm just grateful they're all okay, and we now had an exciting story that the whole family has heard, and had a good laugh about. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

Morgan's Princess Party

So Saturday was Morgan's Princess Birthday Party. We had

11 little princesses over for a tea party, fun, games, and then we made these edible magic

wands. Just pretzel rods dipped in pink candy melt, and then I let them

decorate them with various sprinkles. I think they had fun. Here's most of the girls that came Saturday. We had about 3 snow whites,

a sleeping beauty, a Cinderella, and lots of others.

The princesses twirling in our Living Room.

(you can see Morgan's legs up in the air after she

fell down from twirling too much)

We also had grandma and Christa help paint

all the guest's fingernails. This was one of the

biggest hits. What little girl doesn't love to

have her fingernails painted, hu?

Morgan scored some great gifts! A ton were toys she could use in the bath.

Her favorite was this Ariel Towel.

We squeezed 11 little princess around our table for a

very princessy tea party. We had cake, little heart shaped sandwiches,

princess shaped crackers, wraps, celery, and all kinds of pink goodies
to eat. They had a blast!

Happy Birthday Matt!

We are twice blessed today to celebrate the birth of both Matt, and Morgan. Matt is officially old now, since he's over the big 30 mark. We don't even talk about numbers anymore:) Poor guy had to work early this morning, and is staying in town to attend the earlier session at the temple, before I meet up with him for the 8pm session. He never ceases to amaze me. I am so thankful to have this man in my life. We have definitely been thrown some curve balls over the years, and he has taken it all in stride. His faith never wavering, and his kindness never failing. He is such an example to me, and those around him. Happy Birthday Babe! Here's to your 'Next 30 years!'

Our Little Girl Turns 4!

Morgan, our little miracle baby turns 4 today! Four years ago today, I was laying in a hospital, (on hospital bed rest for 2 1/2 weeks already) and the on-call doctor was telling me that due to my placenta tearing, he was going to have to take my baby at 27 weeks. We had been hoping to go all the way to 32, but the fluid loss due to my water breaking on the 5th of July had brought on the tearing. I called Matt at 4:45am to tell him that they were going to do a C-section on me that morning, and he said he would start getting ready to go. I had sevearly underestimated the seriousness of the situation, because no sooner had I set the phone down, then I was converged upon by an army of nurses, and PA's. They were prepping me for surgery, having me sign papers, trying to get an IV back in (since they had just removed it the day before), making me swallow nasty medicine because I was having surgery and hadn't eaten in 18 hours, changing my gown, switching me to a new gurney, and that's when it hit me, that they meant NOW. I called Matt just as they were getting ready to wheel me away, and said "They're doing this now!" I can't express my gratitude enough that Matt didn't get into an accident that morning as he sped into Anchorage in less then half an hour. (its normally a 55-60 minute drive at 68 miles an hour)

Morgan was born at 7:55am on the 23rd of July. (also my sweetie's birthday) She was blue, unresponsive, and scored her first apgar at a 2. She was 14 inches, and weighed in at a whopping 2lbs 7 oz. They had to revive her twice and then intubated her before Matt was allowed to see her. (I had been knocked out for the delivery) She was given a central line, a blood transfusion, and I was finally allowed to hold her when she was 7 days old.










These shots of her face were rare the first several weeks. Her eyes were very sensitive to light, and we had to keep them covered most of the time.

My Princess.

I love this shot because it shows how small she really was. This was taken after she'd come home, and I had just given her a bath.

Big brother Gabe peering in at his baby sister during her last week in the NICU...this was the first time Gabe had gotten to see his sister, since he had been sick and for the most part the kids were in Wasilla, while I was in Anchorage at the hospital with Morgan.

The grandma's holding morgan for the first time. I think the small size, and many tubes even intimidated the grandmothers a little.

Over the next couple of weeks I learned more gruesome details of the delivery from her patient logs that sat next to her incubator at all times. (Things the doctors never tell nervous parents)After 55 long days of staying in the hospital, we were finally able to take our sweet angel home, after she finally got up to just over 4 lbs the night before they released her.

She is now a very healthy, active, bright, energetic 4 year old with the personality of a princess and the attitude of a tom boy. Morgan loves riding her bike, playing outside, helping mommy, and visiting with her friends. She is adored by her brothers, and charms all who come into contact with her. Happy Birthday Morgan Kimball!

Walking down Memory Lane...

Just for fun! I like this tag. Instead of me talking about myself, its your turn!

(cause I'm stuck here with 3 "wonderful" children in the house because its cold and rainy, and there is no school, and gas is a wopping $4.51 up here in the state where oil is plentiful!)

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! (this includes but you, my wonderful in-laws!)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

How did I live without you?

I am probably the last person on earth to read this book, but oh my goodness...

IT'S AWESOME! I don't know why I hadn't read it before, but now that I have,

I'm addicted. I've even got my mom hooked, and I'm coming after you next, Renae!

I bought Penelope last night, and when Matt saw the little sticker on the cover

that said it had a sneak preview of Twilight, he laughed, because he thought the only reason I had bought the movie was because I wanted to see the preview. I had to convince him that I hadn't even noticed the sticker. I just really liked the movie Penelope. We watched it last night, and I thought the kids would all get bored with it, but the boys were totally into it. And afterwards, I realized it was a great movie to teach my boys about the importance of looking beyond the surface. Plus, it was cute, funny, and very clean and appropriate.

more McCall moments...

Mark and Morgan playing the guitar before our Sunday meeting.

Morgan and I right before our family meeting at the house

on our Sunday at McCall. Gabe would have spent every second of every day down by the water

if we let him. He had so much fun, no matter what he was doing.

Boating, tubing, playing in the sand, wading, swimming, playing pirates...

he did it all with a smile on his face.

It's a 'guy thing'

Chandler and his cousin Jordan. No matter the age, pretty much all the boy

cousins bonded over one thing that week at McCall. STARWARS...the computer game.

I couldn't believe how popular that little game that tortures my very existence

on a daily basis was to a bunch of boys, and even some men.

Morgan, on talent show night. (ugh, is anyone else sick of my crappy-camera pictures?)

Morgan was so excited to get up in front of everyone and twirl around
like a princess. My niece and nephew jumping off our private deck into Lake Payette.

These older kids were so much fun to get to know. Morgan had

a hard time pronouncing Cierra's name, so she called her everything

else, from Sara, to Cereal. But she adored her new-found cousins, and

followed them around everywhere! Gabe with his catch of the day!

(I love my boys in baseball caps...aren't they just babes?!)

last part of our vacation in Idaho. Sorry, the pictures are still trickling in.

These pictures are kind of sad, and blurry because Matt was limited as to

where he could shoot from. He had 2nd degree burns/blisters from

the sun all over his shoulders, and could only stand in the shade.

But, here is Chandler with his prize fish. He'd been begging Grandpa all

week for a chance to go fishing. This will teach the guys to bring a girl on their fishing trip. Apparently

Morgan caught the biggest fish that day, and ironically, she didn't want to

have anything to do with it after she landed it.

Morgan scoping out her seat for the fire works.

Gabe and his cousins with the sparklers on the Fourth of July.

We had a blast the last night, starting with a wonderful testimony meeting,

the birthday cakes and Caryn's wonderful Pudding Puffs on a stick. (can't remember

exactly what she called them, but they were wonderful!)

Then, after that we had fun with little firecrackers the older boys did, and

watched fireworks coming from docks all across the lake, and even a few

next door to us. It was a great last night with a wonderful family.

We went looking for Morgan Saturday afternoon at Mark and Caryn's,

and found this picture outside. Morgan had decided to help Mark out with washing the

car. She really became quite fond of her daddy's brother, whom she had
never met before this trip. (we think he kind of liked her too:) Morgan really likes to help out. I think it comes from watching too much

Cinderella, but she would not stop scrubbing Mark's car.

Our sleepy little girl on the flight from Seattle back home to Anchorage.

Our Utah Trip...Part One.

The kids were so excited to leave for Utah, they were packed and ready with their bags about an hour earlier than we needed to leave for the airport. Morgan was so so determined, she took her bag out to the end of the driveway. I guess she thought if we weren't going to take her, she'd hitch a ride to the airport. Morgan was so over the whole travel thing by the time we got to Seattle.

See how board she looks? The kids enjoying some downtime at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Orem after

a long day of travel. They had an awesome view of the mountains! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for an awesome day! They took us to this huge dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point.

Grandma and Chandler at the Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life. His face says it all. He was like a kid in a candy store!


This is the reason why I don't like surfing!

My cute little archaeologist. Morgan had just as much fun as Chandler digging up fossils. Gabe in front of his favorite dinosaur...The Jack Sparrowasaurous. Day 2Hogle Zoo!

I took the kids to the Hogle Zoo on Tuesday. They were very excited, and couldn't wait to

explore the large zoo, especially with all the new animals they don't get to see up in Alaska.

Chandler standing in front of one his favorites...the rare white Crocodile. I don't know which is scarier...the snake, or the look on Chandler and Gabe's faces.

Sorry Grandma...hopefully grandpa censored for you.

The kids climbing on one of the many animal statues they have at the zoo.

All in all, I think they had fun, lots of sun, and got to see a whole bunch

of new animals.

Day 3

My friend Becky Clinger and I met up at Thanksgiving Point, to let the kids play, and visit in the warm sun. The Gardens seemed to be the perfect place. They have a big Noah's Ark, and wading pool for the kids to splash around in, and beautiful flowers everywhere!

Gabe in front of one of the waterfalls, and a secret cave at the Gardens. Morgan and Sean became quick friends, and were

pretty much inseparable that day.

This is the Noah's Ark boat at the water park where we played.

Pretty cool, hu?

Morgan and her new friend having ice cream

at Thanksgiving Point.

Becky and I met during our sophomore year in HS and have been

great friends ever since. It was so wonderful seeing her again.