Carter McKay

Carter on the fifty miler last summer.
I remember the night before Carter was born. I cherished our last few hours alone together. Then the wild ride began! Carter had a dramatic entrance into the world. He has loved being on stage since. Carter is the life of the party. I am so proud of him. He is talented in music, although he keeps it quiet. When I can get him to sing, he has a beautiful voice. He is working hard to improve himself and his grades. Sometimes he is the only one around to keep me company. He is so creative. He can take someone else's junk and create something out of it.
Our favorite story about Carter: When I was in the Primary presidency, Carter had a hard time keeping his little body on those hard molded chairs. Many weeks, I would sit at the front, pointing at him and with a hoarse whisper, command him to arise and sit. One day, the song lady, told all the children she was looking for reverant children to help. Hayden was the first child chosen. He did a fantastic job of holding the picture and as he returned to his seat, Sunbeam Carter stuck his thumbs in the air and proclaimed loudly. "Way to go Hayden, Now you can be baaaad." I was horrified at the moment, but still chuckle when I think of it.
Carter is my baby boy . What a hard place to be. Never having seniority enough to 'battle' his way into shotgun. Having a myriad of parents. Always picked on. But Carter is the person all the grandchildren search out when they come to play. His name is one of the first we hear. He is always ready to play with them.

Carter loves to paintball.

Carter loves to do pull ups on my doorjambs!!! I had allocated one doorjamb he can pull himself up on, but he keeps forgetting. One of these times we will be replacing the trim. He also has double jointed shoulders. Creepy! I don't know if that is going to be helpful in wrestling or not! Carter is also a wrestler. You have to when you have an older brother picking on you.
Carter loves going to scouts and his leaders. He can often be found at his leaders homes scrounging food from them. He recently was elected to Order of the Arrow and in enjoying that. (See a more recent post.)
I appreciate his spirituality and kindness to others. He is helpful and tries to be friends with everyone. As I listen to the boys talk, (Yes, I eavesdrop!) I hear them put each other down. Carter is usually the one trying to make peace.
The earth is a much better place with Carter on it.

Hayden Hunter

Hayden with a special friend at his surprise birthday party
Hayden was a bonus baby. I knew I had two more children, but Steve kept saying 'no'. Finally the Spirit let Steve know and we prepared to welcome a new member of the family. I remember when he was born, I thought I had won some kind of heavenly sweepstakes. He had a deep voice as a baby and fuzzy hair that grew into ringlets as he got older. I couldn't cut them off. One day while bathing him, I noticed his hair was half way down his back. That is when we decided to make him a big boy. Does anyone remember his 'man voice' from Jr. Primary?
All too soon he grew up. But another treasure unfolded. When he 'tooted' his first horn, the music in him got a release. He is full of music. What joy he brings to me. He sings, plays guitar, trumpet, a little piano and can pretty much make any instrument he touches relinquish a song. He loves to sing with the family, which was pretty small last family night. Carter wasn't in a singing mode, Dad was at work, so it was just Mom and Hayden. I have to say my voice isn't right on these days and I felt pathetic at first. Soon we had it down. What a great way to end Family Home Evening. I also enjoyed a great band concert with him last night. I even heard his solos!
Hayden is a leader. He is very active in the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow. He has even encouraged Carter to participate. When Hayden decides something needs to be done, he is ruthless until it is done. (I think he is starting to think about homework that way!!! Yipee)
I try not to be prideful, but it was so much fun experiencing "Singing in the Rain" with him. I was awed that he could tap dance so well with the few lessons he had. He sang great. Acted great and I was thrilled. Lina and Don in costume
He seems like he is older than his years, which concerns me sometimes. I am grateful that he has a testimony and goals to serve to the Savior. I am 'happy' of the way he is planning his life. Hayden after the family camping trip. Wasn't that fun ?

Check it Out!

Thanks Bonnie, this was great fun!
http://monstermashup.com/07c37f
or this one
http://www.monstermashup.com/fdb84a
or this one
http://www.monstermashup.com/609e4d

Long Live The Queen

Lacey with some of her nieces and nephews on her birthday

As I was expecting my 5th child, I hoped with all my heart it was a girl. I don't know why. I already had three fantastic girls. I should have been hoping for a brother for Jeremiah, but I wanted another little princess. I was rewarded with another sweet daughter. We couldn't choose a name for her. Finally we decided on Melissa June. Melissa after a distant Johnson grandmother and June after a favorite aunt of mine. As we brought our treasure home, we realized my brother's new stepdaughter was named Melissa. I decided we needed a nickname. The kids tried Lizzie...I didn't like it. I came up with Lacey. It stuck! Lacey became the Queen of the House. She even told Morgan that one day. "I am the Queen of this house, Morgan!" May I say, her reign has been superb. She is such a great person. She takes good care of her parents. She is a driven person, graduating with a 4.0 from high school She paid for her college with her hard work. I don't know if she is a 'True Aggie" or not. (Don't want to know that!) But she is probably the most loyal Aggie they will ever find. She has the greatest room mates ever. I am grateful to them for watching over my baby girl. Lacey is a talented swing dancer, recently dancing with the 'A' team. She has a beautiful voice which I miss so much. I love to sing with her. She also gives a terrific foot rub. The family lines up at parties for a little attention Lacey on our family camping trip...hey, it could have been a bathroom picture!

from Lacey. She is talented in the domestic arts...sewing, cooking stuff like that. She was the president of the FCCLA her senior year. (I think I have the right initials.) It was a group of talented seamstresses, chefs, etc.
Lacey loves her nieces and nephews. Thanks to the siblings for bringing them to visit when she is home.
She is such a great friend to me. It has been really hard to have her leave for school. The house is empty with the queen away! Lacey on her Senior Choir trip. What a cutie!

Check it Out!

I hope you go through the "Favorite People" to the side once in a while. New surprise there! Also the Monster Mash on Bonnie and Jim is very funny. Here's wishing you a lovely autumn day!

Members of a Gang

Hayden and Carter are now fellow members of the Order of the Arrow. Carter just completed his 'ordeal' this weekend...I don't know what it is...it's a secret. I have heard rumors that new recruits can't speak for overnight. I am sure that was painful for Carter. I also know they perform a service. They both looked so cute in their uniforms and sashes. I am proud of my baby boys.

The Gift of Goudy

Morgan came into my life on a beautiful May morning. She is has always been full of fun. I can close my eyes now and see her one handed cartwheels and that blonde hair that had a mind of it's own. (Odd, because now her hair always looks great!) She has always seemed to have music in her soul and dances away. She is thoughtful and looks for ways to treat others to pampering around her. Morgan had a best friend when she was little named Ashleigh. They were so cute together. I remember putting them in the same playpen on a camping trip. A few minutes later, Morgan was all messy and Ashleigh was still sitting there perfect. They loved each other. Ashleigh's mission assignment on this earth was short. When she got sick, I wondered how Morgan would react. My heart was warmed when Morgan just loved her friend and would lay by her hugging her. I am sure there is a joyful reunion planned in the next life.
I remember one of Morgan's first dates. She had asked a young man in the neighborhood to the Christmas dance. She looked beautiful that night. I also remember him giving her a very large bear for a Christmas gift. I wondered if there was some kind of mutual attraction right then...I was right. They fell in love and were eventually married. Kenny has been a great son in law to us. He is helpful and seems to know when we need his help. He is a great husband and father. He has a high level on spiritual wisdom, and is always kind to everyone.
Kenny and Morgan welcome a star right out of heaven last winter. Colton tried out some new headwear for the family campout

Colton is an extra special child. He has a smile the starts at his mouth and spreads radiantly all over his face. I love to call his name and watch that smile as he recognizes me! One of my most treasured moments this year was watching him be sealed to his parents in an eternal family. I am truly blessed by the Goudy family.