Tyler Smith's Sixteenth Birthday Party

This is the year where all of Mackynzie's friends are turning the BIG 16.  Tyler's parents rented out their exercise club and they put together a great night for the kids.  They turned the place into a night club for kids.  It had a red carpet and all.  The kids danced the night away.  Mack had a blast!  It got her thinking about her Sweet Sixteen Party.  It is fun that parents will go out of their way to make some special memories for their kids.  It is hard to have a clean, safe place for kids these days and I always appreciate it when a parent goes that extra mile to make fun experiences.

Happy Days for Jillene and Tony

It is so great to watch the Rios Family.  They are some of our favorite friends.  They are such great examples to our family.  Today Jared returned home from his mission.  He served two years in Honduras.  Tony and Jillene were thrilled to have him home.  The same date Jared returned, Josh received his mission call.  He is going to Monterrey, Mexico.  It has been an amazing journey to watch as these young boys go out and serve the lord.  There have not been many young men in our ward and these boys have been fun to watch.  They are a great family who really put their heart out and service others.   Their youngest boy is getting ready to baptize his good friend.  It is inspiring to see all the good one family can do.

We love Jared and we are so proud of his decision.  We are so thankful for the Rios family.  I know that Jillene has brought tons of joy to my life.  I always watch her face the future with a big grin on her face.  It makes me realize that as your kids get older there is still LOTS of good times to come.  Thanks for being a great friend and example Jillene.

Visiting Teaching

Visiting Teaching in the Lake San Marcos Ward always meant giving Monica Hendericks a call.  Well, today Lisa Mathis and I do our last official visit.  Monica and Jarred are moving out of the ward.  Monica was one of the first people I remember when I moved into the ward about six plus years ago.  She was in the Primary Presidency.  I remember her hustling around doing all the things required of her.  She left the ward the same way, hustling around serving everyone around her.  She was our Relief Society President for a few months before she left.  It was fun to watch her get to experience that big task.  I hope she will find great joy and satisfaction in her life.  I loved visiting with her over the years.  She had triples who were a joy to watch as life changed over time.  It was a good time to visit with her.  I could always count on feeling of the spirit when I entered her house.  I will miss Monica.  She helped me become a better visiting teacher over the years.  It is a special opportunity to be able to go into one's home and share gospel principles.  I have a special place in my heart for Monica.  It was always nice to just take time out of our busy lives and visit for a minute.

Lisa Mathis, Karyn Parry and Monica Hendericks

Crazy Hair Day!!!!

Kayla Parry in 5th grade. She is showing her school spirit and participating in CRAZY HAIR DAY for San Elijo Elementary School.

Sometimes Accidents Happen

I was taking Mackynzie to her New Beginnings Evening at the church.  It was a crazy day and I was just talking to Mackynzie about stuff.  I started to back up and there was the loudest crunch.  Darn...I think I smashed my car and Sean's in one moment.  It is amazing that things can change in that one moment.  Two really nice cars turn to really crappy cars in a moment.  Oh well, at least no one was standing between the two cars RIGHT.

KARYN'S TAHOE

SEAN'S BMW

IT IS PRETTY BAD MOM!!

The Height Difference

I had to take a picture during the song and laugh quietly.  I couldn't believe the height difference with Mackynzie compared to all the other young women.  She is about the only older girl there and just to see the difference with them all standing up there got me giggling.  It was a funny site.  I am proud of Mack for always going to YW when it is not the easiest place for her to be.  She has hardly anyone her age, but she gets to be that great example for the younger crowd.

Remembering the Past - Happy Birthday Kayla!

The Parry family in Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Kayla 6 months in Riverton, Utah

Kayla was baptized in San Marcos, California

Kayla's Baptism Invitation

Kayla was always a soccer star!

Kayla Parry weighing in at 6 pounds and 12 ounces.

Kayla was so little compared to Mackynzie.  She was so tired all the time.  Every time I tried to feed/nurse her she would fall asleep.  She was so fun to have.  I didn't nurse Mackynzie because I went back to work so quickly after she was born.  I felt like with Mack I needed to learn how to feed a baby and not worry about the whole nursing issues.  I had only six weeks to get use to the idea of having a baby and getting ready to go back to work.  So, being a stay at home mom with Kayla was a brand new experience for me.  I loved it!  I realized the minute she was born how wonderful life was going to be with her in it.

Kayla just turned 11 years old today!  Where does the time go?  I remember when we first brought Kayla home from the hospital.  She was so little and precious.  She was a delight the moment she got home.  I couldn't believe what a great baby she was.  The only thing she fussed about was if I ate Winger's Chicken Wings or Chocolate.  I couldn't eat either of those items for about eight months.  She really would let me have it if I ever tried to sneak a taste.  I learned quickly it wasn't worth it.  

When Sean learned that Kayla was coming he started collecting the Disney Beanie Babies.  He is just a collector at heart.  I never have been a collector of things so I don't quite understand his passion for it.  However, over the years I have watched how everything is better in bulk for Sean.  This summer he got a giant TV and he decided two would be better than one, funny man.  We sure love and appreciate all he does for our family.

Kayla was born January 26, 1998.  The Christmas before she was born, Sean gave me a huge box filled with about 75 Disney Beanie Babies to open for Kayla.  He continued to purchase them until she was born.  The funny thing is that they are still around in the garage in a huge bin.  They have been loved by every kid that has come over.  Sean has definitely calmed down his collecting spirit, but he is still a collector at heart.  One never knows what the next must have will be.

Can you find Kayla in that bundle of toys?

Where is Kayla?  I see Mack!

We about lost her in this picture.

Daddy just buying some special gifts for his daughter number two. 

He calls her "KAYLA BELLA" 

Happy Birthday KAYLA!

Saturday Morning January 24, 2009

Kayla's party was planned a few days before her actual birthday.  But we figured that Sean was home and that it was a great day to start the celebration.  We wanted to have time to open presents and enjoy the day together.  Kayla was about to turn 11 years old.  It is crazy that she is getting so grown up.  She is in 5th grade and loving it.  She has a lot of nice friends and she rides her bike to school everyday with some neighbor kids.  She has been saying that all she wanted for her birthday was a beach cruiser.  Her best friend, Mckenzie McLaughlin, got one for Christmas with a huge basket on it.  Naturally, that became the cool the thing to have in Kayla's mind.  We have a few beach cruisers in the garage, but she wanted her own.  She wanted one so we could go as a family down to the beach and ride around.  She wanted one to ride around and play with Mckenzie.      

Gift from Grandma and Grandpa Parry

A nice big school bag.

Mom and Dad came through and found the perfect bike.

Kayla's favorite color growing up has always been purple.

Karyn and Kayla

"Thanks guys.  I love it!"

It was a little rainy out, but that didn't stop her.

"I am pretty happy!  This is an awesome bike."

Kayla's Friend Birthday Party

I am turning 11 soon come CELEBRATE!  

Come join me for a day of fun.  We will go bowling, to Chick-Fil-A and then to my house for a movie.

Brisa, Mckenzie,Maddie, Kayla, Kate, Alexa, Dunya, Meredith

Sean, Emily, Mackynzie and Karyn

It was so fun to watch the girls enjoy bowling and dancing around the bowling alley.

Mack and Emily

The kids were excited to be out on the town.  Sean and I were just glad the mess was going to happen at the bowling alley and at the restaurant.  Of course, we cleaned up as much as we could, but it was nice to not have to clean up after a big party at home.

Kayla yelled, "I LOVE CHICK-FIL-A!" 

Sean said it pays to know the manger at the restaurant.  Sean is a regular there so they were kind enough to bring out the cow for the party.  Kayla told me to write on the invitations.  If you don't want to eat at Chick-Fil-A eat before you come.  However, I didn't and some of the girls preferred a hamburger so Emily and Mack ran over to In-N-Out to satisfy two of the girls who weren't chicken lovers. 

Kayla and all the kids dancing with the Chick-Fil-A Cow!

Who would have thought that dancing at Chick-Fil-A could be so much fun.  

Mackyznie Parry's friend Wil did the honors and lit the candles for Kayla.  Mckenzie McLauglin had a little bit of excitement as her CRUSH was at the birthday party.  She had a good giggle as Wil offered to take a picture with her.  She laughed and ran into the bathroom with the other girls.  Oh to be 11 again and have the right to be so silly.

Well, what do I want to wish for this year?

Wishing hard to make it count for something!

Kayla is grateful for the thoughtful gifts her friends gave her. 

Dunya, Kayla, Mckenzie and Alexa

Meredith made a special blanket for Kayla.

Kayla thought it would be fun to come back to our house for the movie, Horton Hears a Who.  However, it turned out that it was more exciting to go in the backyard and talk around the firepit.  The girls really got along well together and they were wired with all the sugar from the bowling alley and cake.