General Conference

We decided 6 months ago that we would take the whole family to conference in April. We had it all planned out that it would be the only time that we could go as a whole family and the only time that Brad would be able to take Taylor, Alex and Danny to Priesthood Conference before Taylor goes on his mission. We were really excited about it! We were lucky enough to have Andy and Suzette's condo to stay in in Park City, or we probably wouldn't have gone.

We left town at around 11 a.m. on Friday and Brad drove like a maniac to try and get us to Park City by midnight. We were losing an hour by leaving Arizona, plus Park City is an hour past Provo. We were worried because we knew we would have to get up at 6 a.m. in order to get to the morning session of conference. It was a crazy trip. The wind blew really hard all the way to Page and then it started snowing. When we got to Kanab we had to take a detour towards St. George because of a 12 car pile-up. The snow was so bad. It was a total blizzard. Brad was such a trooper.

We got to Provo, had Emily meet us and drove the rest of the way to Park City. Needless to say, we were very tired the next morning - especially Brad - since he drove the whole way. But . . . we got the whole family there and it was such a great experience! Here is a picture inside the Conference Center.

After conference, we drove to Heber and went to Dairy Keene. Gotta have those Train Burgers! We watched the afternoon session and then the boys took off to go to General Priesthood Meeting.

While they were gone, Emily, Ryan and I went to the outlet mall for a little while. Ryan was enthralled by the snow. He hasn't been around it before except for once when he was tiny.

It was snowing huge snowflakes here but it is hard to tell in the picture. I only had my IPhone since Brad took my camera to his meeting. Later we met up with the rest of the family and went and had pizza in Park City. The weather was crazy and stressful, but I hope it will be a good memory for us and the kids.

On Sunday night we sent Taylor and Alex home on a plane because we didn't feel like they could miss school anymore. Brad was invited as President of Care For Life, to speak at a special international conference at BYU. He was scheduled to speak at 3pm on Monday. We decided that he would drive down to Provo with Emily really early in the morning (because the conference was all day) and I would finish things up at the condo and head down later and be there in time to hear him speak.

At 6:00 in the morning, Danny was throwing up. And things just got worse from there. He was really feeling sick and so we waited until the last possible minute to leave. If necessary, we would have stayed there, but he decided that we should try and leave. I dropped him and Ryan off at Emily's apartment, changed my clothes, and grabbed Emily. We made it just in time to hear Brad. He did such a wonderful job! I was so proud of him! After that, Danny was feeling a little better so we said goodbye to Emily and drove to Cedar City so that the rest of the trip wouldn't be so long. All in all, it was a wonderful trip!

The New Deacon!

Danny happened to turn twelve on March 22, which was a Sunday. It was really special I thought, because he was able to be ordained to the Priesthood on his actual birthday! My sister JoAnn was able to be baptized on her birthday and I always thought that was so neat. It was a very special day. We had family members representing both sides of the family. Nana, Uncle Don, Uncle Andy, and Aunt Susie were all there. It was really neat to see Taylor standing in the circle. If it were only 2 weeks later, then Alex would have stood in also! Danny, were are very proud of you for the sweet, sensitive boy that you are. I know that you have a testimony and that you will take your Priesthood responsibilities seriously. We love you!

Randomness (is that a word?)!

I have been such a procrastinator with my blogging lately. I got stuck on Danny and then Alex's birthdays. I need to scan old pictures in order to finish their posts, but have been unable to find the time. Unfortunately because of that, I have put off doing the other posts that I need to do. So, I decided enough is enough! I will eventually get around to doing the scanning, but I will try to catch up with the rest a little at a time.

We were lucky enough to go to Knott's Berry Farm for a whirlwind trip for Spring Break. We drove over, spent the night, went to the park for the day and then drove home that night! It was very tiring but great fun! We missed you Emily! Ryan was excited to be able to ride most of the big rides! Thanks Brad for helping us make another fun memory.

It has been such a beautiful Spring this year. I don't remember when it has lasted this long in the Valley. We have enjoyed it so much. I love this time of year!

Orange Blossoms! One of two favorite smells! The other is a newborn baby.

Danny is in 6th grade and it was time for "Country Reports" in March. He chose to do New Zealand. I was a little bit panicked because we have never been to New Zealand and didn't have anything from there. We have stuff from England, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Thailand, Urkraine, and Mozambique. However, Danny wanted to learn more about New Zealand. He did a great job and luckily we were able to borrow a few things from Brita Ball and we bought some kiwi to sample. Way to go Danny!

Danny was playing with Cricket and I got this great picture

A Lost Tooth!

Ryan lost his 1st tooth back on March 14th. You wouldn't find a happier boy than he was that night. He had been so anxious about the whole thing because he is already 7 and in 1st grade and most of the kids have at least lost 1 tooth, if not more. It had been kind of wiggly for a awhile but was really stubborn. One night, he matter of factly asked his Dad to pull it out. He wasn't worried or scared or anything. We were all surprised when it came right out! He's trying to get more of them out as fast as he can so that he can get another "golden dollar"!

Happy Birthday Alex!

Alex is 16 - I can't believe it!

Birthday Time

DANIEL THOMAS MCBRIDE

Danny turned 12 today! I can't believe he is that old already. Pictures to come tomorrow

One Year Older and Wiser Too!

EMILY McBRIDE was born 21 years ago today. Can that really be true? I know I sound old when I say this but . . . my, time has flown! I can't believe my only baby girl is all grown up now. I know this is her third year living away from home, but I still miss her terribly. We are very lucky that we got to spend the long weekend with her and celebrate her birthday with her then.

Emily is GOOD, loving, kind, smart, funny, pretty, THOUGHTFUL, a good friend, a great sister, and a wonderful "one of a kind" daughter. Every time we had another boy we would tell her that Heavenly Father wasn't going to send us another girl because he already sent us the best one! Emily, we love you dearly and are so glad that you are our daughter.

1st Halloween - I LOVE this picture!

1st Birthday with "Dodo" in tow

1st trip to Disneyland

Kindergarten

3rd Grade

5th Grade

10 years old!

8th Grade

15 years old

Senior Picture

Starting BYU

This is our Emily - isn't she beautiful?!

The Birthday Boy

RYAN JOSEPH MCBRIDE - AKA "FONZ'"

So today my little valentine turns 7 years old . . . I can't believe my baby is already 7!  There are so many things to say about Ryan that I don't even know where to start.  Brad and I call him our "dessert" - because he came at the tail end of the family and we have enjoyed him so much that we can hardly stand it.  I think that the rest of the family feels that way also.  Ryan is kind, sensitive, funny, HAPPY, cute, friendly, sweet, SMART, did I say cute, and silly.  We all love him to death and can't imagine our family without him.  Thanks for coming to our family Ryan.  Have a wonderful birthday!