Ya Man

Marching on to some Epic Adventures this month!  It's a big one for Miss Katelee!!

Our little leprechaun is now 18!!!  

She is a delight and we adore her.  She celebrated with us and also with a little overnighter with some close friends downtown.  I want to say I can't believe she is an adult, but the truth is I can.  She is strong, motivated, smart and killing it at lacrosse this year.  

She's permanently on defense and while it wasn't her first choice, she is embracing it and started out as a captain on the team. (then there has been some girl drama-bleh- and now every senior is a captain).  Anywho...she is a leader and is pushing through hard classes, challenges in life and looking forward to college.  Ahhhh...can't belive that's getting close.  She went to another school's prom...

with Porter Sorenson's friend.  We love Katelee and Porter reunited our families at their chance meet up at In-N-Out.  Here she is with Angel looking dapper and gorgeous.  She is growing up in the best way and 18 looks good on her!  

Our poor little Brenna is still struggling with her back injury.  She pushed through the last convention, 

but now she is out for the next one.  We've been doing PT, a massage and went to a chiropractor after a suggestion from another parent.  Brenna liked it originally, but when we went back a second time, we are certain she was more severely hurt.  We are just doing all we can (and praying a lot!) so she can rest up and hopefully be ok for auditions in April.  

Her back was suffering and this kid's eye turned red and goopy.  We have never had Pink Eye at the McArthur house.  We almost made it through 4 kids without that experience.  Harrison busted our record.  We had to get that cleared up before our Spring Break trip, which we did but then Katelee got it right at the end of the trip, so we were pretty lucky.  

Our Christmas present to the family was a trip to JAMAICA!  We wanted to do something fantastic for Katelee's last high school spring break trip- and boy was it ever!  

We started off the vacation in true McArthur madness...forgetting Harrison's luggage.  We even said before hand, make sure to get your luggage to everyone! (we have had more than our share of mishaps-but the luggage forgetting of the mcarthur cruise was coming to mind).  When we got to the car park, we all searched for the silver suitcase with Harrison's belongings, but with no success.  He had brought it out to the car, but placed it on the side to be loaded and it was overlooked.  So, it sat in our garage.  

Luckily, we had noticed our neighbor, Matthew pulling in when we left, so we bribed him to speed over to the airport and he arrived just as we got checked in and needed to head to security.  Phew...we like to stay on our toes! 

We spent the night in Atlanta and Anna and Curt were able to meet us for breakfast before we left for the island.  That was fun!  Brenna had been saving her turn for the window seat so she could fly in and have a tropical view...not quite what she saved herself for.  hahahaha

We didn't get a bird's eye view, but once we did get to reggae land, we loved it!  

We stayed at the same hotel Dave and I did in 2017-we even upgraded one of our rooms (us girlies') to the swim up for the last couple of nights, like we had on our ADP trip.  

Our first night we jumped right into the swimming...

and the partying.  The resort dancers put on a great show and then it was a 'silent disco' where Katelee and I had a blast with Brenna while trying to constrain her and not cause further injury.  ha! 

It is the most bizarre party cuz it feels like a club, but you take off your headphones and it is silent.  Everyone looks off beat and ridiculous so you can just go for it! 

We woke up and went to church-same building as we went to 8 years ago- new paint, same great people! 

This little gal wanted to be in our pictures.  She must be just like our girls because half of their waking moments seemed to be a photo shoot everywhere we went.  There are currently hundreds of photos of McArthur ladies (sans mother) posing throughout the island.  

When we got back to the resort, we took it easy and enjoyed our time.  We had awesome dinners together each night, at a hibachi, a french restaurant, 

an italian place and we ate a lot of jerk chicken with our fruity drink concoctions as we lounged around.  But out favorite things to eat came from the locals at the fruit stands.  Our driver would pull over and let Dave shop around and we also bought a whole bunch of produce at one of our excursion destinations.  

The Jamaican apple and star apple initially made Harrison gag a bit in their texture being similar to snot, but even he came around to the heavenly taste.  

We brought it back to the hotel and they cut it up for us.  We left them the cocoa seeds and our server took them home to grind.  It worked out for everyone.  

Besides church, we left the resort for two places.  One of them was for our swim with DOLPHINS!

It was so fun!  

Each of us got to pet one of the dolphins, touch their noses and dance with them (mostly they just splashed us all), 

get kissed by the slick creatures 

get pulled by two at the same time, (Harrison tried to pull this mewwing face in EVERY photo, gotta keep the memories)

and get rocketed in the air by them with their noses at the soles of our feet.  

They are so well trained, 

so fun

and really helped Brenna prepare for her first smooch.

The water color was a little sus right up against the building...we witnessed why with the feeding and the processing of that food by the dophins ;) 

but you can't beat these genuine smiles.  

We didn't even need to stage a photo op, cuz they sucker you big time.  Totally worth it - we loved every minute.  

We showered off the salt water and fecal matter and chilled at the hotel but did not want to miss out on the exciting/terrifying Michael Jackson impersonator.  That was something.  

He had children in the audience screaming in fright during Thriller- I guess it was just so authentic.  He sat by Brenna for a brief moment, but she wasn't scared, Harrison however, looked unsure.  

The other time we left the resort was originally to go to the tourist spot Dunn's River to swim and hike around.  Katelee's friend had told her they went to a different place close to and similar to Dunn's River.  When we asked our driver about it, he said Dunn's River is great but Blue Hole is best of all.  So...we changed course and ended up at Blue Hole.  

It was such a stellar move because it was the highlight for all of us.  

You hiked up the rocks through the waterfall and had a great place to jump into the falls.  It was a lot higher than this picture makes it look.  There was a couple that was there at the same time and Dave ended up jumping with the lady to help her overcome her fears.  

Our river guide had asked us if we wanted to try and swim under the falls and into the little cove.  We thought we could do it...false...only Grant and Dave could actually swim there.  That current was a bugger and we are apparently not the strongest of swimmers.  With the help of our guide and Grant, we made it under and it was incredible!

I lost a shoe, which was later recovered, swallowed a whole lot of water and thought perhaps I just might tread water against the current for all of time,

 but we all completed the entire course.  

The water was perfect, the scenery was pristine and the adventure was spot on.  

There were a lot of vendors all over and Grant and I were joking that Harrison should as Dave if he could get some brownies.  Dave said yes without a second thought.  We were giggling and I had to explain to him what type of brownies the Jamaicans were selling.  He was going to get way more than chocolate in that treat.  

We loved watching the sunset, walking the grounds, taking a catamaran out into the ocean where the boat captain laughed at Brenna when she asked if there were sharks.  It was a fantastic blend of thrills and relaxation.  While we loved the activities, I mostly loved getting so spend time together!!  

We Love Jamaica!

But mostly I love these people of mine (yes-please note the mew on the youngest's face)! 

February Fun

February is always jam packed here.  There are always Valentine parties, school dances, blackout time at the studio, games for lacroose and basketball and we have TWO birthdays here to celebrate.  

This little guy is now 20!!!!

He is loving living up in Logan but we were happy we got to schedule a time to party with him and sing over his pan of cinnamon rolls.  Hailie joined us and I am sure it was all he ever dreamed of.  We can't believe Grant is 20...official adulthood just around the corner.  

Katelee had another Sweethearts dance.  Her third and final.  She asked Kade and had a crazy time doing a dare night after the dinner, dance and their day date at the Aquarium. 

 

Those girls had to all be freezing, but they were looking cute as they shivered! 

It's such a cute heart-y Valentines theme.  We had our Fancy Love dinner this year and it was a hit as always, especially when Dave prayed and thanked that we could gather on this Gal-entines celebration.  We then explained, after we giggled during the prayer,  it wasn't a Galentines and  he wouldn't be invited to the galentines next year or ever.  

The second birthday of the month, was of course Ms. Brenna.  She started off the occasion with an outing with her dance team to watch their teacher perform at the Cougarette showcase.  It was super fun.  Those girls are uplifting and supportive of each other and wack-a-doos at the same time.  She watched a movie with her school/hood friends and we had to have a linner to catch her before dance on her actual bday.  

We ate, have presents and witnessed her trying to blow out her candles for a solid 30 seconds/ sixth times a charm kind of blow.  

How it could be such a challenge is a mystery, but now we know if she's ever asked to share something she isn't good at- blowing out candles is the top of the list. 

She is getting so tall- check out her foot next to mine.  She is getting so OLD too-we had to take her to get her driver's permit.  

Yay for her...but I am for sure dreading it.  (shhh)  Brenna is so busy and so driven and she's actually injured right now.  It's been hard since she is just getting over her broken foot.  We had a fun night at our Superbowl watch party with our neighbors, (See the cool poster Harrison made)

and everyone participated in some bendy group yoga poses and it tweaked Brenna's back.  Well, she danced for a few weeks after just a little sore and then at dress rehearsal, she called me sobbing saying she couldn't move.  She is resting it for now.  The urgent care said it's a muscle strain/tear so we are hoping it heals quickly! It's been hard.  

 

Football has been fresh on the mind (and tv) so Harrison made a cool football Valentine box.  

But his art heart couldn't stop with one, he had to make a second in honor of his beloved BYU.  Harrison did have a classmate ask to be his Valentine and he didn't want to hurt her feelings so he said yes and even brought her an extra treat- but not too big, because he didn't want to give her the wrong impression, because the feelings weren't mutual.  hahaha!

School parties are fun!  So are school libraries where the librarian finds your twin face on a book and is sure you need to take it home!  haha!

That cute face got to meet new baby cousin Beckett!  We love him!  Yay for Rachel and Toren for adding a cute little squish to the fam.  

Harrison was a good sport and accompanied me to the high school play.  They put on a pretty cool Harry Potter production.  Gryffindor at heart, so this Hufflepuff needed a pic.  

He also got to accompany Katelee snowboarding this month.  We've had some great storms and Katelee has been eating up all the boarding opps she can.  Girl has to have gone boarding 15 times already this year.  

She's trying to get it in before she gets so busy with lacrosse.  Katelee got these perfect picts taken for her senior banner.  We can't wait to cheer her on this season!  It's going to be so fun!

She had been complaining about her foot being tender and having a sore on it that wouldn't heal.  So, we decided to take her in for a looky at the dr's office.  Well...the doc gets in and doesn't think it is a wart or blister and starts moving his light around.  He turned to me and said he thought he saw a bit of a shine in it.  yep.  He scraped off some skin, dug out a piece of glass.  Katelee has just been hosing some glass in her foot for a month or so.  She said it started hurting in January when she had a lax tornament she traveled to in California.  Now, we have the glass all dug out, she started walking normal almost immediately- so let the season begin!!!

Feelin Alive in 2025

Kicking off the new year with a tag a long trip to Cancun with Dave.  He had his yearly convention in Mexico at an all inclusive so we left Momma Katelee in charge and I went to meet him.  Unfortunately, my flight was delayed in Utah.  I ran as fast as my short legs could go to catch the connector to Cancun...but alas, it was in vain.  The plane took off without me.  I trudged my suitcase to the adjacent hotel that Dave had booked me and tried to keep the tears in as they told me they couldn't check me in and I had no reservation.  It worked out in the end and I slept soundly at the airport hotel and tried my luck again in the morning.  

Dave had given me instructions on how to catch a shuttle and not get abducted if someone was talking to me in Spanish and I thought I had it under control...but after the rough travels the day before and my emotional check in, he escorted me personally to the hotel.  

He got a bit sick again this year while there, so it wasn't ideal, but I mean who can complain about this view as you rest.  It was an adventure and memorable and nice to spend some time together before the sickness hit.  

The young people were independent, and everything went smoothly at home.   It was a breeze having Katelee home and in charge.  I did get this pic from Brenna.  So proud of her culinary skills.  

Brenna is skilled in so many ways and her fabulous science teacher recognized that and nominated her for the Eagle of the Quarter at the middle school.

She's super cool.  She really does deserve it- she works so hard at school.  She stays after for help, retakes exams when she can, always goes for extra credit (even when in a boot and caring for a robot baby is rough), and I even get phone calls occasionally from her math teacher, Mr Yao to go over if Brenna is being too hard on herself.  All her teachers know her very well!  haha!  She is awesome and it was fun to be at the lunch to honor her.  

Sports are still (always) under way.  Katelee is gearing up for lacrosse tryouts and Harrison is playing on his Club team for basketball as well as Bantam.  He had the game of his life recently...

We were down by 2 points, the clock ticking away, two seconds left, someone passed the ball to Harrison and he throws up a shot past the 3 point line and MAKES IT!  We were all cheering so loudly, it pretty much made his life.  

I love my work schedule, it gets me out and earning the big bucks a little bit, but also gives me a couple of days a week where I can run errands, do laundry, go to lunch, or visit my momma.  We try and see each other once a week or so.  I couldn't pass up this pic I took of her with the glasses my dad bought her.  She's had a hard year with her eyes, and my dad was sure he found the solution.  

I don't know if they were really what she needed, but boy when she tried them on for me, it was just what I needed for a good laugh.  

I counted going to Cancun with Dave as my birthday present/celebration.  But, of course, everyone here still had to sing to me when the day came along.  

A day with swig and funfetti cake after getting dinner delivered to our table by a robot

was all I could ever ask for.  

It was a fun start to the year and a fun birthday and these cards deserve to be preserved...

 

2024 No More

And just like that, another year is in the books.  

This girl started out the month still adjusting to her boot.  She is in a child development class where they have to take a robot baby home to care for it.  It is programmed to cry, need diaper changes, burp, etc.  In true Brenna fashion, she signed up to do a weekend because you could get extra credit. (99% isn't good enough I guess).  We were not looking forward to an overnighter, but now the crazy had committed to an entire weekend.  

It will be a weekend to remember and help encourage family planning/delayed child care for this one. Dave was out of town the first night and I was just prepared for it to be long.  I crawled into bed and was checking my phone to see if Katelee would be home soon so I could sleep...but then I get a call with her sniffling.  I calmly asked her if she and everyone was ok (even though I was frantic inside) and she tearily explained the car she was riding in had hit a cat and it was stumbling around and laying on the ground with a paw up.  I let out the breath I had been holding and, while sad for the feline, said a grateful prayer it was not a human.  We talked through that and what to do next and I plugged in my earplugs as soon as she got home.  

 I awoke in the middle of the night to Brenna bursting through my door on her hands and knees crawling (because she can't walk!) pleading for help.  She needed to go to the bathroom in the night and the baby was crying and she didn't want to wake people up so she had a bit of a mishap in the restroom...and then she just fell apart.  The rest of the weekend consisted of pleas (screams) for us to assist her.  Thankfully we could hand back baby Bertha and Brenna's motherhood role is postponed for now.  

The month pressed on with lots of fun and festive adventures.  Our favorite time of year at the high school (Silver Rush)  helped bring in the spirit of service. 

 We were happy Katelee was in the group that was assigned our street this year.  They stuffed Christmas Cards for us.  That's right, it is our once every 5 year Christmas card time!  So, everyone who got one prob was surprised that it came and delighted to know we are still around.  

The gingers continue to dominate and in the photo we have now enlarged in our front room, and was posted by Brenna, Katelee is standing by Grant with her arm on his.  One of Brenna's friends seeing all the red heads assumed Katelee was Grant's wife.  It was an awkward moment for all involved.  

Katelee, who is indeed not married and a part of the OG family, had a fun time at the first Winter's Ball at Riverton.  

She went to the dance with her good friend Gabe.  They love snowboarding together so it was fun hanging out not on the slopes as well.  

Katelee is itching to get up snowboarding but December was not snowy and we are hoping for some winter weather soon! But, that doesn't stop the holiday spirit.  

One of the activities we loved this year was going to see the Nativity display.   We were happy Dad and Brenna joined us this time! 

It has been Harrison and me the last couple of years so it was fun to hunt all the displays together.  

Harrison's little basketball team had a rough start but they came in first in their Christmas tournament, it was like a little holiday miracle...especially because they didn't have their regular coach.  Way to go boys!  He is making great friends and enjoying his team a lot this year.  

Christmas was spent the traditional way...prepping food Christmas Eve, paying it forward at a fast food restaurant on our way to the family party.  This is always a bit intense and a fulfilling challenge we love!  

We had dinner with the Petrick side and had our usual program/gift exchange with some stellar white elephant presents this year-grandma and grandpa caught in an unprecedented cuddle in a pizza blanket, a mug of grandpa sleeping at different locations, top notch white elephant stuff.  

The kids slept in the basement together and we opened gifts in the morning.  It is hard to pull off any surprises because they just send me lists of what they want now...especially one child in particular.  This child specifies what she wants and doesn't want me to deviate.  Too bad.  

We were able to get a couple of surprises in there.  We had really wanted to pull off an unexpected trip surprise, but we had to let Grant know for work and he let it slip to Katelee.  But we are all excited to be going to Jamaica in the spring!!

The best part, of course, is just being together.  We know we most likely won't get many more years where our Christmas' look like this- just the six of us.   

So, we ring in the new year (we were down to the 3 that night- you know, social things for the other kiddos) with gratitude. 

that Harrison still likes being home!  

One day (soon) it will just be this...

 With Grant moving out, Katelee in the midst of her senior year, prepping for college next year and Brenna starting HS next time around, we know each memory and moment is a treasure.