Jacob's First Pinewood Derby

Jacob was just like a kid in a candy store. He was so excited to race his 1st pinewood derby car that he and I had built out of a block of wood. I worked on the design and cut it out and Jacob painted it while at a scouting activity. We then added stickers and the final car looked pretty good for it being our first. I think I was just as excited to see him race. It was my first atempt at building a car. I have 4 younger brothers who were in scouts but never really remember experiencing the derby. Jacob was able to race quite a few times and in the end he got 5th place and an award for the most colorful car. Pretty good for his first time. I was excited because I built the car and wanted it to do well. Every race I was on the edge of my seat and cheering him on, well, cheering on the car. In the end it was a successful race and Jacob was happy with getting 5th place. I was estatic that he didn't end up in last. Well goes to show ya that girls can build derby cars too. And darn good ones. :)

Twins field trip

Jacob and MaKayla had their final field trip to the Meijer Butterfly Garden. We were able to go to the simple machines workshop and learn how the early settlers used different simple machines to help them make their jobs easier. They also were able to see some amazing butterflies. We visited the butterfly garden a little late in the season so there wasn't as many butterflies as we had hoped for but nonetheless we had a great time looking at all the different colors and sizes of butterflies. The kids wanted so badly for one to land on them but no such luck. We had a great time and hope to go back when there are more butterflies to see. MaKayla found a couple of baby squirrels in the garden and wanted to take them home with her. She is such an animal lover, she takes after her mom.

The Twin's Baptism

Grandma Manley found this picture at an antiques store and fell in love with it because if you know MaKayla you know she loves lambs. Grandpa Manley then made the frame out of barn wood from MaKayla's Great,Great,Grandpa Brown's Barn that is still standing. What a great gift.


Each of the kids got a bank so that they can start saving their money and also pay their tithing.

They each got their own scripture set. They were so happy because they had been using some old ones and they were falling apart.

Wow, I can't believe my twins are old enough to be baptized. How time flies. It seems like yesterday that they graduated from Nursery. What an amazing weekend we all had. Zach's parents and grandma got into town Thursday night and then took the kids out on their special day on Friday. Grandma and Grandpa Mac do a special day with each one of their grandkids when they get baptized. The grandchild gets to pick what they want to do for the day (within reason or course). Jacob and MaKayla decided they wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheese for lunch, a movie, Craig's Cruisers (arcade games)and then to top it off they went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. Yummy!!! They were so excited to spend the day with their grandparents. On Friday my parents arrived and so Abby, Zach and I went to get them at the airport. We then went home and started cooking. We had a ton of food to prepare for the luncheon we had after the baptism. We also had Rob and Annie and their kids from Utah, Andy and Steph and the boys from Ohio, Mariah, Art and their kids from Illinois and Ryan and Emily and their brood from Michigan. When you get that many MacPherson's in one place your bound to go a little crazy. JK. We had a great time. The baptism program was the Grandpa's said the prayer, The Grandma's gave fabulous talks and the Uncles where the witnesses. Jacob had been so naughty he had to be dunked twice. No just kidding. His toe came up and so they had to drown him all over again. He was a good sport. We then had a luncheon at the church which was really yummy. Thanks to all those who helped with food. It was great!!! Jacob and MaKayla each got their own set of scriptures and Grandma and Grandpa Manley gave them some great gifts. They also got to ditch school for a couple of days after to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Manley. Boy did they get spoiled. We are so lucky to have such great family and we appreciate all of them for coming and supporting Jacob and MaKayla. Thanks!!!!

New Van,Yea!!!!

We'll after having no vehicle for 2 weeks due to brake problems, I finally talked Zach into getting a new van. I had originally wanted a Toyota Sienna, but we were only able to afford a 2005 or older with 50,000 miles or more on it. We then came across the Chrysler Town and Country and found that we could get a 2008 with only 10,000 miles for the same price as the Toyota so we took it. It has been so nice to finally have a dependable van. We had our last van for 7 years and had put it through a few trips to and from Utah. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it works just perfect for me.

Jacob's 1st Pack Meeting

Jacob was so excited to go to his first pack meeting. He was involved in a couple of skits so that should explain the bushy eye brows and brown shirt. He had so much fun being the center of attention. He received his first merrit badge.

When Jacob received his merrit badge he then gave me a pin of the badge he received.



During the pack meeting they also did a talent show. Jacob wanted to tell jokes for his talent and he did such a great job. He wasn't even nervous to get up in front of all those people. Way to go Jacob.

Twin's Birthday Party

The twins wanted a birthday party so they could invite their friends, so I came up with an idea so that I only had to do one party and everyone was happy. We decided to have a sledding party at Pigeon Creek Park. There they have a little lodge with tables and a huge fireplace and a great sledding hill. They all had a blast. The kids went sledding and then went into the lodge for cake and ice cream and presents. What a fun party.

Twin's 8th Birthday

Wow time flies. My twins are 8 and boy do I feel old. We had a small party for them with their Uncle Ryan, Aunt Emily and their cousins. We ate lots of cake and opened a couple presents. Sorry about misspelling the kids names Emily. I typed so fast I didn't notice and now I don't know how to change them.

Grandma & Grandpa Mac are back from down under.

We had the opportunity to go to the airport in Chicago to be there when Grandma and Grandpa got home from their mission to Australia. The kids were so excited not only to see Grandma and Grandpa but their cousins too. We went out to eat with Aunt Mo and her kids before we went to the airport. Then last time we saw them was back in July and we hadn't see the new baby Spencer yet so it was great to see them. The kids were so patient and waited at the bottom of the escalators holding signs that said Welcome Home Grandpa and Grandma We Love You. G-Day Mates. The kids were so happy to see them. Abigail was a little hesitant but eventually warmed up to them. We were only able to spend about a half an hour with them but at least we were able to be there and see them. My kids wanted to go home with them. They were jealous of Aunt Mariah's kids because Grandma & Grandpa are staying with them for a while. We will get our chance soon. Welcome Home Grandpa and Grandma. We missed you!!!

Abby's Turtle Song

Abby was sitting on my lap the other day and started to sing this song. I had never heard it before so I know I didn't teach it to her so I asked where she learned it and she said nursery. If you can't quite understand her here are the words to the song. "I had a little turtle his name was Tiny Tim. I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim. He drank up all the water, he ate up all the soap. And now he's sick in bed with bubbles in his throat." I thought it was pretty stinking cute. She sings it all the time. She says it is her special song.

Christmas 2008

Decorating the Tree

The kids always have so much fun decorating the tree. Here are some more pics of the kids. They have so much fun looking at all the old ornaments that they made at school throughout the years.

Our First ER trip with Abigail

Yesterday the kids were goofing around and Abigail was sitting on my lap while Jacob was throwing a blanket over us. He threw the blanket to high and it hit a picture of Jesus from off a shelf that was above us and the picture came crashing down onto Abby's head. I rushed her to the bathroom and saw the large gash on top of her head. I yelled at Zach that we needed to take her to the ER and off we went. When we got there they put a numbing solution on the gash so that when they stiched her up she wouldn't feel it. She was such a tough girl. She only cried for a few minutes and that was right after it had happened. She didn't even feel them pulling the tape out of her hair and if you know Abby she cries whenever you touch her hair with a hairbrush. She received 8 stiches and has to have them for 1 week. Jacob felt so bad he cried all the way to the hospital. Abigail told Jacob this morning," Jacob, it's ok. It was an accident." She knew that her brother felt bad for what happened and she wanted to let him know that she was ok. Today, Abby was fine, it was as if nothing had happened. What a trooper!!!

O Christmas Tree

Over the years we have gone out as a family and cut down our own Christmas tree at the tree farm. Last year we bought our tree from a lot and it was the last year we will ever do that because it was dead before Christmas even got here. This year we went to a tree farm and Jacob helped pick out the tree and helped cut it down. He thought that he was so cool. MaKayla found a rabbit home and was trying to fix it because it had been stepped on and Abigail was looking at all the little trees that were her size. We had to defrost the tree overnight and then decorated it the next day. The kids have so much fun looking through the ornaments and finding the ones that they had made in previous years. I was the lucky one to put on the lights. My hands were so sticky from sap and had red dots all over them from the needles but I got it done. Thank goodness the tree will only be up for a couple of weeks because it takes up a huge portion of our family room. I like big trees.

Santa Clause Parade

Today was the Santa Clause Parade in Grand Rapids. For the past 3 years we have been able to walk in the parade and pass out candy and foam Statue of Liberty crowns. It is always cold but once you get walking you warm up pretty fast. This was the coldest year. We layered on the clothes. The twins had a great time, but Abby wasn't too sure about it. She kept crying and saying that she was cold even though she had a bunch of clothes and blankets to keep her warm in her stroller. She finally was ok when I let her throw candy. She thought that was pretty fun. I had to get pretty close to the kids so that she could get it to them. She doesn't have much of a throwing arm yet. It was cute to see the twins wave at all the people at the parade. They thought that they were pretty cool.