Zachary Turns 3...

...over a month ago!! I have been a major slacker with our blog and I'm not sure why. I think a few factors might be that we are still trying to get things figured out with this darn camera, I got behind and then felt overwhelmed, and life has just gotten in the way. But now I am back on board! The "catch-up" will include Zachary's 3rd birthday (December 9th), Christmas festivities, Joshua 10 month (January 7th) and a few odds and ends. This will hopefully take place sooner than later. But for now I will start with my sweet boy turning three. My heart melts for this boy. He continues to be obedient, kind, sensitive, helpful, happy, and just plain sweet. For his third birthday he chose to celebrate it at Chuck E Cheese. Zachary wanted nothing to do with Chucky but had a great time celebrating with his friends and family. We love you Zachy!

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9 months and a new baby...

...Camera that is! We got another Cannon and I was very happy with it until I uploaded this picture of Josh. The picture on the camera is clear and not washed out. It only looks like this since I uploaded it. I am too impatient to wait until Ryan gets home to look at it, so here is a cute but washed out picture of my baby boy. He turned 9 months on the 7th and is as fun as ever. He is saying "dada"(he said that first. Zachary was my only to say mama first.) Josh does say "mama" very clearly though. He babbles a lot! He also has three teeth. Two on the bottom and a snaggle tooth on the top. He still loves his food and is now wanting to eat everything we eat. He is a good, fun, happy baby!

Josh 9 months

Zachary 9 months ( with 4 big chompers!)

Allison 9 months (Alli didn't even get her first tooth until almost 10 months)

Santa

It is hard for me to write about my dad because I feel I cannot properly express in words how I feel about him or his passing. Two days ago marked the five year anniversary of his death. Every year at this time when the Christmas music is playing, the decorations are up, the lights are lit and everyone is in the "holiday spirit", it all brings out bitter-sweet emotions for me. My dad LOVED Christmas. He made this holiday most special for us even when money was tight. He wanted us to have memories of Christmas that he never had. I think his most favorite thing about Christmas though was dressing up as Santa. He had the rosy red cheeks, the big round belly, and as the years progressed his beard became as white as snow. He really made a great Santa. He enjoyed having kids (and adults) sit on his lap and tell him their Christmas wishes. He loved everything about this holiday season.

I have thought back to this time five years ago when he was so sick and could not even walk. Allison was only two months old. The holidays were approaching and all he wanted was to look like Santa so she could be on his lap if only for one time. It breaks my heart thinking about that moment. He knew this was going to be his last time as Santa and I am so thankful it got to be with his only grandchild at the time. It brings me to tears to know that all of his grandchildren will not have the opportunity to sit on his lap at Christmas time. He would have loved it more than the kids! I just have to realize that I was blessed to have the best "Santa" around for all the years I did. I need to keep his memory alive by making Christmas special for my kids, enjoying the holiday season like he did, and telling them stories of the greatest Santa around. Love you Santa.

The Other Video

I forgot to post the "other video" Read the previous post, watch that video, and then this one. Not that it really matters, it's just how it happened in "real life."

Fun After Bath

About two weeks ago our camera broke, and it takes us FOREVER to decided on what kind of camera we want, so that is why there have been no new post and probably won't be for a while! While I was looking at pictures that were taken before the camera broke I found these two videos that were taken right around Halloween. The kids had just come out of the bath and were having fun with Josh. I have never posted video before but I remember someone telling me that when you take video from your camera it has to be done horizontal, but of course I did it vertical so that is why the first one is sideways. I then realized it and tried to capture the moment again horizontal, but we all know how that goes! Enjoy! It may be a while before anything new comes along!

8 Months!

Well, another month has come and gone so here we are again. The monthly pictures start to get very "wiggly" from here on out. Looking back at the other kids I noticed that they don't just sit still anymore! Josh was trying to climb over the bear, eat the bear, lung off the chair, but that being said, we managed to get a decent picture with "rapper" hands none the less! Josh is on the move. He crawls anywhere and everywhere. He pulls himself up on just about anything. He only pulls up to his knees but is thinking about attempting his feet. He gives the wide open mouth kisses which is so sweet and we are teaching him how to wave. He is actually getting good at it. He seems to wave most when Alli is saying "Wave bye, bye" in her high pitch voice. Can you just hear it? Josh lights up most when he sees her. I think its a combo of the wild hair, big smile, and high voice! We are having lots of fun with them all!

Joshua 8 months

Zachary 8 months
Allison 8 months

Old McMenlove Had a Farm...

Last night was the ward Halloween Party and we had a great time. The farm theme started when Allison insisted on being a pig for Halloween. I'm not sure where that idea came from but she wouldn't budge! I first thought they could all be pigs and we would have "The Three Little Pigs!" But the more I thought about Zachy and Josh all in pink, it just didn't sit right. So... we are a farm family this year! Allison LOVES her pig nose because when you press it it makes an oinking sound. Zachary was proud to be a chicken, I let him pick between cow, chicken, horse, goat, and chicken is what he picked. And Josh was just happy being a cute cow!

Grandma came straight from work and no one even knew it!There's my happy chicken boy!


Here are some fun fall pictures I have taken over the past couple of weeks and thought I would share.
Alli is so sweet with her little brother !

These were taken before church a few Sundays ago and all three were just so clean and happy that I had to snap a few!