christmas igloo

A family friend came over the day before Christmas and helped us build an igloo.

Here's the finished product.

The igloo with 8 inches of new snow.

Inside the igloo.

Jonah, Jake, and dad spent the night in it.

persuasive, clever jake

For a recent persuasive writing assignment at school, Jake was asked to write a letter to his parents explaining why he should get a most wanted Christmas gift. Then, parents were asked to respond why the gift should not be given, and then he was to write back again responding to the parental concerns. It was a fun exchange and we thought it worth sharing the letters. 

Jake's initial pleading:

Parental response:

Jake's response:

Despite his clever writing and persuasive arguments, he did not receive a DS for Christmas. Maybe next year... 

Here it is: The McKells’ Christmas Letter 2008!

This year we are writing an e-letter (or may just put it on the blog as we've done previously) to let you know how much we care.  Christmas came around way too fast for us to get on the ball so sorry all you nostalgic postal service lovers. 

The McKell family has had a very busy year starting in January with our move to Northern Utah (Logan to be exact). The kids have adjusted very well to their new schools and activities. Heather and Mark love living so close to the mountains and canyons of Utah where there is an abundance of hiking and other outdoor activities.

Micah is four now with the energy of about 12 four-year-olds.  Sorry to say, he hates running errands with mom and loves to stay home and do puzzles and play hot wheels and legos.  He is in gymnastics once a week to let out his energy on something besides his mom and brothers.

Max is now seven, very close to eight.  He has enjoyed soccer in the spring, playing at the nearby park in the summer and now basketball.  He loves to color and draw and loves school as well.   He is patiently waiting for his two front teeth to come in.

Jonah is loving the abundance of boys in the neighborhood with never a lack of playmates.  He loves playing in the snow, playing ball with his friends and reading.  He started playing cello this fall with a group at his school.  He has progressed well and really enjoys it.

Jake has learned this year what it really means to be challenged.  He has had good supportive teachers who like to see him strain a bit.  He started 6^th grade this fall which is middle school in our town.  He has 7 separate classes which gives him a lot of responsibility.  His favorite subject is science which means we know all about the cycles of the moon now.  He continues to do well with piano and has started playing viola in the school orchestra.

Mark is still working from home for IMS  and I still don’t know exactly what he does all day.  He ran the Bear Lake marathon in June with his brother Dan.  This is something he has wanted to do for a long time and is happy to have completed it. All I have to say is he runs like a gazelle even when he is hurting.  He was put in the Bishopric of our ward in June and still finds time to finish our basement.  Thank you Mark and all who have helped.

I (Heather) am staying busy keeping the hearth fires burning and helping with painting and organizing our home.  I have been volunteering at the Cache Valley Center for the Arts and the local theatre when I can.  It has been fun meeting local artists and seeing some fun plays.  I tried going back to work for a few months but the hearth fire burned out too quickly so I am back as a stay home mom.  I hope to continue working to finish my college degree again in the next few months when I decide what I want to focus on.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Remember that Christ is the reason we celebrate Christmas.  We hope you all have a healthy and a prosperous new year.

With Love, 

Mark and Heather McKell and boys  

Christmas tree and Our biggest present( carpet)

Mt. Rushmore Trip

two more months

Wow! where did October go.  It's November now and less than 2 more months til 2009.  We had a great October with me starting a job at a local school as an aide in the classroom for special needs children. It has been a real roller coster.

Wehad a great vacation at Mt. Rushmore in the middle of the month.  Micah turned 4 and Mark is even more of an adult as of October 30th.  (Still only 2 or 3 greys though.)

Fall is Upon us

Dance Party

Click here if you feel like dancing!

You've Been Tagged!

I tagg Jami, Kim, Michelle!

Here is what you need to do:  Once you've been tagged you have to take a picture of all these things exactly as they are! No cleaning, or fixing in any way! Have fun.

1.Self Portrait

2.What your kids or house mates are doing at the moment

3.Kitchen sink exactly as it is at the moment

4.Laundry room

5. Fridge

6. Your bathroom

7. Your closet

8. Favorite pair of shoes

9. Favorite room in the house

10. Dream Vacation

My kids are watching TV, and eating a peach. Jake is at scouts.

And here is me ooh la la!

 Just got home from a trip and haven't put bathroom stuff all away!  Favorite shoes are pretty and comfortable and barefoot!  Can you say we need a shoe rack! Favorite room is Living room,close to the kitchen and the most comfortable place to read! 

 
 

Already taken that dream vacation to Italy, Netherelands and Belgium!  Next stop South America or somewhere tropical.  This is Sestri Levante, Italy.

So glad the dishes were done!

Shoe basket actually wants to be used!  

I need more milk soon!

Tub is thankfully clean and Max left his pants on the bathroom floor, why? 

 
 
 

Remember

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

anyone want zucchini

 

 

 

We like Apricots

We went to the Gardeners Market in Logan today and bought the most delicious apricots ever.  I hope you are all enjoying the good fruits of the season.(I'll post a picture later when Mark gets home with the camara)

Summer is in full force with the McKell family!  We are busy with swimming and playing we hardly have enough time to eat. I volunteer for the Cache Valley Center for the Arts as an Usher to the Ellen Eccles theatere.  The Last two nights I've seen 1776 and Into The Woods with the Utah Festival Opera.  Definitely something I would recommend coming all the way to Logan to see.  Apparently It's more than just local folk. One couple flew in their private jet to the Logan airport, just for the weekend, from San Luis Obispo to see all four Operas playing this weekend. Here is the link: http://www.centerforthearts.us/

Heather went on an exciting trip to NYC with Brandi ( BF from High school) and enjoyed many crazy subway and bus excursions and of course a trip up to the top of the Empire State Bldg.  The tour bus guide was a crack up! I had to get video so everyone could listen to her crazy accent. Thanks for the good time Brandi!!(video is coming later)