June

Where do we start in June... June started off with a bang and ended sometime in July. We had family pictures taken, my Sister Leda came to stay with us until she was married later that month, my Mother flew in from Brazil for the wedding and my niece's baptism, and somewhere along the way we did all the normal everyday things we needed to do.

We had fun playing outside, working in the yard, and seeing family. Gracie was especially excited that David became her Uncle. (We think she has a little crush on him.) Brian Dean loves water and dirt. Mixing them is his favorite. Gracie likes getting her feet wet and walking on the sidewalk so she can see her footprints. McKenna, she liked laying in the shade with Mom.

July

July is one of my favorite months because I love fireworks. I also love Bob and his birthday is in July. Bonus fun because of that. This year for Bob's birthday we took the kids to see the balloon launch in Provo. They may have been tired but they had a ton of fun watching the balloons (as you can tell from Brian Dean's face), spending time with Grandma Wilkins, and knowing they got to eat cake and see Grandma Ullery later that day. Bob turned 30 this year and had a wonderful birthday. How could he not, he was surrounded by family and friends, and got to have fun as well.



In July we also got to attend The Police concert (Bob's favorite band), Go to our mission reunion, and celebrate Steel Days (Our town celebration). The kids loved riding bikes in the children's parade and watching the outdoor movie in the park.

August

We took advantage of the $2.00 Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point and were able to attend Farm Country, the Dinosaur Museum, and the Children's Garden. The kids loved it and we loved doing something fun and educational together. My favorite was watching the kids ride the horses. McKenna had to get off half way through because she was scared, but Brian Dean and Gracie looked like genuine cowboys and girls.
Bob was able to take two trips up to Washington where we served our mission. He had students who needed flight time and so he finally got to have his Chinese food he has been craving for six years. He also got to visit one of his best friends, Andrew and his family. They had a lot of fun visiting together. Later we got to have them come and stay with us. (Thanks for the visit you guys!)
We also had fun watching the Olympics this year. Brian Dean taught himself how to platform dive, backwards, off our table onto a mattress we had set up by the TV. That was terrifying, but fun. Gracie taught herself how to do somersaults while watching the gymnastics. We loved it so much we held the Wilkins Family Olympics. Complete with baby tug of wars, stroller rolling contests, and grapefruit tosses. All in all we were all feeling very Olympic that day (As my Dad would say.)

September

Most of September was spent watching the trucks out our front window dig up our road. Brian Dean was in heaven and would watch for hours. Gracie started Preschool (again) and Dance. She feels very grown up and can't wait for Kindergarten next year.


This was the month our sweet little McKenna got her first tooth and started to crawl. I loved her toothless smile, but even with teeth she melts my heart.

October part one

October is always a fun month at our house. This year Mom turned 30. I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I now know why. I really feel like an adult now. Bob surprised us and took us to the aquarium and overnight as a family in Salt Lake. The kids loved the hotel. (They also liked that the aquarium had an octopus and sharks. Brian Dean still talks about them almost daily.) Brian Dean turned 2 in October. We took the kids bowling for the first time. They had so much fun. Gracelyn almost beat Bob, and if you have ever bowled with Bob you know she did really well. Brian Dean is our little man and we love watching him grow up. He gets so excited whenever he sees a truck or a train or a boat. He calls them all choo-choo's and drives Gracelyn nuts with it. The outdoors man in our family is definitely Brian Dean. He would live outside if he could, except he would need to also have a kitchen. Food is the first word out of his mouth each day. He loves to eat, he loves to do things himself, and he loves balls. (All balls are soccer ball games.)

For Halloween we had a ton of fun and each of the kids filled a gallon zip lock bag full of candy. (Yes we still have two zip lock bags left.) Brian Dean really understood this year and tried to say Trick-or-treat at each door. In the end he just started yelling "Thank You" as he knocked on doors. McKenna wasn't so sure about Halloween, but Gracie helped her understand that everything is just pretend. It was really sweet.
Also in October Bob was hired by Mesaba Airlines. They are an affiliate of Northwest. He will be stationed in Minneapolis and will commute to and from work. He started training at the beginning of November and was told to count on being gone for two months. That didn't make the end of October quite as good for Mommy. :(

October part two

The kids had fun carving pumpkins with Dad. They all had to try and show you the face the pumpkin would eventually have. (McKenna was pretty close. )


We also enjoyed all of the leaves we had this year and got some fun pictures of the kids. As you can see McKenna really does put everything in her mouth. Her thumb at bedtime is her favorite. I love watching her sleep because she looks so happy and angelic. Kids grow up way to fast don't they?

November

At the beginning of November Bob left for training in Minnesota. We thought it would be two months until we saw him again so saying goodbye was really hard. After two weeks I was about to crash and burn. My amazing cousin took my kids for the weekend and I flew out to spend some time with Bob. We had an amazing time since we have never gone on a vacation alone. (No we did not have a honeymoon.) We went to the Mall of America and man is it amazing. We loved going to the underground aquarium and eating at the Rain Forest Cafe. We watched some football and a movie and had no interruptions. It was amazing. Bob came home the next weekend and surprised the kids. Man we had a lot of kids up at midnight when he got home, but it was a fun memory to make. Bob got to be home for part of Thanksgiving and we were grateful to have more time together. We put up our Christmas Tree and got the lights up on the house. The kids loved showing us all the new things they had learned since last year. Brian Dean now speaks in full sentences and had to explain what each ornament on the tree was, Gracie sang us all her Christmas songs, and McKenna laughed at them and babbled away about all the pretty lights and decorations. She also decided it was time to climb stairs. Mom and Dad enjoyed seeing our kids so happy. We were truly blessed this year.

December

In December we had a lot of fun attending Gracelyn's preschool program, her first dance recital with Showcase USA (where Mommy used to take), and getting our Daddy home for Christmas. Bob also received his flight uniform and we had to post it so everyone can see just how nice he looks. Christmas Eve Bob came home from training and it was so much fun to see him and the kids enjoy Christmas morning together. McKenna LOVED her first Christmas. Especially all the wrapping paper, laughter, and yummy treats. Bob flew his first flight on the 29th from Minneapolis to Colorado Springs and back. This was fun for him since he was born in Colorado Springs. Now we are looking forward to the new year. Hopefully we will be able to travel a little more now and spend more time together having fun and creating memories. Hope next year is a good one for you and hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Love the Ullery Family

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