It's been a crazy couple of months, so here's my annual apology for not updating the blog sooner. We just had a fabulous time in Idaho with the family for Susan's wedding, which was also very crazy with lots and lots of little kids running around. Hyrum thoroughly enjoyed the running around part. We were constantly looking for him, but he made it out of Idaho without any damage so we're doing good so far right? He's getting so big and is starting to make sense every now and then. He says words like Dad, Mom, Ball, Banana... it's cute.

So now we're almost to the middle of August, where we will be kicked out of our apartment. This wouldn't be such a big deal if we had a place to move to. We have a few options now, but we're kind of waiting to find out about the possibility of buying a townhouse. We'll see. That would be a really big step for us and we don't want to rush into it not having a clue what we are doing. Life is good for us overall, a little stressful here and there, but we're so blessed to be where we are and doing what we're doing. I'm so grateful I get to be a mom and take care of Hyrum. He's a good boy and I really would pick this job over anything else. Sometimes it's tough, but overall the wife and mother role wins out the others!

Here are a few pictures of the 4th and our trip to Idaho.

So I'm a Ballerina Now

I guess I got into it because our Sunday School teacher told me about her adult ballet class. I never really liked ballet when I was younger, but now that I'm older I can appreciate it. I just didn't have the discipline back then. Anyway, I started sewing to pay for the lessons, and I bought myself a pair of pointe shoes. That's pretty much the story. It's really really hard, but I like to see my progression over time. I even got to dance in their June ballet. It was really fun to get a tutu and everything. Even though I was stuck with a bunch of little girls. Oh well, I was in lights again! I also got to be in their Jazz showcase as a soloist in one of the dances. I played the part of the mother. It wasn't too hard since I have a little experience in that field. Enjoy the pics!

One small step...

Can you believe he's starting to walk already!? I can't; he was just born yesterday it seems. It's crazy how time flies; Hyrum is turning one in a MONTH!

Child lock my foot!

Ok, I think we should get our money back, these locks kept our child out for a total of about a month! Oh well, it's pretty funny to watch him get in. In fact, he does it all the time! If you want to see him do it again, come on over! He'll do it as many times as you want! Or you can just play the video again.

So anyway, life with the McKinney's has had its ups and downs, twists and turns. In the end we're still happy and loving life. Especially when it involves sunny weather! We bought a kite the other day and had a picnic at the park. It's fun to watch Hyrum play on the playground and crawl around in the big field. He's getting so mobile!

I've decided to start looking for a job. I'm thinking an early morning aerobics class would work out great since I could leave Dad with Hyrum before he leaves for school, and then one in the evening when Dad gets home again; that way we don't need to worry about who can watch the boy. It would help us a little and we just want Craig to finish ASAP. So if anyone can network me into any job I would appreciate it (It doesn't have to be an aerobics job). Also a seamstress job would be desirable as well, then I can work from home.

I guess some other big news is that I'm going to be returning to the stage since 2006! I'll be performing in June with the Academy of Ballet. I'm really excited to showcase what I've learned in pointe. It's going to be great and I hope as many people can come. Of course I'm not a big star, and I'll probably be put in the back, but hey! I just started this whole pointe thing in February! I'm just thrilled that my toes haven't fallen off!

So there's are life up to date, Hyrum's 1st birthday is coming up! May 1st!

Sign of Things Yet to Come...

Don't worry, He actually caught himself, which saved me from having to deal with tears... this time.



I thought this was pretty funny. You come up with some interesting games with your kids sometimes. And sometimes they end in tears. :(

Pointe, Voice, Beds, and Skirts!

It's been a very eventful and exciting start of the new year for the McKinneys. Hyrum has his first bottom two teeth in now, and is even more into things than ever. He makes it fun for Mommy. It's actually really considerate of him to have me in mind when he does random things to keep my life from the boring monotonous routines of baby care. Why just last month he decided to spice up my life by falling down the stairs. Now isn't that sweet of him?

Craig is really happy to be starting this semester. He says it's better than last semester since he has all cabinetry classes now. The big project this year is a four post bed! We decided to keep it since it's his senior project. It's going to be made from Cherry wood and will have a nice dark reddish finish. It's going to be really nice. After this semester is over, he'll be through with the cabinetry program and can hopefully get a job in that field for the summer, along with working at Maceys. He keeps himself really busy with school and work. We still find time together and we have a lot of fun on dates to liquidation stores, and other random places that don't cost money to visit!

I've been having a great time with my ballet classes, I've been working really hard to develop my ankle strength and increasing my arch. I feel like I'm getting better, so it's really encouraging. It makes me so happy to have something to work towards. I just love dancing! I got started sewing costumes for the Ballet Academy so I can pay for all the classes, so that makes it even better! I've been sewing like a mad woman and I've been learning a TON! I'm quite the pro at Romantic Style tutu skirts! The Owner of the studio is letting me teach a modern dance master class in February. She said if the girls like me then I can teach some more classes! I hope they like me! I'm teaching voice lessons too! It's going pretty well. I only have one student now, but I think I'll take on a few more the better I get at it. It's fun to see someone figure something out and sound so much better! I live for that "Ah ha" moment in a student! Anyway, I've been keeping myself really busy and I'm loving it. I'm so grateful that the Lord has provided a way for me to continue to use and develop my talents as a mom. I know that I will have more opportunities to serve as I develop my talents. It's a wonderful thing.

Love you all! Enjoy the slide show. There's just some pictures of the past couple months. I hope some of these pictures don't come back to haunt my son. Do you think it will? I just couldn't resist the bathtub pictures. He was just so cute! He loves bath time!