Honor Roll

I know it's only first grade and all but we are still very impressed. Congratulations to Mackenzie for making all A's on her report card. She really is the smartest kid I know (and I'm not saying that because I'm her mom.) She is reading at almost a 3rd grade level. She loves to read and learn. Today, Mack was walking around reading a cook book. Just wait until she discovers Encyclopedia.

Dear Santa...

After standing in line for an hour or more, (don't worry the kids did not have to stand there the whole time--Abe took them through the store to do fun crafts and see all the animals in Bass Pro and to the mermaid show at the aquarium--so they weren't tortured) this is the best we could do.

Seconds before this picture was taken, Brooklyn had been jumping around excited to see Santa. Here, she almost looks terrified. And Ava, well, I am just glad she didn't claw Santa or try to bite him. Although with how unhappy Mr. Claus looks, you would think that she had attacked him.

Better luck next year, I guess.

Brooklyn turns 4

Four years ago, I had the most cuddly, cutest little baby. If you could imagine the most perfect baby in the world, you would have to think of Brooklyn. She was a dream. Never really crying, just wanted to be cuddled. She would wake up in her crib and just sit there and wait for who knows how long until I came and got her. Now, she is four. She's perhaps a little crazier and a little less cuddly. She isn't much bigger. Seriously, she is quite vertically challenged and 3T adjustable waist pants set on the last button continue to fall off of her. Her favorite things in the world are probably her baby dolls. She has one or five of them with her at all times. Brooklyn is extremely shy. I think she just loves to bond with her little dolls. They and her sisters are her best friends. When Brooklyn grows up she says that she wants to be a doctor.

Brooklyn wanted a blue snake cake for her birthday.

Opening presents....

The girls woke up early and got into the leftover cake.

Dr. Brooklyn Swensen


Checking Ava's heartbeat

Checking Ava's blood pressure




Ava gets a shot from the doctor

Veteran's Day Parade

Mackenzie and her Girl Scout Daisy troop participated this week in the Las Vegas Veteran's Day parade. Here are some pictures from the event:

Fancy Mackenzie

Tonight, I asked Mackenzie to help clean up the living room. I usually get the typical whine or "I can't" when I ask her to do manual labor. Tonight, she replied, "I get so exhausted. That's a fancy word for tired." I wonder if Jane O'Connor could write a new book and call it Fancy Nancy: Fancy Backtalk.

Explorer of the Month

Shark Escape at the Shark Reef

Okay not really, but when I told the girls we were heading down to the Shark Reef, Brooklyn immediately wanted to wear the shark costume. Yes, this is her halloween costume this year. Special thanks goes out to my friend Kim who bought it for her baby. Since it doesn't fit him yet, she let me borrow it. Of course, I or should I say Mack, accidentally bought her a nifty little $30 app for her Droid that she will probably never use. So, it seems we are renting the costume for $30. Makes me feel a little better...not really.
Anyway, everybody in Mandalay Bay kept staring at the little shark walking around. She was so adorable.

Summer Olympics 2020

Keep an eye out for a Swensen girl in the future Olympic games. I've got three girls. One of them is bound to make it, right?

P is for Party!

So I totally stole the idea to have a Spa Party for Mackenzie's sixth birthday. It was wild, crazy and fun. 14 little girls getting pedis and manis and makeup was almost too much for me to handle. I am so glad for my friends who stayed to help. The girls had a blast and looked simply fabulous! The best part of the night: when Mackenzie came down stairs after the party and said, "Mom, thank you for the best party." Totally worth the countless hours planning it all.

Now I understand

I remember the first time I met my husband's family for the first time. We went up to Brighton for their family reunion. I have some good memories about that event such as Abe's cousin's bee sting on her forehead and the most intense Capture the Flag you could ever imagine. But my first memory of my then future mother in-law was how she wanted us to watch Nate (my husband's younger brother) in his final basketball game she had video taped. It was the State Championship game and he scored the winning free throw and Lowry High took the State title. She was so excited. I thought it was kind of crazy at the time. How many times are we going to watch Nate? I think we even watched it again when we went to his hometown for the first time. I just kept hearing about how Nate made his free throws and won the game. At the time I just didn't understand why a free throw was so incredible. But now, years later, as I have children of my own and they are starting to do their own "incredible" things, I think I get it. Mackenzie had her second soccer game this past Saturday. She managed to score 2 goals for her team. I managed to get the first goal on camera. She was awesome! I was so excited for her. I am still excited for her. I could watch this video all day. Seriously, I really could. So for all you future moms out there who think this behavior is way over the top, just wait. You'll understand someday.

First day of School

2010-2011

First Grade and Preschool

Soccer Mom

As of this week, I officially became one of those crazy soccer moms. Soccer ball-check, shin guards-check, cleats-check, mini-van-check. Okay, I think I'm ready. Mack's first game is tomorrow. She's on the Unicorns' team. Go unicorns! I can't wait to hear her Dad yell that.

Broken

As soon as I have a working computer again, I will update this blog. There must be a lot of broken computers out there because no one else seems to update anymore.

My Little Graduate

Congratulations Mackenzie! She did an amazing job in kindergarten! We are so proud of her. Good luck in 1st grade!

Looking for Love in Las Vegas

Meet Nate. He's a single dental student that has been looking for love in all the wrong places. A fun, outgoing semi-intelligent guy who would love to settle down with a nice LDS girl. As mentioned earlier, he is entering his 3rd year in Dental School. Outside of his schooling, he enjoys doing outdoor recreational activities such as wakeboarding, rafting and snowboarding. He loves to hang out with friends and have a good time. Nate's also really good with children, offering to babysit his nieces all the time. He is also the owner of the growing MuccanWear brand clothing line. As you can tell, he takes great pride in his body and does freelance modeling for anyone willing to take a picture of him. The ideal woman for Nate would be someone who loves the outdoors, loves to laugh and someone who doesn't mind letting him be the little spoon. If you think you might be the one, please fill out the following application:

Date with Nate Application

Name_________________________________________
Phone Number_____________________________________
Age_______________ Education______________________________________________
Occupation___________________________________ Salary____________________________
Hometown____________________________ Current Location_____________________________
Mission (if Applicable)_______________________________________
Current Ward______________________________________________
Current Bishop & phone number__________________________________________________________
Ring Size_________________ Number of children wanted_________________________
Hobbies______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Future goals_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
References____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*Please attach photo here.

Happy Birthday April...I mean Abram

I bought him a gift that I wanted...

I made him the dessert that I wanted to make...

and I even made him plan our date...

To a selfless and loving husband, Happy Birthday. I love the camera, the trifle was yummy and the show was so hilarious! Can't wait for "your" birthday next year!