First Comes Love...

Then Comes Marriage...

Then Comes a Puppy...

Then Comes a Baby in the Baby Carriage!

Robert warned me that getting a puppy was a great way to guarantee that we were going to be having a baby not long after.  I thought he was crazy!  Well, not long after we found out that his theory is indeed correct!  

Baby McKay arriving on October 2, 2011

Isn't that tiny little leg adorable?!

AmEx

Have I mentioned lately that I have the most incredible husband?!  Yeah...  I am hoping one day to be as good to him as he is to me.

So there has been a change of plans.  Robert was offered this awesome internship with Apple (see previous post) that would have meant moving to Cupertino, California.  Well, I was not super thrilled with the idea of leaving Arizona.  So after a lot of talking and prayer and a definite sacrifice by my babe, we decided not to take the internship with Apple.

Instead, Robert was offered another really awesome (maybe not quite as prestigious) internship.  This time with a company know as AmEx!

The really fantastic part is that there were some major perks to this job that we were not initially aware of!  So even though it was a hard decision to make, as always, our Heavenly Father is definitely aware of us and continues to bless us more than we deserve! 

I am so grateful to have such a hard working, selfless husband who is willing to do whatever it takes to support our family.

AmEx is lucky to have him...and so am I! 
.

Think Different

A few months ago, Robert's manager recommended him for an internship at Apple Corporate.  It sounded like a great opportunity, but a few months went by and we never heard back.  To be honest, I was a pretty relieved seeing that Apple is located in California. 

Well, a few weeks ago we finally heard back...and then Robert proceeded to go through interview after interview (five, to be exact).  At the end of the process, we finally heard that he got the internship!  It is a really great opportunity and should be an exciting summer adventure for us.

Way to go, Babe!

2011

I have never been one of those people who becomes super motivated to make New Year's Resolutions and all of that.  However, for some reason, this new year I am feeling motivated. 

As we were sitting in testimony meeting a couple of weeks ago, many people referenced the fact that they love the Christmas season because of the focus on Christ and the awesome Spirit (don't we all?!).  As I sat there listening, I started thinking about the new year and the change or resolutions that are normally associated with it.  It occurred to me that while we have the chance to focus on the birth of Christ at Christmas, I could used the new year to focus on His atonement and how I could better use that in my life.  In other words, I needed to use the opportunity to make changes in my life using the His atonement that will allow me to be a better person this year than I was the last.

Since then, I have been thinking a lot about that Sunday.  I feel so blessed: I have a testimony of the gospel, I have a wonderful husband that I absolutely adore, we have jobs (at a time when that is becoming increasingly rare), we have a home of our own, a cute little puppy, we're close to family, we have great friends, and the list goes on...

As we know, where much is given, much is required.  I feel like I seriously lacking on my end!  That being said, I am excited for the start of a new year.  I am anxious to make positive changes in my life so I can become the person that His Atonement makes possible.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

because we certainly had one!

Reasons we loved our 2010 Christmas:

* Even thought Robert had to work all day, we still managed to spend a lot of time together
* We got to talk to our missionaries - Brett and Natalie.  They are both doing great!
* Lots of family time...including our family from out of town
* Christmas caroling at a nursing home with our cute little Cub Scouts, so fun!
* Temple Christmas lights (same as our first sort of date)
* This perfect necklace from my love: http://www.dogeared.com/whispers-heart-gold-dipped-necklace
* The start of a new tradition - a Christmas Eve Eve party with our friends
* Actually surprising Robert with the big gift he was hoping for (found it on sale at Costco 2 days before!)
* Our cute little puppy wearing a Christmas dress from my mom
* The gorgeous weather - and the SNOW!!!
* Finally taking that huge family picture that Gma has been wanting...can't wait to see it
* Christmas movies
* Eating way too much and lots of leftover food
* And of course, the incredible Spirit that we get to feel as we focus on our Savior

"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others" 

- Thomas S. Monson
 

Meet Lisbon

She is our completely adorable new puppy!

 Don't you love her?

We do...she is seriously awesome and must have come pre-trained or something.

Oh Grandmother, what big teeth you have!

Our first Halloween together (last year), we were both wishing we had a reason to dress up.  But the holiday came and went without any fun costumes.  This year we were definitely excited when our friends decided to have a Halloween party.

Normally, I get a little bit stressed trying to come up with an idea.  So we are lucky to have family who supplied most of the look!  Robert got to wear gma's duster and my mom's reading glasses!  (My mom even made a nightcap to complete the look!)  And my wonderful aunt loaned us the awesome red hood(?) and basket! 

We had so much fun at the party and even ended up winning the "Best Pair" award for our costumes!  And my big, bad wolf actually made two little kids cry! (The mask had to stay off for most of the night).

Hope you had a festive Halloween!  Don't you just love the holiday season?!