Home sweet home

Dang! It has been so good to be home. I got to come home and surprise my family a week early. I first surprised my dad who was cleaning the church with the rest of the high priests. Oh the lies me and mom had to tell to keep him in the dark. It was worth it though. He was truly surprised.

Then I went to momma's where Justin and Amanda and my baby Kade or as we call him Kadekins was. They were so surprised to see me. Justin was still asleep so I got to wake him up. He was definatley surprised to see me. He did not think we were going to get to see each other at all over Christmas. We have gotten closer since Kade has been born. Mom and I drove down (all night) to Florida when Kade was born and we stayed until Luke was born 3 days later...then we drove straight through to see Luke....good times. Justin is a firefighter for Marion County and is going to paramedic school now. Amanda is a teacher at a virtual school. Kade is so cute and eats a lot, he loves Baby Signing Time.

Next on the list of people to surprise was Quincy and Amy because they were the closest geographically. I hid in the bushes outside their house and mom, Justin, and Amanda went in first then I rang the doorbell a couple minutes later. Gabe was screaming and could not believe it. Ben kept saying Katie is here Katie is here; it was so cute!

Quincy then called Jared and Ann Marie to come down to his house for an important announcement from Eldon. Why they came I don't know? Eldon never has important announcements like "I am getting married or having a baby" what is the coolest thing he could have said??..... Someone hit me and I want McKinney and McKinney to represent me. I hid in the bathroom downstairs and after they came in Sam asked Emily, "Who is your favorite aunt?" and then Ben said someone is going to come out of that door and surprise you so at that point I might as well come out. Emily was so excited she ran over and jumped into my arms and cried. Her birthdsay is the 18th and she has been telling everyone that Aunt Katie is coming home for her birthday. We tried to go on an Aunt Katie date the day it started sleeting...we at lunch at Guy Perkins school with Ben, Gabe, and Sam and then went to Conway and had to come back almost immediately because of the weather...but not before I got to see McKinney and McKinney law office and take Jared to lunch at Larry's Pizza ;the best pizza buffet in Conway.

Coley Bob is talking like crazy. He is the cutest little guy ever. Baby luke has changed so much in the last 6 months. When you look at him he looks down at the ground and grins. Bashful one in our family I don't know how this will work out. Jacob is so funny. He plays this game where he will hit you gently on the head and he wants you to pretend he just knocked you out. Then you do it to him and he is so cute when he closes his eyes and says OOOOHHHH. He still loves to sing and Jingle Bells is a new favorite. We had fun playing.

Spencer was at the house when we left Guy. He was cute. He came running across the dinning room yelling KATIE and gave me a big ole hug. He has got to be one of the funniest guys I know...seriously. I have him for Christmas.

Janeen flew in at 6pm. Spencer went to pick her up and brought her to a YSA Christmas party at Angela's. She walked in and I was hiding around the corner....she screamed and we hugged for like a minute. It was so good to see my sister. We shared a room and a bed for EVER. I have missed her!

Family fun. Is there anything better than babies laughs? Or tiny fingers on your face? Or tiny voices saying I lub you aunt katie? rocking these babies to sleep and watching their heavy eyes fall for the last time? I have so much to look forward to.

I am surprised how much I am missing Alaska and my YSA ward people. Alaska living is so great. My job emotionally draining but everything else is fantastic. I still don't know what next year has in store for me.

Church was good. I got to see some angels in my life...and my old kids that I taught in Primary. They were huge!

Tuesday nite we went to the church and played knock out and volleyball with the entire McKinney clan. It was a ton of fun. I don't know what was more fun sliding on the ice in the church parking lot Jared in his van (with me) , dad and mom with Justin and Amanda, or Spencer, Eldon and Janeen in the Saturn. We looked like synchronized sliders all twirling at the same time. Good times! Oh, man we let Gabe and Ben play with us and Jared kept telling mom to pretend "he" didn't exist...in other words hit all the balls that come to Gabe...so Gabe got hit in the face and he folded his arms and said, "that is ok I don't exist anyways" I was hilarious! Jared made up for it...he had Justin serve a few balls just to Gabe and he hit them over to us.

Wednesday Justin and Yolanda (that is what I call Amanda don't ask why...I just do) had to leave. It was hard to say goodbye to Kade. He is soooooooooo adorable. He makes all these little noises and giggles. He likes to sign hat which looks like a little kid hitting himself on the head for no reason it is precious.

Wednesday nite me and Janeen went to Rose Bud to stay over at our cousins David and Valeries house. They live a few doors down from another cousin Tana. We had a blast visiting and playing. Thursday we all went into Conway and had a good time shopping and being girls. I love being with the girl cousisns and laughing and having a good time. I got to fill them in on some of my Alaska adventures. Mandy joined us and increased the good times.

Thursday nite ...AUCTION...it was good to see some of the dealers and talk about Alaska. I got asked about Sarah yeah Sarah Pallin. I did get to see her at the kick off celebration of 50 years of statehood for Alaska. She introduced Wynonna at the Airshow and kick off party. I was impressed then and continue to be.

Friday..today I am going to go eat with my students from Greenbrier Middle School..then go to a wedding...then to Russellville to play with Mandy and Shawn and see their new baby Abby. Brady and Lydia too they love it when I speak in my British accent so do my students. Shawn graduates Saturday.....yeah!

Well y'all probably heard enough and are tired of reading this novel.