Not sure where the last 20 years has gone, but it has been so much fun watching you grow. I can remember every detail of where and when these pictures were taken and what was happening in your life at the time. At 9 months old you were the light of our life, your dad was just getting ready to go to Korea without us, you were learning to walk and your strong personality was very evident by this time. I loved your smile the first time I saw it. I loved those huge dimples and your big sparkling brown eyes!
By the time you were 5 we knew that you were the type of person that once you set your mind to do something you would work hard to accomplish it. You loved being busy and wanted to do everything.
You were the leader in our growing family, always taking charge and willing to help out. This picture was taken after Jayden left our home and we had baby Ashley who we thought we would be adopting but she left to be with her aunt. While she was in our home you loved her like your own sister and 2 months later Jayden came back!
From the time you were little you would sit at grandma's house and play contently on the floor while she gave piano lessons, and when you were 4 you started playing the piano too. Grandma loved teaching her grandchildren and that helped build a special bond between the both of you that lasted the rest of her life, it is a bond that will last the rest of your life every time you sit down at her piano and play you will always think of her.
Gymnastics soon became your life devoting 20 hours a week, coming home so sore at times you could not move, yet you were ready to go back for more the next day. You were driven to be the best that you could be and you accomplished so much. You should be proud of the things you accomplished, the lessons learned have made you the strong woman you are today!
When life gets tough, and you feel like you are facing the impossible remember back to those days that you were doing the impossible, stay focused and work hard it has always payed off for you in the past!
Sometimes changing your course in life is ok, that just means there will be new things to conquer and different people that will come into your life and make you a stronger, better person.
As you embark on this new phase of your life, know that you are loved, remember the life lessons you have already learned and the experiences you have gained. Look forward to the future with great expectations for life is about the journey and not the destination. Happy 20th Birthday McKenzie I love you!
The presents were all under the tree....
The stocking were filled and in a row.
On Christmas Eve my kids like to have a sleepover in McKenzie's room they have done this for as long as we have had kids, they look forward to it every year. It was nice that they all slept until 8:30 and we went down and woke them up. The girls were so excited to see what would be under the tree and to see if Santa came again.
First thing we do is open all the presents in the stocking and sneak a little candy too. Destina is not really a candy eater so when she would see a piece of candy she didn't like she would ask if anyone wanted it and all the other kids would race to her to get the candy, you would think that they didn't get any the way they clamored to get hers.
Next it was time to pass out presents, um we did go a little overboard this year with the little girls but hey we were making up for lost time. 
Avire's pile was just about as big as she was and she had a hard time waiting for her turn to open presents she was surprised that she had so many presents she thought it was the greatest thing in the world.
McKenzie brought home a new ukulele for Katie and she brought a little one for the girls and Destina decided she would just take Katie's old one. She also brought them cute Hawaiian dresses and they played the ukulele in their cute dresses all afternoon.
We were so glad Grandma and Grandpa were here to help us celebrate the girls first Christmas, they brought the girls the cutest outfits and they hit a home run with silly bands and baby bottles for the girls babies.
Just after we got done opening all of the presents cousin Jennifer came over with more and it was time for the second round. We had a yummy breakfast minus the bacon I burnt to a crisp and then we had a busy day cleaning and putting things away and playing with toys to get ready for our Christmas dinner. We had 17 people for dinner this year and it was a lot of fun, except for the clean up since my dishwasher decided to stop working on Christmas Eve so we did a lot of dishes that night too! It was a great Christmas the girls loved every minute of it, I am so thankful that they are home and that we could make this year a celebration all year long. I am thankful for family that supported us through this journey and have gone above and beyond to make the girls feel loved and that they belong in our extended family.
