SGT Mackay!!!

Once September 1st Todd was promoted to Sergeant. But today we were able to have his promotion ceremony. It was suppose to be yesterday but Schriever was having some kind of drill and wouldn't let anyone on or off base so the kids and I, mom and dad Mackay were stuck on base and couldn't make it to the ceremony that was on Peterson. So Todd's Commander was kind and let him reschedule it for today (on Schriever). But it was a nice ceremony and we are all so proud of Todd!!! He's been looking forward to becoming Sergeant for quite a while and we are excited he's made it!! Way to go Honey!!! We also want to thank Dan and Mom for coming, we know you traveled far to come to this and we really appreciate it!!!

Todd's dad switching ranks

Todd talking to his unit

Todd and his dad - who came out from California for the ceremony.

Us :o)

FOOD!!!

The kids and I with some of our friends

Todd brought a game and some of the soldiers played while others visited

Our Little Zach!

Here are just some fun pictures of Zachary:

Someone found out he can wear his sisters shoes

Cool Dude

Not only can he wear his sisters shoes, but he can wear her socks

Having fun during Speech with Janaya

Check out the lump on his head ... Ouch!!!

She can hear!

She's wearing them in this photo but you can't see them can you ;p

 

 After school yesterday, Allie had her hearing aid consultation with the audiologist. I was a little nervous about this appointment because I was worried how Allie would do with the hearing aids. But Allie did great. Once the audiologist got the hearing aids all set up and got them in Allie's ears we were ready to go, of course after we got the run down on how to put them in, clean them and etc... So far they don't seem to bother Allie and she doesn't play with them or pull at them. The company that made Allie's hearing aids gave her a cute little Mickey Mouse bag that came with a book, a Mickey Mouse and stuff that was for the aids (but that stuff is for mommy and daddy to use for the hearing aids) and every since we got home Allie has been caring the Mickey Mouse around, she even slept with him last night. It was so cute!!! A little bit about the hearing aids: she can't sleep in them, they can't get wet - so when she plays in water or bathes, we need to take them out. If they get wet it will pretty much damage them and it will cost us around 300-400 for a new one (each). All hearing aids have volume control and a little control thingy on them but with kids they disable that so its only set a one volume setting and to change it we have to take it in for the audiologist to change. Which is nice that way she won't blow out her ears ;p We were given 48 batteries and yes that seems like a lot but I guess with hearing aids you go through a battery a week. But with Allies hearing loss being so minor we might go through one every 1-2 weeks. So those 48 batteries wont last as long as you think. But... the hearing aids are pretty easy to put in and take out now that I've done it a few times. I'm sure by the end of the week I'll be a pro!!!

Here she is wearing them, but you can barely notice it.

these are Allies hearing aids. Pretty simple looking

This is all the stuff we need to us to clean the hearing aids.

Allie loving her presents

This is the bag, the mouse and book. The book is about a bunny who needs to get hearing aids. Its a cute book

Off to School

Allie started school today! I can't believe my baby girl is off to (pre) school yet again. We bought A a brand new backpack - Dora, and a cute new t-shirt. She looked so cute and was so excited to show all her friends at school the necklace that was on her shirt. A and I had the chance to meet her teacher last week so I know she's in good hands. And doesn't she look so big climbing up in to the bus??? I can't believe how big she's getting!

Happy Birthday Husband!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR HUSBAND!!!

 

Listening to the yearly call from Alvin (AKA Gpa Mackay) wishing him a happy bday)

6 Years!

 

Friday, Todd and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary! I can't believe it's been 6 years. We have been through so much these past six years:

 

* Bought a condo

* Got married in the Salt Lake Temple 2 years after we got married

* Had a beautiful baby girl

* Todd joined the army

* Went 3 months without my husband

* Moved across the country

* Had a handsome little boy

* Has moved many times - lived in 3 different states, 5 different homes since being married

* Have has some heartache

 

It has been a crazy six years especially with us now being in the Army but I wouldn't change it for anything!! I love my husband more and more and am so glad to call myself Mrs. Mackay! Here's to six years and to eternity!! I love you honey!!!

 

Oh, as for what we did... we weren't able to find a sitter so we decided to spend the evening as a family. We went to ITZ and just had a blast! Allie and Zachary had so much fun and I loved being together as a family! That's what makes it all worth it. We did pretty well ticket wise this time. We got around 1500 this time. That's the most we have gotten, we were pretty dang proud of ourselves!! After ITZ we got some Bird Dog (its really good) and headed home. It was an awesome night!

And here's my anniversary gift, the PAST PRESENT FUTURE ring. I LOVE it!!!

 

Clouds, Clouds Oh My!

Lately I have become obsessed with the clouds here in the Springs. I don't know why but when I see them while I'm out and about I just have to take a picture of them (LOL)! We sure do have beautiful scenery here especially over Pikes Peak. This is one reason I want to stay here in Colorado but I am aware Utah also have beautiful scenery as well but for some reason I feel like its nothing like here, not sure how to describe it but if we do move back to Utah I sure am going to miss my clouds/Pike Peak!!!

This is my all time FAVORITE

You can see it raining here because of the "falling" clouds.

More "raining" clouds

Speech Therapy Progress

So Zachary has been having speech therapy for about 2 months now and has had around 8 - 10 sessions with Janaya (his therapist). Now I bet your wondering how do you teach a 21 month old how to talk? I wondered the same thing. Well pretty much all Zachary and Janaya do is play! But during play time she talks to him constantly, repeating words, etc. I explained a little bit how it works under each picture so you can get it. But Zachary has started saying some words!!!! So far we know he can say:
mama
dada
nana
all done
okay (nky)
all gone
cheese/please (eese)
bye
kitty (iddy)
up (ut)
water (wawer)
whats this (uts iths)
boo
balloon (boon)
woof (oof)
stay
He's said more once but usually just signs it

Right here she'd say ON, referring to putting the toy ON his head

Here: as he throws the balloon UP she would say UP and then as it comes DOWN she'd say DOWN

She'd say OPEN/CLOSE when reading the book

IN - referring to putting the toys IN the right holes.

And with the cars, she'd make the VROOM sound when Zach would play with the car

Meet Oreo!!!

Our friends bought a kitty a couple weeks ago and ever since Allie saw their kitty she's been asking for one, she's actually been asking one since she saw the neighbors cat that lives behind us. So Todd and I talked about it and decided we would get an older cat this time not a kitten due to what happened in Georgia with the last kitten we got (visit here and then here for an explanation).  So I looked on Craigslist for about 2 weeks, emailed many people but never heard back until I heard back from Oreos owner. I was excited to go get him.
Oreo is about 5 1/2 years old, declawed, neutered, potty trained, loves to be brushed - even on his belly, is very affectionate and is just a friendly cat. He isn't a fan of the kids or Maggie right now but hopefully over time he'll come to love them. Oreo loves to sleep and hang out on top of the fridge and on top of the cupboards above the fridge.

Maggie meeting Oreo

This was a bed time. Maggie wasn't liking the fact that Oreo was in her territory. LOL!!!

Here he is up on the cupboard above the fridge

Grandpa Came To Visit

My dad has some work up in North Dakota and he decided to drop on by on his way home this past week. Colorado Springs is way out of his way to Salt Lake so we were very grateful for his visit. We sure miss seeing him!!! The kids loved having him here and wish he could have stayed longer but we know he'll be back soon and hopefully he'll bring Aunt Breanna with him ;p
But while grandpa was here, he went to the park with the kids, tickled the kids (many times), went to Family Day for Todd's work, and just had fun being with his awesome grandkids!!!

"Going to count those ribbies"

"1 ribbie, 2 ribbie, 3 ribbie ...."

"Weeeeee"

Uh Mom??? Help!!

Cheese!!!

Allie kept saying "I wanna go SUPER high gampa, super high"