McKay #13

Hello teenager!

Our McKay boy is such a special guy.

He’s a man who loves a plan and a purpose. 

He’s helpful and friendly and gives compliments as soon as he thinks it. You never have to wonder how he’s feeling and he speaks his mind. 

He’s the deacons quorum president and does such a good job asking for help to pass the sacrament, even from adults. He dutifully puts away all the chairs in the entire building after every church service and smiles + whistles the whole time. 

At school he washes the tables after lunch, follows all the rules and his teachers adore him- even those he only had for a quarter. His TCAP scores were incredible this past year and math continues to be his strength. He comes home with his agenda filled out and gets right to work. He’s favorite phrases he’s picked up from school are “What’s good” “Crash out” “I’m GOATED” “Lock in” “I’m cooking” “That’s W”

His ideal day would be this past week where we took him and a different friend each day to the lake, Urban Air and Main Event. He played so hard with his friends and then came home and played hard with his legos, alone in his room. A selective introvert at its finest. 

He sure loves his extended family. He’ll do anything to see cousins, aunts, uncles and grandpas- even just for a day. Any trip we plan, his first comment is always “is any family going to meet us there?!” So today taking him to Dollywood with Mitch, Asha and Uncle Loren is literally his dream come true. 

We love our McKay so much. 

He’s got quirks and neuro-differences but he’s ours.

 He’s forgiving, hardworking and creative. 

And he constantly makes me want to be better.

Happy Birthday!!!

The Outer Banks

The Outer Banks has been on our radar for years, and it did not disappoint.

 We drove 30 miles east from the North Carolina mainland to reach the barrier islands. Think small town, non-commercialized and historic vibes all along the ocean. Many restaurants were closed on Sundays and had limited hours during the week, even for peak summer days. Our hotel was the only one we could see and it just had five floors, two of which were hidden behind the berm, There were no high rise condos, or other buildings either. The shore was simply lined with the most darling beach cottages. We found turtle nests as I'm sure they love the lack of light pollution. 

A little town simply focusing on the wonder of the Atlantic.

^^the Jacks from Maryland met us in Nags Head.

Being with them was easily the highlight.

After seeing the original plane used in the first flight at the Air and Space Museum in DC, we had to go to the site where man first flew!

^^we also played in the largest sand dunes out east at Jockey Ridge State Park.

^^and what's time at the beach without collecting seashells on my run?

^^The Messerly Four at the place where everyone is the happiest. 

OBX BB #36

 

Beachy Birthday #36!

Nags Head, Outer Banks in North Carolina, was this year’s location.

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Reflecting on another passing year, I realized there are a lot of things I'm not.  

I won't be attending an Emma M. Lion book series party, I’m just not a fan. I created and was the first member of the "do not ask to speak in Sacrament meeting" list.  Small talk is so painful for me. I don't do pets. I only answer my dad's phone calls. I don’t have an inner voice. I don’t wear makeup.  I won’t find an excuse to dress fancy. I don't experience mom guilt. I decline all the running group invitations. Hosting guests is not my favorite.

Buttt... I'll hold your baby any day of the week. Meeting at a National Park or beach is an easy yes. If we ask to double date with you, that invitation carries weight. Simple living is always a conversation to have. I'll do anything for my kids' school + teachers.  I love working with the youth. I love the peace of our home. Family finance is a passion of mine. Sunshine is always my answer.  

I'm grateful to embrace who I am and who I am not. 

Is this what aging is??

Happy Birthday, me!

Moments

^^we had such a perfect fourth. 

^^fireworks outside our window?! 

So magical!

^^swimteam glitter freckles 

^^McKay was so excited to see the Mandolorian in theaters with Rich. 

^^Dude Perfect + Savannah Bananas!

^^Smokies game in the suite, compliments of ORNL

Our friends’ 10 aces of lake front property is such a dream.

^^give us all the sunshine with friends!

^^Swimmers of the week.

Macey and her crush, Austin.

^^July babies playing mini golf, bowling and arcade games in Gatlinburg. 

Macey and Rich were at basketball. 

^^AAU Nationals

^^happy birthday to me! 

A paddleboard! 

Macey and I brought it to Girls Camp at Ten Mile when we visited for the day and had such a blast. 

^^cruising on the lake is a new highlight for the summer!

America!

Happy Fourth of July! 

America is truly beautiful and we wonder at her variety, especially in geography. 

Recently, we went to Mammoth Caves National Park. 

The Domes and Dripstones tour was an incredible maze through the longest cave system in the world.  

God bless the USA, land that we love. 

Gulf Park

All we do is win, win, WIN!!!

Our second season swimming for Gulf Park has been such a success.

Macey is killing it with her freestyle, breaststroke and relays in the first heat of her age group.

McKay's lower heat competition has been so perfect for him and has led to lots of smiles and confidence.

The new coaches have been better at individual instruction and focusing on good sportsmanship. 

The kids are learning how to flip turn + make new friends, I'm learning how to be the Clerk of Course at meets and Rich eagerly waits for the food court hamburgers to be announced as half off.

We're at practice everyday and often the kids go twice a day. 

Love our water babies so much.

The pool is such a great place to be.

Happy Birthday + Father’s Day

Father’s Day lands on our guy’s birthday today.

Last time this happened was six years ago, and it won’t happen again for eleven more years, pretty unique! 

And fun fact, Rich was actually born on Father’s Day, thirty nine years ago. 

Richy is the family favorite.

 Even though he (mostly) works from home we can't get enough of him. 

There are many times when I have to pull rank and tell the kids he's my husband and they can talk or hang out with him after me. He is able to connect with us each uniquely and in the ways we most feel loved. 

He's our coach, our tutor, running buddy, and everything in-between.

I love watching Rich create a life he's passionate about. 

Obviously we have a family culture and have goals as a couple, but I absolutely enjoy seeing the corner of the World that he carves out just for himself. His hobbies, passions, testimony, relationships and view of life are well established and he's disciplined at developing and maintaining them. 

Perhaps Rich's favorite thing about living in Knoxville, is the Ultimate Frisbee scene. He is part of a league year round and his goal this summer was to make the traveling club team. With a lot of dedication and hard work, he made the team and couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in the inaugural tournament this weekend. Our whole family decided to join and it was so fun to kick off our birthday season with a weekend away in Cincinnati.

Happy Birthday + Happy Father's Day!

We hope you feel as special as you mean to us all.

Moments

I'm not the picture taker I once was, but here are a few things we've been up to. 

^^McKay went to Young Mens camp with the ward and had such a blast.

They stayed in the Smoky Mountains and hiked Mt. LeCounte (11 miles!!), tubed the Little River, and explored the Tuckaleechee caves.

Macey had all the girl fun with McKay gone.  

Lots of playdates, birthday parties and hangouts with all her friends.

^^their summer chores include catching all the Japanese beetles from our oak tree and drowning them in soapy water.

^^One of my favorite things is having my lawn enjoyed. 

It's a lot of work to keep it green and weed, grub + disease free, but I'm up for the challenge! 

I contribute this year's success to mowing the grass high and all the Scott's products.

^^Sam's niece got married three hours from us so he spent the night with us and Rich drove him.

 Apparently the duo stopped at Buc-ees, too, hah!

^^Game night + Sound of Music with Mitch and Asha

Rich's nephew + wife are in Knoxville for a summer internship- we are all obsessed with them.

^^This brave rising 6th grader tried out for the Middle School summer basketball team. 

She didn't make it, but she was in good spirits and knows there is a lot of talent + hard workers on the team.

Tillman

In St. Louis, we connected with some of our very favorite people from college! Together, we explored the zoo, Forest Park and the Gateway Arch. 

Us four adults hadn’t been together in nearly six years so it was wonderful to reconnect in person instead of Marco Polo ;) and we finally had a chance to meet their youngest. 

Rich and Sam became friends at BYU in 2005, me and Alyson were added in 2010 and 2012. Babies starting coming in 2013 and now look at us in 2026!

 

Nauvoo

 We met my older brother, his family and my dad + Sherry in Nauvoo over Memorial weekend. 

We took McKay and Macey in 2018, but it was so wonderful to go back and even better to be with cousins. There was so much to tour, experience and see. Our time there will be deeply treasured.

Jack, Brooke and McKay completed over 40 family names in the Nauvoo Temple baptistery. My dad was able to baptize each of them and Jack baptized Rich and Chief! Katie and I were witnesses and Bryan took it all in. We were able to spend time in the artifact hallway and see the very first temple clothing, a sword of Joseph Smith, original paintings and the first keys to the Temple doors. 

I participated in the same ordinance over two decades ago as a youth and still remember the font (the largest one in any temple).  Growing up,  my parents took me and my brothers to the ground breaking, open house and we participated in the dedication in 2002. Bryan and Katie were married in this temple in and we all have special memories of that time. What precious moments to bring our next generation to such a meaningful House of the Lord. 

Two full days were spent in Historic Nauvoo. In our time at all the little town had to offer, we learned so much! Hands on experiences left us with such an increased knowledge and appreciation. The group learned and participated in making ropes, bricks, candles, barrels, horseshoes, newspaper, mail, guns and more. We rode on a horse drawn carriage, then on a wagon and a team of oxen slllooowwwy pulled us around too. Tours were routinely offered everywhere and the dedication to the restoration of the sites was incredible. I especially loved visiting Jospeh and Emma’s homes and seeing their graves.  The missionary performances were such a highlight and our favorite way to end both days.

^^Visiting Carthage Jail.

We loved hearing how those murdered here were in high spirits and knew they were doing God’s work. 

That we can find comfort in our hardest days by looking to our Savior. 

Sunset on the Mississippi River.

According to my amateur research, me and my kids are decedents of over 25 Nauvoo Pioneers who crossed in this same spot in 1846. 

At the end of the Trail of Hope, the missionaries encouraged us to think about this embankment when we have unknown seasons in our life and to trust in God, just as has been done before. 

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Our time in Nauvoo was wonderful. 

Our cups were filled with family and the Spirit. 

Watching the budding testimonies of our youth grow over the weekend was worth everything. 

We can do hard things and those Nauvoo Saints will always be our inspiration.