The Mackelprangs: 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKENNA!!

MCKENNA'S 21ST BIRTHDAY
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

We headed out for our California roadtrip on McKenna's birthday. But before we left, Adam and I took Kenna to breakfast at The Egg and I. This first picture cracks me up because right before I snapped the pic I told her it looked like she wasn't wearing a shirt.

Here we are ready to head out the door. Thanks Adam for helping us get all our junk loaded.

We were headed for Disneyland---WOOHOO!

But before we went to Dizzyland we made it to an Angel's game. They played the Rangers, whom
I dearly love, but the Angels played an awesome game and kicked the Rangers' backsides.The last out was a catch from the Angel third baseman that was a wicked catch! Go Angels!

This is Kenna waving her big red finger! Later she tried to pick her nose with it but that didn't work out so well!! Hahaha!

This is Kenna having a bite of the yummy treats that the Disney hotel left in our room in honor of her birthday. We had the best room and concierge special treatment.

Kenna and some weird woman trying to be in the picture with her. We had so much fun! Can't wait for baseball season again!

We went to Disney land three days in a row. On the third day, Brinlee, Kyle , Kimber and Adam, McKenna's boyfriend, joined us. Kenna, Adam, and I took Kimber on the Small World ride where she was just fascinated. She was so tired but wouldn't go to sleep during the ride. As soon as we stepped off the boat, she crashed.

This is a picture of us waiting in line on the first day. I'm so glad we got to go in the middle of the week before things got crazy. The first week of October is Gay Days at Disneyland. Saturday we were surrounded by same sex couples. It was not a big deal except for those people who insist on PDA (which is putting it mildly) Geez, I say avoid the first week in October in Disneyland if you can.

Kenna and Adam outside the Space Mountain ride!

Kenna in California Adventure. We wanted Ray to think we were in the wilds so maybe he will go next time.

The whole crew on one of the boat rides. So much fun!!!

Catching up....MEXICO: July 2009

MEXICO: JULY 2009

McKenna and I were so lucky to be able to go to Mexico on vacation this summer! No, this first picture is not a picture of Mexican hospitality. McKenna was having cheesecake at 2 a.m. at our favorite resort, The Westin Stonebriar in Frisco TX, where we met up with the rest of our party. We, along with Sharee, Roy, and Micah, and the Hailes' friends, the Blacks, boarded the plane the next day to an all-inclusive resort in the area known as the Mexican Riviera near Playa del Carmen. The place was so well maintained and tropically beautiful. The food was not bad. It was interesting when they would try to make something that is typically American. But breakfast was my favorite! There was a girl who was making omelets to order. She was so friendly and her omelets were perfection. I hoped we tipped her well as that omelet was the best meal of all everyday. It's difficult to describe how beautiful this place is. We are so used to everything being so dry and desert that the trees, shrubs, and flowers everywhere made it feel like we were in the paradise. There were a multitude of pools and fountains and water features everywhere. The sea was truly breathtaking. We got to swim with dolphins, the kids went zip-lining, repelling, and snorkeling in a cave, and we all went snorkeling at the beach which was amazing. McKenna almost stepped on a stingray and we had a barracuda swim right by us. It was a vacation to remember! We got a lot of really good pictures of everything that I will include here.

1. McKenna and her 2 a.m. room service cheesecake
2. Me throwing Micah off the bed after he jumped me when I wasn't looking
3. The restaurant where we ate most of our meals
4. Roy, Sharee, McKenna, and Micah, who cannot keep a straight face when having his picture taken
5. McKenna and the Mayan dancers
6. The ladies in the pool, where we spent a lot of our time soaking up the sun
7. Sun-tanned toes tickling the sand

8. McKenna striking a pose---is that Bill in the background?
9. McKenna getting a kiss from a dolphin, Cierra
10. Micah, the pyro--do not try this at home!!
11. McKenna enjoying a hammock in the shade
12. The square at night--bring cash and learn how to bargain
13. McKenna and me after dinner one night
14. The beach at sunrise

15. The buildings where our rooms were---walk out the door, make a left, walk several yards and into the pool where you could swim righ tup to the bar for some liquid refreshment :)
16. The crew ready for repelling and zip-ling adventure: Mackenzie and Black, McKenna, and Micah
17and 18. And in the cave---I wish I could have been there to see McKenna try to scream underwater
19 and 20. McKenna aka Zip-line Barbie
21. Sharee, McKenna, Me, Micah by the sea--thanks Linda for taking the picture
22. A saiboat and Micah on a jetski

23. Micah contemplating by the sea
24. Roy and Sharee looking stylish

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lots of News, Very Little Time...

Kimber's Blessing Day....which I'm still wondering how it happened that I wasn't there. Will be forever sad about that. I hope it was a good day for all included. :) Wonder if anyone thought to write down what was said in the blessing?

Then there was the dream trip to the Mexican Caribbean. I never knew a place could be so perfect. I want to go back someday and continue the adventure with ALL my loved ones.

This is McKenna's new beau....Adam Herpel. Now I have never blogged about a boyfriend before because boyfriends are not permanent but I think this one might be around for some time to come. So Adam, welcome to our crazy, playful, merry, slightly irreverant, always goofy clan. And don't mind us when we get all loud and rowdy over the latest Sean Hannity/Glenn Beck/Bill O'Reilly scoop. (I really worry that you think we are nutjobs!) Just chalk it up to our mania for media mayhem.