New Tricks

So recenly both girls have learned new tricks! Loganne is crawling all over the place and Kaleigh is quite a talented bike rider already! Thought we would share some video...

Christmas

After much preparation Team McKenna had a wonderful Christmas here in Texas! The girls enjoyed the relaxing morning taking their time unwrapping, daddy loved teaching Kaleigh how to ride her new bike and mommy enjoyed the cooking and baking! Some highlight gifts were Kaleigh's vanity, baby room and bike, Loganne's car seat and Santa brought mommy and daddy a new iMac computer! WooHoo! The day ended with the entire family in our bed to read the true Christmas story from the girl's new picture Bible! This holiday season was a true blessing and a joyous time for our family!

Christmas Eve in Sea World

Team McKenna had a wonderful time in San Antonio yesterday celebrating Christmas Eve. We got up early and headed to Sea World for the day and then enjoyed dinner in downtown San Antonio on the Riverwalk. The entire day was truly priceless as both girls were so excited and especially grateful for their surprise. The highlights included the surprising Jesus-centered Shamu show, the Viva Show starring the beluga whales including the new baby, feeding the dolphins and watching the girls play at Shamu's Happy Harbor! What a day! It was topped off in beautiful downtown at the Riverwalk (what a neat city!) at the awesome animal-themed restaurant Rainforest Cafe. Kaleigh loved eating surrounded by elephants, gorillas and jaguars and encountering simulated tropical storms. Daddy also enjoyed our trip to The Alamo. The family history buff read every plaque and appreciated the educational portion of the day. Loganne was the happiest baby all day even without solid naps and Kaleigh was super well-behaved. Mommy and Daddy were so proud of both of them! Then they rode home in matching pjs so they were ready to go to bed so that Santa could arrive! For sure a Christmas Eve to remember (the 200+ pics will help)!

Merry Christmas!

Before you all get with family and friends for the next few days just wanted to wish all our readers, friends and family, a very joyous and blessed Christmas! May the Lord give you peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ Our Lord!

Our Dancing Princess

Kaleigh had her 2nd dance recital last night. Really it was just a few holiday dance routines for the families but it was a big deal here in the McKenna home! Kaleigh even had a friend come to see her and her friend brought her flowers for after her performance. I know I'm bias (being mom and all) but I'm pretty sure Kaleigh did awesome and even at 3 shows some great potential for a future career in dance! After a slow start due to and I quote, "I didn't like the first song" she then picked it up and really did every move that her teachers were doing. A fabulous night for all and we are looking forward to an encore in May with costumes and all. The whole thing was captured on tape for anyone who is interested! Here's a sneak peek!

Busy, Busy, Busy....the good kind!

Well the last month has been such a blessing! This holiday season has already been spent with all our wonderful friends in Texas. I have spent much of my time preparing to host holidays, football parties and playgroups! So fun! So here's a quick recap of our last month or so. We hosted Thanksgiving for Matthew's wardrom and it was so much fun. It was great fellowship and good food. We had almost 20 people here and I was able to provide everyone with food and even a hard surface to eat off of! Yeah big house! Then the following week we invited everyone over for the Army/Navy game. GO NAVY!! We had fun but unfortunately Matthew had a work issue and was only here for the last 2 minutes and 53 seconds of the game. Fortunately those friends from the ship who came over didn't mind hanging out with the wife and kids! Then a few days later the girls and I had some of our friends over for brunch and a playgroup. Casseroles, fruit dips and friends...you can't beat it! Not too mention our holiday preparations in between all these fun activities. We have shopped, decorated, shipped and are ready for Christmas!

Hunting Trip

So recently I went on a hunting trip. Our next door neighbor has a hunting lease and took me hog hunting. It was awesome, especially cause I got one. Here are a few pictures from my awesome day. I've decided that I love it and can't wait to go again.

Visitors of all kinds

Well this past week our family had a few visitors. Two of which were very welcomed and we were happy to have but some that we could have done without! Let me explain...on Thursday the GGs (my grandparents) came all the way from NJ to see us and spend some time in Texas. We had so much fun showing them our favorite spots like the aquarium and museum. We also enjoyed some time at home baking ALOT of cookies! The unwelcomed visitor was some sort of "bug" that caused diarrhea and vomitting for almost everyone in the house! Sorry if that's too much info for some! I am happy to say that we are all on the road to recovery and life is starting to go back to normal especially now that Loganne is sleeping ok again. We are now gearing up for Thanksgiving! Team McKenna will be opening their house up to the wardroom so we are looking forward to a house full of friends!

Random Fun Pictures

This was my first attempt at frying a turkey. I have to say it was the best turkey I've ever had.

Kaleigh riding her Harley with a helmet and Poison bandana like her Daddy.

The local Science and History Museum has some fun exibits.

Then there's Loganne enjoying her favorite new toy. Oddly enough she fights with all she's got when Mommy puts her in there but goes right in and play with Daddy.....

That's it for now. -Team McKenna Team Leader

Finally Back

So we're finally back into the world of the blog. We bought our new camera...just a slight upgrade to the old one we had. We are enjoying Texas. I have no complaints at all. I am really enjoying my job, it's tough but I have a great group of guys working with me. Jen has been really busy, she does an activity with the girls almost every day. We've already been to the museum and the aquarium; plus Kaleigh is in ballet and gymnastics. Overall we're settling in nicely. I told Jen tonight that Texas is on my short list of places that I'd like to settle down when our time in the Navy is up. An the most fun news (in my opinion) Loganns has her first tooth. She is already putting it to use, eating everything we'll let her. Here are some pictures of the girls with our new camera........

Boring Blog

So sorry for the boring blog, lack of updates and especially lack of photos. Currently the McKenna team is looking for a new camera since the current one will not even turn on. As far as new news we are settling into Texas very well and we are really enjoying those that the Lord has put in our lives. We have had a few neighbors over and seeing Kaleigh with friends again is so wonderful! Other then trips to the aquarium, gymnastics and the library the girls and I continue to enjoy staying at home enjoying big rooms and the veiw of the 18th fairway! Hope all is well!

The stars at night are big and bright...

Well the girls and I have arrived in Texas and so far so great! I absolutely love my house, all 2200 sq feet of it! LOL!!! Kaleigh already has made friends next door, down the street and at gymnastics. Thanks to mom coming with us my house was set up and decorated in just 3 days so we were able to start life upon arrival. We have also found a church (I think it will be our church) and it is about 2 minutes from our house and meets in our local movie theater. The girls loved nursery and the preaching was very good. Kaleigh settled right into Texas however Loganne has decided that sleep is not necessary in our new house. Hopefully sleep will come for us all pretty soon. Matthew is loving being back on sea duty and is bringing so much energy and joy into our home even though he is working extremely hard and waking up at 0430. He's the man and has made our Texas move alot of fun! This past weekend we checked out the Texas State Aquarium and loved it so much we became members. Of course our camera would not work so we don't have pics from our first visit but we'll take them next time. The girls and I are enjoying lots of playtime in their nice big rooms and looking forward to hosting lots of playgroups! And let's not forget our visit to Cavender's Boot City! Oh yes guys (or should I say y'all) I have fancy Cowboy boots and I definitely have rocked them as much as I can! That's the update for now! I'll post soon with some new pictures!

Craziness

Sorry for the lack of updates but we are now officially moved out of RI. So the girls and I are chillin' in NY with the families while Matthew attends school in VA. The movers we had were awesome and I'm very excited for the easy unpacking I will have to do in Texas. Not too much else to report. I hope I will be able to figure out a way to download our pictures on my parent's computer soon!

Aunt Katie's Visit

So this past holiday weekend we were once again visited by one of the girls' favorites, Aunt Katie. We were all coming off busy weeks and are headed for even crazier weeks ahead so most of our time together was much needed down time. Did some shopping and some eating out and Katie and I got the chance to take a wonderful sailboat ride on the Narragansett Bay, something I wanted to do before leaving here. The day was perfect for the ride and we learned so much about the area of Newport! All in all a great time had by all. Always great to see Aunt Katie!

The GGs' Visit

So for a few days this week we have been blessed to have GGma and GGpa here in Newport with us. Both girls have been very excited to see them but the most excited has to go to Magnus. Unfortuantely I did not have the camera ready but when they pulled up he actually chased the car down, not in order to protect but definitely to greet his biggest fans (other than daddy of course)! Our time has been very nice including some chill time and wonderful dinners out (minus the sirloin tips!). However Kaleigh's most exciting moments definitely came when I told her we could go swimming at the GGs' hotel pool.

Look at this smile!

Both girls loved the water today. I think we may have some swimmers. Michael Phelps has already started to inspire the younger generations.

Always so much fun to have them here and their trips are very much appreciated by our family. We love you GGs!

Grandmere and Grandpa's Visit

Well we had a wonderful weekend with Grandmere and Grandpa. The visit included some very special birthday presents for Kaleigh. Grandmere and Grandpa gave Kaleigh her very first dollhouse and a very special one at that. This dollhouse took Grandpa over 2 months to handcraft. Liz bought all the adorable furniture and Aunt Katie and Uncle Dave got the cute wooden family for inside! A very special gift that will keep Kaleigh busy for many many hours! On Saturday we walked into Newport and enjoyed the downtown scene and then enjoyed dinner at the Red Parrot (a favorite). Then mom and dad watched the girls so Matthew and I could do some motorcycle riding and then a 5-yr anniversary drink at O'Brien's. Awesome to be back on the bike after a 17 month hiatus thanks to pregnancy and babies and on our very special day! Sunday we were up and went to church and then did the Cliff Walk. Our first time and it was beautiful! Just a great way to spend one of our last weekends in Newport!

Mema's Visit

Sorry for the lack of updates recently but the girls and I have been enjoying the visit from Mema. We basically hung out except for a few outings including one to the children's museum and the beach (well the beach in the living room anyway!). Mema also helped to start the packing up process. Mommy and Daddy were also able to take advantage of Mema's willingness to babysit. We enjoyed a fabulous meal and view at The Spiced Pear where Matthew ordered the GQ burger (#3 on the top 20 burgers in the country list). We both agreed that the food was increbible. Then we enjoyed dessert and a cocktail at 22 Bowen in downtown Newport. Sadly Mema returned home today but we have some more visitors heading our way before we leave RI.

The McKenna Girls

So as the little one gets bigger I am so enjoying our days together as the McKenna Girls! The two sisters interacting and playing is such a joy to watch. They make each other laugh and it makes me very excited about the future! Today we enjoyed some play time at the park and then came home and introduced Little Bit to some baby toys. Kaleigh was definitely more excited about the "new" (her old toys) than Loganne but it was fun to watch them. Then Pastry Chef Kaleigh baked and decorated some cookies. She is better in that kitchen than her mommy!

Another fun day

Well another fun day for the girls here in RI. Despite the heat today, Kaleigh's activity choice was the park twice! She enjoyed running around and meeting almost everyone there. She was ready to go when she "started to get sweaty". Then our evening meal was cooked by Chef Boombie and Chef Daddy. She was so excited to be cooking. She knew today was the day for pizza and she woke up at 7am saying "Is daddy here because I am ready to make pizza?"! The finished product was pretty tasty!