Merry Christmas 2009

Wow, this year has really flown by! I cannot believe it is already Christmas Eve tomorrow. Feels like we just celebrated Christmas in our little rental all surrounded by boxes, newspaper and tape as we were moving to our new home 2 days later. Yes, we will have been in our home for 1 year on Dec. 27th! We feel so blessed to have a roof over our head and to have really been able to make this "our" home. We love it here, love having the 4 bedrooms and a pool, it sometimes still feels unreal. I never thought I would own a house with a pool!

Zach is still working hard as ever at his parents real estate office as Office Manager and Bob's assistant. He even took over doing the transaction coordinating. He really enjoys it there which still surprises me because it is such an office job and he his well you know...Zach!! On the side, Zach and Josh also started their business back up and changed the name to Acoustic Expressions. So if you or anyone you know needs any audio work done please give them a call!

Riley will be 5 in May and starting Kindergarten this next year!!!Kindergarten, that feels so weird to say, write and even think about! She has come out of her shell so much with these last 2 years of preschool. I think she will still be very shy the first day but is going to love it. She is very excited to pick out her own special backpack and pencils. Riley continues to be the sweetest, girly girl around and loves helping her brother and sister with anything they want or need.

Trevor is 3 and is all Boy! He loves to jump, run, spin, ride on Daddy's new mini chopper...basically anything that moves! He joined his big sister at preschool this year and is doing so well. He loves Spiderman, beanies, balls, and the outdoors! People are still surprised though when they see how sweet and gentle he is with his baby sister, he loves to guide her, hold her hand and kiss her. Love that little guy!

And that brings me to Ireland Kate.....she is a character thats for sure! She is 1 1/2 and I think she will be a tomboy. She loves getting into everything, playing with all kids no matter what their age or size she just jumps right in. She can definitely tell you "Nooo!" and shes a girl who knows what she wants. She still loves to cuddle though and give kisses. She sleeps 11-12 hours a night which is such a nice blessing to mommy and daddy! Ireland keeps you on your toes and thats why I love her so much!

As for another baby we will have one for sure but probably not for another year or so. I know what you're thinkin..yeah, yeah right...but for now we're content. These 3 keep me busy throughout the day. I do miss the smell and tinyness of a newborn and can't wait to have that again.

As for me, I still stay at home and love it. I couldn't imagine missing all these special moments and milestones with my babies. They are my life. I love taking care of the home and running the household. We feel lucky that I am able to stay home because we know not every family gets to.

We traveled to Disneyland three times this year, in May for Rileys 4th bday, in October when we went to visit Jess and Daniel in Oceanside, and a spur of the moment trip at the beginning of December. I think we may have to invest in annual passes. We just LOVE it there and the kids think its magical!!

Well, we hope this letter finds you all healthy and happy. Lets make 2010 a fabulous year! Lots of travels, laughter and family because family is what its all about! Zach and I feel very blessed to have the family that we do. Does it get any better than this?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

Love the McKiernan's,
Zach, Chelsea, Riley, Trevor & Ireland

Countdown....

is on!!! 4 days til Christmas!!!!

Done and Done

with all my Christmas shopping and wrapping that is!!! Whew....and does it feel good! I am never done this early. I think though that this being our 1st Christmas in our new home made me want to get it all done and enjoy every minute of it. I had the decorating done before Thanksgiving and the tree up the weekend after! Usually I am a total procrastinator and am shopping til the very last minute possible, but nope not this year! Im DONE!!!

A White Christmas?

Ireland is loving all the lights this xmas! Look at that big toothy smile!

happy kiddos :)

How I got them all to look and smile I'll never know.....

We got SNOW! Yes you heard me right....Snow in Sacramento!! The kids loved looking out the window at all the snow and Daddy even went out and made a snowball for them to play with. Could we actually have a white Christmas this year?! Most likely not but a girl can dream right!???

Thanksgiving!

We had a very nice and relaxing Thanksgiving this year! Hung out in the morning in our pj's with hot cocoa and watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Then I made my first ever sweet potato casserole(its the recipe from Ruth Chris' Steakhouse..yum!!!) and we headed over to visit Grandma Shirley and wish her a Happy Thxgiving too! Ireland sat on her lap and laid her head down on Great Grandma, it was so sweet. Next, it was off to Bob and Linda's to eat, hang and enjoy each others company. We played on the Wii Fit and also played a couple games. The kids were on their best behavior as usual and by the end of the night we were ready for bed with our turkey filled tummies :)