How do I say "THANK YOU"?!!!

My good health and the health of my husband and children is something I never take for granted. I thank Heavenly Father every day for this blessing.

Two days ago I was reading my friends blog www.lafujimama.com and she had posted a story about her friends little boy. Daylon is 9 months old and suffering from a lethal disease. He has been selected and approved to be the first person ever to receive treatment for his disease. Part of which is a bone marrow transplant and chemo. (a dose two times the normal dose) Daylon's 3 year old brother is a match for the transplant and is happy to be his brothers hero. But their family cannot afford his medical care.

Reading this story has affected me so much, I think about it and start to cry. I wish I could pay for it.

So I decided to hop on Rachaels team and to do a little bit to help. I spent the afternoon making 75 hair clips. I normally sell them for $1.00 but for now I'm asking for $2.00~ I'd love to send this family $150.00. If you go to his website and make a donation and let me know, I will give you a clip. (If you buy them straight from me, I promise every penny will go to this family)

http://www.helpmakeamiracle.org

Super Proud!

Lia gave the opening prayer on Primary today. They let us know few weeks ago that she'd be giving the closing prayer, but it was ward conference so the Stake was there running the show. I went up front to tell the leaders that Lia had been planning on it and was so excited so they let her do the opening prayer. Billy and I stood in the back while they started. Our sweet girl sat in her chair so reverently, sang every word of the first 3 verses of "I Am a Child of God" (loud enough we could hear in the back, hee hee) and when it was her turn she marched right up to the podium and let me help her. She spoke loud and clear, was not nervous or intimidated. Then after she waved goodbye to me and sat back down ready to learn.
And when Billy went back later to pick her up they were gushing about what an amazing example Lia was and that she was so good! Yay!!!!!
Billy and I were so proud, we still are. I love that our kids will always amaze us!

And I've Got a Peaceful Easy Feelin'

For my birthday my mom treated me to the Eagles concert. I've loved the Eagles for years, I remember my friend Chris giving me the cassette in the 8th grade.... cd's were out but I couldn't afford a discman yet! Anyway, I never thought I'd have the chance to catch them live, let me tell you, go see them if you can... those guys can ROCK!!!

It was at the Hollywood Bowl, which is a really exciting place to be! We parked in Pasadena and took a bus, it was $5.00 roundtrip and you didn't even have to pay to park... don't be a dingbat, if you have to go to the bowl do this! Erin, Bill, my mom, 2 of her besties (Dale and Kathy) and I went.

It was all this guys idea too. Seeing the Eagles was on his "Bucket List." And I have to say, it was a great idea!!!

I was absolutely blown away by this place! I'd never been and fell in love with it instantly! Walking around it felt like "Hollywood Bowl City" There were TONS of people, but it didn't matter everyone was having a great time and excitement was in the air!

I even caught a glimpse of the HOLLYWOOD sign, that may be getting torn down in the near future, sad.

My mom, sister and I.

I FROZE! My sister talked me out of taking a jacket. Thank goodness Kathy lives in the mountains and can handle the cold a little better than I because I stole her jacket the first chance I got.

Next time, I will bring a jacket and my good camera so I can get better pictures.

Thanks so much mom, it was a great night and I loved everything including you!!!






PS- I've been posting videos on our video blog, it's on the sidebar "McIntosh Videos"

My Sweet Baby!

This picture has nothing to do with this post, but it was so funny I had to put it up. This rockstar is 6 months old today. To say that I love him is such an understatement! I love him so much, it's beyond words. He is the light of my/Billy/Lia and Sophie's lives, he has this spirit of kindness about him, he smiles constantly and his laugh is contagious. He's a little rolley polley and almost sitting up like a champ. He gives the best kisses and growls at you to get your attention.
Trying to put into words how I feel and my favorite things about this boy bring tears to my eyes. He is everything I've ever wanted in a little boy.

Oh, he's kind of chubby too! :o) (In fact he's about 4 pounds lighter than Sophie... she's 2 years older than he is)

Our family is so grateful for Tommy, they have been the best 6 months!

.... Just a super great Easter!

I don't know how else to describe our day... it was perfect! We started out watching Conference. I love listening to the talks, they are so truly inspired. Then we had a quick photo shoot and breakfast with Matt, Melissa and their new little sweetie Elliot.
My mom continued her tradition of getting my girls their Easter dresses and this year they had a little matching one for their dolls... well, Elliot is about the size of their doll... how sweet though huhh??? Lia sure loves her (we do too) and was so excited to hold her all by herself for the first time! And good gravy this one cracks me up! This is historic, Sophie held Tommy... it's never happened before!

The 3 McIntosh sweeties, great pictures you guys! Thanks M&M!!!!

And Elliot, I promise I will never put you in my daughters doll clothes again... but you looked really cute.

Love, Aunt Katie

We ended the day at my moms, she had a GREAT party! I have tons and tons of pictures that I'll post later. I have pictures of my brother Geoff, as Lia put it "laying an egg"... I love the things kids say.

Big news!

Pretty much everyone knows already, but we got a BIG CAR! One that fits our family very comfortably! Our kids are so happy!

It's a Toyota Sienna. We sold our Camry (sad) and got an amazing deal! really really amazing! We told our salesperson that the stars and planets would have to align and a miracle would have to be worked to make it fit into our budget... and it did!

Sometimes it really is all about who you know. If anyone is looking for a car let us know, we'll set you up with some amazing people!

** I should mention how grateful I am for this vehicle. We took it to San Diego yesterday and our kids loved having their own space. The only time I felt kind of funny driving it was when I was all by myself driving it to go get insurance. I had this huge van all to myself and I was rockin' out to Lady Gaga... I felt like a teenager who had stolen her mom's van.

Coronado Island, Balboa Park and the Zoo

Really, everyone should spend as much time as they can in San Diego. It is so beautiful, amazing weather and most importantly there is TONS of stuff to do!
We spent the day down there yesterday. We hung out at the zoo and finally saw almost everything, that's almost impossible because it is so huge! And then walked around Balboa Park for a couple of hours, the gardens there are so amazing! Then as we were leaving Billy asked me what that big bridge was, I told him it went over to the Island. He said he'd never been there, so I drove us over the GIGANTIC bridge and we found a beautiful park to play at for a while.
It was such a great day!

Here is one of the gardens getting ready for spring! The middle part of the bridge.

The view from my park bench.

It was a rough day in San Diego...

How terrible would it be to play at this park everyday?

My big guy, love his baby blues!

This picture is for Grandma with the yellow hair.

We enjoyed our ice cream cones, Sophie enjoyed hers a little more than everyone else!