Dear Miss Hannigan,
We took the girls to the circus on Saturday and they had a blast. Unfortunately we didn't have much battery left in our camera so we didn't get many pictures but it was a great experience--just a little too long for my taste. I think Coco liked the dancers the best and Bryn and Scotlyn loved the human cannonball. In fact, Scotlyn wants to be a human cannonball when she grows up. . . 
Apparently, I have an aspiring photographer on my hands. I have seen her occasionally use my phone to take pictures but this time I found these random pics on my real camera courtesy of the little munchkin. Thanks, Coco!
Bryn's first choir concert was fantastic! She did a great job and I could tell she was proud of herself. Here she is with her friend, Thea! Congrats, girls!
Some friends in our ward challenged us to drink this vase full of a half gallon of ice cream and a huge 2 liter root beer. It took over an hour for our family to drink most of it. Lots of burping took place during this event.
The were lucky enough to be invited their friend's (Addi) birthday roller-skating party! They were all pretty timid at first with the whole idea--but as you can see they got over it real fast. Everytime they would fall they didn't cry. They just got up and kept. . .stayin' alive.
Dear Bryn,
I already miss having you around everyday now that you're at school. Don't get me wrong, I do not miss the arguing with your sisters or the 20 repeats of everything funny said or done, the endless tormenting me with potty jokes. . .but I do miss you. I miss you making lunch for the girls which you always, er. . .usually did with a smile. I miss you following me everywhere and asking, "Whatcha doin?" I miss you telling me how bored you are and me getting to tell you I'm not the entertainment committee. I love that I got you addicted to the Anne of Green Gables books and that we could talk about it and then watch clips from the movie on YouTube. I asked so much of you and you amazed me with how responsible and dependable you are becoming. Thank you, Bryn, for giving me a more relaxing, quieter summer than the last few. I really enjoy your company and your amazing sense of humor!
All My Love,
Mom
This picture isn't very good but this is Scotty (2nd Grade) and Bryn (middle school) on their first day of school. Scotlyn was extremely excited and Bryn was extremely nervous. By the end of the day they both had a great time and were less worried. I'm so proud of them for being so brave!
Nashville has a baseball team called The Nashville Sounds. Jared took the girls and Bryn's friend, Carly, to a game last week. They had a cool experience with a homerun ball landing right in front of them as they were in the parking lot getting ready to leave. They brought it to Coco for good luck!For journaling purposes let me re-live the account of our little Zion McKoy's journey to asthma. For months she had been struggling with her breathing and she was diagnosed with pneumonia about 3 times in the past year. We were always given the same drugs to relieve her but no one seemed to know the answer to why she kept getting sick. We knew something was awry when we were visiting Coco's best friend, Reagan, on July 30. Coco fell asleep with rapid, shallow, wheezing breathing and a very fast heartbeat. Once we got home I gave her something to take away her fever and gave her a nebulizer treatment that has always seemed to work in the past. It didn't this time. Jared took her to the hospital that night where she was admitted with pneumonia. After a few hours in her room there, the doctors were extremely worried because despite feeding her 100 percent oxygen her heartbeat refused to slow down and her fever was getting worse. Next stop--Vanderbilt Children's Hospital where she was transported via ambulance.
Once at Vanderbilt, she was admitted and they were better able to care for her and diagnosed her with asthma which is something we had only recently suspected. Now we know.
I should probably write a whole other post for this but I'll say it here since I don't have pictures. WOW! I am so impressed with my ward family. They really were there for us just as a family would be in a circumstance like this. Jill took Bryn and Scotlyn for the day to the zoo. Sally took me to the hospital (I would have never found it without her), Cristina, Gayle, Janet, and Urquia brought us wonderful meals. My visiting teacher, Gail, came over and weeded our front yard. The Bishop and his wife (Sally) came back again to the hospital to bring Coco gifts and see how she was doing and so many others called and wanted to help. I just can't thank everyone enough. I really understand what the meaning of a ward family is now and I want grow up to be just like my ward sisters!
When Sally came bearing gifts Coco got pretty excited about the pink bag and all that was in it. Her favorite thing in it, of course, was FLARP. The stuff is gooey and green and when you stick your fingers in it you hear the sound of toots. Coco thought this was the most hilarious thing ever. Whenever a doctor or nurse came in the room she hurried and grabbed it and did her business and laughed hysterically. It has been a big hit in our family ever since. I highly recommend this product!
Exhibit A. Flarping for personal enjoyment.
Exhibit B. Finger position when flarping.
Exhibit C. Demonstrating the loudest impact by putting your arm way up and then flarping.
Jared has a hard time letting go of his little girls. Usually 4 years-old is when he gives up on the no cutting of the hair string. Today, all the girls got their haircut for school but the most noticeable change was of little Coco that must have lost at least 6 inches. We all love it on her and thinks it fits her personality. As long as she still feels like a princess. . .and believe me--she DOES! 
My girls donning their "doctor" look after the delivery of the baby.
My little Cokie-relly
Okay, Jared took this one because he said the girls should have pictures of me in case something ever happens to me. He knows I HATE getting my picture taken, but I didn't even know he was doing it.
The girls learning to soothe the baby by feeding with bottles. 
The girls went to a big sister class today and it was FANTASTIC!! It was the most thorough, pleasant, uplifting, relaxing time! My girls are much more confident in their big sister skills! They especially liked the milk and cookies and the goody bags. This little baby is going to be one lucky sista to have all of her big sisters doting on her! 
Jared, Scotty, and Bryn getting schooled by pops.
Coco doing a happy dance after we freaked out over her hole-in-one!
Coco and Scotty talking trash to each other.
Scotlyn and her friend, J, who helped her (and who Scotlyn paid as her "employee")
I'm exhausted--I just finished putting some dimples on my baby's knees and bum. Phew! Tomorrow--maybe a little more work on the lung project?
Last week Jared and I went to a Celtic Woman concert. They sounded like angels and the acoustics were incredible! They have had 5 concerts here in Nashville recently and I think it would be a great city to call their home away from home. Afterall, country music has it's roots in Celtic/Irish music. I highly recommend seeing these lovely ladies if you ever get the chance.
We are trying out the whole square foot gardening concept. It seems to be working well and rapidly! The girls planted seeds and they are excited to see their efforts have not been in vain! It's looking good!
A few weeks ago Coco had pneumonia. We thought we had treated it and that she was all better. About a week after she was done taking her medicine she started having the same symptoms--lethargic, fever, coughing, etc. So, I took her to the doctor and she was treated again with breathing treatments. We were sent home with a nebulizer and medicine. The mask is a purple dragon which is really cool to Coco. When she breathes the albuterol smoke puffs out the sides of her dragon mask. Hopefully, we will be done with treatments this Sunday. She isn't thinking it's so fun anymore.
Last week we visited Bowling Green, KY to tour the Corvette Museum. Jared was like a kid in a candy store! I am grateful that I got to see what a little boy would have been like in that place! FUN TIMES!
Scotlyn was filling Coco in on the art of "meditation and yoga". It was very funny listening to Scotlyn explain to Coco how to hold her hands and hum. Hmmmmmmm. . .
Bryn and Scotlyn were invited to a birthday party at Pump It Up where there is a rock wall to climb on. On other occasions Scotlyn has been so close to the top but looked down and never made it. She mustered all of her enthusiasm to get to her goal of the top and she succeeded! Bryn also made it to the top! Good job girls!
Bryn "graduated" from 5th grade and will now be moving on to middle school. At the graduation ceremony she won several awards (whole year will no demerits, Social Studies award, Reading & English Award). I am so proud of my Brynny! She is going to begin middle school in August and has been quite nervous about it. She will rock it! (Sorry this picture is so blurry--it was taken from far away).
