Try This if You're Having Trouble Sleeping

Yesterday one of my favorite blogs shared her experiences with insomnia and the fact that she finally found a natural remedy that worked completely for her. She couldn't remember where she first heard about doing it, but she started taking a supplement with calcium and magnesium one hour before bedtime and she says her sleeping woes are completely cured.

You need to find one that has 1,000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium in the same pill (or two pills with that combination.)

I know there are a few of us in the family with that problem so I thought it was worth mentioning. I sleep well sometimes and other times not well at all. I need the calcium anyway, so I'm definitely going to try it.

Latest from the McClellands

Thanks Lisa for remembering our anniversary. We have had such a great time the past 3 years we've been married. Here's the latest family pic - in response to popular demand! :) These are from our recent trip to Cincinnati. Not the greatest but the most recent we've got.

Also, if you want to see some video of the little guy crawling (it's really cute cuz he's still a bit wobbly) check out our blog: mcclellands.blogspot.com

Mark Your Calendar for Kristin's Shower

For the women in the family who live in Utah (or want to sleep on my sofa bed that night) there will be a shower at my house for Kristin on Saturday, May 17 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. I'll be sending invitations soon, but wanted to tell people to save the date.

Walk For Autism

I am just throwing this out there in case anyone is interested....

Miriam (my roommate) and I created a team for the Walk For Autism. It is this Saturday May 3, 2008. We are raising money to donate to "Autism Speaks". If you are interested and would like to join our team go to:

http://www.walknowforautism.org/siteapps/teampage/ShowPage.aspx?c=inKHILNqEmG&b=3615191&teamid=2784156

Thanks!!!

Goblin Valley

Last weekend I went down to Goblin Valley with a few friends. I thought I would share some of the pictures. We spent one day in Goblin Valley climbing up the rocks and just hiking around. The next day we hiked 9 miles through Little Wild Horse. ( I thought I was going to pass out!) The last day we drove around and found some old cabins and mines that we hiked to. It was very fun, but extremely windy!

Goblin Valley

Hiking through Little Wild Horse

Eddie. Eddie. Eddie.

I'm crazy about this picture of this darling couple. And it just so happens that one of them is having a birthday today: EDDIE! How will you spend it? What is your favorite kind of cake? Will you let Thomas help you blow out your candles? We need to know. And what better occasion to let us get to know you better than on the day you were born. We love you Eddie. Have a wonderful birthday. How old are you anyway?

Cute Grandkids!

Thomas in the sink at Grandmas

Playing in the snow with dad, Eddie

Kayla already has the thumb action down!

You asked for it Lisa....a few new pics of the Howell grandkids... We are heading to Laramie this weekend and I will get some new shots of cute little Taylor.

Love you all

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!!!

(Sorry this is a day late) APRIL 23rd

Happy Birthday GRANT!
We hope you are taking care of everybody up in heaven, especially G'ma Denny. Give her a hug for us. We love you!

Happy Anniversary G'PA EDGAR AND G'MA NORMA!
Wow! 7 years. Time flies when you're having fun! We love you both!

Also, EDDIE AND ANDREA also have an anniversary!
What cute love birds - how about posting a recent family picture so we can see how cute that big baby is getting!

Game Review

So Kenzie got this game for her birthday. If you have a Wii, you must at least rent this one. It's so dumb it's fun. There's lot of little games to choose from. If you like Guitar Hero, there's some songs on this that you can play that are fun - Rylie's favorite part. Cam even gets into a couple of games. Has anyone else played this? Any other games I need to play...

The Story of C and J.

This is the story
of Mr. C and Miss J.
Grandpa and Granddaughter
who were both born today.
Two toe heads they share
more than just good looks.
While one is in school
one is off herding crooks.
But when work is finished
and they drop all their stuff.
candles will be lit
and cheeks they will puff.
Now J will make wishes
and blow hers out no trouble.
But C will be keep trying
maybe three times, or double.
The flames will reach higher
an extinguisher stands by.
But he'll huff and he'll puff
giving it his best try.
Soon the fire trucks arrive
and the flames will be out.
So it's dancing and singing
and the presents come out.
And finally the last thing
we must all surely do.
Is tell Clayton and Jessie
Happy day, We love you.

Kenzie's Day.

I'm sure you're all wondering two things about this photo. One: How do I already have a picture of Kenzie from her birthday when it is today? And yes, the picture is from this year, I promise. And second: who belongs to the hand trying to grab at that gorgeous looking cake? Some things will remain a mystery. But one thing will not: We hope your birthday is WONDERFUL KENZ. We love you!

Happy Birthday Elder Denny

Wow! 21 years ago, Elder Justin Denny was born on April 20th. Here's a few pictures to remind everyone how much we love him! The first is the 6/7 Denny boys at Nate's wedding (Stu was on a mission), then a family picture at the same wedding, and then with his favorite buddy. Maybe it's having the same birthday as Garrett, but Justin also always has a happy smile on his face! He's just always happy; especially doing what he's doing at this time. Hard to believe he's been gone 18 months!

We love you Justin! Have a great next 6 months. Work hard. Be obedient and of course, keep on smiling!!!!!

Birthday Time!

Today Garrett is another year older! And as far as I can tell from these pictures, not a whole lot has changed in 26 years. :)

He's still got the same Garrett look and the same Garrett smile, although, I guess his hair has changed a bit - he's definitely got more of it!

Happy Birthday little brother. We love you!

It's all about G & J today.

A couple of cousins were G & J.
Who happened to be born
on the very same day.
G in Wyoming and J in Utah.
Two of the cutest boys
you ever did saw.
Today G is chasing Taylor
and snuggling with Jane.
And J is chasing converts
a job that's never mundane.
We just hope today
G & J both take a break.
For singing, and celebrating
and chowing down cake.
Happy birthday Sir Garrett
Happy birthday Justin too.
Have a fabulous birthday
and know we dig you!

The Growboxes have Soil, and Even a Few Plants (Thanks Matt and Jake!)

Huge load of compost-enriched topsoil which came on Friday Night, and yes it really was that black.

Jake and Matt spent three hours on Saturday morning helping haul topsoil back to fill the boxes. It was quite a job, and I couldn't have done it without them!

I was amazed the huge load of soil actually did fit into the boxes. We did use a tiny bit to spread on beds along a fence where I'm going to plant my tomatoes.

After it was carted back to the garden in wheelbarrows, the soil had to be spread around. You could use a rake . . .

But sometimes it just seemed easier to spread it around with your hands . . .

We also got in the box and stamped down the soil with our feet, which was pretty effective.

I did find a few herbs at the garden center and decided to risk planting them.

Side view of the herb beds with flat parsley, rosemary, tarragon, and curly parsley planted. I also planted four packages of basil seeds.

Yes, this is evidence of my slightly OCD personality type, but I just adore those little sticks that you write on to label your plants. Can you tell it says "Tarragon?"

Tomorrow I'm going to plant some Rainbow Carrots and Swiss Chard seeds, and if the weather stays warm this week, I'll be looking for more veggies to plant.

Laynee Lou

Here are some more photos of our Laynee. We are all doing great and enjoyong the life change. :)

We have another birthday today!

Meet Kayla Ann Howell, Born 4/15/08 about 1:45 pm. Look at those rolls! Yes she is a big girl. 9lbs 9 ozs!! 21.5 inches with quite a bit of red/blonde hair.
Gorgeous mom Tori, way to go mom we are very proud of you...
Proud dad Kent, I think she definitely looks like she belongs to the family, don't you?
Isn't she beautiful?
One brother is thrilled and the look on Braydens face is priceless. I think he is not real sure what is happening yet. Grandma is dying to get her face into all of those cheeks.

I will let Kent tell you more about what is happening with them, but I couldn't wait to share a few pics.


We love you Kayla, I know Great grandma Denny kissed those ample cheeks and told you how much she loves you before you came to earth.

What a miracle!!

Love you all

Is it or isn't it?

Growing up I seem to remember that today was ALSO Vida's birthday. I always thought Valerie and Vida shared a birthday. But then a few years ago I remember somebody telling me that it wasn't OFFICIALLY Vida's birthday, and that she was celebrating her birthday on June 29th. Now I'm just confused. Is it or isn't it? Or should we just not care and take this as a day we get to tell Vida how much we love her? I say yes. So Happy Birthday Vida (we think) and many many more. We love you. We need an update Vida. We miss you.

Look at our fearless baby sister.

Isn't this a classic picture? It reminds of those shots you see in Life Magazine. You could probably insert Valerie today in the shot, except today she'd likely be tripping over the skateboard that was left in the doorway by one of her kids. Or maybe not, her kids are pretty responsible. Anyway. I LOVE this picture. And I just so happen to LOVE this sister. And I know the rest of you do too. Today is the day to let her know that. Drop off your taxes and then start baking a cake! It's time to wish Valerie a happy happy birthday. I have to recommend that you stay off skateboards today, but definitely don't stay off the celebrating! We love you.

Baby Bibler

Here are a few photos of Baby Bibler - Still no name but we are pretty sure she will be Laynee Lou Bibler. You can also go onto North Kansas City's hospital website and see some cute pictures of Baby B. 7lbs. 14.5 ounces - 20 inches long.

Growboxes, with much Thanks to Mark!

Coming Soon to Kalyn's Back Yard

I am constantly realizing how much people in this wonderful family help me with things in my life, and this weekend Mark generously made two trips to Salt Lake and built growboxes for me in my garden, something I've wanted for ages! I am more than thrilled with how they turned out. Thanks Mark, (and Lisa!!!) I love and appreciate you both very much.

Mark started with a row of four boxes (4 feet by ten feet) going the length of the garden. Here the last box on the west is laid out, but stakes aren't in yet.

Mark had the fabulous idea of putting a row of long thin boxes across the front for herbs. Some of my herbs didn't make it through the extra cold and long winter we had this year, but I do have oregano, sage, thyme, and tarragon to transplant.

The first herb box is staked and finished. The rather scruffy looking plants you can see in the bottom corner of the photo are two of my herb plants seriously needing to be trimmed.

Here's Mark posting for a photo. I was very impressed with how quickly he figured out how to build the boxes and love how they turned out.

Here's a view of the finished project, with 200 square feet of growing space in the six growboxes. That's a lot of garden, but I love growing things and giving them away to everyone I know. As you can see, the rest of my yard is looking pretty shabby right now, so I have a lot of work to do getting things trimmed and weeded.