Nate, Kenzi

Avee, Gray,

&

Brooks

Hello there,

We are Nathan, Mackenzi, Avanlee, Grayson, and Brooks

Nate and I have been married for almost 13 years! Whoa how the time has flown by... Especially the last 6 years since we welcomed our three beautiful littles into our life. Avee girl just turned 6 this year, Gray man just turned 4, and Brooks is 18 months. We were so blessed to have found them through the miracle of adoption. Our life story has had many twists and turns, but the adventure to find our sweet littles is only a story of perfection. All of our children found us in very different ways but the one similarity is that it was all through love. In our household their stories will always be a part of their lives. Adoption has changed our lives forever. We are excited to welcome another little angel into our family.

Nate & Kenzi

Meet Nate...

Nate is... "Smart, loyal, hardworking, and pretty handsome if you ask me."-Kenzi

"My favorite thing about dad is that he’s fun, he plays with us, and he plays with us and our toys."-Avee

"Ummm, well, he swings me in a blanket and throws me in the air."-Grayson

Hubby, Dad, Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend...

He's pretty awesome.....

Nate graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors in Accounting. While studying at the U, he played football for 2 years! GO UTES! He then earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration and is currently working as a Director in Finance. In my eyes, he is the best dad ever! He comes home everyday, changes his work clothes, and dives in with the kids. He is hands on. I get compliments all the time from others, as they watch him with our kids. He does baths and bedtime every night and enjoys spending all of his free time with our family. Below are a few things he loves and things we love about him!!!

WHO AM I, SIR? A UTAH MAN AM I! A UTAH MAN, SIR! I WILL BE TILL I DIE!!!!!!!

Nate LOVES the...

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

Utah Utes Football! He attends every home game. Rain or shine. If you're looking for him on a Saturday in the fall, chances are you will find him at the stadium or on the couch watching the game. Freezing temperatures, rain, hail, you name it- it won't stop him from watching his Utes! We love joining him when we can! 3 kids and the game this year was chaos! But they were all about the snacks, music, and hanging out with their dad. Avee asks everyone if they " Like BYU or Utah?" And you better have the "right" answer or you will get told what the answer should be!

Something most people don’t know about Nate is…

He is quite the Chef… He enjoys trying new recipes and spending time in the kitchen with the family. He is a much better cook than I am which is hard to admit as a housewife lol…. His favorite is homemade pizza.. He makes everything from scratch and its a hit every time!

Nate loves.. The water!

Growing up, Nate competed in Swimming and still enjoys it to this day. He has competed in triathlons and loves to swim wherever we go. This year we got a Paddle board and headed to the lake as often as we could. His family also vacations in Lake Tahoe every year and it is one of our favorite traditions.

And these 3 fishies love it as well...

Mom's more of a beach bum....

Nate Loves....Christmas!!

His family has so many traditions that are very special to him! From the yummy food to visiting Santa Claus Nate loves it all!!! CHRISTMAS BREAKFASt has always been His favorite-and still is. He makes our Christmas Eve Dinner and Morning Breakfast to WOW OUR TASTEBUDS EACH YEAR.His Families Tradition with Christmas Tea Rings and hot chocolate! Nate also has to watch his favorite christmas movie enough to last him until the next year!

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!"

-Home Alone

“You keep me safe, I’
ll keep you WILD…

Nate is always coming up with adventures for our family. From finding a new lake each weekend, to a quick hike if we only have a few hours to spare as a family. Keeps me anxiety high but we always have a good time!

Nate is my rock.

He has always been supportive with anything I have wanted to do. He lives his life for us. He works hard to provide for our family and continues to amaze me at how fast he has grown in his career. From the moment he was told he was going to be a dad, he has protected and loved Avanlee, Grayson, and Brooks. I will never forget the tears in his eyes when we were told by Avanlees birth mom that she chose us; and then seeing his face when he found out he would have his first and second son. You could see his heart grow instantly as he held them all for the first time. He spoils us all and we're so very blessed to call him ours....

Meet Kenzi

Hey! I'm Kenzi. The other half to my handsome hubby Nate and the voice of this page. I'm also known as "Mmmmooooommmm!!!" Or Mackenzi. For the last 6 years I have spent my time at home with our three littles. Before that I worked in the Salon and Spa industry for over 10 years. My career took me all over the nation and I loved the amazing friends and experiences I gained along the way. On the side, I have enjoyed being a barre instructor and trainer for women wanting to achieve their fitness goals. Growing up I was an athlete, but I always had to have my hair and make up done just right. Looking back, that has shaped my life and the career choices. I'm a tomboy that loves getting dirty, but I prefer a hot shower to be available shortly after!

I Love to take way too many pictures…. And have pictures taken far too often…. But I can’t help it with such cute kids…

Only a few times a year, thats normal right?

I may have a small obsession with Halloween...

I'm the parent that uses their kids as the reason that they dress up... Actually thats a lie. I really love to dress up. I just feel like I'm not much of an adult because I enjoy it as much as I do... In all honesty, Avee did request that I dress up as a unicorn THAT YEAR... So I guess I can still blame her..

I LOVE ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS…….

Except for the snow, I wish it was Christmas all year long. From the smells, food, and decorations... I love it all. Being a parent puts the icing on the cake! Now that we have kids, We have a very tricky elf that is one of my favorite new traditions. I don't know if Nate would of enjoyed searching for an elf each day, but I probably would of tried it. My kids end up with enough Christmas PJs to last all year long because I just LOVE them!!! Decorations go up the day after Thanksgiving and that is a really difficult wait for me! Growing up my favorite Christmas tradition was Christmas Eve at my grandparents house. We pack at least 80-100 of us in my grandparents little home for a yummy dinner and visit with Santa. We know stay snuggled in at home and host our families on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. hosting is a lot more work but we love starting these traditions in our home.

I Love the BEACH

Just not the open water.... One HUGE difference between Nate and I....
I would live on the beach if you let me... You just won't see me heading out into the open water very often... I prefer seeing exactly what is below me. And not stepping on anything that might move. I'm also pretty high maintenance about the water temperature... Lets put it this way.... I spent more time in the water on our Hawaiian vacation, than anywhere else my entire life! But the beach, land next to the water, I'm happy as a clam there.

I Love any reason to celebrate!

From planning Birthday parties, holiday get togethers.. Good food, matching outfits and the perfect theme… Its pretty east with such cute kids….

Random dream of mine… A mini farm… give me all the farm animals… I have loved animals my whole life.. And now I love sharing them with our kids. Chicks at bedtime isn’t anything new at our house….

Did someone say...

dogs, chickens,

horses, and kids?

LAST BUT NOT LEAST….I LOVE MUSIC!!!!

From concerts, to our kitchen, if there's a beat the kids and I will be dancing! I grew up doing the same with my mom and love most genres of music because of her! Country to Rap, this lady likes to turn it up loud and bust a move!!!

Avanlee, Grayson, &Brooks

The only thing this page needs is 500 pictures of them..

Because they are the cutest things EVER!

All Things Avanlee…

Our Avee girl is as sassy as they come, but steals your heart the minute she smiles. She has kept us on our toes from the day we brought her home. She is constantly on the go and doesn't slow down until she crashes. She has always known exactly what she wants and how she wants things to go. She is very smart, so she normally gets her way because of her negotiating skills. She has an amazing love for life and is up for anything. She loves cousins, friends, people at the grocery store, anyone she can talk to. This girl is going places...

She shares my crazy love for animals and outside adventures like her dad..

If you were to ask Avee what she wanted to do??? It would most likely always involve an animal, princess, or playing outside with friends. She would also ask "how long it was going to take?" and if she "could have a treat?"

Girlfriend has a MAJOR sweet tooth...

**Like Major...**

When she grows up...

She wants to be a "Dancer, Cheerleader, Gymnastics Girl and a Mom!”

And when it comes to having fun.... She's your girl....

It's Avee's World , we're just living in it...

Big Guy Gray....

If his face doesn't melt you, I don't know what will... The moment this guy was placed in my arms I knew I was in trouble... Those green eyes, curly locks, and long lashes are a deadly weapon. Grayson is as shy as they come, but is silently as naughty as can be. He climbs EVERYTHING! He refused to walk for the longest time, but we often found him scaling our furniture or on top of any table we have. He recently started a “Little Ninja” class and I think we found his calling. Watch out American Ninja Warrior Grayson is on his way. He is also as kind as they come. I get compliments all the time about how sweet he is to others! Maybe not from his sister but his friends and teachers sure melt for him!

This guy is always up to something... And he's quiet so it always makes me nervous! He is sweet and stubborn all rolled into one! For the most part he is pretty easy going, but if he has his mind set on something.... WATCH OUT!

Our Guy Gray

-He LOVES being outside! He loves the dirt and anything involving yard tools! He calls it "Man Stuff" This year We put in our yard and Grayson was involved in every step of the way!

-He is a daddy's boy. Anything Nate is doing, he's not far behind.

-He knows his construction machinery like a 4 year old contractor would! Call something by the wrong name and he will correct you immediately.. With his sweet little voice.... But if you get it wrong again, be prepared. He will probably yell the correct name at you!

-He is as smart as they come.. Mom brag but he can spell his name out loud, and my phone number without even pausing. He has the craziest memory that often comes back to bite us when were hoping “he forgets’!