Christmas

On Christmas Eve we let the girls pick one gift they would like to open up.  Ashlee got some shirts.  Mikayla got the whole Ramona Collection of books by Beverly Cleary.

Putting cookies, milk and letters out for Santa.

 Christmas Morning- Standing by the gifts that Santa brought.

Two happy girls.  Santa brought them both Ipod Touches.  Something they have been wanting for a long time now.

Ashlee got- shirts, duck tape, friendship braclet string, lanyard string, Cinderella Cleaners books, a robe, and a DS Game.

Mikayla got:: Ramona Book Collection, robe, slippers, sketch pad with Twistables, a DS Game, a multiplication facts computer game and a Crayola White Board/Black Board.

 John got a wireless meat thermometer, a food dehydrater/jerky maker, and jerky seasoning.

Libby got clothes, a dress, a necklace and some braclets.

We had Christmas Lunch/Dinner at our house.  My brother and his family came over, my mom and Terry, and my grandpa and Kay came over.

Landon opening his gifts.

Dylan with the gift we got him.

Mikayla got clothes, money and some Target Gift Cards

Ashlee got some clothes, money and Target Gift Cards

Adam, Dylan and my mom.

John made some rabbit jerky with his new jerky maker.  Everyone who tasted it said it was good.  John spent the day trying to get the girls Ipod's to work.  After about 12 hours of trying to get the Ipods to work, he ended up loosing our internet connection in the process.  The next day he drove the kids into town, parked in front of an At&T store and had the Ipods working in a matter of minutes.  We should of just done that on Christmas day, instead of spending the whole day messing with them.  We had a great dinner. Ate way too much food, and had a good time spent with family.  The girls are both liking their Ipods very much.  John say's he wants one too.  We will have to see about that.

Tonsilectomy

Five years ago when Mikayla was 3 she had her adenoids removed.  At the time they kept her tonsils.  They thought her tonsils where enlarged because of the adenoids being so infected.  Everytime Mikayla goes to the doctor they comment on how large her tonsils are.  This year she has had strep throat 4 times over the course of 5 months.  Today her tonsils were removed.  And again, the doctor said "they were large".

Before Tonsilectomy:

John got to go in the surgery room with her while she was being put to sleep.  Here they are ready to go in.

After Tonsilectomy:

After surgery trying to eat a popsicle and stay awake. 

Tonsil Update: As of today 12/27/11 it has been 5 days since her surgery and it hasn't been easy.  We were told that she should be able to eat soft foods and smoothies the evening of the surgery.  She has yet to really be able to do this.  Throughout the day she alternates between pain medication and antibiotics every 2 hours.  Throughout the night she gets pain medication, fluids and popsicles every 4hours to help with her pain and soothe her throat.  It has been difficult for her to talk.  The first couple of days she communicated with us by writing on a dry erase board. Her ears hurt her off and on. She has had periods of time when she can't hold things down. She has had a couple days where she is some what "perky" for a while, only to be wiped out later.  We have been debating over taking her in to have her checked to make sure she isn't dehydrated.  As of today, we decided to wait one more day.  We will see what happens tomorrow.

Mikayla's 3rd Grade Ashlee's 5th Grade Xmas Parties

Today was the last day of school before Winter Break begins.  Mikayla's class wore their pajamas to school, made ornaments with their picture inside, watched The Polar Express and enjoyed hot chocolate, hot apple cider and cookies.

Mikayla with her ornament.  She gave it to John since I was in the class helping them make them.

 Ashlee's class had a pajama party.  They also got to have pizza for lunch, have a gift exchange, watch the movie Mr. Poppers Penguins and then they fed the class snake a huge rat (to hold him over until they returned from break).

The class watching Bart (the class snake) eat the rat. 

Moove and Groove Concert

The girl's school held a winter performance called The Moove and Groove Concert.  Both Ashlee and Mikayla had speaking parts in the performance and both did a great job.

Here are some pictures (sorry for the quality our camera doesn't do great dark pictures).

Ashlee top row 4th one from left
Mikayla bottom row third one in from left

Mikayla saying her speaking part

Mikayla and Allison dancing the peppermint twist.

Ashlee saying her speaking part. 

Alyssa and Jadyn (Ashlee's friends)singing solo the song "I Believe I Can Fly"

Blanket

The girls and I made this blanket for part of Grandpa Blain's Christmas gift.

Ward Christmas Party

Tonight was our ward Christmas Party.  My neice is in a Japanese Music Band at her school called Tyko.  Her school came and performed for our ward Christmas party so my brother and his kids came along to watch her play.  She did very well.  I am suprised how much noise comes out of those drums. 

Hailee 3rd one from left.

Hailee in the center

Mikayla, Landon, Dylan, Ashlee and Hailee with Santa.