Halloween 2012

We didn't go to any pumpkin patch this year,  but I did go to the grocery store to pick out our supply for Jack-o-lanterns.  To spice things up a bit, we took the kids on a little scavenger hunt around the neighborhood to find their pumpkins.  Jason would give them a clue to come find me, and then I would give another clue to go find their dad.  After several rounds, they found Jason with a pile of pumpkins and each chose their favorite.  The kids were such good sports (Emily and Adam even wore pajamas.)  

Jason shuffled around with his brace, but without his walker.  

Two weeks out from surgery and he'd made so much progress already.

TRUNK-or-TREAT

Four weeks out from surgery, and Jason's first big adventure was to the church parking lot for the Trunk-or-Treat.  It was pretty fun to see friends and be all together.  

Adam was a cowboy...so happy to wear his boots.  

Emily was a butterfly...so happy to have her face painted.  

Ben was Indiana Jones...so happy to carry a whip.  

Nate was a gnome...so happy to make everyone laugh.

Ever since last Spring, Ben has been planning to be Harry Potter for Halloween.  We found a costume to borrow, he grew his hair out to be long and shaggy and we've loved reading the books together.  Unfortunately and unexpectedly, the day before the school "Spooky Hop" he declares that he cannot and he will not be Harry Potter this year.  He gets upset...there might have been a few tears...and I could tell this was something that really mattered.  We scrambled together the Indiana Jones coat and hat and all our Halloween fun was not lost.  When we arrived at the school party and I saw that Ben's friend from class, Danielle, was dressed up as Ginny Weasley (the girl who marries Harry Potter in the end) I knew why my sweet third grader had to make a quick costume change.  Ben didn't want to marry Danielle...even if it was just for Halloween.

Here's Adam and Jason at the school parade.

TRICK-or-TREAT

First stop, Grandma JoAnne's house.

Here are all the Taylor/Asay kids trick-or-treating together.

It's our Halloween tradition that we hope never ends.

Before Surgery - Cable Cars

On Labor Day, we went into the city so Jason, Emily and Adam could experience their first-ever ride on a Cable Car.  The sky was blue, the chocolate ice cream at Ghirardelli was creamy, the cable cars were crowded, and we drove home knowing we have the best kids...

...always up for an adventure.  It was my favorite kind of day!

  

  

Before Surgery - 9-26-12

All our stars aligned and the day before Jason's surgery, the kids didn't have to go to school.  We let him choose how to spend our "last day" together and he decided to go on a drive, go on a hike, and eat lunch at Alice's.   

It was perfect!

  

Here is Adam calling out to the boys and listening for them to answer.

It was perfect...until the insurance people called and told us the surgery (the one scheduled for the very next day, the one both our parents had rearranged their lives for, the one we had stocked our shelves and fridge getting ready for, the one we put everything on hold for) hadn't been approved and we wouldn't be covered.  Great!  

Needless to say, the magic wore off and reality set in during lunch.  Lots of phone calls later, everything worked out and then the hospital called and said to come at 5:30 a.m. instead of 1:30p.m.  That's when I realized I wasn't ready.  That's when I started crying.

Surgery...and Blogging

Last night the kids and I stayed up way too late reading this blog...all they way back to 2008.  

I LOVE IT!  I love reading and remembering.  I wish I had captured all the memories that happened in between posts.  So here's to a fresh start.  I'll try to catch up on some things or I might just start from today.  Here goes...

I took this picture of Jason's socks in the recovery room after his "Lumbar Fusion" back surgery on September 27th, 2012.  (The kids thought it was pretty cool that they were Yahoo! purple.)  We were lucky enough to get a sneaky nurse who let me in to see him as soon as he was waking up.  It was so loud in the recovery room.  Lots of people; lots of hurting people.  And lots of moving, ringing, beeping and conversations.  A lady two beds down was non-stop moaning and groaning.  Jason was so sweet to me as the anesthesia was wearing off.  He just kept asking how I was doing; holding my hand and making sure I was okay.  He was tired, but bright.  

Jason stayed in the hospital for 6 days.  He seemed so alert.  It's only now that I refer to things that happened...like visits from friends, watching a movie with the boys, or playing Connect Four on the hospital TV with Emily, or bribing Adam with gum...and he has no recollection, that I realize how drugged he really was.

I slept there a few nights, thanks to my parents, who came to our rescue and took care of everything while we were trying to figure things out.  My dad drove the kids to school and my mom was sure to keep everything at home in order; which made such a difference, when all else seemed beyond my control.  Jason's mom came right after my parents left.  She helped me coordinate all the hourly medications and even taught me how to make the perfect spinach-filled smoothie...needless to say, we felt strengthened and watched over during a vulnerable, emotional time.  I can't even say enough "thank yous" for the meals, visits, treats, play-dates and favors...all the hundreds of ways people supported us.

Our world stopped for a little while during Jason's recovery...I only made our bed three times in three months....because usually someone was lying in it.  We stayed busy with basics and genuinely enjoyed so much time together.  

Jason went back to work on January 2nd.  
He is strong and we are grateful.  

12.5 Years Later

Work Hard, Play Hard

With all the playing that we did while we were in Utah this summer...the kids worked a little bit too.  We picked apricots and learned to make fruit leather and banana bread with Grandma Gerri.  And the boys helped Grandpa mow the lawn.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bear Lake

I can't really do our Bear Lake Family Reunion justice with pictures or words.

So here's to the memories and the amazing time we had with my family.

 

  

Everyone made tie-dye T-shirts (thanks to Aunt Karalee).