Discovery Gateway

We went on a field trip to Discovery with Karson's preschool class last Thursday. It was a really fun place to discover many things. It was hard to keep track of my kids in this big place full of a bunch of kids, but I managed. I saw an old friend who I played soccer with for 8 years or so, Debra Kelly. She was there with her preschooler. It was fun to catch up on her and what's happening. She says hi to Monica and others. There are a bunch of pictures showing some of the fun activities located at this place.
Dress up!

Building creations. This machine also moves with the controllers that Karson is using.
Driving

Karson loves to draw.

Science center. Karson could stay at this place for hours. I am sure we'll be going back.

Brynn loved the balls.
Hulla Hoop Fun

This is a mini house with mini furniture. Brynn was playing house for a long time with some other friends.

On the boat with Matthew(Sam's little brother).

Spencer was throwing the balls as fast as he could grab them. Good thing they are soft!

Passenger in the car.

Water fun. There were these balls(you can see them), and Spencer would put them in the tubes and the water would float the balls to the bowls. Spencer could have stayed here the entire time, but mom didn't want him any wetter. Fun trip!

More Sledding Fun

Sorry I have so many pictures of sledding and winter fun, however, it is what we are doing for fun. We love to play in the snow. The kids wanted to sled, so Tyler shoveled snow onto the sidewalk and made a big barrier at the road so the kids would not go into the road. It has been a bunch of fun!! I like it even more because it is in my yard and I don't have to worry about the kids crossing the street.

Karson says he's flying down the hill. Can you tell?
Spencer is trying to copy dad. His parents must have forgotten for a bit that it was 25 degrees. He has no coat, or shoes right here. It was shortly after that we bundled him up. He only lasted like that for a couple of minutes.

Braden and Mason

Dad and Brynn. She has sled more on this than anyone else. She absolutely loves it!

Not sure at first, but enjoys it now. You will notice the next picture has him bundled up.

Snow Fort

Snow fort
Karson and Colin enjoying the safe zone.
Snowball fun.


Our snow fort is fun, but does not even come close in comparison to our neighbors who originally built a igloo, then continued with the next storm and made a double igloo. It is awesome, and they even invited us to sleep in it, we declined. (the kids need to be older -- and we need to be healthy first) We did however enjoy making this fort. Actually, Tyler and I did 90% of it. The kids always enjoy playing in it. Mostly they hide in it from others who are throwing snow balls. It is kinda the "safe zone."

Below is a picture of our neighbors igloo.
It is 11 feet in diameter at the bottom.
They all slept out in it several nights.
This is before they added another room onto in.

Huge Truck

This huge Tonka Truck is Spencer's. He loves to climb in it, as does Brynn. We were playing around, and I just took some pictures. Thought I would post. Enjoy!

What's so funny?

These pictures explain it all. Spencer was eating a bowl of mac and cheese when I saw this thing sticking out of his nose. I love when their little hands grab hand fulls of food and just stuff it in their mouth. This is exactly what happened, however, one just seemed to get stuck in his nose. He didn't even know, because he just kept on eating. We saw it get pushed up into his nose a bit further and decided to move it so that we would not have to visit the doctor and have them remove it. (My friend had to have a doctor remove a bead from her sons nose that he stuffed up) He might scold me later for posting such a picture, but it is all about fun memories.

My first Hate Note

Ok, so today is a big day. I received my first "I haet mom" written on a paper from Braden. Actually, Braden wrote it down after school today when I told him that he could not have the snack he wanted. He was really angry with me, but I didn't want to spoil his dinner. So, Braden went to his room. He has a pad of paper in there and has written "I love Life" on it. I noticed this several days ago. Tonight, as I was cleaning up and helping get the kids to bed, I picked up the pad of paper (which was tucked away in the corner), and saw the words "I haet mom." Braden was sick, he smiled and said "no mom, your not supposed to see that." I smiled back and just chuckled. I told him that I loved him and that I wanted to show dad. I tore the page off, and told him he could keep the pad and write more when he felt like he needed to. He was a little embarrassed, but I didn't make a big deal of it.

It is so fun to have the kids making such strides. Although he spelled hate wrong, he used his knowledge of the english language that he has learned in school to sound it out. Rule: when two vowles go walking, the first one says its own name and the second in silent. Instead of yelling at me, he is finding out that a journal or note type thing is just fine.

Karson's Surgery

Karson had tubes put in his ears approx 2.5 years ago. Around last summer/fall, his ear started leaking this gooey, mucus like stuff out of it. A visit to the doctor didn't produce any results, so we saw the ENT who scheduled surgery to re-tube him. He saw that the tube was not working anymore, but it has lodged itself inside the ear and had not allowed the middle ear to heal correctly. So, back in November of 2007, Karson got tubes again.

During the surgery, the doctor found a Chlosteotoma(I don't know if that is spelled right) in his ear. This thing is most likely the cause of the incorrect healing and needed to be removed. So, last week on Friday, Karson had ear surgery again. The doctor said that it was a successful surgery. There is a period of 6-8 months of close watching of the healing of the ear. If it does not heal correctly, doctor could have to go in and fix the hole caused by this cyst.

Through all of this, Karson has not been hearing very well. In fact, it was frustrating him and us because he couldn't hear out of his left ear much. Karson has bounced out of surgery and literally been fabulous. He says his ear doesn't hurt, and that he can hear better. Thank goodness for medicine and the technologies of today. I love my Karson and he has been a trooper with all this medical treatment. Thanks to all who said prayers in our behalf.

New Years Fun

On Saturday before the New year, after our fun time at the ranch, we continued out to Wyoming to see Brad and Jan for the New Year. My kids, who enjoy playing in their yard were highly disappointed when it was around zero degrees with a wind chill that made the temperatures even worse. I-80 was even closed to traffic all of Sunday. It was freezing, and we played inside. My kids enjoy playing board games with Brad and Jan, and they especially love that Brad will wrestle with them.
We watched a movie for the New Year, and put the kids to bed early. They are too young to understand why you need a big party for the New Year. And, we were feeling under the weather and needed sleep. We enjoyed our time, and are grateful for their hospitality, and Jan's yummy food. Tyler feels right at home with your good cooking. Thanks.
We are especially sorry for any sick bugs that we left behind. It is always better to be under the weather at your own home than at others.


Brad is holding Karson so anyone can tickle him.


Brynn is not scared to wrestle. She makes the best faces and is real tough.

Brynn is throwing a pillow at Brad.

Boys Snowboarding

Dallin brought his snowboard and we all had fun riding. This is the first time the boys have tried this. They did awesome considering the board is Dallin's size.

The first two times down the hill is Karson. Braden is the last time down the hill.

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Video Clips of Ranch

Here are short clips of pulling the kids and sledding on the weekend before Christmas. You can see the double hill as Karson gets splashed with snow in the face but recovers nicely. We sure had fun.

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Snow Fun at the Ranch

At the end of December, there was plenty of snow at the ranch to have a bunch of fun. We pulled the kids behind the 4-wheeler for a fun ride the weekend before Christmas and then again the weekend after. The first time was fun, but Santa knew we needed face and neck guards, and goggles for more warmth. The second time was even better because of the warmth and our friends came with us. We also got treated to a great ride on some snowmobiles. Thanks Nate!

Dallin came and brought his snowboard. We all took a turn, and I must say that my boys are naturals. Karson has dreams of going snowboarding by himself, and he wants to buy snowmobiles also. Surprise? No, he just loves to have fun.
Dallin and Brynn

Dad and Braden. Braden was scared to go on this machine at first. We had to sweet talk him into giving it a try and dad promised to go slow. He did go slow for the first 50 yards and then punched it. That is just like Tyler. As far as Braden, he had fun and was glad he stepped out of his box and tried.

Dad and Karson. Nate giving instructions. Karson had one of the best thrills of his life.


This coat is awesome. Spencer was very warm as he was inside the coat with me.

Tyler has not snowboarded for nearly ten years. Last time he tried, he broke his collar bone. I am happy to report--no broken bones!!

Mom even tried and did pretty good.

Karson being pulled behind the wheeler.

Braden covered with snow after a ride. He is warm!! Thanks for the face protector and goggles.

Can you even tell this is Brynn?

Help! I can't move in this thing.
Much better, no bundles, and cheetos!

This is the first time at the ranch. Karson learned the importance of his coat being zipped up all the way. His neck was not frozen this way.

The crew getting ready the first weekend.
Brynn smiling.

Mom and Brynn went sledding. This picture is very deceiving. It wasn't fun to go sledding in this sled on this certain hill. There is a double hill(you can see it in the video clip on the next blog). Mom and Brynn got stuck and the bottom of the first hill. The sled would nose dive into the snow and we would fall out. After trying three times, Brynn crying hysterically, face covered in snow, screaming no, no, and swinging her arms in disgust, I finally gave in and didn't try again. The nice thing is that she trusts her dad to sled with her. He went on the "better" part of the hill and she liked it then. Glad there was a good ending.