Life in general

I haven't been sleeping well lately, and today I took a 3 hour nap. Looks like I won't be going to sleep anytime soon. I figured I might update this a bit seeing as I haven't done anything in months. 
Pictures aren't going to happen- I have to update my account and pay in order to put pictures up...I'm going to figure out a way around that one. 
Anyway- life is continuing on. Seeing as this is a journal of sorts I will just update so I can keep track of things. 
Halloween was great- we have the best neighborhood. Seriously, people bus in to our neighborhood in order to trick or treat. We ate a fun dinner with our neighbors then headed out for trick or treating. Miles made it maybe 1/4 of the way down the street and decided to lay down because he was tired. So- he laid there in the middle of the street (Dustin ran back to the house and grabbed the double stroller) we hoisted him in there and continued. Kids got a plethora of candy and are still eating it to this day (December 10th). I think next year we might donate the candy the day after and just be done with it. 
Miles birthday was the day we were leaving to go skiing so we planned a birthday party the week before. Sadly, I ended up in the hospital the day of his party so we had to cancel it. He really didn't care- luckily he is so easy going as long as he got some presents he was ok. My mom ended up coming down to help out while I was in the hospital so Miles got to open his presents in front of her. 
Hospital- I went to bed Thursday November 8th after hosting a wonderful baby shower. About 11 I woke up with pains worse than child birth. I WAS DIEING. I lasted till about 1 until I finally woke dustin up and told him I was going to the ER- not to worry, and that i could go by myself he could stay with the children. (I'm not very dramatic, and don't want a fuss being made). I got to the ER about 2 AM and told them that I was dieing- they laughed, then heard that it was a kidney stone and took me more serious. They got an IV started and started pushing all sorts of drugs- morphine (Which just to remember makes me feel like i am riding a rollercoaster- almost like whiplash). Lots of zofran... (because I was violently ill). They took the cat scan-and found that I have 2 kidney stones. 1 in my left kidney that is just hanging out and the one in my right was stuck in my uriter. Stuck -so that it was creating an infection in my kidney, in my bladder everywhere. After finding this they started moving really fast- I saw the specialist and they told me the first thing they needed to do was place a stint running from my kidney to my bladder to bypass the stone. I started getting a tad nervous (this whole time I had zero cell reception) and then all of a sudden like an angel my running partner/neighbor/best friend shows up. She showed up to just be there for me- sitting in the ER, going with me to the OR, then waiting for me while I was in surgery. I have been truly blessed with her living across the street- she is a wonderful example of what I want to be... ANYWAY- they wheeled me into the OR, put me on the table then the last thing I remember is the dr. putting something in my iv to help calm me down. I woke up and the pain was gone- hallelujah! I spent the night in the hospital and came home the next day to a family that missed me (especially a nursing baby). 
The next week we left for Utah to go skiing for Thanksgiving. We drove up there, took us about 21 hours to get up there and the kids did great. We got to spend a lot of quality time with my mother-in-law and sisters. They got to try snowboarding for the first time which was a real treat. Halle and Bennett picked up skiing right back where they left off. Miles also got to get up on skis- took him two days of me dead lifting him until he finally got the idea then finally on day 4 he would support his weight and go down the mountain (still in between legs). We got to play and have a lot of fun- I always love visiting the mountains. Such a nice treat. Excited we get to go back for Christmas, and yes we will be driving again...but hey- after adding up the total for gas vs how much it would cost to fly i would drive any day.
We are gearing up for Christmas, I have about 95% of my shopping done and wrapped. I am really not wanting to stress out last minute about any of this stuff. We are doing the elf thing this year- Charlie is his name- and he is super mischievous! Just this morning we caught him in the bath with barbie...a bath of marshmallows! The kids love that they have someone watching them and reporting nightly to Santa. Makes it nice for us! 
And last but not least- Tomorrow morning I am heading in to surgery up at MH. They will be removing my kidney stone- woohoo. I am not really nervous i just want that sucker out of me! They were going to blast it with a laser (or whatever) but after seeing that it was 1cm big they decided they were just going to skip the laser and go ahead and remove it manually. I am not really nervous (I think), I am more excited to get this thing out. I am not looking forward to the anaesthesia (made me a tad sick last time), but I do get to report 2 hours early so I have my Kindle all loaded with good books and I am ready to relax. Honestly- how often do I get to sit by myself for a couple hours to read and relax?? My friends are really stepping up in helping with us tomorrow. It is always so nice to have friends willing and able to help out...really takes a load off. 
And that wraps it up- if you have made it this far congratulations. You now have the update of our life! 

Bennett' big day

Bennett's big day finally came- he was so excited to have a birthday. 

Blowing out the candle on the cupcake-

 His little cheerleader- this guy will laugh and smile- he is so happy!

 Bennett LOVED opening presents-

 and the legos were a huge hit.

 The next morning he woke up bright and early for his first baseball game- He is really good at hitting the ball!!

 Miles wants to play SO bad, sadly he has to wait at least another year due to his age. (darn fall birthdays)

 After his game, he came home and changed to get ready for his water party. The biggest request was to have lots of water balloons- so we delivered.... actually my sweet mother in law who came out for the birthday filled up all the water balloons!

 The kids enjoying hotdogs and being goofy!

 Spiderman pinata-

 Miles had a mean swing at the pinata too-

 And he really wanted a FIRE cake...not quite sure where that came from, but I made a fire cake.

Happy Birthday Benny bo boo!! 

First Day of School

Halle's first day of 2nd grade- We LOVE LOVE LOVE our new school!!

She gets to ride her bike to school every day! (bless me)

 Her little bike parked and ready

 Here she is in her classroom- excited for her first day!!

 Bennett and his excited/nervous grin.

 He was stoked to be doing one last year of preschool (sarcasm) he REALLY wanted to be going full day to Kinder but he missed the cut off by 7 days....so sad.

 I think this little guy is excited that he still has his big bro to play with for one more year

The big day 7!!

I forgot to mention that my mother-in-law came in town to help with the birthday party and to celebrate with us too! It was so nice having her there! 

 We had so much fun with Grammy-

 And then right after Grammy left on Sunday mid-day, we had my parents show up. Halle's birthday was on monday so she wanted a big party with grandma and grandpa peterson with homemade pizza, and a giant fruit salad.

 It was a lot of fun (If you can't tell by Alex's face)

 Halle loved being the center of attention

 She especially loved her new desk in her room-

 And loved the presents that Bennett gave her- they really are the best of buds.

 Miles was along for the ride, but loved the one on one time he got with Alex during bath time.

Halle's Birthday party

Halle wanted to enjoy the "nice" weather and have a fun water party outside. So, in the triple digit heat we had a water party! We had lots of fun games,

 A cute little man-

 A wicked swing at the pinata-

 A pink ombre cake-

 with lots of kids to eat it

 ice cream didn't even stay on the plates because it was too hot

 and or course lots of water slides and friends to enjoy it

San Antonio & Denton

Dustin went on his big trip this summer so we thought we would meet up with my parents in San Antonio and then go up to Denton together. The first day we went to Sea World....phew that was HOT! I think the kids had a blast...sorry no pics to show from it! The next day on our way out of town we stopped by the San Antonio temple- it is so pretty! It is set up on a hill so you can pretty much see the whole city! 

 The kids walking with Pops-

 Sugar with Mr. Rowe

 And had to try and get a decent family shot in front of it-

Halle's dance recital

Halle had a dance recital the end of May and it was so much fun to watch her perform- she learned so much this past year with Mrs. Tricia's dance class!! 

 We even had the opportunity to have my mother-in-law and sister-in-law in town for the recital!

 The boys loved cheering her on- you can tell they totally adore her.

 And of course, Daddy's little girl.

 Her dance teacher

 Another pic with grammy