Its impossible to try to catch up on everything, so I am going to just highlight a few things from fall, through this 'so called' winter thus far. In no particular order...
There is a redneck waterslide near our house that we rented as a ward, and the kids love it. Its like a giant slip and slide with carpet remnants underneath it to smooth it out a bit. It is actually steeper than it looks. Very fun!
We spent some time with my grandparents this fall in St. George, and we were able to spend several days in Zions. We did almost all of the hiking trails off of the main bus line, and a few on the far side of the tunnel. It was a great long weekend. I think the kids were spent,by the time we made it home for a new week of school. But they did great and love the outdoors.
Halloween! It is a great time of year. Most of you know I favor the holiday for more than ghouls and goblins. I am one of them. Our Piratey clan had a great year collecting booty from the neighbors and swaggerin' around the neighborhood.
Kael had and unfortunate accident. He was using his buck knife and from what we can gather it wasn't locked, adn it closed on his finger. It wasn't pretty, but we walked across the street to a very generous neighbor who checked it out, and we decided to head to his office to stitch it up, tendon and all. Kael was terrified, and of course we were both in tears. He sliced 40% of the tendon, and all the way to the joint. But in the end, the hand surgeon agreed that we would probably be okay with the stitches and wearing the splint for 2 weeks, and for safety sake to the joint, a good round of antibiotics. It healed beautifully!
Porter loves a good challenge. His school was competing between classes as to who could collect the most food for the food bank, and Porter took it to heart. Each day after school he would grab the wagon and go to a new part of the neighborhood and start collecting. He spent hours and hours in the freezing cold walking around our neighborhood. It paid off in the end, Porters class won the competition. Porter himself collected over 200 items. Way to go bud!
Brooklyn turned 2! She is so much fun. She loves to dance, which is hysterical to watch, she goes all out. She loves make up and is constantly adorned in what looks like clown make up. She is sassy, and spoiled and cute as can be. What else do I need to say, besides, she is the baby.
Reese was a super star in her school program. I think our favorite song was 'Toe-knee chest nut (head), nose, eye love you, toe, knee, nose... It is hillarious. She enjoys the stage and performed wonderfully.
I had to throw this in since it is my nemesis. It backs up and then I have a super laundry day. Whose to say Im not conquering mountains? The play is just so much more fun than the work. This is not a one time event, I'm just throwin' that out there. ;)
We splurged this year and took the kids on a helicopter tour of the valley. It was beautiful, and they loved every minute of it. It was Dec. 23rd, so the kids were getting a sneak peak of what Santa was going to be seeing of our home town.
Following the helicopter ride, we had a great steak dinner. Followed up by some flamming bananas foster. It was a great night.
The only down fall of the night came after we got home. 2 kids asleep, and rocking brooklyn, monitoring her fever I had just given her meds for her 104 deg. fever, she had a febralic seizure. It was terrifying. She just went limp, and was completely non responsive. We didn't identify it at the time, so we sped to the ER and hung out there for an hour or so. She finally came around. The doctors wanted to do a chest x ray and urinalysis, and identify the cause of the fever, but I had told them that It has been going around my house, and I chose to just watch her. The scariest part was not knowing which direction it was going. I didn't know if she would stop breathing, or code on me, and I wanted to be at the hospital, just in case. I am a CPR instructor, but for some reason it is just nice to know there is back up and more high tech tools if it leads to that. In the end they just released us, and she was fine. Her fever remained high for the following 3 days, never coming all the way down without a cool bath, but eventually it just dissipated, and she was good to go, but it made for a little stress over the x-mas holiday. All in all it turned out okay, and we are so grateful!
First glance at christmas morning. We had a great day.
The kids were fulfilled with their presents, legos, treasure chest, race car set, make up, dolls, jewlery boxes, new bedding, and more. We got a family wii, and several games, the kids were thrilled and played just dance 3 first thing. Trent spoiled me with lots of new dresses, shoes, and perfume. What more could a girl want? Trent got, shoes, and clothes, and a picture I framed for him of his dads hiking pictures and phrases he used to use all the time. It was a hit.
We spent the morning at home, and then went to grandma C. house, and ate lunch and more presents, and then out to G and G N. house for more food, more presents, more wonderful family, and up to the condo, to spend the entire christmas week, away, enjoying being together, Lord of the rings marathon, games, swimming, x box, puzzles, and great company. It was a fantastic year.
Cache turned 4. He is a ball of energy, emotion, and fight. He is sweet as candy, tough as a bull, and can drive me crazy with his whine. But he is cute as a button, with lashes that only a girl should be blessed with. We love him so much. He makes us laugh and is tenderhearted, and looks after his siblings, especially his younger sister.
Its great to be back. I enjoy the blogging world, and the great family and friends it keeps me close to. May the Lord bless each of you and your families this new year!
