Happy Halloween!!!

Trick or Treating had to be postponed at my house this year. On Monday I got a call from the health office at school. Bryan had thrown up and I had to go and get him. I could see the sadness in his little eyes when he asked if this meant he could not trick or treat. Well what in the world is a mother to do?!?!?!?! I was not sure if he had caught a "stomach flu" or if a migraine from his jaw expander had caused the "incident". So of course ,I did the most reasonable thing I could think of........ postpone Halloween. Bryan ate soda crackers and rested all afternoon and by evening seemed "fine". However, still not wanting to push the limit we took our baths early, cuddled up on mommy's bed and read a Halloween story. Then off to bed we went.

Saturday night with the help of some wonderful friends and my "favorite" uncle we had Halloween. We put on our costumes, loaded into the van and off we went. I think the kids scored better on a Non-Halloween day than they would have on the real deal. They had a blast and I think that when they are all grown up and remembering Halloween's past they will remember it the way I do...... a really fun day getting dressed up and making memories with family....... but not really remembering the year they almost didn't get to"trick or treat"!!!

We Love Disneyland!!!

Jay had his annual Disneyland conference about 3 weeks ago. However, now that commander is in his new job title...... he did not get to "sneak out" and "play" much with us the way we were used to. Which meant it was me and the kiddos. We had a blast!!!! Truly one of the best times I have ever had at Disneyland. The kids were great, the weather was great and the rides were fun. We made some great memories and this picture was captured by the Disneyland photographer as we were going from Tomorrowland to Frontier Land. I am going to try and get a slide show made soon with so many more fun pictures.

Just have to say it one more time, "WE LOVE DISNEYLAND!!!!

As a side note and funny story...... I did get in an argument with some obnoxious man who was 100% convinced that I had "tons" of help. Apparently, if you have a herd of children then "help" is automatic. After telling him more than once I did not have help, we were a military family and that we did not even live close to family ...... he once again told me how much "help" I had. I looked at him, looked at the kids and said , "right, I am here at Disneyland , alone with all of my children...... where is the "help" now!!! Perhaps they just ran away! "

Happy Baptism Day!!!!

Happy Baptism Day to our Crew!!! We are so proud of you!!! What a sight it was!!!


Of course, it was such a crazy event that we forgot to get pictures of everyone all dressed up and spiffy!!! The minute they made it through the door....... off went the dress clothes and directly on the floor they went. There was eating and playing to do. It was a fabulous day!!! Thank you Grandpa, Uncle Adam,Uncle Bert, and Uncle Bill for helping with the baptisms. Thank you Grandma, Elizabeth, and Connie for helping with food and fun. Thank you Sue and Deb for picking up sandwiches. Thank you Heather and kiddos for coming and sharing our special day with us. We love you all and appreciate all you did and how far you came to make this a wonderful celebration!!!

Oral surgery at 10?

Today was a rough day for "little" Tanner. (You know sometimes it is easy to forget that 10 is still "little". ) A couple of weeks ago our orthodontist was concerned because Tanner was missing some molars that should have erupted and they have not. He decided to do an x-ray to see what was going on. The discovery...... his wisdom teeth were blocking the molars and had pushed the molars sideways into the teeth in front. It was decided that we needed to proceed with oral surgery to remove them. If we waited the roots of the molars would fuse to the jaw bone and then that would be more problems in the future. Poor kiddo was so nervous (and the office was running about 15 minutes behind) he was hopping around the reception room. I tried to get him to sit still but there was going to be none of that. (if you look closely you can see nervous written all over his handsome "little" face).



It was extremely successful and they were able to get all four removed along with up-righting the molars. He struggled a bit coming out of anesthesia. (He wanted to keep sleeping and tried to convince the entire office that there were more fish in the fish tank than any of them could see!) The doctors and staff were fabulous. They took such great care of him and, of course, loved my "little" brown eyed man!!! They warned me that when he gets older I am going to be in big trouble. (he will be a big ladies man) I think a couple of the nurses would take him home now if they could. I am so proud of Tanner he did great and as always did his best to smile through whatever comes at him. Sleep well our "little" man!!!

The Ickies have arrived!!!

Well it is true. The ICKIES are here!!!! I guess it is not too bad, considering it has been almost 3 weeks since school has started. Bryan was the 1st one down, Tanner right behind, Hunter and Cassie now, still waiting for the other two to start showing signs!!! The good news is.... it does not seem to be completely horrible or last too long. Futhermore..... if you can look this "cool" sick why not try it out. :>

Hoping all our PEEPS stay well!!

Malts Make Everything Better!!!

This is the face of my brave little man!!! Bryan has had some strange "throwing" up attacks. As I monitored them for about a year and tried to figure out what was going on or what might be triggering them I started to get "concerned". So I finally decided it was time to rule out the scary possibilities. Off to the doctor we go. They were not sure what was going on either so over to the lab to draw blood. 4 vials! He did his best to put on his brave face and no tears!!! (I was so impressed because I don't do needles. It does not matter how many times I have been poked I still HATE them, so he was much more brave than I have ever been!)

We finally get the labs back and instead of having answers..... we only have more questions. This time they want to see him back and also do an upper GI. No food or drink for 12 hours, (which seems to set off the issue for us ) but we follow directions and head to that appointment and then back to the doctor's office. Of course, they were behind schedule so now he is starving as it is almost noon. She wants more blood work. Really?!?! Back to the lab we go.

This time the nurse cannot find a vein. She has poked but nothing so she starts to move the needle around in hopes of getting something without having to poke again. I can see the look on my little man's face and big tears starting to form in those gorgeous blue eyes. (for the record... Bryan is the only one who can make me feel bad about anything, those eyes kill me everytime!) I go over and hold him and tell him it is okay to cry and down come the tears. The dear nurse apologizes and explains that since he is fasting he is a bit dehydrated and she has to try again. I can see the fear in his eyes. I want her to take my blood instead but that won't work. So with his lip quivering she goes to the other arm. Luckily it worked. 3 more vials of blood.

Of course, after that I do the only thing I know how to make everything better. Yup you guessed it, my favorite ice cream treat..... MALTS!!! Yes indeed. We have a winner!!! He even looks happy!!! Some days it is so hard to be the Mom!!! I hate to see them hurt and not be able to do something to make it all go away. As for the answers........ we are still waiting for labs to come back, however we are getting closer to figuring it out and the "scary" stuff has all been ruled out!!! But my friends.... never underestimate the healing power of ICE CREAM!!!

1st Day of School 2011

Where did my little ones go? I cannot believe how fast they grow up. And knowing I am 100% biased...... What a great looking group of kids!!


Tanner 5th Grade Hunter 4th Grade

Cassie 2nd Grade Nathan 2nd Grade


Jayson 2nd Grade Bryan 2nd Grade

Jayson told me Sunday..... "my feet are excited for the 1st day of school, but not the rest of me". By morning the rest of hi was excited but you can see nervous on his face. Luckily, they all had a great day and love their teachers. This is the 1st year that they have been able to go back to the same school for a 3rd year. I am so relieved for them!!!

Saw this quote on my calendar and want to always remember it......" Over and over again, my children open my eyes to places and pleasures I might have otherwise missed altogether."- Katrina Kenison

May you all remember to enjoy life through the eyes "little ones"!!!!