Fun with Andrea and Don

Nathaniel, Jarom, Rachel, Emily and I where invited to meet Don and Andrea in Lava Hot Springs. I think that we all had a blast. It was so freezing cold, but the hot pools were nice and hot. I know Jarom had a blast and didn't want to come home, Rachel was trying so hard and still had fun, but it was to cold outside for her and she wouldn't stay in the water. I had a lot of fun, but didn't get to do a whole lot of swimming due to the factor that it was way to cold to take Emily out. We learned that after we had already taken her swimming and her poor little head was almost frozen. Thanks for letting us come guys!!! Don and Andrea letting (helping) the kids pick out songs from the jukebox. We were all waiting for our food the first night there. The pizza was great and the kids had fun picking out music from the jukebox. All of us except for Emily and I getting ready to go out swimming in the hot pools. It wouldn't have been that cold, I think, if it was not for that chilly, cold wind. Andrea and Don bravely taking Jarom in the cooler of the hot pools. He really warmed up to Don and Andrea from this trip real quick. Don watching Nathaniel get out of the cold and into the pools. I wish I got to go in one last time. Nathaniel and Jarom were swimming in the background, waiting for Rachel to join in. Don and Andrea helping Rachel get in the pool. She was a little bit unsure about getting in, but didn't want to stay out in the cold. Don and Nathaniel talking while holding Jarom, and Andrea and Rachel swimming around. I just thought these pictures were really cool looking with the steam from the hot pools. This was Don and I wanted to make sure that we had pictures of Don and Andrea, because we don't really get to be with them that often. This is a picture of Andrea swimming with Rachel. I don't know if she was starting to bring Rachel in or if they were just swimming. I guess it doesn't matter what they where doing it was a cool picture also. Rachel got so cold Andrea brought her in and put nice warm water in the tub to help Rachel warm up quicker in the hotel. This was our dinky little room that Nathaniel and Jarom slept in. I shared the room through the door with Rachel and Emily. I was more worried about Emily sleeping through the night, but I should have been more worried about sharing a bed with Rachel. She likes to move around in her sleep and I ended up getting kicked all night in the back and having feet plop on my head and twisted in my hair. It really was fun, but next time Nathaniel can sleep in the bed with Rachel. Don and Andrea was in the room on the other side of us. We really did have fun and Jarom is all ready trying to talk us in to going back in the summer.

Christmas party at school

Jarom had his Christmas party at school on Tuesday the 18th. He has been so excited for this party to begin, mainly to see Santa and tell him he wants an Omnitrix (Ben 10 watch). Not only did Santa come, but Mrs. Claus came also. It was different to see Jarom in his school setting. The whole time I was there he wouldn't say a thing, until Santa came, then he said really fast, I want a "Ben 10 Watch". Jarom said it so fast, I don't think that Santa heard what he said. Jarom didn't say a word after that. He is a totally different kid at school then he is at home. Rachel was so excited to be at his school. She doesn't like it when Jarom takes off to school or parties and she can't go. She really misses playing with him. She did have fun at his school though, and the teachers where really nice and let her eat snacks with Jarom. Fun was had by all!

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Visiting with Kevin

Saturday Nathaniel, the kids and I went to visit with Kevin. He looked like he was in good spirits and I am glad we went. We didn't stay to long because of kids falling asleep on the floor and a fussy baby. The kids were a bit shy around him, but they don't know him yet. Emily let him hold her for a while, just staring at him, trying to figure him out I guess. Any way, Kevin was glad to see us, especially since the only child he has seen in our family was Jarom. That was the last time he had been to Utah, and Jarom was only around, but I was pregnant with Rachel. Kevin and Emily meeting for the first time. Emily deciding what to think about this stranger to her. She decided that he was okay and would allow Kevin to hold her for a while.

Snow day!

Okay, so everyone has been so good about taking pictures of their kids playing in the snow. I didn't get any pictures, but I was out there playing with them. Nathaniel didn't get any pictures either, because he was trying to rest his back so that he could try and get to work for a couple of hours. Jarom and Rachel, where so cute though! They had on their snow suits and hats and gloves. We built a snowman just a little bit bigger then Jarom. It was fun to watch Jarom and Rachel each roll the snowballs for the body. I of course made the head. Then to watch them hunt our yard for two sticks for the arms. We are still looking for the eyes, nose, and mouth. I had to go in shortly after the Snowman to take care of Emily. The kids still played in the back yard. Nathaniel and I are so glad that we have Rachel and Emily for Jarom to play with, because it wouldn't have been as much fun for him to play in the snow alone. Once I had Emily to sleep, then the three of us made snow angels, a start of a fort (one brick made) and we had a fun little snowball fight. Shortly after, we all came in and had Hot Chocolate, YUMMY!!

surgery update

We went in Thursday, Nov. 15, at 11:30 in the morning. First of all a very HUGE THANK YOU to Marvin and Denise for taking Jarom and Rachel! Nathaniel's surgery went pretty quick, but we had to wait between 21/2 to 3 hours for him to be put in a room. Apparently, this new hospital, Inter mountain Medical Care, built about 200 rooms, but didn't think they would need it. Duh, what are they thinking when they combine and close the two hospitals. Anyway I sat in the sitting room for 4 hours and around 5 or 5:30 he was finally placed in a room. That waiting room was so packed and the sad thing is only about two of the many families in there waiting was waiting for surgery. Yes we where all waiting on rooms. Anyway, to get back on track, They said "it", I guess doctor Berry meant the disc, said it slid to the one below it and was pressing against two of his nerves. One of the nerves being the one that controls the bladder. He said that Nathaniel did well, and he looked really good. Nathaniel, regurgitated as soon as he came out of it, and started again last night. He also called me this morning and said that he started to have a panic attack and that he still has a monstrous headache. He was supposed to come home today, Friday, but I don't think he will. We will see.

Tagged

Six things about me. Let me think for a moment about that. I don't feel like there is anything all to interesting about me, but here it goes.

1. I love to do things with my hands. I was never really good in school except when I had classes that I used my hands, instead of memorizing dates and facts. I think one of my favorite classes I took was pottery and aerobics.
2. love to cook. I'm not to good at the baking, but the cooking I am pretty good at, which I think I spoiled Nathaniel. He hates to eat out, because he thinks the quality isn't very good, I can make something for cheaper and feed our family, plus some. Of course, for us eating out is fast food.
3. I love being a stay at home mother. I love the fact that I get to watch my children grow up and see all the cute things that they do. It just amazes me to see the things they learn and that they pick up on so quickly. I love that they love to be with me and do everything that I am doing. They especially love to help me out in the kitchen.
4. I wish that I practiced more on the piano, because that is a talent that I now wish that I developed.
5. I love poetry! Not only do I love to read it, but I like to wite my own also. I don't ever share my writings for fear of embarrassment. I think they are good enough for me, but not for others.
6. I love being in Young Womens! It is a little time consuming, with all the activities, but I love being with the youth. I also love serving with the Leaders that I serve with. They are all so wonderful!

I would love to here about six things that my friends Stephanie, Clover, Amy, Jenny, Cherrie and of course Alahnna like. You have all been tagged!

Fishes

Once again, I took the kids to the Living Planet Aquarium. They love to go there and see all the different fish, frogs and so forth. Their favorite part is of course, the feeling pool. They also love it when the octopus is awake and moving around. That has only happened two times that we have been there. They also like to sit and watch the movie about the sharks and whales. Their other favorite is to watch the shark and run away when the sharks come close to the window. That place is fun, they have so many fun things to do there. They also like to just sit down and drive the boat. That is probably where we have the most pictures. The first time we went was with Andrea, who knew what she started.

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HALLOWEEN

I wanted to say a big thanks to Chelsea, Matthew and Melissa. The kids had a ton of fun at the "Trunk-or-Treat". They especially had fun with baby Matthew. Then on Halloween it was off to Grammy and Grandaddy Ash for more trick or treats. They had so much fun and love to be with their little cousin. This is what we where for Halloween. Nathaniel was Zorro, I was a witch, Emily was a bunny, Rachel was Sleeping Beauty, and Jarom was the Bad Spiderman.Matthew, Melissa, and Matthew came with us to our ward trunk or treat along with Chelsea. The kids had fun! On Halloween Rachel and Emily decided to change their costumes. Rachel wanted to be a fairy princess adnd Emily was Cinderella. Of course, they are both princesses! Isn't Emily so cute! She had fun just watching everyone else prance around with their candy. She did try to sneak one herself. Rachel was so excited to just get into her candy. Thanks Grammy for the invite to come trick or treat at your place.

Nathaniels Bad Back

Nathaniel and I went early Monday morning to talk to a surgeon about his MRI and to talk about different options he has. Basically the Disk between his L4 and L5 spine bones is so bad that if he twists or bends or hurts his back any further he will have loss of control over his bladder. He has lost the reflexes in his left leg and barely has any in his right. All in all, He doesn't really have any other option except to have surgery! The good news is that as far as back surgery goes, this is one of the more minor surgeries. The healing aspect isn't to difficult from the sounds of it either. The surgeon said he could be driving about four days after the surgery. Of course, it depends on how he is feeling. He also has genetic deterioration of the disk. There really isn't much he can do for that except lose weight, exercise, that type of stuff. I will post how things go after he has had his surgery. All we know is that he will have it Thursday, November 8th. We will know what time the night before.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Grandpa has turned 100 years old. I just wanted to wish him a very happy Birthday and to put a memory I have of him. I remember always going up to sleep at his house and he would always tell me back stories, and take us swimming. He is the one who taught me how to dive. He would also give us (his granddaughters) rides on his motorcycle. I will always remember the stories he would tell us about his youth. How it was growing up during the depression and how he blew up the mountain and so forth. The songs that he would sing and how he would just love to be around other people. He loved to jump on the trampoline with us, up to his mid eighties. After that he just enjoyed watching us. I remember he would always record us just being silly, and had more compassion for strangers then anyone I know. He really is my biggest example of being Christlike to others. I am so glad that we had a party to celebrate Grandpa (William Paul Faddis)! We love you! I am also so glad that Bekie was able to fly in from Arizona and surprise us all for this special event. Thanks Chalese and Bekie for the surprise. I think the only thing that could have made it any more special would have been if the Autrey family and Kevin could have been here.

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Witches at Gardner Village

I took Jarom, Rachel and Emily to see the "Witches" with Nathaniel. We all enjoyed it and took a few pictures. Jarom really looks forward to seeing the witches, and we have gone for the past couple three years now. It was fun to see that Gardner Village has mixed it up a little bit. They have added some new witches and have moved the locations of the other witches. Jaroms' favorite witch is still the "Witchy Poo". Rachel is still scared of the witches, but is fine if Nathaniel is with her. It was fun with Emily also. Then we went back a couple of days later with our playgroup. It was fun to watch all the kids run around and play.

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Dancing with the stars

Jarom and Rachel Laughed their heads off when Alysha did her JibJab that they wanted one of their own. They love to see these JibJab almost every night at least three times. They love to dance with this video.

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

At the "Big Top"

I just wanted to give Marvin and Denise a big thank you from the kids for taking them to the Circus. They had a lot of fun and still where their hats. Thank you also for letting Nathaniel and I tag along! Jarom was so excited when they sat down, and loved watching the clowns. He is our little "Bello". Rachel and Jarom said their favorite part was the cotton candy. Emily even enjoyed the circus. She was really good thru the whole show.

Rachel also enjoyed the popcorn and sitting with Grandaddy. Jarom eating some cotton candy. Jarom and Rachel missed the tigers because they decided they wanted Grammy to take them potty. It was probably a good thing though, cause the kids would have been friughtened by them. They did however, like the elephants a lot. They really had a good time. Afterwords, we all went to eat except for Rachel whom had fallen asleep.

Cute Kids!

I took Jarom to get his birthday pictures done and decided to get some of all the kids. They are all so cute I had a really hard time deciding which pictures to get.

I can't believe that Jarom is all ready four years old.

This is one of my most favorite pictures. I had to get a couple of just the girls. Rachel is two and Emily is five months. They look so much like each other. These, of course, are my favorite ones with all the kids together! What could be more cute?

Haircuts for the kids

The Kids went and had their haircut. Because they wher so good and held still, I then took them to McDonalds for lunch. Rachel and Jarom before their haircuts. They where a little bit nervous at first. Rachel getting her hair cut. She was so good for the stylist. Plus it helped that she got to choose where she wanted to sit. Getting her hair styled was fun, especially cause she got to watch a video she choose the whole time she was having her hair done. Rachel with her new "Princess" haircut and still watching her video while Jarom had his hair cut. Jarom having his hair cut. He got to play "Spiderman" on the Playstation while he was having his hair cut. He was so good also, but the clippers tickled him a little. He also got to sit in a firetruck car/seat. Jarom was a little nervous when he realized how short his hair was getting, but he was still really good. Jarom after his hair cut. What a handsome fella! It is so cute when we put it up in spikes. Rachel with her new haircut, playing with Emily. Emily was also very good while we got haircuts. Emily is just to cute to leave out of the story! She can almost sit by herself, but still needs a little help or after a couple of minutes, she flops over. We really have to watch Emily though, or she rolls right off of things. She is getting so strong.