Happy Birthday Garrett, 3 years old

Well, incase you haven't noticed yet, not only is the building on fire, but the fire truck itself has sunk into the cake. We went to pick Garrett's cake up this afternoon, and I had it sitting in the cart. I ran into my friend and we were talking, and I felt the cart shake, and when I turned around there was Garrett, in the cart and sitting on his cake. I grabbed him and said "Oh No"! And he through himself on the floor at the store. Obviously he didn't understand the ramifications if he sat on his cake. He is three, he just wanted a place to sit. Everyone kept telling me to take it back to the bakery to have it fixed. I wanted to keep it so that it would be something that we would remember forever. It didn't bother Garrett after about 20 seconds, so it didn't bother me. It was actually pretty funny. I tried to set the fire truck up better because it was inbeded all the way into the cake, but the hole was already to big and it just sunk back down. I pulled the fire fighters back up because all you could see was their heads, and well the building scene is a little lopsided. Garrett would be the one to do this though. We are so greatfull to have him, he puts a smile on our faces everyday. We love you Garrett!

ready to rip into his presents

lots of neat stuff, from everyone. Thank you!

Arrived home safely Christmas Eve night, in time to prepare. I thought I had it all figured out, because I only had two things to wrap. Santa brought sheets for the boy's new beds. Well Santa was feeling a little guilty because all he got for the kids was sheet, so Santa broke down and got the boys some fighter airplanes that talk. Well like I said I had everything done and wanted to be in bed by 10:00pm, well that wasn't happening. You see the airplanes were screwed.......yes I said screwed, into their boxes. It was the most rediculous thing I have ever seen. I was up until midnight getting those things out of their boxes. Shawn was sleeping because he had to get early for work so that he could be home when the kids got up, so I couldn't have him unscrew the dumb things. My hands are still sore! Anyways we had a good Christmas, and are so thankful for the savior, and having the gospel in our lives.

Jackson opening his sheets from Santa

Garrett opening his sheets from Santa

Hannah Lu got a glow worm in her stocking, right away she fell in love and gave it a kiss

and of course Penny with her new toy from Santa

Christmas in Grantsville

We went out to Shawn's moms house on Tuesday and stayed until Christmas Eve. We had so much fun. Family, games and dinner. It doesn't get better than that! We drove the van and the truck because we had to bring back the beds, and mattresses for the boys. That was interesting, we barely fit everything. We were able to see Shawn's dad too. The kids were excited to see their Papa. Thanks so much for having us Marie, we had lots of fun, and dinner was really good! Thank you for all of the gifts from Uncle Alex, Auntie Amy, Uncle Joe, and Auntie Cassie. We love you.

Two brothers enjoying their nieces
(how cute is that)

Jackson with his razor scooter that shoots sparks when you put on the brake.
Thanks Uncle Alex and Auntie Amy

Garrett on his plasma car, thanks again from Uncle Alex and Auntie Amy

Gabriel with his new golf clubs from Uncle Alex and Auntie Amy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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And then there was sun....

I think we have close to a foot of snow

Snow, snow, and more snow....

It has been snowing since Sunday! It has not stopped once. Here in Utah life goes on. If I were at home the whole city would be shut down.

not too much in front of the house because Shawn has shoveled about 10 times!

Triple Shift

Yesterday, Shawn worked three out of his four jobs. He got up at 4:30am and went to the airport for the morning flight, then went up to Daggett County for work a road shift until 4:00pm, and then he went and worked a Dam shift until midnight. Home safe in bed at 1:00am, and as I type this post, he is already back at work. He is such a hard worker, and I am greatful for that. These picture above are a herd of rams and sheep that he came across while patrolling the mountain. You don't see these animals very often.

Christmas tree hunting

My boys on their way out with Dad to find me a christmas tree. It is too hard to take Hannah Lu just yet, maybe next year. So Shawn and the boys went up on the mountain. I am picky about my trees, but Shawn has done a good job picking them in the past. Its funny because Shawn just thinks that it is a pain in the rear to cut a tree down, but I think that he is just as picky as I am. So thanks schoooo, you picked a good one again. Maybe I will have the boys get the christmas tree every year.

the end result

Santa........

Well we finally got in to see Santa, after waiting in 20 degree weather. Of course Hannah Lu had fallen asleep so I didn't bother her. This year Shawn and I decided that we were going to get the boys new beds so that we can move Hannah Lu into the crib. So I sat Jackson down and explained to him that Santa would fill their socks, but that this year they needed to ask for something that would go with their new beds. So Jackson decided to ask Santa for new sheets for his bed. It was pretty funny, I didn't think that he would actually do it. But it just goes to show that he is listening to me and that he is excited about putting their new room together on Christmas day!

All bundled up and fast asleep amongst all of the excitement

Holly Days

Friday after Thanksgiving the kids and I, and my friend Leesa and her kids went down town to Holly Days. We do this every year. There are so many fun activities to do with the kids and to top it off it is all free! So they rode horses, got into the fire truck, rode a choo-choo train, Abby and Garrett rode in the little police cars, while the big kids rode on these big funny bikes. It was really fun, and soooooo cold. We wanted to do more, but it was just too cold, and we had to get home and eat dinner because we were going back to roast marshmellows, and see Santa.

Our own little feast...

We decided to stay home again this year for Thanksgiving. With all the traveling that we have been doing already, and with Garrett having surgery this Monday at Primary Children's, it just would have been too much. So I changed things up a little bit and had a ham instead of a turkey. It was sooooo good! We always eat together as a family but it was fun to have Hannah Lu be able to eat a little with us too! She had some mashed potatoes, peas, stuffing, and bread. She loved it! Then she had some ice cream. The boys played and played after dinner, and konked out around 8:00pm. Hannah Lu was out like a light too. Then Shawn and I discovered that Jackson had eaten the rest of the pumpkin pie. There was about 3/4 left! I can't believe he didn't have a belly ache the next morning. Well it looks like I won't have to cook dinner for the next 4 days at least. We will be having HAM!

They are such goofballs, it is hard to take a picture of all three of them together.

Stylin....

I think that this is my favorite thing that I have ever bought! Many of you know that when you have a car seat that has been through a couple of kids, it just doesn't come clean anymore. So I found someone that makes seat covers for the brand of car seat that we have. I was so excited when I discovered that they had a moo cow print. It was not difficult to choose from the over 200 patterns that they do have. Now do I get one for Garrett?

Milestones

Jackson lost his first tooth today. I thought for sure we would have to pin him down and pull it out, but he did it on his own. He is so excited that the tooth fairy is coming tonight. His other bottom tooth is loose too, so he will be racking in the change here pretty quick.

Hannah Lu sat up today by herself. She started fussing because she wouldn't fall over on her own and she wanted to lay down and roll around. I imagine she will be crawling by the end of the year. I just don't know where all the time has gone.

Saving Grace

I never thought that I would ever witness the outcome of animal cruelty in person, until I got to my brother in laws house last night, and his wife Amy (a nurse) was changing Gracie's bandages. Two weeks ago, Amy was going to pick up our mother in law for a baby blessing. On their way back to the freeway, Shawn's mom spotted this dog in a ditch along side the road. They imediately realized that it was a pitbull, and thought for sure that it would tear their heads off if they tried to help it. But at the same time they knew they could not leave her either. Amy remember that she had a bag of clothes in her trunk that was going to the D.I. and she laid them out on her back seat. Then she went back and picked the dog up, and the dog did not even flinch. She was almost dead. Amy dropped Shawn's mom off at the church and took the dog to an emergency vet clinic. It was there that the vetinarian told her that these wounds were the result of dragging this dog behind a truck. On top of it the dog had barely had a litter of puppies because she was still lactating. The vet is submitting all of the information to the sheriff's department and they will investigate this hainess act. We can only hope that these wicked people are caught. For now, our sweet Amy has brought this dog that they named Gracie into their home, and are lovingly, and patiently taking care of her.

A note of appreciation and clarification

I just need to let my mom know how much I love and appreciate everything that she has done for us this year. I only see my parents once a year when they come down for Jackson's birthday. This July was the first time I have been able to come home to visit in 3 years. My mom came down in February for Hannah Lu's birth, and because of the extreme complications that followed, she was able to stay to help Shawn and I with the boys so that we could go to Salt Lake (3 hours away) to spent a little time with our daughter. Many of the trips to Salt Lake Shawn wasn't even able to go. He has 4 jobs, and works 7 days a week to provide for our family, and pay the medical bills that we are still getting to this day, 9 months later. Mom ended up staying for seven weeks, and was able to give us the help that know one else could have ever given us, and for that I am deeply greatful.
Most of you know that a couple of weeks ago Hannah Lu had yet another major surgery to fix her cleft pallete. Because my Parents were unable to come down for Jackson's birthday this year, and the kids and I went to visit them in Seattle instead, my Mom was able to come down and help us again with the boys so that Shawn and I could take Hannah Lu to Salt Lake for her surgery. This was the first surgery that Shawn was able to be with me, because he works so hard. Two of Hannah Lu's surgeries I have had the boys with me. These are times that I wished I lived closer to home so that I could see my family when ever I wanted. That is a luxury that I do not have. This has been a difficult and wonderful year. I do not know what we would have done with out my Mom. I have been lucky to see her three times this year, and will not see her again until next summer. Hannah Lu is 9 months old now, and this recent surgery was her fith and possibly not her last. I do not worry about any surgeries that are to come in the future. Of course I hope that she doesn't have to have any, but I don't worry because our Heavenly Father is watching over her, and she is here for a reason.

HALLOWEEN....

I decided that Jackson and Garrett were going to be Mario and Luigi. Hannah Lu of course is a lady bug, and well you can see what Penny is. My mom came down to help with Hannah Lu's surgery and so this was her first time being here over Halloween. We had lots of fun. My mom carves the best pumpkins, and that is one thing that I have missed being so far away from home. So we went out and got like 15 pumpkins, and my mom carved pumpkins like it was going out of style. Below are just a few of the pumpkins that she carved. Shawn isn't really big on doing holiday stuff, and he was excited about the pumpkins too. We went trick or treating, and everyone loved their costumes but for the second year in a row Penny has stole the show. People wanted to take her picture. So until next year....

Scary pumpkins!

Bluebell Cornmaze

Yesterday we took the kids to the Bluebell Cornmaze. Its about 45 min. west of us. It was freezing out, but as you can see we bundled up. They had lots of fun things to do, most everything was made out of farming equipment. There was a round hay bale maze for the kids, and they came out of a huge slide. Garrett would not go down the slide so Shawn climbed up and put him in it and shoved him down. He liked it after that. There were goats that were entertaining to watch as well. The boys went on the moo cow train, and launched little pumpkins from a huge sling shot, and shot corn on the cob out of a air gun. That was cool. Then we hit the corn maze, that was a nice hike, especially with the stroller. This was the first time that we had been there, so I think I am going to start taking them every year. Of course next year they will be older, and we can go in the haunted corn maze.

I think that this is the scariest MONKER I have ever seen!

Jackson going down the PVC roller slide

Garrett going down the PVC slide

Jackson and Garrett on the moo cow train ride.

Shawn helping Jackson with the pumpkin sling shot

Shawn and Garrett, they just let go of the pumpkin sling shot

Tis The Seasons?

What is going on here? I got up this morning to get Jackson up for school, and it was dumping snow on us. Of all the years that I have lived in Utah, I don't ever remember it snowing the day before Halloween. Anyways I had to get a picture of two seasons happening at the same time. I love the snow but I would like it to be a little closer to Christmas time.

Major Surgery....

Yes believe it or not, Hannah Lu just had major surgery this past Tuesday. She had a palatoplasty or had her cleft palate fixed. A lot more complicated than I had thought. It consisted of taking tissue from another area in her mouth to close the hole. But they also moved muscle for speech purposes. I can't imagine what her mouth feels like. After her surgery, it was horrible. Everytime she would cry, which was practically the first 8 hours after, her tongue would obstruct her airway and she would turn blue. So they would have to put a mask on her face until she calmed down. But of course that didn't last long. Poor Shawn couldn't stand the sight of her being so upset, so he spent most of the time in the waiting room until they moved her upstairs to her own room when she was more stable. Apparently she had to learn how to breath, swallow, and figure out where her tongue is supposed to go, all over again. On top of that her mouth is swollen. She is getting the breathing part down, but the swallowing not so much. She has been a slobbery, gooey wet mess. She had restraints on her little arms so she can't put her hands or anything else in her mouth. These were invented my a mother. They are made out of soft fabric with popsicle sticks in them. She doesn't mind them, as you can see in the picture above she is quite happy! The next day when Shawn and I went to the hospital she was a whole new baby. She was rolling around and playing in her crib. It was a relief. They decided to send us home that afternoon. She is doing well, and seems to be comfortable. The Loritab that they gave her has been making her sick so I am just going to keep her on Tylenol. Everything should be healed in six weeks. Thank you for everyone's support and keeping her in your prayers. With everything that she has been through she is the happiest, sweetest girl. We are so blessed that Heavenly Father gave her to us.

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Busy Week

On Monday, Auntie, my sister April flew into Vernal. The boys were so excited! She stayed the week with us. We made pumpkin shaped sugar cookies, pigged out on M&M's and nacho's (weird combination), and carved a pumpkin with the boys. Garrett was able to spend one on one time with Auntie because Jackson was at school. He really became attatched to her. Then on Friday after Jackson got out of school we headed to Salt Lake for a hearing aid appt. for Hannah Lu. Everything went well. She is hearing at a normal level with her hearing aids on. We are so thankful for that. After the appt. we headed up to Lagoon to meet Shawn's brothers and Auntie Amy, and Gabriel for FRIGHTMARES! We had lots of fun. A couple days before, we were looking at rides on line and found out that Jackson is tall enought to ride almost all of them. He was excited, or so I thought. When we got there he wouldn't go on anything. Auntie managed to get him on the pirate ship with everyone. From what I hear his face was priceless. Then Uncle Nicholas physically put him on the bat and I sat next to him. Of course he liked when he got off. But we could not get him on anything else, other than the airplanes, and the helicopters in kiddie land. Oh well, maybe next year. Garrett on the other hand, if he was tall enough he would go on every ride in that park. For some reason though, for a child with sooooo much personality, he would not smile for anything on the rides. It was hillarious. So below are some pictures of the kids at Lagoon. On the right of the picture is Garrett and Amy on the pirate ship

Hannah Lu not very happy. I figured it out though, with her glasses and hearing aids on it was too stimulating for her because she is not used to all of the comotion going on around her, so I took them off and she went to sleep.

Jackson and Garrett on the airplanes

Gabriel on the airplanes

Nicholas and Garrett on the dinosaur drop. This was Garrett's second time.

Gabriel, Jackson and Garrett on the spaceships

Jackson, Gabriel, and the head of Garrett. They are Lagooned out.


On Saturday we took Auntie to the airport. Garrett was not happy about Auntie going home. He wanted her to stay at our house. The minute we exited the freeway to the airport his bottom lip came out and he would not look at her because he didn't want to cry. It was really cute. He gave her a big hug goodbye and she proceeded to go into the airport and he couldn't hold it in anymore he just waled. He cried all the way to Bountiful to my friends house.

We went to my friend Amy's house. I hadn't seen her forever. Our friend Kara came up too. It was really fun to catch up and watch the kids play together. I only with we lived closer so we could do that more often. Kara, Amy and I lived together before we were all married. Those were the good ole days! We didn't take any pictures what were we thinking. Anyways, thanks for meeting up with us around my crazy schedule, it was fun to see you guys! Hope to see you sooner than later.