Just a Trip to the Hospital

Tuesday afternoon Callie decided to start coughing.  Annabelle had had a cold so I just figured she had caught that from her sister.  Then Tuesday evening it was a little worse and we heard some wheezing.  Luckily (or maybe not so luckily) we own a nebulizer because Ryan and Annabelle had needed it a lot when they were younger (see, not so lucky) and we gave her a breathing treatment.  She didn't sleep that great and her heart rate and breathing rate seemed really high.  In the morning I just lumped it all into the Flu category since it is rampant here nowadays.  But when she woke up from her nap absolutely miserable and still breathing really fast and her little heart just pounding away, I had the distinct impression that I needed to take her in. 
I called the doctor, with Callie crying in my lap, and made an appointment in 15 minutes.  I thought they said the SS office, but when I got there it had been the L office (they are about equidistant from our home).  Luckily the people at SS were nice and let me stay.  That was 3pm.  We were there until after 5!!  We had chest x-rays for possible pneumonia (all clear, so far), ears and throat were checked, a breathing treatment that really calmed her down, and all while she was crying and very unhappy.  The doctor called another doctor for reference.  Finally we were sent to the hospital for an RSV test.  RSV is usually in babies, but the doctor wanted to rule it out.  Greg met me at a gas station since I was out of gas and my cell was about to die.  He brought books for Callie and my charger (we weren't sure that we would be coming home). 
We did our little test (so not fun to hold your child down while they do anything to them).  Then they checked her oxygen and since it was higher than the doctor's office we were given permission to take her home.  We have strict orders to bring her right back if things get worse.  She has been pretty happy (okay, not happy, just not screaming and crying) since she got home.  She ate a little, watched some TV while we gave her a treatment and now she is in bed.  I know I need to get some sleep soon since I may be driving to the hospital in the middle of the night (please, please no).
Greg worked from home since it was so snowy today and so I was able to leave the kids and just go this afternoon.  It really made for a crazy day.  I had to cancel so many things.  Our fridge is getting more and more empty, thank goodness for freezers!  While at the hospital I remembered I had my camera so we took a sad picture and then a happy one.  This little miss is one sad girl, but I am so glad she managed a little smile.

Snow and More Snow

 I honestly can not believe how much snow we have gotten the past couple days.  I think we have shoveled 5 or so times in 2 days!  I threw my back out doing it twice on day one so Greg gets all the credit from today.  These pictures are from day one.  The older kids had a blast making sledding hills, unburying their snow cave, and just playing in all this crazy white stuff.  My Grandma Bonnie was in town and needed a ride to the airport on Tuesday.  I am so thankful Greg volunteered to take her.  I couldn't imagine driving that far in this kind of weather.  Greg even drove the kids to and from school so I could stay safe and warm in the house.  According to the weather channel we will probably get more snow tomorrow.  Crazy!

 

MLK Day

What did we do on our day off?  Well, we went to the mall of course.  Just kidding.  Not about the mall, but about the "of course" part.  We never go to the mall.  Over a year ago I bought a gift card to Claire's for Annabelle's 2011 Christmas.  I never gave it to her.  I found it the other day and showed it to her.  When I told her Claire's was a jewelry shop she could wait to go.  I also wanted to get her some cute boots because a) she is always in leggings and looks cold and b) My children aren't too stylish and I wanted to help her out a little.

 We made it to the mall a bit before lunch so we got our shopping done and then had some treats.  So much money was spent on food, but it was greasy and yummy so I am not upset about it.  Nathan and Annabelle even used their own money to buy their OWN Orange Julius.  Sharing just didn't cut it for them this time.  I have to admit that our usual pretzel bites disappeared a lot quicker than I remember.  I guess next time we will have to get an extra large.  I always forget that the carousel takes only cash for rides.  Callie was pretty upset.  I had to explain that I didn't have any green money and so every now and then since, she has brought up how I need to get green money so she can ride the carousel. 

 We also made it to the car wash.  It had been WAY too long.  Novemberish.  I even paid extra for someone else to vacuum out my car and get it extra clean.  I wasn't too impressed with their work for the money, but at least I didn't have to do it and the got to watch TV and play with trains.  And I can't forget the free popcorn the kids got that didn't get all over my house.  I still love looking at how clean my car is, inside at least. 

We finally took down our snowflakes.  I was thinking that they were causing all the cold weather.  But alas, as soon as I took them down we got feet upon feet of snow.  These are the ones that didn't get ripped.  Aren't my kids amazing snow flake makers?  I think so!
We spent the rest of the day playing games, watching movies and relaxing.  Annabelle has worn her boots and necklace every day to school since.  I really need to get a picture of her.  She looks great!

The Fire Alarm

I am not sure I should admit to this, but I probably make the fire alarm go off once a month, maybe more.  I cook a lot and sometimes I try some crazy things.  My kids hate it but we all kind of laugh at mom as we run around opening doors and turning on fans and swatting at the fire alarms.  It is probably a very silly sight.  Years ago the kids would run outside to our "meeting place" and now they just know to first ask if I burned something.
Greg knows I am willing to try new recipes and every now and then he sends one my way.  This time it was pizza dough for a thin crust pizza.  The dough was supposed to sit in the fridge overnight so I finally was ready for the task last night.  And then the dough just wasn't working.  It was VERY wet.  I left Greg with the task of making 8 balls of dough and went to bed.  He did it and I was all ready for him to make dinner tonight when he had an emergency at work.  So it fell to me to try this new and crazy recipe.  I had to turn my oven all the way up (550!) and put my pizza stone in the oven.  I have two so I was hoping I could have 2 pizzas cooking at the same time.  Well, the oven took FOREVER to warm up and once when I opened the oven, the kitchen was filled with smoke and the alarm went off (#1).  I got to work making the first two pizzas (I needed to get them done so I could take them over to a sick friend).  Moving them from my counter to the pizza stones was an experience and then when they were done and I took them out of the oven, not only did my alarm go off (#2) but my nice Pampered Chef pizza stone was broke in half. 

 So sad!  I couldn't really dwell on it and so I rushed the pizzas over to my friends and came home determined to get 6 more pizzas done.  I now could only do one at a time so the kids took turns coming over and making their pizzas.  They really do love when we make little pizzas.  They love having just the right toppings on:

Callie-cheese, olives, pepperoni

Annie-cheese, olives

Ryan-cheese, pepperoni

Nathan-cheese, olives, pepperoni

While Callie's cooked Annabelle made her pizza.  During the transfer we had another gust of smoke and another alarm (#3).  At this point we had some windows open because it was pretty stuffy in our home.  And remember it is about 10 degrees outside.  During the Annabelle/Ryan's transfer...fire alarm (#4) again.  The kids were getting faster and faster at stopping them.  I was losing it a little so I decided make it funny and roll with it and so I took some funny pictures. 

 Next we were getting Ryan's out and what did we hear, another fire alarm (#5).  With the windows open I wonder if any neighbors heard anything.  No one called to make sure we were okay, so maybe not.  Taking Nathan's out and putting mine in, another fire alarm (#6).  I just ignored it.  Well, at least I tried to.  When I took mine out I tried really hard to be quick and since I wasn't putting one in I thought I would be okay.  But no. (#7).  We ate our pizza wearing coats and hats, and luckily the kids loved it.  I thought it tasted good, but if it hadn't I would have been pretty upset. 

 An hour or so later Greg made his.  Did the alarm go off again?  NO:)!  I was so happy.  I was really quick and maybe the 550 temperature killed off everything else that was smokin' in my oven.  Greg LOVED the pizza.  Probably because he didn't have to directly deal with all the hassle of making it and the 7 fire alarms (he works from home Fridays so he heard all of the joy). 

 

 So was the pizza worth it?  It was hassle to make the night before.  The kids LOVED decorating it and we all enjoyed eating it.  But no, I will never again set my oven that high and I will never again make that pizza dough.  If Greg wants thin crust fancy pizza we will go out and buy some.

Odds and Ends

 Anyone else have the January Blues?  Since December we haven't been feeling that great.  That means mom is more frazzled (more so when she is sick herself) and the kids get a lot more media time.  Little Callie has had it the worst!  She fell asleep like this one day at 10ish.  I was afraid to move her.  I debated back and forth whether I should or just let her be.  I ended up putting a blanket over her and then running around the house trying to get some things accomplished.  I think I got 30 minutes, tops.  It was a much needed and well used 30 minutes but I will always wonder if putting her in her bed would have given me more time. 

 Luckily we started basketball this January so the boys are getting some exercise.  They have practice one day, games another day, and I have started taking them to the gym once a week for some extra practice.  It hasn't gotten over 30 degrees in weeks and so it is a bit too cold to run around outside.  Ryan comes home all the time and also tells me how horrible the air quality is and how we really need it to rain or snow to clean it up.  I love when they talk about things like that at school.  It makes him so smart sounding.  The boys have each scored a few baskets during their games and while they are not the best on the team, I love how they try hard and cheer for their team.

 I bought these straws ages ago and the girls finally pulled them out.  They had a lot of fun drinking together and making the goofy contraption.

 Callie and I love the library.  She loves dancing and reading books.  She loves picking out new books and getting "homework."  She made this elephant mask and was so proud to wear it and show everyone when they got home.

 Callie loves her siblings.  She calls them "her kids" or "my boys/my sister" and is always ready for them to come home after school.  Yesterday we ate lunch at the school.  We walked to the lunchroom with Ryan and saw that Nathan had lunch duty and then eventually Annabelle came in and sat with us, too.  Callie loved it.  She was sad that Nate couldn't eat with us, but we gave him his treat we had brought.  I really love the times that the kids get along.

A New Year

 This New Year's Eve we invited our good friends', the Jones' over for some good food and fun times.  The kids all played great while we adults were able to play some new games from Christmas.  Later we tried to play a game all together, "In the manner of the adverb" but the kids were both tired and hyped up on sugar so they were really goofy.  The Jones left a bit after 10 and we put the girls to bed.  The boys stayed up all the way until midnight and watched the ball drop for the first time.  We drank some butterbeer, played Mario Kart and a new card game, Monopoly Millionaire.  I was exhausted by 12 and was amazed at how awake the boys were. 

 

On New Year's Day Greg and the boys build a snow cave out back.  I am always impressed with Greg's snow abilities.  I can barely make a snowman.  

 

The kids, Ryan mostly, have been begging me to take them to a roller skating rink and since this was the last day for Greg's vacation we made it happen.  At first Callie was really scared of the darkness and the lights and maybe the speed.  But she finally relaxed, just in time for Annabelle to be exhausted and want to go home.  The boys had a lot of fun and I did too, though I was putting my skates on and off and helping Callie so that was a little frustrating. 

We finished off the night with some Just Dance.  I really like that game.  Nathan is a little shy about doing it, so it Annabelle, but ice cream was the reward for all those who tried so we got everyone involved.  

I haven't really sat down and wrote out any resolutions, save one.  I want to read the Book of Mormon again, 1 chapter at a time, and write things down every day.  Anything that sticks out to me.  So far I am right on track and if this is the only resolution I make and do than I know it will bless me and my family this year.

Happy New Year!!

Christmas Day

 Ready and waiting to come downstairs!!  I didn't take any pictures,  I just like to watch and help open.  So many smiles and so much happiness.  That is what I will remember.  Luckily Grumpy took some pictures of the special day.

 

 

 

 

 Enjoying presents!!  Just Dance Disney was a big hit.  Ryan did it for at least 45 minutes if not more.  Here is Daddy and Uncle Devin grooving, and EVERYONE, even Grumpy, too turns.

 Grumpy is waving from the front door.  This is more snow than we saw ALL last year. 

 

 The girls loved their new princess tent

 Can you spot the hulk?  Ryan loved his new superhero lego sets.

 This guy will give you a hug and tell you he loved you all the time.  Love him!!

 Annie got an easy bake oven and made us all red velvet cupcakes. So tiny and so proud!!

 Callie loved all of her Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and pig related toys.  I am so glad she felt good enough to enjoy them.

 Nathan spent an hour at the church gym flying his new helicopter where it wouldn't crash into things.  He spent a lot of time with these Magformers.  They were a much bigger hit than I had thought.  Yeah for a last minute idea!!

 We spent the day playing with toys, playing games and eating treats.  Grandpa Raymond came to say hi and then Grandma Pam came over and hung out all day.  She ended up staying for our turkey dinner.  Uncle Devin came too!  I was so happy to share the day with my parents and some of my in-laws.  I had brined the turkey over-night and according to my mom, or someone, it was the "best turkey ever."  It was very moist and flavorful.  Everyone went to bed full and happy.

Christmas Eve

 Christmas is not complete without new pajamas.

 

 

 

 We ordered pizza to make things easier.  Then, after talking about the birth of Jesus and telling His story  (for probably the 100th time this season since Callie LOVES to hear it) Ryan wanted to read our traditional story, "Twas the Night Before Christmas".  Then it was off to bed and wait for Santa's arrival.