Happy Birthday to You!!!

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my sweet Hubby!! Just another year older, I know...but it is still a special day. We are so grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful husband, father and friend. We hope you have the best day ever. We Love you TONS!

'All I want(ed) for Christmas is...'

So all I had mentioned I wanted for Christmas was a Laptop (not an expensive one) like a day after Thanksgiving Day special one, but unfortunately I didn't get one. Being the frugal accounting husband that I have, Dave didn't think spending money on a laptop was necessary until...

One day he came home from work and mentioned that I would probably be getting an email from a girl from work. He said that her mom or somebody she knows, teaches a Photoshop class, and he said I would probably be interested so he gave her my email address. I was so dang excited when I finally got the email 3 weeks after our brief conversation. So in this email it informs me that classes will be starting January 22nd (less than 2 weeks now) and run every Thursday evening until May, it is held at an Art Studio, there is a monthly tuition and that the teacher is actually the girl, Emily, that Dave works with. Yada Yada...So I quickly respond (after dicussing with Dave) that I am very interested and I had a couple of questions: Where do I send my money, what supplies will I need (like a laptop?) and will I get any other info before the class date. I got a response of course telling me I could just pay Emily or mail it, and that information will come 1 week prior to the class.

Dave goes into work the next morning with my money to pay Emily and proceeds to get information from her, YES I will need a laptop.

After web surfing, browsing the weekly ads, and product comparing, I find this HP Notebook on sale at both Office Depot and Circuit City with a screaming $100 off automatically and a $50 mail-in rebate...neither one had any in stock.

I made a run to Costco for the household goods; TP, Tide Detergent, Dryer sheets, milk...you know, with the awesome couponbook in hand, and low and behold they have the SAME Laptop in the advertised coupon book with a $100 off coupon!! Well, to make a long story a bit longer, I didn't buy it that day, (I was a bit nervous making a big purchase like that alone). I waited until the next day after Dave's approval and headed back. Fresh off the delivery truck...a 16" HP G60-243CL Notebook for me.

I just want to say thank you to my wonderful hubby for encouraging me to take this class and for allowing me to get an extra Christmas present! Love ya!

And hopefully, it will help me be more up to date on my blog...warning: Christmas post coming soon...

Thanks for the pictures!

I just wanted to give a shout out to my great friends (and Home Teacher) who without knowing that I would miss my son's Christmas program, still thought of our family and took pictures of McKay. Thank You, Thank You!!

P.S. Holly, I still haven't been able to view your blog...maybe I better give you a different email address. Leave me a comment so I can email you.

Christmas Sing...just a bit too late!

You know when you first read something, like let's just say the time for the school Christmas program, and the time sticks in your head (1:00 PM) ...no matter if they happen to change the time and even make note of it on the homework packet? Well, that is exactly what happened to me today, and I was a bit mad.

So I show up at the school 20 minutes early (in order to get a decent seat), only to find the parking lot completely full!! Yeah after lasts year's experience I knew it would be a bit crazy, but I thought I was early, right? I end up parking a mile away from the school...I should have just walked in the first place. I had decided not to take in the stroller, big mistake. Here I am hauling Avery with her big coat, blanket, my purse full of treats to keep kids occupied while we wait, my video camera, and my other camera, and Maci complaining of the cold and walking so far... I am sure if any of you passed me, you laughed.

I get to the school completely out of breath and by that time, sweating! Upon entering the cafeteria I hear singing, already? It is 12:50, yep it is my son and the rest of the first grade finishing up their last song. I had just enough time to set Avery down pull out the video camera and record the last line of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" What an AWESOME mom I am as I see McKay looking around for our familiar faces. I felt HORRIBLE, and MAD way MAD!!

I wanted to leave right then, but Dave hadn't gotten there yet. He called me right as the classes were exiting the stage. Maci wanted to stay and watch the others sing so we stayed for a couple more songs then went and visited McKay in his class. His teacher felt so bad, and worried that some mothers (ME) wouldn't see the note that changed the time...well yeah. She put it on the bottom of the homework page, but like before I already had it in my head that it was at 1:00 so I only read the part about them wearing best dress. She was nice enough to pull him out of the movie they were watching in another classroom so that I could take his picture with his Reindeer antlers on.

Oh well, there is always next year, and the year after, and the year after that...But this year I learned my lesson. Go to both performances JUST IN CASE even if your last name doesn't fit the time slot, and pay attention to ALL of the notes that come home!! Better luck next time!

Not your typical RASH...

So imagine how I felt when my baby woke up with this...

Yes, I was a bit disturbed at the sight of my baby's whole body covered in this red rash. I immediately called my mom to be sure that chicken pox is not in patches, but tried not to alarm her as I was decribing what I saw. I quickly hung up the phone and called the doctors office. As I was thinking of all the things she may have eaten (maybe from an allergic reaction), I worried it may be more. She had been running a very low grade fever for the past week and I had gone back and forth about taking her into the dr's office. Well, I made the appointment and I was told to keep her in the car and the doctor would come to us, just in case it was chicken pox.

here she is waiting in the car for our parking lot visit.

It has been such a strange rash. After Maci's gymnastics we took Avery into the dr's office (parking lot). The nurse came to examine her, and knew immediately that it was NOT chicken pox. During our ride over the rash continued to get more red, but then would lighten up after the dr. visit. Dr. C entered the room, laughing, but explained she didn't expect to see this covering her whole face. Without hesitation she studdered out the words...Erythema Multiforme (yes I had her write it down for me.) It is a rash that is most commonly caused from medications (which she is not on any) or a virus (which must be the culprit)...IT IS NOT CONTAGIOUS!!!

I was informed that it is an inflammatory skin erruption that will be reddish/purplish in color and will be seen in all sorts of different patterns. She said it was a mild case, (are you kidding me?) but if we start to see sores in the mouth or she stops urinating or eating, to bring her right back in. She also said not to be alarmed if I see blood coming to the surface because that is what is being affected the capilaries in her body. Yeah if that isn't going to scare me. There are no medications to help it, it will just take its course, which later after googling, I found out it can last 1-3 weeks, yikes!! My poor little girl! Before leaving, the doctor asked if another dr. and PA could come in to see...like she is part of some freak show!! The doctor that came in was real cute and asked which one of us had the rash...To make light of the matter he wished us luck and we were on our way.

So we came home and she took a little nap, and when she woke up the rash was not on her face as much, but her lips were swollen. I tell you, it is a strange virus. The patches seem like they are swollen, and blister like. Her legs and feet were more purple then before. It really looks painful, but she has been a trooper.

She is still a happy girl, but as time goes on she has acted like it has bothered her a bit. Last night we ended up giving her a little Benedryl to help with the itching. She loves her baths, but I haven't figured out yet if it helps, at least it keeps her happy, right.

As we patiently wait our 1-3 weeks, we hope that there will be no scarring or anymore outbreaks. Google claims is is rare in children younger than 3 yrs old...how lucky are we? But it also claims that outbreaks are very common once you have had the first, some have recurrences up to 6 times a year, it says it is more common in males, (how do we fit here?), and that sunlight can also trigger another outbreak. For us there are some triple whammy's. Wish us luck as we "wait" this out. Until then, I guess I will reschedule our family pictures appointment.

12:01 AM...Twilight!!

It is official!! The Twilight movie release wait is OVER!!! It is true that we are just getting home from the 12:01 AM screening of TWILIGHT...a highly anticipated release for many crazy, addicted, vampire obsessed women (and I will admit, teenagers)!!

A big whopping THANKS goes out to Kristin for getting us hooked up! Her mom knows some mom of a girl that rented out one of the theaters at the Gateway and we reserved 20 seats for us CRAZY girls in the hood.

Since there was a big amount of us, we kindof went our own ways for dinner then met there in the theater. We decided to stick around the county before heading to the city, and got some grub at the local Winger's. How can you go wrong with popcorn, diet coke with lime (because we are staying up past midnight) and of course their sticky fingers (yum!) Then after a stop at a gas station to smuggle in treats...we headed for the movie.

We were handed vampire teeth to get us in the moooood, took a few quality photos, and then prizes were given away which 3 out of our 20 girls won!!! That is right, Roni, Dawn and Jacci all won prizes. I must admit I chose my friends good seats, both right to each side of me. Shortly after, the movie started. And if you can imagine a whole theater full of crazy women (and a few brave men) there were a few hootin and hollers as the movie started....me, I just got a picture of the big screen.

I don't want to ruin it for those of you that haven't had the chance to see it yet, but I would love to hear your comments on what you thought. Let's just say, I had a great time with all the gals and can't wait until New Moon and Eclipse...Sweet Dreams!!

The Happiest Place on Earth

This year we had planned our kids' first trip to Disneyland during their UEA/Fall Break. I had heard from several people that it gets pretty busy during this week because all of Utah heads to California. One lady even told me that UEA stands for "Utah Entering Anaheim". Well, that is exactly how it was. Not only did Utah have a break, but so did Arizona. Luckily we had 3-day Park Hopper tickets and got there two days before the break even started. I love Halloween and who doesn't love Disneyland...put the two together and you have the whole park decorated so cute with all the pumkins and candycorns, how can it not be the Happiest Place on Earth?

Maci and I had made a little Disneyland countdown a month before leaving, and each night the kids would take a turn putting a little sticker on the days. As it got closer and closer, I think I was the MOST excited!! McKay and Maci didn't know what they were in for. The day we left, our poster said "Disneyland Here We Come!!!"

We left on Tuesday morning (really early) so the night before, we dropped Avery off at Dave's parents house. They offered to take her for the week, and even though we all missed her, we were able to have a great time not having to worry about naps, or juggling around an odd number. Thanks so much Sue and Elwood for all of your help with Avery!! Maci and McKay were so excited to be able to ride in an airplane for the first time, and they did so well. They got excited seeing the "BIG" airplanes at the airport, and even asked Dave and I if we have ever rode in a plane that BIG. Little did they know that was the same airplane we were flying in to California.

Day One: Leave SLC airport at 8:25 am (had to be there 2 hours early)

Land in Orange County at 9:45 am, get our luggage and our rental car.

Head out to go to the Beach, but realize it is still kindof early. Stop at Chuck-E-Cheese for lunch and of course to play. Find a Target to buy sand toys...both the kids are sound asleep in the back seat. Drive 1/2 hour to the beach...thankful for MapQuest, we got there pretty easily...the beach is deserted, lucky for us!

2 kids + 1 mom + 1 dad = 2 kiddos burried in the sand!!!

After three hours of digging in the sand, searching for seashells, playing football, watching several dolphins jumping, wading in the not so warm ocean, sun bathing in the 80 degree weather, tasting the salty water, and taking some fun family photos, we headed out to get checked in to our hotel.

Day Two: Our First Day at the Happiest Place on Earth!!! I want to give anyone that is planning on going to Disneyland in the next couple of years a little tip plus a little advertisement. I LOVE this card... We have collected enough points from purchases made over a couple of years time to pay for our little Disneyland vacation. Plus there are many other perks to having this wonderful card, such as: Free Stroller rentals (2 per day) 20% off different shops in Disneyland, Early Morning Entrance for private meet-n-greet Disney characters (however I found out too late on this one.) Plus many others...okay there is my shpeel!!

Our first day, we just took it slow so the kids could take it all in. After a few fights of who was riding with dad (they never wanted to ride with me, how sad) we ended up riding a few in Disneyland park before heading to California Adventure. We hardly waited and mostly got right on in the morning our "firsts" were: Buzz Lightyear, Autotopia, and Space Mountain then we headed over to California Adventure Park. We had made reservations for lunch at Ariel's Grotto which was especially fun for Maci because the princesses came right to our tables to sign their books and take pictures. Thank goodness Maci's favorie, Cinderella showed up. Even McKay enjoyed getting a lot of attention as they all flirted with my handsome boy!


The rest of our day was pretty much spent in California Adventure until it closed. McKay's first ride there was the Screamer roller coaster while Maci and I rode the carousel, next we were on to the new 3-D Toy Story ride, we waited in line for about 20 minutes (not bad at all). This ride was amongst the many others on our Favorite's list. We got to ride the Soarin' over California a few times (Maci's Favorite) and even braved Tower of Terror. Had we known what we would be up against, Maci and I would have stayed out. That did it for most of the big rides for Maci, she was terrified. We stayed to watch the Pixar Parade then headed over to Disneyland and watched the night parade. We snuck in a few more rides before calling it a day. After a nice dinner at Del Taco the kids were beat, as well as us bigger kids!!
The kids enjoyed the hotel where they had their own little room with bunkbeds and a game cube, yes!

Day Three: Early day at Disneyland, grab our 2 FREE strollers (they were lifesavers) ride as many rides as possible fighting the now beginning of the crowds, get as many Fast Passes allowed (only one at a time), eat lunch in the park, which is very expensive, go into Toon Town while Dave runs back to the hotel to get the kids' costumes, my cell phone dies while seperated, I look for anyone with a BYU shirt on, find a nice family from American Fork and borrow their cell phone to call Dave so we can meet. ***word of advice, make sure you leave your hotel with a fully charged cell phone!!! We quickly change the kids into costume to run over to the Mickey Mouse's Trick or Treat Party. I paid extra for the tickets to get in, and I am glad we did it. The kids had so much fun trick-or-treating at California Adventure plus they had all of the rides open as well as seeing the Disney characters in halloween costumes. It was a great night full of fun, 10 lbs of candy and a couple of belly aches.

Day Four: Our Last full day at Disneyland (and maybe everyone else in the states first day, it was PACKED!!) We made sure to make the most of our day, even standing in line the longest at 45 minutes for another favorite, Nemo's Submarine. We stayed until late, bought our souvenirs and watched the fireworks show.

Day Five: Off to the airport really early, we got our bags checked and through security, then Dave left us so he could get the rental car checked in so we wouldn't be charged for an early return, then we were off, headed for home...and Avery. We landed 15 minutes earlier than planned, lucky for Dave and McKay they were still able to go to the Utah game. I dropped them off at the stadium and Maci and I headed south to get my little one. What a great little reunion.

I can definately say it was a very fun filled, jam packed vacation, and we are so happy that we were able to go. It was fun to see Maci and McKay so excited for all the different rides and of course all the different characters. They both had a great time having them all sign their autograph books and getting a picture with them. I just enjoyed the time with my family, and look forward to having us all together once Avery gets a little older. Dave on the other hand says this was good. Until next time...

Thanks for letting us share our vacation with you.

Pumpkin Pie, anyone?

I first want to start by saying Thank You for all the birthday wishes that came my way. For those of you of my age, you know that any birthday past 30 is really "just another day!!" Well I am now 2 years past that. I really hadn't planned on much as celebrating went, but as far as my day, let's just say it was a busy one!

We started out the morning taking a field trip to the HEE-HAW Farms with Maci's preschool. I would have included photos if I would have taken my camera that wasn't DEAD! Yes, me, the photo queen, left the house with my camera, but didn't think about charging it after downloading my pictures from Disneyland...(soon to be posted!) I decided I would have felt better about myself if I would have just left it all together, but having brought it dead constantly drove me nuts the whole time thinking "oh that would have been a good picture," as Maci braved the gigantic potato bag slide, or the awesome Hay Ride pulled by a tractor in a circle, all the while sitting in a pile of hay. Oh well, maybe next year!

So after picking out our choice of soft mushy, rotten or green pumpkins for our $2.50 each (we chose a nice little green one,) and of course our little coloring books, we headed off to meet friends for lunch at the Paradise Bakery. Thanks ladies for the fun!!

I came home to a wonderful surprise...Dave had come home for lunch while we were out, and cleaned my house!! It was a great surprise since I dreaded coming home to the craziness I frantically left behind this morning. The better surprises came when Dave got home from work...Being a Thursday night, Dave normally would have Bishopric meetings. Well he came home and announced that he had gotten a babysitter, and we were going to dinner, oh, and that he was skipping out on Bishopric meetings!! Way to go dear! Then he gave me my gift(s) slippers and an Ipod. I know I have an awesome husband. Well McKay was jealous and these were his words "No fair, you get an Ipod" as I replied back, "well maybe for your 32nd birthday, you can get one too!" McKay: "no, maybe when I turn 8" sorry bud, I don't think so!!

Forget about a birthday cake. For those that know me, you all know how much I love pumpkin pie. I look forward to this time of year for that reason. And for the past many birthdays I look forward to my mom's homemade pumpkin pie!! This year I did not expect a pie from her because I knew how hectic her day was going to be, well she surprised me yet another year. Not only did she deliver, but Dave also purchased a delicious pumpkin cheesecake and regular cheesecake. As I was telling Kristin over the phone that Dave surprised me by getting a sitter and inviting her over later for pumpkin cheesecake, she laughed and said she was coming right over with my gift...because I would laugh!! Well guess what I got? A pumpkin pie!! Yeah!!

To end my day filled with friends, family, food, and fun my dad arrived at 9:30PM with a gift, icecream, and what else? another Pumpkin Pie!!! So for anyone interested in a slice of pie, come and visit!!

Thanks to you all, I had a wonderful birthday, and thank you Savanna for babysitting tonight.

Look who's ONE!!

Tune in to channel 4 at 10:00 am today (at least for the last segment) on "Good Things Utah" to see this cute little face flash across the screen for her first chance of stardom...it's Avery Mae's FIRST BIRTHDAY today!! Happy Birthday my little chunka munka!!


It doesn't seem like it should even be a year ago that I was celebrating the birth of our third child. I remember during the last part of my pregnancy I thought for sure since she is my third child and Maci was born 16 days early, that she too would make her debut earlier than my September 23rd due date, of course not....as the date got closer and nothing was happening I got to choose a date for induction. After much thought and comparison to my last two deliveries I thought the middle of the week (a Wednesday) would be perfect. Dave wouldn't have to take too many days off of work, I would be home by Friday, we would be able to attend my sisters wedding on Saturday, and not only that, but that day would be shared with my little brother Jesse's birthday and Dave's little brother Bret's birthday as well...September 19th, 2007!!


Avery Mae was welcomed to our little family at 2:59 PM on Wednesday afternoon. I tell you the nurses know their stuff...my nurse predicted that I would have her at 3:00PM (pretty darn close!!) She weighed 7lbs 10oz and was 19" long---both the same as Maci. She was beautiful! I was able to enjoy her for the rest of the day, which was wonderful. McKay and Maci were both born late in the evening so I really didn't get to spend much time with them before retiring for the night. Thank goodness I, as well as family and friends that came to visit, got to spend time with her because early that next morning my baby was whisked away from me and taken into the newborn ICU. The nurses were a bit concerned with her coloring (I just thought she looked like Maci and McKay) but no, they ran tests and discovered that she was a Coombs Positive baby. That basically means that her blood cells didn't mix with mine, which then skyrocketed her bilirubin levels (jaundice), which then if levels get too high, the kidneys shut down...I was a complete mess.

Avery had to be under lights as long as possible so the only time we were able to hold her was when I would go to feed her, which ended up being at least every two hours. And every two hours the nurses would prick her little heels to check her levels of bilirubin. The first night seemed like every hour I would get woken up by the nurse saying I needed to come and feed her. This worried me because she was out of the lights more than she should be, but it ended up in the long run being better for her because of the milk she was getting helped flush the bilirubin out of her system. Friday came along, and I was informed that I would not be able to stay with her, so as I was being released, I cried. I had to leave my little baby behind and come to visit and feed every 2 hours. Needless to say our little plan didn't work as perfectly as we would have wished for. Sadly of all, I missed my sisters wedding completely.

As I would go every 2 hours to hold my baby, I felt so blessed knowing that she was probably the most healthy baby in the NICU. I got to know the nurses and some of the other mothers pretty well. Having no idea when Avery's levels would be good enough to be brought home, each nurse stayed positive and made me feel comfortable knowing that she would be taken good care of. Well to all of our surprise, on Sunday morning I was informed that her levels had dropped significantly during the night. The nurse said that the doctor would be making rounds and that there could be a chance that Avery would get to come home with us. I called Dave with the good news, and he met us to prepare her to finally come home. It is kindof strange how things work out...she ended up coming home on her "due date" afterall.

Here she is all snug & ready for the ride home...she is leaving the NICU, Yeah!!

We welcomed little Avery home on Sunday, September 23rd. The doctor ordered her to stay in a bilirubin blanket with lights, and be checked daily to see that her levels continued to come down, until finally after a week long she was perfectly fine. Well, her "suntan" faded and we definately ended up with a surprise...Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes, Fair Skin, baby Avery. And we love every little thing about this little lady.
I can truly say that the Lord has blessed us so much. Avery is such a sweet baby. She is so HAPPY, good tempered, and very patient. She has a special spirit with her that brings so much JOY into our home. We all love her so much and hope she has the most special FIRST birthday ever.