Snow Day!

We have lived in California for a lot of years. Kailee is 7 1/2 and has been to the snow 1 time. When she was 18mos old. What is wrong with us??? Our poor snow deprived children! Well, that problem was remedied last week. Josh had his follow up appt in Fresno, so we decided we'd venture up to Shaver Lake. Lucky for us, our friends loaned us snow clothes and sleds... we packed some snacks and headed off for a day of family fun.

Beware. There are A LOT of pictures. It was a perfect day. Epic (I know, funny word, but that's what it was!) Just looking at these pics again brought warm fuzzies to my tummy. I love time with my family. It is so hard in our lives to carve out family time. No distractions, just us. It was awesome.

Josh stayed awake long enought to drive up, see where he was and then he was asleep in my arms while we hiked around and checked out the place.

Before we could play, the girls had to get suited up. That meant snow gloves. I thought this was going to single handedly (no pun inteneded) ruin the trip. You would think our children had never seen a glove. Let's just say, they got them on. No one cried. Parents kept their cool and we were ready to play.

Kailee's toungue was working really hard to get her fingers in the right spot.

Addie was dancing around singing, "First time at the snooowwww, First time at the sno o o o!".

Whoever played here previously made a snow cave/arch thing. It was way cool.

We made a super cool snowman. He was awesome. He had hair. And a pipe.

We only took this picture once. That's how great a day it was. Not only did they play, have fun, not complain when their toes were cold, they SMILED FOR PICTURES! AT THE SAME TIME!!Addie tried to feed the boy some snow... he wanted none of it. Smart boy to be cautious of what that particular sister tried to give him...

Then his Momma gave him some snow. He liked it:)

My little gymnast Kailee was doing handstands in the snow. My boysYour so funny Daddy!

Flying baby!

Family pic! When I was reviewing the pictures I saw this one and was shocked at how big our family looked. Funny. Sometimes I still feel like I'm only 18. I look at pics and can't believe I have this amazing and adorable family! I'm not old enough!

The girls look sooo stinking old here. I hate that they are growing up so fast. When we had had all the fun we could in the snow, we changed into our snugglies and had a car picnic. Josh is in love with oranges. Only he wants to hold the whole thing. This one didn't even get peeled and he still wouldn't let it go.

The girls were being silly and putting the cuties on their eyes (I have no idea why, but it was funny) Mike was trying to snap a picture and as he snapped, they fell and this is what the pic looked like. Sideways orange fangs.

The best part... we were the ONLY people at the snow park. Yeah for homeschooling:) While everyone else is stuck in school, we ran away to play! The girls did learn that a snowball really does get bigger and bigger as it rolls. They rolled a big snow ball about 50 feet. It ended up so big the 3 of them (Mike and girls) couldn't roll it anymore. It was too heavy! Josh and I had retreated to the car already and missed the photo opp.

Now that we know how much fun it is, we will definitely be going back more frequently!!!

More February fun

It snowed! In Atascadero! You can't really tell, but it did. Enough to make tiny snowballs and then melt. The girls thought it was sooo cool! Patience is the fruit of the spirit Silas is working on. He's getting really good.

I never thought Mike would have so much fun dressing like his boy. We found this camo hat and kid size aviators and Mike had to get them. I admit, I love it.

Fat cat Fivel!

February is here!

I know, don't be shocked. I am already posting February stuff! Woot Woot! These are just a bunch of random happenings in the life...

Hanging with his daddy!

This is Mike's rocking horse from when he was a baby. Josh thinks he is pretty hot stuff on it!

This is his funny face... pursed lips. Silly.The girls and I thought it would be funny to put a bow in his hair. One of many moments he'll be dressed up, I am positive. The funniest part was that he totally DID NOT look like a girl in any way. I thought babies were babies and you couldn't really tell. Um, not Josh. He is ALL BOY. Oh, and we tied his burp rag around him like a cape. HEE HEE!

Josh loves his dogs. And they don't mind him. Of course he isn't moving much yet, but they like him cause he drops food:) "Whatcha doin'?"

Surgery day

January 17 was surgery day (and my bro's b-day:)) We managed to stay healthy... by the grace of GOD!!! and his diaper rash was gone (Thank you Lord) so they could perform the surgery. Side note: his rash was back as soon as he was healed up and has stayed since. I am so thankful God is in control and not the 47 different tubes of goop I have tried on this little man's tushie.

As a pre-surgery present, his Nana bought him a car! How adorable is he??We had to be at the hospital bright and early. He couldn't have any food/milk from 4am on. Just like the last times he has had to be on milk restriction (CT, an MRI, and his hernia surgery) he was not cranky at all! God is so amazing and seriously provides each and every need, in this case, a happy baby.

This is him right before they took him away. Poor guy had no idea what was coming.

Our sweet Gabba had the joy of keeping me company on this adventure as Mike was in a training the whole week and got out of surgery AND recovery, which included 7 days with a catheter. In his defense, it was a training that is not offered often, so he had to take it when he could get it... and he is now an official Field Training Officer.

Post surgery... checking his vitals.Sweet little man. The toughest cookie I know.

Surgery went just as expected, no issues with intubation/anesthesia. We were fortunate enough to have the anesthesiologist we requested, so the quack we had last time couldn't hurt him! We drove home the same day. It sounds crazy, but I was travelling alone with all 3 kids and wanted to make sure I took advantage of the lingering anesthesia. He couldn't be in pain if he was numb. It all worked out. Recovery was really icky. Tiny boys and catheters are no fun. Diaper changing sucked. He couldn't be on his belly or held certain ways for a week. I am so glad we did this now then when he was more mobile. We had a follow up 3/1 and the doc said it looks great for the time it's been since surgery. It is a gradual healing, up to 6 months before it is totally normal, but so far he is peeing straight and that is good! Thank you for your prayers for this little man!!