Surgery

Last week I had my gallbladder removed. This was not fun to think about...I don't like to be a charity case. On Tuesday morning Eric took me in to have the surgery. I was very nervous and did not want this done, but I hope that this cures some of the problems I have been having. The surgery went well and I was home by 11:30am. I was a little out of it and did not like that. Eric was a trooper and did his very best with the two little ones. Abraham does not take a bottle so that was challenging and frustrating for Eric. I don't think Eric realized how much playing, cleaning, feeding, changing, playing, holding, changing, and playing I did in a day with the two young ones. By day two I think he was so ready to go back to work, but he stuck it out and was very helpful. I am thankful for all that brought in meals and helped with David. We are so blest to live in a community that is so willing to help when needed.
I had an allergic reaction to the pain pills (I was so itchy and my eyes were all swollen) so I had to take Benadryl with it. After that I really tried to cut back on them, I cut my dose in half and went as long as I could without them. They made me a little crazy and I was not aware of what I said during those times. It was not good. I am now off of them and feel much more like myself.
My sister Kristel, Eric's sister Katie and her husband Ian came up on Friday to help. It was great to have the extra hands. Kris and her sister-in-law Tracy cleaned my home and did all the laundry...a HUGE THANK YOU TO THEM. It was nice to have that taken care of. Kris also drove me around to return pots and pans and give thank-yous to all that helped our family during this time. Katie and Ian tended to the children and that was so great. A BIG THANK YOU TO THEM!
Sunday the left and I cried and cried. I am alone now, Eric is back to work, and I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I don't like this one bit. I want to be back to myself and be able to do all that I did before. I am not very good at sitting still and just resting, but I am sure trying. With two little ones it makes it a little hard!

Kids are funny

My friend Julie just did a blog on funny things her kids have said. I wish I could remember the funny things mine say, I have good intentions of writing them all down one day! But I think I have forgotten most of them. But here are a few funny things they have done/said.

Last week before Eric left the boys were out playing in the back yard. Robbie and Kamren were daring each other to put their tongue on Koda's kennel. Obviously we did not know this was going on. The next thing we know Kam is running in crying and has a very bloody tongue. His tongue stuck to the kennel and he ripped it off! OUCH! It was kinda funny, but Eric and I did not laugh until they were in bed. And Kam was healed, it looked like it was painful.

When you tell David he is cute, or funny or that he is something he looks at you and says, "I am not cute (or whatever you have said he is), I'm a stinker!"

When it is time for bed David will tell us "I slept good till the morning, I not need to sleep"

I sure love these boys!

Parent Teacher Conference

Last night we had parent/teacher conferences. As Eric is out of town again I took the two little boys with me, that was fun! But, this is a blog about bragging about my two older boys, so hang on as this entire blog is a proud mom moment! :)
Robbie has all A's and one A-, his teacher had nothing but great things to say about him. These are some of her remarks:
He is a quiet student who keeps to himself and is very respectful.
He loves sports and includes others at recess.
He loves to read and is at a fifth grade third month level.
He is very bright but does not boast about it.
He does not like to have attention given to himself.
It is a pleasure to have him in class and I don't have any concerns.
That was so nice to hear. I know he is a great kid and is loves school and learning. I don't know where he came from. But I am very thankful for him and his hard work and love of learning.
Kamren had all 4's (they don't get grades yet) 4 is the highest. So he is doing well. Here are some of the comments his teacher made:
Kamren has A LOT of friends.
He includes everyone and everyone loves him.
He is very bright.
He loves to read and is at a second grade sixth month level.
He is VERY SOCIAL!!!
He forgets to raise his hand and is so excited about answering questions.
He loves to help others and loves to talk!
He needs to remember to put his homework in his binder...not just his backpack!
He loves to write notes and draws pictures on his homework.
He always gets his work done on time
Kamren is my boy! My mom would always come home for ptc and say that the teachers said I was a good student, I just needed to learn to not talk so much. I just had to laugh. His teacher is a neighbor so we both just laughed, cause that is just Kam. But at Church it is a different story, he is so quiet. I guess that is a good thing.
It was fun to hear how different the boys are. This is something I know, but it was fun to see how their teachers see them. It is fun to have them so different, it keeps me guessing on what they will do next.
Before Christmas their Nana Larsen and I went and had lunch with the boys at school. Kamren had lunch first and the entire time people were coming up to Kam and saying hi and just wanting to talk to him. It was fun to see him in his social glory! Then in came Robbie. He is Mr. serious and quiet. He has his select few friends and is good with that. He has a variety of friends that don't really play together unless Robbie gets them all together. He is one that gets along with anyone and likes to do everything. It was so much fun to see him in his social environment.
I guess that I have said what I wanted to and bragged enough about the boys. They are so much fun and I love them dearly.
Just a quick note on the two little ones: David is still two and acts like it. But we love him anyhow. If you ask him what he is he says, "I'm a stinker" It is so funny. Abraham now weighs 11 lbs and is 5 months old. He started cereal and is liking it thus far. They are both doing well and keep me busy all day long.

Santa

Dear Santa, I would like one of everything! Thanks!

Abraham is so excited for his first visit to Santa.

Kamren asked Santa to bring him Heely shoes and Trick Tracks (hot wheel track)

Robbie asked Santa to bring him a 70 or 80 dirt bike, but he also told Santa he had to pay for 1/2 of that, so this year he wanted a model car and sport stuff.

David asked Santa to bring him some toys!

Salt Lake City

Robbie and Abraham showing off their USA wrestling hats.

Robbie and Kamren wanted to touch the Temple at Temple Square...what cute boys!

Kamren standing at the door to the Temple.

Robbie at the door to the Temple, both boys promised to return to the Temple and live worthy to enter.

Some of the lights and nativities at the Temple.

Eric and I at Temple Square, it was cold!

David saying "cheese" while looking at the lights!

Kamren and Robbie at the Salt Lake Slam, wrestling tournament.

Holiday Craze

Eric is done traveling for the next month! He was gone a lot last month, so it will be great to have him home. One time he was gone for 8 days!!! I was so busy that week that it went by quickly. I had Evening of Excellence for Young Women, which I was in charge of the decorations. Thank heavens for my mother who always comes and helps me make the Cultural Hall so beautiful. Then she watched the boys for me so I could go and enjoy the evening. My mom is the BEST!!

We had scouts, wrestling practice, piano, wrestling meet...which I braved with all 4 boys. It went ok, I was happy to have it over. The Friday he was gone I went to Twilight with some of my friends. It was so great to get out and have some adult conversation.

Life has been a little crazy for the past few weeks. The boys have finished up the folklore wrestling season and had the last tournament in SLC in the Salt Palace this past week end. They had a great time and both placed 7 or 8 out of a group of 20 boys. We were/are very proud of them and how hard they worked. They both love wrestling and we love watching them. It will be nice to have a break for the next month or so before freestyle and greco start. Their coach wants to continue practice in a few weeks so they don't regress at all. But that is Eric's department, so that is fine with me.

We had Thanksgiving at our home with Eric's family and a couple from RMS that he used to work with. I love baking and cooking the meal, but it is two days of "slaving" in the kitchen and then we eat in about 45 min. and it's over. I am not sure it that is worth all the work, but the family seems to enjoy it, so I do it. It was so fun to have all of Eric's family here with us. Katie and Ian came up on Tuesday night from Provo, and then Emily and his parents came up late Wednesday, around 2:00am. We had a great weekend. The boys loved shooting the air riffle out in the back yard, Ian was the sharp shooter. We took the kids to Bolt and then the next night we went to see Australia, I loved Australia.

It is always sad to have company leave and a little lonely. I miss having people here, but it is also nice to get back into the swing of things. I decorated the house for Christmas on Monday and Tuesday. Then started getting ready for my annual ornament party. I have done this every year since living in Idaho, and I look forward to it every year. I guess it is "tradition" for all of the ladies who have come. It is funny that I am asked as soon as Thanksgiving is here about when my party will be. I am glad that everyone has a wonderful time, I stress over it every year.

The day after my party we headed to Utah for the Salt Lake Slam (wrestling). It was crazy getting there, but well worth all the stress. I'll post pictures on my next blog of the tournament. We stayed with my sister and her family. The kids had a ball playing together. Eric and I went to a Jazz game on Friday night, it was fun to go on a date! We ran into the Petersons from our ward here, it was fun to see familiar faces. Saturday we wrestled and then in the evening we went to the lights on Temple Square with the Wheelers and Jacksons. Then we headed to the Wheelers for dinner and some games. It was fun to see Katie and Ian again and my sisters little girls just fell in love with Ian.

Now we are home and are trying to get things ready for Christmas. YEAH!!!

Boys Pictures

Robbie would not smile for us! He is such a funny boy.

Such a serious little boy!

I just love this one of Kamren. I think this captures his personality.

We had the boys pictures taken while we were in Utah. These are some of our favorite ones of David.

A huge thank you to Thayne who took the time to photograph our crazy boys! You're awesome!