Merry Christmas 2015

Cocoa, Cookies, and Caroling

Our boys had just a slight difference in enthusiasm!

Libby is 6!

Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving was a nice, laid back day. We cooked a lot, ate a lot, and spent lots of time together. It was just the 5 of us, but that felt perfect with how hectic life has been lately.

Freedom!

Second grade concert

The second grade classes had their annual concert last night. Their performance was a musical spin on three fairy tales: the Pink Flamingo, the Three Little Pigs, and Humpty Dumpty. It was funny and so cute! Travis played a neighbor in the Pink Flamingo play and was in the chorus for the other two parts.

(Sorry for the blurry pictures; no time to edit!)

Halloween 2015

Hallelujah!

On Friday, we were called by the kids' school nurse to say that Ben had fallen while playing kickball and was in a lot of pain. Scott took him to the pediatrician who confirmed that Ben broke the supracondylar portion of his humerus.

Their pediatrician called an orthopedist to set a casting appointment. After looking over Ben's x-rays, the orthopedist determined that Ben needed to go to the hospital for observation. His break was clean but displaced, and the location was a crucial point for many nerves and arteries that lead to the lower arm. Tissue damage (with the possibility of denervation atrophy, paralysis, or necrosis) became a huge concern.

After hours of observation, the orthopedic surgeon explained that Ben had about a 50% chance of needing surgery. He recommended that we wait until his swelling decreased a bit before deciding. In the meantime, Ben had to strictly limit his activity-- any more displacement would guarantee emergency surgery. We were given instructions on testing Ben's nerve and muscle health while we waited.

Tuesday was the big day. The x-ray results showed that his displacement had completely resolved and that he wouldn't need surgery! Woohoo! 

Instead, he'll be rocking this sweet cast for the next 3 weeks.

Primary Program 2015

Chop, chop!

Happy #35!

Super blood moon eclipse

Tooth number 6 is history!

Travis did NOT want to stop playing to take a picture!

Ballet under the Stars

Libby danced her little heart out the entire time.

School pictures, 2015-2016

Oh, Libby! I would be mad if I could stop laughing!

So long, tooth number 5!

When we're home

The past two weeks have brought many changes and adjustments for our family. Because I'm away from the house so much more, we've adapted quite a bit.

Scott eagerly took on a much bigger role at home. He cooks dinner every night, does the dishes, shops for groceries, gets the kids to school, supervises homework, and handles many other aspects of family life. I am grateful that I can devote so much time each day to studying. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a more supportive husband. He is wonderful.

We also try to make the most of our evenings and weekends. Finding the balance between productivity and simplicity can be challenging sometimes. More than anything, we want our time together to count.

Back to school, round 2

One week down

The kids are into the swing of school and doing great. They love their teachers, and they enjoy seeing their friends and learning new things every day. 

 

Also, I start class next Thursday! I had envisioned myself using this time to nap, float in the pool, relax, and generally refill my tank before life gets crazy in a new way. Instead, I've spent the past week deep cleaning the house and preparing the many details involved with this change... and kicking back a little.

8 more days until the insanity begins!

Back to school

Travis turns 7!

Dear Travis,

Happy birthday! We can hardly believe you are seven now! You bring so much joy to our lives, and we are forever thankful to have you as a part of our family.

 

At seven, you love building Legos, swimming, playing Mario games on the Wii, drawing, writing books, designing games, and spending time with family and friends.

You like school and especially enjoy learning about health, science, music, design, and math. Your favorite tv shows are Curious George and How It's Made. And your favorite books are the Buddy Files series, which you read this summer.

Travis, you are such a special part of our home. You are creative, inquisitive, cuddly, safety-conscious, talkative, silly, and hilariously blunt. We absolutely love you.

Have a fantastic year, buddy!

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Summer night baseball