Christmas 2011

We wanted to keep Christmas a little light this year due to our trip to Disney.  The check book doesn't agree with this goal but we had a wonderful day.  We got back from Disney on the night of the 23rd so the Christmas Eve we spent getting ready for Christmas and cleaning up from our trip.  That evening we had a wonderful dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Blackham's home with Kristen, Justin, Amy and their little baby Caleb.  We had a wonderful meal and had the kids reenact the nativity with Caleb. 

Christmas was on Sunday so we did a quick opening of Santa gifts and breakfast before our 9 am church.  We finished opening gifts when we returned.

Anson received some much wanted Ben 10 guys and of course legos.  We also gave him an ant farm, which he has loved but now that the ants have died I'm not sure I want to clean it out and replace them. 

What do you give a 3rd boy in the family, more train stuff!  Andrew is our train and airplane boy so he now rides in style with his Thomas train.

Aaron went right to work on his legos, Star Wars ships and could not be disturbed even for a picture!

 

Rachel received a CD player so she can twirl all she wants to princess songs.  We actually replaced the one her because it broke within a week.  She loves singing with it, listening to books with it and of course TWIRLING!

The kids also received some play dough from Aunt Aundrea and Uncle Dave.  Rachel could barely wait to bust it open and get into it!

After Andrew's nap we went over to open presents with the Blackhams.  We then went over to Somers to open more presents and have a wonderful meal with them.  (Notice the green grass outside in this picture.  It was not a white Christmas for once; Rick was very happy.)

Christmas is a wonderful time of year and I'm grateful to live close to family so we can spend it with them.  

Rachel's birthday

So while I'm running about a month late I thought I'd throw in Rachel's birthday.  We celebrated Rachel's birthday at Disney so it was mentioned in the earlier blog.  She is our one and only princess so we dolled her up as such.

She loved the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and going to Cinderella's palace for lunch.  All of the Disney employees did a great job of making her day extra special. 

Later that night we opened presents with Grandma and Grandpa DeMille, Emily, Uncle Rob, Uncle Dave, Aunt Aundrea, and Andrew.  We've never celebrated a birthday with this side of the family so it was great to have them part of the fun.  Aundrea and Rob even picked out a great Rapunzel cake that Rachel LOVED! 

Rachel is our little princess in every way.  She has begun dance class this year.  She loves to sing and dance.  She loves playing in her very girly bedroom all by herself.  She'll close the door and read books to herself or dress up and play princesses all day.  She can hold her own with her brothers but I love looking into her room and seeing her play battle with Aaron while he uses Star Wars guys she is using princesses.  We love our little princess and are so very glad she is in our family.  Happy birthday Rachel!

Disney World-here we come!

We waited until after Thanksgiving to tell the kids we were going to Disney for Christmas this year.  We planned it early this spring but that is a long wait for little ones.  We flew down to Florida, yeah and next time we'll drive, and met Rick's Dad, Tracy, Emily (Tracy's neice), Dave, Aundrea, Andrew and Rob there in our timeshare.  We had a great deal with Dave's military ID to get the adults discounted tickets.  We flew in Sunday, December 18th and started our fun EARLY Monday morning, Rachel's birthday. 

Monday, December 19th-Magical Kingdom-Rachel's 4th birthday!

So Rick and I decided to forgo the birthday party this year for Rachel and treat her like our princess.  We were able to get in the park early due to her appointment at the Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique.  Each girl has a fairy Godmother who does her hair, nails, and makeup (complete with glitter).  We had given her a new Belle princess dress that morning.  She received a birthday princess sash and button so throughout the day every Disney employee from the custodians to the characters to the ride attendants were wishing her a happy birthday and singing to her.  She wore her dress all day and for lunch we had reservations at Cinderella's Royal Palace with the princesses.  We were greeted by Cinderella and did a photo shoot with her.  We were then escorted to our table for a wonderful meal.  Half way through the meal princess after princess was announced and came around to each table.  Guess who was the first table each princess came to.  We met Snow White, Aurora, Arial, and Belle.  Belle was last and by the time she was announced Rachel was about beside herself.  She would quickly wipe her mouth and hands and get her autograph book ready to be greeted.  It was a wonderful experience and I will never forget the look on her face each time the princess called her by name and wished her a happy birthday.  We had cake and ice cream later that night with Grandparents and family.  The rest of the day was crazy busy as we tried to hit the best rides we could before the crowds came later that day. 

 

 

 Yes, we even were able to meet Santa in Disney World!

Tuesday, December 20th-Animal Kingdom

We were unsure if we should take a day to go to this park but we are very glad we did.  We could meet many characters that would take much longer in all other parks and it was not as nearly busy as the others.  One of the highlights of the day was the safari where you ride around in a duck like jeep (for those who have gone to the Dells) and see animals in their natural habitats.  We saw giraffes running wild, hippos, rhinos, lions, and so much more some right next to the jeep.  Anson's favorite part of the whole trip was the Boneyard.  It was a play yard for kids to climb around but Anson and Aaron found a dinosaur excavation spot where the kids could dig up dinosaur bones and see what kind of animal it was.  Anson wanted to continue to go back there all day every day.

Our family in front of the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom

 Andrew, Aundrea, Dave, Rob, Emily, Tracy, Rick's Dad Rick, and our family going into Animal Kingdom!

 Anson's favorite dig site!

Wednesday, December 21st-Hollywood Studios

I think the boys, both adult and kids, were the most excited about this day.  Aaron jumped out of bed and was the first one dressed and at the table the day we did this.  I don't believe that has ever happened.  STAR TOURS!  We again got to the park about 30 minutes before the park opened.  Yes, every day we woke our kids up VERY EARLY!  We were on our way down to the Star Tours line when we passed the Jedi Training Academy.  Rick wasn't with me so I didn't know what the priority was.  I stopped everyone and went in to ask what the deal was and was SO glad I did.  We received the next Academy time which wasn't until 12:40.  By 10 am they were booked for the day.  So the big boys and small got on Star Tours, for the first of a few times that day.  We did a lot of the spouse swap in order to ride.  If a parent is sitting out to be with a child then they can go right on as soon as the first parent gets off the ride.  We made very good use of these even with fast passes.    Another highlight that day was the Car Stunt show.  Andrew's favorite Lightning McQueen made an appearance during the show.  Rick carefully watched the minutes go by to make sure the kids were at the Academy on time to prepare for their training.  They had to be there by 12:10 to learn what to do.  At 12:40 we were all outside as their class of about 15-20 kids came out to perform their exercises for their parents.  They had masters to help them move through their training.  At the end of their training, who should appear but Darth Vador and Darth Maul.  Each child got to fight either Darth Vador or Maul assisted by their master.  The boys had been prepped by Rick prior to the event and had talked it all up the month prior to.  They each fought Darth Maul and of course pushed them back using the force.  It was so fun to see them.  I think it was just as fun seeing the Dads, Uncles, and Grandpas see them.  Another great, but exhausting day.

 Aaron fighting Darth Maul!

 Anson fighting Darth Maul!

Thursday, December 22nd-Magic Kingdom

 We went back to Magic Kingdom our last day because Epcot is too big for us right now.  We pretty well covered Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios in one day each but Magic Kingdom you need at least two days.  We had not seen Adventure land and we let the kids reride one of their favorites, Buzz Lightyear ride.  We adults got in our few favorites, ie splash mountain and space mountain.  Anson actually got up the nerve to do splash mountain with us but when we started going up the 5 story drop he wasn't so sure about that idea.  Andrew was a trooper.  We did a lot of carrying him, and when I say we I mean me since apparently he doesn't know we're not one.  But really he went on a few rides and the characters were huge compared to him.  He sleeps with Pluto every night and Pluto was the first character we met.  He was hanging on to dear life when meeting any character at the beginning of the week.  We saw the characters in the Parade on Thursday and Pluto was one of the first in the parade.  He almost jumped out of the stroller, covered his mouth and was visibly shaking with joy.  He was so excited every time he saw a character he knew.  Again a priceless memory!

Friday, December 23rd-Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is full of all the stuff you can buy in the park but then you don't have to haul it around.  So we spent the morning there before our flight.

We had a marvelous time with family and watching our kids experience Disney World this week.  It was exhausting and we didn't make it close to the evening activities.  A few notes for me mainly to remember is plan at least 6 months in advance, bring snacks from home (fruitsnacks, pretzel goldfish, granola bars and waterbottles) and bring the double stroller if you have young ones.  Our 6 year old boys were begging for a turn everyday.  Thankfully we had asked Uncle Rob to come and he carried Rachel for at least half of the last two days.  We look forward to coming back again, maybe in 2013 with Brittany's family.

We made it through November and surgery! Whew!

Yes, we made it through.  November 5th we had the wedding (see previous post).  Diane and Dennis's surgeries were postponed from October 20th to November 17th.  They got to the hospital early on the 20th and started prepping for surgery and took Dennis in to start.  Once he was under one of the other kidney recipients said, "Oh by the way I have this, it is a problem?"  Yes, you can't hide medical info and not have it affect a major surgery.  So all of the surgeries were cancelled and postponed and the group that they were swapping with changed.  That person probably was dropped and lost their chance at a kidney for awhile.  So we were able to have Dennis and Diane at the wedding and that was great for everyone.  A few weeks later we did it all again.

On Thursday, November 17th Rick took his parents early in the morning to the hospital.  They surgeries went very well and I came to spell him that afternoon.  They hadn't released either of them from recovery although it had been many hours since they were out of surgery.  Finally around 5 Rick left to go home and I stayed on trying to find out why they were still in recovery.  Diane finally got a room around 6 and I got to visit her for awhile.  She was sore but looked pretty good.  The meds they gave her were not the best for the first day but the doctor eventually changed them.  I had dinner around 7 and kept pushing to find Dennis.  They kept saying he was sleeping and they didn't want to bother him but he'd been out of surgery since 11 am so that didn't make since all afternoon.  I finally got a hold of his nurse for his room.  She had been waiting on him all day.  They hadn't cleaned the room, which when I looked seemed ready to me.  Within 3 minutes of me talking to her he was being moved to his room.  He was sore but by the time I left he had been to visit Diane, walking to her room.  The nurse made the mistake of telling him to walk as much as possible, which for Dennis is a lot.  The next day he was discharged and was walking his street at home a few times a day.  He's determined to get better quick.

Saturday we got word from Diane the kidney had slowed down and they were concerned about it.  The doctors reviewed all her numbers and they decided to continue.  I guess sometimes it takes while for the kidney to start working in a new body.  It did start working and Diane was discharged Saturday night (2 days post surgery!)  She is recovering well.  She has several visits to the hospital in Chicago every week, which is hard on someone just out of a major surgery.  In one of these visits she started bleeding a lot from the surgery spot.  The kidney was fine but they admitted her and kept her over night.  She was discharged the next afternoon and got to our home just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.  She thinks it was just a clot and is doing fine now.  In hind-site we really wish they had a longer than 2 day stay for such a major operation. We're lucky this complication didn't happen at home.

So they were able to come over for Thanksgiving.  I had to cook it all since they were recovering.  Medalith came over to learn a few dishes including rolls and cinnamon rolls.  She also brought a couple Peruvian dishes for the dinner.  It's great to have a sister in the area to cook and be with.

Our family all came down with several different illness from strep to a stomach bug that week.  We had to be so careful going between the hospital or their home and ours.  We also had to disinfect everything just before they came to Thanksgiving just in case.  Diane has no immune system so she has to be careful for awhile.

So now a few weeks post surgery they are still being careful but Dennis is back at work and Diane seems to be feeling great.  Her new kidney is working very well and she is looking so much better.  She had a whole list of food she couldn't have for a few years and now she is drinking all the milk she wants and eating chocolate and peanuts whenever.  Yeah, I know, the real reason for her having a transplant.  So everything worked out very well.  The timing of everything, other than our illnesses was great and we are so glad it is behind us and the kidney seems to be working really well.  We really felt the hand of the Lord as we went through all of this.  We're so grateful for Priesthood blessings and the power they really have in our lives.

Alex's wedding

We had a wonderful day with Rick's brother, Alex and his new bride Medalith November 5th.  They were married in our home that day.  We spent a month of cleaning, painting and getting the home ready for that day and it turned out well.  Here is the home decorated.

  The home looked pretty darn good if I say so myself.  Mom came over multiple days to help take care of the kids so I could clean or paint  and also helped me clean the week of the wedding.  Diane, Aundrea (Dave's wife)  and Lori (Diane's sister-in-law ) came over the day before to help decorate.  We pulled all the crystal down from my wedding as well as my kitchen plants and much more and put in the wedding flowers and colors.  We have a crab-apple tree out front that also dropped these perfect little crab apples.  We filled the bowls, vases, and candle holders with water added some clear rocks Diane had brought and added the crab apples for the perfect color.  We lighted floating votive candles that morning in every dish and it was a beautiful effect.  

 The bride decided the morning of the wedding she HAD to get her hair cut so she didn't get to the wedding until 15 minutes prior to it suppose to be starting.  But it is her day so we all waited for her.  We took some pictures while we waited.

Here are Rick's brothers, Rob, Groom-Alex, Rick and Dave.

I teased them about looking so serious and got a more natural smile.:)

   

         Here are Groom-Alex with Dennis and Diane.

Here we are visiting while we wait.

I was wrestling with Andrew during the ceremony and Rick was taking video so we didn't get any pictures of the ceremony.  We'll have to wait for the photographer's pictures for that but here is our bride and groom after the wedding.

 Medalith was beautiful.  The morning her bride's maid, Daniella, thought of video chatting with Medalith's mom in Peru for the ceremony.  So Aundrea got Rick's laptop set up and sat in the front row so she could see everything.  Dennis even introduced all of us to her mom so she could meet everyone.  Daniella is from Peru and she was a bride's maid along with Laura.  

Rachel and Isabella, Alex's and Medalith's daughter, were flower girls.  

They had beautiful dresses made for the day.

As Rachel was walking down the isle doing her petals she was very careful to do one and only one petal at a time.  She knew all eyes were on her and wanted to do well.  Way to go Rachel!

 

The Somer's Bishop, Bishop Mark Quinn married them.  My sister, Kristen, played the flute in the ceremony.  She is a very accomplished flautist.  She did a great job!  Dennis gave a father's blessing and everything went great. 

After the ceremony we went over to Lou Malantis for lunch...yum!  We then went to the reception at the church.  Diane has some wonderful friends that took the reception on due to her health and almost surgery (that will be another blog).  It looked great and we took some of the lovely centerpieces Andrea put together from out home and displayed them at the church.  

The first part of the reception was a receiving line and yummy food.  They then had cutting the cake and a Peruvian custom of the ring cake.  All the single girls, we included the boys for numbers, gather around and pull a ribbon out of this special cake.  The person who pulls the ring at the end of the ribbon is suppose to be the next one married.  It was a fun new tradition for us to see.

After that there was dancing.  I think Rachel and both our Andrew and Dave and Aundrea's Andrew danced the whole hour.  Here are some pictures.

 Our Andrew was stuck to me the whole evening so we had to make him part of the dancing scene.

 Rachel called Dave's Andrew her prince and they danced like this the whole night.  They never were apart for more than a potty or food stop.

 Andrew had his own crazy  moves.

Anson on the dance floor!

We had a great day.  The kids were real troopers sticking it out that week.  We banned all toys from the main level for several days and they had the whole wedding day festivities to happily be part of.  We rewarded the boys extra Wii time and Rachel a hot bubble bath for their great behavior.  At the end of the day Aaron asked if they could play with toys again tomorrow.  What a cute good boy!

The days following the wedding we said good bye to all our family and friends that had come in for the wedding.  Here is a picture of our kids with their new cousin Andrew.  We had a blast with him and all of our kids LOVED having him here with us.

Long blog I know but it was GREAT BIG FUN!

Halloween 2011

We had a great Halloween this year.  Grandma Somers made a couple fabulous costumes for the kids.  

  

   Anson was Swampfire from Ben 10.

Aaron was Ben 10.  Diane made this jacket. 

Rachel was Pocahontas,  as was our cousin, Isabella.  

Diane made both of these.

 Andrew was our little cow.  I took him dressed up Halloween night to do a quick milk run and got 4 gallons of milk with my cow in the cart.  Pretty funny!

 

We all had a great time.  Isabella came to our church's Trunk or Treat with us.  Our neighbors, the Krasin family always come with us too.  We love having friends to enjoy Halloween with!

Our little cow was tuckered out by the end of Halloween fun!