I'm not sure if anyone cares, but here are some Glacier National Park pictures from last week when we were there.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Glacier National Park
I'm not sure if anyone cares, but here are some Glacier National Park pictures from last week when we were there.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Another Lengthly Absence
I'm getting quite good at absences. I'm only posting because the peeps who follow my routine (that's 'cool' talk - about as hip as I'll ever be) are getting restless. Nevermind my restless follower is my sister, whom i talk with alot. But, whatevs (another 'cool word that I'll never use again).
I will be posting soon because I actually took pictures last month, plus I want to show off my mad baking/designing skills in the cake department. Let's just say, those cooking shows make decorating cupcakes look MUCH easier than it really is. They also don't show the bakers squeezing frosting in to their mouths, which I think makes the cake decorating experience much more fun.
Hint of things to come...science fair, state report, disneyland, birthday, pinewood derby, pantry re-do. Yes, all in March, well technically the pantry isn't quite done..or half done and it's April 1st tomorrow, but it's close enough.
I will be posting soon because I actually took pictures last month, plus I want to show off my mad baking/designing skills in the cake department. Let's just say, those cooking shows make decorating cupcakes look MUCH easier than it really is. They also don't show the bakers squeezing frosting in to their mouths, which I think makes the cake decorating experience much more fun.
Hint of things to come...science fair, state report, disneyland, birthday, pinewood derby, pantry re-do. Yes, all in March, well technically the pantry isn't quite done..or half done and it's April 1st tomorrow, but it's close enough.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A leave of absence
I have taken a leave of absence from my blog. I'm not sure anyone noticed, and I'm alright with that. I'm also not committing to writing on here again. I do enjoy reading my past posts, and want to record what our life is like right now, since I'm a forgetful girl.
Life right now is busy. We took the month of January off of scheduled activities (minus piano and scouts and speech therapy). It was a nice break. December felt crazy with a baptism, Christmas, finals, a trip to California and school programs, activities. Yes, I had finals, as in, an Accounting 2010 final the week before Christmas - along with four school Christmas programs scheduled at the same time. It was crazy, crazy, crazy...but I enjoyed it. I don't know if I necessarily enjoyed the class so much, as I did getting back into learning. It's been so many, many years since I've been in college and it was fun to take a class 'just because'.
Anyway, January was a crazy month - I think the theme is crazy. Randy has been working many, many, many hours (read: video conferencing with the kids at night to at least see them -- meaning 11pm nights, every night) at work trying to finish up end of the year stuff, secure more business for 2011, and manage the building process of his new office, AND move into the new office space January 31st. He did it, continues to be busy and has a spectacular new office space. I am a proud lady. He works hard.
February is back to scheduled afternoons, etc. February is also Tyler's big month of evaluations and doctor appointments. He had a great visit with the Neurologist and Orthopedic Surgeon. We had very informative and helpful visits with the occupational and physical therapists. Tyler has one more big work up this month -- next week he has a GAIT lab. This is a three hour intensive lab where TYler wears probes on his legs and arms. He will then perform several different exercises (walking, standing, sitting, bending, etc) so the lab can measure his movements. It's pretty high tech. At the end of this lab (and the two months it takes to evaluate his results - with a team of 5 doctors), we (and the doctors/therapists) will have a specific plan put into place of how TYler's muscles are doing, how they are responding to stimulation and what specifically needs to be done for him and his CMT. The probes measure his muscle structure and the fibers and we will know how each muscle is doing in terms of strength. I'm really excited. He will have this GAIT lab performed every year and we will compare year to year how he is doing. Apparently this is a much better indication of the degeneration of the nerves than the EMG (needle/electric probe test) - and much less painful.
Of course, with all these evaluations comes recommendations of what needs to be done and exerercises for TYler. The best thing is that all the kids can participate in his therapy. Therapy includes Rock Climbing, Swimming, Piano and SPeech. The best thing for TYler is to MOVE. Anything that stimulates his muscles is a great thing...Rock climbing strenghtens his weakened upper body, piano keeps his fingers stimulated, swimming helps with his coordination and large muscle stimulation. Speech is for both McKell and TYler (and she's fabulous). I feel really fortunate that I've been able to coordinate therapy so well and that all the kids can participate. It keeps them committed to a cause and keeps them healthy.
It may seem as though we are overscheduled, but it's all in the name of therapy (and I know it's only for a few months, then the scheudle will change agian), and all the kids can do it together.
Weekly Schedule
Mondays - Speech Therapy and Cub Scouts
Tuesdays - Swimming
Wednesdays - Piano Lessons and Cub Scouts
Thursdays - Swimming
Fridays - Rock Climbing
We aren't over scheduled, we're busy, and we're happy. I feel like we are doing what we should right now and it's up to me to be organized. We are still done with classes/Scouts by 6pm every night. Enough time to read, have scripture study, and a short play/detox time for them. It falls to me how well we navigate through each day. If I'm organized, we do well. If I'm not organized, then we fall apart.
Right now the kids are working towards going to Disneyland the first weekend in March. I decided to take them out of school and go on a mini-spring break. On their 'real' spring break, we'll have two boys getting their tonsils out. So, we are all committed to working hard at school and at home to earn Disneyland (and money for treats there...max $5 a day per child treats..and my kids think that's so much money).
Right now things are going well. We're busy but happy. We're in a good place. I'm grateful to be the mother to these wildly energetic, creative and challenging children. I am in my element when I am with them and overwhelmed with love when I see their faces in the morning or when I pick them up from school. I love them. They make me happy.
Life right now is busy. We took the month of January off of scheduled activities (minus piano and scouts and speech therapy). It was a nice break. December felt crazy with a baptism, Christmas, finals, a trip to California and school programs, activities. Yes, I had finals, as in, an Accounting 2010 final the week before Christmas - along with four school Christmas programs scheduled at the same time. It was crazy, crazy, crazy...but I enjoyed it. I don't know if I necessarily enjoyed the class so much, as I did getting back into learning. It's been so many, many years since I've been in college and it was fun to take a class 'just because'.
Anyway, January was a crazy month - I think the theme is crazy. Randy has been working many, many, many hours (read: video conferencing with the kids at night to at least see them -- meaning 11pm nights, every night) at work trying to finish up end of the year stuff, secure more business for 2011, and manage the building process of his new office, AND move into the new office space January 31st. He did it, continues to be busy and has a spectacular new office space. I am a proud lady. He works hard.
February is back to scheduled afternoons, etc. February is also Tyler's big month of evaluations and doctor appointments. He had a great visit with the Neurologist and Orthopedic Surgeon. We had very informative and helpful visits with the occupational and physical therapists. Tyler has one more big work up this month -- next week he has a GAIT lab. This is a three hour intensive lab where TYler wears probes on his legs and arms. He will then perform several different exercises (walking, standing, sitting, bending, etc) so the lab can measure his movements. It's pretty high tech. At the end of this lab (and the two months it takes to evaluate his results - with a team of 5 doctors), we (and the doctors/therapists) will have a specific plan put into place of how TYler's muscles are doing, how they are responding to stimulation and what specifically needs to be done for him and his CMT. The probes measure his muscle structure and the fibers and we will know how each muscle is doing in terms of strength. I'm really excited. He will have this GAIT lab performed every year and we will compare year to year how he is doing. Apparently this is a much better indication of the degeneration of the nerves than the EMG (needle/electric probe test) - and much less painful.
Of course, with all these evaluations comes recommendations of what needs to be done and exerercises for TYler. The best thing is that all the kids can participate in his therapy. Therapy includes Rock Climbing, Swimming, Piano and SPeech. The best thing for TYler is to MOVE. Anything that stimulates his muscles is a great thing...Rock climbing strenghtens his weakened upper body, piano keeps his fingers stimulated, swimming helps with his coordination and large muscle stimulation. Speech is for both McKell and TYler (and she's fabulous). I feel really fortunate that I've been able to coordinate therapy so well and that all the kids can participate. It keeps them committed to a cause and keeps them healthy.
It may seem as though we are overscheduled, but it's all in the name of therapy (and I know it's only for a few months, then the scheudle will change agian), and all the kids can do it together.
Weekly Schedule
Mondays - Speech Therapy and Cub Scouts
Tuesdays - Swimming
Wednesdays - Piano Lessons and Cub Scouts
Thursdays - Swimming
Fridays - Rock Climbing
We aren't over scheduled, we're busy, and we're happy. I feel like we are doing what we should right now and it's up to me to be organized. We are still done with classes/Scouts by 6pm every night. Enough time to read, have scripture study, and a short play/detox time for them. It falls to me how well we navigate through each day. If I'm organized, we do well. If I'm not organized, then we fall apart.
Right now the kids are working towards going to Disneyland the first weekend in March. I decided to take them out of school and go on a mini-spring break. On their 'real' spring break, we'll have two boys getting their tonsils out. So, we are all committed to working hard at school and at home to earn Disneyland (and money for treats there...max $5 a day per child treats..and my kids think that's so much money).
Right now things are going well. We're busy but happy. We're in a good place. I'm grateful to be the mother to these wildly energetic, creative and challenging children. I am in my element when I am with them and overwhelmed with love when I see their faces in the morning or when I pick them up from school. I love them. They make me happy.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Reasons Why I am an Awesome mom...
I am an awesome mom. I survived Halloween Weekend..by myself. Here are the stats:
2 VERY sick people - as in one spouse and one five year old girl who had the fevery flu...for days and still going.
4 painted pumpkins - could quite possibly be worse than carving all four kids pumpkins simultaniously
1 gigantic mess made by the two-legged tornado (Ellie's nickname) - envision red paint all over herself and the pumpkin, and the floor, and the carpet and the stairs, and the bathroom door - Awesome.
1 night of trick or treating in the freezing rain. Awesome again. Me trick or treating for McKell who was too sick to hold her bag.
4 school Halloween parties
1 office trick or treat
1 Neighborhood Halloween party
Family pictures - with the sick people totally faking smiles since I couldn't reschedule
Halloween dinner of mummy dogs and apple monster slices...which no one ate. My attempt at a fun Halloween dinner.
Yes...I am amazing and tired. And I was so busy doing all this, I didn't get a picture of the kids in their costumes. We'll have to fake it in a week when McKell is feeling better. We'll just pose in front of the Thanksgiving decorations.
2 VERY sick people - as in one spouse and one five year old girl who had the fevery flu...for days and still going.
4 painted pumpkins - could quite possibly be worse than carving all four kids pumpkins simultaniously
1 gigantic mess made by the two-legged tornado (Ellie's nickname) - envision red paint all over herself and the pumpkin, and the floor, and the carpet and the stairs, and the bathroom door - Awesome.
1 night of trick or treating in the freezing rain. Awesome again. Me trick or treating for McKell who was too sick to hold her bag.
4 school Halloween parties
1 office trick or treat
1 Neighborhood Halloween party
Family pictures - with the sick people totally faking smiles since I couldn't reschedule
Halloween dinner of mummy dogs and apple monster slices...which no one ate. My attempt at a fun Halloween dinner.
Yes...I am amazing and tired. And I was so busy doing all this, I didn't get a picture of the kids in their costumes. We'll have to fake it in a week when McKell is feeling better. We'll just pose in front of the Thanksgiving decorations.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Impaled by the bathtub faucet
Just experienced my first impaling tonight, and I barely lived to tell the tale. I was washing the girls hair in the bathtub and my feet slipped on the tile floor. I flew head first into the bathtub, but the fall was broken when my stomach and the bathtub faucet met. I crawled to the girls floor waiting my untimely demise via internal bleeding.
As you can tell, I'm still here, so there was no death involved. Just a sore stomach.
It would have been funny had it not happened to me.
Tyler's first response, "Did the girls laugh at you?". Thanks, thanks so much, son.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Drinking from the fire hydrant
We're back from our fabulous summer vacation. School has started for everyone, including me, and we are back into the school schedule and back to many outside activities both kid-related and adult.I also have three months of neglect to work on in home-related issues. Can we just go back to summer?
We're very busy, along with most families. I think September is a month of adjustment for every family. Going from a relaxed summer to early awakenings, meal planing and school and activity related schedules is absolutely time consuming.
I feel like I'm drinking from the fire hydrant.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Road Trip blog address...
I finally set up the blog and am updating regularly. I am adding picture slide shows to previous posts, so check back often...if you dare.
http://wwwoursummeradventure.blogspot.com
Enjoy. We are having a grand time.
http://wwwoursummeradventure.blogspot.com
Enjoy. We are having a grand time.
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