Samantha's Surgery

It's been almost a week since Samantha's eye surgery. After 1 year of wearing glasses to try and fix the crossing, we found out she had to have a procedure done to fix the problem. Samantha was very sure that she didn't want surgery and even wrote heartbreaking notes about it at school about how she was scared. We decided to have a family fast for her and we told her that everyone that loved her was going to fast for her so that Heavenly Father would help her be brave. After a while, she told me she wasn't scared anymore. The night before surgery, Brandon was able to give her a blessing and our sweet neighbor brought over 6 new Barbie movies to help take her mind off things. In the morning, we got her showered and ready and she got to open a present.We didn't know whether or not they were going to give her an IV before or after they put her under anesthesia, and thankfully it was after. She's not a big fan of needles, but let's be honest, who really is? She thought the worst part of it all was the blood pressure machine squeezing her arm.
Here she is all decked out in hospital pj's. Now why don't they make these for grown ups?
When we got to the pre-op room, there were a bunch of things waiting for her on her bed--coloring sheets, bouncy balls, yo-yo's, a crown, a home made pillow case. She was excited too see all her new stuff and it helped ease her mind.


Samantha was so brave, she didn't cry once. I on the other hand, bawled me eyes out many times. I had to keep turning my back so she wouldn't see me cry. Even now as I'm writing this, I still tear up. I think I should have had a blessing too!
Here she is after surgery, still groggy from the anesthesia. The actual procedure only took about 30 min. I was really surprised at how fast it took. But from the time the doctor told me she did great until the time they actually brought her in the room took FOREVER. I told Brandon if they didn't bring her to me soon, I was going to start storming through the hospital until I found my baby. When she finally came in she said she was just so sleepy. She didn't open her eyes at all the first day because it felt like there was sand in them. We just listened to Barbie movies. The next morning, she finally opened her eyes and said, "Mom I can see!" Her eyes are still really red, and probably will be for the next month, and then they will fade. We're hoping that everything is fixed and we won't have to do this again. Thank you to everyone who fasted, and also for your sweet thoughts and prayers. We are so lucky to have such great family and friends.

Meet the newest addition

It only took 2 years, 2 floods, and 2 1/2 months of construction, but our guest bathroom is FINALLY DONE!
We knocked out a wall, tore out the shower, vanity, pretty much everything, and put in a jetted tub.
I CANNOT wait to take a bath! Brandon and I are thinking about moving our room down to the basement. :)
We are now accepting reservations.................

The Eensy Weensy Spider

Conversation overheard by Samantha and Amy who were playing outside in the fountain and they discovered a little spider:

Samantha: "I'm going to flush that spider down the toilet!"

Amy: "Where it will live with diarrhea!"

What am I teaching these kids???

Easter 2010

Every year we go to Orem City's Easter Egg hunt....and we are still waiting for good weather! It was FREEZING. We had to split up because of the age groups, so I went with Samantha and Brandon had Amy & Hallie. It should really be called an Easter Dash because there is no hunting, just running.

The Easter bunny left droppings leading to the Easter baskets.
We woke up to SNOW! So there was no Easter Egg hunt in the backyard. Although burying them in the snow would make for a good hiding spot. Because it was conference weekend, we stayed in our PJs all day!
Hallie loved her coloring book. She thinks she's a big girl too. Right now her favorite game is running around the table chasing someone and saying, "I get ya!"
Samantha lost one of her top front teeth on Easter. Good thing the tooth fairy and easter bunny didn't have to run into each other on the same night. That might have been quite the sight.

We made a huge breakfast, yummy Easter cupcakes and a scrumptious dinner.
A few days later, we went out w/ all my college friends for Beka's b-day at Sugarhouse BBQ. It was so much fun. Notice how the guys and girls are at opposite ends of the table???
Then the girls ditched our husbands and sent them home to be with the kids while we went and saw When In Rome.
Because we all had strep throat on Easter (and there was lots of snow on the ground) we did a little Easter photo shoot the next weekend before church.
Amy liked playing with the daffodils.

Hallie and I in yellow.

Love these girls!
Hope you had a Happy Easter!

Spring Break 2010

Blake and Shawna came out for their Spring Break and we didn't miss one minute of time playing while they were here! Shawna and I started out the morning by getting facials, and then we headed to the Hogle Zoo. There were tons of baby animals that were new since the last time we were there. I think the baby elephant was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Mamas and their babies!
Here is a mama tiger and her 3 baby cubs. I think they must have sucked the life out of her because she looked really skinny.
Little baby giraffe.

Waiting in line for the train ride.


The next day, we had a cousin potluck at our house. The kids were running all over and my walls got some fun new drawings on them!
We like to eat and play games!

The next morning, we headed down to Zion National Park. It was perfect weather and I finally got to soak up a little sun. We even went swimming in an outdoor pool in MARCH!
Grandma strapped Hallie to her back and I got to carry Amy on my shoulders. This is before our first hike to Lower Emerald Pools.
Lower Emerald Pools.

Samantha was such a trooper--I was so proud of her!

On the hike, you get to walk behind a waterfall. Well, a gust of wind came and Amy and I got soaked. She wasn't too happy!
Then we hiked to Upper Emerald Pool.
It was cold, but beautiful.
Amy and I brought up the rear of the hikers, so she had her own little photo shoot.



After a long day, we chowed down at the restaurant and then went swimming in the pool and spa.
The next day, we hiked a short but beautiful hike to Weeping Rock.




Amy was pretty much done with hiking at this point, so we got out the double stroller and put the 2 youngest girls in and the plopped Samantha on the top. We were quite the sight and got a lot of looks. The last thing we did was the riverbed walk. Don't be deceived by its name. There were some steep hills and pushing the stroller proved difficult, so we made a train--Shawna or I pushed the stroller and then the other person would push their bum up the hill. It actually was very helpful!
Here is the start of The Narrows. One day I will actually get to do this hike without my kids. The river sure looked cold though!

Hallie tested out the water. Yep, it was cold.
The weather was 75 degrees and BEAUTIFUL, and on the way home we hit a huge windstorm that lasted the whole way. The next morning I woke up to snow and strep throat. I should have stayed in Zion!