WARNING: OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR.!!

You'll understand what the title means as you scroll down and peek at the pictures. Well...maybe I should explain the pictures first...you may not want to see them all.! That's for a little later.
First off, we had a full house for Thanksgiving. It was lots of fun.! It started off the Monday before Thanksgiving when Sherree flew in. Then on Tuesday, Landon flew in. Thursday, early in the afternoon my parents, brother, and his friend Bree drove in. We had a VERY huge meal, the boys played the Game Cube (zzzzzzz) and we ate, and ate, and ate. You know, normal Thanksgiving day stuff. The next day Jim, Landon, Grandpa, Stevie, Josh, and Bree (kind of) went golfing, while Nanny, Darci and I went shopping at the crazy Mills. I'm pretty much done with my Christmas shopping, so I enjoyed a frozen banana covered in chocolate with nuts...yummmmmm. Friday afternoon Sherree flew home, then Saturday Landon and my family all left. It was really quiet.! Kind of weird. So that was our fun Thanksgiving. How about you?
This Monday (Dec. 3) is McKenna's thumb surgery. The doctor was concerned about anesthesia since Landon has Psuedocholinesterase Deficiency. He wanted her tested, but the test wouldn't be back before the surgery. So, they are just going to assume she has it, and give her different anesthesia. We'll all be there bright and early (5:30 am.!) for her. We'll let you know how it goes.
Landon pulled off a 3.4 GPA this last quarter. Good job.! He's doing really well in school, and it shows. For his birthday/graduation, we are taking him and a friend on a 7 day cruise to Mexico. He'll actually celebrate his birthday on the cruise. Should be LOTS of fun.!

It's been raining ALL day long, for over 12 hours. It's the first real rain we've had in almost 6 months.! This state is DRY. Oh yeah, we're in a desert.!

OK, now for the pictures....

#1 Getting ready for the BIG meal.!
#2 - #3 Eating dinner but “Not IT.!”
#4 After dinner games and pure laziness.!
#5 Aunt Darc and Nenna
#6 Brotherly/Sisterly Love--Watch out Josh!
#7 Nanny and Janelle
#8 Hailee eating her Thanksgiving…HER TOE.!
#9 Ok, Hailee eating her real meal-big girl food…rice cereal…yummy
#10 McKenna not liking the whip cream that Aunt Darc sprayed all over her (and in her mouth.!)#11 Grandma Sherree, Landon, Jim and McKenna
#12 - #13 Uncle T Bone and Landon wrestling
#14 WARNING.!! A BUM CRACK.! Oh yeah, I got Stevie good with this picture. I warned him I would put it on here.!!

Very Bittersweet Day

Hooray, it's my birthday....41....YUCK.! I never pictured myself being 40ish. The wrinkles are proof that it's happening though.! My day started off with a text from Darci saying Happy Birthday to me, then a call from Janelle. We wound up talking for almost 2 hours.! Then Jim called. Probably the most memorable call was from my Mom. She of course sang me Happy Birthday (that's tradition), but I could hear an echo....and she asked me..'Guess where I'm calling you from??". I say..."Work?"....she says..."YES...from the bathroom.!!". Holy cow. Then all of a sudden she whispered and said "Someone just walked in...I gotta go..!". Can you imagine what the person was thinking when she walked in?? Hahahaha.....I'm still laughing.! Tonight is dinner with Jim, then a movie. This Saturday we will get together with all of the kids. I think it's going to be a Red Robin night. Got to collect our free birthday burgers.!
That was the fun....now for the not-so-fun. McKenna and Hailee had their appointments with the pediatric Nephrologist yesterday. Sadly, it's not good news for McKenna. From what he could tell (he didn't have the ultrasounds in his hands, but he did have the reports) and from hearing of Joel's family history, he is fairly certain that McKenna has Polycystic Kidney Disease. She did test positive for a kidney infection, which he says is common with PKD. He said they will have to always keep an eye out for infections, because they don't want the infection to back up into her kidneys and cause more problems. The doctor has requested both of the girls' ultrasounds (which I'm surprised his office didn't have Janelle pick them up for the appointments), and also told Joel to get an ultrasound ASAP. Their doctor is holding out a slight hope that if Joel does NOT have it, that McKenna doesn't have it, but maybe something not so drastic. But he's not holding out much hope. He said it would be more rare if she didn't have it. So Joel will be getting that done soon. What can be done for PKD? Nothing really. The girls will have an ultrasound once every two years to see if it's advancing. Even though Hailee doesn't seem to show any signs (he'll know more once he gets her ultrasound), since it is hereditary, he'll keep an eye on her. Janelle asked the doctor to lay everything out on the line. He advised her to not have anymore children. Now that was like taking a knife to her heart. That's all she has ever wanted to be, is a mother. He said most likely by the time they're in their 20's, but probably no later than their 40's, they will experience renal failure. That means dialysis until a kidney transplant can be done. But, that's still about 20 - 40 years away, and technology and medicine will be much more advanced, so for now, we're just going to enjoy these two little girls.!
I am looking forward to this weekend, since it's a double birthday party. Plus, McKenna LOVES to sing Happy Birthday. We'll be bringing the video camera for that one.! Of course pictures will follow...Ü

Halloween was so much fun.! The weather perfect (no snow gear this year.!) and the girls looked so cute.! They came to our house, and we went all over my neighborhood. The girls raked the candy in.

McKenna had her cardiologist appointment this past week. After doing an EKG on her, and the doctor had a student doctor with her who completely looked her over and gave her a thorough exam, THEN the doctor came in and did the same thing, he felt that her murmur is something that she will outgrow as a teenager, and nothing to worry about. WHEW.! One appointment down, two to go. This Tuesday the girls have their appointments with the Nephrologist. We're a little anxious for that one. We'll keep you updated.

This is also a big week for Jim. Nov. 7th (nice date.!) is the last day for Wonder Bread to have a plan to come out of bankruptcy. Most unions are on board, with the largest not on board. So we'll see how it goes.

Family Time

This weekend we had some visitors.! We had Grandma Betty, her husband Allan, and my mom and dad. Six of us went to the Cal game Saturday night (that's another story, for another time), then we all went to Janelle and Joel's for lunch on Sunday. McKenna was in family heaven. She's such a funny little show off. In the picture with her and Janelle, I've appropriately named it "McCheesy". What a cheese. We had a fun time catching up, eating, talking, eating, and catching up. Grandma brought some yummy zucchini bread, and some super yummy candy from my Aunt Marsha. It was good to see everyone, and we can't wait for Thanksgiving.!

State Fair

This past Saturday, we went to the Arizona State Fair. In all of the years that we lived in Utah, we never went to the state fair before, only the county fair. Boy, were we missing out.! The fair was HUGE. There were a ton of rides, a petting zoo, lots of yummy food, a two headed snake, and a psychic.! All of the quality things that make a fair so much fun.

We are excited for Halloween. McKenna is going to be a princess (her dress even lights up.!) and Hailee is going to be a pink leopard. More pictures to follow of course.

This Saturday, my Grandma, her husband, and my mom and dad are coming down, and we are all going to the Cal/ASU game. GO CAL.!

Heading To Utah

Another trip to Utah. It's Landon's "Senior Night" football game, so we're heading back. This may be the last time we watch Landon play. We'll only be able to go back if Juab makes it to the finals, so we'll see.
Last weekend Hailee was blessed. She's so dang cute.! Her dark hair stands straight up.! She coos, smiles and laughs. She's a happy baby until that little bit of colic rears it's ugly head.

McKenna is one happy girl. She looooves playing with her Uncle Josh. She's such a grandma and grandpa's girl.! Her hair is so red and curly. But don't let the cuteness fool you. Her favorite phrase right now is "No, No, No, No, No". As many times as she feels is necessary. But it's still cute..!

Darci got a job as a preschool teacher...hooray.! She loves the school, and made a fast friend there. Erin and Darc went shopping the other day, and walked into a sports store, and her shirt that she is wearing is what she walked out with.! She couldn't wait to show us. GO CAL.!

Update to the Doctor's Appointment

Today started early, but turned out to be a relaxing day. I ran into traffic heading to the girls' doctor's appointment, but luckily it only put me 15 minutes behind. I got there just in time for the ultrasounds. To Janelle's surprise they did the girls at the same time, in different rooms. I had McKenna and Janelle had Hailee. It was uneventful, and we were out of there in less than 20 minutes. We then went to the coolest McDonalds on earth. This McDonalds is not your traditional McDonalds. It's decorated with an old French flair, and even has a working piano in it.! So cool. We were there for two hours. I came home, and Janelle called a few hours with the news from her pediatrician. Good news: Hailee's kidneys looked normal...not so good news....McKenna's do not. There are questionable spots on her kidneys, so to be on the safe side her pediatrician has made appointments for both of the girls with a specialist. I'm assuming a nephrologist, but I'm not totally positive. He wants Hailee to go just in case the radiologist missed something, plus the family history it's better to be safe than sorry. We'll keep you updated.

What's New

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post. Sorry.! Not even sure where to begin. First off, both of the girls have ultrasound appointments for their kidneys tomorrow. Janelle found a new pediatrician that she really likes. I went with her last week for the girls' shots (UGH), and he was very thorough, and listened to her. So he scheduled appointments for both of them. With the family history, plus what was seen on Hailee's ultrasound, if nothing else, it'll give Janelle a piece of mind. We're hoping for the best. I guess the most surprising part of the visit was after the doctor listened to McKenna's heart, turned to Janelle and I and said, "And I'm sure you know she has a heart murmur?..."....WHAT?? Janelle had never been told of any kind of murmur. She's been to the doctor numerous times for shots, ear infections, etc., and no one had ever mentioned it. He went on to say that many kids are born with them, but that she has a 'click' at the end of a beat that he is concerned about. So she has a consultation on Nov. 1st. THEN, there is the issue of McKenna's thumb. If you remember, she has Mallet thumb, and if it's not corrected, it will permantely stay that way. So, her doctor found a surgeon that she has an appointment with on Nov. 13. Needless to say, please keep these kids in your prayers.! Not only McKenna and Hailee, but Janelle and Joel. With Joel and Jim's job very uncertain right now, there's a lot of stress. So prayers are very helpful.!
Darci got a job.! She is a preschool teacher, and she loves it. She has kids that range from 2 1/2 - 5 years old. They are potty trained, thank goodness.! She's working full time, so that really helps with the 'ol income. Josh is doing great at school. He's on the student body, in communications I think.
Juab continues to win, so that makes Landon happy. He just would like to touch the ball more. We're hoping to head back to Utah for the senior night football game. Then playoffs. Luckily semi finals, and the final games are on Saturdays. www.deseretnews.com to follow Juab's schedule, and see results of the game. Click on sports, prep sports, then Juab.

The girls are getting so big. All of the kids were over for dinner and games on Sunday. McKenna is just such a "Diva".!! Hailee is starting to smile and talk like crazy. Boy, she really gets into talking. You should see her little lips when she talks. They curl up, because it takes so much effort to get those 'words' out.! It's so cute to watch.! Grandma's going to babysit while Janelle takes Joel to the doctor. Hooray for grandma...!

Darci has two interviews today, so we're hoping at least one of them will hire her. She loves it out here, but she's bored to death.! Good luck Darc.!

Snowflake

So, this is Snowflake, Landon's beloved Ball Python. She was just a few months old when he first bought her. She's now over 2 years old, and growing like crazy.! She eats 2 live mice every 10 days or so. Jim and I keep saying we're going to sell her since Landon isn't here anymore, but for some reason, we haven't.

Josh is on His Way.!

It's official.! Josh has started medical school right here in Mesa, AZ. We are so blessed to have the girls and their familes so close. This picture was taken right after Josh's white coat ceremony. We're so proud of him.! Josh and Darc make a great team.

Tonight Juab beat Beaver 32-0. Landon had another touchdown. Go Landon and go Juab.!

Uncle Lannie and Nena

I love this picture. McKenna really does love her uncle "Lannie", she just doesn't like the war paint.!

We subscribe to the Nephi Times News paper through the web, so we were excited to see Landon's picture on the sports page.! Heath got a great picture of Landon catching his touchdown in last Friday night's game. They play the Beaver Beavers (OK, stop laughing.!) tomorrow night in Beaver. Last year Landon was called for celebrating at their field. When they came to Nephi to play for varsity, they were looking for him, and found him on one play, and piled on him. Little payback. But if you ask Landon, he'll tell you it was well worth it. Ü Go Juab.!

Fun Vacation

Last week (August 21st - 26th) Jim and I went to Utah. Our first stop was in Flagstaff, AZ so Jim could do some business. Second day was a looong drive, but very pretty. We took U.S. 89 all the way to Spanish Fork, then headed to Park City. We stayed at the Marriott right on Main Street. Then it was off to Nephi. We got to see Landon's first home game, and what a game it was.! He had an interception, 5 great tackles and a touchdown. He called us today to let us know he was voted Player of the Game for that game.! Awesome buddy.! We were able to meet up with Joel, Janelle and the girls. They were there to see Joel's two brothers before they go to Iraq. The three of us then went car shopping and found Landon a truck, so Nephites, watch your children.! Just kidding son. Saturday night we were able to go to a wedding reception, then Jim, and I and the kids headed down to St. George for the night, then home by Sunday. All in all it was a great time. We can't do it very often, but will try to make it to as many games as we can.

First Time For Everything.!

Well, I finally did it, I created a blog.! I know so many people who do it, so family and friends can keep up with what's going on. It looked fun, so I decided to give it a try.! I'll be updating with pictures of well...everything I guess.!