Since we left on Jim's birthday, I dragged him with me. He got to experience the bachelor life with Landon for a few days. We then headed down to Nephi and stayed with Kathy and Steve until the following Tuesday. All in all...a SUPER trip.!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Women's Conference
What's more fun than hanging out with a bunch of women at BYU? Hanging out with a bunch of women, staying up late in a dorm room, and EATING.! Four of us flew up to Utah at the end of April and had three days of solid fun getting spiritually fed (yes, we fit that in too) and just getting away from it all. We went to uplifting classes, ate, walked miles on end, ate, shopped at Robert's Craft, ate, cut Amy's hair in our Jack and Jill dorm bathroom, ate, stayed up late, ate, yelled at annoying chirping birds at 4:30am, ate....well...you get the idea.
Since we left on Jim's birthday, I dragged him with me. He got to experience the bachelor life with Landon for a few days. We then headed down to Nephi and stayed with Kathy and Steve until the following Tuesday. All in all...a SUPER trip.!
The group...Me, Kim, Lisa's sister (she lives in Utah and met us up there) Lisa, and Amy
I shouldn't be trusted with scissors and hair..ask Landon
I didn't trust myself! So I handed the scissors off to Kim. We did a pretty good job.!
These two pictures should give you an idea of what our night was like at Brick Oven...
Our poor waiter who was a good sport with a smile on his face. He had the loudest, craziest table in the jam packed restaurant. No worries, he got a good tip.!
We behaved ourselves long enough to take a 'normal' picture
Landon with his official BSA Eagle Scout card
BYE BYE Utah.! Until next year.....
Since we left on Jim's birthday, I dragged him with me. He got to experience the bachelor life with Landon for a few days. We then headed down to Nephi and stayed with Kathy and Steve until the following Tuesday. All in all...a SUPER trip.!
Easter (Say what?? How long ago was that??)
I know, I know. Easter was three months ago and we're now moving on to the brutal summer. But a blog is also a journal, so I'll remember what happened, whether it was three months ago, or yesterday. Either way, it'll be forgotten if I don't write it down.
All of the kids came and spent the night. Our church starts at the bumcrack of dawn (IE: 8:00 am) so we were all up very early and out the door. The kids all looked adorable in their matching yellow dresses. After church we came home and ate, colored eggs, had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard, and while we were outside the Easter Bunny made a visit inside. My favorite part was coloring eggs. I've always loved to color eggs, and it's fun to watch the grandkids now do their own. After the excitement, we all settled down to a spiritual Easter story. What a funfilled weekend.
West Family
Bentley Family
Maxwell Family
The babies
The hunt is on!
Bags are looking pretty full, time to go in and see what surprises the Easter Bunny has brought
Looks like Ainsley approves!
You could give Jer a box of rocks and she'd be content
Another satisfied customer...
Everyone is happy...it was a good day
All of the kids came and spent the night. Our church starts at the bumcrack of dawn (IE: 8:00 am) so we were all up very early and out the door. The kids all looked adorable in their matching yellow dresses. After church we came home and ate, colored eggs, had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard, and while we were outside the Easter Bunny made a visit inside. My favorite part was coloring eggs. I've always loved to color eggs, and it's fun to watch the grandkids now do their own. After the excitement, we all settled down to a spiritual Easter story. What a funfilled weekend.
Friday, May 22, 2009
As promised, a more uplifting, fun blog post. We went to California in mid March to see Nana, and to help ease mom's daily travels to work-home-hospital-etc. It was a good trip (hard to see Nana as she was), and I'm glad we went. We were able to get together with my brother and his girlfriend Leah. They are going to make us an aunt and uncle sometime in early July. That blog post to come at a later time....
On our way home we met Janelle, Joel and the girls at Janelle's endocrinologist appointment. And as promised, definitely an uplifting, happy moment. Our daughter is cancer FREE.! That was a HUGE relief for all of us, especially Janelle. After her appointment, we all went out for a celebratory dinner-Carls Jr. There were only a few other people there, besides ourselves, so the girls pretty much had free reign of the place-as you can see by the pictures. It was a happy, freeing time.
And to not leave granddaughter #3 out...two cute pictures of her below.
Mom, Dad, Stevie, Leah, Jim and I at dinner
McKenna and Hailee running the place....
Jerricka is getting to be a big girl
Ainsley before the lemon....
Ainsley after the lemon...gotta love that face
On our way home we met Janelle, Joel and the girls at Janelle's endocrinologist appointment. And as promised, definitely an uplifting, happy moment. Our daughter is cancer FREE.! That was a HUGE relief for all of us, especially Janelle. After her appointment, we all went out for a celebratory dinner-Carls Jr. There were only a few other people there, besides ourselves, so the girls pretty much had free reign of the place-as you can see by the pictures. It was a happy, freeing time.
And to not leave granddaughter #3 out...two cute pictures of her below.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
If Our Plate Wasn't Full, We'd Be Hungry.!
Hello Everyone.!
It's been a while since I've updated our blog, and even though this is just all 'informational', I promise the next one will be much lighter, and include pictures.!
Janelle had her biopsy yesterday and for the most part, it went well. They were only able to get to the larger mass on her neck. They took three separate samples from that mass. Her doctor said they contained fluid and tissue, which she (her doctor) didn't like the looks of. She has a return appointment next Friday (the 20th) for the results. We'll keep you posted.
On a lighter, and much fun note, Janelle and Darci are meeting up with a lot of their friends in Las Vegas this weekend. They are both really excited for the trip, especially since there won't be any kids with them.! Yep, Jim and I will have Hailee and Jerricka on Friday and Saturday, then Joel and McKenna will join us later Saturday and spend the night that night, and go to church with us on Sunday. It should be an exciting weekend for everyone
On Sunday March 1st, I got a call at about midnight letting me know that my sweet 95 year old Nana, fell and broke her femur. It was a pretty bad break that required surgery. She is still in the hospital, but should be released to an after-care place soon. She does have pneumonia, but it does seem to be clearing up.
A few weeks ago I got a call that Landon was in the E.R. He was in dire pain, and from what it sounded like on the phone-I thought what he had was a kidney stone. The only problem is, he was in the wrong E.R. He was at Utah Valley in Provo, and our insurance covers better at Timp in Orem. Luckily they had only done a urinalysis, so I had him go to Timp, where they did a C.T. to verify that indeed it was a kidney stone (welcome to your dad's world.!) On a good note, he's doing very well at school. He loves the college life.
McKenna had an appointment at a second Pediatric Nephrologist office. She took a lot of time asking Janelle questions, and also did a UA. This time there was no protein found in her urine. This doctor practices out of Phoenix Children's Hospital. Such a sad place to be, because you know there are so many sick children, but at the same time such a child friendly place. I've never seen so much color in my life. Also so many fun things for kids to do. So as of right now, McKenna seems to be doing well. Something I did learn-even though the other kids' ultrasounds look good now, they can still develop PKD later in life, so they will continue to have ultrasounds for years to come.
I got into an accident on January 26th (Happy Birthday Landon.!). No one was hurt, except for the Golden Burrito (AKA the mini-van). The rear driver's side slider door is crunched in. The very next week, the transmission went out. It's now back at home with a new transmission and an ugly looking door.
Last, but certainly not least, is my poor mom. The hospital that Nana is in is close to my parents house, so my mom sees Nana at least twice a day. Mom has been sick with a cold, and probably in a hurry yesterday-and hadn't eaten anything for breakfast...so she goes to Nana before she goes to work and starts to feel faint, so she leaves Nana's hospital room. I can't remember where she was at, but the next thing she remembered was waking up-on the floor. She had passed out and face-planted it on the floor. At least she was at the right place.! (laughing WITH you Mom) She spent a few hours in the E.R. getting stitches in her bottom lip, a C.T. of the head, TONS of blood work (she had a heart attack a few years ago), then off to the dentist to get one of her front teeth fixed. (It was knocked back during the fall). Poor mom
There are also major changes happening with us-more to come on that later.
Sooooooo-I finally said to Jim "Can we fit anymore on our plate??" and he replied..."If we didn't have a full plate, we'd be hungry". Nice.
We're not looking for sympathy here, just a few prayers our way sure would be nice.! We know we're not the only ones with a full plate. There are many, many others-in much worse situations than ours. We keep you in our prayers too.
On a much more FUN note, I have started a job.! It won't last too much longer (end of April), but the pay is great, and it really is lots of fun. My friend Kim who is a dental hygienist, found out about a survey that the state of Arizona was doing. They were putting teams of three together that consisted of a dental hygienist, an R.N. (our friend Angie), and a recorder (me.!). The state's Department of Oral Health had randomly chosen 100 schools throughout Arizona and the teams were to go into elementary schools and measure, weigh, and do a scaled back dental exam on 3rd graders. There is TONS of paperwork (you'd expect anything less from the government??), and lots of travel, but we get to spend the night at fun places (OK, Lake Havasu was fun...Kingman was dirty.!), and we talk, talk, talk the entire time. We've definitely got to know each other really well.
And that's about it here. We'll keep you updated on Janelle's results next week. We love you all, and miss you lots.!
xoxo
Jim and Lisa
It's been a while since I've updated our blog, and even though this is just all 'informational', I promise the next one will be much lighter, and include pictures.!
Janelle had her biopsy yesterday and for the most part, it went well. They were only able to get to the larger mass on her neck. They took three separate samples from that mass. Her doctor said they contained fluid and tissue, which she (her doctor) didn't like the looks of. She has a return appointment next Friday (the 20th) for the results. We'll keep you posted.
On a lighter, and much fun note, Janelle and Darci are meeting up with a lot of their friends in Las Vegas this weekend. They are both really excited for the trip, especially since there won't be any kids with them.! Yep, Jim and I will have Hailee and Jerricka on Friday and Saturday, then Joel and McKenna will join us later Saturday and spend the night that night, and go to church with us on Sunday. It should be an exciting weekend for everyone
On Sunday March 1st, I got a call at about midnight letting me know that my sweet 95 year old Nana, fell and broke her femur. It was a pretty bad break that required surgery. She is still in the hospital, but should be released to an after-care place soon. She does have pneumonia, but it does seem to be clearing up.
A few weeks ago I got a call that Landon was in the E.R. He was in dire pain, and from what it sounded like on the phone-I thought what he had was a kidney stone. The only problem is, he was in the wrong E.R. He was at Utah Valley in Provo, and our insurance covers better at Timp in Orem. Luckily they had only done a urinalysis, so I had him go to Timp, where they did a C.T. to verify that indeed it was a kidney stone (welcome to your dad's world.!) On a good note, he's doing very well at school. He loves the college life.
McKenna had an appointment at a second Pediatric Nephrologist office. She took a lot of time asking Janelle questions, and also did a UA. This time there was no protein found in her urine. This doctor practices out of Phoenix Children's Hospital. Such a sad place to be, because you know there are so many sick children, but at the same time such a child friendly place. I've never seen so much color in my life. Also so many fun things for kids to do. So as of right now, McKenna seems to be doing well. Something I did learn-even though the other kids' ultrasounds look good now, they can still develop PKD later in life, so they will continue to have ultrasounds for years to come.
I got into an accident on January 26th (Happy Birthday Landon.!). No one was hurt, except for the Golden Burrito (AKA the mini-van). The rear driver's side slider door is crunched in. The very next week, the transmission went out. It's now back at home with a new transmission and an ugly looking door.
Last, but certainly not least, is my poor mom. The hospital that Nana is in is close to my parents house, so my mom sees Nana at least twice a day. Mom has been sick with a cold, and probably in a hurry yesterday-and hadn't eaten anything for breakfast...so she goes to Nana before she goes to work and starts to feel faint, so she leaves Nana's hospital room. I can't remember where she was at, but the next thing she remembered was waking up-on the floor. She had passed out and face-planted it on the floor. At least she was at the right place.! (laughing WITH you Mom) She spent a few hours in the E.R. getting stitches in her bottom lip, a C.T. of the head, TONS of blood work (she had a heart attack a few years ago), then off to the dentist to get one of her front teeth fixed. (It was knocked back during the fall). Poor mom
There are also major changes happening with us-more to come on that later.
Sooooooo-I finally said to Jim "Can we fit anymore on our plate??" and he replied..."If we didn't have a full plate, we'd be hungry". Nice.
We're not looking for sympathy here, just a few prayers our way sure would be nice.! We know we're not the only ones with a full plate. There are many, many others-in much worse situations than ours. We keep you in our prayers too.
On a much more FUN note, I have started a job.! It won't last too much longer (end of April), but the pay is great, and it really is lots of fun. My friend Kim who is a dental hygienist, found out about a survey that the state of Arizona was doing. They were putting teams of three together that consisted of a dental hygienist, an R.N. (our friend Angie), and a recorder (me.!). The state's Department of Oral Health had randomly chosen 100 schools throughout Arizona and the teams were to go into elementary schools and measure, weigh, and do a scaled back dental exam on 3rd graders. There is TONS of paperwork (you'd expect anything less from the government??), and lots of travel, but we get to spend the night at fun places (OK, Lake Havasu was fun...Kingman was dirty.!), and we talk, talk, talk the entire time. We've definitely got to know each other really well.
And that's about it here. We'll keep you updated on Janelle's results next week. We love you all, and miss you lots.!
xoxo
Jim and Lisa
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Traditions
I love traditions. Every family has some form of traditions, whether it's for birthdays, or holidays. We all have them and have fun keeping them going.
Christmas here was crazy, more so because there were four children ages 3 1/2 and under. We started off with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, which consisted of stuffed shells and other goodies this year. Followed by the traditional opening of Christmas Eve pajamas. I remembered myself this year, so I got new PJs too. Let's not forget the traditional leaving-cookies-out-for-Santa. My most favorite tradition though, is when Jim reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas", and the real story of our Savior, from the Bible. I think it's the kids' favorite too Ü And then there's the traditional staying up way too late (for some of us, it was around 3 a.m., for the rest, around midnight).
We started a new tradition this year. An artificial tree.! I LOVE IT. No sap, no tree needles, no worrying about if it's going to catch the house on fire, and it was easy peasy to put up. To get that aroma of a fresh tree, I went to Bath and Body Works and bought the oil scent "Evergreen". It worked like a charm.
The little girls got a lot of super cute clothes, and fun toys. Grandpa got Grandma a Wii, and boy is my arm like jello.! Home run derby has left my right arm pretty useless.
Some of us finished off Christmas day with the most favorite tradition for some, the coveted Christmas Day nap. All is all, it was a great Christmas, and it's always fun to have all of the family here together. Hope you had a Merry one.!
In our Christmas PJs
The traditional "Twas the Night Before Christmas" story, and the real story out of the Bible
Leaving cookies out for Santa.!
The Faux Tree
MERRY CHRISTMAS.!
Hailee enjoying her new favorite toy
Nenah with her MOST favorite toys, cars from Uncle Landon
Thought I would throw this one in here since it's my blog and I can do what I want to...do what I want to...do what I want to...
My girls and their babies
Let the naps begin.!
...and to all...a GOOD NIGHT.!
Christmas here was crazy, more so because there were four children ages 3 1/2 and under. We started off with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, which consisted of stuffed shells and other goodies this year. Followed by the traditional opening of Christmas Eve pajamas. I remembered myself this year, so I got new PJs too. Let's not forget the traditional leaving-cookies-out-for-Santa. My most favorite tradition though, is when Jim reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas", and the real story of our Savior, from the Bible. I think it's the kids' favorite too Ü And then there's the traditional staying up way too late (for some of us, it was around 3 a.m., for the rest, around midnight).
We started a new tradition this year. An artificial tree.! I LOVE IT. No sap, no tree needles, no worrying about if it's going to catch the house on fire, and it was easy peasy to put up. To get that aroma of a fresh tree, I went to Bath and Body Works and bought the oil scent "Evergreen". It worked like a charm.
The little girls got a lot of super cute clothes, and fun toys. Grandpa got Grandma a Wii, and boy is my arm like jello.! Home run derby has left my right arm pretty useless.
Some of us finished off Christmas day with the most favorite tradition for some, the coveted Christmas Day nap. All is all, it was a great Christmas, and it's always fun to have all of the family here together. Hope you had a Merry one.!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A Trip Home
At the last minute, Jim and I decided to take a quick trip to California to see our families. Jim took Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week off, so we headed out Monday. Our first stop was to see Jim's family. We all met up at a yummy Mexican restaurant in our old home town of Corona. It was a fun visit, and nice to see everyone. We couldn't believe how much Madison and Chase had grown up.! You can't see it in the picture, but... Sherree had given herself a 'bowl' cut that day. She usually cuts her own hair (and does a great job.!). She also uses clippers to cut the back of her hair. Well...she kind of forgot to put on a numbered attachment and wound up shaving the back of her head.! Luckily, her hair grows fast.. Ü
Dennis, Madison, Jennifer, Jim, Chase, and Sherree
Then it was to my parents that night. Luckily my brother was on his way back from a job up north, so we got to see him that night. We also got to see him the next day along with his girlfriend Leah. We surprised Nana by showing up at her house...and WOW was she surprised.! We brought over our (Nana and mine) favorite meal, El Pollo Loco. It fits...the crazy chicken for the crazy familiy. We really enjoyed our visit, and hated to leave. She is 95 years old, but doesn't seem like it. Her body might be that of a 95 year old, but her mind sure isn't. I can only hope to live as long, and have as good of a life like she has had. I love and miss my Nana. And even better, I think my family has come to accept that I am the FAVORITE .
Jim and Stevie (yes I still call my "little" brother Stevie)
Me, Mom, and Nana
Me and Nana
Then it was to my parents that night. Luckily my brother was on his way back from a job up north, so we got to see him that night. We also got to see him the next day along with his girlfriend Leah. We surprised Nana by showing up at her house...and WOW was she surprised.! We brought over our (Nana and mine) favorite meal, El Pollo Loco. It fits...the crazy chicken for the crazy familiy. We really enjoyed our visit, and hated to leave. She is 95 years old, but doesn't seem like it. Her body might be that of a 95 year old, but her mind sure isn't. I can only hope to live as long, and have as good of a life like she has had. I love and miss my Nana. And even better, I think my family has come to accept that I am the FAVORITE .
Sunday, November 30, 2008
HALLOWEEN AND BIRTHDAYS
Ok, so I'm a little behind....We've been just a bit busy.!
On Halloween both of the girls came here to trick-or-treat with the kids. They looked so adorable.! Have I mentioned how much I love Halloween in Arizona? It was in the 70's...wonderful.!
They all spent the night here and then we went out to 'linner' at California Pizza Kitchen for Darci, Joel, Janelle, and my birthdays. The food was good, and the time spent together was great.
McKenna in the same outfit she wore last year. Janelle bought her a new one, but as soon as Janelle brought this out, she HAD to wear it again.
Hailee is cute as a bug. A ladybug that is.!
Ainsley, our little Angel
Jerricka as a Pink Leopard. So sweet.!
Before heading out for the goodies.
We're all back home, in PJ's and pooped.!
Group shot at California Pizza Kitchen
Janelle, Joel, and a sleeping Hailee and Jerricka
Josh and Darci
Papa and McKenna
A surprise group shot...ha.!
The babies side by side. Two tub-a-lubs.!
On Halloween both of the girls came here to trick-or-treat with the kids. They looked so adorable.! Have I mentioned how much I love Halloween in Arizona? It was in the 70's...wonderful.!
They all spent the night here and then we went out to 'linner' at California Pizza Kitchen for Darci, Joel, Janelle, and my birthdays. The food was good, and the time spent together was great.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
