Kallie's surgery

On Veterans Day, Kallie had surgery on her left ear to remove the tube and patch the hole.  She has had problems with her ears since she was little.  This was the last tube left from the second set of tubes.  She has had sinus infections and infection in her ears for about 6 months now.  The ENT Dr. wanted to remove the tube months ago, but felt we needed to wait until the infection was cleared up.  Well, the infection just wouldn't go away.  The decision was made to do the surgery and hope that the infection would clear after.  Kallie was given hearing tests prior to the surgery and we will go back in a few months to test again.  She has already had a few surgeries in her life, but having surgery with an older child is much different.  She was very brave and asleep from the first meds before they even wheeled her back to surgery.  It has always been hard for her to come out of anesthesia.  The hardest part now is that she can't go swimming because she has to keep her ears dry.  She is finally infection free, but the hole has not healed.  We will go back to the ENT in a few weeks to see how to proceed.

My Birthday

I have decided we need to be better at taking pictures.  This is the only one from my birthday.  The week before Gretchen and family came for Sunday dinner to celebrate.  They made an awesome dinner for us.  The next Friday night Byron took me to Chick-fil-a for yummy chicken and peppermint chocolate chips shakes.  My actual b-day was a busy day but we ended with a yummy family dinner at Mimi's. (Thanks Moms and Dads)

Halloween

It was brithday friday at work so there were cakes on every floor.

We started our Halloween on Fri.  After school we got dressed up and headed to Blizzard to trick or treat.  We had my little guy Rhett, that I tend for, join us because his mom was having her baby.  We also got to have our friends Jared & Rachel & Ambrey join us. It was interesting to trick or treat with a little ones again.

 After getting lots of loot at Blizzard, we headed straight to our ward Trunk or Treat.  It was crowded and crazy but the kids had fun.  I was not feeling well by this time so we didn't get any pictures, but Byron was sure to get pics of the candy sorting process.

Sorting, separating, and trading.

Fun with Cousins

Byron's brothers Bob and Jay came in October to go to Blizzcon.  I was so happy because Bob's wife Lisa and her kids came along and we got to play lots.

Fun at one of our many parks.

Relaxing after one of our three trips to the beach.

Fun at the beach.

First Day of School

Going to the Zoo

We finally had a day to go to the Santa Anna Zoo.  We live 5 min away and were given passes by the wonderful family that I tend for. 

Enjoying a snack.  We really enjoy our time with our little Rhett.

We watched an animal show and then got to touch the animals.

It's always fun to sit on a lizard, right?

Kallie really wanted a picture with Rhett but he just wanted to play.

Hero Camp

The day after we got back from vacation, the kids and I started Hero Camp.  It's a week long camp put on by the mom's for primary age kids.  Every day a scripture hero was spotlighted.  Then the kids rotate through a lesson, craft, music time, awesome activity, and photo ops for the scrapbook.  Each age group learned a song and choreography to preform at the show on Friday. 

Corbin doing bubble art.

Kallie coloring her leather bracelet.

Jenna and her great friend Mia.

Corbin with some of the other Sergeants. (His age group.)

Kallie and Julia being cute.

We had so much fun being involved in Hero Camp.  It was the first camp put on by the mom's in our stake.  I was blessed enough to work with the awesome moms that put so much time and energy to make it a wonderful experience for the kids.  We all made new friends.  One of the moms made a power point presentation that we watched on Fri at the show.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fqVJdfz4EY&feature=email  
Then we went and partied at the park.  Can't wait until next year.  We are already planning so many fun things.

Vacation-Wyoming

After staying a week with Byron's family we headed to Wyoming for a week of adventures with my family.  Most of the pictures were taken by someone other then me.  Maybe a youngin?

That's what we call "wrastling."

Jenna the supermodel...but only when she's in the mood.

Just chillin' at grandma's.

On the way home from Bear Lake.  Aww the technology age.

Griffin had a great time.

I didn't plan on getting wet...until I fell off the jet ski.

We had breakfast one morning at a great cafe in Immigration Canyon.  It was so beautiful and sooooo delicious.

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken while we were in Wyoming.  It is always an adventure.

Oh yeah, and Seattle

Wow, I really haven't blogged for a long time.  I also went to Seattle in May to spend a weekend with my mom and my sisters.  We really had a great time!  It was my first time in Seattle, so of course we had to do a little sight seeing.  My dumb camera lost our great pics from Pikes Market.  The rest of the time we were too busy shopping. 

Oops, Forgot July

July went by fast for us.  I didn't get many pictures but wanted to share some fun ones.

It's so fun now that all the kids like to play in the water.

We went to a new beach that had tide pools filled with fun things to see.

Yes, that's my superhero.

July 4th, before we headed out for our day of festivities.

The kids sang at the Stake flag ceremony.  My camera was being lame and deleted all my other cute pictures.

Vacation- Utah

We were so blessed to be able to take an extended family vacation this year.  We packed up and headed out bright and early Fri morning for our drive to Idaho.  Our first stop was in Weber, UT to stay with Byron's brother and family.  On Sat, they gave us the choice to go swimming or go for a hike...

Who's the king of bunker's hill?  Byron and all the kids.

We thought no big deal...  it was a tough hike, especially for our wimpy California lungs.  It was really great though.  We hiked up Waterfall Canyon in Ogden.  The waterfall was really amazing.

Can you see Corbin?

She's growing up too fast.

Once again, Jenna doesn't want to be in the picture.

Anthony, Alex, and Corbin enjoying snacks and the view before we headed down the mountain.

We were so thankful to have spent time with Bob and Lisa.  Our kids get along great and we love spending time with them.  Thanks guys!!!