Christmas with Grandpa

The boys and their cousins

We celebrated Christmas with Jesse's Dad the day after Christmas, when Jesse's brother and his family could be there. We went to Amy's house, Jesse's sister, and had pizza and played "Red-Eye" Poker, and opened presents. It was a lot of fun. Thanks Me-me (TJ calls Amy that) for having us!

Christmas Day

The boys a wonderful Christmas. For Christmas Eve we went to church and then to a Christmas Party. The boys didn't get to bed until very late, and didn't sleep in at all! Ashton and Jackson were up bright and early, woke us up, and made us wake TJ up (he would have slept in). They were so excited to open their presents. They loved what they received from Santa.

Their favorite was the Wii and the Guitar Hero World Tour Band.

Thomas' Secret Santa

Thomas received his gift from his online Secret Santa. He LOVES opening gifts. His friend Grady sent him a Fridge DJ, made by Leap. It is awesome. He loves it and rocks out to it daily! Our favorite song, "Birdie Bye-Bye." Thanks Grady!!!!!

A Visit From Shamrock and Clover

Meet Shamrock and Clover, they are our March Mascots. They have traveled all over the US and Canada, spending time with families of March 2006 babies. How did we come to meet these worldly bears. Simple . . .

TJ has several internet friend his age, on BabyCenter. I know some may think this is silly, but I have known these ladies since we were all pregnant with our children in 2005-2006. We do Christmas card exchanges, as well as Secret Santa's. We have developed quite the friendships.

I think of these ladies on BBC as a support system. Since we all have kids around the same age we can talk with one another about our little one's developmental milestones, as well as fears, dreams, and everything in between.
TJ and the Bears build a snowman

The boys and bears by the Trout

The boys and bears at the Oredock
The boys and bears at the Depot

TJ taking a nebbie with his friends.

The Bear on Christmas

Opening Gifts

Playing the Drums

Hanging with Frosty

A Magical Night with the Boys

SHOW TIME

We went to the Magic Show this week, and the boys LOVED it!

This is my fussy Jack, he cried because he wanted to go. But, it hadn't started it yet, so I had to be the mean mom and make him stay. Which I am glad I did, becuase he loved it!

Initially Jackson was TERRIFIED! But when he saw the juggler he was HOOKED. Even TJ was amazed, he kept ooing and aawing.

I hope they come back next year, it was well worth it. Although next time I will be prepared for the magic shop. The boys had their eyes on some wands and hats!

Auntie Christa and Alex, they sat in front of us.

Thanks Nana for coming with us, you helped make out night even more magical, the boys and I are blessed to have you! Thanks for the hot chocolate!!!

Coach Daddy

Jesse has recently taken on coaching basketball. He is the Junior Varsity Basketball coach for the Mellen High School boys.

He is an awesome coach, I know I may be partial because I am married to him. But, we think he is doing a terrific job!

The boys adore watching their daddy coach, all except Thomas. Once he spotted his dad he went crazy. He is going through a daddy phase, where he wants dad all the time. It's sweet, except when Dad is at work, we had to leave at the end of the second quarter of the Varsity game because TJ screamed bloody murder. It was a little embarrassing, to say the least.

GREAT JOB SWEETIE!

Ashton's Christmas Concert

Ashton was in the Daily Press this week for his XyloPhone playing. How exciting!!! He did such an awesome job.

The whole 1st grade concert was lovely. I cried on the first song, Light a Candle All Around the World, it was so beautiful!!!!!

Next year I am recording the entire thing!!!

Jackson's Christmas Concert

Jackson had his Our Lady Preschool Christmas Concert last week and it was so beautiful. Miss Amanda, Miss Jo, and Miss Beth are really amazing with the children. The little one's had props for most of the songs, everyone sounded so nice. I was so proud of his class, they worked really hard and it shows.

Cool Views From Our Room

We had a great view from our room. We saw some really amazing things, like the LifeFlight helicopter.

The church steeple, it's a lovely church.

Overall the view from any angle was beautiful.


We saw the moon and Jupiter and Venus. At first I thought they were really bright stars. I am so glad I was able to take a picture of such a cool view of the night sky.


The following morning an eagle flew right by our window, circled and flew by again. It was crazy!

Surgery Went Well

The surgery itself only took an hour. He had his tonsils and adenoids out. The surgery went fine. TJ did experience a bronchial spasm, but they were able to get it under control. He did have a croupy cough post surgical and needed albuterol every 6 hours. He was in a lot of pain, which made him cry, which made him cough, which made him cry even harder. He kept gaging, coughing, and then would dry heave. The OR nurses said it was gas, the room nurse thought he was nauseous. She wanted him to have anti-nausea medicine, but then forgot to give it to him. When he would heave he held the little pink cup to his mouth and just cried into it. His mouth hurt, so he didn't want to swallow, so he held a wash cloth to his mouth to absorb the drool. Poor baby.

We were in the St Mary's PICU, it was pretty full, but thankfully we didn't have to share our already tiny room.

Our experience with ST Mary's PICU wasn't all that great. For some reason they didn't give TJ his pain medicine intravenously, they choose to give them orally. Since that was the route the nurses chose TJ didn't receive his pain medicine on time. Instead I had to call the nurses desk and practically beg for someone to bring in his meds. They would finally come in with a Tylenol with codeine and I would attempt to give it to him. Most went in, some went all over. Remember, his throat hurts, so he doesn't want to swallow.

Finally asleep.

Playing with his cars.

He ate 4 or 5 popsicles the first day. He refused to go potty in his diaper, so when he had to go it was in the bathroom. He only had to go potty twice, so that wasn't too bad.

Around 7pm, he pain was under control and he wanted out, so we went for a little walk down the hallway and he played in the PICU children's playroom. It was fun. After 30 minutes he was done and wanted to back into his room and relax.

By 9pm he was out. He had a very rough night, lots of pain, drool, and coughing. He ended up needing albuterol at about 1:30 am.

The ENT came in very early the following morning and gave us the go ahead. So we were able to leave by 10 am Tuesday. I was so glad to be heading home!!!