Cole's First Fish

Yesterday Mike woke the boys up before 6 a.m. and took them fishing at the Bountiful Pond. They have been a few times already this year and fishing in the boat a few times too. Today was special for Cole, he got his first fish! Can you tell how proud he is?!?!

Another Tooth

Jenna lost 2 teeth last week. 1 I pulled out because it was SO loose and 1 the anesthesiologist pulled out because it was loose and in the way of her breathing tube. She has 2 other loose ones, the top two in the middle. One has been getting more and more wiggly. We were in the car tonight heading home and she was showing me just how wiggly it was. She asked me if I would pull it out when we get home; sure, no problem. A few minutes later she yelled "I did it!" She had pulled it out all by herself and was rather proud of that.


Here she is in the car just after pulling it out.


Here she is with her cute toothless grin. Can't wait until she loses that other top one, then she will really look toothless.

Being able to swim again...

PRICELESS!!!

After a week of no swimming for Jenna is was so nice to be back at the pool to cool off some. Jenna had a few different friends there for part of the day and had a blast!

J and L enjoying a snack!

J & K enjoying the cool water!

Family BBQ

My cousin Kara and her husband Pearl had the whole fam damily over for a BBQ. They had a blow up water slide for the kids and Pearl smoked his famous chicken. It was great to hang out and chat with everyone since our times together seem too few and far between. THANKS Kara & Pearl, it was great!!!


Here is Pearl making the yummy chicken.


Here is a pic of Jenna on the water slide. She is not suppose to swim for a few more days, but I didn't have it in me to deny her when everyone else was enjoying the slide. I put a good waterproof bandaid on and figure she wasn't sitting in water for hours so hopefully she's ok.


This is the second year we have had a bbq at K & P's. Last year it rained hard the entire day. We all hung out in the garage to stay dry. Today it rained for a few minutes and it felt great! Then we saw this awesome double rainbow. We are going to have a bbq there again next year just to see if it rains.

The Annual 23rd Parade

Ry was in the parade this year with the Primary. They were suppose to dress up like what they wanted to be when they grow up.


I tried to keep Jenna in the stroller as long as possible but she eventually wanted to be right up front with the boys. I told her it was ok as long as she just sat and watched. Her big brothers were nice enough to get candy for her so she coudl stay sitting.

After the parade we went up to Mike's sister's house to watch the fireworks at Mueller Park. I think this year was one of the best firework shows I have ever seen!

The Day After

We are surviving the day after surgery. Jenna has been hanging out on my bed watching movies, playing games, making necklaces, reading books, and eating. She is being a real trooper. I think it helped telling her that she has to be real good today so that we can go to the annual Bountiful 23rd Parade.

Here she is surrouned by all her fun quiet things to do.

Here she is showing off both missing teeth. I forgot to post about how she lost the second tooth in 2 days. The first just came out and the second was pulled out by the anesthesiologist. He asked about any looose teeth before he put her out and told us he may have to pull them (she had 3) if they get in the way of the breathing tube. He saved the one for us and Jenna was very excited when she found out she had another tooth to leave for the tooth fairy.

A Little Trip Down Memory Lane...

My friend, Julie, had this on her blog and I thought it sounded fun so please share a memory so I can share one with you.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.


EVERYBODY PLAY! I want to see what memories are out there!

"Surgery" Day Part 4

We got home and my sister had pizza already cooking in the oven, THANKS LEAH!!! My mom and dad came over and brought her a treat as well as some fun quiet crafts to do in bed. She was very upset that she couln't go outside to ride her bike. I think the hardest part is yet to come...keeping her "down". She doesn't have to stay completely down but needs to be calm and take it easy and for those of you who know Jenna you know how that is going to be. The funny thing is that the Dr. that condition may have made her a little more tired sincce her heart was working harder than it should. He said we may notice her being a little more active now...WHAT???

"Surgery" Day Part 3

Just minutes after I posted this morning I got paged: Jenna was all done. I met with the Dr., he showed me some pics of her heart and the device they put in, and he told me that everything went perfectly. He said the hole was bigger than they thought so definitely a good thing they found it now. He said she would have to stay flat for 6 hours, yes 6! Luckily she had some good meds and slept for about 2 hours (only 4 to go). She finally woke up and was awesome! She had root beer slushies and chocolate icce cream and watched the Disney Channel. Later in the afternoon they took her for another echo (ultrasound of her heart) to make sure the device was still in the right place and doing its job, which it was. Then the Dr. came to check on her and then we finally got to come home. She was a trooper all day. No crying, no throwing up, minimal moving, and mostly smiling. I am so grateful to the incredible staff at Primary Children's and all our friends and family for their prayers and words of encouragement and concern. Love ya all!


This is what she looked like for a couple hours, isn't she sooooo sweet?!?!


This is her shortly after waking up and enjoying her root beer slushie.


Here she is on the way out! She was so glad to finally go home.

"Surgery" Day Part 2

Here are the pics I tried to post earlier.


This is what Jenna looked like before I woke her up at 5:15 a.m.


Here she is having her pre op exam and being very cooperative and sitting still while she gets her BP checked.


Now she is modeling her hospital pj's for us.


And here daddy is wheeling her to the O.R. where we had to say "See ya later."

"Surgery" Day Part 1

I tried to attach some pics and for some reason it is not letting me. Anyway, it's 8:44 a.m. and I am sitting it the waiting room trying not to think bad thoughts and praying. We got up nice and early, it was still dark outside, and headed to the hospital. We got her all checked in and then they took her bp, temp, and oxygen levels. All was good and so she got dressed in her hospital jammies and then we headed to another waiting room. While she watched Mary Poppins we talked with the anestheiologoist and one of the docs. They give her a little vercet (antianxiety and amnesia) to calm her down then Mike wheeled her back in the wagon and we said "See ya later" and gave her hugs and kisses. I thought she was going to start crying but she was a trooper and was just fine. I had to keep my own tears from flowing, didn't want to scare her. Now it's a waiting game, hopefully not too long. Then we get to see how she deals with coming otu of the anesethia...

Jenna's Big Day...

Tomorrow Jenna is having her heart cath procedure done to fix her little heart. She has been saying she does not want to have surgery since we found out she needed it. I keep reassuring her but it doesn't seem to help much. Tonight we went to a pre surgery class/tour that they offer at Primary Children's, probably the best hour I have spent in a long time. They showed a video of what will happen the day they come and then the gave each of the future patients a little doll and let them be the Dr. They used the stethescopes and masks and learned all about IV's and everything the Dr will use to help them. Then we took a tour of the operating rooms and post op rooms. Jenna was actually excited about having surgery by the time we left. Her loose tooth even fell out while we were there. She said she was the luckiest girl ever because she lost a tooth and gets to have surgery. We will see if she still feels that way after tomorrow.


Here she is being the Dr to her doll patient that she got to bring home.


Here she is showing of her missing tooth, she is so excited to see what the tooth fairy brings. By the way, does anyone know how big the tooth fairy is? Jenna was wondering. She thinks she must be pretty small since she is a fairy.


Here she is eating her last snack before bed and then it's no more food until post op. She is looking forward to the popsicles and slushies they told her she can have. I am going to try and take lots of pics tomorrow to document this event. Maybe I will even post during the day form the hospital (again, love my laptop!). Wish us luck!

WEEN in Denver

Mike & I took a quick trip to Denver last week to see our favorite band, WEEN. We got buddy passes from his brother which was nice especially since it was a quick trip. The kids spent one night at Mike's parents and then my sister picked them up and kept them the rest of the time. She took them swimming, to a drive in movie, and the zoo; I don't think they missed us at all. Mike got in a little skateboarding with a friend, I got some homework done online (I love my laptop!), we hung out by the pool, visited with an old friend, and rocked out to Ween 2 nights in a row. They played for about 2 1/2 hours each night and only played 1 song both nights. Yep, they have that many songs and are that talented. I know most people have not even heard of them but they have a huge following and are amazing musicians. It was fun to get away for a few days for a much needed break. Thanks Mike!

My Funny Girl

The last few days Jenna has been cracking me up with some "interesting" comments.

The first one was last Friday on our way to the pool. Her friend Natalie was in the car with us and the Jonas Brothers came on the radio.
Jenna: "Do you like the Jonas Brothers?"
Natalie: "I don't know who they are."
Jenna: "They are the hottests guys in the universe, the hottest!"

Then on Sunday I was helping her get ready for church.
J: "I want to look reallly beautiful today."
Me:"Why?" J:"Because Braden is going to be there." (her little "boyfriend" had been gone on vacation for a couple weeks) I told Mike what she had said and so when he saw her already for church he told her she looked beautiful and this was her reply: "I have to look beautiful so Braden will want to marry me." WHAT?!?!? I don't know where she gets this from?

Then the other night we were all sitting around watching tv or something and she said or did something and Mike gave her the Nelson Ha, Ha laugh. She looked at him and said no one Ha, Ha's me. I busted up!

I am glad she can make me laugh, she makes my day!

Look What I Did Today...

Got some Veet (same as Nair)...

Spread it on the legs...

And watched my "baby" get smooth, hairless legs!


Ry asked me a few weeks ago about shaving her legs. Mike has made comments as well since she does have pretty hairy legs. I didn't really want her to start shaving yet, it is shuch a pain and I was a little worried about her cutting herself. She is in a leotard 4 days a week and with all the swimming we have been doing, I knew something needed to be done. So we tried this instead and it worked great! I told her it is way better than shaving but it would still make her less self conscious about her hairy legs. I can't believe she is old enough to be doing this....

Our View of Summer

Our summer has already had many days spent poolside and with the temps as hot as they are we will continue to have days like this:


Jenna worn out from the sun, the swimming, the snacks, the playing with friends, and the rest of the fun that comes along with the a day at the pool.


Jenna with 2 of her best friends hanging out at the pool. It's always more fun with friends. One more thing I love about the rec center: always friends to cool off with.


This is my view most days at the pool. I love soaking up the sun and watching the kids splash. A lot of days I bring along a text book to read as well, would rather be reading a novel by the pool, but it's a good time to get some extra studying in.

4th of July Weekend

We had a nice little weekend. It started out Thursday evening when we went to watch the big firework show up at the golf course here in NSL. It was soooo hot that day that we decided to just go up for fireworks. We found a spot on the road to park and the kids sat on the grass and watched. They were enjoying themselves until someone's sprinklers came on and they got all wet. Mike & I were sitting in the car and thought about leaving them out in the sprinklers, only for a second though.
On Friday morning we headed over to our church for the annual neighborhood breakfast. It's always fun to spend a little time with friends just catching up on what everyone is up to. Mike had to work for part of the day and then we headed up to my mom and dad's for a BBQ. Mom had knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago and is still recovering. Dad bought a slip and slide and a little pool for the kids to play in, they LOVED it! Then he bbq'd some hamburgers, hot dogs, and brauts which were all yummy. We ate and visited and played games and then when it was dark enough we went outside to light off some fireworks. It was a lot of fun, they live in a cul de sac so there were others out setting them off too.

Saturday I had to work all day so Mike took the kids bowling. When I got home we were all so tired from all the late nights and fun so we crashed. An overall nice weekend.

Grandma Susie and Jenna watching fireworks.

My dad LOVES music (I think that's where I get it from) and the car they bought last year has a "boom box" attached to the back door for tailgating. So he cranked some tunes (Neil Young) for us as we wathced the fireworks.

My pyro! Mike only set off one illegal one this year, but my parents neighbor had some great big ones he was setting off, they were really cool.

Noah on the slip and slide, they all enjoyed cooling off before dinner.

This is a pic of the kids on July 3rd watching the fireworks before they got all wet.

Our Health

My baby, isn't she so sweet!

I have been to 3 different doctors appointments this week. One for myself, one for Rylee, and one for Jenna. I have been having intermintent chest pains and difficulty breathing. I ketp putting off calling the Dr. but finally decided I better have it checked out. My EKG was normal and so was all my blood work (they checked for lots of things) so now I am wearing a little heart monitor for 2 weeks. I am suppose to wear it 24/7 except when showering or swimming and any time I feel my syptoms I push a button to record for a minute or so. I started wearing it on Tuesday and have had no syptoms since I have had it on, go figure. Anyway, we will see what it says. Ry unfortunately has plantars warts on her foot and a little bit of athlete's foot. I am sure it is due to the fact that she never wears shoes and is at the gym 12 hours a week. I just hope the plantars worts will go away, from what I understand they are a little tricky to treat. Jenna had her appointment with the pediatric cardiologist to see about the heart murmur her Dr found at her 5 year check up. I feel very blessed to live so close to such an incredible children's hospital like Primary's. I love how they treated Jenna as well as Mike & I. She had an EKG like I did. She also had an Echo (an ultrasound of her heart). She had to lay there for 1/2 an hour or so and was so good. They let her pick a movie and she laid back and watched while I sat and watched the "movie" of her heart. To me it was all very interesting. I am glad I recently finished my anatomy and physiology classes so that I understood most of what the Dr talked to us about. I was also able to listen and could hear her murmur which sounded like water running over rocks in a stream, weird. She has PDA (patent ductus arteriolis) which means that one of her ducts that she needed in utero never fully closed off. Her left atria is also a little dialated from working a little extra. She is going to have a procedure done on July 22 to fix it. They will go in with a catheter through an artery in her groin. They will then "drop off" a tiny coil that will close up her little hole. It is an outpatient procedure so should not be too bad. I am just grateful they can do it that way instead of surgery. I see lots of sick people working at the ER and feel very blessed each day for my family's health. I also feel very blessed to have health insurance (even though Ithink that whole system needs an overhaul) and wonderful facilities and dr.s right here in our backyard.