So long 2008

We hope all of you have a safe and Happy New Year!

First Comes Love

Here is a picture of Kate with Dominic dancing. After this picture was taken he left her for an older woman and broke Kate's heart. I don't think he knew it but Kate's dad and Ashley's dad work together and there were about 5 co-workers at the wedding. Lets just say Kate has a lot of BIG guys there for her to mend her heart. I took some more pictures but they did not come out very well so I will post more pictures when I receive them.

Flower Girl

Yesterday my niece Ashley married her boyfriend of 2 years Josh! First off I have to say I am so happy for both of them and I wish them all the love, happiness, and joy in the world. Josh is a great guy who fits into our family perfectly and is the best thing that happened to Ash.

They asked Sean & I if Kate would be their flower girl and yesterday was "Princess Kate" (as my niece and my sister call her) to be the princess flower girl. At the rehearsal the other night it looked like she was not going to do it and would not cooperate at all. I was getting a little nervous because my sister went out and bought her a lot of stuff to be the flower girl. Typical Kate surprised us all and walked down the aisle (though she did not throw the pedals) with no problems. It helped that the ring bearer was only a year older then her and was a little ham with her. Kate fell in love with him and told us that he was her new boyfriend and she was going to dance with him all night!

When it was time for Ashley to throw her bouquet Kate went with our other niece Leah to "try" and catch it (there was a bit of competition for them). Here is the picture below to show you who caught it ! Kate with her cousin Ashley.Jake and Leah waiting for the ceremonyKate and Dominic (her new boyfriend) walking down the aisle.YES little Kate caught the bouquet and NO she will not be the next one to get married.

Christmas Day

As sad as I am that Christmas is over I am also happy that it is. Sean was able to get off work early so the kids got to open all their presents that Santa had left for them, and were very happy for everything they received. They had a great holiday with their cousins and enjoyed hanging out watching their aunties sing to Rockband (I video taped them to use against them if needed ;}). We hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones!Kate playing the drums with Shea while Auntie Laura sings and Kyle plays guitar to Rockband.Jake hanging out with Kyle, Leah, & Jordan.

The kids opening up some of their presents!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and your love ones.

Jake Update

Today was Jake's post op appointment and the Dr. said everything is looking great. He has very little swelling and his stitches and surrounding areas look good. Jake started walking Saturday night and is only getting around better. His doctor also said that he needs to stay off of it as much as possible. He still has his stitches until the beginning of next month. I am so grateful that everything went well and that he is healing great. Hopefully next year we will be surgery free!

Here is a picture I took with my camera phone (it kinda sucks) but that black mark is the 2 stitches he has and where they inserted the cone. As you can see it is a small incision (it's about the size of a pencil top). Jake could not believe that it was that small, he said that all the pain that he was in it seemed a whole lot bigger.

New patient another surgery

Almost 7 months to the day after Sean's surgery it was Jake's turn for his surgery. On Weds. morning we took Jake down to Sutter's Outpatient Surgery Center (same place Sean had his) to have the cone inserted into both of his feet. He was such an awesome patient and was so great through the entire process. He went through the same process as Sean where they ask you a million questions and he even scored 2 stickers versus the one his dad got. All of the medical staff commented on his attitude and his maturity (a few said he behaved better then his dad). The procedure only took 45 mins. and his doctor told us that everything looked great. Once he informed us on how Jake was doing we went to see him in post op. His only response to us was that he could not remember anything and that we lied he did not have any dreams. He was more awake 5 minutes later and was ready to take home just 30 minutes after the surgery was done!
Jake is going to be sore for a while and has to stay of his feet for at least 2 weeks. He is having some discomfort and pain but is doing good. Unfortunately Jake still can not out any pressure on his feet because the pain is too much (but is barely complaining).

I am so amazed of his attitude and how strong he is and has been through out this. He is growing up and as much as I don't want that I am so proud of Bubba and all of his accomplishments. He told me yesterday that he wants to be just like his dad and his papa and now he is more like them because he too had to get surgery ;)

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, we appreciate all of them!

Jake prior to the I.V., the nurse warmed his left arm so the put the I.V. in that arm.
Jake after the I.V. notice it's in the right arm instead of the left. His veins were playing hide and go seek. Obviously the veins hid very well. But the ones on the right were were found!
Here is Bubba's feet after the procedure. He has to wear the "ugly" shoes for at least a week.

Jake enjoying the good life! Video games, recliner, & a big tv, ahhh what more could you ask for:)

Out with the Old in with the New

About a month ago I took my digital camera in to get repaired (it was slower then usual and was not focusing). The repair company finally called over the weekend to let me know that it was ready for pick up. So I went to the store to get and when I came home Sean and I noticed that there was some damage to the outside that we have never seen before. I called the place and told them what was wrong and the manager said to bring it in and that they would replace it! I brought it in and thought that I would get an even exchange..... was I wrong. I had a Nikon S51 and had that replaced with a Nikon S60 (the camera that Ashton Kutcher uses in the commercials). I LOVE my new camera, it has the touch screen functions, bigger screen (good thing since I never wear my glasses), and I can write on the pictures too which is great because of the kids and their moments. So I will be uploading new blogs and pictures soon!

In Memory

It has been 2 years ago this day since my dad has passed away. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him or miss him. I was very blessed and lucky to have him as my daddy, Sean as a father in law, and for Jake and Kate to have him as the best Papa ever. We are lucky to have the best reminders of him, with Jake is his mini me with looks and his ever so present personality. He has many of his characteristics and antics. Jake was the one affected most with my father’s passing (he was extremely close to Papa) but is now doing better. He has his moments but he now talks about my dad with a smile on his face instead of tears. Kate posses my fathers temperament and humor. She is as stubborn if not more so then Papa. She has his curly hair and his antics which as you can see is past down from generation to generation.

Dad~ I miss you so very much! I miss hearing your recliner squeak when we come over and hearing say "hello" to the kids. I did not know how much I would miss hearing you say Lansey in your southern accent (Sean does a great imitation of it). You were the best dad I could have asked for. I know we had our moments but I realize why (we are very alike. I know your there watching and guiding us. You are never and will never be forgotten. We miss you and and love you very much!

How time Flies........

I was going through some files in our email account and found these pictures that my dad sent me (obviously I don't go through them often) at least 3 years ago. I thought I would share them with you since these a few of my favorites with the kids.
Above is Kate at 6 months old. She had such a churbic face, this is when her hair really started to come in. Too bad you can't see the pretty red hair she had under her beenie! The one above was taken for Sean as a Father's Day present in 2005. This is one of my faves because they are so happy and that they are so darn cute:)

This here is another fave of Bubba. Anytime he saw his Papa with a camera this is the smile he did everytime. It's funny because that is the same smile my dad has! This was our last trip to Disneyland with my dad and my favorite one.

Another Kate Moment

Oh that little rugrat, but I love her so much. Well I was up here in the office checking emails as Sean was downstairs watching one of his movies. When I last checked Kate was with Jake in his room playing video games. When I was done I went in the living room to talk to Sean about dinner. I heard Kate come down the stairs and when I was about to ask what she would like with her dinner I saw that she committed the ONE thing I have feared especially with her being a girl with her beautiful, long, soft, wavy, red hair............................ She CUT it!!! In my "why did you do that tone" I asked what was she thinking, her response was that she wanted to look pretty. Sean (this is the man who will NOT let me even trim her hair, I had to sneak a trim..shh) started to laugh and say it will grow back as I am trying to decide if I rush her to the salon or fix it myself. Though she only cut her bangs it could have been far worse, I felt bad that I over reacted and ended up fixing it myself. I know find the humor in this and how truly blessed we are to have her in our lives and family. I was growing them out but since she is the flower girl for my niece's wedding I guess Kate decided she needed a little trim!

Kate's work before the fix, you can see she really chopped up the middle.

Another view, I got to say not bad for a 4 year!

This is after I re-trimmed it, she was not happy that Ifixed but told me I did "otay" work :)