Halloween Lunch

We invited friends for a "scary lunch" . We had jack-o-lantern cheese sandwiches, gobblin fingers (carrots), puss sauce (ranch dressing), ogre eyes (green grapes), dragon scales (sun chips). I think we will make this a tradition.

Drive in Movie Night

We had a great time with the kids a few weekends ago making cardboard cars and watching a movie in the living room.

Crazy Hair Day

Poor Girls slept in perm rods to get their hair super curly. I somehow managed to NOT get a picture of Morgan- sorry Mo!!

School Starts:

School started three weeks ago for the big kids, and preschool began last week. Everyone is loving it (well everything but the getting up in the morning, homework, and busy after school schedule)!!-kind of makes me wonder what they are loving-

The older boys are both in Jr. High. Every morning they leave before 7:30 and walk nearly a mile to get the KJH. Ethan,in 8th grade, is doing better this year in school, but still struggles to get homework done and turned in. Braden is in 7th grade and just turned twelve this last week. He is taking general ed classes and chinese as his foreign language. The adjustment to jr. high is a tough one, but he is a tough kid and will make it. (I love, love how kind he is-I pray he never loses that)

The girls are the only ones left at Kaysville Elementary this year. Morgan is in fourth grade with Mrs. Simonsen. She is a great student, and a great friend-that is if she can find one to be good to her too. Brooklynn is in second grade with Mrs. Flint, a teacher that Morgan had. She does her homework every day without being asked. She is a good reader, and even reads to Logan so he can get his reading minutes too.

Logan is in Kindergarten at Eagle Bay elementary. He rides the bus every morning at 7:45. Most mornings I have to drag him out of bed and sit him in the bathroom while I run to get his clothes. I get him dressed as quickly as possible while he drinks some hot chocolate milk with protein powder in it. Some mornings he is done with his drink before the bus comes, but sometimes we just are fast enough and he takes a sippy cup on the bus. He goes to functional skills class with Mr. Brad, or an aid will take him to the regular Ed. class with Mrs. Yardley. School gets out at 11:30, and he takes the bus home. I carry him off the bus at 12:15 because he always falls asleep within the first five minutes of his long ride home. He is talking more and loves to be read to. We are grateful he is attempting to say words, even if he insists his name is Diego. (Gotta love "Go, Diego, Go")

Larkin is in preschool down the road with four other girls-NO BOYS!!- She loves her teacher, Brooke MacFarlane. We are excited because she teaches them phonics and helps them memorize the articles of faith as part of her curriculum . Larkin only goes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-11.

Catelynn is a cuddle bug!!! She always wants to be held and will wrap her arms around my neck to grab my ponytail with both hands. She still won't sleep through the night, but instead wants to nurse from three o'clock on. She started walking at 10 months old and thinks she is soooo grown up. She notices when the big kids get somethings she doesn't and screams until they share.

I am trying to enjoy the quiet moments I have, and not waste them on household chores. I have been getting some tomatoes and peaches canned. (tomorrow I do the pears) I miss having the kids home. They are such good helpers, I miss them!!
EVERYONE LOVES SCHOOL-i think

Summer Fun

(This is my first attempt at making a video...I hope they get better!)
We had a fun summer with friends and family. Enjoy the show.

Danger, Danger is coming...

L.O.V.E.

Love: ever changing, always caring, forever and always...

We do things a little different

I don't feel like a typical Mother!! Don't get me wrong, I do the same things: loads of laundry, endless meals and snacks, clean-up after clean-up, and constant nurturing and cuddling...but I keep a different perspective. Somedays I feel so overwhelmed to be the Mother of these children, not necessarily because of all that I have to do, but because of who they are, where they came from and who they need to be when they grow up. I have this sense of urgency to prepare them to be self-sufficent, well rounded, competent and capable of doing just about anything. Along with that I realize that somethings aren't worth fighting. Like what Larkin wants to wear to the store (most of the time it is a swim suit or leotard). I also feel that life should be fun, and anything can be fun!! We started singing "Sweet Violets" when we do dishes...it is such a silly song, and the kids love it. We play games, blast the radio so loud the neighbors can hear it, and leave a very messy house just to go to the park. I tell you this so that if you ever see me- at the park, the store, or even my house, and wonder 'what the heck is she thinking' just remember, I do things different!!

Logan- Pneumonia #8...

Of all the hospitalization that Logan has had, I don't have any pictures of him at Primary Children's....so I got some this time.

It was Wednesday, I had babysitting kids over, Logan and Larkin played hard all day. By dinner time everyone was tired. I could tell that Logan had overdone it. He was falling asleep in his taco soup. As soon as he was finished we skipped baths and put him straight to bed. I went out for a few hours, and when I came home he was throwing up. I was able to catch it all in a blanket and quickly wash his mouth out and settle him back asleep. He threw up once more and we weren't so lucky, and it was all over. My mom was in town and helped with the sheets and laundry. My dad grabbed a crib mattress from the basement and we set it up in my room so I could keep better watch over him during the night. When I finally went to go to bed I couldn't sleep. I could hear Logan- breathing shallow, wheezing, and nearly hyperventilating. I was grateful for the oxygen we keep under his bed, and got him set up on a 1/2 liter and tried to get some rest. In the morning I got ready and took him to his Dr. in Salt Lake. I figured he had a bacteria- or food poisoning- and we would get some antibiotics and come home...I was wrong. His oxygen sats were in the low 80's and they insisted on transfering him to the hospital.














We ended up staying six days (Wednesday-Monday). Catelynn had to come with us because she still won't take a bottle. Primary Children's Hospital is fantastic at taking care of anything you could possibly need. They got us a foam mattress for her to sleep on, a high chair, and baby toys.
Logan gets chest x-rays, daily blood draws before six AM, IV medications around the clock, blood pressure and vital checks every four hours, oxygen in a nasal canula, breathing treatments three times a day, diaper checks to see if he is peeing enough, constant fluids (apple juice is his favorite), weight checks to see if he is retaining fluid, diaper rash cream because the antibiotics give him a rash, and a parade of nurses, doctors, and techs.

One night the iv tech couldn't get a vein, and had to do a finger poke. I awoke to him screaming like his was in the worst pain of his life. I was so mad at that lady: Logan cooperates with everyone: if she had only woke me up first I could have helped!! I calmed him down and cuddled him. He even said thank you to them as they left. I laid in his bed with him and we talk for several minutes. He thought his finger was so fun. He would wave it around like a glow stick and try to draw shapes in the air.
We have done this so many times that it is all second nature. He holds still and barely makes a peep when they put in his IV and he says thank you when they are done. He holds up his finger or toe for the pulse oxymeter. He holds the mask for his own breathing treatment, and bangs the base when the liquid gets stuck and needs a little jostle. He thanks every doctor and nurse as they leave for helping him to get better. He sits still on the weird bike seat in the middle of the radiation room, and get his chest x-rays, he holds his hands up so they can get good shots of his lungs, while I am sentenced to the hallway. He is a real trooper. When he is this good natured about it, it makes me forget how scary it really is to have a child with so many health problems.

Shannon Campbell sent a care package with so many goodies. Toys, finger flashlights, coloring books, crayons, chocolate, chips, smarties, gummies, stuffed frog, fruit snacks, and so many other fun things. We had treats to share when family came to visit. I had chocolates to keep me sane. Logan had a blast with it.



He loved having Catelynn with us there. The nurses loved her smiley face. She and I would go down to the cafeteria in the morning after ordering Logan's breakfast, to buy something for ourselves. I would put her in a wagon and pull her down the hallway. She would lean forward and hold on to the edge of the wagon and wabble back and forth. It scared every single nurse we passed. But, she LOVED it!! She would not sit, no matter how many times I stopped and sat her back down. One nurse said she looked like she was surfing. It was hard to keep her confined because she was so good a crawling and climbing and pulling herself up.
Logan watched endless (and I mean countless and countless) hours of Blues Clues. The only way to get him asleep was to turn on a "mommy" show and he would turn his head and fall asleep. I didn't stay up late because the IV team would come in around 4:30 and Dr. Durham showed up around six. (who wants to be snoring in the corner when the Dr. comes in?)

Shad and I celebrated our 14th anniversary in the Hospital. He came down on Sunday for dinner. I got Catie asleep and Logan set up with a movie (Blues Clues of course), and we went and ate our cafeteria food on the patio. Shad had got me a card from work, and I make him a puzzle and a journal. That was all I could do being stuck in room 324.

Next time Logan is in the hospital we need to remember to have him stay an extra day. When we got home on Monday he only sat around for about an hour. After that he was strapping his oxygen tank to his bike or putting it in the baby stroller so that he could go play with the other kids. On the plus side, Logan did learn to swallow pills so we can give him stronger meds from home and possibly not ever have to be in the hospital for pneumonia again.

Boys will be boys

Braden had a spill on his ripstik and fell in the drive way. The fall itself would not have caused an injury, it was the deck screws that Logan and Larkin had scattered all over the carport that tore up his knee. Braden opened the front door with such a moan that I knew something was wrong. I carried him up the tub and washed out his knee to see the extent of the damage. He didn't cry- not one bit. He would wince, or moan, but not a tear shed. We got the bleeding to stop and figured we could bandage it up quite easily, but then I remembered his scouting assignment- to write a report on a Dr.'s visit. I hadn't taken him yet because I wasn't going unless we needed to. This injury could require a Dr.'s visit. Plus he did fall on a screw, so a tetnis shot was in order.

At the Dr.'s office they informed us that it was going to need stitches. Say waah ??really?? And a if we are giving a tetnis, a MMR booster would be better. Braden sat on a chair filling out his scout paperwork and survey while I discussed with the Dr. his previous reactions to MMR. When he was little his arm swelled twice it size and was hot to the touch for a week. Like every other MD, he dismissed my concerns. We were moved to a different room for the stitches. Braden and I kept the nurse entertained talking in our English accents we had been practicing at home (Thursdays is British days-it is funny how an accent will change how your kids respond to chores and being asked to help...sorry back to Braden). He was so brave as she washed out his wound, gave him his shot, and as the Dr. numbed his knee. Brady watched as the Dr. tied each stitch. He got to choose his bandage color and was given directions to keep it clean and no swimming, squatting, or ripstiking for ten days. Ten days that means field day!!! No water games? no running? jumping? This is where he almost cried.

On the way home we dropped off his prescription at the pharmacy, stopped by home to pick up the rest of his scout paperwork and delivered them to his leader on our way back to get his antibiotics. Whew- at least we got that taken care of.


This is Braden's arm where his MMR booster was given. Two days after the shot and already on antibiotics for his knee. Maybe next time a doctor will believe me.

Nice war wounds Braden! And be safe out there.

Braden-as Hamlet...

(don't forget, you can click on a picture to see it more clearly)










Braden's sixth grade class performed bits of Shakespeare's plays. Braden had a few lines as Hamlet in the ghost scene. He did very well. You could hear and understand what he was saying. He even did a bit of a sword fight. It was hard to get a good picture of him on stage because he was always moving. He looked so small up there with all his classmates, I can hardly believe that he starts Jr. High in the fall.

Morgan is 9

Morgan had her 9th birthday in May. Nine years with the sweet, wonderful girl- I am so lucky!!! The kids got a bit carried away with the heavy heavy hang over game and all ganged up on her at once. She and I had gone shopping for her birthday and bought her some clothes she wanted. The cake we made was hit, you can tell because someone snitched a piece off the back! Of course who would like a cake surrounded in kit kat candy bars. She wanted sauerkraut and cream, one of Shad's favorites, for her birthday dinner. We also planned a night out when Grandpa Cheney could be there to go out to eat. She is such a good girl and always thinks of others first. I love you Morgan- Happy Birthday!!

Logan's Preschool Program

On Logans last day of school they had a "preschool program". The children had been practicing songs and little dances for the parents to see things they had learned all year. My sister Alora was in town and got to come with me. When we walked in the door and he finally noticed us, he ran to give me a hug. It is always one of those arms stretched wide, as far as they can reach, running as fast as you can until you wrap your arms around the one you love, kind of hug. Of course once he got his hug he didn't want to go back and sit on the stage. He cried! So as not to upset other small children, or their parents, I let him sit with me on the floor. We still sang the songs and I tried to get him to do a dance, but he wouldn't. It sure made him laugh to sing "teasing Mr. Alligator, can't catch me..." with me. He has grown up a lot this last year and we are excited for Kindergarten next year.

Logan Dental Surgery

Logan was finally healthy enough to get his teeth fixed. He had so many cavities! We had to wait for quite a while because they were afraid with his past history that sedation wouldn't go well if he hadn't been healthy for over six weeks. That is a lot of healthy for Logan, but we worked hard to keep him well. The day of the surgery he hadn't had anything to eat since dinner the night before, and anything to drink since 7:00 am. We had to report at 11:30, and his surgery didn't start until 2:00 pm. He didn't complain about being hungry or thirsty once. Maybe because they had so many toys and things to keep him occupied. You have to love Primary Children's Hospital for how well they take care of their patients. He now has every tooth capped except his bottom K-9's. Sister Allen from church volunteered to come and help with baby Catelynn so that I could go back into recovery and help him. He was so mad at the nursed when he woke up. He wouldn't even drink juice, he kept pointing at her and making grumpy noises. I asked her to apologize for whatever he thought she did. She obliged and he stopped crying and drank his juice. After the surgery he did not want his picture taken, all he wanted to do was go home. His new teeth look awesome, his brushing habits have improved, and no more sippys at bedtime- no matter how cute his is when he asks! Yay for new teeth!!

A few Saturdays ago we were trying to decide what to do. I suggested planting the garden.

Shad-Then, I need to buy a tiller!!
Me- Why can't we borrow one?
Shad- Because I don't like borrowing- plus then I can have my own. Also I am getting a bonus and I would like to spend some of it on something I want. I wanted a tiller and a deck. If YOU want a garden then I need to buy a tiller!
Me-If we are going to spend money, then why not build a deck and borrow a tiller? That way we have something we can enjoy all summer long. Plus, Logan won't be able to dig in the dirt pile by the back door and dump buckets full in my kitchen and carry it upstairs and flush it down the toilet (yes he did that, twice - ahhh that kid!)
Shad-Ok!!

So, we measured and decided on a size for our deck. He called friends to come and help. It was finish in five hours and that included dinner. (it still needs to be stained, but that is being saved for another Saturday.)

I am loving it. My house has been cleaner and the kids think it is a stage, play house, bike trail, etc. I LOVE IT!! Thanks Shad for borrowing a tiller and building me a deck!

Oh, this is Logan after the deck was built playing "Dog". He is so silly sometimes and I couldn't not share the picture.

I never finished writing about Mothers Day! (I know I said I wouldn't write about old things, but it isn't that old-right?) These are the necklaces we made for the Ladies in our life. The girls helped make the ones for Grandma. Ethan made a few for his girlfriends at school. Of course I made a few for me too.
This is what we made for Grandma Swanson. A tulip bouquet of the children's hand prints in a vase filled with water marbles. (that unfortunately mold after a week- I think I have a solution for that and will let you know if it works)

We had dinner at Grandma Swanson's and I even snuck a nap in that day too. Shad got me a new grey hooded jacket with darker grey flowers on it and some new sweat pants as well. Maybe holidays aren't so bad after all.

The kids wanted to go to Layton Park because of the Twirl -a- Whirl, or Merry -go- round, or whatever you call it. Logan loved the swings. His laugh is the BEST!! It is so contagious that you can't help but laugh with him. He makes life so fun. I know that you can't hear him through these pictures, but it sure captures his enthusiasm. I love that boy!!!


Larkin loved the swings too. She is so hard to keep track of at the park...she wants to try everything and isn't scared to be alone. NO FEAR!! But lots of fun.


Morgan really didn't want to have her picture taken (Not as much as the boys did, because they never got away from the twirl a whirl). She is such a good girl! And such a delight to be around.


Ethan and Braden ran as fast as they could and spun all those kids around. I think they did it for forty five minutes straight. They had a blast- and so did the kids that got a ride!!


Brooklynn is so beautiful! Inside and out!! She can go soooo high the swings, and loves to jump from the top.


This is our "picnic" . Braden forgot the drinks, and we ate lunch before we went. Baby Cate and Dad stayed in the grass with our dog Uzi (yep, like the gun. He came with the name). Cate enjoyed the apple slices and broccoli trees. Braden had to check out his war wounds before we could go. We had fun at our first time out this spring. We were grateful for the warm weather and chance to play.

Don't forget you can click the pictures to see them better-