CHRISTMAS 2008

CHRISTMAS 2008 WAS A GREAT ONE. THE KIDS WOKE UP AT 6:00 A.M AND TORE INTO THEIR GIFTS. MAX GOT A HUGE SURPRISE FROM G-MA HUGHES, A NEW YORK YANKEES BEDROOM. MAX AND MASON GOT BMX BIKES FROM SANTA AND SAGE GOT AN i-HOME. WE SPENT CHRISTMAS EVE WITH THE HOLMANS AND IN HONOR OF BRETT'S MOM WE HAD PRIME RIB. G-PA DAVE DID A GREAT JOB WITH KEEPING UP ALL THE TRADITIONS AND AUNTIE MICHELLE HAD SOME FUN GAMES FOR THE KIDS. WE SPENT CHRISTMAS DAY WITH THE MY FAMILY AND AS ALLWAYS MY MOM OUTDID HERSELF. SADLY IT WAS THE LAST CHRITMAS FOR A WHILE WITH ASHLEE AND PHIL, THE MOVED TO TEXAS ON FRIDAY. WE MISSED MINDY, MORGAN AND CODY. BRETT OUTDID HIMSELF THIS YEAR, HE SHOPPED UP A STORM. HE HAD MANY SURPRISES FOR ME UNDER THE TREE.

recovery

Recovery, during the month of December is like banging your head against a brick wall. I am 5 weeks post surgery on tues. And finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I actually slept in my bed for the past 2 nights, which is huge progress. I cant drive for another week and a half so Brett is carpool dad still. That is a job I would gladly let him keep. I cant turn my neck yet, so driving a car is out. With the help of alot of great friends, family and neighbors we did pull Christmas off. Brett got sick on Christmas eve and I was a little nervous... because he has been running the show for months. It all worked out and Santa did his trick (thank goodness). Sooooo glad that the presents are bought and opened, the parties are over, the matching pj's are worn, the cards are sent and we can all relax and enjoy a new year. Heres to a "New Year" with great friends, amazing family, and good health.

CHECK OUT MY SCAR

SO IN CASE YOUR WONDERING WHEN I WAS GOING TO FILL YOU ALL IN ON THE OUTCOME ON MY PROCEDURE, WELL IT DIDN'T WORK. SO MONDAY I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SURGEON. BELIEVE IT OR NOT HE SCHEDULED ME FOR SURGERY THE NEXT DAY. SO TUESDAY I HAD ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION... TO SPEAK ENGLISH THEY WENT IN THROUGH THE FRONT OF MY NECK, TO MY SPINE PULLED OUT MY HERNIATED DISK SHAVED DOWN MY BONE SPURS AND PUT CERAMIC BONE AND MEATAL CAGE IN TO FUSE THE C6 AND C7 ... WOW THAT WAS HARD TO TYPE ON ALL THEESE MEDS. THE GOOD NEWS IS MY ARM PAIN IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE AND I HAVE NO PAIN AT ALL IN MY SHOULDER BLADE THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM. STILL HAVE NUMBNESS/WEAKNESS. THEY SAY IT COMES BACK SLOWLY. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE AND ITS HARD TO SWALLOW AND I FEEL LIKE A BOBBLE HEAD. BUT I AM SO LUCKY, BRETT IS NURSING ME BACK TO HEALTH. I CANT EVEN START WITH HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR HOW AWESOME MY HUSBAND IS. HE HAS BEEN THE SCOFFER, MOM, DAD HOUSE KEEPER, MORAL SUPPORT, AND IN THE COMING WEEKS (he might have to pull x-mas off on his own)

My Acheing Back

This Tuesday I had an MRI after being in pain for over a month, spending countless dollars on Chiropractic and Massage, a visit to the E.R. and truly being in more pain than I have ever been in, in my life. The doctor at the University Orthopedic Center found that I have a bone spur and a herniated disk between my C6 and C7 disks. So I was given two options and the first is to have an injection into my spine or surgery... I choose door number first, Thursday I had the procedure, they called it an epidural, but it wasn't like any of the epidurals I had when giving birth. They stuck a HUGE needle in the side of my neck and put some kind of steroid in my disk area to stop the pressure its putting on the nerves (and causing so much pain). I wont know if it worked for a few days, so cross your fingers.


Thank Heaven for all the support I have. I do not know how I could do it without the love and support Brett and I have been Given. Our neighbors are so awesome, not only have we been given dinners by many of them but they have watched our kids and played with our dog and driven sage to dance, grocerie shopped, vacuumed my house and delivered diet cokes. Mike Henry a doctor in our ward worked on my back many times trying to help me get some relief. My mom is a saint she has driven me to the U and watched the kids and driven sage to dance. The dinners from my friends have been so appreciated. Sunday Anne Marie Chicken casserole, Monday Nicalee Spaghetti Pie, Tuesday Traci Chicken Noodle Soup, Wednesday Sharlyn chicken pillows, Thursday Becca Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes. They all brought salads and bread and desserts. Even today Chrisy brought fresh baked banana bread. Margie has shopped and vacuumed and supplied me with diet coke,and her sweet husband and Brett gave me a blessing. My sissy brought cannelloni tonight. I am so blessed to have such great friends and so much support. Last but not least is my sweet amazing husband, Brett has been so great. He has taken such good care of me and been so sympathetic of my pain, he has done all the laundry, cleaning, car pool, dishes, ice packs, doctor apt. and the list goes on. I am so lucky to have such a great support system. Thank you so much for all the love and concern, hopefully the epidural procedure works...

Big Chore

We had fun raking leaves as a family. Charlie loved jumping in the big pile. Mason made sure we had the biggest pile in he neighborhood. When daddy wasn't home he collected all the leaves from all the lawns in the circle and made a huge pile to play in.

TOE SHOES

BIG DAY FOR SAGE !!! SATURDAY SHE GOT HER FIRST TOE SHOES. ALL THE YEARS AND YEARS OF DANCE, AND NOW THE BIG PAY OFF. SHE WAS SO EXCITED, SHE DANCED AROUND THE HOUSE ALL DAY IN THEM. THEY SEW THE RIBBONS ON THIS WEEK IN CLASS. GOOD JOB SAGE!!!

NINE YEARS OLD

HAPPY B-DAY MAXER !!! TOP TEN THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT MAX....

1. ENTHUSIASTIC

2. FUNNY

3. LOVING

4. GOOD SHARER (SAYS MASON)

5. EARLY BIRD (GETS UP EARLY AND GOES TO BED EARLY)

6. A LITTLE OCD

7. KIND HEARTED

8. LOVES SCARY RIDES

9. GREAT STUDENT

10.WORKS HARD TO DEVELOPE HIS TALENTS

Max's B-day

Max is nine. I cant believe it. Max is such a great kid and such a joy to have in our family. This year he celebrated his B-day by going to his first UTAH JAZZ game. Brett and Mason and his friend Jake were the lucky ones who got to go with him. The JAZZ BEAR even signed his shirt. 400.00 seats, 25.00 in snacks, 30.00 in souvenires, 10.00 in parking, the look on Max's face priceless!!!!!! When he walked in the door from the game he gave me a big hug and said " this was the best B-day ever!!!" LOVE THAT KID....

Halloween 2008

I love, love, love, HALLOWEEN... although our kids have decided they want to pick their costumes. I remember the days when I got to pick. Those were the days, this year Max was JASON, Mason was SCREAM, and Sage was a BUMBLE BEE. they had a great time trick or treating with dad and an even better time counting the loot. Sage was way to big for trick or treating this year. She and Hannah went to a party.

Fall in Utah

TWO WEEKS EARLIER

The last few weeks have been beautiful. We had a cold spell at the beginning of the month. Now its absolutely gorgeous here. Fall is my favorite season. I love Halloween, the changing of the leaves, fall clothes are so much funner too. Orange and Brown and Green, Gray and Black too. Here are some pics of the crazy weather in Utah. Today was 74, yea !!! Finally TRICK OR TREATING without coats....

40th B-day

Yes can you believe it... I am officially 40. We celebrated with a couples weekend at the cabin. Brett and I headed up on Thurs, my birthday and went to my favorite restaurant Cicero's, in Park City. Brett out did himself this year. He and the kids decorated the house and got very thoughtful gifts and took me to the cabin for a kid free weekend. The Smith's and the Nielson's came up early on Friday and we went on an amazing ride. The leaves were Awesome. The Mismash's, Braby's and The Watkin's came up that night and all the men went on a ride up behind the cabin (in the dark). They had a great time. We played games and watched movies till the crack of dawn. Margie made me a birthday cake and the gag gifts were hilarious. Saturday the storm moved in but that didn't stop us. I have some pictures of our soggy ride. It was freezing cold. All in All the weekend was perfect we watched movies rode 4 wheelers, sat by the fire, and played golf for hours on end. Thanks for such a great 4 day party..

NIECES WEDDING

Brittany and Chris Kenner
My Nieces Ashlee and Heather
Holmans Salt Lake Temple
Max Sage and Mason

September 20, 2008. Brittany and Chris were Sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. My sister Dana is now officially an empty nester (at the age of 42) . Brett and I thought we were so smart waiting till we had been married almost 6 years to start our family, and having babies well into our 30's. The way that I am figuring it we will be at least 50 something before Masons out. Anyway the day was beautiful. Max and Mason were gift takers. Sage sat at the book... Brittany was a beautiful Bride, I cant believe our little BUBA is married.

PARK CITY

September is so beautiful in Park City. We had such a great time. The weather was amazing (71 degrees). We rode the Alpine slide, and Max rode solo for the first time. He loved it. We ate at Bajha Cantina an old favorite. And hit all the shops in town and at the outlets. I love Fall!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Summer is over, the kids went back to school this week. Its is definitely bitter sweet. We bought a swimming pass to Murray pool and went swimming almost everyday. Their hair got trashed. Max's hair looked just like a Brillo pad. Our kids are at such fun ages, we had a blast this summer. Here are some Pic's of the first day of school. Our babies are growing up.

OUR FLOWERS

DON'T YOU LOVE MIRACLE GROW. PRETTY SOON THE FLOWERS WILL TAKE OVER THE HOUSE.

"Tennis Anyone"

Today was our last day of tennis lesson. What a fun sport. I have never played before in my life and I am hooked. Margie talked me into it after her and Sharlyn had done the first session. It is so good to learn something new. We have taken the husbands to play doubles and that was a ball. Brett is nice and tries to encourage me especially since I suck at most sports. Especially if it includes a ball. But some of the guys think its freakin Wimbledon. Anyway we had a gret time with all the gals in the neighborhood. Anne Marie, Lori, Sharlyn, and Margie here are some pics of our last day. Andrea you are an awesome teacher... See you next summer!!!!