A North Dakota Adventure

As many people were doing we went on a road trip for the Fourth of July Weekend. Daddy and Mommy had been hoping and planning on a vacation to North Dakota for months, but at the very last minute we almost didn't go. Why, you maybe asking? I had been acting tired for several days before and my parents broke down two days before we supposed to leave and called my doctor. Of course, being me, they had to do a plethora of tests and guess what they found out. I had an early stage pneumonia and that meant trouble. Trouble with a capital "T" and that rhymes with "P" and that stand for pneumonia. Anyway, we had many a long discussions. Including one with my pediatrician on whether we should go. Daddy finally said it one way that made the decision a whole lot easier. "Let's make a decision we won't regret." That said, we ran home and did laundry and packed like crazy so that we could go.

Well, as you can see in the pictures we were trying to figure out a way of maximizing packing space. Ryker and I volunteered to go in the luggage, it seem comfortable enough. But Mommy and Daddy insisted we ride in our seats. Ryker would have preferred the luggage.

The morning of the Fourth of July we went to the most fantastic parade ever. It lasted maybe a whole whopping 10 minutes and my cousins got tons of candy. What can be better than that. We got a little confused with Santa for a second, but I guess he really is watching us all the time and this proved it. Then right after we went to the park across the street and got a free lunch. It was sooooo cool.

We of course were our normal crazy selves. I found this fabulous pink fluffy hat at my Great-Grandparents house. Doesn't it just scream Fancy. And while mommy was trying to get Ryker's food ready, he stole Daddy's cookie . . . and then devoured it.

Hanging out with my Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Heller. More Grandmas and Grandpas to have wild adventures with.

The Fireworks! This year I actually liked the sparklers and fireworks. Maybe it is because they are so sparkly and as you all may know by now, this girl loves anything sparkly.

Waking up one of the mornings in a hotel! It was so amazing. A little sidenote to remind you all how I am the princess. Ryker had to sleep in a dinky pack and play and Daddy and Mommy had to share a bed. But me . . . I got a whole "queen" size bed to myself! I love being the princess of our little family.

On the road again. This was just one of the legs of the trip. We drove through a whole bunch of rain. But with Daddy at the helm, Ryker and I could just sit back and relax.

On the way back home we drove a little bit through Yellowstone National Park. It was so beautiful. We saw Elk (top picture), a Black Bear (Middle Right Picture) I know it is small but it is the that black smudge in the middle of the picture, and a Bald Eagle (Bottom Picture). That is totally awesome!

Now it wouldn't be a road trip without a bit of road construction. At least I was asleep and didn't have to deal with it, hehehe.

Just some pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa McCracken's greenhouse. I just can't wait to eat some tomatoes and make some salsa this fall. I love salsa.

Hanging out in the best backyard ever. They had it all: slide, swing, trampoline. What more can a Grandchild ask for.

This was definitely a great trip. We got to see all our grandparents and all our living great-grandparents. It was definitely a lot of time on the road. (One day we drove for 10 hours and that does not include the hour worth of stops. That was a long, long, long, long day.) Another adventure that fills our minds full of great memories.

You Know You Have Too Much Medical Equipment When . . .

your Mommy wakes up in the middle of the night to hear Baby Ryker's cry of hunger on the baby monitor and then tries to push the "Silence Alarm" button. Poor Mommy, I think she needs a vacation. I vote for Disneyland.

Camping 101

I am almost three years old and have had tons of amazing adventures. But one very important type of adventure has been eluding me. Camping! And what better place to camp for the first time than your own backyard.

Here I am helping Daddy figure out all the tent poles. This was hard work you know.

Here is Daddy doing the labor intensive pole straightening.

Ryker doing what he does best, supervising.

Hammering down the stakes so we wouldn't blow away in case there was a freak tornado during the middle of the night. You never can be too careful.Taking a mini break after the rigors of setting up the tent. Phew. (A little side note: last time Mommy and Daddy used this tent they almost got eaten by wolves, literally. But that is another story.)

Enjoying fabulous camping food, tin foil dinners, oh so yummy.

And even better was the dessert. Banana Boats, a little bit of heaven wrapped up in aluminum.

The all important campfire. Mommy said this was her very favorite part of camping as little girl. Staying up way too late watching the fire.Making the all important s'more.

Waking up the next morning. You might not believe it, but all four us slept in the tent all night together. It was fabulous. I just can't wait for our next camping trip.

(disclaimer for all those health care workers and over protective grandparents out there reading this: don't worry, Daddy and Mommy made sure they had my "equipment" outside with us. They had ran the extension cord out from the house and everything went super smooth.)

Our Daddy

Today everybody is celebrating Daddy's. And we just wanted to let everyone know that we think our Daddy ROCKS!

We love our Daddy sooooooooooo very much. One of our most favorite songs ever is "I am So Glad When Daddy Comes Home." We sing it to him everytime he comes home from clinicals or work just to let him know we love him. But there are some other fabulous Daddy's out there we thought we should tell you about, our totally amazing Grandpas.

Our Grandpa McCracken is so cool. Do you know of anybody else who can make a puppet show of a Bible story, soundtrack and all? That is what I thought, he is the coolest.

And of Course, Grandpa Thornton is stinking awesome too. It is a true Grandpa who will sit down with his Granddaughter and show her the good things in life (a.k.a. anything found in a Cabela's ad).

We know that there are alot of other amazing Daddy's out there. Yes, our uncles are the absolutely the best and Mommy and Daddy have some super duper great friends. But these are the best Daddy's to us and we love them. To our Daddy, "We love you right up to the moon--and back . . . and that is very, very far."

When We're Helping We're Happy

I honestly have no idea what my parents would do without me. I help with practically everything around the house. I am great at dishes, laundry, feeding Ryker, making dinner. I mean I do everything. The other day, Daddy was out working on the yard, I decided that I better go out and help him. I don't think he could have done the whole yard without me. Every time he started to slow down I was in perfect position to give him a little kick start.

However, the other morning Mommy opened the pantry door to get herself some cereal when she found a little fragrant surprise.

I guess I must have gotten a little sidetracked on the way to the garbage can the night before. Come on, nobody is perfect.

Growing Up and Making BIG Changes!

This has been a BIG week in the Thornton home and we have had lots of BIG changes.

First of all, since Daddy graduated he got a new job. He started working on Monday and it was so cool to be able to go out to lunch with Daddy and then pick him up from work. Yea Daddy! (The picture above is not Daddy of course, but is me pretending to be Daddy at his new job;)

Well both Ryker and I have been doing a lot of growing these last few months and one thing started becoming obvious. Well yes, our cuteness is becoming more and more amazing, but that is not what I was thinking about. Ryker had outgrown the bassinet and needed to start sleeping in his own room. I was a little unsure what was happening when Daddy started taking down the crib and moving it into Ryker's bedroom. Were they banishing me to the farthest bedroom? Then Mommy started putting boy stuff into the bed. It hit me, they were taking away my bed. Where was I supposed to sleep?!?! When they started building the toddler bed, phew.

Well, we all love our new sleeping arrangements and are super happy with having more space.

I have also been taking on more responsibilities around the house. Ryker doesn't always want to eat, but I have a way with convincing him to try things. Daddy says I will probably start getting an allowance for all the chores I have been taking on.

Last of all, this is the face that Ryker has been showing off all week. Why has this usually happy and goofy brother of mine been showing off this grumpy face? He cut his first TOOTH!!! I have been telling him that things will eventually get better and it will be awesome to have razor sharp piranha teeth to rip things to shreds. I think the shredding idea cheered him up a bit.

Well here is to BIG changes!

It's A Beautiful Day!

A little while ago we went our first family adventure for the year 2009. We went to the Oregon Coast. When I was a brand new baby, I lived in Oregon for over a month, just a drive away from so many awesome things. But circumstances were what they were, and I only saw the interior of Doernbecher Children's Hospital PICU. Well, circumstances have changed immensely!!! We travelled all over this time, and the only view I had of Doernbecher (the place where miracles have happened) was from the outside as we drove by. We hiked up to some amazing waterfalls in our matching tyed-dyed outfits. (People kept staring and asking whether we had been to the Grateful Dead concert, I wonder why.) We spent an afternoon at the beach and playing in the Pacific Ocean. The next day we went to the Oregon Zoo and the Rose Gardens. The last time Mommy and Daddy were in the gardens I didn't get to go, but this time I was there right beside them and running around just like any 2 1/2 year old should be.

Here is a little video of our Adventure. Enjoy!!!

Mommy's Little Helper

I really like helping Mommy. She is always telling me how I am her big girl and such a good helper. I mean, I am almost three years old, that is really getting up there in years. The other day we were switching my trach out (for those of you who don't know, Mommy and Daddy have to switch the tube out 2-3 times a week). Well, seeming how I am a super high maintenance girl, my trachs are specially ordered and specifically made for me. That means we have two that we have to switch between and clean. Well like I said we doing one of the switches and after we were done, I noticed that neither Mommy or Daddy had picked up my my dirty trach to take to the kitchen to clean. So I picked it up and put it "away" for them. The next morning Mommy went into the kitchen and couldn't find the trach that was supposed to be in the cleaning solution. She called Daddy to see where he might have put it, he had thought she had taken care of it. Now, the fun began. Mommy went crazy looking all over the kitchen trying to find it. Then she realized I had to "taken care of it." She of course started asking me where I put it, but I just thought this was hilarious to watch her going crazy trying to find where I had stashed it. Mommy all of a sudden went into to complete panic mode thinking I had put it in the garbage (that is because one of my big chores is to help put things in the garbage can) and Daddy had already taken out the trash that morning. Well, she went into the garage and sifted through the bag of garbage several times looking for it. She did find some other treasures like brand new containers of Crystal Light, cans of food, and other things, (don't worry she left them in the garbage) but she did not find the trach. She was about to fall apart when she decided to get down on her hands and knees and go through the kitchen looking at things at my level. And guess what, she found it.

Just look on the bottom shelf between the glass and plastic bottle of Karo Syrup.

Say It Like You Mean It!!!!

Today is Daddy's Birthday. He started off the day with a fabulous game of golf with his twin brother, came home to find a present and card waiting for him. We are getting ready to go to dinner with Toby, Tammy, and Dallas. But Mommy was just checking her e-mail and found this little treat waiting for Daddy. Thought you might all enjoy.

Click here

I am A Mother

Guest Writer: Mommy (the sappy one)

We recently celebrated a holiday that is dedicated to honoring all the mothers of the world. Tory and I have been so blessed with the mothers that we were given. If it were not for them, we would not be the people we are. They built the foundation for everything we know and do. Thank you both so much for all your work and sleepless nights on our behalf.

But I also want to honor those who have allowed me to take the title "mommy." I am by no means a supermom or will ever win the mother of the year award. That is the pure truth and I have come to accept that. But I love and adore these two little amazing people. I was so overwhelmed by the idea of motherhood when we started down this journey, but each time I see and hear that first little heart beat on the ultrasound, I fall in love all over again. The first time I saw their sweet little faces and gave them a kiss, I was smitten. The best part of all this, is they seem to really like me too! Like I said before, I am by no means a perfect or even good mom. Threats of selling certain small fry to the gypsies have exited my lips. And I sit and write this while the laundry lays in mounds around my house, dirty dishes are overflowing the sink, and the weeds claim victory over the gardens. Oh well, that is just me. More importantly I love my two little miracles, and hope my heart will always melt when I look into their eyes and get smiles only a mommy is given.

Graduation

So after four long years and too many papers, projects, clinical hours, and pretty much time away from the most important people in the world, Daddy did it, he GRADUATED!!!

He has been the most amazing full time student/full time bread winner/full time daddy (the most important title of course). Thank you Daddy!!!

And of course it can't be a good post without some pictures of us.

Now, let the wild rumpus start!

Updates, Updates, Updates

Once again, we have finally gotten some time on this computer to update you all on our latest adventures. So keep scrolling down and see all the fun we have had lately.

Every Princess Needs a Throne

Well, potty training seems to be all the rage right now with all my peers. Mommy and Daddy decided that they might as well purchase a little potty chair for me to get used to the idea. Well, lets just say, I like the idea of not having a dirty bottom and this "throne" is already getting some use. It will probably be a slow process, but hey, might as well start somewhere.

My Buddy

I have not had a lot of opportunities to meet many of my cousins since there Daddy has been in school and this last winter has been one stinky germ after another. Well, during Spring Break,

I finally got to go visit some cousins. One in particular became rather attached, he wanted to hold, cuddle, and carry me everywhere. I have now received the title of "The Interactive Doll." I am cute and cuddly, what can I say.

Climb Every Mountain, or at Least Every Stair Step

Visiting our cousins during Spring Break was so fun. Of course I had to learn a new skill while away from home.

Devouring Literature

Daddy has been spending a lot time with all his books lately. I decided to following in his example, but I don't think we are doing it the same way. Oh well, this is a really tasty book.

Cinder-Michelle

I feel like Ryker and I having been picking up some serious slack in this house. Our house would never get clean if we didn't help.

1 and 2 and 3 and Breathe and

In Daddy's family there are a plethora of health care professionals. It is in our genes to help people. I guess it is never too early to start teaching CPR. Can't wait to learn more life-saving skills.

The new "passey"

Well just recently I had an appointment with a special doctor called a Pediatric Pulmonologist to help me get rid of my trach and ventilator someday. Well she told Mommy and Daddy that I had to start wearing this special thing on the end of trach called a Passey Muir valve. It is supposed to help me learn to talk with trach still in. Can't wait to post some videos of me singing.

Acute Gastrenteritis (aka: A Really Bad Case of the Stomach Flu)

I am going to write this for Michelle. She is sleeping on the couch right now, and I think I am the only one left in this family that doesn't seem to being feeling completely exhausted these days. This story began Sunday evening. Mommy had gone to work, even though Michelle and I had discussed with her the multiple benefits of staying home with us. Michelle starting act a little uncomfortable, and it just went downhill from there. By the time Mommy had gotten home Daddy had resorted to giving Michelle only Pedialyte. But alas, it was too late. Michelle spent most of the night throwing up anything that entered her gastrointestinal system. By morning Mommy and Daddy looked like the cast from that new vampire movie that is all the rage, (something about evening, or maybe it was dusk, oh Twilight, that's it). Well, they hoped she had expelled whatever germy was causing Michelle so much discomfort and tried to finish a very important paper that Daddy had to get done for school. By noon it was obvious that she was only getting worse so they decided it was time to call the Peditrician. We got some medicine that was supposed to help with the continuous upchucking. That night was only slightly better since she was able to stop hurling, but she just laid in bed and moaned since her belly still HURT. Well Mommy called the Pediatrician first thing the next morning. We left that morning for a quick trip to the office, a couple diagnostic tests later Michelle laid in a hospital bed with tubes and wires everywhere. (Even more than our usual assortment.) With all her vomitting she had become very dehydrated and since she was really able to handle anything in her tummy they started and IV and gave her lots and lots and lots of fluid.

Thankfully by the next morning the fantastic crew of doctors and nurses had helped Michelle get better. And of course being the fantastic little brother that I am, I brought her in a balloon and present to help her feel better.

Well, this typing and posting has made me a little hungry and tired. So I better go do what I do best and that is eat and sleep.

The Important Ones

So we see that Mommy took some space the other day on our blog. I guess that is alright since she helps take the pictures of us. But really, isn't this supposed to be about us. Well, Daddy is gone to school right now, so we have commandeered the computer to upload all the cute photos and do some updating.

Mommy and Daddy are trying to improve their culinary skills, and figured that if I might as well start learnig now. I am absolutely amazing, but everything I do is absolutely amzaing.

For Valentine's Day, Daddy and the two of us Heart Attacked Mommy. We also made her a homemade spa in her bathroom. Aren't we the most amazing children ever?

Here is a normal morning in our home. Mommy off doing something, who knows what and me taking care of Ryker. Changing his diaper, singing him songs, what would they do without me, honestly.

I have also recently discovered the joy of stickers. I wouldn't even let mommy take them off until my bath the next day.

I also have also recently taken over some of my own hygiene care. No one really can do anything as well for me as, well, myself. But this definitely needs to be seen in video to be fully appreciated.

This next video is for all you to understand why our home is no longer so quiet and peaceful. I am totally sweet and cute, and then this little man finds his voice.

Pay It Forward!

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift!
Send me an email with your address, emthornton@gmail.com Remember, only the first three get a gift, so you have to be super fast!

Valentines Day (Anniversary Day)

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!

This is a very important day in my life it is when Elizabeth and I were MARRIED forever. I just thought I would let everyone know that day I was the happiest man alive! I am still the happiest man alive. It has been six wonderful years with my best friend at my side. We have been through quite an adventure and have tried to always keep a positive attitude. I just have to say I LOVE YOU ELIZABETH and you will always be the love of my life. We once mentioned that we would always be around to push or pull the other and help them accomplish the goals and happiness in life. I feel like you are the one who is always doing the work at pushing and pulling. Well I have to say my post is pretty cheesy but it's me. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ELIZABETH! I love you.

LOVE Tory.

It Takes Heart

Today is another really important day. We all celebrate birthdays, and there are anniversaries for everything from first kiss to first home. But today is not one of those. True it is an anniversary, but not one that many people celebrate. It is the 2nd anniversary of my mended heart. Mommy told the whole story last year, and if you are want to remember or are in need of a good cry (Mommy sure did as she just reread it) just link on my HEART.



It is fun to look back and see all that has happened this last year. I have learned so many words. Traveling has become a favorite past time. Walking and running is my new favorite sport. Becoming Mommy number 2 for little Ryker. But something even more important is that I continue to grow stronger and healthier. Whenever Mommy and Daddy talk about the doctors fixing my broken heart, they always end with how I put their heart back together. And now that Ryker is here to play, Mommy and Daddy tell us how they love both of us so much, that the two of us together just make their hearts grow bigger and stronger.

I have to admit that it is old school to go see doctors or have tests done, but I have noticed that if it comes to my little heart, Mommy and Daddy are still very nervous and anxious. And so I must say that I am so thankful to have had so many miracles in my life, and can't wait to see what miracles this next year has to offer.