Christmas Eve Fun!

Can I tell you that I love Christmas time? We seem to be unwrapping presents the whole month of December. (Okay so some of those presents ended up getting rewrapped because they were not necessarily meant to get unwrapped when they did.)

So you all remember my fantastic nurse who brought me the whole box of treasures for my Birthday this year. Well, lets just say she outdid herself this Christmas. TREASURES!!!

Okay, so this is no ordinary globe. It is a talking globe. Did you know that gorillas live in the mountains of Ruwanda and that even though they are largest of the apes they only eat leaves and fruit.

Cutie Boutique dress up trunk, need I say more.

And a some equipment for my explorations. But remember, even explorers can accessorize.

What, you don't think heels are appropriate attire for a safari in the bush?

I am sure you were worried about Ryker, but don't be. He got his own treasures.

Farmyard fun, a musical caterpillar, and a box. No boy could be any happier.

Last, but not least, a JUMPOLINE!!! And tonight Santa comes . . .

Want Some Pie?

So Mommy decided to conquer two fears at once: (1) host a Christmas dinner with people we are not directly related to so they are not required to eat and compliment the food she makes which could easily turn out questionable (need I remind you of her culinary handicap) and (2) make a homemade pie crust. So once again my dear and exceptionally talented aunt inspired her with a delicious recipe for Crunchy Caramel Apple Pie and once again I volunteered to be her lovely assistant.

So this is how the the dough should look for anyone attempting to make such a crust, crumbly not doughy.

By the way, biting your lip really does help the whole baking process.

And me with a rolling pin. Its how I roll. Well the pie was too yummy and as soon as it came out of the oven, the guests immediately devoured every last morsel, so sorry no picture. But take a look at The Recipe and make some yourself. It is absolutely sinful.

A Quick Ride

We both wanted to go for a ride, so together we went. See Mommy, we know how to share.

Our Cousin

Just a little note, our new cousin had to go to the NICU yesterday afternoon. He is going through the same thing his brother did, an unexpected and quick elevation in his bilirubin levels, he has an extreme case of jaundice. He is now under lots of special lights, on a special glowing blanket, and has an IV in his belly button to get IV fluids and antibiotics. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers so he can come home soon. Hospitals may be were our parents work, but they STINK when you are a baby. Get better quick Wesley James!

And Our Family Keeps Growing

Now before a bunch of crazy rumors start circulating, WE are not getting the new sibling for Christmas. But our cousin Dallas did today. We got the pleasure of spending the whole day causing all sorts of ruckus and pandemonium with Dallas while his Mommy and Daddy went to the hospital so the Doctor could deliver the baby. It was absolutely awesome being an incredible threesome!! Then we got to go visit Tammy, Toby, and the new baby this evening. I must say, Tammy looked splediferous and the baby, oh so cute. Mommy and Daddy both loved all over him. He is sweet, and innocent, and absolutely perfect. Just an awesome little Christmas miracle. We are more than excited for all the incredible adventures we are sure to have in the future with this little guy. 3 Boys in 19 months = Trouble!

Congratulations! once again to Toby and Tammy and their amazing little (but not so little anymore) family.

Warning: Not for Small Children

For all you parents who actually care about the safety of your young children (unlike my parents who seem to think we children are invincible, sigh), brass mantle stocking hooks are DEADLY. They result in early ending of partying and movie watching for parents and a quick trip to the ER, to have a Doctor tell the overly concerned mother he thinks it is more of "scrape" and that he doesn't think it needs glue or stitches. (And by the way the next morning when the fat lip is gone and the swelling has subsided, healthcare worker/parents realize it really is deep and should have been glued.) Just in case any truly concerned parents out there would like to know.

Mashed Potato, Mashed Potato

Learning about "solid" foods I have fallen in love with mashed potatoes. And contrary to common idealogy, they are actually a great finger food. (It also makes for creating a great Santa beard too.)

Therapy Update!

So as many know, I am in therapy 4 times a week. Phyiscal Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy for communication, and Speech Therapy for feeding. Lately I have been taking leaps and bounds in my progress. But one very important thing, I recently FOUND my swallow. I have been dying to try so many of the delicious things that everyone around me eats. But no matter how much I chewed and crunched and munched, it didn't matter because I had lost my swallow. Well about a month ago, I found it! I am currently just practicing sips of water, but let me tell you, I am looking forward to the days when I can have chocolate chip cookies and pizza.

Dashing Through the Snow

So we finally had a good snow storm! Lucky for us we had recently been shopping at Daddy's favorite sportsman's store and got this awesome sled.

It started out great for me, Ryker was still thinking about it.

Then I started realizing that it was awfully cold outside.
It was then that Ryker came to the conclusion that this was rather exciting.

I was trying to be courageous for everyone.

But I finally said, "I am done."

But if it means we get to spend time as a family, by golly it will be awesome.

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Last year, my aunt and uncle convinced us to have a REAL tree. I don't think we will ever go back to the artificial ways of our past.

The beautiful twinkle lights! But watch out, you can get pretty tangled up.

Don't worry, though, I am very flexible and can untangle myself. Here I am putting the first ornament on the tree. (It is a train from our trip to the North Pole.)

My parents have what we call an eclectic tree. We collect ornaments from all our travels, adventures, and just about anything we really want to remember. The ornament that Ryker picked out this year on our way home from the Heller Family Reunion.

The ornament I picked out this year. My very first ornament Grandma bought me when I was still very little and in the hospital.
Ryker's very first ornament I helped pick out when he just a brand new baby.

Now this is a very special ornament. After Mommy's Grandpa and Grandma past away she wanted something very special to remember them by. So she asked with tears in her big brown eyes and got one very special item. An ornament from their very first Christmas together. The year was 1938, 71 years ago. That is what we call an heirloom.

Another special ornament, an ornament that Mommy's mom made for Grandma and Grandpa's very first Christmas. It may not be the most monetarily expensive ornament, but the years and joy it symbolizes, WOW!

And the Ornament that started it all. Daddy and Mommy bought this on their honeymoon almost 7 years ago. Once a lonely ornament, now encircled by many others who symbolize all our family memories.

Our tree keeps changing and becoming more and more beautiful with the ornaments that we add each new adventure.

To The North Pole of Course!!!

Okay, so we have watched the Polar Express one or two . . . bazillion times. So we had to snatch up the chance to go to the North Pole ourselves and see the Big Man himself. This train ride was magical.

Nothing is better than sitting in Daddy's lap and enjoying a good ride.

Just watching the world go by.

So we met Mrs. Claus at the beginning of the ride and she gave this special paper so that I could write a letter to Santa. I knew this was extremely important, so I meticulously wrote my letter, starting with thanking him for all the thoughtful gifts. Then specifying what I truly want. Then ending with another Thank You. You never can be too thankful.

Ryker enthralled by outside world.

The amazing family who agreed to join us on our adventure to the far North. (Currently a family of 3 and 8/9.)

Oh, the beauty!

Isn't this breathetaking!

Our family of four after our amazing ride up to the see Santa.

See, the North Pole. (It really is a Pole, who would have thought.)

The two of us meeting Santa at the North Pole. I was weak in the knees with excitement. I almost forget to ask for my heart's desire, but I remembered at the last second, don't you worry.

The whole family with Santa. What an amazingly magical experience!

First comes stomach illness

Then comes dehydration. Then comes a whopping case of pneumonia which lands you in the hospital on IV Fluids, IV antibiotics, breathing treatments, and a couple of chest x-rays.

After our beautiful and ever so wonderful Thanksgiving Day, we all ended up getting some stomach virus. Sorry, Shellie and Landon, we came to your clean germ free home and left it in such a mess. Then things spiralled down hill once we got home. I ended up in the hospital for 2 days and 2 nights. Mommy finally figured out what I really needed to recover and come home was the Fancy Nancy nightgown my cousin had given me early for Christmas. She knew I would really need it soon. But I am now on the road of recovery at home.