Christmas Vacation & Chicken Pox

Just wanted to let all of you know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. We've been enjoying snow, blowing snow, decorating for Christmas, celebrating Christmas and chicken pox.

The snow fell and closed school for the kids on Thurs & Fri before Christmas break, so they've had an extended break.

Here's Catie's vacation story...She started feeling sick Monday Dec 22 by feeling achy, dizzy, and a fever. She slept in her room that night. Dec 23, she was okay during the day, but her fever spiked to 102.5 degrees F and there were a few curious spots on her arm that evening, she took some advil and slept on the couch. Her fever broke (thank goodness). John and I decided to call the doctor the next day. Christmas Eve...call the dr at 8am and they want her there at 9:15am - we had to rush and get all of us ready because the kids had a few things to pick up for each other - we made it by 9am and they wanted Catie to walk through the back door. Well - she was diagnosed with Chicken Pox and the dr said to get some anti-itch lotion, benedryl, but not to use the topical benedryl and the benedryl pill at the same time. Unfortunately the dr said she couldn't go shopping either (um we only went to 1 store and she was only in there for 5 minutes to pick out PJ's for Stephen and me). Her 3 most miserable days were the 24, 25, & 26th where she was itchy and didn't get much sleep. John had read up on some anti-itch remedies and we tried them all. The best thing that helped was mixing baking soda and water together, sticking it in the refrigerator and applying to the spots when needed. The next best thing was 2 cups of oatmeal in one of my old trouser socks and putting it in a bath with her in it. She actually got 3 hours of sleep after that. We did Benedryl too, but not at the same time as the anti-itch lotion. John has been working grave shift and will be changing to days in January...so I was VERY thankful his days off happened when she was itching the most. I took care of her during the day and he took care of her at night - God knew (thank you Lord!!). Now it's Dec 28th, she mostly back to herself. I'm still trying to take pictures of her spots, but every time I mention it she yeowls Noooo!!!

FYI: Even if your child has had the Chicken Pox shot, make sure they've had 2 shots. We got the girls shots when they were recommending 1 not knowing they needed a 2nd shot. Catie had a 25% chance of getting it and she got it, maybe she should play the lottery with those odds (lol).

If you have a child with the chicken pox and need some remedies to help them survive, please don't hesistate to ask.

TTFN - I'll be back with pictures of Christmas another time.

The "Gorge"ous Pictures of our Family

Here we are on our adventure coming home from my sister's house. John made sure the tripod was in the van so we could take some family pictures on the Old Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. He knew I have always wanted to get family pictures and this was the only time we've been traveling together for many months.

(it's either me going to the west with the kids, or him going on business). This was a wonderful gift to me from him and I love him for it, unfortunately, SOMEONE had a cranky-face at the start and made the momma unhappy (look at the 2nd picture). Thank goodness she snapped out of it and actually had some fun! John and I hadn't had our picture taken together without kids since my 33rd birthday - that was 8 yrs ago! It was about time. Hopefully we can do this again when it's warmer and the sun is shining. We stopped and took pictures at The Vista House, Bridal Veil, Wakeenah Falls, and Multnomah Falls.

Thanksgiving

Here are all the cousins as of Thanksgiving. There is one more due, but she won't be here until January. I guess we'll have to get a new picture done next year. They are almost all in order of age. At the top is Becky, Catie, Celia, Stephen, Jonah, Odin, Ezra, and Adelaide. The house was filled with joyous noise of children, booming laughter, and lots of family everywhere. My cousin Kris and I (who are the oldest in our families) each have our oldest daughters as curly hair blondes with blue eyes, our other daughters being the middle, with curly dark reddish-brown hair and dark eyes, and boys that are the youngest. My sister Tara and my cousin Karen (Kris's sister) have boys who are the oldest and now Tara is having a girl. The odds are that Karen will probably have a girl in the near future - WEIRD huh! If I was into all that numbers stuff I'd really look into luck and probability and such, but I'm not. It's just one of those "Nonie things" (Nonie was our grandmother).

Here are those silly girls. The boys were busy doing their own thing. I think 2 of them were either enjoying a nap or a meal.

Here are some random pictures from Thanksgiving. The one that makes me smile is Adelaide's Grandpa taking pictures, and then she's taking pictures too

The guys were hit with that disease after you eat Turkey. They were in a nice, quiet dark corner all by themselves for several hours.

Here are Jonah and Stephen wearing matching shirts.

Halloween

Catie went to her first Halloween Dance. She had fun with her friends Sammy and Shastan. They even danced a little bit, but I think most of the time was spent walking from the bathroom to the dance.





Stephen is in Cub Scouts and one thing they did was go to a retirement home and hand out candy to all the residents. They had a good time sticking together wishing each person Happy Halloween in unison. There were even a few residents that handed out candy to them. Afterwards Stephen and I went with Miss Holly and Wyatt ate at Hals Hamburgers and sat where the big screen TV was and enjoyed burgers and a movie. (He's the one dressed like Bumblebee from the Transformers)

Stephen's Halloween party was filled with candy, crafts, candy, a parade and more candy. Here he is with one of his favorite teachers, Mrs. Price. I think I need to find her some Orange and Black clothes with the initials OSU on them.

Becky and Jimmy got to dress up for Halloween. She was a "Fox Demon" (no I've never heard of one before, but to make my daughter happy, we did the best we could to come up with the costume she had imagined). Jimmy was a Demon Slayer I think.

Homecoming 2008

Here are Becky and Jimmy before the Homecoming dance. Instead of having the kids go to 2 places to get pictures, we all gathered at my parent's house. It was alot easier and we had alot more room. They were really cute! After all the pictures were taken, they met a few friends and went to the Oasis for dinner. I loaned Jimmy's parent's my camera so there would be pictures at dinner.

Here is the lovely couple standing in the "famous spot" where Tara and I always had our pictures taken for Homecoming and Prom. Oh what memories...I'm pretty sure they had a good time. Afterwards, Jimmy's Dad brought the kids back to my house (John was working). They visited for about 1/2 hr and let us know how everything went.

Here is the crew at dinner. Looks like they all had a fun time. There's Corinna, Taylor, Taylor, Tessa, Jimmy, and Becky.

Awww, here is the happy couple dancing. Don't they look cute. Yes, I was a "Mama-razzi" and took pictures at the dance. One thing I regret is not bringing the camera home with me after I was done getting my pictures. I left it with Becky and I think she paid more attention to taking pictures than her date. Next time I'll know better, and just stay longer (mwa-ha-ha-ha).

Stephen's Bowling Party

Stephen's 8th birthday party was at a bowling alley in Pendleton. Madison, Becky, Catie and Cole came to play.









John was there to instruct Stephen on how to have the ball go down the lane.









After a couple of games, we went into the party room and had Ice Cream cake and open presents. Stephen got a fun new bike.









Best buds!!

First Day of School

Well, here are the kids on the first day of school. We've taken pictures in front of this tree since we put the thing in 11 years ago. The kids had to leave at different times this year, so I didn't get a picture of them together. They each looked adorable and survived the first day. Becky had to switch classes a couple of times, but I think she'll do okay. Catie adjusted to Miss D's class alright and gets to go to Mrs. Bennett's class for 2 classes. Stephen is doing really well in Mrs. Price's class and gets to help others because he was there for reading last year. It's amazing how quickly they grow up! I have a high schooler (ARRRGGHH!!) which brings games, parades, homecoming dances, and PROM. Makes me swoon! lol

More Umatilla County Fair

The kids got to play "hurry up and wait" alot. Becky would have to get her lamb washed, prepped and such and then they said the had "nothing to do". Yeah right!! They got to explore the whole fair, spend time with friends, and even got to enjoy the carnival. I'm not sure what their favorite ride was, but these were a few that were talked about. Sitting in the trailer with their DS's were a highlight too. Even I got to have some fun riding the Zipper with Catie and enjoying the Kelly Pickler concert. All in all, I think we all survived Fair Week wonderfully and will be doing it again next year.

Umatilla County Fair

Here are my kids doing what they do best. Becky is showing her lamb Fuzzy Pickles with her nice plaid cover. Catie is babysitting Kinsley Dennis (who was only 3 weeks old and so precious) and Stephen is being the "strongest boy on the planet". We spent the whole week in Hermiston and survived the heat, the hail / rain / thunderstorm, and the fair. It was fun and we hope to do it next year depending on who does what with 4-H.

Umatilla County Fair Week

We've been preparing for this week for months now, and it's here. Becky and Catie are there with their Grandma Donna (Monday and Tuesday). I'll be arriving with Stephen on Wednesday, John will be there Thursday and we'll be staying until Sunday. I'll be taking pictures, journaling stories, watch Becky do her thing with her lambs, help Catie get her bunny business going, and watch Stephen participate in some fun activities. We'll be enjoying the livestock show, friends, and carnival. Have a great week!