Thanksgiving

We had a really good Thanksgiving. We had planned to stay home with Lauren's tonsil surgery and feeling like we couldn't afford to travel and me being pregnant but when Jerry got home from work on Wednesday, we decided we should just drive up to Idaho and surprise my family. We left about 4:30pm and got there at 12:30am. We called Kevin along the way and let him know we were coming. He and Lindsay had gotten there earlier in the day. The kids did really well on the drive. Lauren hadn't been sleeping well but slept for almost six hours in the car. I think it was more comfortable for her in the carseat. We don't like driving in the dark but we got there safe and sound. My parents were very suprised and excited. We had a fun Thanksgiving day. Mike, Karen and their family came and spent most of the day. It was so fun to spend time with them. Rod came over later in the day as did Teresa and the kids. She brought Doug (a guy she is dating) and his kids as well. There was a big football game full of lots of laughs. Jerry was very sore afterward. Jerry brought a TV shooting game that he got with a gift card from Sportsman's Warehouse. He said it was for Landon but Landon always ends up crying because he doesn't get a turn. The guys and kids had fun with that. The next day Jerry made plans with Natalee to go to lunch and she did my hair. It was such a fun surprise. We really miss Nat and Mike. They are such good friends. We had fun with them. Jerry, Kev and Lindsay had a pool game that was quite competitive. Apparently at one point Lindsay had taken back her maiden name and was not on speaking terms with Kevin or Jerry. Dave's family came the next day and we had a great time with them. They were on their way to cut down a Christmas tree. Katherine is graduating in a few weeks from BYU-I. We are excited for her. Dave brought his pigeons and let them fly. The kids loved it. Kevin and Lindsay left on Saturday. I went and visited Gary's grave which I had not done yet and saw Teresa's new house. It was strange not having him there. His kids came over a few nights when we were there and it is fun to spend time with them. Shelby and Ethan also came over and spent the night on Saturday. It was fun to see them. We helped my parents get started on putting their Christmas stuff up. They had said they were not decorating this year but after they got started they did put most of their things up. We stopped and saw Rod at work on our way home. The drive home seemed much longer but we were glad we went and had a much better Thanksgiving than we had anticipated. Landon had a blast and Lauren just survived (due to the surgery) but I think she would have had just as much pain at home. It was great to be with family during this holiday.

Tonsils

Lauren's tonsil and adenoid removal took place today. It was quite the ordeal. We took her in early in the morning and got her checked into the hospital. We had taken her to a dentist who said her tonsils were rather large. We then took her to an ENT who confirmed we should have them taken out. We decided to do it the next week because we were planning to be home for Thanksgiving and thought it would be a good long weekend for her to recover. So, she had a bit of trouble cooperating at the hospital. They put her in a little hospital gown with tigers on it and let her color for a while. Her biggest contention was that the doctor wouldn't give her any candy (she was supposed to be fasting). They gave her a "cocktail" which was supposed to help her become sedated. She would not take it well and looking back we should have known she would not take her pain medication after the surgery. So I rode on the gurney with her up to the operating floor. She started to get a little out of it and then the nurse just picked her up and took her. They took her into the operating room and the anesthesiologist just puts a mask on her, she takes a few puffs and she is out. Then they had to put a tube down her throat and do the surgery. Her doctor was Dr Gardner and did an excellent job. They use a high powered water pressure device to cut out the tonsils and adenoids. The surgery went well and only took about 30 minutes. She was a little sad when she woke up but I held her for a while and then they sent us home. The doctor said it would take a few weeks for her to recover and he was right. That afternoon she seemed ok but that was because her pain meds from the hospital were still in tact. We struggled the whole time to get her to take her pain meds. Jerry literally had to force them down her throat. She didn't even take her antibiotic and we just gave her the pain meds when she wasn't sleeping or totally in pain. She had a hard time eating and drinking because she was in pain. We hope she does not get sick again any time soon. She is a stubborn little two year old. She just spent most of the time whining and clinging to Mom. I did my best to take care of her with a huge belly and a small lap. We are so glad she is better!

Uncle Landon and Aunt Dana

We had a wonderful visit from Uncle Landon and Aunt Dana. The kids absolutely adore them and we had so much fun. Jerry and I had the opportunity to attend a festival of trees dinner which Jacobsen paid for ($100/ticket). We had to dress up in formal attire.....needless to day, my outfit was interesting but we went and had a really nice time. When we got home, Landon and Dana were here. They stayed up in Landon's room. The next morning the guys went shooting and Dana and I took the kids to the library. They have a new splash park there and I thought it would be fun to let the kids get their feet wet. Needless to say, the kids were soaking wet and we decided it was time to leave as soon as Lauren took her diaper off. Crazy kids. When the guys got home, Dana and I went to Tai Pan trading and made a few other stops. The shopping was so fun. I hadn't been to this store yet. We got Lauren a trike and Uncle Landon put it together. Jerry added a set of lights to his outside decor. They came to church with us and got roped into teaching the CTR class. We hope they will come back again! We had a nice lunch together and then they took off. We loved having them here and hope we can live close someday!

Veteran's Day

I have been thinking a lot about the freedoms we enjoy today. I am grateful Jerry had an opportunity to serve our country when he did. We are grateful for Uncle Joe who is in Iraq now and my cousin, Ronnie who has previously served in Iraq. It is such a blessing to have all the freedoms we enjoy. Landon was able to take some photos of his Dad and his uniform to preschool on Thursday. We didn't participate in the parades they had here but there were several different celebrations. We had a good sabbath day. We went to church and then later to get our temple recommends from the stake. They are updating to recommends to have barcodes and we needed to do that. After we went to the Joseph Smith movie at the visitors center. It is such a special movie and our kids sat through it exceptionally well. It was an experiment and they did great. It always makes me remember the sacrifices of others and seeing all the trials he faced I am reminded that my own are small in comparison. We had another busy week. Jerry got all the Christmas decorations up. He is such a holiday person. He was a bit disappointed realizing some of our stuff is still in Idaho but his villages are all up. He had his friend who is an electrician come and install a plug on the top of our kitchen cupboards so he could plug everything in up there. It looks really nice. He is such a big help and I am so grateful to have him. He made dinner a few times this week and always cleans up for me. I worked a few nights during the week. On Friday, we went on a date which was much needed and enjoyable. We went to a movie that was actually pretty good. On Saturday we had our BBBS monthly activity and had a good turnout. Jerry went shooting in the afternoon. I worked at a dance helping with pictures. A couple in our ward has a successful business here and this is the second time I have helped them. This was a formal dance and it was fun to see all the dresses. Times have changed a bit since I was in high school but I guess this is good preparation for having kids grow up. We are enjoying the fall weather here and have been reminded why people live here. It has been in the high 70's and perfect weather for the park and playing outside. Lauren and Landon are doing really well. They are the most friendly kids and talk to everyone they meet. They are happy and growing up. Landon told me when the baby comes out of my tummy she can sit in his car seat. I think he is starting to realize he will have a little sister soon. I am not so sure about Lauren. She loves her little pink baby and takes good care of her. I am not so sure about how she will do with a real one. We are wishing we could go up to Idaho for Thanksgiving but I don't think we will make it. Landon asked if we are going to have a "wonderful feast" for Thanksgiving....I assured him they will be having one at Grandma's but I am not so sure about here.

Pregnancy

I need to document a few things about this pregnancy. We found out we were pregnant in May and have been very excited ever since. I am feeling somewhat better this last trimester. The first trimester I was naseous but did not throw up. Instead, I threw up the whole second trimester. Some highlights were throwing up in an elevator, on the side of the highway on the way to Cedar City and every other place we went, aspirating in Jill's yard because I was searching for an "appropriate" place to throw up, running out of sacrament because I wanted to throw up while I was at the organ. The list goes on and on but this last trimester has been better. I did use the preggie pops and try to suck on something if I am feeling sick. I did not pass the screening for gestational diabetes so I had to do the diagnostic 3 hour lab and the results came back ok so that was a blessing. This past week I have been tired and in a lot of pain. My body seems to be preparing to deliver and I just have a lot of aches and pains. There have been lots of good times as well but I want to remember a few things for my next pregnancy. We are anxious to get our baby girl here healthy and are praying for patience for the next 6 1/2 weeks!

Baby, LV and Stake Conference

So I went to the doctor on Thursday. The baby is doing very well. I did not pass the initial screening for gestational diabetes so I had to do the diagnostic test. I found out I passed the test so I was very pleased. I am now going on 33 weeks. I don't know what it is with the third one but I feel so much more achy and ready to have the baby much sooner. The doctor says things are going good. The baby is moving a lot and is active most of the day. I can tell things are getting a little cramped....at least for me. We are very excited and anxious for this new addition in our family. The kids are excited, sometimes although I don't think they actually comprehend what changes this will bring to our little family. We have come to somewhat of a resolution on the name but I decided we will wait to tell anyone. We are getting closer, though. It has been a good pregnancy and has gone by so quickly. I am grateful for this time and look forward to having a Christmas baby! Jerry came home early on Friday and I was able to work for several hours. He then went to a question and answer session with President Kim B Clark of BYU-Idaho. He enjoyed it. Yesterday we went to Las Vegas for Marie's baptism. We got the car serviced and ate at In N Out which is always a highlight. We then took the kids to the water show at the Bellagio. The kids absolutely loved it. The laughed and giggled and can't wait to go back again. The baptism was very nice and the kids did well considering the amount of time it took. We went to eat at Bajio after with Dave and Rebecca's extended family. We enjoyed talking with them as much as we could and then headed home. Today we had a stake conference via satellite. We were able to hear from Elder Judd, Elder Zwick, Elder Holland and the Prophet. We really enjoyed it. President Hinckley talked about ways to strengthen your marriage. It was very inspired and spiritual. The technology we have today is amazing!

Halloween

The kids had a fun Halloween. We had a potluck with our neighbors on Monday night which they wore their costumes too. Landon had already been to one Halloween party on Saturday which you saw the pictures for. Then on Tuesday he had a preschool Halloween party. He loves going to preschool. Lauren and I ran errands and did as much as we could while he was in school She actually came to work with me for a bit and I accomplished a few things. We had a ward trunk or treat and chili cook off. Jerry did not make his famous chili this year but maybe next year. We ate and then the kids got candy from all the neighbors. I want to upload some pictures but we are having problems with our camera so we will see if it works. After the trunk or treat our REAL Halloween adventure began. Jerry had dressed as a hunter and I wore his Navy uniform. He decided we should go check out the neighborhoods where they give out "big" candy bars. We went to Stonecliff where Dr J and Celine Dion supposedly have homes. The neighborhood was really dark and there were no kids there. Did I mention it is a gated community but we just happen to follow a car in? That's part of the thrill of it. So we drive around looking for any sign of candy and finally see a bucket of candy on a porch. Jerry decides to go in and see what's there. I reminded him maybe he should take a child with him so he didn't look "suspicious." At this point Landon was no more in costume but Jerry took him regardless. He came back with a whole bunch of full size candy bars. He was very pleased with the success of his mission. That is exactly what it turned into was more of a military operation. So at the next house, he didn't even have to take a child with him. We had fun and Jerry got lots of his own trick or treat candy to take to work. We considered the evening a success.

The Week Before Halloween

We had a good week. We finally found the kids costumes. Landon is insisting on being a power ranger which I would have no problem with except for the fact that his costume is spandex red with black lightning bolts (pics to follow) and you can see his striped underwear through the back. The other issue I have is that he doesn't know what Power Rangers are but whatever. He went to a Halloween party yesterday and Jerry and I had a hard time not laughing. Of course, he looks cute because he is our child but the costume is just funny. I also borrowed a Thomas the Train costume which I am encouraging him to wear to future halloween functions. We will see how it goes. Lauren is planning on being a princess and we have lots of accessories we borrowed from a friend. I spoke at our Young Women in Excellence this week. I am very grateful for this new calling and I am enjoying the presidency and getting to know the girls. A few of the girls also spoke and did a great job. We have a good program and the parents and girls seem very involved. I went to the What Women Want Expo here at the Dixie Center. There were lots of interesting booths there. I ran into some people from Rexburg which was fun. I helped at Landon's preschool this week and am amazed at how much he is learning. It is so fun to watch him grow up and discover new things. He constantly asks what time it is and how to spell words. He is also recognizing letters on signs because he is learning how to draw them at school. Lauren came as well and did pretty good. I am hoping to get her in this same preschool next year. I taught my first lesson today and it went well. We are doing good.