Christmas 2007

Christmas this year...
We got a call last week (18th) that Luke's dad had been taken from work to the ER because he was throwing up and passed out. It gave us all a HUGE scare and they gave him an MRI. They diagnosed him with Meneire's Disease. He stayed home from work for the rest of the week to recuperate.

22nd: Luke and I finished our shopping and were getting everything ready.

23rd: We had the Shardlow's over for dinner on Sunday. It was pretty stinkin' fun! We had my mom's Cheesy Soup in Bread Bowl recipe, with my Aunt Vedana's Jicama salad!!! YUMMY! It was divine...and let's NOT forget the Texas Sheet Cake Karen brought for desert. That stuff was amazing. She made a HUGE cookie sheet of it and by the time they went home (1:30a.m.) half the pan was gone! NO JOKE! We are still feeling the effects of that...haha!

24th-CHRISTMAS EVE

Luke got a phone call around 7:30a.m. from his mom saying that his dad was back in the ER. Apparantly Terry (his dad) had gotten up to get ready for work and the whole right side of his body was NUMB. Iris (his mom) called the hospital and they told her to get him in there ASAP. They got there and the doctors suspected a STROKE. They did a CT scan and confirmed it. They didn't know until later in the day whether he was going to be back to normal or what had caused it. They figured the stroke was caused by stress, but mostly because Terry had STOPPED taking his cholesterol medicine!! (He now has to take 2 types!!) He is expected to recover with physical therapy. We are so thankful that he is going to be ok!!

After we realized he was going to be ok, we tried to have a good Christmas Eve. With what little snow we had on the ground, we took the kids sledding.

As far as tradition for the night goes we compromised! Instead of opening all the presents from family on Christmas Eve or opening only pj's, we decided to open pj's, parents from grandparents and sibling gifts. (about 4 gifts each) It was nice to start our own traditions. We also rented some movies watched them late into the night and slept out in front of the tree. LIVI loved it! She kept wanting to know how Santa would get past us without waking us up. :-)

25th: Christmas Day

We didn't wake up until around 8:30 or so and realized that Spencer was just chilling in his crib waiting for us. Haha, cute kid. We got him out and he ran out to the room and saw his presents...he couldn't stop "talking" as he grabbed for his MatchBox Cars. They were a HUGE hit! He loved them!

We ate dinner at the Shardlow's with the Penerosa Family. The food was amazing and we had a great time singing karaoke, guitar hero, talking, eating and trying to get our Cocoa to taste good..BIG FAILURE! (although mine did taste ok) It was a great time..and we had so much fun catching up and talking.

26th:

Tree down! I know, I know..bah humbug, but I coudn't handle it up in our apartment anymore. I have been having a bit of a claustrophobic feeling lately. I really can't wait to move...I will miss it here, but I will not miss the size of apartment! Hopefully, we'll get a home...but who knows!

Birthday Party for the Birthday Girl!

When I started thinking about Livi's party many ideas came to mind...but then I realized that a lot of the boys invited wouldn't want to participate if it was Cinderella or Barbie party. So, the pizza party was born.
The invitations were really important to me, so I came up with a fun idea, deliver a pizza invitation to every home!!! We got personal pan pizza boxes from Mani Penerosa(he actually served a mission in my ward growing up, lives in the area, is the manager over the KC Pizza Huts AND he is Karen's brother-in-law...small world!!) and changed everything to work in and outside of the box. We delivered them..it took over 2 HOURS and more than 60 miles!! Can you believe it?! Livi dressed up in a baker's hat that said "Olivia's Italian Pizzeria" and an apron. We went to every door and Livi would knock and after they answered she would say, "Special Delivery!" It was HILARIOUS!

I was going to have the party in my apartment, but after I realized that most of the kids would be coming, I figured a bigger place would work better! I was told through Kristin that the Pizza Shoppe had places to hold a party and so I called and worked it out. We would STILL be able to make our own pizzas, but they provided everything, including cleanup...so I was SOLD!

There were 13 kids total and it was a BLAST! Luckily I had a few "extra" things to do during the down time, otherwise the kids would've gone CRaZy. We made fake pizzas, then the real pizzas, decorated their gift bags, ate the pizzas (they were SPEEDY getting cooked...yum, yum!), then had a "pizza" cake (which was actually a cookie cake with red frosting and white chocolate shredded on top for the cheese), opened presents and parents came to pick up.

Here the kids are 1st making the fake and then making the pizzas they would eat!

What's left of the cookie cake!

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE THAT HELPED!!! (Shannon, Kristin, Chad, Tammy, Deidre, Luke) I couldn't have done it without you!

Oh the weather outside is frightful....

Click on the above picture to see how thick the ice is on the grass...

On Thursday we got our first snow of the winter season and it was nice. We delivered Livi's Birthday invitations on Friday and ended up playing in the snow at the Wither's Home. The kids ended up cold and wet because we didn't have any "gear" on them! (DId I mention wet?) I drove them home in a very HOT car without shoes or socks since they were soaking wet. Haha..

On Monday it was Livi's birthday and we didn't have any hot water! NONE!! I was seriously sad and it wasn't a really pleasant day as far as that went, (until they came at 4 p.m.) but we had a great time with Livi. We decided that night to go and get her a BIRTHDAY treat and drove in the ICE STORM!! It was so cool to be honest. You would think that an ice storm would be icy, and yet, it wasn't. Funny how that works, eh? It was raining outside and it was freezing on the grass and the trees, but the roads were relatively ok, wet, but ok.

Tuesday we woke up to no school and lots of ice on the trees. It was so PRETTY!! We lost our hot water around 3 p.m. and were thankful that's all we didn't have. THOUSANDS of people didn't have electricity for hours and some still don't have it!! It was a nice relaxing day...

Wednesday Luke stayed home from work :cough: and cleaned the WHOLE HOUSE!! I had fun day at bowling, Livi had school and Spencer went with me...so luke was by himself and DEFINETLY did a great job with his time. Here are some pictures of the GORGEOUS Trees outside...btw, today, Thursday is SUNNY!!!

BOWLING IS DONE FOR 2007

Shannon is due on December 19th. She looks like she just stuck a bowling ball in her shirt and called it good. There are just some people that are cute pregnant (I am obviously not one of them...BUT she definately is ONE!)

(Kim is not picture in these pictures...we'll get one of her for later!)

K-Dawg, Shardlow

Shannon

Me trying to run back so Shardlow won't take a butt picture!

Our scores...don't laugh!! It turned out in the end!!

**Just for the record I wrote a flippin' long post and it was lost...how does that happen? Blasted computer programs!!**

8:55 p.m. and she’s 4!

As I have been in the blogging world and had a chance to read birthday tributes to loved ones..it is now MY TURN!!

Livi turned 4 today, at 8:55p.m. to be precise. When I think about her fuzzy blonde hair at birth and her purple-blue eyes, I can’t help but fall in love with her all over again. I love her so much and can’t get over it!!

I was thinking about the number 4 and what part it plays in Livi’s life right now…
There was the 4 hours of pushing I did to get her out during labor, 4 hours that it took for me to put her blasted birthday present together today (those stinking plastic kitchens!!) The 4 minutes every single day that I get to drive to and from school with her.

The four things that she asked for for her birthday: makeup, makeup, makeup and makeup and the four things she will NOT be getting (evil mom, I know!!) The 4 times it took her to blow out her candles tonight! Hahaha…

Her four favorite things to wear in no particular order: blue & white striped shirt, blue jean skirt, blue velour running pants & her Cinderella dress up. She changes clothes about 4 times a day! (What a diva.) AND SHE IS OBSESSED with BLUE!!

Her 4 most beautiful features (there are many, of course):

1. Hair: she has the most beautiful blonde hair!! The color is gorgeous and it is so shiny!

2. Eye color: When she was first born, she had purple/blue crystal eyes, literally. They looked like crystals or diamonds…and although still beautiful, they have changed to be a deeper blue.

3. Lips: They are a deep red. And with her ...

4. Porcelain skin tone her lips pop. Her skin tone is the very essence of Snow White.

We are truly thankful to have this sweet princess in our lives and especially our family. She makes every day worth living.

Elf Baby

Take a minute...really, take a second and click on the link to the side of this post (the top one) You won't be sorry! (p.s. thanks Becca!)

And then there were four...

You know, I was just sitting here thinking about some funny things that have happened in my life and in the lives of others. I have had plenty of things happen, but I remember something that wasn't exactly funny happen to my 2nd cousin...ok, it was a "gift" but it wasn't really "funny".

My cousin, Maureen, had 2 girls and wanted to get pregnant and have another to add to their family. She went in for an ultrasound at 3 months that said she was having twins!! She was a little overwhelmed but was excited...then 2 weeks later she went in for another ultrasound and found that she was pregnant with, you guessed it TRIPLETS!! THEY WERE freaked out..and who wouldn't be..you go in for an ultrasound, find out you aren't having 1, but 2 babies and then go in the next time to find out you are having 3?!?! I don't even know what I would do, but this is what she did...she went in for ANOTHER ultrasound and they found out they were having QUADRUPLETS!! Ok, that has got to be the biggest and most UNBELIEVABLE feeling!! I wouldn't ever go BACK for another ultrasound!! "Forget that doctor!! Not a chance!"

So, for those of you that CAN'T believe it..here is the link for the story in The Gillette News.
http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2007/04/29/news/news01.txtHolding 2 of the 4 newborns...

Reading...?

So, we were very encourage over Thanksgiving when my niece, Annalee (just turned 5) was reading at an 8th grade level. She had taught herself how to read several months ago and was just going to town.

Luke & I felt that maybe Livi could and should be starting down the same road and so we did..and Livi has done a great job!! We have been reading vol. 1 of Dick & Jane books We Look. We started yesterday and went through the first story. After the first time, she read the next 4 stories! We went over the words and the ones that she didn't remember by rote, we would sound out.

Well, today before she went to a birthday party, I had her go through the books again to see if it was a fluke (I know, nice mommy!) and it wasn't!! She was still reading it!!

I am not saying that she is going to be reading by herself tomorrow, but at least it is progress. Sometimes she doesn't want to focus, heck, t.v. hello?!? But we are trying to focus her little by little. It's fun to use my bachelor's degree somewhere!! We'll update as it continues!

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

First off...I want to apologize for NOT posting in FOREVER!! I always get frustrated when I check out blogs and there is nothing to read, so I apologize.

Second, this past week we went to Chicago for Thanksgiving. We had a 9 hour roadtrip with a non-cooperative toddler and angel preschooler (thank goodness one of them was good). While driving the first 4 hours, we mainly just talked, the kids slept and watched videos. We stopped off at the BEST McDonald's ever in Altoona, IA (ok, if fast food could be considered "best" or "good") This location was DECKED out! It had a 2-sided fireplace, a white grand piano that played by itself and the biggest playplace. The kids had a great time and we let them play for an hour. They needed it!! As we were leaving, we realized that Spencer's grumpiness was due to a dirty diaper...oops!! Next time, we'll make sure to be more sympathetic. ;-) When we got into the car, Spencer went down pretty quickly and Livi watched a movie and then fell asleep.

During this quiet time, Luke asked me what I was thankful for. What a hard question for me, right there and right then. I had been in the car for several hours, was grumpy about something and so I wasn't in the right mindset to be thinking positive. I came up with some dumb answer just to pacify Luke, but he wasn't biting! :-) After I said my one worded answer, he was quick to come up with several things. As I was listening, I realized that I had a LOT more to be thankful for just the mundane laundry list of answers.

So, as much as I hate the mushy stuff...I just want to say how much I am thankful for my husband who is truly thankful for the little things in life.
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*Luke Getting ready to paint...my dad made him wear his clothes!!* (bahahaha!!)

Before we ventured out to Chicago, we made sure my parents knew we were ready to be put to work. We wanted to paint a room in their home. My mom & dad live in an old Victorian style home and she likes white everything, especially walls. So, we were excited she let us paint her piano room "sandstone". It is a warm, beautiful tan/beige color. It lightened and warmed the room up sooo much! thanks mom!

On Saturday or Sunday of last week, I called my dad to let him know when we were coming. I told him that we were coming on Tuesday night/wednesday morning and not to tell my brother Andru who is subconsciously competitive (hahahaha) because he will try and beat us there. Well, dad was talking to Andru on Sunday and asked him when he was coming (Wednesday morning) and then said, "Well, Katie thinks that you always have to be first...and she is coming on Tuesday night." So Andru said, "we'll leave Monday!"

On Monday, dad called to ask when we were coming because Andru was leaving earlier than planned (surprise, surprise!!) I laughed and said, well we can't leave any earlier because Luke doesn't have it off...and dad kept badgering and I kept putting him off. I got off the phone, called Luke, begged him and then said, if you could get off early today, that would be great. Then 10 minutes later, i had livi call and ask him if we could leave early because she didn't want Uncle Andru to beat us! (It was hilarious!) I had a feeling that we would leave early, so I told Livi that she had to hurry up and make her bed, get packed, etc. Luke called back 30 minutes later and said that he would be home in 3 hours and to be ready. Lucky for him, we were! It was amazing..and let me just say that my dryer is the SLOWEST ever!!

The week was nice and relaxing and full of tradition. Including going to the Museum of Science & Industry. We have been going there on Thanksgiving Day for the past 20+ years... wonderful times! On Friday the men took the kids to the Children's Museum in Naperville/aurora and the women went shopping. It was amazingly deserted out there! I was pleasantly surprised. ON Saturday we watched th BYU game (THEY WON!) and went to the park. We played games, had TONS of AMAZING Ursula food, stayed up late, ate lots of ice cream and citro (lemon-lime/sprite). Ok, I am not kidding when I say how AWESOME the food was..my mom is SPECTACULAR!

All in all..quite a fun week! It was great hanging out with Marilee, Andru, Mom, Dad, Annalee, Samuel, and little Lauren. (Pictures to come!)

Kansas City Ballet

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to go the Kansas City Ballet with some great friends! The night was a BLAST!! We seriously had such a fun time and who wouldn't with 4 girls in downtown KC at night, right?
We started off the night leaving at a reasonable time and we took the wrong interstate to get there. Taking I35 would've gotten us there pretty fast (straight shot)...but we accidently took I435 and ended up going the longer way..BUT, no fear Karen was the designated OnStar (she used to live downtown).
We got downtown, found that the theater wasn't where is was supposed to be ;-), finally found some parking (the Garth Brooks Concert was going on..so finding parking under $5 was AMAZING!!) and started running..where? We didn't know, since the address was WRONG!
We ended up asking a taxi drive, then a hotel person, and then running the blocks to the theater...POOR Shannon! We thought she was going to deliver on the street! (I was running in my SuperWoman boots..NOT Easy!)
After about 15 minutes of walking, running and asking we found it..and not a minute too soon. We got inside and sat in our seats (7:40) and it was supposed to start at 7:30, so we were LUCKY!

Trick or Treating

Chik-fil-a cow, baby, angel

*Wish you could see the magnitude of my hair! *Our candy load..ok, Livi's load! (spencer went to only a few homes, but they will share none-the-less!)

On the way to see daddy at work. *Livi, Alice in Wonderland (rylee), Queen of Hearts (sophie), Spencer

Fine carving skillz i must say... :)

Livi's preschool parade and party. The game: pin the mouth on the jack-o-lantern

Eating all the fine goodies she got...Spencer and Gage playing at the kitchen (this is the boy that kissed Livi!!)


HALLOWEEN 2007

This year we had a great time trick or treating! We again went with our friends, the Withers, and had a blast!

This year we went a different route and found the hot dog house (they were giving away hot dogs!!) complete with a haunted house! This house was amazing! Anyway, we were really impressed with the amount of effort people put in to their decorations. Other homes were VERY well decorated, but the garages were the highlight!! Great job OP! Too bad we didn't find the cotton candy house...and we are moving away, so we'll NEVER get any! :(

Spiders

left: spider outside our apt. Rt: Tarantula

Yes, it's true...it's getting colder out here and thus, the spiders have come out to play. This last week I saw a bird fly onto our patio and jump back pretty quick! Then I saw this spider do a kung fu move..it was the weirdest thing, then I realized the spider was big enough to EAT the bird! ;-)

Also, just a side note, this is one of the smaller spiders we have seen out here...Luke killed one soon after we moved out here and it was just a little smaller than a trarantula-YUCK!!