Up Dates

Well, this post is a bunch of up-dates and photos.

Ethan went to school this morning (although I let him sleep through seminary after such a late night). He took medicine in the morning, at lunch, and after school. But hasn't taken any since.

He is getting along well on the crutches, and still has a date to prom (lol). He is pushing his healing, though, and hopes to be able to not use the crutches at the dance Saturday. I told him he had better listen to his mom and doctor--and give it the 5 days. He has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon Monday morning.

Ethan dislikes (even despises) having his picture taken, but he begrudgingly let me take these. (He has been know to take my camera and delete pictures!)
These photos are at "Clark County's Got Talent" talent show tonight. Brienna sang "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. She has such a perfect, pure, awesome voice!

Brienna went to her friends house to do her hair and make-up. What a beautiful young woman!

Too cute!

Brienna--we are proud of you! What a wonderful talent you have. Although this wasn't a competition, I think she was the best singer tonight. Her classmate (and my piano student) played Canon in D on the piano and her performance was outstanding too. Brienna and Josey would have been my top 2 picks!

This is what Emmalee thought of sitting through the talent show! Rusty actually took her home early (shortly after Brienna sang) because she was being a typical 3 year old. She was fast asleep by the time we got home at 8:30.

These photos are from Callum's physical therapy session last Friday (April 10th). I "had" to take all the children into town with me (except for Brienna who was at sewing class) because each of them needed clothes or shoes--except Emmalee and Benjamin. They had to go just because they decided they didn't want to stay home alone :)

Everyone enjoyed trying out the fun equipment Callum uses for therapy.

This was the hit of the day--no one could get enough of this bike. You pull and push with your arms (the handle) and also with your feet.

Ethan helped Emmalee with this mini-stair stepper bike. She kept falling off, so Ethan gave her flying lessons.

Remember the mighty pogo stick? This one is so much better than the one we had growing up!

Zane picked up a hitch-hiker. Her short little legs couldn't quite reach the pedals when she had the handles. She enjoyed the ride!

It was a work-out, though. All 3 boys were a bit sore and tired after 10 or 15 rounds.

Callum's turn (finally)--wait! I thought that physical therapy was for Callum, not the other boys :)

Callum climbing the rock wall--he wasn't going to climb to the top, but Ethan said he wasn't sure that Callum could ring the bell (since Ethan hadn't heard him ring it before), and that was enough motivation to get Callum to the top.

"Ding-Dong" Anyone home?

Last week was our school's Education fair. Here is Zane's project on the state of California. He was going build the Golden Gate Bridge, but after trying a mini-version w/toothpicks, he decided to build the Chargers stadium. Did I ever say that he is a HUGE Chargers fan?

I wonder what his teacher thought of it? LOL!!! (BTW--for those who don't know--his dad is his teacher)

Zane and Benjamin lurking over the shoulder of Callum. He is standing by the Sun. The 2nd grade class all helped to build the solar system in their room.

Callum--watch out! You might burn up standing that close to the sun. Good thing you put sunblock on :)

Oops--more therapy pictures. Callum LOVES playing basketball, so this really isn't "work"--just fun!

For some reason, I am unable to move my photos around in my post (I have in the past), so here is one of Emmalee on that cool stair-stepper bike.

Emmalee helped me take a self-portrait of her. One way to entertain her during basketball awards banquet. (I forgot to post those photos here, so I'll have to do that another post).

Emmalee loves to get in the way help vacuum whenever anyone vacuums.

This is actually a funny photo, because Pamela rarely vacuums at her apartment, but is willing to help vacuum my floors :) (thanks)

Emmalee now thinks that every time she takes a bath, Benjamin needs to be in with her. He discovered the water here--splash!!

How precious, cute and adorable is that face?!? Don't grow up so quickly, Benjamin!!!

Talking about growing up too quickly--for some reason I waited to feed Ben solid food until Easter Sunday. He was a little over 5 months old (I started earlier with all of the other children). I probably would have waited longer (don't want him to grow up too fast), but he wasn't satisfied after nursing (and sometimes a bottle too), and started waking up once during the night for a feeding (instead of waking up about 6, he would be up at 3 or 4, and then 6 or 7).

He loved the cereal instantly! Ate it all the first time, and now eats about 3 times a day. We added veggies today--and he loves those peas :)

Had to end the post with this county photo--I think he loves being a cowboy!

Knee Problems :(

I am just getting back from a trip to the ER. Since we live in such a small town, it takes about 50-60 minutes to get there.

Ethan went to the school Wednesday evening to decorate for prom and then play basketball during open gym. I had just arrived home from Cub Scout Roundtable at 9:30 and was changing into my jammies when a neighbor boy knocked on our door and said we needed to go pick Ethan up at the high school because he had hurt his knee "bad".

Rusty got in the van and drove the 1 block to the high school. Right after he left, a classmate called us to let us know that Ethan couldn't walk and that he was in a lot of pain.

Rusty had to help him in the house. He was crying a bit, but yelling a lot. He was in sooo much pain. It hurt my heart to see him hurting, and I felt helpless because I couldn't help him. I decided right then that he needed to go to the ER.

Ethan asked for a priesthood blessing, so we called Grandpa to come and assist Rusty. I am thankful to have the priesthood in our home, and that my son recognized when he needed help from his Heavenly Father.

I got dressed again, nursed Benjamin, and then we drove to Rexburg. Curves and bumps hurt his knee, but I could tell that the pain medicine was working (and the blessing) because after 1 hour, he wasn't in as much pain.

Main Street of Rexburg was quiet (it was 11 pm), and as I neared the hospital, I realized I was in the turning lane, but needed to go straight. As I slowed for the stop light, I saw police lights in my rear-view mirror. I thought, "Oh, no--not now!" I believed I was going to get a ticket for going 30 in a 25 zone. When the officer approached, he asked how I was doing. As I held back tears (first time pulled over--while I was driving) from the stress and worry about Ethan's knee, I told him I was on the way to the emergency room. Ethan showed him his knee, and the officer said that I was pulled over for not signaling when I changed lanes, but not to worry since I was on my way to the ER (and about 2 blocks from the hospital).

The "funny" thing about being pulled over for not signaling is that I ALWAYS signal--even when there is no traffic for miles and miles! I signal to get onto the freeway, to pass, to move in front from passing, to turn, and even to turn in our little town. I really thought I had signaled, but must have been distracted (worried) and forgot to this time.

Any-who. I pulled up to the ER doors, helped Ethan in (he said I was too short to lean on very well), and the attendant got a wheel chair out for him. Then I parked the van, got Benjamin out, and went in to fill out all the paper work.

We waited for about 5 minutes, and then Ethan was put in a room. They ordered an x-ray and unwrapped his knee (we had ice packs on it). The swelling had gone down a lot. X-ray came to his room, and I took Ben out in the hall. It only took a couple of minutes--really nice to have a portable machine to move from room to room.

The doctor tried to move his knee around and assess the injury, but since it was so tender and still swollen, he said he couldn't do a very good exam. So he ordered a knee immobilizer brace & crutches--to be used for 5-7 days. He said that Ethan's knee had been dislocated, and until the tenderness & swelling goes down, it isn't possible to assess further damage. So Ethan will need to see a knee specialist in about a week.

And--Ethan's Junior Prom is Saturday. He was supposed to drive (he's double dating with a friend) to town, where they were bowling, eating and watching a movie. Although he won't be able to bowl, he hopes to be able to put some weight on his right leg so he can dance a little.

I will keep everyone updated! I am going to bed now.

Easter Weekend

What a wonderful Easter weekend we had! We started out our Saturday morning with a ward (& community) Easter breakfast at the church. Our ward has held this for the past several years. This year we had breakfast burritos, fruit, and milk or orange juice. There is always a little program to remind us why we celebrate Easter. Each year we have members of the community attend. Then we all head over to the park for the Easter egg hunt.

Brienna and Emmalee
Callum--an empty bucket :) I don't have pictures of Emmalee and Zane because they were in different areas of the park. Rusty took pictures of Zane with his camera (and I haven't downloaded any of his pictures for months). And Pamela took photos of Emmalee with her camera--and I didn't download those before she left.

Ethan--was elected to hold Callum's jacket. It was such a warm day--and it stayed nice all day. By 10, there was no need for a jacket.

Run, Callum! He didn't seem too disappointed, but only was able to pick up 2 eggs. Try as hard as he could, by the time he got to an egg, someone had scooped it up. But Ethan and Brienna were nice and did an egg hunt at our house. They even put money in some of the eggs.

Coloring our eggs at home.

We boiled--well, I don't really know how many we boiled for sure, because my sister helped out and actually boiled the eggs :) (thanks!)

I think it was 4 dozen, but not sure.

This is how Benjamin helped color Easter eggs.

Somehow, Benjamin got some black smudge on his upper lip. The boys were laughing at his "mustache" so Ben had to join in on all the humor.

Easter morning was nice--the children didn't wake up too early. It is about 7:30 in this photo. Ethan was still asleep and I took some pictures of him, but he must have erased them off my camera (you are in trouble, Ethan!!!)

Zane--silly boy. New head phones. All of the children received the new LDS Gospel Art Book. And Zane, Callum and Emmalee took them to church to look at during sacrament meeting.

The Easter bunny spoiled Brienna--and she received "Twilight"

Emmalee got her own Easter bunny to snuggle with. And she also got the movie--"Barbie's Thumbalina". She was so excited about finding the eggs.

After our Easter meal of ham and potato salad (& trimmings), it was time for lots and lots of egg hunts outside. Aunt Pamela and cutie Benjamin.

Rusty was videoing--it was so much fun to listen to how excited Emmalee was. She was more excited when she hid the eggs, and we were finding them.

I can't believe that Benjamin is already 5 months old!

We couldn't get a very good picture of Emmalee looking for the eggs because she was running everywhere.

Callum (and the other children) were really good at letting Emmalee "find" the eggs that were low and on the ground.

We hope all of our family and friends all had a wonderful Easter weekend, and we love and miss ya!

Who "Borrowed" My Camera?

I downloaded some pictures onto the computer and found these.

Zane & Callum playing ball.
How many balls fit in a basketball hoop?

I'm not sure--but at least 7! Boys :)

Walks & Piano

We have gone walks Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It was soooo nice and sunny Monday and Tuesday. Today was cloudy, but warm enough. When we walked today, it was about 45 degrees. Benjamin doesn't sit up by himself quite yet, but when strapped in, he doesn't budge.

I took this picture after we got home Monday. We had walked to the store for some bread and buns for dinner.

We also got the mail--Emmalee wanted to get out--not have any more pictures taken.I love this "no smile" look.


Benjamin has taken a nap during all 3 walks. I guess I need to time my walks with when I want him to sleep :)

Monday wasn't as warm, so I bundled Ben up. Today he had on a cute hat just to prevent sunburn.

Trying to show off his two teeth.

He loves to play the piano. Playing w/Brienna. I need to fix those keys!

Zane's turn to help Benjamin play the piano.

I love springtime and being able to go on walks. Now maybe I'll lose some weight :)

Happiness from General Conference

I had a wonderful weekend--I "ran away" from home and went to my sister's house in Wyoming.

I took the baby (of course) and Brienna to help with Benjamin.

This was the first General Conference that I have been able to listen to (and learn and enjoy) in many, many years. Usually I have to "entertain" the little ones (Conference Bingo, bribes to be quiet and listen, etc.) and miss out on a lot of the talks.

But I was able to watch and listen to all 4 sessions w/o interruption :)

More to come later this week (pictures of our escape and more about my weekend).

I loved listening to the general authorities :)