Unicycle Success!

Look at this progress!  In just two weeks, he's gone from this (sorry sideways):

to this!

We knew if anybody could do this, it was Chandler!

Epic Tooth Pull

Enjoy. . .

Easter

I do love Easter!  Here are my little chicks ready for church.

 And my little bunny.  Emilee's fondest wish this Easter was for a chocolate bunny.  Rather than get a little one for each kid, I went for broke and bought a giant one to share.  It was a huge hit!

And here are some fun pictures from the Easter Egg hunt!  The Primary hosted this year, with a little coaching from me.  It was unfortunately a very rainy morning, but you know what!  Nobody cared.  The kids were cold by the end, but had so much fun they didn't care.

Happy Easter!

Surgery - warning, yucky picture!!!

Well, he did it.  Gordon and I decided about two weeks ago that surgery was a good idea.  We felt good about it and his doctor was able to get him in last Thursday.  Surgery went perfectly and his doctor said that the "sizable chunk" that came off his disc was definitely not going to go away on its on any time soon.  After seeing it myself (keep scrolling!) I would have to agree.  Waking up was difficult for Gordon, and he had quite a bit of nausea after the surgery, but after being fully loaded with anti nausea drugs, and about 4 bags of fluids, it finally started to pass.  5-6 hours after surgery he was ready to go home and had a cheeseburger on the way.

Picture with blood coming. . .  scroll quickly if you don't want to see it!

last warning!!!

This is the herniation they took off the disc that was pushing on his spine.  The nurses thought we were pretty gross for wanting to see it.  And then, they were worried we were going to want to take it home.  We assured them we did NOT!  But, I must admit I was interested to see what it was that was causing so much pain all this time.  I wanted to wish it a good riddance and farewell!

Here he is enjoying the smoothie I brought him.  We were glad he was finally pink again and not green!

So far, the nerve pain in his leg has basically completely left him.  Hallelujah!  He has new pain of course, from the surgery it'self, and the incision on his back.  But overall, things are going well.  We'll keep praying for a speedy recovery and are so thankful for modern medicine!

the Tulip Festival

Tulps, Sun, Kids, and most of all Fun!

Hey Heidi, How are you?  "Two."  Her answer every time.

 

Ananzi

Chandler's class had a puppet show this week.  I knew he was excited for me to come see it, so we talked about it a few times.  Every time I asked him what part he had, he said what I thought was, "a Nazi."  I was so confused!!!  So, I was a bit relieved and a little amused when I found out it was an African folktale.  "Ananzi and the moss covered rock."  Chandler had the main roll, and used all kinds of fun voices to do his part.  It was a really cute show.  He made his own puppet and did an outstanding job!

Date Night

This little miss earned a trip to the ice cream parlor by doing her reading every day for Spring Break.  She's been grumpy about sitting down to do it lately, but a pink ice cream cone and the promise of a date out seems to be a good motivator.  She's already working on earning her next one!

the Pinewood Derby

It's that time of year again!  When kids and parents all over town are sawing, painting, dremmeling, lubricating and cursing.  Okay, not really cursing, maybe just a few H-E-double hockey sticks here and there.  :)

Chandler was SO EXCITED!!!  He designed and raced his first car.  He was very enthusiastic. 

 Emilee begged me to help her make a car this year too.  I decided that she should have the experience too so she and I built this little red, and a favorite babysitter of ours helped her paint the designs with nail polish pens.  She loved it!

 Chandler and Pinky.

It was a fun night!  This is the first pinewood derby that I haven't been heavily involved with.  I must say, it was rather nice to sit back, eat a slice of pizza, and watch the event without running it.  A Great Night!

It's Great to be Eight!

Happy birthday to our Chandler!  Eight is a big birthday around here, and Chandler has met it with enthusiasm!  Chandler's birthday fell on the Sunday of General Conference, so we were home from church.  We let him open this first gift before breakfast. . .

 He was so excited!  Gordon and I have made the comment several times since, that it doesn't often happen that you think of the perfect present for someone.  But, we hit the nail on the head this time!  Chandler is so excited about his unicycle, and has really progressed already!  So fun to watch him practice!

We had the in town family over for his favorite dinner, Spaghetti, and of course. . .

 a giant cake.  Ice cream cake is what Chandler wanted, and it was very well received!

Curly top charmed us all for the afternoon. . .

 
 Part of turning eight is joining cub scouts!  We've never had such an enthusiastic scout.  He's been doing his "good deeds" regularly, has already earned his bobcat, and passed off one of the Wolf requirements.  He's so ready to roll!!!

Happy Birthday sweet Chandler!  Your joy and enthusiasm for life is infectious (when it's not exhausting!) and we love you to bits!

The ex presidency

This month has brought some changes to our ward.  To start with, we were released as a primary presidency.  We were all sad to be leaving the primary, but changes can be good and it is fun to watch the new presidency a fresh enthusiasm.  Barbie and I we're put in the RS presidency.  So far it has been a fun change and secretary seems to fit me just fine!  The above picture was taken at our first "ex-presidency" meeting.  Hopefully the first of many!