Apples of Gold

Thursday, December 27, 2012

October Mash Up

Now that Christmas and a few other things have passed, I have some time to devote to picture & journal catch up.

October brought the end of football season,

more volunteering in classrooms,

handmade cards,

walks,

the first snow of the season,

a visit from Nana & Katie,

sickness (Dallin for the first two weeks, Paul for the third week, & Parker a few days during the 4th week),

5th grade Donut Date with dad,

missed Clear Creek overnighter (you were the sickest that night),

Fall Break (which meant some good house cleaning and lots of playtime),

dinner at Aunt Michele's for Grandma's 91st birthday,

pumpkin carving,

Halloween

and the beginning of the Basketball season.

(And yes, around this house it's Basketball with a capital 'B'!)

First Grade Fairy Tale Friday 10/19/12

We had "breakfast soup" and hot cocoa (the cocoa was thanks to Kyralyn). The kids loved the cocoa, but only a few came back for more "soup". Seems most kids didn't even know what it was. One little boy said it smelled like kitty litter. 10/19/12

Kyralyn made a rain stick. After putting it outside (hooked to the trampoline ladder) the heavens opened and it rained (light and heavy) all afternoon, into the night and the next morning. All in all there was about an inch. 10/19/12

Last game. Parker hoped they would lose. They did. He was done. 10/20/12

After Parker's last game, Kent came to help fix our computer. Tanya stopped by with her kids. Then out of the blue Greg stopped by with Ellie. They all played with Denver for a bit and then enjoyed the play-doh. 10/20/12

Kyralyn has her favorites to watch: Jessie, Hannah Montana, Good Luck Charlie & Suite Life of Zack & Cody. 10/24/12

Parker helped out by capturing a few pics of the first snowfall of the season. 10/25/12

Later in the evening, when I thought we were done with snow for the day, I made some cards with a friend. I came out of her house to find the car covered in snow. Had to get the brush out. Brrrr. 10/25/12

Nana took the kids shopping. Something she doesn't often (ever?) get to do. They had fun together & of course came home with a few treasures. (from Papa too!) 10/27/12

At Aunt Michele's we were surprised by Kim, Jeff and Joseph who had brought a Joker costume for Parker to wear on Halloween. How did they know that was the one thing he wanted to be? Katie admitted that it had come up in conversation earlier in the day. Parker was delighted (although I suppose that's not really a word that fits with the Joker). Thank you Kim, Jeff & Joseph (& to Katie for the "communication"). 10/27/12

Happy 91st Grandma Locher!

Parker loves his pillow pet from Nana & Papa. Thank you!

Nothing like an afternoon nap on the kitchen floor...in the warmth of the sun. She slept for almost an hour this way. Good thing I'd just washed the rug!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Winter Welcome

Christmas Eve brought a snowy visitor, who stayed through most of the day.

Christmas morning dawned bright and white.

Parker's Christmas prayer was answered.

Today, on this very special day-after-Christmas 2012, our snowy visitor has returned.

This morning as I sat quietly on the couch, next to the Christmas tree all lit up, I heard Parker stirring upstairs. Then I saw his room brighten as he opened his blinds to welcome the morning. He was delighted as he saw more snow. He knew he could make some money with his shovel and then he knew his cousin would want to go sledding. He's there now. Can't wait to hear about his adventures upon returning home this evening.

Dallin used to be the first one outside on a snowy day, having to talk his brother into going with him. Oh how times change. Today he's keeping the Wii busy with a friend.

Kyralyn has always loved to play in the snow. Every now and then she can talk a friend into playing with her.

I love a snowy day.

Brother Felt - the neighborhood snow removal service

PS - Dallin parted with the Wii and went outside to play in the snow. He & a friend went to the park with the sleds - there's a miniature hill there to slide down. He came home just in time for basketball practice.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

more to life: take two

the boys went with the Rusts to Trafalga.

you and Raylee stayed here to play.

I love your under-the-sea creation,

especially the coral you made.

9/22/12

snow on the mountain tops; first signs of cooler weather (ok, winter) 9/25/12

you love to have your hair braided for the waves when you take them out 9/24/12

Dallin spent several days in bed; on day three he mentioned soreness in his throat. This and day three of a high fever prompted me to take him to the dr.

First assesment: mono.

Later in the evening dr suggested a chest xray, found pneumonia.

A week later, back to dr because of high fever (cleared up after the week) coughing & trouble breathing. Oxygen levels fine, proceed with another chest xray, an ultrasound on his spleen, a monospot, a complete blood count test & a check of his electrolytes to check for liver function.

Results: mono, fluid in lungs still, enlarged spleen with excess fluid around it & low white blood cell count.

He is a good patient & it was a pleasure to take care of him and spend some extra, unexpected time together. We had a few short walks, played catch with the football, enjoyed some Everybody Loves Raymond laughs, studied next to each other (I liked hearing about his work in math & science, he wasn't too keen on listening to me read about adjusted gross income, itemized deductions and tax credits), read Candy Shop Wars to him and I had to spoil him a little bit with a donut.

10/5/12

you and I made cards during General Conference; thank goodness for vacuums! 10/7/12

one of my favorite things is morning walks in the fall; this particular walk was even more refreshing as the sound of dripping water from these icicles reminded me that a change in the weather is near. 10/8/12

thanks to Kyralyn's prompting we pulled out our emergency kits this past weekend and switched out the old food, old water, and had a few good laughs about the other things we found in them: diapers for a 1 year old, pajamas for an 18 month old, underwear way too small for the boys (modeled by Parker but we'll skip the picture!) & this too-small-for-him-now camo shirt he is wearing.

Parker was fascinated by the concept of waterproof matches. I think his first thought was what they created would be waterproof. A quick light & dunk under water made things clear.

I had to chuckle as once again the differences in my boys showed. Looking at the counter, Parker's pack was empty, its belongings spread in a wide circle around it. Dallin's items came out one-by-one, and went into neat orderly piles. 10/12/12

The boys have been reminding us all week that they need basketball shoes. (Remember, I'm a shoe snob and they need a good supportive pair of shoes to play in, everyday school shoes - which are actually basketball shoes right now - won't work) We held off ordering them until we could make a visit to the newest sporting goods store in the area, Scheels. 10/12/12

Ok, so it's just another sporting goods store. But it has a ferris wheel! We did find a pair of shoes for Parker that were on sale for cheaper than we would have paid had we ordered them online. He loves putting them on and walking around the house. Can't wait to get them in the gym! We thought Dallin might need a 14 but after checking, decided a 13 will be enough. He had hoped for purple shoes. Couldn't find any reasonably priced shoes for him so we came home and ordered some nice black & whites from Eastbay online. (There is a limit to this ridiculous shoe snobbery).

You still love putting together stylish outfits. This is one of your favorites right now. You've received several compliments on it from strangers who love your creations!

10/11/12

(oh good, I did get a photo on this cool date!)

10/10/12 Paul put together yet another successful Pack Meeting:

the 2nd annual Raingutter Regatta.

Parker won the first round (with the fastest time of the night, 11.3 seconds). He lost his second round with one of his best friends (his sail spun the wrong direction). His and Ty's times were the 3rd & 4th best overall so they had to race together again for positioning.

Last year Ty beat you,

this year you were victorious for 3rd place.

Way to go, son!

game 7

Parker's

vs. Pleasant Grove

10/6/12

0 - 36

(pics by Paul)

Dallin's

vs. Westlake

10/9/12

20 - 26

(they were so excited to play under the lights at the high school)

During a bought of mono coupled with pneumonia, this is Dallin's new spot on the team.

Now, after a week recovering (helped along by throwing passes with Dad, Parker & Eric) you are ready to go again.

But, being parents, we are continually reminding you of the dangers of playing contact sports with an enlarged spleen. Doctors orders: no contact for a month.