Learning As We Go: July 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

It is my mom's birthday today she is 59 years young. It is amazing to me that no matter how old my mom gets (not that 59 is all that old) in my mind she hasn't aged a bit. She is my beautiful mother. Happy Birthday Mom you are amazing and we love you so much!

Cassidy's first trail ride

Today Cassidy went on her first trail ride. Gus took her up to the "P". She really enjoyed it.

Off they go.

At the "P". They are there somewhere.

Almost back.

Cassidy has so much fun with Gus. Gus is 13 and he is a big tease and likes to get Cassidy laughing. Cassidy teases him back. Alison told me today that it has been really good for Gus to help Cassidy. He is her youngest child. Helping Cassidy has shown him that life isn't all about him.

Petting Blu. It is hard to believe that Cassidy used to be terrified of dogs.

Haircuts and battle wounds

Yesterday I took the girls to get haircuts. Megans turned out really cute. Cassidy's looked about as good as when I cut it so I was quite frustrated. I thought if I had a professional cut it at least it would be cut straight. But it wasn't. I had my sister Debbie come over and help straighten it out. It looks really cute now. I hated paying for Cassidy's haircut but I stink at speaking my mind. Inside I felt like saying "Hello you call that a good haircut? I'm not paying for this unless it is fixed!" But I didn't.

Yesterday Logan was asking me all about light sabers and what they are for. So I explained that they were used in the Star Wars movies. And were kind of like swords etc. etc. He asked if we had the movie and I said we did but it was down stairs. So when Lorin got home he dug the movie up and they watched Star Wars. In the middle of the movie Logan somehow wacked himself in the eye with his light saber. He must have had it pointed at his face when he engaged the stupid thing. Not the greatest toy in the world for a 4 year old. Logan has now put it under his bed because he is mad at it.

Pioneer Day

For Pioneer Day we went to my sister Jilleen's home where my brother Rick set up his water slide. The kids had a blast playing in the water. Who needs Seven Peaks when Rick has fun toys like this? The day wouldn't be complete without a lot of yummy food. Thanks Jilleen for letting us invade your home and thank you Rick for sharing your slide and for putting up with all of Logan's questions. And of course we are so grateful for the pioneers who endured and sacrificed so much so that we could live in this beautiful valley and have the true gospel in our lives.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Cookies

So there really hasn't been too much going on around our place that is too blog worthy. It is too dang hot to want to do anything. Our swamp cooler just adds to the humidity. I feel like I spend the whole day putting on Logan's socks and shoes, sweeping the floor and thinking about what in the world am I going to make for dinner. The kids have been spending a lot of time in their swim suits playing with the sprinkler and eating popcicles. All in all we are doing good but just a little bit boring.

I will post these cute pictures of Megan making her first batch of cookies, mostly, on her own. She has begged and begged and begged me to let her makes some so I finally gave in. It wasn't as big of an inconvenience for me as I thought it would be and I have to remind myself that the only way to teach her to cook etc. is to let her do it. In the end she made a yummy batch of oatmeal, chocolate chip and Craisin cookies. (Craisins are yummy in these cookies trust me.)

Blending everything together.

Getting ready for the oven.

The finished product.

Oh wait you have to clean up after cooking? Wouldn't baking be a lot easier if you didn't have to clean up. Can't you tell Megan isn't too happy about this part of the learning process.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Aunt Natalie

Lorin's sister Natalie came for a visit this weekend. She promised to show Megan how to make suckers. She told Megan all about how she made suckers and sold them at school to earn money to go on a trip. So she brought all her sucker molds and they went to work. After only a few mishaps, like Cassidy dumping water into the hot syrup, they finally made a batch of strawberry suckers. The kids were so excited about their suckers. It was really nice of Natalie to go out of her way to spend time with her neices and nephew. She is a very special person to them and is always nice to play games, color etc. Another cool thing about this activity is that they used the molds that belonged to Lorin and Natalie's mom. She taught Natalie how to make suckers and now Natalie has taught Megan how to make them. Since our kids don't have the opportunity to know their Grandma Shumway right now doing fun activities and hearing stories keeps her memory alive and makes her a real person to them. There are pictures of Lorin and his friends at his 8th birthday party with suckers that mom made with the same molds. I think it is so neat to pass these things down and remember. Thank you Natalie for a fun day. You are the best!!

Putting the sticks in the molds.

Dumping in all the ingredients.

The finished product.

Lorin's 8yr old birthday party enjoying their suckers.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Logan Had A Birthday Shout Hurray!

Logan had his 4th birthday yesterday. He has been looking forward to it for months. He has never changed his mind on what he has wanted for a present either. He wanted a dinosaur and sunglasses so that is what he got. Lorin couldn't decide which sunglasses to get so Logan actually got two pairs and has had fun switching those up. He got a T-Rex and a dragon. He is happy as can be. Do you like the basketball cake? That is about as good as my cake decorating skills go. Logan was happy with it.
We can't believe our little buddy is 4 years old. He adds so much to our family. He keeps us laughing.

Picture of Cassidy's Leg

Here is a picture of Cassidy's incision for those of you interested. Cassidy is amazing. She hasn't even said it has hurt much. I have only given her Tylenol once.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Biopsy

The biopsy surgery went very well today. The Doctors were very kind and aware of all of Cassidy's health problems. They made sure she was watched closely and the necessary precautions were taken. The Dr. took two muscle samples so that there would be a backup sample in case one is shipped off somewhere etc. He said the muscle looked really good. The incision should be all healed up in two weeks. All the stiching is inside so nothing to be removed yeah! Cassidy did amazing. She held quite still for the I.V. to be put in even though she didn't like it. She woke up really quickly after the surgery and was able to drink. She was ready to go home. She is little extra pale but is walking fine and playing as usual. I made her lay down and watch a movie because she is supposed to take it easy today.

We hate these funky hospital pajamas and annoying stickers around fingers.

Getting an I.V. put in is never fun.

Cassidy waking up.

Yeah! Time to go home. Cassidy loved the rides in the wagon and wanted to take it home. We are so grateful that everything went so well.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Muscle Biopsy

Cassidy is having her muscle biopsy done tomorrow at 8:30 am.

Weekend

For the 4th we had a breakfast at my parents house. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures. I am still getting used to taking pictures of the things we do. In the evening we had Lorin's sister Joanna, his brother Neil and their families over for a barbecue. Then we found a place to watch the fireworks. The kids had a lot of fun playing with cousins they don't see all that often.