November 2009

November went by way too fast. I still can't believe that it is over with already. Time seems to be speeding up. I am not sure what I think of that. In November we went to Salt Lake City where we took Jacob to Primary Children's Hospital to the Spina Bifida clinic. It had been 2 years since we had gone so we figured we should. It ended up being a really good visit. We found out that Jacob is needing surgery on his ankles. He will have surgery January 22nd on both his feet. They will go in and make a 2-3 inch incision in his ankle. They will then saw his bone's in half, turn them the way they should be and then place pins in them. He will be in casts on both legs for 6 weeks. After 4 weeks we go back and they take the pins out and recast his legs for another two weeks. It is going to be tough for him but afterwords he will walk straight. He now walks on his ankles and not straight on his feet. He is having a hard time having braces made for him and he is getting sores all over his ankles. This surgery sounds worse than it really is. Also this will help him so much in his walking. He will walk straight now and more upright. We feel really good about it.

After the hospital we went to the Mayan. The Mayan is a restaurant that feels like you are eating in a jungle. It has waterfalls, trees and birds around. It reminds me of Disneyland and the restaurant in the middle of Pirates of the Caribbean. Also every little while they will have a show going on and divers diving off 50 foot cliffs while you eat. We really enjoyed ourselves. Jacob was so scared at first and after a while of crying he was pretty happy. Rachel and Jacob would go up after and talk to the divers. We were eating at the front tables and so a few times we splashed and got wet. It was a blast.

Thanksgiving was fun this year. Gloria and Chuck went to Oregon and so we decided to have Rachael and Joseph and their kids and Gregorie come over for dinner. We were all going to go to Chuck a Rama to eat but the day before decided to have everybody come to our house. Before dinner Enoch and Rachel got on the house and put the lights up. Rachel loved being on the roof. Kaelen got to wear his winter boots for the first time. He didn't really like them at first but once he was able to walk around in the snow with them he loved them.

Rachael did the turkey and then I did the pies, sweet potatoes and other things. We all contributed something to the meal. It was actually really fun. We loved eating and many of us ate too much (cough cough Joseph). After dinner we went through the ads for after Thanksgiving shopping. We all were going to go and do it together. After looking at ads forever we all played Liverpool rummy including Joseph. Joseph is not a big fan of games and didn't know what he was doing but of course beginners luck he won. We played all rounds of it. We all wanted to be home early to go to bed since a lot of us were getting up to go shopping. Well that didn't happen. Everybody didn't leave till almost midnight. After we all cleaned up and everybody left I was planning on going to bed but instead stayed up till 1:30 watching a movie with Enoch. I was getting up before 4 to make it to JC Penney's. Yah I was stupid.

In the early mornings I got up and went and got some awesome deals at JC Penney's and then I went and picked Enoch up. We left the kids sleeping and then Enoch and i went to Sam's to buy one of my Christmas presents. We bought a 16 GB memory card for the camera and GPS monitor but shh it's a surprise. After Sam's I went to Target where Rachael and Gregorie were at. They went and waited in line and then ran into the store to get all the door busters we wanted and then stood in line. They were so nice because they got me my stuff I wanted. Also there was enough of us that if one of us wanted to get something we could then just leave while the others stood in line. We were done there just after 6 AM. Target opened at 5 AM. I actually had fun shopping with them. I was home and back in bed by 6:30. It is really fun doing that. I love the rush of it and all the crazy shoppers out that early. Only in the US will you find people up all night outside of stores in the cold waiting for good deals.

On Saturday we were able to see Noal and Wendy and their kids. We actually did see Morgan, Ainsley and Noal Friday evening as well. On Saturday we all hung out and then had lunch together. It was really fun to spend sometime together and the kids really loved playing together. Rachael Adams (Rachel's best friend who moved a way a year ago) came over to play too. Her family was in Rexburg visiting family and they brought Rachael to our house to see Rachel. They loved playing. They were so sad to say good bye to each other. They sure love each other and it is so hard to be so far a way. Rachael is actually moving to Utah in January. It will be hard for Rachel not to see her friend when we come to visit but at least they will now be an hour closer.

This is a video of Rachel and Rachael's hand shake that they do when they say good bye to each other. It is pretty funny.

November was a good month. Sad that it is gone but really looking forward to December.

Kaelen So Cute

Here are some really fun pictures of Kaelen taken in November.

I love these pictures of Kaelen and Enoch both sleeping on the couch. When I came downstairs and saw them like this I knew that I had to get pictures right away. Kaelen has not fallen asleep like this in so long. He actually never falls asleep like this. So cute.


I gave Kaelen a bath and then after the bath I got him out and in his diaper. I started to drain the water and then walked out. I came back into the bathroom and found Kaelen playing in the tub again. He was standing in the water (which you can see in the top pictures of him kneeling down). He also started to lick the water out of the soap holder. It's a good thing we don't put soap in it at all. It was so funny. He didn't want to get out even after the water was completely drained. He is so funny.

(Kaelen at almost 20 months old)

Veterans Day

For Veteran's Day today both Rachel and Jacob's school did something to celebrate it. Rachel's school did a flag raising outside and then we all went inside and had a program. Each grade presented something. I was not able to stay to watch Rachel preform her two songs because I had to run over to Jacob's school for his Veteran's day celebration. My friend was nice enough though to film Rachel's performance and gave me a copy of it. I was so glad that I could watch it.

Jacob's celebration was pretty amazing. They had a bunch of veterans come. Grandpa Heileson came. We all went outside and watched as a Helicopter came and landed right in front of us in the school parking lot. The students were so excited to see it land. Kaelen was even excited. After the helicopter landed three men in uniform came out of it and we all then stood for the raising of the flag. Grandpa couldn't stay for the rest of the presentation but Kaelen and I did. After that we finally got to go into the school (it was SO cold out and we were not dressed for the weather very well) and each of the men in uniform talked about things they love about our country and their thoughts on our men and women that have and fight today. All men and women that have been or are in any branch of the military got a really nice pin that said "Rimrock Raptors love our Veterans." It was a really good presentation. It was really nice to have Grandpa Heileson there for most of it.

I am really grateful for the men and women that have done so much for our country. Weather we all agree on the war or not you cannot love the men and women that continually sacrifice so much for us all. So thanks to you all. I always think of my cousin Steve on days like this. I am grateful for his sacrifice and his families as well. He's a good kid who works hard for what is true.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to everybody. We had fun this year. On Thursday Jacob had a carnival at school that I took Rachel out of her school for it. It was really fun. Jacob this year was 3 different things. At his carnival he was Captain Jack Sparrow. In the evening we went to Rachel's school carnival and Jacob was a boxer and then for trick or treating he was a Ninja. Rachel with her friend Makayla was mad doctors. They looked like somebody had blown up on them. It was pretty good. They carried blood bags around that looked like real blood in it. They got everything for their costumes from a friend in the ward.

There was no school on Friday because it was the end of the term, that is why all of the activities were on Thursday. Thursday we carved pumpkins and then on Saturday we went to Grandpa and Grandma's ward trunk er treating. That was fun. They got a bunch of candy and then after we had chili. The weather was amazing as well. We woke up Friday to snow and then on Saturday it was in the 60's. It was great weather for trick or treating.

We rushed home after that to have Rachel and Jacob meet up with their friends Makayla and BreAnn to go trick or treating with them. They went the 4 of them with BreAnn and Makayla's older sister Ellie and her friend who took them around. They were gone for over 2 hours and had so much fun. When Rachel and Jacob got back they wanted to go again so Enoch took all 3 of the kids out to a couple of houses.

While Rachel and Jacob were trick or treating Enoch took Kaelen around to a few houses. His pumpkin was halfway full (plenty for him). Kaelen loved seeing all the pumpkins and was not sure if he liked all the costumes though. He would just stare at people. When he would get a candy from a people he would get so mad when we would take it out of his hand to put it in his pumpkin. He just wanted to hold his candy. We have so much candy now. Everybody has been really good though of not eating it. At the rate we are eating it we might have some for next year. I feel like I have had a headache for a week now with all the chocolate. Time to stop.

Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins this year the day before Halloween. It was really fun. We carved the 4 pumpkins that survived from our garden. We all had so much fun doing it. It was so funny to hear the kids whine about sticking their hands in their pumpkins to clean them out. Rachel and Jacob picked the biggest ones as well. This year Rachel and Jacob both drew their faces on themselves and Rachel even carved her's out all by herself. I was very impressed with both of them. Kaelen loved helping too and loved seeing the "balls" I loved how the pumpkins turned out and how they looked on the front porch.

Another Girl

We are so excited to tell everybody that we have another little girl. Oh she is so pretty. We are so proud of her.

Rachel and Jacob were giggling in the bathroom and when they came out this is what I found. Oh and Jacob loves "boobs" so he had to have some too.

Week of October 18 -21

Sunday October 18th- Enoch was very sick today. He went to the doctors today thinking it was pnemonia but instead they said that it was the flu. Lovely. After church we went to the Heileson's to celebrate Enoch's, Carter's and Gregorie's Birthdays. We had a bonfire and they each had a cake. It was fun to be together. We all hadn't seen each other since the Oregon Coast.

Monday October 19th- Enoch was really sick today. He spent most of the day sleeping. I was able to go and run a few errands and get the rest of Enoch's birthday presents. The nice thing with Enoch home even if he is sick is that when Kaelen napped I could leave and run errands on my own. I took the kids to the dentist today and sat and waited for over an hour. They were supposed to be at the same time but a hygienist called in sick and so the same hygienist had to do their teeth. Also found out the our dentist as of January will no longer be our dentist. He is moving to Utah and opening a practice their. A little frustrated because I liked him. Oh well.

Tuesday October 20th- I am getting tired of Enoch being sick. It is hard to have him home all day and to clean the house, make dinner, do dishes and put the kids to bed. I am sure tired at the end of the day. I don't know how single parents do it. They are pretty amazing people. I watched a movie with Enoch tonight. We watched The Proposal edited from Clean Flicks. Wow they cut out a lot of stuff. It was still so good.

Wednesday October 21st-Happy Birthday Enoch. Enoch is doing a little better. Not well enough to go to work but is doing better. I ran some errands to get stuff for his birthday and then I made his cake and wrapped presents with the kids. Gloria and Chuck stopped by for a few minutes and we also had tons of phone calls and email for Enoch. You can read my Birthday post for Enoch to find out more.

Thursday October 22nd- Enoch went hack to work today. He was still pretty sick but he couldn't take more time off of work. He said that if he got up too much he would feel so sick. Poor Enoch. Rachel had her fall concert. It was fun to watch her sing. She did a great job. After her concert I had book club at our house. I love book club. I have been with the same girls for over 5 years now. They have been meeting for 7 years. There is only 6 of us now and the 5 of us who have been together the longest. It was fun. We ate and talked about the book and other things. I feel like I am getting sick now. Kaelen cried till almost 1 am. Not sure what is wrong and he still didn't sleep through the night. Hope he isn't getting sick.

Friday October 23rd- Jacob had an appointment to get his braces fixed so he was able to sleep in as well as me. After his appointment I took him back to school and talked to his teacher for an hour while the class was in music and P.E. We talked about Jacob and how he is bored with homework and in school. He is going to get 2nd grade work that he can do at home and in class if he wants. It was nice to talk to her. I ran a bunch or errands after and returned stuff that I didn't give Enoch for his birthday.

Saturday October 24th- Wow I woke up feeling so sick. Enoch did scouting for food and a little before he got home I left for Super Saturday. I spent the morning and part of the afternoon doing some fun crafts. I didn't get them all done and get to finish them next week. I went to Sam's Club today. The kids had a primary program practice and pizza party. I totally forgot that their program was tomorrow and so they quickly had to memorize their lines for it. I was so sick in the evening. I went to bed before Enoch because I was so sick. My head hurt so bad. I am getting a head cold I think. So nice.

Enoch's Birthday

Enoch turned...36 today. Wow so crazy. We had a pretty good day considering Enoch has been so sick this last week and today as well. Enoch laid around most of the day but this evening his parents stopped my to give him his gift. Well part of it. The main gift hasn't arrived yet and so he got a really nice card and chocolate. Because Enoch has been sick we weren't going to go out any more like we planned so we ordered from Carino's Italian restuarant and I went and picked it up. They now have a really great gluten free menu. It was really yummy. After dinner we opened presents and had cake. He got some awesome gifts from his kids. He got a a bunch of new shirts, a head lamp for camping, some extension cords in sizes that he needed, an awesome Boise State poster and Boise state long sleeve shirt from Rachel, and shoes from his wife. He was excited about everything. He got everything he needed as well.

Enoch's cake was by far the coolest cake that I have ever done yet. I also had so much fun making it. Enoch was so surprised when he saw it. He couldn't believe how amazing it was. I did a camping scene. I figure since he camps once a month it was really appropriate. We have so much cake left over now though so if anybody wants any please come by.

I love all the pictures. After presents and cake he tried on his shirts. Enoch and the kids started messing around doing funny poses. It was so fun and Enoch was loving it. He kept saying "what next, what next." I loved watching them mess around and getting pictures of it all.

Enoch is still sick but tons better than he was yesterday and the days before that. He is hoping to make it to work tomorrow. We'll see though. I am glad though that he was a little better for today so he could enjoy his birthday.

Happy Birthday Enoch. We love you!

Highs and Lows

So a tradition my brother's family does is highs and lows for the day. We do that in our house but not as diligently as them. Well I am going to do my highs and lows for last week. It was a crazy week and so I didn't write each day.

Week of October 11-17th

Low's
Our microwave broke. It was so awful. I didn't have a microwave for 5 months when I lived in Boise with my Dad and sister and am not sure how we did it because I was complaining after day one. It is so hard to reheat pancakes or spaghetti.

Rachel was sick. So wonderful. There were over 72 kids sick from Rachel's school in one day mine being one of them.


Highs
Had my first Scentsy open house and it was awesome. I thought that the place looked great and I had a bunch of friends and family show up.



Had achievement days on the same day as my Scentsy party. Very crazy day but I had fun with it. I had to be extra organized to have everything work out and not be stressed.

We bought a microwave. We got it for $55 less than it was only because we found it at Sears and it was not available at all and so we went to Lowe's. Well they price matched it as well as giving us an additional 10% off. It is huge. It's an above the range one. It is so big it can fit two 9x13 pans in it and it has a shelf. Also it has so many amazing features on it. So excited to get it put up.

We had our family pictures taken on Saturday by my sister. We did them in a pumpkin patch in Ririe. They turned out so well.

Went and watched Monsters vs. Aliens at Rachel's school for movie night. Loved watching Jacob laugh at the "what is your name. Susan....ooh I scared myself." That is his favorite part. I didn't once again get to watch the movie because Kaelen didn't sit. I spent the rest of the movie in the hall talking to a friend while Jacob watched the movie with her kids.

Rachel only missed 2 days of school. I was happy about that. She was so sick on Sunday and then by Wednesday as doing great. Very happy she wasn't sick longer and nobody else got sick in our house this week.

Octboer 5-October11

Monday October 5-Today I to the store in the morning. Kaelen lately lasts only a couple of minutes in the cart and wants out. I can usually put him in the main part and he is happy for a bit. I did a lot of cleaning around the house. I cleaned the basement a bit and other things. In the evening I made Butter Pecan cookies with the kids. The cookies taste like Sandies cookies. They are amazing. My new favorite cookie. I think that the kids and I ate 10 or more this evening. Sorry Enoch they aren't gluten free.

Tuesday October 6- This morning we went to the Mom and baby story time at the library. Kaelen wasn't sure what to think of all the babies. He sat on my lap the whole time and showed no face expressions at all. After went to Walmart near the river. After we called Enoch to see if he wanted to see us. We went and picked Enoch up from work and we went to Freeman park for a while. Kaelen loved running around but it was pretty cold so we didn't last too long outside. Kaelen loved seeing his Dad. He was so sad when he left. Kaelen took a nap after while I sewed some of my many unfinished projects. I got three done and while I sewed I watched BBC's 2007 Persuasion. I love that movie. In the evening after dinner we went an booed the neighbors. We left amazing Butter Pecan cookies on their doors with the note they have to hang on their door. It was really fun to watch Rachel run up to the doors, leave the stuff and run and hide. We sat in a darkened car. We love to be the first in our neighborhood to do it. We were this year again.

Wednesday October 7th- I spent most of the day on the computer. I worked on Scentsy stuff and then I started to work on my blog. I figured out Picasa (thank you Wendy) and then spent most of the time playing with that. Oh how wonderful my life is now. Blogging now has officially become a breeze. If only I could now figure out photo shop. I cleaned up the house in between but really for most of the day I spent it at the computer.

Thursday October 8th-I officially updated my blog today and that was just one of the nicest feelings. I love it. I cleaned bathrooms today and then I also read the 2nd book to The Hunger Games series. It was so amazing. I read most of the day because I read it all today. Wow what a great book. I suggest everybody take the time to read these books. The only problem now if I have to wait for who knows how long for the 3rd book to find out how it ends. I am so excited though.

Friday October 9th-I went and helped out in Jacob's class today and there was a substitute. She kept asking me things like I should know everything. I was only supposed to be there for a half hour and then ended up being their for over an hour. She wasn't the nicest teacher. I felt bad for the students. I babysat in the afternoon for a friend. I watched her 3 year old and 15 month old. Kaelen hated it. He would go up to the 15 month old and tackle her to the ground, grab any toy she had, hit her, and sit on her. She cried anytime Kaelen was near her because he would hurt her. I got a bully for a son. No Kaelen is never around kids his age and so he doesn't know how to act or even really share right now. I ran errands with Enoch today and that was nice. I enjoyed spending time with him. I bought paint to fix some chips and other spots on the wall and after i painted the walls I realized they bought me the wrong color. I was so frustrated knowing that I was going to have to go back and get it fixed and then repaint. Ahh. Oh well.

Saturday October 10th-I did a lot of errands today and didn't even get as many as I wanted too. I have decided that weekends are nice but man I hate how messy that house gets. Everybody in my house seems to get lazy on the weekends so I have to really clean up Saturday night. The house gets cleaned on Saturdays during the day but then in the evenings I have to clean it again. I got my paint taken care of and painted my walls again. Luckily all they had to do was add color to it. I finished delivering my Scentsy invitations today. I have given out for 60 invitations. I am having my party on Wednesday. I am excited. In the evening Enoch and I watched a movie after the kids were in bed. Oh yah Rachel was feeling sick in the evening and spent most of the night a sleep on the couch. Just what I don't need right now is to have sick kids.

Sunday October 11th-Rachel was really sick today so she stayed home from church. Church was really great today. When we were driving today Jacob asked if it was testimony meeting today. I told him it was. He then went on to say that he wanted to bear his testimony today. I was so surprised. He has never asked to do that. I told him that he had to do it himself. He said that he would. We really want our kids to bear their testimonies on their own with out help and do it when they are ready. After sacrament I leaned over to Jacob and told him that if he wanted to bear his testimony he should go now. He went up with Enoch. Enoch walked up with him and sat with him till it was Jacob's turn. Jacob then went up and bore his testimony all on his own. It was the most amazing thing. He spoke loud and clear. Oh it was so sweet. This is what he said. "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know the church is true. I know that I can be good in class. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen". He was amazing. It was so cute. I was so proud of him. He came back so happy and with the biggest smile on his face. Today Kaelen also went to nursery for the first official time. He wasn't too sure if it all. He didn't really want snack. He was more wanting to play with a chair. He didn't show much emotion either. Enoch and I stayed the first half and then sneaked out for the second hour. I haven't been to Relief Society in so long that I was excited to go. I guess soon after we left Kaelen realized that we were gone. He started to cry. One of the Mom's in their picked him up and he cried for a little bit and then fell asleep for the rest of the time. I knew that he was tired and would probably want to fall asleep. I was a little sad that he cried but was not surprised. I hope it doesn't take long for him to get used to nursery and actually enjoy it. He should have been going for the last month or more to get used to it. Oh well I made it through all of Relief Society and that was nice. Rachel is still feeling sick but seems to be getting better. Her throat is really sore. I hope it clears up soon. If she is sick tomorrow she will be staying home. I just don't want the rest of us to get sick. Today though was a great day. I am so proud of Jacob and so happy that Kaelen can now go to nursery. I am proud of all my kids.

Grandpa and Grandma Fisher

My parents had the chance to come and see us for a few days towards the end of August. We loved seeing them and spending time with them. We all went out with Annelise and Boyd one of the nights they were here. That was fun. One of the funnest things was to watch Grandpa on the trampoline with Kaelen and Jacob. They spent a lot of time on it playing, jumping, running around or just sitting. My boys really loved it. We also had the chance to visit Gloria and Chick (Enoch's parents) with my parents. My parents love Enoch's parents and so they enjoyed visiting and spending some time together. Grandpa and Grandma Fisher also took Rachel and Jacob to a movie while they were here. The kids loved that and then they went to the park to play. We did quite a bit in the short time they were here. I wish that we could have done more though but I was so happy that they stopped by for a few days. I love seeing them only if it is for a short time. My kids really love it too. It is hard to have them live so far a way that when they do come we love every minute of it.

Ross Park

We had the chance to go to Ross Park twice this summer. We went once with Heidi and her kids. Rachael, Joseph Lindsay and Josh came the same day and we hung out with them later in the day. The second time we went with Angie and her kids, Rachael and her kids, Lindsay and Lucy, Madeline and Evie and Gloria. It was so much fun both times. Kaelen wasn't sure what he thought of it the first time. He never really wanted to get into the water. The second time we went Kaelen wouldn't get out of the water. The second time we were there the kiddie pool was contaminated twice and the kids couldn't get into the water for 45 minutes. It was so hard to keep Kaelen running into the water. Kaelen also loved stealing the lifeguards shoes and running off with them. He would put them on his feet before he ran off with them. Kaelen loved playing in the deeper water. He would also go up to the stairs and put his hands on the stairs and float. I loved playing with him and watching him in the water.

Rachel played with her cousin Hallie the second time and they would run off and we wouldn't see them for over an hour. They spent most of the time in the lazy river. They never used the tubes though they swam around on their own.

Jacob loved being with his cousins. Jacob when he would get cold would go and lay down on the cement. The first time we went to Ross Park he fell asleep on the cement. So many people would stop and look at him and make sure he was okay. He just laid there fast asleep.

The weather was so hot both times. It was really nice. We had to make sure that we put sun screen on all the time and drink lots of water. It actually didn't help completely because we all still got sun burned somewhere on us. We stayed the whole day both times as well. We were then at noon when it opened and then stayed till it closed at 8:00.

I am glad that we took the time to go this summer. I am hoping to go more next year. It is too bad that it is in Pocatello and not closer.

Ross Park