St Louis

On February 16, we made our drive up to St Louis for doctor appointments. This time was a little more special though because Grandma and Grandpa Purdy were going to meet us in St Louis and then come home with us. The kids were very excited and we counted down for weeks! We turned Annabelle to a forward facing carseat for the event, hoping that were would be slightly less screaming. We also finally forced ourselves to pay up to get the DVD player fixed in the car.

This injection we had a physical therapy evaluation the day before so we had to be in St Louis around 1 on Tuesday. The appointment was quick and easy and then we were off to the hotel for a swim. We swam for a while and then got some dinner at the hotel. Grandma and Grandpa got in and joined us for dinner.

On Wednesday morning, Jon headed off to the hospital early with Benson. The anesthesiologists have been great to work with and will let Jon take Benson back and actually mask him down for the procedure. They have also stopped trying to get an IV before the procedure so Benson won't freak out as much. The procedure itself only takes about 15 minutes but they keep him asleep for an hour because he has to lay still and flat.

Jon will usually get him off to sleep and then ran back and grab me and the kids. This time, we had Grandma and Grandpa come to see him at the hospital as well. We gave Benson hugs for being so brave and good. We didn't stay at the hospital because he has to stay in a small room for 6 hours post injection to get stats, etc every two hours. Jon stayed with Benson and took some fun games and other activities.

The rest of us went to IKEA to find a few items. That store is insane and I have officially ended my obsession with IKEA. Since my new house is anything but contemporary, there isn't much there that matches my décor. It has some interesting products that you can't find anywhere else but it takes so darn long to find anything I have decided it isn't worth the trip. I thought the kids play area would be the perfect solution but we had to wait for space and then even after an hour of shopping, we still had more of the store to cover. Sorry, IKEA, I think I like Target better now.

This trip I made it a point to pick some yummy restaurants. So on Wednesday night we had BBQ at Adams Steakhouse. It was probably my favorite BBQ I have ever had. Quite possibly even better than Oklahoma Joe's from Kansas City. The ribs and pulled pork were all simply awesome. We didn't order the applesauce because we didn't think the kids would really like it. They brought us tons of extra food though, including applesauce. This was by far the best apple sauce I have ever had. It was served cold, pureed but also with very small chunks and just very good.

On Thursday night we tried an Italian Restaurant (obviously a must staying on "The Hill" where St Louis is known for its Italian influence). Anthonino's was the name. They had amazing toasted ravioli. It was an appetizer and if I were to eat here again I would get that for my dish. My mom ordered a shrimp dish with a wine butter sauce that was also pretty high on the repeat list. I ordered pizza and was not super impressed. I would have to say I have had better pizza.

We had most of the day Thursday so we went to a chocolate factory that gave tours of their chocolate making. Annabelle HAD to wear a hat but it was a constant battle. I also love this picture of Benson, he looks so contemplative.

After the chocolate factory, we went to the Magic House. We had been here once before while Jon was doing rotations and remembered loving it. It was definitely a hit with the kids and Vanessa has since said it was her new favorite thing to do in St Louis.

On Friday, we had an appointment not related to the IONIS trials (they changed their name since ISIS is a terrorist group trying to kill all Christians and the western world). We met with Dr Bridwell for Benson's scoliosis. His back curve has indeed increased to about a 40 degree curve. He recommended we get a new brace made and that he wear the brace for 12 hours per day. Sad news. Surgery is inevitable. How successful we are with bracing will determine what kind of surgery and when. The goal is to put it off until 12 or so, where we will move straight to a fusion/rods and not have to do growing rods. Casting for his new brace is scheduled for March 16. Then we begin bribing to get him to wear it, I guess.

Wicked

Jon and I bought tickets for Wicked back in November. It has been on my bucket list for so long! I loved it! The story was so cute. The songs were fabulous. And I had the sexiest, most supportive, awesome date possible. I'm a lucky lady.

School

This was a really fun science project we actually did a month or two ago but I never posted it. You make bubbles that are filled with CO2 from dry ice. It's pretty fun. They're called boo bubbles. Because they look like ghosts. It was something I saw online and thought the kids would enjoy them. They definitely did.

This was the only snow we have gotten so far this winter. It was declared a school snow day. We still did a little school but we definitely took the opportunity to play in the snow. Annabelle wasn't a fan.

This is at our local library. The libraries are by county here and we only have one. Which is a huge bummer. But they still have lots of books! :)

I usually let Brig and Vanessa stay at the house while I walk Benson to the bus stop. One day Brig decided to follow after me, without bothering to get dressed. Don't let the sunshine fool you, it was freezing. Crazy boy.

Vanessa helped me build this 'word wall." It was some intense work. But it has been really good so far. We put up the trickier of the 74 phonograms (mostly ones that have multiple sounds or multiple ways to spell them). Then we have lists of words under each phonogram. We add words each time we do a spelling list. It's also a good way to review ones that we have learned. We'll see if it helps with her spelling.

Benson got a frog hatchery kit for Christmas and the frog embryos finally arrived. We thought they were dead and then after four days they hatched. The boys were crazy about them and messed with them all day long. On day five they were belly up. So, we'll try that again some other time. Ugh.

And while we are talking about school, lets not forget that Benson also is still going to preschool two days a week. Some days he is happier about it than other days. We went to a group music class in the morning and then I drove him to preschool rather than him riding the bus. We refused to drive his chair out of the car, screamed and screamed and screamed. Needless to say, he won the battle. Because, well, who could force their kid to go to preschool when they are this upset?! I mean, it's preschool. I haven't really figured out what the deal is. He said he just wanted to be home to play. I talked to his teacher who also said that she almost brought him to tears a couple weeks ago. Apparently he was getting something off the floor from his chair and scared her to death. And she yelled at him for not being safe. And, it was the very next class after this incident that he didn't want to go. They seem related but he says he just doesn't want to leave. I don't know. I guess we'll see if he changes his mind here soon. He was happy to go to his class Valentines party.

We also had a co-op Valentine party. The kids exchanged Valentines. We also did a group lunch. And each family set up a store and the kids would work at their store and then earn money to go buy things from other stores. It was a lot of fun. There was a nail salon, a drink shop, cookie store, toy store, popsicle store, and a gift shop. I have no idea if they understood the economy effect we were trying to simulate, but we discussed it. In the end, it was still fun.

It has been a crazy whirlwind the last few months. We are taking a break this week, going to St Louis for Benson's ISIS injection. It'll be a nice break for all of us. Vanessa is doing second grade month, We have been going really slow. For the last three weeks we have been working on addition with renaming. She has it down now. I'm scared to move on to subtraction though. We probably should after the break but we'll see how it goes. We have just started learning cursive. We have done four letters is all. She is reading Level 3 books. We are working on spelling but she is doing so much better than just the beginning of the year. We have learned about a few composers, some famous artists, different countries, we have read several fairy tales but Hans Christian Andersen and Brothers Grimm. We are currently reading a child version of Shakespeare. Other than the shear amount of work homeschooling takes, I love it.

In Their Words Feb 2016

Art By Brigham: This is a picture of you being mean to a lion!

Driving home after picking up Vanessa from gymnastics. 

Vanessa (excited): "Dad, guess what. I did a handstand and my coach saw me and he said 'Do it again.' Then he said 'Everyone watch Vanessa," and everyone watched me."

Jon: "Wow. He said that because you were doing it so well?"

Vanessa: "No. Because I was doing it wrong."

Silence...

Laying down with Benson and Brigham as they're going to bed.

Benson: "Dad, you're the best dad in the world."

Jon: "Ahh, I'm glad you think so."

Brigham: "Yeah. I love your whole body. I promise I will never kill you."

Jon: "................okay."

February 14

"Brig say happy Valentines Day."

Brigham: "Happy Violenetime Day."

February 17

Grandma: "Brigham, go tell Grandpa to get ready to go."

Brigham walks to Grandpa. "Grandpa!......Uh, what did Grandma want me to tell you?"

Brigham is whining in the car about not watching a movie.

Dad: "It's only a few minutes away, let's listen to music."

Brigham: "No!! Mom, do you like music?"

Me: "ya, I like music."

Brigham: "I hate music! I just like how it sounds."

February 26

Vanessa: "Mom, where did you get that chocolate?"

Me: "it's a secret."

Vanessa: "a secret can't stay a secret for long."

Benson: "Mom, who would win: an orca or a great white shark?"

At around 7:30, Benson went and got his Jammie's, told me to brush his teeth and change him so he could play on the tab- in the cupboard. (With the door closed. He only let me open it for a picture).

Pure Love

After falling in love with my soul mate and then having and holding four perfect and precious newborns; I thought I knew a thing or two about love. But today, as I laughed and played with Annabelle, I was thinking how much I love interacting with infants. Their eyes hold that sparkle, a look of admiration almost. You are the greatest thing. They live so in that moment. As if making them laugh is the only thing you have ever done and they love you unceasingly. They don't hold you forever guilty of past mistakes. {literally because they probably don't remember} Their love is pure. Like the pure love of Christ.

Jon's 33rd Birthday

Jon hit the big 33. It was quite possibly, the worst planned birthday I have given him yet. But, he was a good sport and says he still loves me! Either way, I still feel way guilty. But, as soon as he got home from work the kids wanted him to open presents.

Vanessa made him some cute gifts with paper. ("I always make paper gifts Mom.") His parents sent an awesome new BYU hoodie and a 34" axe for splitting wood. I got him a ratchet. Because I'm awesome. 

Why is buying gifts for spouses so dang hard? I feel like the pressure to "get it right" is really insane. Because 1) they know if you return it. 2) all the money comes from the same place so if it doesn't get used, it feels like that money was already used. Does that make any sense? So with both these in mind, a surprise is still nice and thoughtful, right?! But how?! And, if the gift is especially pricey; that should be discussed beforehand, right? Anyway, on to the party.....

Jon decided to let the kids decide what we should do. I was thinking chill at home, yummy dinner (I at least planned that). But they voted for Chuck E Cheese. So the Cheese it was.

After, we did go have the yummy dinner. Which was beef with broccoli. It was quite yummy. I also made cookies and finished them around 8pm. Just writing this post makes me feel guilty all over again. Don't worry, Fathers Day will be extra special. Although my parents are bringing a good surprise for you in Feb ;)

In Their Words Jan 2016

Jan 2

Me: "Brigham come here."

Brig: "no."

Me: "Come here and give me a kiss."

Brig: {eye roll} "We aren't under the mistletoe."

Jan 5

At the store

Brig: "Mom, can I have this for Christmas?!"

Me: "We just had Christmas. Your birthday is in three months so maybe for that."

Benson: "Can I get something for Brigham's birthday?"

Jan 7

Vanessa: "Mom, do you think we knew 2 plus 2 before we were born?"

Me: "I don't know that I have ever thought about that."

Vanessa: "I think we just knew about like scriptures and Jesus. That's why we have to learn all this other stuff now."

Jan 9

Vanessa: "Mom, when are you going to have another baby?"

Me: "I think we are done having babies."

Vanessa: "But you're only 29. How old was your Mom when she had you?"

Me: "36."

Vanessa: "See. You can still have more babies."

Jan 16

Brig: "Mom here's a sled for you! For big humans, like you!"

Brig: "Mom, I can speak girl!"

Benson: "Mom, will you take my socks off. They're bugging me so much I'm going to bleed."

Jan 20

Sister missionary: "Have you ever wanted to give up on something?"

Brigham: "Sometimes I throw toys at people."

Jan 22

Benson: "Mom, look Rexy is a baby. He even wears little dinosaur diapers."

Me: "I have never seen a dinosaur wear diapers."

Benson: "oh, I saw it online."

Benson: "Mom, when I grow up will I be able to walk?"

Me: "well-"

Benson: "Mom. I have seen adults who can't walk and they have big power chairs. So if I can't walk, I'll just get a bigger chair."

Jan 23

Brigham: "what if Annabelle ate your baby things? Like what if she ate your baby drinker things and like ate them off. And then we didn't have a Mom. Would you be sad?"

Me:"I think I would be sad. Would you be sad?"

Brig: "ya I would be so sad."

Jan

Me: "Brig where are you?"

Brig: "I'm just tasting all our candy to see if it's good!"

Annie Bananie

AnnieBelle

AnnaBanana

Annie

But surprisingly not so much Belle.

Annabelle started sitting at 5 months. She was scooting at 7 months and crawling by 8. She started pulling to stand shortly after. I have seen her start trying to stand in the middle of a room. She isn't quite stepping with help yet.

Taken Nov 16

She loves food. She wants some of anything I eat or drink. She is nearly impossible to feed baby food unless she is also feeding herself. We pretty much just give her what we are having. Like Mac and Cheese. Taken Dec 22.

Eating the orange from her stocking on Christmas Day.

She got her two bottom teeth really early. She has her two little vampires fangs on top but not the front ones yet. The top right just barely broke the gums. She has had some pain, poor kiddo. It makes us both a bit ornery.

She is also giving kisses, clapping her hands when you say "yay," and says "mama" along with many other baby babbles. She is our only one to say mama first.

She is definitely a mamas girl. One night though, I heard her cry a bit and then immediately stop. I came to check anyway and she had crawled over to Jon and was laying on his arm. They were both out cold but both smiling and holding hands.

This darling is feisty and so fun. She is adored by everyone. We just love her to pieces.

Christmas

After Thanksgiving, it was definitely time to throw out the pumpkins the kids decorated {for Halloween}

And get ready for Christmas! We tried to have fun and meaningful Christmas experiences as a family throughout the month.

#1 decorate

Our first year with a village! Jon found a guy selling nine buildings for $50! It was a steal. Of course, he had to add the train :)

Our elf came to visit

We visited Santa at Bass Pro

And rode the merry go round.

Decorate ginger bread houses

Some intense time spent planning and executing the ward Christmas party. Glad that one is over!

We did a fun, Christmas symbol riddle and treasure hunt.

Made lots of Christmas cards and wrote Santa lists

(Benson)

We also did sibling gifts this year for the first time. We took the kids to the dollar store and had them each pick something for the other two. There was minimal drama so we'll call it success.

We also took homemade bread to three families in the ward that we thought needed Christmas cheer. The kids did great singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

And of course, we went to Bagwell Lights and got Andys.

Christmas was here before we knew it.

Thanksgiving

After having two {excellent}Thanksgiving dinners in Utah, we decided to be very non-conventional and have a lobster feast. Complete with a live lobster whom the kids named Fat Tail. Because we picked the lobster with the fattest tail. 

It was a new experience for us to prepare a live lobster. We saw one tutorial suggesting you cut the lobster in half while still alive and I am just way too squeamish for that. So boiling water it was. 

It was a chill day, and the kids were a bit disappointed by the holiday. Haha. I always felt the same about Thanksgiving. But, we did try to make it fun and meaningful. Complete with thankful feathers and pin the feather on the turkey.