Christmas EVE!

Our Christmas Eve was filled with snow! Steve and the kids built an AWESOME snowman and then spent hours sledding down a snow hill.

My favorite quote of the day, "Mom, I can't stop eating the snow!"

Mr. Snowman!

Hold on Chan!

Steve made his famous Chicken Parmesan for dinner... yummy!

The kids opened one present after tubbies, pajamas!

We left some delicious treats for Santa and his reindeer. Then went off to bed after reading about the birth of our Savior in the scriptures.

Good Night and Merry Christmas!

Three Months

Miss Sage turned three months old on Christmas Eve.

She has gained almost four pounds and has grown five inches since birth.

She is our favorite present this Christmas.

Merry First Christmas Sage Juliet!

Temple Square Lights

It was a beautiful and chilly night at Temple Square.

This has become one of our favorite traditions.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Sunday

The kids all gussied up for church:

Merry Christmas!

Handmade Gifts

Made over a dozen of these bean bags from my scrap collection for the kids and Kate's gift exchange for school...

Stayed up late last night to make this apron for a special little niece!

Hope they like them!

"Wild Man" is back

and making more messes than ever!

We are all thrilled he is healthy again! Including himself.

mommy/daughter date

We both gave this movie two thumbs up! Kate went as far as, "that was so funny" and "that was the best movie ever!"

Recovering

This was not the sign we wanted to see yesterday after Chandler's doctor appointment...

After chest x-rays, blood work and a urine sample, Chandler was diagnosed with silent Pneumonia (the one without the barking cough).

Our little guy was in bad shape last night in the hospital.

However, he is doing much better today after a bag of antibiotic through his IV.

Hopefully he'll be coming home this weekend!

Today he kept himself busy with tying himself up with his "rope." I think he has watched Spirit one too many times.

Thank you family and friends for your prayers, phone call and texts.

Dr. Kate

Kate is taking full advantage of her doctors kit from her birthday and a hand- me- down doctors outfit from cousin Catherine on our little patient (Chandler). He has stopped throwing up, but still has a high fever for the fifth day now. We have a "real" doctors appointment this afternoon to hopefully get our little man feeling great again!

Kate keeps asking Chandler why he isn't chasing her around and saying, "I got you." I think deep down she really misses his teasing/ torturing /choke holds.

Thank you Kate for being a big helper!

Prayers...

Chandler is sick. Really sick. He has been constantly throwing up since Sunday afternoon and has a fever. He can't keep anything down his little body. Not even water. I took him to the doctors Tuesday morning and they sent us over to the hospital. He had the beginning stages of dehydration. He spent seven hours in a pediatric hospital bed yesterday hooked up to an IV, getting his body rejuvenated. He had dry- cracked lips, bright red cheeks and a warm body. He was achy and very lethargic. He layed there in a tiny hospital gown for seven hours whimpering and whispering, "nope" every time you asked him a question. He didn't move, not even a wiggle. If you know Chan, this is definitely not his character. Usually he would be running up and down the halls, bouncing off the walls and or screaming "let me down" after picking him up off the floor he was rolling on.
After two bags of fluid, Chandler decided it was time to go home. He pulled out his own IV. He had had enough. Without the hassle of repoking him, we went home where he could lay in the comfort of his own bed. However, last night his temperature rose to 104 degrees. Steve forced some Tylenol meltaways in his mouth and gave him a blessing to comfort him. His fever reduced throughout the night. He feels and looks better this morning, but not out of the woods yet.
Watching your child in misery is the worst thing about being a mother. I wish I could instantly take his pain away. His tiny body should not have to go through so much suffering.
I am grateful for Chandlers spunk and determination. I am grateful for modern day medicine, hospitals, doctors and compassionate nurses. I am grateful for kind neighbors. I am grateful for the power of the Priesthood. I am grateful for the power of prayer. I am grateful for this Holiday season to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Ward Party with Santa

Which one of our kids wanted nothing to do with Santa, AGAIN?

Happy Holiday!

The Sagester

Sage is ten weeks old today and growing like a beautiful weed. Thank you Aunt Sarah for the new bracelets!

Showing off her bracelet.

Modeling off her hair.

Sage gets snarls-tangles- rats nests in her hair that I have to cut out!

Stop growing so fast Miss Sagey.

The Elf on the Shelf

"Tradition... tradition!" We love new traditions for the holidays. Meet our new Elf, Eli. He arrived at our house last night, sharing a story and his responsibility for Santa. His responsibility is to watch our kids behavior in our home and then report to Santa. In the morning, he returns to a new spot in the house to watch and listen some more.

Kate found Eli hiding between the sugar and flour this morning!

*** Kate told Chandler, "Eli is watching you," as he was pulling her hair. This just might work for the next twenty-four days. Thank you Aunt Caroline!***

Thanksgiving

...in Arizona!

Highlights of the holiday:

1. Lots and lots of family and friends time

2. Hours of playing outside/ park time

3. Haircuts for all

4. Family Pictures and Navajo taco night

5. Family games of cards, Farkle and Thanksgiving puzzle

6. Suns game

7. Chicken Parm night

8. Slumber parties with cousins

9. Christmas shopping

10. The movies

11. Eating at our favorites

12. Making Sage a Christmas stocking

13. ASU football game

14. Temple lights

15. Pedicures

16. FHE night with pizza and wings

We LOVED it and are VERY Thankful!