Uninvited Visitors

Kolin went to let the dogs out back and found these two curled up and trying to stay warm. Needless to say the dogs stayed in the house. They are fine with our cats, but think the outside ones are annoying and really don't like them anywhere near the house.

Oh Isis

Isis can jump over the make shift fence, but do you think she can figure out how to get back where she's suppose to be? Nope! Instead she's rather howl and whine until someone comes to save her.

I waited a good 10 minutes to see if she would at least attempt to jump back over. In the end Brennan was sent out to 'save' the puppy.

Isis started whining as soon as she saw him. Tail was wagging and she was sooooo excited. Brennan told her that he'd be there in just a minute to save her. The entire exchange was super cute.

Too Cute!

Karis made this caroler at Sunday School a couple of weeks ago.

One little girl

wasn't quite ready to wake up with the others.

Kolin decided to break out the old SMURF card game that he and Uncle Kevin used to play when they were little. I think this will become a Christmas morning tradition.

And the stockings.....

There is one little hook left...can't wait to see it filled next Christmas

Our half filled tree. Little 2 year olds really like ornaments.

Instead of milk, Ryanne thought Santa needed some pedisure...

Merry Christmas Eve!

Tonight we went to Christmas Eve service. Afterwards we came home and the kids got to open the presents they bought for each other. They all have fun picking out presents for the person they picked.

If it weren't for the little people

I honestly think I would skip Christmas this year. I just can't seem to get excited. I'm just not feeling it.

However, since there are 5 little people who are positively excited I'll do what I can and make it fun and memorable for them.

Just look at her....

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Karis' preschool class had a birthday party for Jesus today. Cake included!

Gingerbread House Day

Every year the 4th grade classes make gingerbread houses. Today was Taryn's turn. Kolin got the chance to go with her and they both had fun.

100 Books in 2010

100+ Reading Challenge 2010

What a neat idea! I love love love to read!!!!

I already keep track of everything I read at Goodreads.com, but thought it would be a great idea to keep track on this blog as well. I read a little bit of everything. Pretty much whatever catches my eye at the moment while I'm wondering around the library, checking out the new items online or anything that has been recommended to me.

1. Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
2. Jacob (Nightwalkers #1) by Jacquelyn Frank
3. Gideon (Nightwalkers #2) by Jacquelyn Frank
4. Elijah (Nightwalkers #3) by Jacquelyn Frank
5. Abandoned by Cody McFadyen
6. The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1) by James Patterson
7. Witch & Wizard by James Patterson
8. School's Out --Forever (Maximum Ride #2) by James Patterson
9. Darkness Revealed (Guardians of Eternity #4) by Alexandra Ivy
10. Damien (Nightwalkers #4) by Jacquelyn Frank
11. Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
12. Noah (Nightwalkers #5) by Jacquelyn Frank
13. Vision In White by Nora Roberts
14. Even Steven by John Gilstrap
15. Saving The World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride #3) by James Patterson
16. The Final Warning (Maximum Ride #4) by James Patterson
17. Moon Called (Mercedes Thompson #1) by Patricia Briggs
18. Blood Bound (Mercedes Thompson #2) by Patricia Briggs
19. Primal Heat (Primes #5) by Susan Sizemore
20. Caitlin's Guardian Angel by Marie Ferrarella
21. Bonemans Daughter by Ted Dekker
22. Bed Of Roses by Nora Roberts
23. Dark Sky by Carla Neggers
24. Max (Maximum Ride #5) by James Patterson
25. Fang(Maximum Ride #6) by James Patterson
26. Black Hills by Nora Roberts
27. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
28. Original Sin by Allison Brennan
29. Eight Days To Live by Iris Johansen
30. Dead In The Family by Charlaine Harris
31. Hush by Kate White
32. Iron Kissed (Mercedes Thompson #3) by Patricia Briggs
33. Bone Crossed (Mercedes Thompson #4) by Patricia Briggs
34. Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1) by Lee Child
35. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
36. Return To Sender by Fern Michaels
37. Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead
38. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
39. Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1) by Kim Harrison
40. Savour the Moment by Nora Roberts
41. The Search by Nora Roberts
42. Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman
43. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
44. Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen
45. Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
46. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
47. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
48. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
49. Mr. And Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
50. Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater
51. How to Marry A Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
52. Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
53. Vamps And The City by Kerrelyn Sparks
54. Be Still My Vampire Heart by Kerrelyn Sparks
55. Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs
56. The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks
57. All I Want For Christmas Is A Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
58. Secret Life Of A Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
59. The Geometry Of Sisters by Luanne Rice
60.Forbidden Nights With A Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
61. American Assassin by Vince Flynn
62. Chasing The Night by Iris Johansen
63. Vampire And The Virgin by by Kerrelyn Sparks
64. Worth Dying For by Lee Child
65. Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Results Day!

Taryn, Ryanne and I met up with Miss Patty this morning to find out the results of her EEG. The EEG came back normal. We start weaning her off her meds tomorrow morning. It'll take about 5 weeks and then we'll have another EEG. We'll actually go up to Rockford to have the EEG done. We'll be able to meet with the dr. and get the results the same morning.

Look Who's 5!

Christmas Pics Final Take

Karis' Birthday Party

Even with the nasty weather lots of friends showed up for Karis' birthday party this afternoon. She had a great time and it was nice having friends over.

Way To Go, Jadyn!

The entire cast did a great job tonight! Jadyn had one line in the play besides the singing. She had the crowd laughing and laughing hard!!!

Aladdin Jr. Dress Rehearsal

Tonight was the dress rehearsal for Aladdin Jr. Jadyn was super excited to finally get in full costume and make-up and do a total run through today.

Christmas Pics Take 1

This could have been our Christmas picture this year, but it wasn't exactly what we were looking for.

We love our Elf!

You never know where you're going to find him when you wake up.

It's Sleep Deprived EEG Day!

Kolin got the late shift and I got the early shift. The older Taryn gets the easier it is to keep her up, it just happens to be a little harder to get her back up.

She did great! She was getting a little whiny, so I told her to close her eyes and go to sleep.

We'll go see Miss Patty next week for the results.

Crazy Hair!

SNOW!

One little 2 year old who isn't so sure what all the white stuff is.

One puppy who is absolutely thrilled to play in the snow!

One 11 year old who is stealing snow off the roof of the hot tub room and we're not exactly sure why....

Prechool Christmas Concert

Karis' Christmas concert was tonight. Anyone that knows her knows that she doesn't do well standing in front of large crowds or being in a room with a whole bunch of people. It's just not her thing. Until tonight we still weren't sure if she was going to participate or not. With a little help (bribery) from Aunt Katie, Karis got up there and sang every song as loud as she could.

Favorites

Just a 'few' of my favorite pictures.....

I Debated.....

My dad didn't want a funeral...he wanted a celebration of his life. A big steak BBQ with family and friends all gathered around. November really isn't a good month to do that, so it was decided that right around dad's birthday in April we would do it.

I went back and forth trying to decide if I was going to use the plane ticket. Do I go or do I not go? Russ (my brother) had been having the same conversation with himself. It wasn't until he called me and asked what I was going to do that we both decided. We'd go, if the other went. If nothing more came out of this then at least all the kids would be in the EXACT same place for the first time in YEARS. This more than anything is something my dad would have loved.

I'm glad I went. I wish Kolin and the kids could have gone with me. It was great seeing my brother, his wife and my handsome nephews. It was wonderful spending quality time with my sister and of course my other 3 handsome nephews. She kept me up until 3:30am PST one night, but it was well worth it. Some great family time was spend together, but someone was missing. No matter how hard you tried to put a smile on your face, your heart was breaking and you can see it on all of our faces.

Goodbyes

Yesterday was spent frantically trying to get a flight booked for me to fly out to Portland that wouldn't cost us an arm and a leg. Thanks to a GREAT friend with some extra miles I was able to get that taken care of. Called my sister to let her know that I would be arriving Friday and flying back home the following Tuesday. My brother and his family were heading down on Friday as well.

A few hours later Katie called me to tell that I needed to get there sooner. Like THAT night sooner. I didn't have it in me to look for flights again, plus with Thanksgiving and it being the worst possible time to fly anyway I just started to cry. I figured that my dad knew I was coming and if I was supposed to see him I would. I asked Katie to put the phone next to my dad's ear. I told him that I loved him and I always would. I was sorry for not being there. And more than anything I thanked him for being the best dad and papa.

Last night I went to bed and deliberately left both phones downstairs. When I woke up there was a message from Katie with an update. I called fully expecting to be told he had passed away. Instead, I got to tell him one more time how much I loved him and that it was alright to go. About 45 minutes later he passed.

The old saying of "Anyone can be a father, but it's takes someone special to be a dad" is very very true in this instance. I might not have been his daughter biologically, but in every way that actually counts and matters I was his and he was mine.

Paint & Puzzles

Ryanne loves to paint at the preschool. Unfortunately I think more gets on her clothes and face (check out her lips) than on the paper. Thank goodness the paint and markers she frequently uses are washable. =)

Miss Karis is all about puzzles, especially the bigger floor puzzles. She can usually put them together in no time flat with no assistance.

Guilt

I've had the nagging urge to call my dad the last few days. Today while waiting for Brennan to get out of school I grabbed my phone and made the call. I wish I had done it sooner. Maybe, just maybe I would have actually been able to have a conversation with him. Kathy (his wife) answered the phone. As soon as she knew it was me, she started crying and then I started crying and I had no clue what I was crying about at that moment. Hospice brought in oxygen over the weekend. Today a hospital bed is set to arrive. He's in a terrible amount of pain and there really isn't anything anyone can do except make him as comfortable as possible. So much for the 6 months we really hoped we would have had.

I feel guilty that I didn't call sooner.

My little pilgrim

Karis' preschool class had their Thanksgiving Feast this morning. They had roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, rolls, corn and pumpkin pie. Of course, the feast wouldn't be a pilgrim feast without her pilgrim hat.