Happy Birthday Dillon...

Dillon is 7 years old! He lost one of his front teeth not to long ago and has a pretty cute toothless grin. He is doing really well in school and is such a sweet boy and brother. He has really taken an interest in art lately. He is so loving, always telling us that he loves us. We celebrated his birthday today and then 2 days later he had a party with some of his cousins who live around here and are his age. He had a Scooby Doo birthday party which was fun to do (lots better than last year - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - you have to get a little more creative with that one). It was fun and I think he had a good birthday! Love you buddy! :)

Happy Birthday Logan...

December 10, 2008

Logan is 3!! I can't believe that he is 3 years old. Where did all the time go? It just seems to go faster and faster with each child. He had a great day! He got a Curious George stuffed animal from Grandma Gardner and he has been sleeping with it, taking it places and rocking it and singing to it since he got it. It's pretty cute. OK - and this child loves to "help out" in the kitchen. Loves to help dad cook, mom cook, and grandma cook. Hence - the kitchen set he received for his birthday. He was so excited and has since made us many a dinner on his little stove with his play food. It's pretty cute to see him play and some of the stuff he thinks up to cook. He was so excited that it was his birthday - he even sang "Happy Birthday" to himself a few times during the day and loved to blow and blow and blow out his candles. It was really cute. I am so grateful that he is in our family. He is our "Wild One" (aka: #3) but we love him and our family wouldn't be the same without him. Definitely never a dull moment when he is awake. :) Love you buddy!!

Oh Christmas Tree...

OK, really... we decorated the tree at the first of December but I never got any pictures up, so here it is. We started a tradition last year of the first weekend that the tree is decorated, we watch the Polar Express with hot chocolate and popcorn and then the boys sleep out by the tree. They have loved it! Although this year we watched White Christmas instead because we had already seen Polar Express this Christmas season. I didn't know how they would like White Christmas - but they loved it! It is my favorite Christmas movie - definitately! Love it!

Merry Christmas...

December 9, 2008

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! For us to do this you need to click on the link below (it may take a minute or two to load).

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/I4P0m0RmbVM3ZocZ4bLT

We hope you have a HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS!!

A Quick Christmas Trip...

December 1, 2008

Well, we decided to suprise the boys and go on a little Christmas trip. We didn't tell them until the afternoon we left, where we were going and they were just dying to know. We went to Salt Lake to see the lights on Temple Square - they loved that. When we got to the hotel, the boys were all ready for bed and Logan was just sitting there and then said, "OK, I go home now." It took a little convincing but he finally decided that it was OK to sleep in the hotel room rather than in his bed at home.

The next morning we went to the Childrens Museum at the Gateway Mall - the Discovery Center. The boys had sooooo much FUN! We were there for 3 1/2 hours and I think they could of stayed even longer but we were all getting hungry.

Then we went to Heber City to ride on the Polar Express (aka: the Heber Creeper) to the North Pole! The boys were so excited. On the way through Park City it started to snow a little and it just added to the moment. They even wore their pajamas on the train. When we got to the train station we could see them loading the hot chocolate and cookies onto the train. We boarded and the train took off - well, I should say, crept along at a steady pace of 10 mph. The boys loved it though - they had hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, sang Christmas Carols, read the story of the Polar Express, got a recipe from Mrs. Claus, talked to the elves about what they wanted for Christmas and then on the way back to the station Santa Claus came on our train car and gave each of the children a silver bell. The boys had so much fun!

The Wait Is Over...

We're having a ....... BOY!!!!! Yep, another boy! Here is a little picture of him during the ultra sound - he looks like he is waving "hi". Pretty cute!

Latest Update on David's Dad...

David's Mom and Dad checked in at the Huntsman Cancer Institute this morning. They basically told them that they want to wait and watch the tumor to see if it grows. They have to go back to SLC on the 22nd of December for another MRI. They will do a very detailed MRI at that time and then will use it as a baseline for a series of MRI's to follow about every 2 months. Dr. Cach, here in Idaho Falls, did the most serious part of David's Dad's treatment by putting in the shunt. Now the immediate danger has passed and they will just need to keep an eye on the tumor. The series of MRI's will be done in Idaho Falls so they won't need to travel to SLC except for the first one.

It's sort a relief to at least know this information and we feel very blessed that the type of tumor he has is very slow growing.

Update on David's Dad...

November 5, 2008

David's Dad had a Dr.'s appt. today and this is the latest update.

"Everything is “going” well. My Doctor says that I can go back to work on Monday. I’ll be the guy sporting a new “HEAD” style… scars, bumps, and all. At least in my case, the lack of hair is of no significance. It will be good to get back with the kids. It’s a relief to know that I can now blame three of my problems on a tumor: bad memory… I can’t remember what the other two are. Anyway, I have been blessed and as far as we know now, things are looking bright for a good future yet. Thanks for your support." Mike

His attitude is great and that really helps right now! He did find out the name of the tumor, it is called a “Tectal Plate Glioma”. It’s a slow growing tumor and very rare where his is located. The tumor blocked off the drain system for the brain ventricles and caused the spinal fluid buildup. It looks like the shunt is doing its job and the numbness has gone away. He has an appointment on the 18th at the Huntsman`s Center where he will receive further treatment.

Bryson's Baptism...

Wow - I can't believe that I have a child that is old enough to get baptized. Bryson got baptized on Saturday, Nov. 1st. It was such a special day and Bryson was just beaming. Now don't get me wrong, he was really nervous but after it was done he said that he just felt so good inside and he couldn't stop smiling. Ever since he has gotten his scriptures he has tried to read them every night. I am really proud of him. Alot of family came and we really appreciate it. Thanks to all who brought food to the luncheon.

HALLOWEEN...

October 31, 2008...

ARRRR... MATEYS!! My 3 cute little pirates! We had a very busy Halloween but it was alot of fun! The weather was great! We went to Trick or Treat Street in Idaho Falls then we traditionally have sloppy joes for our Halloween dinner but we were very short on time so we stopped and got a pumpkin pizza at Papa Murphys - the boys loved it. We then went trick or treating around here and to a few houses where David grew up. He was taking a walk down memory lane - literally! It was pretty cute to hear him tell the boys stories of when he was little and went trick or treating down "this very street we are walking on" and how it brought back so many memories for him. We then went trick or treating to Grandma Gardner's and Shell, Graig & the kids were there. We were headed to the Pumpkin Walk and they decided to come too. We had cider, hot chocolate and cookies and saw a lot of really neat talented displays. It was alot of fun! Then it began to rain and we were ready to call it a night. What a day... the boys were a little wired from all the sugar (emphasis on "a little") but they finally fell asleep. Whew! :) I love Halloween!

Carving Pumpkins...

October 30, 2008...

Thursday night the boys and I carved pumpkins. They had alot of fun and each were so proud of their pumpkin. Logan even had to try some of the seeds. Pretty tasty? He only did it twice and didn't like it too much - I had to tell him that he would like them a whole lot better when they were cooked.

David's Dad...

October 28, 2008...

So, today we received some not so good news. Tuesday this week David's dad woke up with some numbness in his right foot. By the end of the day his whole right side was going numb. But no signs of a stroke. He went to the Dr. and they scheduled him for an MRI. He has since had a more detailed MRI with dye. The results were not what we were expecting to hear. The first MRI was read and they thought he just had a Hydrocephalic condition in his brain. They had it read again and found a tumor. All other tests done on his heart, blood work etc. came back normal. He went to a neurosurgeon on Thursday, the 30th, and was told he has a brain tumor in the base of his brain. It is deep near the thalamus area. The Dr. said that it cannot be operated on. It is a slow growing tumor but one that is quite rare. They cannot do a biopsy on it because of where it is located. They also cannot do radiation or chemo because of its slow growing nature. David's dad went to EIRMC Friday (31st) morning to have a shunt put in his head to drain off the fluid that has been building up, that is what the hydrocelephic part of his condition was and it will relieve the pressure and fluid on his brain. Then within the next two weeks he will be sent to the Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City for treatments. They won’t touch this type of tumor up here and want him to get the most up to date treatment. We do not at this point know if it is cancerous or benign but I will try to keep everyone updated. His surgery went very well and he is feeling pretty good. We are hopeful they will have better news for us when he goes to the Huntsman Center. So David and his sisters and brother went to his parent’s house Thursday night to have a head shaving party (which wasn’t too hard since he was almost completely bald anyway) :). I will try to keep you posted because I know that some of you had him as a teacher. Thank you for all of the prayers, it is really appreciated.

First Snowfall of the Year

Last weekend the boys were excited to see the snow falling. Bryson was hoping that school would get canceled – don’t think so buddy. (He’s already been out for 2 weeks because of Spud Harvest! Funny boy!) Needless to say they were indoors all day so they were getting pretty creative in playing. They thought that Logan needed a fort to watch Toy Story in so they both built it and then they all 3 tried it out. It was a little cramped but they were happy. They wanted chicken noodle soup, toasted cheese sandwiches and hot chocolate for lunch. Mmmm… my favorite for a day like today. Logan tried putting some snow in his pocket on his way home from church on Sunday and said he wanted to take it home with him, then about 3 or 4 hours later he asked, “Where my snow go?” I had to tell him that when snow gets warm it melts – turns into water. Hmmm… he had to think about it a little and then he was OK with that explanation. Here are some pics from the day spent indoors… (Sorry, I'm not sure why it is underlining my text and I don't know how to take it off.)

A Little Wild & Crazy...

Logan loves his "bike". Mostly it stays in the garage but today he hauled it into the house all by himself, got some goggles on and was hot roddin' around the house.

Logan

Logan - aka. "Wild One" or "#3". Logan is 2 1/2 years old and is full of life - to say the least!
We have a lot of fun with him - definitly never a dull moment when he is awake. He is a good boy and loves being with his family. He loves Little People (Fisher Price) anything, loves to help his dad cook, loves his "lion" and "blankie". He takes after his older brother, Dillon, in the tractor, combine, trucks, basically anything with wheels and a motor department - he loves them. He takes after his oldest brother, Bryson, in the book department - he seems to be always getting a book and saying, "Mom, read this to me."

Logan loves to play with his brothers and they with him. Although at times, they like to pick on eachother - Logan can stand his ground pretty well. He loves to be doing whatever they are doing.

Logan loves his "gamma". It was like the 2nd day of school and the boys were gone and
Logan found himself without any brothers to play with. Well, he was watching a Little People
DVD (or so I thought). I came out of the bathroom and happened to look out the window and
there I saw... little red jammies streakin' across the lawn towards grandma's house. I had
to run after him, me in my jammies too, and the sprinklers were on too! Must of made for a
pretty funny site! He said he was "Goin to gamma's house." Grandma holds a special place
in his heart.

Dillon

Dillon is 6 1/2 years old. He is in the 1st grade and loving it! He is one of the top

readers in his class. He loves tractors and combines (John Deer and construction). He has such a love for dogs - all animals for that matter. He is my soft teddy bear - he has such a soft tender heart. He is always giving "loves" to everyone in the family. Always saying, "Mom, your my bestest mom ever." Love you buddy!