Oh great news, Colt is recovering nicely. Last Friday was rough, and last Saturday was still rough, I ended up having to call back down to the on call Dr. after it had been 12 hours since Colt had gone to the bathroom-again- she was actually in on Colts surgery and remembered him, as annoying as it was to have 50 people stick their head in and introduce themselves I ended up being glad I could put a face with who I was talking too. Basically she said push fluids for another hour and if he still doesn't go, you really need to bring him back. He took every bit of that hour, Isaac went and gassed the van and we got to the point of ok, well, if you can't go pee we have to go load up. (It was awful, but he finally got it done!) After that its been pretty smooth sailing. (Thank Heaven!) The Williams boys brought him over a little toy and some balloons, that was so nice of them!

 

Saturday Isaac also signed us up to clean the church. Good thing Grama was here to tend. Then later that afternoon when I stepped outside and realized it wasn't freezing I initiated a take down the rest of the Christmas stuff project! Cannon really wanted on the roof. Sunday was a normal day, Colt, Grama, and Snotty nose Tanner all stayed home so it was pretty mild on the bench with just Cannon. Isaac had to speak-and he did a great job. 

It's been forts galore around here... and weeping and wailing when Tanner destroys them. Oh well. Rebuild boys-rebuild.

 

 

What else? We love the little carts at HyVee -definitely need man to man defense for them though.  I confess to leaving the Paw Patrol DVD on in the car, I need to get it out but they beg to stay in the car with Grama or I and still watch so we can just run in here or there where ever. Its too easy. Tanner has to try to see over the ball...of course. And maybe that was a cheeseburger on the way to school one day--we didn't get back from our trip to the Amish store in LaPlata soon enough for anything else 😉 We bought a donut mix there thinking that would be a fun thing fro Grama to do with the boys that wasn't "hey will you buy me a prize" Grama ended up making them from scratch instead because she knew Cannon would love them. Oh and we realized I didn't have a donut cutter-minor details, I have a cup! Maybe we'll make the other ones later...

 

And today was Cannon's 100 day of school (ps I never remember celebrating this but whatever!) Anyway this year he was supposed to dress up like he was 100 years old. At first he went for a button up shirt but he couldn't handle it ("It was too hot") so he traded for a polo. First time ALL YEAR he's actually worn his glasses to school, and he might not have been a hundred but we knew Poppa Great ALWAYS wore a hat--so Cannon wanted one of those! And his awesome dad fashioned him this walker out of PVC pipe and t's that we already had out in the garage. I was responsible for the tennis balls. They were going to make it Thursday night and he was so excited, he'd told his friends about it and such, but then he wouldn't mind/listen Thursday night so it got vetoed. But dad is patient, kind, and forgiving and just really really nice--so before he left for work (6:00am) he did it for him! And I had a little fun with the age advance photos. I wanted to label Cannon's walker with his name (cuz it happens) and put an old man picture on it-he was having none of that! But he wanted Tanner in on everything he was doing. Polo-ended up switching it for a white one- the walker, a hat, to come with me when I took him to school, so he got an old man photo too!

Ha ha! And we did take him in to school, instead of making the old man take his walker on the bus! Cannon said "Tanner has better old man shoes than me." Haha, oh well. His friends loved his walker and that's his good buddy Ethan in the background adjusting his mustache.

And Tanner Tanner the basketball manner, the only pics on my phone were blurry but...ALL DAY! He never tires of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYXudIwfKSo

He also likes calling his "Pa-a-Pa" or watching movies from when he was here, or saying his name every time he sees a tractor...or horse or cow. He can also spot a basketball hoop anywhere. He's started to say "Hoo Hoo" for hoop to go with his "Ba-a-ball"

I thought I have one more video of the boys playing basketball and one of Colt walking pretty slow and bent over...He's seems pretty much full speed now though, in fact, I'd like him to be just a little bit careful but he's a 4 year old boy--I'm dreaming. 
So here's a couple more if you're bored.  

https://youtu.be/hN5kpcdcclQ 

https://youtu.be/OotNP71nXto

Colts surgery

Today is one of those motherhood is not for wimps days! Yikes. But while I'm on hold...I guess I'll start with the week....
Oh boy--last weekend Isaac was out of town and he booked his own flights. He thought he got back into Kansas City at 11 or Noon. I don't know the exact time of the flight but I know it was delayed  a little and it was PM!!! Oh boy, that was a long day! (It takes a lot for Isaac to say "I hate this" but he was done with wasting time in airports and quite frankly we were ready for dad to be back too!) And that day...night sometime our dumb dog broke the light in her doghouse. Ummm that got cold real quick (it was like -9 or something) then she's barking like crazy, wakes me up, I can't get her to stop. Its the middle of the stink'n night like 2 or something, Isaac's still driving home from KC so I...I! Let the dog in the HOUSE! Then prayed the boys didn't need milk or anything because I hid in my bedroom unwilling to walk past her. Isaac got home around 4. Early morning meetings at 7... he volunteered to sluff/sleep and I jumped at the chance to not have to haul the troops in quite that soon!
Oh but going through pics...if I'm honest about how we survived  Saturday this is it...shoot, I might have loved paw patrol as much as them! (Psuedo rug -towel- and dirty rug wadded up in the pic...darn. Oh well, its us!) We just set it up in the car DVD players and they talked me into bringing them in. Other than that it was "Mom can we drive somewhere?" Then "Can we just stay in the car?" NO!

 

And the little pistol pictured above just gets mad and (usually throws the bink and everthing else in the crib first) but then just starts ripping clothes off and throwing them too! This time his shirt got stuck) Oh brother!

Monday it was play date at the church on a day off of school way below freezing day...Bedlam. Oh well. We went early to help Tehya with basketball and I tweaked my neck, so flukey and dumb but crud it made for a long week.

 

Are we back to pictures of the pistol? Isaac brought home some yummy salsa...Tanner got excited about it and I turned from cooking at the stove to see him inspecting his mess. (Sigh)  And this kid and his basketball, he really does sleep with it...often! Then try to use it to help him climb out. I'm tell'n ya, he's a handful!

And after the play date at the church the boys were SO excited that Teagan got to come over. They played outside for HOURS! They were trying to build a snow fort, big enough for all of them. HAHA. It was seriously something like 6 degrees -11 with the windchill or something like that and they were completely undeterred. Finally I was afraid Colts dang cheeks were going to have frostbite so I lured them in with hot chocolate. My boys don't even like it, but Teagan does and he being oldest was the ring leader so they followed. Thank Heaven. (I did win them over by putting marshmallows in it, they picked them out then gave the hot choc to Teag)
It was too Cold to work on little green outside so she had to move into the garage. Below they boys are all standing eating popcorn watching dad work on her. This is the life...I guess. He did get her running a week or so ago-he drove her to KC when he went, but he's still tinkering, she's not running real great.

They found dads razor! Colt made some comment about wanting to be "Blonde" and started to put it on top of his head. I stopped him then realized he was trying to say "Bald" It was pretty funny. No you don't buddy.
Then family game night-fun when Adalyn was here...

 

AND GRAMA CAME BACK! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this pic! The smiles tell all. (Tanner has missed his buddy "pop-a-pa" though)

 

Grama got here Thurs and tended that night so I could go to RS and Isaac was the teacher at RS (He did great!) So we put her right to work!

UG and today was Colt's surgery. Despite a new paw patrol movie for the drive down (that was the perfect move he was totally distracted and giggling in the back and I can't remember the last time I got to just visit with Isaac for and hour and a half-it was really fun!) But once we got there he was pretty nervous and just wanted to go home! Luckily they had some relaxing medicine and as that kicked in we got him drawing the paw patrol look out tower and explaining the show to dad.

 

He ended up having hernias on both sides. Surgery Sucks! It make me really thankful we haven't had to to more. First we had to get rid of that dumb mask, and then he just wanted his blank! (And I -typically not much of a rule breaker-obviously didn't read the "no pictures" sign until after the fact. Whoops. They had it posted in both recovery rooms. Too bad.) 

 

When he woke up a little more he just wanted to sit up and snuggle with me. He got better numbers on his oxygen monitor that way too 👍 4:30 was early though so we were glad our driver got to snatch the bed and catch a little snooze! He never really woke up (he was hurting after when I first got to go back and see him and they gave him morphine so there was no end in sight on the sleeping) Then after he drank a little and would wake up when we talked to him and such they told us it was our call. We were like hey buddy-eat a popsicle and we're out of here and he was all for it. Although he asked why they gave him a Popsicle with no flavor. HAHA  He slept the whole drive home! 

Back in his brothers care!

He was able to eat a little. BUT he wouldn't go to the bathroom. He would just SCREAM...seriously hadn't been since around 8:00 this morning. But when he started "eating" it was ALL liquid. Oh man, finally I called the on call Dr at almost 11:00 at night!--then started blogging. I got put on hold then they just did the we'll call you back thing. And he said he would try again (we'd tried SEVERAL times) anyway, the poor kid was finally able to go  pee. hallelujah! I just called back and said "Nevermind, sorry! Wish I would have called you 5 hours ago" And he's been far for comfortable since. I think he was just scared because everything hurts down there. When I called the Dr. I think there was a fear of having to go back...I just really wanted to ask questions because it wasn't anything I'd been warned about. And after so much discomfort  this evening we're keeping on top of all Medicine options! At least for this first night! Maybe I'm just hopeful but I just have to think its going to be a breeze after dealing with that "I have to go pee" pressure for the last SO MANY hours. We're about to find out.
Anyway, I guess that's about it.

Oh and it was up 40 degrees today! I'll take it! But this place and the weather-it's crazy! 

Isaac left town early Wednesday morning and I just keep thinking there's a reason God gives kids 2 parents!! When Isaac gets back I'm going to be ready for a little break. He's been busy but he's got some good things going on.

Typical Saturday morning showdown...snow gloves...boxing gloves...whatever...

Its been a good week though! Saturday we had a little shin dig down at the church for kids to come meet their new primary teacher, find their new classroom, and have a doughnut. As I'm loading kids up and the temperatures are in the negatives I just kept thinking "WHY????" But its life here, and really 2 of 4 Sunbeams came so we were calling it a success! That day I was supposed to have the Pettit kids all day while their parents were out of town, but our sweet other friend didn't bring them to me until after lunch!!! That made my "all day" way easier. Cohen originally taught Cannon how to climb the walls so they always do it when they're together, Tanner was disappointed he couldn't quite reach...

My kids LOVED having friends here and were super sad they weren't sleeping over.  HA. Isaac was gone most of the day studying. But we got along pretty good. AND Saige and Haven got Tanner to say "Mommom" so maybe loved it! (Haven is one day older than Tanner but far more verbal.) YAY!!! Finally!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KERmtpQwiT0

It was a good day! And the next day he said "Poppa" It was like he abandoned some of his stubbornness (and he has a lot) to keep pace with his friend. Sweet, thanks Haven.

Anyway Saturday I stayed up late planning Sharing Time only to get a text Sunday Morning that said Sacrament Meeting only because of freezing rain. Isaac's comment was "...its going to be a long afternoon. " And it kind of was, but we have early church now (WAHOO) so I got a Sunday afternoon nap and that just makes life good.

Monday Isaac took the last section of the CPA exam, phew, hopefully that's behind us. What a pain. He didn't really need it for his job but we've both just felt like it gave him more credibility as an accounting professor. So he's been busy with that-on the side.
Wednesday I didn't get a picture of Cannon in his Pajamas for PJ day at school. He was pretty proud of them earning that. (I think is a pretty lame reward but what's a school to do when the governor monitors your every snack? So dumb) We played basketball with Tehya after school and had cub scout committee mtg that night. (There's a reason I never take kids to that!)
AND...I let them sleepover...I'm an idiot...but look how stink'n cute they are-of course I would give in!

 

 

It started out all 4 of us in my bed, then Colt and Tanner bailed and opted for sleeping on Cannon's bed. Then Tanner got banished to the crib-sorry buddy- Colt was being a pal and laid on the floor by his crib (I said "No" to climbing in it with him) He was trying SO HARD to go to sleep --ok there was a bribe involved-- but Tanner was throwing anything he could at him (Blankets Binky Stuffed animals) and yelling at the top of his lungs...just for fun. Finally Colt came back in my room and Tanner eventually tuckered out, thank Heaven! Cann's the only one that made it on my bed all night. Colt AND I played musical bed all night long. Oh well.

Thursday I took Colt to a Doctor appointment in Columbia, we're going to get his hernia fixed, but we were opting for a pediatric surgeon so that meant go elsewhere. It went fine and we're scheduled for surgery NEXT WEEK. Whoa, that was quick. And my mom wants to come back which is awesome but sorry about the no notice! Oh well, Isaac and I were both on the as soon as possible page so we went with it! Everything was fine with our trip except I ran out of wiper fluid the last 7 miles coming back and it was in "freezing rain" that was bit of a nightmare. My defrost was only making the tiniest little clearing and we just slowed way down. I didn't think parking by the side of road and waiting it out with 2 little kids -one that had already puked in the car- was a great idea either. Thankfully it worked out fine and we were safe, and there was no other traffic, normal people don't even try to drive in that stuff, they canceled Colts school and everything but we were missing that day anyway and had to get back eventually. We got back just in time to pick up Cannon from school (but we had Ms Cassie on as a back up plan)

We went to Walmart and found the 90% if Christmas stuff...glow sticks for 9 cents...they thought I was super nice agreeing to buy stuff. HAHA, we even have a Rudolph "costume" for the van next year. Those might not be my style but kids are Rudolph lovers and it was less than a buck-oh course I went for it. And the paw patrol lookout gingerbread house...you bet! They were in Heaven! Tanner was in Heaven licking the candy off the table...oh brother!

 

Today was President Monson's funeral and Cannon wanted me to check him out of school for it. I was game...like I thought he would sit and listen or something. Sigh. Oh well. Truthfully they did good until the  singing started, I lost'm at MoTab. Bummer. But Cannon especially loves President Monson...I mean we've had the "Thomas S. Monson Express" train up every conference since he was 3! What a great man, what a great example, it is truly the ending of an era. (And we love our special mortal connections to him. Colt shares his birthday and he passed away on Isaac and my anniversary.)

(I wish I had gotten a picture of them pointing to his empty chair.)
 
Well that's most of the week. 

I just think this kid is cute, so when he does things-I take pictures. 

 

Everyone wants in on Grampa's Pepsi. 

It was so fun to have Grama and Grampa come. We LOVED it. Saturday we headed down to the gym at the church to try to get out of the house yet escape the cold! Tanner is in his happy place when his dad is lifting him up to dunk it, and he's just figuring out the hang on the rim stuff. I'm not sure if we wore the boys out playing dodgeball, but I'm fairly certain we did wear Grampa out. Ha.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8yiOYKemjk 

 

See all those collages??? I ordered my 2017 blog book on New Years day because they were running a 39% off deal. But I had to order it in 2 different books because there were too many pictures. So maybe fewer pictures...??? NEVER (haha) but maybe more collages. We'll see.
Sometimes the boys are just DETERMINED to play in the snow--Cannon was out there too.

 

Saturday while we were out shopping for Chip a new pair a boots I got a text from our friends that were throwing a kids new years party asking us if we were going. I had totally forgot about it. So we ditched Grama and Grampa for a couple hours --they took down my Christmas decorations while we were gone and tended green nose Tanner. Total win-- We had a great time. Such a fun idea and they went all out. Countdown was at 6:00! Perfect!!

 

Grampa is somewhere under those cushions. And Tanner just really wants Popcorn. Pretty much every day. He goes to the cupboard and gets it out all the while saying "Pop Pop Pop"

Sunday We had to say goodbye 😩. Bummer. 

But the smiles in the above pic might tell ya how much fun we had! I took Grama and Grampa down to the airport after sacrament mtg, I hate that whole goodbye part. But so glad they came.
We still have some pretty crappy weather around here. Monday even little green had had it!
I'm not really sure what I was taking a picture of in the pic below...but it looked precarious enough I thought to document it. Whatever he was up to it didn't work. I heard a loud pop?...bang?... well it was a noise and He came running in the house a few seconds later saying "I need water." I grabbed a pitcher and started running the sink. Buuuuut he needed more than that faster than that-he grabbed the other pitcher and ran to the bathroom. I handed him mine as a back up plan as he ran back out the door. ...And just like that we're a one car family for a few days here until the part comes so he can fix it. Time for a new car? Maybe so but no time to shop it out like Isaac does--he's actually pretty swamped right now for saying it is Winter "break" so he'll try to fix it. (That will also take time...not sure he recognizes that--or at least how much) Anyway below is the the pic I snapped as we all got loaded up to take him in to work. Happy New year! -8 stink'n degrees

 

Never a dull moment for us. We then went back down to the church for play date with friends and took the bounce house and such. Here's what Tanner looks like when his dad doesn't come. He just looks so longingly.... And no matter how many times I've asked them not to, their favorite place to play at the church is on the racks of chairs...Tanner was pretty proud of himself for getting up there all by himself.

 

 

That night Isaac came home to assess the damage. But having  used water to put the fire out in sub zero temperatures he had a little ice problem. So he melted it...the only way he would. All 3 kids had fallen asleep when we went down to pic him up from work and I was like "Look you do whatever crazy thing you want but let me get our sleeping children out of the van right next to you first!" Check out the neighbor in the background looking at him like "What the heck???"

Tuesday was our Anniversary, at one point I asked Isaac what we were going to do to make the day special, he shrugged and said "It's already special." So Isaac. Ok. In the end he brought home Pizza so I didn't have to cook and we took the boys down to run around at the church, again. Good enough. 

Wednesday it was back to school, a day I dreaded as a teacher and LOVE as a mom. Haha. The routine is good for us though. 

The last couple days we've been trying to get things squared away for a new year in primary. Its busy but good. We've had a few wars with these "snowballs" my sweet friend Ellen gave us. We love them. Too bad we didn't have them quite yet when Grampa was here!

Well...that might not be everything but I'm quitting, I'm tired!