Phoenix at Warp Speed

We just got back last night from a WONDERFUL trip to Phoenix. Dallin had a conference to attend there, so the kids and I went along for the ride and stayed with my brother and his family. Since it's been freezing and snowy here for the last few months, I decided that I was going to jam pack our days there with lots of outdoor activities so we could soak up the nice sunny weather. So we spent our days at the zoo, the children's museum, a train park and another local community park while we were there. And since Dallin didn't have any free time, it was basically me carting my 3 kids around in the stroller at all these places. It was a little exhausting but well worth the effort. We had a ball at all of these places and we especially loved the 65+ degree, sunny weather there. The only downside of the trip was coming home to a snow covered & windy Reno!

While at my brother's house, we were introduced to the wonderful world of WII. Dallin and I cracked ourselves up playing tennis, bowling and boxing. Who knew I had a deadly "uppercut" that could knock down any defendant??!!! Well, not ANY defendant, just one. But I had fun anyway and have proclaimed myself the boxing champion of the universe after playing just 3 rounds!



Jacob enjoying some one on one time with Grandma and Grandpa D

Who knew it would take 2 grown men with medical degrees to put together one child's toy? :)

Jacob and Aubrey by Dumbo's stomping grounds

Evan taking in all the sights from his stroller

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Visits from Grandma and Grandpa DeMordaunt

We had Grandma and Grandpa D come and visit for a few days this month. Like all good grandparents, they came baring gifts! My kids had so much fun dressing up in all the fun accessories Grandma picked out for them. It was so great to have them here in our home.

 

 

 

We spent most of the time relaxing here at home with an occasional outing during the day. One of the more memorable parts of their trip was when Grandpa D and Dallin decided they would put up a shelf in our guest bathroom downstairs. I had put it together and just needed them to hang it up on the wall. Well, after several trips to Home Depot, more than an hour in the bathroom, and one REALLY BIG hole in the wall, the shelf went up -- crooked. I (lovingly, of course) pointed out to Dallin that the shelf was crooked, and he (lovingly, of course) pointed out that it would have to stay that way. I won't even get into details about how long it took Grandpa D and Dallin to put together my son's toy car garage/ramp. :)

And on an entirely different note, yesterday, after changing a very dirty diaper early in the morning, I went outside to dump it in the trash and saw my first coyote just 2 houses down about to cross the street! We've heard them howling at night before, but I hadn't actually seen one in person until now. I've seen them on the discovery channel and to be honest, they looked kind of cute. But in real life, not so. They have really long tails and it was much bigger than I expected.

I ran up the stairs and pulled open my bedroom blinds so that Dallin could see it. Of course, he couldn't. And I was all worried because there was a jogger heading in the coyote's direction and I wasn't sure what would happen when the two of them met. Much to my surprise, there were no growling sounds or calls for help. I was expecting to hear the man screaming and was ready to dial 911. (Funny, I know -- but I was born and raised in a big city. and am not used to seeing coyotes on the street!)

Lastly, we've been reading these science books with Jacob that talk about animals and plants. And he's in the "Why-questions" phase of life. Last night before tucking him into bed, my head was spinning trying to answer questions like: 'Why do frog's tails fall off?', 'Why do crocodiles have longer teeth than alligators?', and 'Do our knees have skeletons?' The last question was a particularly CONFUSING (but hilarious) conversation between he and I. I love the inquisitive mind of my 4-year old!

A New Year -- 2008

Yesterday, I got a phone call from the specialist I saw in Utah over the holidays. He said my biopsies had come back and that I for sure have PRP. They had examined 3 biopsies and he said they all showed that I have this particular skin disorder. He said that he has never seen anyone have such a mild case of it and wasn't sure why it was manifesting itself so lightly in me. Then he asked me how I'd been doing over the last week or so.

As of 2-3 days ago, I swear this thing is going away. Parts of it have gone away completely and the other parts of my body are improving QUICKLY. My fingertips are MUCH less sensitive (I can even open jars again and button clothing!), and I told the doctor I honestly thought my body was beginning to clear up. He then said, "Consider yourself a very lucky woman. Keep your fingers crossed." He said he had never really heard of a case like mine where the PRP was so mild and cleared up so quickly.

Even though my body still hasn't gotten rid of this completely and I'm not out of the woods yet, I am SOOOOO relieved and happy. A big thank you to everyone who has kept me in their prayers!!

On another happy note, we got a TON of snow last night and are due for some more today. As soon as the highway reopened this morning, Dallin went off to the slopes with some friends and the kids and I bundled up for some sledding. It was very windy last night, which created awesome snow drifts in our backyard. Anyway, Jacob thoroughly loved being in the snow. In fact, he had so much fun I'm wondering if we should try to get him in some ski lessons this year (along with his mommy who is in DESPERATE need of ski lessons). Aubrey didn't like being shoulder deep in snow and didn't like the wind blowing snow in her face -- and in general didn't like the experience much. She just kept screaming and saying "Ow-eeee, snow!" So we put her inside and let her watch instead.

Here are some cute pictures of the kids enjoying the white stuff: