Weekend Escape

Another fun weekend in Walker was had last weekend. We're headed up again this weekend. Highs of 65-75 degrees and rain! Ahhh, so nice. The excitement this weekend was Grandpa showed up with his new puppy. He's really cute, but I am glad he's not ours. I told my dad that must be what it's like to have grandkids...you love them, think they're adorable and are glad you don't have to take care of them! Ha!
So greatful to have this wonderful sanctuary away from the heat and hustle bustle of Phx.
My favorite memory from last weekend-Peter and Cole were napping and Sammie and I went and sat on the back porch of the cabin that overlooks a mountainside and she turned to me and said,"Mommy, isn't is beautiful?" Yes Sammie it is!!!

This is WHY we go up north!

Our handsome fellow.

He stirred the dog water with a stick for quite a while.
Cheap entertainment.

The newest member of the family...
Gpa's new puppy Jake. He is SO
snuggly and adorable.

He's jumpy and licky though so the kids weren't
so sure they loved him yet.

Hiking around.

This is a picture Sammie made for her cousins.

It's Maddie, Sammie and Vivian. So cute.

Vivian and Sammie

Maddie and Cole

Busy busy

For Cole's birthday, Peter's aunt gave him a pack of golden books. In the pack was a blank book! It had a little flyer on how to make your own book. Sammie decided right there that she would become an author. So I got a pad of paper and she told me story, that was really good! I wrote the words into the book and she's been working on the pictures. I am so proud!


It's that time for Cole...big boy undies! Tonight was the first fitting and it was maybe the cutest thing I've ever seen. He is still not too excited about sitting on the potty but that will come with time. For now he will get prebath underoo time. Wish us luck!

Cole's Birthday

We celebrated Cole's 2nd birthday Saturday with Peter's family. Grammie and Grandpa, Aunt Tracy and Uncle Greg came over and we played, opened presents, and had cake. The funniest part was that Cole was in denial that he was having a birthday. If you asked him if it was his birthay he'd say no and get a grumpy face. Then he refused to participate in the present opening until he saw Sammie opening boxes and realized it was fun. Then when we were singing happy birthday he got mad again but laughed it off and LOVED blowing out his candles. We had to relight them 3 times!
Can't believe it's been two years. It just keeps getting more fun and hilarious. He's talking more and more and his little personality is shining through. We love you so much Cole!


Make a wish...

Mickey cake, you'll notice the figurines are falling over-ha!

Little ham.

Getting the presents opened.

Helping Daddy put together his new car...which he LOVES!

Recovery

Well it's been a full week since Samantha had her tonsils/adnoids out. She did such a great job. She was nervous waiting to go into surgery but held herself together and was very brave. She kept on saying to me, "Mommy, I just didn't want to come here" while we were waiting. And it was a long wait. Her surgery was delayed TWO hours! She woke up from anestsia (sp?) very good. She was such a trooper in the hospital too. She took all her meds and let the nurses come in and check her every couple hours. I was very impressed.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Cardon Children's Hospital and our surgeon. They were so great, going out of their way to make her comfortable and happy. From coloring books, to a gift bag to flavoring her anestsia mask to wagon and car rides. I could not believe how nice the hospital was-she had a 42" TV in her room with EVERY channel and movie known to man!
We got to go home the next morning. The funniest part about this whole thing has been all of the funny things she says while doped up on hydrocodone. That stufff is no joke. It is so strong. But thank goodness there are such medicines that can help with pain.
We have just been laying around watching lots of movies and tv shows, playing games, coloring, making bracelets and eating LOTS of macaroni. I think we may have to have macaroni detox after all of this is said and done.
It's really tiring and emotional to see your baby in pain/discomfort. That's been the hardest part of all of this. We have never really experienced this and it's not that fun. I just want to wave a wand and make it better but that's just not how it works. Patience, prayer and lots of hugs and kisses are all we could really do.
Today she was feeling the best she's felt. Grammie and Grandpa came by for a visit and she was playing, eating and running around like her usual self. She even ran an errand with me in the afternoon! I guess we overdid it because at dinnertime she had a complete meltdown and ended up falling asleep on the couch at 6:00. She has NEVER fallen asleep on the couch before so I had to get a picture.
Here's hoping she bounces back to her happy self soon! Thanks for all of the love and support!

Grandpa's cabin

It's been WAY too hot here so we decided to pack up and head to Grandpa's cabin for the 4th. It was an up and down trip. Both kids had colds so they were a mix of joyful and cranky. We did enjoy our stay though. Bill and Millie, Joyce, Matt and Allison were up there with Maddy and Vivian so the kiddos got to play with their cousins. It cracked us up how much more adventurous Cole and Sammie are in the woods when they are around their cousins. Maddy can navigate her way through that forest too. It's impressive! We ended up not going to any fireworks because the kids weren't feeling that great and keeping them up late to see something we can see every year seemed a little silly.
Then, on the way home Cole got sick and tossed his cookies IN THE CAR. We had to pull over and "wash" Cole in the spicket on the side of the building of this convienient store. That was a long, stinky drive home. Magically, both kids were so much better once we got home. Sammie has slept til 7:30 both days since we've been home! Something was in that mountain air I think.