Pay it forward!

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift!

New Years at the Cabin!

Chad's parents cabin still had a lot of snow by the time we got up there. Grandpa and the kids decided to make a sled so they could sled down the hill behind the cabin. I'm not to sure that it ever really worked that well, but the kids still had a lot of fun with it.
The kids swinging.

Cole an Carli getting ready for their first time ever sledding.

Brynli loved sledding, as soon as they would reach the bottom she would say more!

Cole and Grandpa attempting to go down standing up!

Christmas 2008

It is always fun to watch Cole open presents, because he get so excited about everything that he gets.
Carli had asked Santa for a cupcake maker, a bike, and a jam and jam barbie car. Santa brought everything but the jam and jam car. Carli came out so excited to see her bike and her cupcake maker. After looking all around the Christmas tree and couches she sadly looked at us and said where is my barbie car. Cole proceeded to tell her that Santa doesn't always bring everything we ask for, and Carli looks at Chad and says maybe he left it outside. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen.

Brynli is constantly pushing our trash can around the house, so Santa thought that she would really enjoy a shopping cart. So do you think that she wants to push the shopping cart? Of course not, she climbs inside and yells for someone to come push her around the house! She does still enjoy pushing the trash can around the house though.

We had a nice quite Christmas with just our little family this year. We have enjoyed making our own family traditions. On Christmas eve we make a gingerbread house , have big daddys for dinner, look at Christmas lights, read the Christmas story, write letters for Santa, open new pajamas, leave a coke, twist and cookies for Santa, put stockings out and then the kids head for bed. Then I drink eggnog all by myself, because nobody else likes it. Christmas the kids have to wait till Chad has the video camera all set up and then they can come down the stairs to see what Santa has left for them. After we open presents we have twist and hot cocoa. Then I make enchiladas for Christmas dinner.

Our weekend getaway!

One of Chad's old mission companions invited us to go with them to see the lighting of the tree in Prescott the first weekend in December. We stayed at a cabin just outside of Flagstaff and then on Saturday we drove to Prescott to see the lights. We had a much needed relaxing weekend. The kids had tons of fun playing with friends all weekend. Thanks Sean and Lynsee for the fun weekend.

Taylor is Home!

The weekend of Dec 13 Taylor's Doctors decided to let her have weekends off. She was able to leave Saturday after her therapy and be back by 9:00 that night and then she could leave Sunday morning and have all day Sunday off, but she would have to be back that night by 9:00. The first weekend she had off we went to see the temple lights on Saturday night and then on Sunday she was able to come with our family to church. After church Taylor stayed at our house for a little while and read to Brynli, who is her absolute favorite, and watch a movie with Cole and Carli. It was nice to see her out of the hospital even if it was just for a short time. The Doctors told my mom that they would let Taylor leave the Hospital on Christmas day so we planned on having Taylor and the rest of my family here with us for Christmas. About one week before Christmas, Taylor's Christmas wish came true when they told her they were going to release her from the hospital on Christmas Eve. Taylor was so excited to be able to go home to Eagar. We were a little sad that they wouldn't be here with us, but we were way excited to see her go home. Taylor and Mom will come live with us after the new year, so Taylor can start her outpatient rehab. Taylor isn't to excited about starting rehab again, but she is thrilled about coming and staying with Brynli.

This is Emery, Carli, and Saydie with Taylor in her hospital room.
My kids loved going and playing Uno and Guess Who with their aunt Taylor.
This was the cutest! Brynli loved to go to the hospital and hangout with Taylor on her bed. Brynli was sharing her chips with Taylor even though she wasn't yet able to have solids yet. Taylor really enjoyed the salt off of the chips.

Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving was a little different this year being that we had it at the hospital, but it was nice that we were able to be with family. My mom was able to reserve one of the hospitals conference rooms for our Thanksgiving dinner, and thanks Shelley for getting us all the food! The kids were finally able to go back to see their aunt Taylor, and was Taylor ever excited to see them. She is not able to show any expressions on her face yet but as soon as the kids came in she started to wave at them. She was even more excited to see Brynli. Every time Taylor would look at Brynli she would start waving, and then she put her hand up and gave her a high five. It made our day and I think Taylor's too. Taylor also got her drainage tube removed from her head which allowed her to be moved out of the PICU yesterday. We were happy that moving meant she is making progress, but sad that we will no longer have Sarah as her nurse. Taylor still has a long road ahead but we have faith that the outcome will be a good one. Taylor will start her rehab on Monday and we can hardly wait to see the changes it will bring. Thank you to all who have been praying for Taylor and our family!

Update on Taylor

Yesterday was a really good day for our family and Taylor. She was able to finally get her intubation tube removed. They also took her off of her sedation so she was actually able to open her eyes, and she waved at my dad, Shad, and Sydney. Today when I went to see her she waved and shook my hand. When we asked her if she would wave to Chad she shook her head no, but she did give him a thumbs up! She made my Dad's day by doing their little wave that they do to each other. Way to go Taylor!