Anniversary of sorts

Two years ago today, Westy was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and spent over a week at Phoenix Children's Hospital's PICU. He was five weeks old and was really fighting RSV. Our eight days at PCH felt like a year. Such an emotional week but we were surrounded by supportive family and friends and the best angel nurses and doctors around.

It took me a good year to get myself together to do a thank you for the amazing Fire Department and ambulance services that took us to the hospital. They were so wonderful. One year ago today Westy and I took breakfast to the Fire Department as our way of saying thanks.

This year to celebrate, Westy got RSV again. Seriously, he has RSV. Someone has taken my fun little boy and replaced him with this demon. He is two now so we are pretty confident we won't be making any hospital trips but I am watching him like a hawk. Neither Ryan or I have slept the last 3 nights. Neither has Westy for that matter.

Westy catching up on some ZZZ's.

Neeley's Poem

My Tooth

My tooth wiggled

and jiggled.

It wiggled like a

flippy, floppy worm

and then it came out!

Written by Neeley

February 23, 2011

Kyle Boy

Kyle is my youngest brother. I am a full 16 1/2 years older than he is so my experience watching him grow up has been a bit different than with the other siblings. I left for BYU when he was only a year and a half old. We have been lucky enough to move only 5 1/2 hours away from him so we do get to visit a bunch and he comes out here to visit too.

My kids ADORE Kyle. When Neeley was only about 18 months old, she wouldn't go to anyone but Kyle. She wouldn't even go to me! Her exact words, "Kyle, SIT!"

Westy has also followed suit. While planning our last trip to to visit, Westy incessantly talked about Kyle. Kyle this and Kyle that. I would say that Kyle is even more popular than Ryan and that is saying quite a bit.

I can't imagine why the kids love him...

Chasing balls

Playing in the backyard

Dancing with the Wii

He really showed us some moves.

Kyle, we love and adore you!

Busy

February again proves to be another busy month! We have been traveling, cooking, sewing, celebrating birthdays and Valentine's day among all the other busy things in life. Here's a snapshot of the last week or two in pictures.

I made these cute swim coverups out of the cheapest Target towels. SO easy and I can't wait to make some more and one for me too! The girls immediately put it on, took out their hair, and have been playing Hawaiian girls.

Our extended family does a meal exchange. This time hasn't been my finest showing, but it is always a sense of accomplishment when all nine meals are lined up in a row. This time everybody is getting all the stuff for Italian Meatball Subs. Like I said, not my finest showing, but actually one of our favorites.

Neeley's birthday!! We had such a fun birthday filled with cute aprons, chef hats, homemade pizzas and cookies. Fun.

This picture is for Grandma Sherri and Grandpa Tom. Neeley LOVES her American Girl doll dress. This picture certainly isn't her cutest, but you must understand how long she played with her doll. She has loved dressing up just like Julie. Thank you!!!

Happy Valentine's day Ryan!! Burned S'mores brownies, meatloaf, and asleep by 8:30. Sigh, again, not my best showing. Noticing a trend this month?

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Ryan here. I have to document this for my posterity. We all have a job in the family we dislike beyond measure. This one would be mine - snaking the drains. There's that moment that the water will not drain and I know why...the glob monster has grown slowly in my drain and has overtaken all. Well, never fear family, Dad to the rescue! This is what I pulled out! And this was one of three drains snaked.

I don't even want to know what's in there. I will say hair ribbons are the #1 find.

Happy Birthday Neener!!

Happy 6th Birthday Neeley! For weeks, no months, she has been asking me how many sleeps until her birthday. The much anticipated day is finally here!

Neeley is a bright little spark in our family. Her personality shone thru the minute she was born. When she was just two years old, she would go outside to play with the neighbors who were at least three or four year older than her. We could always tell where she was because she was SO loud and loved bossing all the bigger kids around. She is always happy, ready to play, eager to please, and adores her friends. She is becoming a GREAT reader and loves Ms. Willis intensely.

Sometimes at dinner we pull out our Table Topics game. Last night, one of the questions was "if you could live with another family for a year, who would you live with?" With absolutely no hesitation at all, she informed us that she would live with the Worthens because they bring good snacks to church. Oh Neeley, heaven help us all.

We love our Neeners! Happy Birthday!

Cheesecake in a JAR??

I can't take full credit for this idea. Actually, I take no credit at all. I copied it from a friend's blog and she copied it from Martha Stewart. Either way, they turned out SO cute and very fun to eat!