OH--THEIR IMAGINATIONS...

Austin wanted to dress his dinosaur today, because he was cold. I got out one of Andrew's onsies that is far too small for him already and proceeded to dress the dilpysaurus (or maybe dilphysaurus), well anyway... That wasn't enough, he had to have shoes, so Austin got into the drawers in the kitchen and the found small bowl coverings for fruit and vegetables. Quite inventive if you ask me.



If that wasn't enough, Ashlynne had to have a turn, so we dressed her monkey in one of Austin's too small soccer shirts and obviously the monkey's feet are a bit big for any one's socks, including Keith's. So imagination came through again, and Ashlynne went in and got some preemie diapers and that was used for his shoes.

Oh, but wait, there's more--We also went surfing and snow skiing, all in our living room. The slats are too small for the kids bunk beds and continue to fall off, so Austin thought they could be put to better use. I'll bet you never thought of a day trip of surfing and skiing to the Bauer's living room, now, did you?


!

This little guy just sat around and enjoyed the jungle, mountains, and ocean from his car seat

DRAPER TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

Draper Temple

We finally got a night out without children. Mom, Genette, Keith and I went to the Draper Temple Opne house. It was very nice. The Draper Temple reminds me of a modern version of Idaho Falls. The colors are in Tans, Blues,& Greens. Very Earthtoned. I thought the Celestial Room was very small, but it was very nice and quiet, except for Mom and Gennette were a little over the edge that night. I've really got to settle those two down a bit. It was just nice to get away and not have to be home by 8:30 to watch the children. Not that we don't love them--but sometimes they send us into toddler overload.

LONG OVERDUE--GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Years ago before I was married--I actually had friends. Just kidding. Single friends. We were all in the same ward, lived in the same apartment complex, did a lot of things together. And were all around the same age, same interests, etc.
Then it happened--One of us got married, then another, and again another.
We try to get together at least once a year, Last year two of us lost a parent so the only time we saw each other was at Cory's mother's funeral in July and my dad's funeral in August. These wonderful women made two separate trips in a 6 week period to Idaho for funerals to support us. They are extremely spiritual, supportive, hilarious, fun to be around, you name it, they are that. These women ROCK!!!
Joyce explaining a funny story with her hands!

Joyce and Robin had us over to their house, we had our absolute favorite dinner;
"CHICKEN TONKATSU" and STEAMED RICE. The yummiest food you will ever eat. We eat and eat and eat more, until we get sick. Then eat some more. Then we have hot fudge sundaes with Joyce's homemade hot fudge
Joyce making TONKATSU--OUR FAVORITE MEAL

Joyce making Tonkatsu and Steamed RIce for dinner

We sometimes go and sit and laugh, somtimes we cry, somtimes we laugh til we cry. Unfortunately, Joyce's father is dying from cancer and has just been put on hospice. So tonight was one of those night's where we sat and cried.

Cherri listening

Cory hanging out on the floor

After we had had our cry fest one of their friends came over and gave an impromtu concert and brought us peppermint ice cream and we had hot fudge sundaes. Yummy!!!


Playing "Things" with the girls.
Cory with Robin behind goofing with head
Cherri deciding an answer to her question

We generally go and play cards: Contract Rummy or Pinochle, or we always play a new game. No cards on Friday night, it was a game called "Things." We were so tired, everything was funny and Cherri won hand's down. No one was even close to her in points. Way to go Cherri.



This just shows some of the fun we have when we get together. It was definitely overdue gathering and we shouldn't wait for another year. I love all of you!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I have a friend who once told me when she had her first grand child it wasn't at all like having children. It was more like being in love.Greater words have never been so profound. It is so, so, so true. Here, as well as my husband, are the loves of my life. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!!

HANDU'S HOME

Yep, Handu's home and he is as cute as ever. Kassie brought him here so we could watch him for a few hours before she took him home. She was seeing her ob/gyn when she got the call he could spring from the hospital. Not only taken home, but taken home without oxygen--whoohooo!
Here are a few pictures of him, post hospital.
Austin and Ashlynne wanted to know where he was because they think mommy threw him away.
Now she gets to take him home to show them that she didn't and that he gets to stay home with all of us now. (for some reason the pictures aren't showing up on the screen to arrange, so they are backwards on the posting, bottom pix is first then go up)





Pictures from bottom to top--1. 1st bath post hospital--real water deep in the sink.
2. a nice warm towel to wrap me up and keep me warm
3. Me and Mommy
4. Checking out everything around me--no wires, beepers, machines---yeah!
5. Me and Grammie

UPDATE ON HANDU AND ME!

Andrew has been sprung from PICU at Primary's. He will be going to a different floor as of tonight. He's doing much better on his Oxygen and breathing better on his own.
As for me--I spent 6 1/2 hours in the ER--yes me.
For the past two days I have had some pain in my calf and thigh. No big deal, except when I took the dog out the a.m. in my nightgown and had to chase her down barefooted, I was coming back into the house when my left leg gave way underneath me.
It didin't feel like anything I had ever had happen to my legs or knees before. And indeed it wasn't.
They ruled out a blood clot--thank goodness.
But I do have a torn hamstring. With some sciatica. The sciatica probably put me off balance enough that the hamstring went. How in the world that happened, I do not know.
I am flat in bed resting and taking drugs for the next two or three days.
So if your bored, you can call me and chat. I won't be doing much!
Wasn't it me that said, just last week, I couldn't wait for February!
I should have kept my big mouth shut.

FUN IN THE SUN!

Well, It's not Las Vegas in February at 70 degrees, but yesterday wasn't too bad for having lunch with Papa at the park across from his work on his lunch hour. The kids have cabin fever( and quite frankly, so do I!) and it was time to get out.
So here is a look at our nice hour out of the house.

UPDATE ON BABY HANDU

Keith and I had date night this evening. . . I know this never happens.

But don't get jealous just yet:

We went to the hospital to see baby Handu and then dined at famous PCMC Cafeteria.

Sounds absolutely scrumptious doesn't it?

He is doing well. He is stable. His Oxygen levels are up being on O2. When he first went in to ICU they put him on 40 ltrs. He is now at 30. Still no C-pap (I guess that's good news) His color is great. And he is so darned cute!!

SHE'S TOTALLY ADDICTED

This little girl is totally addicted to Mamma Mia (as she says: Mommy Mia)

She sings and dances to it ALL DAY LOOOONNNNNGGGGG!

I can't tell you how may times I have replayed it.

Don't get me wrong, I love this show, but 15 times a day is a little much.

Nana, watch Mommy Mia?" What could I say, she just so cute! Mom bought Kung Fu Panda last night and we watched it and as soon as it was over, it's "Nana, watch Mommy Mia 'gin?

Ashlynne's rendition of Super Trouper

This was the 10:00 showing, by the way. We were in our pj's--She done ABBA proud!!!

GOOD ADVICE FROM A FOUR YEAR OLD!

As you can see from below, I have a new hair stylist! He's the barber and knows it all (According to Austin 101)

I asked him what he was doing with and spraying on my hair (it was Downy Fabric Release) and he said point blank--no expression whatsoever, "Don't yell at the barber, he could really mess up your hair!!!" At least I know my hair won't be wrinkled.

UPDATE ON HANDU

Just a little note that Andrew is holding his own. He does have RSV,pneumonia, and a collapsed lung. Last night when I was at the hospital, the doctors talked about putting him on a C-pap, but as of this morning, they hadn't done it.
Ben and one of the High Priests from my our ward (Bro. Stevens) came up and administered a wonderful blessing upon him. However I do have to give Ben a little bit of a hard time on his particular wording.

I was listening very intently to what was said and sort of chuckled to myself when Ben said, "We bless you with the ability to walk out of this hospital." Now this could be taken two ways; either Andrew will be a very quick learner (remember he is only 6 wks old) or he will be in the hospital for some time and will be walking when he leaves.

But as a whole, the blessing was very comforting and helped all of us that are involved with this situation. But seriously, is was perfect. Kassie thought that by Ben giving Andrew the blessing she was going to have to commit to going back to church. Now wouldn't that be nice.

We are ready to have him home and his brother and sister are missing him. And Grammie and Nan need to hold him and love him.