Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Cardiology Check up, Christmas Party, and the Magic of Christmas!

What a great early Christmas present , yesterday Colin had a wonderful check up from his cardiologist. Everything looks great, chest x-ray was clear, no change to meds (only on 1 baby aspirin a day), gained 4 pounds since surgery, pulse oxygen saturations at 100% (never has been that high, was down to 80% before surgery), and we don't have to go back for 6 months!!! Yeah! She also said that she was very pleased to hear his developmental evaluation went so well, she said that the doctor that evaluated Colin was bragging about how smart and full of life he was! Our cardiologist also cleared Colin to play tee ball this spring; he is so so so excited about that. He has been practicing hitting, catching, and throwing the ball for months now in hopes that he could play this spring! She noted how PINK he was and not blue around the mouth, nose, lips, and fingers. I told her one of the biggest changes is his love of eating now where before it was a struggle. Colin picked his treat for a great check-up – going to the hospital cafeteria for brownies! I finally NOW feel like we are past his surgery from this summer! We are truly blessed that he is doing so well.
 
This weekend was my company's annual Christmas party. Matt's parent had the kids for the night, they went and looked at Christmas lights and did some Christmas crafts while Matt and I had a very nice date night. The party was so much fun and we even made it to the after party club. I think we got home at 2:00am.. didn't even know that time still existed. Had to read my facebook posts to know what exactly went on.. new rule.. no Facebook when drinking.. though there was a cute shout out to Matt and how much I love him for taking me to Whataburger at 1:30am!  Lots of fun and good times and LOTS and LOTS of wine! Sunday was a pretty rough day but well worth it. In our hangoverness (yes it's a word) we wrapped presents, so if you get a present from us and it's not wrapped to the 9's.. sorry, best we could do recovering from a very fun party!

Other than that, we are just getting ready for Christmas and some much needed time off! I work half a day tomorrow then I am off until January 2nd! The kids have Christmas parties at school the next two days and Friday Katherine has half a day of school and it's Polar Express Day where she gets to wear her pj's. We are hosting Christmas at our house this year, so lots to get ready for that! OH AND MOST IMPORTANT, this Saturday we are baking TONS of cookies to take up to Texas Children's Hospital for those families spending the holidays in the hospital. Our elf has been up to some silly things so far this year! The kids love waking up to see what Herald got into,  I am sadden to think one year that they won't have all the "magic" of Santa and the elves... but we are trying to instill into them now the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of our saviour, helping others, family time, and the seasoning of giving in all sense.

Hope everyone who is reading has a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year!
Photo: We found Herald attempting to make the kids some toys for Christmas
Herald making the kids' toys
Photo: Someone got into the brownies, made a mess, and had a shot of milk ;)
Someone got into the brownies and had a shot of milk!
Roasting marshmallows by the fire with Rudolph

Sunday, December 8, 2013

A wonderful Thanksgiving break and a trip to the North Pole!


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. The kids were off school for the whole week and I only had to work on Monday. Poor Matt had to work until half day Wednesday. My parents were in town for the week. Monday they took all 3 grand kids to the Natural Science Museum, the kids had so much fun, they spent 6 hrs there! 

Tuesday we took the kids down to Moody Gardens and went to the Rainforest, Aquarium, and a real funny 4D Ice Age Movie. I think everyone favorite part was the butterfly exhibit. 


Thursday we spent Thanksgiving at my brother's house. We had a full house of family, good food, wonderful deserts, and lots of laughter. Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. 

Katherine wasn't into taking a serious picture with me, so this is what I had to settle for
Come on guys, act like you love each other
My beautiful girl
Katherine, Kannon, and Colin making a wish on the wishbone. They were all so serious.
Friday we went and got our beautiful and fat Christmas tree and decorated it. One of my favorite things about Christmas, decorating the tree. The kids loved putting on the ornaments, of Matt and I had to go behind them and move them up since they were all on the bottom of the tree. Sunday we put up all the Christmas lights outside. It was hard for everyone on Monday to go back to school and work. But the week flew by pretty fast. This weekend we took a trip and ended up at the North Pole.. and look who we ran into! Today we went and saw Frozen, such a cute movie, the kids loved it!