This is just for the sake of Grandma. Noah showing off the hat and scarf she made him for Christmas...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Carrot towers
Ammon has not been eating his cooked carrots lately. He used to love them. So last time I made them I put all of their carrots into pyramids, and walla! Not that this is a really blog worthy story, but I thought it was funny all the same.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Here comes trouble
Our hour to hour battle the past few weeks has been trying to keep this kid off of the stairs. Once in awhile he catches us off guard. We don't notice until we hear an excited squeal as he gets close to the top and starts going faster and faster.
While Trav was gone this last time, he was so persistant, that I just gave up the fight. Once he's at the top, he goes into the bedrooms and plays or stands right there hollering when he wants to come down. So I have tried a few sessions of "practice going down the stairs backwards". So far he has not caught on. . .
He is also suddenly into EVERYTHING every second of every day. Sheesh. I was making lunch the other day and looked down to this sight.....
What a cutie--finding joy in life with every moment. You might also notice he got another haircut, done by myself this time (I hurried while Trav was in the garage--I was so afraid he would just take the clippers to him and butch him). I am not the barber of the family and he was a squirmy wormy, so I was impressed with myself, despite all of the pieces driving me crazy when I look very closely.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Lost Child
So I do need to tell about how I lost a sleeping child. We had been the in the Chicago airport for at least 6 hours and Kaden finally fell asleep on the bench and so did Ammon. Trav and I were taking turns strolling through the airport with Micah and trying to get him to sleep again. I had just gotten back, and Trav took Noah to the bathroom. How hard can it be for me? Micah was fussy, but the other 2 were sleeping so I rocked Micah and started reading something on the monitor above me. A few minutes later, this Chinese couple sat down across from me, and I stared at them. I could have sworn that's where Kaden was sleeping. Ammon was still where I remembered and I looked around really quick and asked the couple if they sat on a little boy. Yes, they thought I was weird. Then I started looking a little more frantically and groping in my pockets for my phone so I could call Trav and see if he took Kaden without my knowing. A lady came over as I was dialing and said she heard me asking about a little boy. I think she saw him wander off, maybe when Trav left with Noah, kind of following him in his sleep? She pointed and I saw another lady holding Kaden's hand and walking with him. She saw him wandering and obviously lost and was taking him to one of the check in gates and there was a security person about to page for the parents of a "Kaden Thomas". He does know his last name, but maybe he forgot in his stupor. So the lady who first helped me stood with the other 2 while I ran and got Kaden. How scary is that? And all before Travis got back from the bathroom and knew anything had transpired. . .
Long stories for any bored people out there. . .
So really, I am not usually a big griper or complainer (at least I don't think so), but I just filed a kind of really negative comment with United Airlines, and I am feeling guilty about it, so maybe blogging my guilt can erase it. I haven't even told our airline story on here, I guess. It wasn't like we had the worst possible experience. But I have only flown before with Southwest and Delta (with children, at least), and wasn't really expecting a non-family friendly flight. Southwest preboards families with small children, is happy to let you take your carseat for a lapchild if there are any extra seats, and is generally just much more helpful. Maybe the fact the Southwest doesn't assign seats helps with this. No one has to read this, but in the interest of documenting our trip, I'll give a little play by play.
Flight #1: Norfolk, VA to Washington D.C.
Travis waited for 20-30 minutes at the check in desk trying to get someone to just help him get our seats all together. We actually had to do this with 4 out of 5 flights. The lady at the desk flying out of Boise was wonderful. She saw us, asked if we were the Passey's, and was way ahead of us and had already changed our seats. All of the remaining people were not very helpful and did it grudgingly. Is it not truly in everyone's best interest to seat small children next to their parents? Seriously. Should I just hand a few snacks and toys to some unexpecting stranger, thank them, and enjoy my flight from 10 rows up? We also asked if we could take the carseat on board if there was an extra seat. They had waited so long to even pay attention to us that they were very rushed and already starting to board and just said "no, we don't do that". Okay, so as we are on our descent into the DC airport, Ammon started moaning and complaining next to me. I had already started feeling pretty queasy, looked in front of both of us and didn't find any bags, and had asked Trav behind me if he had one. He couldn't find one. But my stomach somewhat settled, and I couldn't tell if Ammon was just tired or what. But I was nervous. Once it seemed he gagged a little. The stewardess was right in front of us and I asked her if she maybe had a bag because he wasn't feeling well, and she just said "they are right in front of you". So, I guess I couldn't have been more persistent, but I wasn't sure and by then the wheels had touched down and we were starting to taxi. But low and behold, right then, he started to retch. The first thing I hear from the stewardess is "oh, not on the floor!" Personally, I was doing my best to avoid his clothes and the seat and get it all on the floor. Not that I did a good job. It was all over him.
Flight #2: DC to Denver. I think this flight was full so we couldn't take the carseat. Understandable. Same story with the seat not being together but it got solved. The kids at least really did great and it couldn't have gone better besides flight crew being nicer. However, all they give you is a drink--otherwise you may purchase a snack box for $6 or one tinsy weensy snack item for $3. Wow. This is after having to pay for ANY checked bag. Oh, and again Ammon threw up after the wheels touched the ground. This time we (meaning Travis) was ready and it was all in the bag. I snagged the bag in front of me just in case one would not be available next time. Poor little Ammon was looking a little pale.
Flight #3: Denver to Boise. Same basic story, except there were plenty of extra seats, and the gentleman at the desk said we couldn't take the carseat for some reason, like they couldn't ask a person at a window seat to trade for another seat (not even another window seat, I guess). So there we sat with a tired little guy who would have fallen asleep and had a great nap in the carseat, but instead passed out for a very small catnap in Trav's arms. No pre-boarding, so we are always the hold up. On the descent I was ready with the bag, sitting by Ammon. He became very hostile towards the bag, smacking it away and yelling at me. I tried to still stay close, but luckily this time he didn't throw up.
Flight #4: Boise to Chicago. Lady at the desk very helpful, Flight completely full so we can't take the carseat. Fine. Long flight, and then as we start our descent into Chicago, we have to hold for about 45 minutes before landing. At this point I was grateful we were supposed to have a 4 hour layover in Chicago so we wouldn't be rushed. And the crew was walking around to people who would be rushed, telling them how to get to their next gate. So this was a good experience.
Chicago Airport: We waited our remaining 3 hours, and the flight started to be delayed, from 4:05 to 4:50, to 5:40, to 7:00, 7:30, and finally 8:05. We moved around to 3 different gates, had to buy a very expensive couple of sandwiches and bananas for dinner, and were ready to finally board. Off walks a pilot and crew, with one lady yelling at them to come back. Another traveler wen to find the check in lady (she was hiding!, but trying to furiously make some calls, at least--I wasn't made at her, just felt kind of bad for her) and said "please tell me that is not our crew". She nodded and kept dialing and finally came out and announced that we had no replacement crew and the flight was cancelled and there would be no more out that night. Noah was reading the screen which was saying it was time to board. He saw when it changed to "Cancelled" and burst into tears, saying "I just want to go home!" It was very sad, I have to say. By this time Kaden and Ammon had long ago passed out. (This didn't keep me from losing Kaden, more on that story in the next post).
So we ended up staying in a hotel that we had to pay for! Granted we got a discount, and there was shuttle going to and from the airport which was great, but this is still $70 we had not planned on spending, not to mention a very expensive dinner and breakfast and snack for the next day.
Final Flight: Chicago to Denver. Check in lady very unhelpful and rude. But they switched out while we were waiting the the second lady was more helpful. She had to make a lot of calls and it took a long time to work out, though. There has to be an easier way--they know in the beginning the ages of your kids and that you are traveling together, so I don't understand how it gets so jumbled up. They don't let us bring the carseat, and this time I have no idea why. They just don't want to deal with it, I guess. We boarded the plane and had to waited an hour and a half for the maintenance people to get there and do some engine checks and sign off, which was joyful, but after that, there was a very kind stewardess who talked to our kiddos and was really good and helpful. She and the other stewardess brought back any extra snacks from the snakpaks, even and asked if our kids would want them. She can never know how much of a difference she makes!
At any rate, I turned that into the longest story ever, and we were oh so glad to land at the Norfolk airport, find our van and drive to our house. We are glad to be home, although it kind of seems we never left Mountain home. Kind of a weird feeling. Noah is having to start all over adjusting to school. Poor kid. That's the end of my complaining =)
Flight #1: Norfolk, VA to Washington D.C.
Travis waited for 20-30 minutes at the check in desk trying to get someone to just help him get our seats all together. We actually had to do this with 4 out of 5 flights. The lady at the desk flying out of Boise was wonderful. She saw us, asked if we were the Passey's, and was way ahead of us and had already changed our seats. All of the remaining people were not very helpful and did it grudgingly. Is it not truly in everyone's best interest to seat small children next to their parents? Seriously. Should I just hand a few snacks and toys to some unexpecting stranger, thank them, and enjoy my flight from 10 rows up? We also asked if we could take the carseat on board if there was an extra seat. They had waited so long to even pay attention to us that they were very rushed and already starting to board and just said "no, we don't do that". Okay, so as we are on our descent into the DC airport, Ammon started moaning and complaining next to me. I had already started feeling pretty queasy, looked in front of both of us and didn't find any bags, and had asked Trav behind me if he had one. He couldn't find one. But my stomach somewhat settled, and I couldn't tell if Ammon was just tired or what. But I was nervous. Once it seemed he gagged a little. The stewardess was right in front of us and I asked her if she maybe had a bag because he wasn't feeling well, and she just said "they are right in front of you". So, I guess I couldn't have been more persistent, but I wasn't sure and by then the wheels had touched down and we were starting to taxi. But low and behold, right then, he started to retch. The first thing I hear from the stewardess is "oh, not on the floor!" Personally, I was doing my best to avoid his clothes and the seat and get it all on the floor. Not that I did a good job. It was all over him.
Flight #2: DC to Denver. I think this flight was full so we couldn't take the carseat. Understandable. Same story with the seat not being together but it got solved. The kids at least really did great and it couldn't have gone better besides flight crew being nicer. However, all they give you is a drink--otherwise you may purchase a snack box for $6 or one tinsy weensy snack item for $3. Wow. This is after having to pay for ANY checked bag. Oh, and again Ammon threw up after the wheels touched the ground. This time we (meaning Travis) was ready and it was all in the bag. I snagged the bag in front of me just in case one would not be available next time. Poor little Ammon was looking a little pale.
Flight #3: Denver to Boise. Same basic story, except there were plenty of extra seats, and the gentleman at the desk said we couldn't take the carseat for some reason, like they couldn't ask a person at a window seat to trade for another seat (not even another window seat, I guess). So there we sat with a tired little guy who would have fallen asleep and had a great nap in the carseat, but instead passed out for a very small catnap in Trav's arms. No pre-boarding, so we are always the hold up. On the descent I was ready with the bag, sitting by Ammon. He became very hostile towards the bag, smacking it away and yelling at me. I tried to still stay close, but luckily this time he didn't throw up.
Flight #4: Boise to Chicago. Lady at the desk very helpful, Flight completely full so we can't take the carseat. Fine. Long flight, and then as we start our descent into Chicago, we have to hold for about 45 minutes before landing. At this point I was grateful we were supposed to have a 4 hour layover in Chicago so we wouldn't be rushed. And the crew was walking around to people who would be rushed, telling them how to get to their next gate. So this was a good experience.
Chicago Airport: We waited our remaining 3 hours, and the flight started to be delayed, from 4:05 to 4:50, to 5:40, to 7:00, 7:30, and finally 8:05. We moved around to 3 different gates, had to buy a very expensive couple of sandwiches and bananas for dinner, and were ready to finally board. Off walks a pilot and crew, with one lady yelling at them to come back. Another traveler wen to find the check in lady (she was hiding!, but trying to furiously make some calls, at least--I wasn't made at her, just felt kind of bad for her) and said "please tell me that is not our crew". She nodded and kept dialing and finally came out and announced that we had no replacement crew and the flight was cancelled and there would be no more out that night. Noah was reading the screen which was saying it was time to board. He saw when it changed to "Cancelled" and burst into tears, saying "I just want to go home!" It was very sad, I have to say. By this time Kaden and Ammon had long ago passed out. (This didn't keep me from losing Kaden, more on that story in the next post).
So we ended up staying in a hotel that we had to pay for! Granted we got a discount, and there was shuttle going to and from the airport which was great, but this is still $70 we had not planned on spending, not to mention a very expensive dinner and breakfast and snack for the next day.
Final Flight: Chicago to Denver. Check in lady very unhelpful and rude. But they switched out while we were waiting the the second lady was more helpful. She had to make a lot of calls and it took a long time to work out, though. There has to be an easier way--they know in the beginning the ages of your kids and that you are traveling together, so I don't understand how it gets so jumbled up. They don't let us bring the carseat, and this time I have no idea why. They just don't want to deal with it, I guess. We boarded the plane and had to waited an hour and a half for the maintenance people to get there and do some engine checks and sign off, which was joyful, but after that, there was a very kind stewardess who talked to our kiddos and was really good and helpful. She and the other stewardess brought back any extra snacks from the snakpaks, even and asked if our kids would want them. She can never know how much of a difference she makes!
At any rate, I turned that into the longest story ever, and we were oh so glad to land at the Norfolk airport, find our van and drive to our house. We are glad to be home, although it kind of seems we never left Mountain home. Kind of a weird feeling. Noah is having to start all over adjusting to school. Poor kid. That's the end of my complaining =)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
More pictures and nonpictured moments.
I was lucky enough (I say lucky because not everyone gets to lay their eyes on this little guy yet) to spend a little time with my nephew Braden. Born at 3 lbs, you can see he's not hurting for nourishment. What a cutie! Good job Miss and John.
Here are our Zaugg friends who give of their beds and mode of transportation and anything else they can make us accept. They make me want to be a better person. 
So I missed taking pictures of all of the fun snow and cold weather. And fun times visiting with all of my good friends. My friends Lora and Val and I got together with our families at the church to play volleyball while our kids played together and we got to go to lunch one day just the 3 of us, and took the kids sledding. I am so sad that I didn't get pictures of that because my kiddos had SO much fun. By then all my cameras were either not with me or frozen and batteries dead. . . 
I think Noah made it through the entire pile of books. Sheesh. Kaden turns the big 5, and more Idaho scenes
Poor Kaden must have a birthday in the middle of much chamotion. It could have easily gotten lost in the middle of weddings and traveling. Honestly I was going to fib a little so that he thought it was his bday when we got to Sugar City, instead of the day after the wedding. But somehow he KNEW and asked me about it. So he got to decorate his own castle cake (made of ice cream--super fast and easy) at the Olson's house and have a birthday pizza dinner.
We didn't have much to decorate with, so orange peels it is!
It was so fun to spend time with old friends. It felt like we had never left Mountain Home for awhile. Which also made it a little strange to come back to Virginia. We are so glad to be home and started getting routines going and get life going in general, but it's also a little sadder this time. . .
When we got to Sugar City the next night, of course Grandma and Grandpa were ready and set up for the second birthday celebration. A Very blue dragon made of 95% frosting. Kaden was a big fan, not to our surprise.
I can't believe this little boy of mine could be 5 years old! He is such a great addition to our family. Full of energy and fun, always ready to tease, and always knowing where to find people's toy rooms. Happy Birthday Kaden (a little late)!Sheri's Idaho Wedding
What a mixed up mess of pictures. But really I don't have time to sort it all out, so if it's just too confusing for anyone--sorry. We are finally back from our big Idaho vacation. Thanks to Sheri for making us go back so soon and see so many people we love and miss. It was so much fun, and we were running like crazy the whole time trying to make the best use of the little time we had. Our wonderful friends, the Zaugg's let us and the rest of our family use their house (and their Van!) and saved us so much time and money and made it so we could see so much more of people. We are ever so grateful for their hospitality and charitable hearts.
Let's see our plane ride there really could not have gone any better. I decided for sure that flying with 4 kids and a husband to help is much easier than flying by yourself with 2 children (young children at least--I guess the 2 oldest would be much much easier). Poor Ammon threw up his first 2 flights on the descent, but seemed to get the hang of it after that (he gained a bit of hostility toward those nice bags, though). I tried to picture going through security by myself with all 4 kids, and I just don't think I could do it. And here my friend Melanie did it with her 5!
We finally got to meet the newest member to be
of the family, Paul. We are so excited that he and Sheri found each other! These pictures are completely mixed up. Alan was the only brother that couldn't make it (due to grotesque weather conditions). This picture would be much cooler with him there, but it is still fun.
More reception pics of my beautiful sister-in-law
Here is Travis with little Matthew. We were the only sibling who brought their kids, besides the wee babes. Matthew was born 6 days after Micah, and then 6 days later April was born (shown later).
Sheri
Sheri and Paul just after the wedding at the luncheon.
Here are a couple of random luncheon pictures.
I am so grateful to my niece, Sarah. She single handedly took on 3 wee babes and the rest of my kids so that we could all be the the sealing room. We love her!
My sister-in-law, Sarah, and little April. Jared and Sarah had 5 boys before this little girl came along. I think they like to dress her up. . .
This may have been the only thing that went wrong. . . That what happens when you pack in a hurry, I guess. And no one would have noticed if I didn't go around telling everyone. . .
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