Happy Halloween

We had a fun Halloween. I'm pretty proud of the costumes I put together for the girls. They looked pretty darn cute (if I do say so myself).

Chloe was obsessed with her cousin's hard-hat.

We got to go see cute little Mary in her Witch costume.

Mary and Maggie are best friends, they are so cute together.

Sharing candy at the end of the night.

'I can Fwy!'

Celebrity Endorsement

Anyone who lives in Utah (or many places in the U.S. and Canada) knows the amazing story of Stephanie Nielson, aka Nienie. Her blog is read by hundreds (if not thousands) and she is absolutely brilliant and beautiful, inside and out.

I think it's pretty cool that she lives right here in little ol' Provo. I read her blog all the time and she truly inspires me.

I am thrilled that she has put the information about the run for Leo and Amy on her blog. The race is going to be so great, and I am honored to be involved in such an amazing event.

Check it out.... http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Princess and the Pea

A pea up her nose that is. Chloe is such a little stinker. She is obsessed with sticking things up her nose. I've gotten really good at retrieving most things....a series of plugging one nostril and making her mad enough to snort it out, covering one nostril and puffing air into her mouth, or just pinning her down and getting the old tweezers. Last week none of my tricks worked. She had shoved 2 peas up and was attempting a third when I caught her. I was able to get one out, but the second one was so far up in her sinus that I could barely see it with my flashlight.

I first turned to my good friend 'Google' and I was told that she needed medical attention. I called the E.R. and yes, I needed to bring her in....oh great. Apparently there is a risk of it going into her lungs and aspirating....definitely didn't want that.

Of course it was on a day when Dave teaches a night class, so again I packed the girls in the stroller and off we went to the E.R.

It was horrible! The E.R. was crowded and my girls were tired and cranky. I had left a note on our door for Dave to hurry over as soon as he got home. It was 7pm and he got there at 8:30...longest hour and a half of my life.

Dave took Maggie home which saved my sanity and Chloe and I continued to wait for the Doctor. By this time I couldn't see the pea anymore and I thought there was a good chance that she either snorted it out when I wasn't watching or it made it's way down her throat. I told the nurse that I thought it was gone, but she still wanted me to see the Doctor.

Finally at 9:30 we were taken back. The Doctor came in a looked up her nose (which Chloe thought was absolutely the end of her world, oh man she screamed!). He of course couldn't see anything so we were sent home about 3 minutes later.

Another stupid trip to the E.R. I have never been to the E.R. in my life and now twice in one month over weird things that my kids do. I guess I should be grateful that both of trips have been totally fine in the end.

Fast-forward to today....

Chloe was doing her funny little snort that indicates that she has something in her nose. I press on her nostril and pin her down so it makes her mad enough to snort at me and out pops a shriveled up pea. I guess it was just hiding up there somewhere all week. Sick, I know....

I'm not sure what to do with my little snorter. I watch her pretty carefully now when she is eating, but she tries to stuff anything she can up her nose....I don't know why she thinks it's so fun. One thing I've learned is that I'm not taking her back to the E.R. for it, things will work themselves out....and no more peas (or nostril sized food) for Coco.

So Proud of Myself

My Brother-in-law is the CEO of Kodiak Mountain Stone. We are always excited when we get new shirts (these latest ones are my favourite). He sent 2 for Dave and I, and 2 for the girls. Unfortunately the 'Child's Small' was huge for my 1 and 2 year olds, I don't think they would have fit for a quite a few years.

I'm not much of a seamstress, but I wanted to see if there was a way to make the shirts fit my girls. I looked on-line and I found a way.

Here is the before and after. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Mags rockin' her new KMS shirt

For all your stone needs visit www.kodiakmountain.com

5K For An Amazing Family

The Teemants are absolutely wonderful. Amy is one of my best friends here in Provo, and it breaks my heart that they are having to go through this trial in their lives right now.

This is Their Story:

In August of this year, Leo Teemant had a lot to celebrate. He and his wife, Amy, had just welcomed a new baby to their family of four, and Leo, having returned to school after working for several years, had graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in economics and mathematics from Brigham Young University. Life seemed full of possibilities. Amidst all those possibilities, news of cancer was like lightning from a blue sky. Just one week after graduation and while searching for employment, Leo received a diagnosis of stage IV melanoma, a cancer known for its resistance to treatment. The average life expectancy with this diagnosis is nine months.

This is not the Teemants’ first brush with cancer. Just after Leo and Amy became engaged in 2002, Leo was diagnosed with stage III melanoma. Treatment was successful, and Leo made a full recovery. Now, with a more threatening diagnosis and so much to live for, Leo will need all the help he can get. The diagnosis and treatments are impeding Leo’s job search so that leaves them with a costly and inadequate insurance situation. Leo qualifies for several treatments and is currently doing chemotherapy. He is also pursuing options still in the clinical trial stage.

The Teemants don’t have to struggle alone. You can help. Proceeds from the Five to Fight Cancer 5K on November 13 will go to support their battle against cancer. We hope you will consider registering for the race, or sponsoring someone else who will participate. Donations are greatly appreciated. On behalf of Leo, Amy, and their family... thank you.

*************

I know that almost everyone that reads my blog are friends and family in Canada, but if you have any Utah connections, please pass this information on. The 5K is going to be a fun event and we really want to get the word out.

Please visit the website at www.fivetofightcancer.com

Graduation

August 2010 - Dave and Leo Graduated on the same day.

Photo Shoot

My friend Kylie from Secondstar Photography took some really cute pictures of the girls this morning. She is going to do some touch ups on them, but I am too excited wait. Here are a few of my favourites.

The Grotto

I had a couple of friends tell me about a fun little hike for kids up Payson Canyon and I wanted to take the girls. Yesterday was such a gorgeous day, so we packed a lunch and went on a little Sunday afternoon drive and hike. We had a wonderful time and the girls loved it.

I told Maggie to 'smile', so she showed me the sign for smile.

'wook at dis wock'

The girls and I at the start of the trail.

I packed Chloe so Dave could do some geo-caching and chase Maggie.

Happy Hikers.

It was a beautiful day for a hike. Our Trail was covered in all different coloured leaves.

Maggie wanted to sit on every log and climb up every rock.

Self portrait of Chloe and I.

Like I said...climbing every rock.

My Cute little Hiker.

Playing drums on the log.

The trail...it was so pretty.

My attempt at a self portrait of the 3 of us, didn't work so well.

There were lots of fun bridges to cross. Maggie was a little nervous, but did pretty good.

Someone had flattened the top of this log to make a bench....Maggie was very impressed.

Me and the girlies.

We made it to the falls and grotto.

(I'm really not that much taller than Dave)

Playing in the Water. It was FREEZING, but Maggie and Chloe didn't mind at all.

Chloe especially loved all the rocks and dirt she could put in her mouth.

This girl LOVES water!

We had a great time. We will definitely be going there again.