Ear Update:

Aubrey's ear continues to drain. We called the ENT yesterday and he called in some antibiotic drops we have to put in three times a day for the next week. She's being a real trooper and hopefully this will clear up soon. She has an appointment next week to make sure the perforation has closed up.

I'm All Ears!

One of our family defects (yes, we have a few) is chronic, nasty ear infections. However, for almost one year exactly, we have been ear infection-free and proud of it!

Today Aubrey started to complain of her left ear hurting. This was not alarming at all as all the kids have had colds and Kyle was complaining a few days ago of his ears hurting which resolved. However, she could not go to sleep for her nap because of the pain. So I rocked her and she slept a whole 30 minutes before being awakened in intense pain. So for the next few hours she just wanted to be held and rocked. And then, (trumpets blaring) her ear drained. At first it was "normal" ear fluid and it has now turned into blood which means her ear drum burst!! =0 =0 =0 My poor little girl. Oddly enough, ever since it started draining, she has felt much better. Now the question is.....do we take her to the doctor or not?

Extended Vacation Week #3

Now what happened to weeks #1 and #2 you might ask? Well, they didn't get written but no better time to start than now.

As you know we are on extended vacation right now and can I say that is has been nice having a live-in mother's helper (aka Sage, daddy, etc). I don't feel like a single mom which sometimes those long days and nights made me wonder. This is just one of the bonuses.

Another bonus is that we are able to spend some time with Sage's parents. Last time we can to visit (pre-vacation) we couldn't stay very long so we are taking some extra time. It is such a welcomed break and the kids love Grammy and Papa. It has been snowy and cool but it is such beautiful country here.

We also brought with us a little something of home. An oddly familiar yet peculiar smell......smoke. Not the gas station/casino variety but the outdoorsy sort of smell. Last week (Extended Vacation Week #2) we had a small problem with the woodstove downstairs which sent billows of smoke parading through our house into every possible crevice. I didn't realize that every article of clothing not washed since aforementioned incident, would reak of said smell. Although I love a good camping experience and especially roasting marshmallows to deserve such a stench, none of that occured. Just plain old stinky wood smoke. Guess I can't get away from my laundering duties but at least we should smell like we are not from the back country.....even though some may wonder.

Bad Ecomony Hits Home

Well, it looks like I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon yet again. Although to my credit, we don't have internet so it is a bit hard to keep it alive.

For those that don't know.....Sage is being laid off....technically last day is tomorrow. This also means all benefits, most importantly health insurance, are done, over, adios! This has been hard to process to try to grasp. I have been in so many offices this week filling out so many papers that I can't see straight anymore. Honestly, I never really thought I'd be in a situation where Sage would be unemployed...just never entered my mind....so I have had to learn alot and sign a lot of papers.

We knew that a lay off was a possibility starting in November but had become quite comfortable in the fact that they were doing all they could...aka reduced hours....to avoid it. So maybe that is why it has been so hard.

Sage has been very optimistic in spite of the news...keeps me going with his excitement for what lies ahead. He says he is glad he won't be bagging talc for the rest of his life.

For now we hold to our faith and our family to get us through. It is kind of exciting...in a scary sort of way...what our future holds. It also makes me appreciate the most important thing in my life and that is FAMILY. You can take the job but you can't take my family! =)

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Last night at our ward Christmas Party, the most favorite of all guests made his grand appearance. Kyle has been so excited to see him and kept asking me all week if we'd forgotten to go to dinner at the church. None of the kiddos were afraid which shocked me about the girls but it was a fun night!

Kyle telling Santa he wants a horse trailer and little horses to go with it.



Aubrey just listened intently.



And Olivia was just happy to be there!

You know Dasher and Kyle and Aubrey and Olivia

The newest reindeer!







The kids had parties in their dance for the girls and tumbling for Kyle. I just thought these were cute (albeit poor quality cellphone shots!).

And the littlest Mrs. Clauses!

Well, I made another attempt this year at getting the kids to all look at me (at the same time) for a Christmas picture. I thought for sure this year would be much easier than last since they are older. It still proved to be quite a challenge. I guess at least this year we didn't have Olivia falling off a chair.

Instead, she kept looking at Kyle.


Or they were super cheesy.


But I think this one will do! At least they are all looking forward and smiling!


And for memories sake.....here's last year.

Now you see her.



Now you don't.


And the one we chose for our Christmas cards:


Indeed, it can be said.....what a difference a year makes!