Thanksgiving 2011

Life is always full of unexpected twists and turns. The older I get the more I know to plan on things going exactly as planned!

This year we had planned for months to go to Denver, CO with all of Ryan's family and visit his brother Zac, and his family and his sister Chalyse and her family and her new baby, Sebastian. We were so excited! However- last week Luka and Cannon both got croup really bad. There was one night Luka had a really hard time breathing. Then there was one night Cannon had a REALLY hard time breathing. To the point where the next morning I took him right in to his dr. They gave him steroids right away and it helped open is throat right away. He continually had a fever off and on and a hard time breathing for a few more days and a TERRIBLE cough. He would even throw up sometimes he coughed so hard. Luckily by Sunday night they were both feeling better though so we were a go to still leave early Wed. morning for Denver. THEN on Monday night Luka started saying his tummy hurt. At about 10 pm he started crying really hard. Ryan and I had him sit on the couch with us. Suddenly he sat up and screamed and then threw up everywhere (spaghetti, YUCK). It was so awful, and sad. Ryan put him in the tub while I had the lovely job of cleaning up and dry heaving while I did it. I tried to clean the leather couch (that I had just paid to have cleaned from Cannon throwing up all over it about 6 weeks ago). Poor Luka, he looked so pale and sad. He slept with me. He didn't throw up again that night- but at 6 am Savannah came into my room and said her tummy hurt- she then threw up.

All day Tuesday they both felt yucky. Savannah got better quickly but Luka had terrible diarrhea. So Ryan and I decided there was no way were driving to Denver and risking getting all of our family sick or risking driving for 9 hours and having other kids start throwing up in the car! We were all so sad. Cooper threatened to walk to Denver- he cried so hard. Savannah cried and was so mad. I felt so bad.

We tried to make the weekend fun, in between some sick tummies- mainly Luka continually being sick on and off.

Thursday was definitely an unusual but great Thanksgiving. Julie and I got up and went for a great run. We even made gobble noises for our turkey trot. I was so thankful to have her by my side. I love my sister and it is great to be with her. It was a beautiful morning and we caught the end of the sunrise- it was beautiful. Having grown up far away from relatives I liked spending Thanksgiving with just my immediate family. I felt it was special. I think it was an adjustment for Ryan. We took our family out to a fun dinner at Tucanos. The kids had a fun time. We ate A LOT. We had fun and I felt VERY THANKFUL for being with my own beautiful family. I also enjoyed seeing that the restaurant was packed with all kinds of different families too that were enjoying themselves. It was also very nice not to have to cook, shop or clean up!
The weather here was also amazing for this time of year. The kids played outside a lot. I took a lovely nap. We played games. We rented a ton of movies!

On Friday I went shopping with Julie. The crowds weren't bad at all. My great savings- 3 pairs of jeans that would regularly cost $420.00 for $80. That's right, and I bought them with birthday money my mom gave me- so they were actually free for me! Thanks mom:) I also did a ton of shopping on line with GREAT deals. I feel a little better about Christmas now. Savannah also helped me design our Christmas card and get that ordered. Ryan took the kids to the movie Hugo while I stayed home with Cannon. They all loved it and I loved being with my little guy!

On Sat. we decorated our house for Christmas. That was fun and crazy. Our tree is 16 feet tall so the kids LOVE climbing the ladder and putting on the ornaments. There were a few fights (that is normal right!) but mostly fun and excitement, and lots of "I remember this ornament, I remember this decoration, I love this one!" It made me glad for traditions and time with my family. Then we went to dinner at Apple Bees. The kids got free meal coupons there for getting straight A's last quarter and even got an extra one so Luka's meal was free too:) and aunt Julie came so that was extra fun!

Our weekend didn't turn out as planned but it was wonderful. I love being with my husband and kids. I love watching my kids be together and have fun together. I love counting my blessings and seeing how blessed I am. I am amazed at all I have. So much more than I deserve- it is so humbling. I am so Thankful!