Wyatt's Tonsil surgery

About 2 months ago Wyatt ended up getting tonsilitis.  He was put on an antibiotic and went back 4 weeks later for his check up.  The Dr. said that his tonsils were still big but that we could just keep an eye on him for a while.  Well about a week ago he became a snoring fool.  He was snoring so loud we could hear him across the hallway in our room.  He had a hard time breathing.  Come to find out Logan said he has always snored, but not that loud.  Poor Logan probably hasn't been getting much sleep himself.  After calling and talking to the Dr. we decided it was probably best to have the tonsils taken out.  We pushed to get them done as soon as possible and lucky for us they set it up for the following week.  We pushed to have it done soon because we are taking the kids to Disneyland in 3 weeks (they don't know yet) and mostly so he can breath again and we can all get our sleep. Plus it's all done before the holidays.

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SURGERY:  Wyatt knew what was going to happen the following morning and wasn't to worried about it yet.  We explained what Dr. Barlow was going to do and that he would feel alot better having them taken out.  As parents there is always that worry and concern with any surgery and we felt like we needed to give him a blessing to bring a little comfort to all of us.  Aaron ended up giving him a father's blessing and did an amazing job.  I won't write the whole prayer but these are just a couple important things that he had expressed.  He blessed him that he would have the strength during the surgery and be able to recover well.  That the Doctors would be fully focused knowing his needs and have steady hands.  I am so thankful to have the priesthood in the home.  It is such a strength and comfort to me.

THE DAY OF THE SURGERY:  As I woke up that morning I had some ease and just knew that we were doing the right thing and that everything was going to be okay.  As we were getting ready Wyatt started getting worried, and maybe he was nervous and a little scared too.  As I was putting his shoes on he started crying and telling me he didn't want the doctor to cut his throat.  I told him how he would be asleep and that the doctor just uses a "tool" to get those big bumps out of his throat.  He kept crying and so I asked him if we should say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help him.  His response as he is still crying was:  "but Heavenly Father is dead".  I had some explaining to do.  It was so cute though!  Here are the pics of that day.

The nurse took us back to the room to get him ready for the surgery.  They took his weight, blood pressure, temperature, etc.  He was liking the arm contraption.

 He thought it was pretty neat that he got to strip down to his undies to wear a tiger gown.

Then comes those great hospital socks.  He LOVED them!  I told him he could just wear his regular socks but heck no...he was diggin those red socks.

The day just kept on getting better and better as he kept on getting all these great things.  He was happy to get this teddy bear.  He has a spider man build a bear that used to be Logan's that he has taken over.  I told him he could bring 1 thing to the hospital with him and he wanted to bring that.  Unfortunately we were searching franticly for the spider man clothes to put on it and couldn't find it.  He ended up bringing a zuzu pet instead but that was set aside when the nurse gave him the bear.

The nurse showed Wyatt the cool mask that he gets to breath into and she even let him pick out some batman stickers to put on it.  He was finally ready to go back to surgery.  We gave him some hugs & kisses and it was off to the waiting room for us.  The waiting is the worst part.  That's when I start worrying but I brought my great book (catching fire) and the next thing I knew Dr. Barlow was done with the surgery.  He said it was a really good thing we took them out.  He had a little infection again and said that his tonsils were really big.  It was good to hear and comforting to know we made the right decision.
 

 This is right after the surgery when they bring ya to the recovery room.  He wasn't a happy boy!

All he wanted was his daddy.  The nurses said he just kept wanting his daddy as they were wheeling him to the room.  Such a good moment for Aaron.  When Kennady had her tonsils out all she wanted was me so I wasn't the least bit sad and let Aaron enjoy the moment.

So after Aaron and Wyatt had their moment the nurses had to make sure the I.V. was working and strap a cuff to his leg.  Everytime the nurses looked at Wyatt or vise versa he would pout his lips and start crying.  It was really cute and the nurses fell in love with him.  Who wouldn't right?  He kept on asking us to wipe his endless tears and boogies.  If we didn't do it right he would grab the tissue himself and wipe away the tears and say all better.  He is such a lovable kid.  He finally was able to catch some sleep.

He slept for about an hour and a half which was good.  He was able to keep his liquids down and recover a bit.  I did alot of reading and waiting.  We finally woke him up so the nurse could give him some pain meds and make sure he kept everything down for another 30 minutes.

The pain meds kicked in and he was back to the same old Wyatt I love.  He enjoyed his popcycle but really wanted a green one.  He'll have to enjoy the green jello I have waiting for him at home.  It's his favorite color.  He watched some cartoons and when the nurse went over the instructions and said we could go home Wyatt said he would just stay there and keep watching cartoons.  You know he is feeling pretty good when he wants to stay at the hospital.

Yay we finally get to go home.  We arrived at the hospital at 10am and it was 3:30pm when we were finally released.  It was a long day of just waiting but I am just grateful that we had no complications and everything went well.  The nurse had to walk us out so Wyatt got to enjoy the ride in a wagon.

LATER THAT NIGHT:  For the most part Wyatt was doing pretty good.  As long as we kept the pain meds in him he was wanting to play with friends and eat bread.  We were getting ready to take Wyatt up to bed when Aaron asked him if he was okay.  He said yes and went on to tell us a few things about the surgery.  How he liked the socks, how he woke up in a different room, etc.  This however took both Aaron & I back when he said that Jesus Christ held his hand.  Aaron and I looked at each other and both couldn't seem to say anything and our eyes filled up with tears.  Needless to say it will be something I will never forget.  I am thankful for the blessings the gospel brings and being able to rely and trust the spirit. 

Kennady's preschool fieldtrip to Harmons

Earlier in the week the kids were asked to bring in empty food boxes, milk cartons, anything they could to have at their preschool "store".  They learned about all the different kinds of foods and were able to go food shopping.  Kennady had a lot of fun with it and was excited when the day came to go to Harmons. They all gathered around as Judith (the cute old lady) started her little tour of the grocery store.
 

Here she explained about the weekly ads and how if you look over them you can save money.

Judith then took them to the produce section and explained how important it is to eat your fruits and vegetables.  She let them count how many different types of apples there were and showed them that cauliflower comes in purple and orange also.  I actually didn't know that  probably because I don't like cauliflower and never buy it.  The kids thought it was pretty neat though. 

This part I'm not sure what she was telling the kids since I was jabbering away with another mother.  I stopped talking long enough just to get the picture:)

This was Kennady's favorite part of the store...the bakery.  Every time we go shopping at Harmons she always wants either a donut or one of the free cookies that they always give out.  Judith talked about the different kinds of breads they bake there, they got to watch one of the ladies finish frosting a cake, and then of course Judith whipped out the free cookies.

She was so funny when I tried to take her picture with her cookie.  Every time I would go to take a picture she would hurry and put the cookie in front of her face.  So that's the picture we ended up with.

We finished up at the deli section and once again I am a horrible mother and wasn't listening to what Judith was telling them.  It looks like Kennady was interested though.  Maybe that was the part that her teacher said they were done with the tour and that they get to sit down and have a piece of cake...the one that they watched the lady finish frosting.  

So all the kids were to sit down at the tables to wait for their piece of cake.  Four kids fit at a table but Kennady decided she wanted to sit at a table with just me.  Oh how I love my little girl and the fact that she loves her mommy:)  I still tried talking her into sitting with her friends Sophie and Landry but she just wanted to sit with me.  It was an awe moment for me....I love you Kennady! 
One more thing- we had issues with her vest she was wearing.  One minute she would want it on and the next she had to have it off.  Most of the time it was off and that's why she is in a plain white shirt.  Oh well!

Primary Program

The kids primary program was this past sunday (halloween).  I teach the CTR 4 class which is Wyatt's & Kennady's age.  You would think on sunday I would be able to have 3 hrs without my children...not the case.  This year in the primary program each class had to memorize a prophet part to the song Follow the Prophet.  Logan's class sang about Samuel and they did pretty good but they all didn't want to sing very loud.  Wyatt & Kennady's class sang about Enoch.  I had practiced with them alot so both of them knew the words to the whole part.  Kennady sang it all but didn't sing very loud with her being shy and Wyatt....well everyone said he stole the show.  He knew the whole part about Enoch and sang it as loud as he could.  It was so funny the whole congregation was laughing and turning back staring at Aaron.  Aaron was laughing so hard he was crying partly because it was so funny & the fact that he was so proud he said.  I was trying to keep it together and I was laughing so hard I was crying too.  They all did a fantastic job at memorizing their parts and none of them needed help.  Way to go kiddos! This was their other parts beside the prophet song that they learned.

Logan: The Holy Ghost testifies of the truth of all things.  In Moroni 10:5 we read:  By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Wyatt:  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me

Kennady:  I know my Heavenly Father loves me because he sent me to a loving family

I am glad I am back in the primary.  There is just something about all the kids singing the primary songs that always makes ya feel the spirit. 
Here are a few other things about that day:
*I asked one of my kids in my class what he dressed up as for halloween- his response was a flippin idiot.  :) gotta love what kids say. 
*I was saving a seat for my mom & dad who NEVER miss anything and when the sacrament was being passed and they weren't there I knew they weren't coming.  I called my mom later on & asked if she had missed something- the tears came out:) Of course us Herricks are emotional messes anyway but I knew that she had felt really bad that she forgot.  I didn't care that they had missed it-there will be plenty more of them but I had to write about this for memory sake and the fact that my mom actually forgot. LOL! we still love her.
*Grandpa Stewart came and was very proud of the kids of how well of a job they did memorizing their parts.

Happy Halloween

SAT:  This year halloween is on a sunday but everyone is trick or treating on saturday.  Here is what we did that day.
To start off our halloween we got up and fixed ourselves some pumpkin pancakes....so yummy!  It will be a tradition every year-the kids just eat em right up.  I then had to break the news to them that we had to go to their primary program practice-really? on halloween.  Let's just say we survived it!  Finally it was time to get our costumes on and head to Salt Lake City this year.  Aaron's oldest brother Casey & his family moved here a few years ago and we have never spent a Halloween with them so Aunt Krisa had a great idea to invite us down for some good food, games, and trick or treating.  I'm glad that we were able to go spend the time with them and let the kids hang out with their cousins that they don't see to often.  After dinner the kids enjoyed a few games that their older cousin Caden put together for them.  They started off with a treasure hunt, they did a game like pin the tail on the donkey but instead it was a spider on a cob web.  It was really cute!  They then finished with a game of bingo using count dracula cereal to mark off their spaces.   Then it was time for some trick or treating:)   

 For dinner we had "hallowieners" (tradition) Rhodes rolls wrapped around hot dogs that look like snakes.  We had homemade root beer, finger foods, and some yummy soups and breadsticks.

                Casey, Krisa, Eliza, Kennady & Grandma Stewart (aka Grandma Ed)

                      Grandpa Stewart (aka airplane grandpa) Reed and Logan

Trick or Treat! This is right before we headed out to get lots & lots of candy.  Logan's costume was supposed to be a master chief (halo guy) but he decided to borrow one of Reed's swords and be a ninja with him.  They had a great time with one another.  Kennady finally wore her doggie costume which we had to tuck the tail in because she was embarrased.  I on the other hand look huge and will need to find a new witches costume.  The kids had so much fun running door to door seeing how much candy they could get.  There were quite a few houses that gave out big candy bars which the kids LOVED!  We might have to go to slc every halloween:)  Uncle Casey sat in his car in the driveway with Logan's Halo mask on and honked the horn to scare all the trick or treaters that came and Logan & Reed hid in the bushes as well.  It was a memorable Halloween for our kids.

SUNDAY:  Yay we get to celebrate again!  After church we came home and had the usual...nacho's!  The kids then grabbed their halloween sacks to divide up their candy. 
                  

One of the best things I remember at halloween when I was a kid was putting all my candy into a big pile and seperating them into smaller ones.  Putting m&ms together, candy bars together, skittles together and etc.  That way you got to see everything you got.  With the kids we combined all their candy together & seperated them.  We let them each take 3 pieces from each pile for their own stash and the rest went into a bowl that they will have to earn it by doing chores, etc.  Some of it may end up going to Aaron's work there was so much of it.  Maybe we are a little mean but now that I am a mom I can't stand seeing all that candy and wondering how fast they are going to eat it, & how jacked up their teeth with be:)  I do remember though that I would fill half a pillowcase full of candy and that still wasn't enough.  I'm surprised my teeth are as good as they are.  The kids were fine with it though and still have plenty with their own little stash.

  

One of the main stops we do on Halloween is going to great grandpa Herrick's.  The kids always love it because they know they always get to pick 2 pieces of candy from his pumpkin bowl, or however many they want. They then are usually doing cart wheels in the front room or doing something else that I'm sure drives him crazy but he just smiles and enjoys the time with them.   
 Later on we went to grandpa & grandma Herrick's for soup, bone chilin breadsticks, and Aunt Jenna made root beer cupcakes.  They were like eating a root beer float-they were good.  And of course we had to take all the cousins picture in their costumes.

Every year my mom does sacks instead of just picking a treat out of a bowl.  My grandma Herrick started this when I was young and thankfully my mom has kept up the tradition.  The kids each have a sack with their own name on it and they have to go around the house and find them.  This is them after finding their sacks.

In the sacks are usually a capri sun, gold fish, applesauce, and a few other treats. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Preschool Halloween party/ Witches night out

Today was the last day of school before the halloween weekend.  Both Kennady & Wyatt's preschool let them wear their costumes to school.  Kennady's original costume was a doggie but we borrowed this witch costume for our "witches night out" later on and she decided to wear this one instead.  She was so excited to wear her costume to school.

This is her cute little friend Sophie.  She lives in our neighborhood & we car pool and they have become quite the little friends. SO CUTE!

 At the end of preschool all the mom's were waiting outside for a trunk or treat. The beginning of all the candy. yay! (not really-for me atleast)

This is Wyatt's second full year of early intervention. He gets to ride the bus to and from school & he thinks it's the greatest thing ever.  He was so excited to show off his transformer costume to EVERYONE! He kept on singing "transformer be meet be eye".  Hhmm I'm pretty sure that's not the actual saying but who cares...it's so funny when he says it.  Good lookin Optimus Prime.

The kids have been dying to carve and paint pumpkins for about a week now and we finally got a chance to do it.  Kennady & Logan were good to clean out their own pumpkins even though they didn't like it a ton.  Wyatt just said no thanks you do it mom.  He did however try carving out a face on his pumpkin.  Logan did a great job doing a scary face and kennady painted all different colored stripes around her pumpkin.  For some reason I didn't get a picture of the final pumpkins but they all did a great job and they turned out great.

WITCHES NIGHT OUT:  Every year our ward/neighborhood does a witches night out.  In the past it has only been the adults where we all dress up as witches and go out to eat.  This year though was a "witches in training" night out where mom's and daughters both went.  We all got in our witches costumes- some were decked out and others just wore witches hats but we all looked great:) We went bowling at fat cats and later went out for ice cream & shakes at Artic Circle. It was alot of fun!!!

 We had to sneek in the bumper cars and a few games so kennady could get her some fun little prizes.

             Mmmmm Ice cream!  Kennady went for the Oreo...one of mom's favorite:)

couples weekend

This past weekend a group of us got together and stayed in Heber City in a condo.  Our friends Tyler and Stacy were nice enough to let us use their time share and plan this terrific weekend.  We all met up in Park City for some good food, treats, and entertainment.  We ate at Bandits resturant, got some yummy caramel apples and sweets at the chocolate factory, although I had to settle with a sugar free toffee bar with this no sugar bet I'm doing.  Wished I could of had the caramel apples, they looked delicious!  Then we went to a local play-Dracula.  My favorite part of the weekend though was hanging out in the condo until 3 am playing games.  The next morning we ate breakfast at the Hub and Aaron and I headed back to park city to the outlets to finish off our great weekend.  It was a great group we went with and we had a ton of fun!

   Bowen's, Dixon's, Iverson's, Morales, Berger's and us.     

Here we are before the play.  The guy next to me was a little creepy as well as the play...can't say I will be going back to see it.   We had a great time though and enjoyed everyone's company.  It was a great weekend getaway.

Volunteering

Today I went and volunteered in Logan's 3rd grade class.  They were cutting out haunted houses for their halloween party coming up.  I am trying to be better this year about helping out now that Wyatt & Kennady are old enough to behave themselves if I have to take one with me.  The kids were really cute and excited that Logan's mom was helping them.  I had almost every kid ask me "what happened to your face" and I had one boy ask me if I was married....weird and funny!  It was lots of fun to see Logan interact with the kids in his class and I think he actually liked me being there.

 I tried to be sneaky taking this picture while the teacher was finishing up giving instructions on what to do.  I accidentally had the flash on and all the kids attention ended up going to me...oops!  Logan was a little embarrassed I think. :)

Most of the kids were all done with their haunted houses so I snuck in one last picture.  Why?  Logan has a little bit of a crush with the girl that sits next to him (Abby).  I thought it would be fun to let Logan have a picture of them sitting by each other.  SO CUTE!  He even has to sit by her at lunch.  Logan came in the room as I was posting this and saw this picture- he started blushing.  So funny how I remember those elementary crushes.  Fun times.  (Mrs. Lafleur- 3rd grade)