Tuesday, November 27, 2012

We have a Winner!!


My friend and fellow blogger Karly Aust from Thailand sent  me a photo when the ticker was exactly 70,000!   She's a new mom of super cute Asian-Caucasion twins and was up nursing in the middle of the night (Thailand time) and may or may not have hit the refresh button a few times on the blog to get it to 70,000.  Ha!  You have to be clever to get ahead sometimes!

Congrats Karly!  I hope you love the yogurt maker as much as I do!!

Monday, November 26, 2012

My Big Kid!

Erik really seems to have made the transition from preschooler to school kid this fall.  He is only in pre-kindergarten but acts very much like a kid in kindergarten.

Some of the things he's learned this fall include....

1) Reading!!

This is a new development in the past couple of weeks.  He learned sight words a month or two ago and that seemed to have flipped the switch for him.  He can now, very proudly, read quite a few level one books.  This has been so fun for me to watch!

2) Responsibility

Erik generally speaking is a rule follower, however, if he sees someone doing something "fun" he has often just gone along with it even if he knows he shouldn't.  So this fall I've been trying to teach him to abstain from "fun" activities and if it happens to be a sibling participating is poor behaviors (like overindulging in peanut butter) that he needs to report that to me.

I don't want to encourage tattling about dumb things but I do want him to communicate things that he sees that might not be safe or are obviously a no-no in our house.  I'm happy to say that he has been pretty good about this recently and it's been helpful.

3) Climbing trees

This is kind of goofy but Erik has gotten really good at climbing some big trees at our local playground. Hopefully, it won't end up in a broken arm.

 Can you see his feet in this photo? 

Pretty high up


Sunday, November 25, 2012

A weekend of "Rest"

Poor little Carson is still not feeling great although much better than last week.  His fever has been gone since Friday and he is breathing comfortably.  The steroids are making him completely nutty though.  The poor, poor baby has been crying off and on all day (acting mad) and can't sleep.  Thankfully we only have one more day of steroids.

This weekend we had planned to take the kids to Busch Gardens to see their Christmas display and host Mike and Sonja's family this weekend.  All those events were canceled due to sick and infectious children.

All the kids activities were cancelled too since it was a holiday.  So we spent the weekend just hanging out.  It was nice.  We rarely have multiple days in a row without scheduled activities.  We went to a movie and a Christmas Tree lighting event on Friday evening (V stayed home with C), grocery shopping and the farmers market Saturday (V stayed home with C again), and church ( I stayed home with C).  Even with those activities there was plenty of downtime.

I seem to be catching the kids cold now so I better head to bed.

Colin (if you are reading this) this kooky amazon product link is for you!  You need to read the reviews! They are hilarious!!

Banana Slicer

Friday, November 23, 2012

Our Thanksgiving Adventure - Super sick Carson

Well, our day started out just great.  Around 9 AM I realized that the turkey was accidentally put in the freezer on Saturday instead of the fridge.  Via facebook suggestions I decided to just cook it frozen.  I overcooked it a bit, somewhat intentionally because I was afraid of food poisoning from the frozen turkey, so it was a little dry.  Oh well.  The rest of the food turned out well.

Then, this morning Lainey was sitting on the couch with me and she told me, "Mom! Guess what I love Daddy.  Carson can love you."  I explained to her that you can love more than one person.  She fairly emphatically replied, " No Mommy.  I just love Daddy.  Carson can love you."

Ahh!  The joys of parenting!  She didn't mean a thing of course but it did make me a little sad.

Topping out the day was Mr. Carson.  He woke up with a 103.5 degree fever again and clearly was not feeling well.  His feet didn't hit the floor all day (he refused to be put down) and his demeanor get kept getting worse.  When I listened to his chest after we ate dinner (4 PM or so) it was obvious that he lungs sounded like crap.  He also had a respiratory rate of 45 and seemed to be mildly distressed.  So, off to the ER we went.

In triage I noticed that his pulse ox was 93.  I was shocked!  That meant he really was sick.  The ER doctor and nurse both agreed that his lungs sounded like crap (crackles and wheezing) so they quickly ordered a chest x-ray, an hour long albuterol double strength nebulizer, and oral steroids.



He was hooked up to continuous monitoring and his O2 sats ranged from 89-93 (depending on when he was sleeping or awake).  The huge dose of albuterol caused awful tachycardia (fast heart rate - up to 190!) and tremors.  It didn't seem to improve his O2 sats either.  He was given a dose of oral steroids (tastes awful).  The ER doctor wanted him admitted and placed those orders for him.

The pediatric hospitalist who we met 3-4 hours into our stay (after the admission process was already starts) was on the fence though.  She said if his O2 sats were at 88 while sleeping she'd keep him but his were ranging from 89-91.  So she suggested he just wait in the ER a while and monitor him before making a decision.

The chest x-ray was read as normal by the off-site radiologist but the pediatrician and ER doctor both felt that it looked like he had an early pneumonia.

After the albuterol took effect his wheezing improved but his O2 sats still sucked.  Suddenly about 2-3 hours after the dose of oral steroids Carson perked up.  It was amazing!  He was awake and smiling and playing peek-a-boo with the nurses and doctors.  And not suprisingly this burst of energy correlated with much better O2 sats (94-96%).  Yay!!

He was still really tachycardic (150-160's - felt to be secondary to the albuterol) but acting so much better that they all agreed to let him go home.  Thank the Lord!  I would not have fought his admission but I would been worried about all the secondary germs we might pick up while we were there (the pediatric hospitalist said she had multiple patients admitted for terrible nausea and vomiting!).  Hopefully, the 7 hours we spent in the ER won't introduce a new line of viruses into our house.

I'd have to say that I was very impressed with our care there tonight.  It's a small town hospital but they really took good care of him.

Side note:  Carson tested negative for both influenza and RSV.  I was actually quite disappointed by this as that means Victor and I are both still potential victims of this crappy virus!!  (Erik's had a very mild version of it the past 4-5 days, Lainey had it first.)

Prayer Requests:

- That Carson will continue to feel better and no more trips to the ER will be necessary!
-That neither Victor nor I will catch this crummy virus!

Overall, I am so thankful for good health! I am also thankful for my brother Colin and his quirky sense of humor (see video below)!!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Prayer Requests

I have a few prayer requests, if you want to the add your own to the list feel free!

1) My Grandma's health -

 My 86 year old grandma is a tough cookie and my good friend!  Recently she had a recurrence of atrial fibrillation.  She was started on Digoxin which controlled her heart rate well.  Despite that she has still been really short of breathe which is unusual for her (she swims almost every day).  She saw the cardiologist this week and he switched her meds around and thinks the symptoms she is experiencing are secondary to a "tired heart muscle"  (aka likely early stages of heart failure).  So she now stopped the digoxin and increased her beta blocker.  She also is going to be starting a supplement called ubiquinone that is supposed to help with cardiac function.

In addition to that she's been having problems with her vision this week - lots of floaters.  Thankfully, at this point it is felt to be secondary to a vitreous detachment (not a retinal detachment) but this will be monitored pretty closely.

Anyway, please pray that my sweet grandma will feel better soon!

2) My dear friend Nicki!

She is expecting a baby just before Christmas and has been dealing with a number of frustrating health complications.  The baby is fine but poor Nicki hasn't been feeling well.  She actually suggested that she felt best during the first trimester.  I can't imagine that!!  Nicki is a glass 75% full kind of girl and rarely complains so when she says she is miserable, she really is quite miserable!

Please pray that she feels better and the baby stays put for another 2-3 weeks.

3) My poor baby!

Resting on my chest!

Carson is sick.  Last week Lainey had high fever and a chest cold for 5 days.  She's still coughing but overall feeling better.

Now poor Carson is sick.  High fevers (104) and a really bad cough.  He feels awful.  I am fairly convinced it is influenza as Victor, Erik, and I have all been immunized.  Erik has a very mild version of this bug (scratchy throat x 4 days) but no fever and feels fine.  Victor and I have been totally healthy so far.   There is no way to prove that that is what it is unless I take him to get tested but that would not influence his treatment or outcome so I'm not sure I'm going to do that.

Anyway, we are hoping to get out of town a bit and host Mike and Sonja over the weekend so we need the germs to vacate our house promptly!

Lainey last week - missed an entire week of school

4) Side note:  This is just random but I happened to have 2-3 servings of wheat on Sunday post-race.  First time I've have any wheat products in a month.  Wouldn't you know that since Sunday evening I've had an awful gut ache.  It feels better tonight but has been pretty crummy the last 48 hours (same gut ache I've gotten sporadically the past 3.5 years).  Very annoying.  I am fairly convinced it it wheat related but who knows maybe the correlation is in my head!


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Win Me!

Remember THIS giveaway?!

Since the ticker is almost to 70,000 I thought I would remind you of it!  3 months later I am still making yogurt at least once a week.  We all love it!  I'm so thankful my friend Lauren introduced me to this idea.

How to win??

1- Take a photo of the ticker at or very close to 70,000.
2- Email it to me or attach the photo to the comments here (comments get emailed to me immediately after getting posted).

3- The first person to send me a photo of the ticker at EXACTLY 70,000 wins.  If no one snaps a photo of it exactly at 70,000 - the first photo get closest to it wins (in case of a tie).

Good luck!!

My email is ann and victor AT gmail.com   (spaced out as you normally would)

Half Marathon - PR

I ran a half marathon with my friend Laura this morning.  It was a perfect day for running (45 degrees, crisp and cool).  We just decided to do this race on Wednesday so my training for it was a bit limited but the course was a really nice trail.  Pretty rocky but flat.  It was an out and back trail (the marathon runners had to go out and back twice - yuck!!)

The race had two start times - we were in the first "heat." I finished in 1:50.  My initial goal was to be under 1:53 (my last PR - 8 years ago) and my secondary goal was to be under 1:50.  I was the first female finisher (don't know the results of the second heat so this could be trumped). Overall I was very pleased with my time!

Laura and I ran the first 4 miles together and then I pulled ahead.  She finished just 2 minutes behind me.  (Sound familiar Nicki?!) :)  We had made an agreement at an earlier race that we wouldn't feel bad if we split up (we are both quite competitive.)

This was Laura's first half marathon.  I've done quite a few but the last one I ran was in 2004.  I stopped running completely in 2006 and even then didn't go over 3-4 miles at a time.  I've been so amazed at how fast I've been able to pick up running again.  I'm faster than I used to be which is fun.

Back in March my hips were bothering me so much that I couldn't have run even a mile.  Thankfully, that has resolved.  I just started running again, very casually, back in July.  It's been a fun 4 months!!

 Laura and I after the half marathon!
Below is a photo of me in the sun glasses I won for coming in first (female).
Hahaha!  They even have red stars on the side.
The 1st thru 3rd place marathon finishers win cash.
No such luck for the half marathon runners. :)

Update:   Between the two start times I was the 4th female.  The official first place female finisher came in at 1:30!  Amazing!!!  (#2- 1:41 #3- 1:48)  I think if I were to keep training and run this race again with Lauren leading me I could probably have shaved 3-4 minutes off my time.  I am still happy with the overall results! I am so thankful for my health!!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Story Time

An ordinary moment with the trio
They are never dull

Turkey Trot

Erik's school held it's annual Turkey Trot this morning.  It's a one mile (non-competetive) race/fundraiser.   Erik's best buddy James has been talking up the race to Erik for a month or so.  This morning, Erik declared that he didn't want to run it.  He was acting quite glum.  So I told him didn't have to but if he chose not to participate it meant he needed to stay home and rest.

He picked the race.  I really think the gloomy attitude is how Erik acts when he is nervous about something.  Once the race started he was full of smiles.  He's a pretty good little runner although lacks a bit of the competitive gene one of his parents may or may not possess.  Haha!

He ran the entire race and came across the finish line at 10:24 (another parent with a competitive gene that crossed the finish line was timing the race - not me!).

His buddy James probably crossed the finish line about a minute ahead of us.  James is extremely competitive and told me when I saw him at the finish line, " I saved my speed for the end."  He also said, " At the end when I was passing up everyone I would look behind and memorize their faces so I would know if they tried to pass me again."  Hahaha!   James likes to hold lessons for Erik during their playdates (math, money, history) and "coaches" a basketball team at recess (he just turned 7).  People are going to be working for James someday!

I have to say that James while quite competitive and clearly a leader, he is also extremely kind! The two are great buddies!

 James and Erik

Madison, James, Erik, and Lainey

Madison is James' sweet older sister.
  She is 8.5 years old and quiet, creative, and kind.
She is very independent and the opposite of competitive. :) 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Wheat Belly Review: Part 2

Why Pick On Wheat??

1) The "history" of wheat farming.
2) What's an Exorphin?
3) Wheat and Celiac Disease
4) Wheat and your cholesterol!
5) The Glycemic Index trouble (Diabetes)


3) Wheat and Celiac Disease/GI tract

Since our diets have become extremely wheat based Celiac disease has become a big problem. The symptoms attributed to Celiac disease were first attributed to wheat in 1953.  It is estimated that today 1% of our nation has Celiac Disease.  (Although retrospective studies are not readily available there are two studies that suggest the rate of Celiac disease has indeed doubled or even quadrupled since the 1940's, rather than the increase diagnoses strictly being related to better diagnostic tools.) 

What is it?

Celiac disease is an inflammatory reaction to gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, rye, etc.)  that affects the GI tract (causing malabsorption).  It also can cause a number of other inflammatory problems including a skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis, lymphoma (if celiac disease is untreated), infertility, etc.  

Patients with Celiac disease are also more likely to develop other autoimmune diseases including thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, and IBD.  

Dr. Davis also mentioned that 50% of people with unexplained loss of balance and coordination have elevated celiac serology.  Other neurologic findings have been attributed to untreated/undiagnosed Celiac disease as well.  (Lancet: From Gut to Brain 2010)

How do I get Celiac Disease?

It does have a genetic base (90%+ of celiac patients have either HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8 genetic markers).  That being said, 40% of the general population has one of these markers and most don't develop Celiac Disease so there has to be an environmental/infectious trigger as well.

How do you diagnose it?

Celiac disease is initially screened for via labwork looking for antibodies specific to celiac disease (TTG and Anti-endomysial antibodies).   If lab work is positive then the gold standard is to undergo an EGD.  This is a very simple 15 minute procedure (I've had it done).  I think the need for an EGD is under some debate currently but that's the gold standard for now.  I asked my supervising physician his take on this and he feels it is necessary, not so much for the confirmation of Celiac disease (as he would recommend a gluten free diet to patients with positive Celiac serology and normal intestinal biopsies) but in order to rule out gastric/intestinal lymphoma.  I really can't imagine that is seen very often but for now an EGD is the recommendation I will be giving patients with positive celiac serology. 

How do you treat it?

Luckily, the treatment is pretty simple.  You have to abstain from gluten 100% of the time.  When gluten is removed from the diet (and lifestyle - gluten can be found in medicines, make-up etc.) the gut repairs itself and risk factor for other problems (lymphoma, rashes, infertility) return back to a more normal baseline.

I have "IBS" and celiac type symptoms but my Celiac serology is negative.  What do I do?

Obviously, the Wheat Belly book advises everyone to entertain the idea of a wheat free diet.  Clinically, 5 years ago in the GI clinic this school of thought wouldn't have been supported (at least were I worked) but things may have changed.  The doctor I am currently working with said that almost ALL of his patients with nonspecific abdominal pain and even those with IBD do better on a wheat free diet.  He frequently makes this recommendation to people.  As I have been seeing patients in the clinic I have also noticed that his partner (who is currently in FL doing an advanced endoscopy fellowship) recommended a similar diet to many of his patients.  This is a pretty big difference in practice philosophies from my old practice.  I don't know if things have changed there but 5 years ago I was fairly frustrated at the lack of interest from the GI doctors regarding celiac disease and the role food plays in our health.  


More to come when I get another free moment!






Carson -20 Months

Carson is so full of life!  He has a big personality and does everything exuberantly - laughs, smiles, teases, protests, etc.  He is overall quite fearless and busy!  He has had a bit of separation anxiety recently which might just be a stage but I also think it might be related to me going back to work (it's worse with me than Victor).  I'm not sure!

Here are some highlights from the month....

-Carson LOVES the water! He takes "mom and me" swimming lessons each week (while the big kids are in their lesson).  He thinks it is the best thing ever and protests loudly when it is over. He is willing to put his face in the water and kicks his little legs like he is really trying to swim.  Cute!

-Carson LOVES trains!  We set up the train table in his room.  He is so so happy about this and frequently comes and pulls my hand trying to get me to go to his room and play trains with him (I oblige him fairly often of course.)


-Carson likes music.  He sings/hums along to the music in the car, and often seems to match the pitch and rhythm quite well.  When a song ends he sometimes pipes up from his backward seat, " All done!" He also dances/stomps to the music when we are home.


-Carson loves to eat!  Man that kid can eat!  For at least two months he has been eating more than Erik and Lainey, often more than them combined.  Some of his favorite foods are raisins, beans (any variety) and peanut butter. Ha! He also seems to like spicy foods (devours chili).

-Carson is continuing to make slow progress in the speech department.  He really had a rapid speech explosion the first 7-10 days post-tubes but now it's slowed a bit.  He does actually have 10 words or so that other people (outside the family) would understand which is helpful.

-We switched Carson out of his crib.  This just happened two nights ago.  Last night he was up exploring for 1 hour post bedtime, up again crying at 2:45, and then I found him out in the hallway at 5:55 AM carrying around a bunch of toothbrushes.  Haha!  Needless to say he was quite tired and slept well at naptime today.  He also went to bed without any problems.  We'll see how he does during the next few days.  (The other two were forced out of the crib around 18 months due to their impending siblings.  We switched Carson out early because we've always had such good luck with our kids going to bed easily.  I wonder if maybe it's because they switched to a big bed before they knew they could protest.  Carson tends to more eagerly challenge rules though so we will see!)



- Growing!  Carson still hasn't made it into his 18 month check up but according to my home measurements he is almost 35 inches which, if true, is taller than Erik or Lainey were at 24 months.  He's our biggest kid which explains all the eating! :)

(The video below displays one of his favorite activities - climbing!)



I just love my sweet bundle of joy, sass, and passion!! 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Tom The Turkey/ 1st Quarter Progress Report

This seems to be a popular project amongst my friends pre-k and kindergarten kiddos.  Here is Erik's turkey in disguise.


If you can't read Erik's writing is says... " The turkey is a policeman.  He was going to trick the farmer."

Victor worked on this project with Erik.  I am thankful for that as I am "uncrafty" as one can possibly be.

Erik's first quarter "report card" arrived last week.  He was marked as proficient in every category which is as good as it gets.  He loves school and so far we have no concerns.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Just an Update

Well, the blog has been quiet because our week has been busy!  Victor was in Norfolk last weekend, we were all in the same state Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday I worked and then flew to Cleveland for a conference.  I got back around midnight Friday night/Saturday morning.

Saturdays, as you may recall from previous posts, tend to be busy (although soccer is done for the moment).  We did the normal activities, as a tag team thankfully.  During the afternoon I did quite a bit of cooking while Victor cleaned the bathrooms.  Saturday evening we went to our babysitters "surprise" birthday party!

Today, I woke up early to run 11 miles.  I am running a half marathon in 3 weeks.  Not super excited about it, as it is going to be extremely hilly (yuck!) but I will be running with a couple of friends (if I can keep up) so it should be fun (hopefully).  Only two more training runs and then I won't have to get up quite as early on Sundays anymore (yay!).



Anyway, after that we went to the local Veterans Day parade, then church, lunch out at the Olive Garden (they have wheat free choices and veterans ate free today!), spent an hour at a fun playground then home for naps, while L and C were napping Erik and Victor worked on a Tom the Turkey project, dinner, and now E and L are at Awana.  Phew!

 Carson slept through most of the church service and then took a nap again after
 we got back from the playground.  My big tired baby!

It's been so beautiful out this weekend and should be again tomorrow (70 and sunny) so we've tried to get outside as much as possible!

So - that's why the blog has been quiet! Ha!  I keep trying to find time to do an Wheat Belly Part 2 update but haven't found time yet!


Monday, November 5, 2012

Notable Moments: Erik

Erik's best buddy James was over this afternoon.  James is 2 years older than Erik and likes to give Erik lessons.  They tend be about counting money or math or sometimes church.  Well, today's lesson was about voting!

They were playing downstairs so I didn't hear the actual lesson but Erik brought it up later in the evening when we were on our way to Victor's volleyball game.

Erik:  Hey Mom! Are you voting tomorrow??
Me:  Yes, I thought you could come with me.
Erik:  Well, James wanted me to tell you to make sure you don't vote for that president that wants to take $5 out of everyone's piggy bank.
Me:  (hahaha!)  Oh really?!  Which president is that?!  (I think most presidents take money out of our piggy banks.)
Erik:  I don't remember.

Later in the car ride I was talking to my Grandma and telling her about this comical conversation. I must have mentioned Mitt Romney and Barack Obama by name because Erik suddenly shouted out, " Yeah!  Barack Obama, that's the one that wants to take money out of my piggy bank!"

Kids are so darn funny!  It's even funnier because I know and love James' parents and I know that they are fairly non-political and are not filling his head full of political ideas.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day.  I would guess that Obama will win.  We'll see what Erik and James have to say about that?!

Photos by Blaize Bailey

My parents planned a last minute, quick trip out here last weekend.  They were planning to be here over Thanksgiving but are headed to Kansas instead.  I had family photos scheduled for the weekend they were here so we just added them in.  My neighbor took them and here are my favorites!  Thank you so much Blaize!  I love them!















My kids had very little interest in cooperating for this photo shoot, despite the fact that I bribed them with the "biggest ice cream cone they have ever seen!".  Haha!  Still Blaize captured such beautiful photos!

In addition to that, when Blaize dropped off the CD of photos to my house she brought along a beautiful     large print of the trio (the ones of them holding hands) and gave it to me, for free.  She had printed it to show other clients but decided she liked it so much that she thought I should have it.

Thank you so much Blaize!  I love the photos and am so touched by your generosity.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Notable Moment: Lainey

Victor is out of town again.  This morning I got up early and ran 10 miles.  My kind neighbor watched my kids for me! (She just volunteered when I mentioned I was still looking for a sitter.)  After getting home I needed to take a quick shower so we could get to church "on time."  I left the kids downstairs watching a video.  This turned out to be a mistake.  When I came back downstairs 15 minutes later all I could smell was peanut butter.

Turns out my devious little 3 year old fed herself and Carson approximately 2/3rds of a jar of peanut butter while I was in the shower.  

Seriously child?!  Why o why did you think that was a good idea?!  Thankfully, both seem to be okay from a health stand point 3 hours post peanut butter binge.  

Having children is great. Haha! 

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Videos of Carson Talking and Doing Puzzles

I was trying to get Carson to display his humming/singing skills but 
he was not interested.  He did say a number of words though, which is cute!

In the bottom video he say "Wuv you" which is new for him this weekend.
I love my sweet little boy!

Carson loves this fish puzzle and trains! :)

Lainey's Halloween "Party"

 Carson was not interested in being left out!
He sat with the big kids and played the games too.
 Sweet Lainey making a necklace

3 of the little brothers hanging out in the kitchen play area.
There are 4 little brothers all the same age that will likely be 
in preschool together 2 years from now.  So cute!

Lainey LOVES to sing but like Erik is a bit bashful when
she knows people are watching.
So she didn't participate much in this video but if you saw her on a regular preschool day,
you'd know she sings along happily.

Erik Cam

I love finding photos that the kids have taken on my phone.  These shots of Erik especially crack me up!  He's so bashful that if I (or anyone) tried to get him to take a goofy pose he would never consider it.  Yet on his own, he is a goofball. :)





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Friday, November 2, 2012

Halloween!

We don't get too crazy about Halloween in this house.  I don't mind it aside from all the candy it brings into our house but I kind of lack enthusiasm about it too.  Sorry kids!

We did go trick-or-treating both at Erik's school (last week) and through the neighborhood (halloween).  Erik and Lainey both had Halloween "parties" at school.

Lainey's preschool is really good about not having junk at school so there was no food at her party.  After the party was over Lainey came up and asked me, " Mommy, can we go to the party now?"  Apparently, the absence of cake and cookies meant it wasn't a real party. Ha!

Erik came home covered in blue all over his hands, shirt, pants, face.  I honestly thought he had done some kind of craft project or painting.  Come to find out all the blue was from a cupcake he had gotten at his party.  Excellent. Ugh!

Anyway, here is a cute photo of our sweet trick-or-treaters  (Our candy from halloween is GONE. I donated it all along with 6-7 old jackets to a friend who took a carload of things up to the shelters in New Jersey.)


 A Union soldier, a mermaid, and a monkey

Carson LOVED trick-or-treating and kept pointing at houses we hadn't visited yet.  
I am so thankful to be a mom and have sweet babies to go trick-or-treating with!


Still Alive!

We've had a fairly busy week.  I've got lots of posts piled up in my head, but haven't seemed to have time to actually sit down and write them out.

My heart has been so sad for those who live 4-5 hours north of us as they are facing so much devastation from Hurricane Sandy.  Sandy barely touched us compared to hurricane Irene last year.  Obviously, though hurricane Sandy affected million and millions of lives.  Hopefully, people will be able to rebuild quickly.

A lot of people in my neighborhood are from New Jersey and New York and have family members who lost homes or have lots of flood damage.  So sad.

 For those of you who don't know, my step mother-in-law is Irene and my mother-in-law is Sandy!!  Clearly the hurricanes named after the mother's in my life have been dangerous! I know that if they happen to name a hurricane Anita next spring I will be taking cover!  (I also might take cover if they name one Pat as that's my sister-in-law Sonja's mom.  Sonja of course has the same mother-in-laws (Irene and Sandy) as I do!