Today we got to play in the snow with some friends. The weather was beautiful, sunny and in the 60s, so we didn't even wear jackets. The kids had so much fun climbing the hills and sliding down on their behinds. Drew was really impressing us with his endurance and stamina to keep climbing those hills. Incredible!

Eben, Jacob and Drew ready to sled

Keilani and Ava playing in the snow

Drew

Ava

When we got back from there it was off to see the doctor again. Drew hadn't had a fever since yesterday so we weren't worried about that, but still needed to recheck his blood pressure. It was fine this time, but it worried me that the doctor still wanted to see us. It turned out he just wanted to measure it himself and say he was sorry that he missed it the other day. We did a quick check with the pulse ox, mostly for curiosity, but also to get a good baseline and it was 98%. Incredible again! If it had said that a year ago I would have thought the machine was broken. Now it's normal. It just amazes me. It does seem that Drew is having a reaction to the vaccine though. First the fever and now his arm is all red and hot where the injection was. Poor guy.

As we were on our way home from UCD we were listening to the radiothon to benefit the Children's Miracle Network and the UC Davis Children's Hospital. I have to confess that I cry every single year listening to the stories of other families who have been there. So, I called them up when we got home and made a donation. I guess you could consider it an investment. :)

And then we went to Jimboy's Tacos for dinner because they are having a promotion to benefit the hospital as well, and our heart buddy Casey is the poster child! The radiothon ends on Sunday, so everyone go to Jimboy's tomorrow and get yourself a Miracle Meal!

Drew and his buddy Casey and his buddy Jimboy

Party Pictures

We're ready for the party to start!

Kristina, Andrea, Rose, Darcy and Kate


The Ornament Exchange begins...we got some very creative ornaments this year~

A lovely trio of Jack to hang on your tree

Some large, glittery Christmas balls

Perhaps a condom ornament would look nice on your tree...

Oh, the Christmas balls were stolen!

Not sure what Tony unwrapped here, but I'm sure it was fabulous

Another large Christmas ball

The famed pornament makes a return appearance!

What man wouldn't want a tiny bottle of patron to hang on his tree?


And now some pictures of the cute couples...

Pete and Eric

Dandrea

Eric and Rose

Tony and Kristina

Pete and Jen

And this post would not be complete if I didn't include this little video...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Reunion

This weekend I got together with some of my college friends for a little reunion. We all gathered in Calistoga to do a little wine tasting, get some massages & facials and reminisce about our college days. It's been 8 years since we graduated and some of us have seen each other many times since then and others I haven't seen at all. We've scattered around the country and had people flying in from Washington DC & Ohio, and driving from Arizona, San Diego, San Francisco & Sacramento. We're all in different life stages and it was amazing to me how natural it was to just be together again. It was so much fun! The only problem was how quickly Sunday morning came.

Dan very graciously stayed with the kids while I was gone, even though they both had colds and he had a fever that got as high as 102.6! My poor sick husband! He is the best! Luckily he feels much better today. I got home this morning around 10:30 and it was right back to reading stories and folding laundry. It was a wonderful weekend, but I am glad to be back at home with my family. See you girls in a couple of years!

Our party of 9 (plus Baby Ben) outside Sequoia Grove

Andrea, Jessey, Rahna, Meredith, Julie, Monica, Chelsea, Jen, & Crystal

Tasting the bubbles at Mumm

Getting a little tipsy at Silverado

Monica, Jen & me, definitely tipsy in the backseat

Blessed Be Your Name

Here is the video of Drew and his friends singing at church on Easter Sunday. This happens to be one of my favorite songs and always makes me cry, especially the "He gives and takes away" part. I'm hoping maybe I can just picture my little guy singing it next time and it will help me not to cry. Also, I have no idea how to edit or do anything with video and I'm very disappointed in the quality of this video. The file was over 500 MB so I thought it would be better. If anyone can help me in this area please email me!

Sad/Glad

Today was kind of a hard day for me. Dan is not feeling well, so I had all the birthday preparations to take care of on my own. I know a lot of moms do most of the work involved in taking care of the kids and the house, but Dan really does a lot. So to have him out of commission was a big deal. I was very stressed out. And then I was sad.

I usually get sad around Drew's birthday. I guess it's just a reminder of the shock we felt when we first learned of his condition and all that it would take to keep him with us. But I don't want to be sad! I want to be happy. I have a beautiful son, with a beautiful heart, and I would not change the way he is. I love him. It's not that I start thinking about that time in the hospital and the surgeries and the despair AND THEN feel sad. I just feel sad. Without thinking about anything. A friend of mine explained it to me like this. Your body just remembers. It's like seasons. A certain time will come around and my body remembers what it felt like. Anyway, since this typically happens around Drew's birthday I have been dreading it. I have been anxious in anticipation of it happening. So I'm hoping that was it and it's over.

Luckily I have a wonderful friend who graciously came over this afternoon and helped me out. She made more cupcakes, decorated them, helped me fill the favor boxes, get some dinosaur games ready, and prepare food. She also entertained and loved my children. She did all that while being 9 months pregnant and ready to have her baby any minute. Am I lucky to have a friend like that, or what?!