Autumn Beauty

The autumn season brings colors to life, 

deep reds, oranges, yellows are bright.

Outside is touched with beauty around,

Where Heavenly creations can be found.

What a blessing it is, to live on this earth,

and witness the beauty of land and surf.

The vibrant beauty does not only reside

to the outdoors, but also, in the family life.

A shoulder ride on dad is really quite nice,

Sitting so high you wouldn't think twice.

 Climbing on rocks, making silly faces

 joking around and finding hiding places.

Brothers having fun and laughing together,

 Enjoying the moment, being with each other.

A special secret that only sweethearts share,

Then a glance in their

 eyes, to make it fair.

 Tells the wonderful story of a couple in love

Whose tale is seen from heaven above.

A friendly "attack" by the boys all three

keeps the spirit alive in the family.

A Father's care, a mother's touch, 

Simply stated: families matter, so much!

The key to this happiness is simple and sweet 

Look toward heaven and you'll find your meat.

The Beauty of autumn, is another chance to see,

What our Creator planned this world to be.

With families and a earth to live in,

This is the plan, made by our Father in Heaven!

Halloween Activities

Halloween this year for us was celebrated for almost a whole week.  Since the actually day was on a Monday a lot of the festivities were the week before.  

The celebrations started as we found out that the Batmobile (the one used in the movie with Michele Keetan being batman) was parked just outside of our local Walmart.

 The boys had fun looking and getting up close to this pretty "cool" car

During therapy sessions Bryce was able to decorate his very own pumpkin

With help from Ms. Taylor of course!

Bryce and his pumpkin creation

The boys also had the opportunity to "practice" their trick or treating skills around the therapy building with the staff.  

Since we did not have their actual costumes with us, there were extra ones that were for this purpose 

Bryce choose the "Cars" racing outfit and Jordan was a 

little chick

Since both Bryce and Jordan go to sessions twice a week, 

They got to dress up again, and this time we brought their costumes from

home

 Bryce as Buzz Lightyear with Ms. Taylor, 

and Jordan, our little Piglett, with Ms. Kelly

Dean had his yearly "trick or treating at the office" that we all enjoyed!

The boys went from cubicle to cubicle to trick or treat.  

 Piglett

 Buzz Lightyear

Secret Agent Spy, Connor

We all had fun and even our little Pigett caught on pretty fast as to 

how everything was suppose to go!

Well for the most part anyway ;)

Even though we might still have candy left over from all of Halloween's days of fun, we look forward to next year, and the "things" that we will become!

Moving Up In The World

As many of you know our little Jordan, ever since he was an infant was very, very, low on the weight charts, as in below 0% in weight for a good portion of his infancy!  As he kept going for his well check ups and weight checks during his first year, his pediatrician would mention that he might need to refer him to the children's hospital (which in our area, the closest one to us is 3 hours south of us in Little Rock) if he did not start bulking up. We were always worried that this day would eventually come, but we kept hoping that somehow, someway, our little guy would magically be a little butter ball!

Well, as can be seen this is what he looked like at 1 year.  No rolls or dimples on his body, just a lean, keen, baby machine!  His weight was just over 14 in a half pounds, way below a normal boy his age. Because of this the inevitable happened, and at the end of August, we got to take our first road trip to Little Rock!

 The hospital is a big campus with the main hospital and 

other specialty buildings around it.  Jordan went to the growth and development unit

 The patients all receive wrist bands like you get when you are emitted into the hospital

and then once in the room, they are required to dress accordingly 

Looking so brave and cute in the baby size gown

For the most part, we just talked to a couple of doctors to give his health history, and habits.  They checked his weight (15 pounds 3 oz) and length.  It was a very detailed thing so they would know a little bit better on the why part of his development.  We also talked to a nutritionist and was told to give him anything and everything that he would eat or drink that is high in calories.  Boy, wouldn't that be a great order from a doctor?  At the very end they took his blood to run some tests, and collected a urine sample.  They told us we needed to come back in October for a follow up and then after that we could go to their NWA clinic in Lowell, AR (a 20 or so min drive) if there were any more needed follow up visits.  It was a long day, and needless to say we were all more then happy to get home!

Within a week of that initial visit, his labs came back, and pretty much everything came back in the normal range, except his zinc was low, and he had some abnormal numbers with his amino acids (this one I am still not 100% clear on and we will talk to a specialty dr. about it later on).  Because of this Jordan was prescribed a zinc supplement, and then also a antihistemine to increase his appetite.

After a week or so taking the appetite stimulant, we did notice that he was eating and drinking more.  We also had him start going to speech therapy sessions because of the lack of chewing and oral motor skills going one.  Most one year olds would be fine chowing down on all sorts of bite sized foods, but Jordan was still eating more softer foods and not knowing what to do with the harder ones (he would put it in his mouth and wait for it to almost dissolve and then swallow, or push it out with his tongue if It could not dissolve).

The medicine seemed to be working the way that the doctors wanted, and by the time that we had to drive back down to Little Rock 6 weeks later,  we were nervous but fairly pleased as to how things were going.

Here is our happy little guy waiting to be seen

We were all pleased to see that Jordan's weight did go up!  He was 2 in a half pounds heavier at 17 lbs and 13 oz.  This was a huge relief for us.  Of course he is still below where he should be, but for him to gain this much in 6 weeks, was a blessing!

Just this past week, he went for another follow up apt., this time in Lowell, and was 18 lbs 11 oz!  He still is not the chubby Gerber baby, but he is just as cute as can be, being our small little guy who is happy, fun, and ....MOVING UP IN THE WORLD!

8 is Great (Part 3-cubscouts)

The last and final chapter in the "8 is Great" series!

8 marks the age when a boy becomes a wolf! A cub scouting Wolf that is. 

When they enter this realm, they choose to step into the world of knots, pledges, badges, wood working, craft making, car racing, skit doing, and other things that will eventually lead them into being great citizens, and faithful men of the world!  Connor has now FINALLY entered that phase of his life!  Finally you say?  Well, when Connor came into this world and arrived in Mesa, Arizona,

 Edie was a Den Leader at the time 

 Baby Connor would accompany Edie to den meetings since Dean would be at work.  Connor would spend the next two and a half years as the den "mascot" until we moved back to Utah.  Once in the new surroundings Edie had about a year and a half break from the scouting world until she ventured in again for the last two years of Dean's schooling.  After the big move to Arkansas, our family was once again called into the cub scouting world, but this time it was Dean making his first appearance in the program as a Webelow leader, and then "advancing"to be the cub assistant master and then to what he is now, the cub master

 By this time Connor was almost that "Great" age and becoming well aware of what he will be doing in the not so distant future.  Suddenly, the future became the present, and that long awaited day finally Arrived!

Seeing him all dressed in the cub scout uniform for the first time, was like the experience a mom feels when she sends her child off to Kindergarten.  Excited, nervous, and yes, a little emotional to see her child growing up before her eyes!

Connor has started off strong in the program, and at his first pack meeting he was already leading the pack in the Pledge of Allegiance!

 It was also really special to have his dad right by his side

Connor also earned his first badge, the Bobcat!

 As a tradition the moms will come up as well

And the cub scout will then award their mom with the mother's pin

that comes with the badge!

  When Edie first accepted the calling as a den leader,  she had no clue that 8 years later she would have three boys that would be going through this inspired program.   The Lord really has a hand in all things, and we know that He has been preparing us through the years!

8 is Great (Part 2-Baptism Day)

There are a lot of choices and decisions that will be made in our lifetime.  Out of those, there are some that are so important, that they will not ONLY carry with us through this life, but on through eternity as well. By turning 8 years old, Connor was able to make one of these choices, which was to follow Jesus Christ's example and be baptized into His church!

What a very special moment it was to witnessed Connor being fully immersed into the water by one (his dad) who is a worthy priesthood holder, and become clean and new again.  

Grandma and Grandpa were there as well to witness this occasion and we even got to hear Grandpa's words and testimony about baptism!  

 As an eternal family, we are all striving together to follow our Savior's example and to hopefully make it back to him and our Father in Heaven someday!  We are so happy that Connor is now one step closer to this goal, and is a great example to his younger brothers!

8 Is Great! (Part 1)

It is hard to believe that our oldest son has turned the magical age of 8!  Connor's birthday fell a few days after school started this year, so because of this and because it fell during the week, he was lucky enough for the celebrations to last 3 whole days!  The night before his birthday we went out to eat. His choice of course!

Steak and Shake was the request

The day after that, which was his real birthday Edie, Bryce, and Jordan all went to the elementary school to have lunch with the birthday boy himself!

Presents were then opened later that evening

Dessert was then provided by tcby! 

The following day was more celebrations and fun!  He wanted to do something a little bigger this year so we told him that he could invite 2 friends, and per his request went to Fast Lane (a family entertainment place)  

With his closest friends (Cayden and Evalyn) by his side, all

are ready to have a terrific time!

First up . . . .BOWLING

Second . . . . LAZER TAG, PIRATE STYLE

*WARNING* the next few images might be weird, scary, and maybe even disturbing, 

but what would the Pirate Lazer Tag Experience be without these?!

It's the Jolly Roger!

ARGH! It is I, capt'n glowing teeth! You best be running away,

before ye walk me plank!

 Tis be the ghosts of the ship coming out to defend their treasure

Beware the WATCHERS OF THE DARK

Luckily everyone got out of there alive, and darted quickly over to their cars to escape!

After the grand escape, arcade playing began!

This prize store was just a tad overwhelming, but very inviting

With playing done, the sounds of empty bellies soon started getting "MAD"
For Pizza that is!

To make the day, and meal complete it was home again for presents and cake and ice cream





Make a wish and then blow!



Being 8 is Most Definitely Great!

Thanks everyone for a fantabulous celebration!