Acute Appendicitus

 The Saturday before Thanksgiving Josh complained of soreness on his lower right abdomen while also having a high fever.  We at first didn't think much of it because everyone had been barfing ALL week with stomach flu.  On Saturday morning David decided that it was suspiciously close to the symptoms of appendicitis and thought that I should take him to his pediatrician.  I headed there at 9:00 am.  His doctor also thought that his symptoms were dangerous and sent us to the hospital to get an ultrasound and blood work done.

So, off Josh and I went to American Fork Hospital.  After waiting hours, we finally got in to the ultrasound tech.  When the radiologist read his results they were inconclusive so the surgeon ordered a CT scan. 

A few more hours later, the surgeon determined that there was some fluid around his appendix and that surgery was the best, safest option.   By now it was 4:00 pm and we were to wait our turn for an operating room.

So, FINALLY, at 6:00 and 9 hours later, he was wheeled into surgery.  The procedure lasted about an hour, was uneventful and thankfully OVER!  He and David spent one night in the hospital and he came home Sunday afternoon.  Other than a rash at his incision site, he is feeling 100%.

 Going into the CT scanner.

WAITING and WAITING and WAITING!!!!

 Right after surgery in his hospital room.

The beautiful view from his room.  It made the stay a little less painful.  (At least for ME!)

A Day at the Dentist

Don't let the sweet smile fool you.  Rachel gave me MUCH GRIEF before we got to this point in the chair.  I couldn't even tell her she was going to the dentist until we were on our way because she had previously broke down in SOBS at the VERY thought of it.  But at our last dental cleaning her dentist discovered 8 cavities on her molars -- so here we are again.  When their office called to confirm her appointment I asked them if she could have some sort of DRUGS to calm her during the procedure or we were going to have to put her completely out.  They agreed.

  When we got to the appointment the nice lady gave me a two TINY pills for Rachel to swallow.  WOW - who knew THAT would be the hardest part of the process.  She would 

1. put the pill on her tongue 

2. refuse to take a drink  

3.spit the pill out

4. REPEAT!!!!!!   

Over and over again

I thought I was going to have to open her mouth like you do an animal and make her gag down the pills.  Thankfully she was able to get them down EVENTUALLY.  Then the nice lady said it was time to come back to the chair.  Rachel said "No thanks.  I'll stay here."  With the bribe of watching a movie she was convinced to follow the nice lady to her chair (who was chuckling to herself during this whole ordeal).  

Thank goodness for TV and DRUGS!!!

Rachel was STONED the whole time and he was able to fill 4 of the worst cavities.  She couldn't even walk after wards.  When she was done she told me they didn't even have to give her any shots.  I asked Dr. Jones if he had any more pills I could take home :).

Poor JAKERS also had a day of suffering at the dentist.  He has EXTREME crowding in his mouth and had to have 5 teeth pulled.  He was a SUPERSTAR during the whole thing.  His dentist kept commenting on how good he was.  I told him that there is ONE GOOD thing about ADD.  If the TV is on he is absorbed.

Walmart in the Rain

You can never be too prepared for a trip to Walmart in the rain.  Danny felt he needed his hoody sweater - Honu the turtle - a brownie - and his safety goggles.  He actually wore this ensemble all day.  Who am I to judge.  I never have claimed to be good at fashion.

(My keyboard is acting up and my question mark and coma keys don't work so I am improvising with the - instead.)

Chocolate Muffins - YUMMM!!!

Danny asked for chocolate muffins and usually that is all that is needed for me to say SURE!!!  I just can't so NO to chocolate.  He has his safety "tanning" sunglasses on JUST IN CASE!!

Halloween 2010

 Despite the POURING rain David was an AWESOME dad and took the kids out trick-or-treating.  I got a phone call about 20 minutes later for an emergency pick-up since the wind had made the umbrellas pointless.  From then on David took the kids from house to house in the van.

 I decided to be the "best mom ever" and dress up for the kids Halloween parties at school.  I usually prefer to be a witch but ended up with this Cleopatra costume that Sarah refused to wear.  I had to head to Stef's house in the morning to get my make-up done - fake eye lashes and all!!!

By 2 o'clock I was ready to rip the eye lashes off- wash my face and put my jammies on.  I'm not cut out to be fancy!

 She is SOOO good at being a kitty.  Meow!

The kids made a killing even with the wet weather.  While they and the neighbor kids watched Harry Potter an enormous candy bomb went off in the living room.

Scouts RULE!

This week we went to the Highland Fire Station for our cub scouts activity.  We were able to tour the station and see where the fire fighters live when they are on duty and learn about fire safety.  While we were learning about the different kinds of fire engines the fire man got permission to take us ALL on a drive around the block in the ladder truck!

 I don't think there was anyone more excited than BUBBA.  He got to sit in the front seat with me while we drove around the block in the HUGE black ladder truck.  The fireman even put the siren on!

SNOW Already!!!!

Yeah - this is what we woke up to two days before Halloween.  A STINKIN' winter wonderland.  It is suppose to be FALL not WINTER!  I'm not ready!

Mexico City - Last Day :(

On our last day we went to the ruins called Teotihuacán outside of Mexico City.  It is one of the world's most important archaeological sites. It was the largest city in the Americas, and during its heyday around 500 AD, its population was greater than that of Rome at the same time.  Mexico has two of the world's three largest pyramids: the third largest is here in Teotihuacán - Pirámide del Sol - The Pyramid of the Sun. 

 

David and I with the Pyramid of the Sun behind us.

 When we first got there we went to the Pyramid of the Moon which is at the far end of the Avenue of the Dead.  In the picture below David is at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon.  You can see the Pyramid of the Sun in the background and the Avenue of the Dead that leads a mile away to the Temple of the Feathered Serpent at the other end.

 

There are also many sheltered ruins that have beautiful and colorful murals and sculpture.   You can only imagine what this must have looked like thousands of years ago.

Here we are with Spencer and his wife Danielle on the middle tear of the Pyramid of the Sun.  In the background is the Pyramid of the Moon.  

(The photographer forgot to remind David and I to suck it in.  We look like we just ate a large lunch!)

 Later that night we got all dressed up and went to see the Ballet Folklórico de México.  It was AWESOME!!!!!

Look how the smallest guy has the largest guitar!  Ha Ha!!!  I wonder what is he compensating for!

Mexico - Day 3

 On Saturday we went to a huge craft market.  We spent several hours shopping and browsing the tiendas.  The doorway is decorated with fresh-cut flowers.  I found myself a double mochajete (guacamole squisher for you gringos) and the girls a charm to add to their bracelet.

 I decided to become a  scary vampire "luchador".  Actually I got this for one of my boys.  All good households have a lucha libre mask!

 After the market we headed back to Polanco and had lunch.  We ate . . .  you guessed it:  Mexican food!  It was VERY good.

 A close-up of our tacos.

 After lunch we went to the "central park" to tour the castle at the top of the hill.  It was built during the Spanish occupation.  Inside is a museum of Mexican history and also had many of the original furnishings of the castle.

I know it's hard to tell the difference between the statue and me.

 On our way back to the hotel we stopped to try a mission favorite of Spencer's called "elotes".  Danielle had heard that they were SOOOOO good from many people.  It was worth a try.

They take a corn cob and cover it in mayo with lime juice and then sprinkle cajan pepper and seasonings and cheese.  It doesn't sound that bad . . . if you like mayo.  But you have to imagine the little cart with the HUGE tub of mayo sitting out in the sun all day.  Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.  It didn't smell that good either.  Danielle managed a couple bites before it got dumped in the trash.

More Mexico-A Day of Sightseeing

We started our day at the crack of 10:00 am, David on the phone working and me at the gym getting my run in. Then we headed to eat a quick breakfast at the "executive lounge" eating fancy food. Afterward we headed to the local department store to buy me a WOOL COAT because I have been freezing.



Here we are in the lobby of the hotel with my fancy new coat, riding boots and skinny jeans. Who knew that I could be fashionable!

David's colleague and his wife arrived around noon so we went back to the hotel and met them. We then headed to the "historical district" and ate lunch at a restaurant in La Casa de Azulejos. The whole building is covered in hand painted blue tiles. It is stunning!




Inside the building with Danielle and Spencer. The inside is a huge open courtyard.

Close-ups of the tiles.

Eating again!!




This is inside the National Cathedral in the Zocalo "the public square". Everything has been dipped in gold. Quite opulent.




These are the doors into the cathedral.



This is an old confessional. I just thought it was cool.





As we were walking around we saw this street performer. He is a silver skeleton and I couldn't resist a photo.




Behind me in a glass box is a skull and bones. SPOOKY!

Viva Mexico

There is nothing better than getting away for the weekend WITHOUT children. David and I headed to Mexico City so he can show me his "home away from home". When we arrived it was overcast and COLD. Now, understand me when I say cold. I'm coming from fall in Utah where it has been in the mid 70's with clear windless skies. Here, in MEXICO, it is overcast, windy and 60. Burrrrrrrr. I didn't bring my coat. I brought my swim suit hoping to get a tan. Well, thankfully there are other things to do here than sun bathe.

We hit a lot of traffic from the airport to the hotel so we were pretty hungry when we got there. When we got to the JW Marriott there were 30+ security guards in the lobby. David found out that the future president of Mexico was having a conference here. It's a little intimidating to walk into a place under national security. Thankfully we didn't look threatening and passed without incident.

We got checked in and then walked to a great Japanese restaurant around the corner. Apparently the rich Mexicans in Polanco don't actually eat Mexican food but prefer more foreign cuisine.









We ordered edamame, algae salad, fried rice and a mixed tempura. I am trying to eat more adventurously and really enjoyed the seaweed salad. On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a chocolate shop. You can never go wrong with chocolate!!!!!!









Of course David was able to get us an upgraded room. We have a corner suite overlooking part of Mexico City's "central park". What a stunning view!!! The room is pretty swanky too, although thankfully there isn't a hammock in the shower!!!

Location:Mexico City

BYU's Homecoming Game

Dave got season passes this year to BYU football and has had a great time bonding with the boys each week. This time I decided to go with him and make it a date night. The Chandlers came with us and THANKFULLY BYU actually won a game! We stopped at Burger Supreme on our way there and had awesome hamburgers, fries, onion rings and milk shakes. You just can't get better than that!

Location:Provo, Utah