Fall Break...Plan B

 We were off to a fabulous start...looking ahead to Legoland and lots of time with grandparents aunts, uncles, cousins...

 Getting cleaned up in Gma's tub!

 Then off to the pumpkin patch, but had to make it quick cuz gma got called back for more jury duty:(

 Grandma hooked us up with some perfect pumpkins and then we headed up to Jackie's to see her new baby Maggie.  So sad we didn't get a close up of her, she's soooo sweet!

 Robyn Jake Me Luke Bree Maggie Jackie Mike

 That night we drove down to San Diego.  Bree woke up in the middle of the night with a stomachache.  The next morning, she had a fever to go with it. So we tossed our plans and set up camp at Gmas.  We thought we'd try the healing power of a game of hand and foot.

 And what stomachache can't be cured with Grandma's popcorn?

After a day of Bree walking bent over in pain and a fever that wouldn't subside, we decided our homemade remedies might not be enough.  The next morning, we took her to urgent care.

 

 And they sent us straight to the ER. 

(Thanks so much Aunt Spinder for taking the boys all day for me!)

 By 4:00 that afternoon they were sure it was her appendix.   Bree was pretty quiet most of the day because she was in a lot of pain.  Then Nurse Lindsay put her IV in but hit a valve and had to pull it out.   Bree screamed like I've never heard her scream before.  Lots of tears. When she found out there was going to be a second try, oh my! She begged and pleaded, but to no avail.  On the second attempt, the nurse was pretty sure she hit a valve again.  But Bree calmed down and so the nurse decided it was probably okay and she left it in (they took it out in the OR though and gave her another one, so it probably wasn't in the best spot after all.  I can't imagine how hard it is to put those things in!).  Once Bree got a little morphine in her though, things took a nice turn.  She opened right up.  Telling Lindsay how the machine that kept beeping should have a letter keyboard on it so she could type in "SHUT UP", and how the thing in her stomach that kept going "BAM! BAM!" was now just going "ping! ping!".  And when the Nurse started talking about how sorry she was that Bree had to go with no food, Bree just told her that she was used to it because she has to fast on Sundays but not her little brother because he's too young, so she has to just sit there and watch him eat all day. Might have gotten a raised eyebrow or two from that story.  Nurse Lindsay suggested I step out to get a cup of coffee and Bree did not hold back about the mormon/coffee thing.  Too bad we got our own room right after that, I'm sure Nurse Lindsay would have loved to have heard more!

You can't even imagine my sheer and utter joy when I stepped outside Bree's room and saw Nat rounding the corner.  Had no idea she was coming and she was just the best sight ever! She came with her big blue bag of presents and treats and toothbrushes & jammies for me! Then Grandma brought presents and Grandpa and Stan skipped out of their crazy work schedules to be there to give Bree a blessing.  It was so wonderful to have all of them there.   

 Jer left straight from work to grab the next flight out and we were crossing our fingers that he would make it in time to see her before she went in for surgery.

 Can't even describe the look on her face when he made it.  She had been crying earlier saying that she just wanted dad and I seriously thought there was no way he'd make it, but he got there just in time!  I was just a little bit glad too:)  I don't know how he did it, but it was all just perfect.  We saw her off to surgery and waited a mere 45 minutes before the surgeon (who was superhuman I tell you), came out and told us it all went well! 

 The next morning Grandma brought the boys and it was so good to see them!  Jake took one look at the adjustable bed, TV overhead and the room service menu and decided he'd be happy to make that his permanent residence. 

 By 2:00 we were all checked out and headed over to Spinders for one of the main reasons we came...little Penelope Natalie!  Talk about a slice of heaven. 

Can't even tell you how dreamy she is. 

 And that night Bree was back to her old self playing dress-ups and all.

 Meanwhile the rest of us girlies proceeded to educate Emily and Amber with stories from our teenage years of worst kisses ever.  (They said we scarred them for life, but they look pretty happy here to me.) 

Maybe we should have stuck to that amazing card game we were playing with the boys!   

 Oh and this one.  He rode home with Grandpa in his favorite car ever. 

 I must admit he's looking pretty darn good behind the wheel.

We might have missed Legoland, but how lucky and blessed we are that it was only her appendix and that she got the best care in a top notch children's hospital and that we had our incredible family here with us.  Turned out to be a pretty sweet vacation after all!

Tiff Was Here!

So glad that Tiff's grandpa turned 90-some years old so she could hit his party then come and stay with us for a few days.  Her visit couldn't have been more timely as I was in desperate need of her phone.  Had some prank calls to return and in the process I taught Tiffany everything I know.  In return, she taught me how to get a free helicopter ride out of the Grand Canyon.  We could make a dangerous team.

The Preschool co-op was at my house this week and Makayla fit right in. 

She could sing all the songs by the end of the day. That girl is one smart cookie.

We could not for anything get these guys to all look at the camera and smile for us. But I think I won Conner over with a few suckers, a splash pad and an early morning walk.  He is completely yummy!

Nothing like late night swings at the park....or bedtime stories with cousins. 

Tiffany, good thing you're so easy going cuz the last two days were full of our over-scheduled daily craziness!  Thanks for tolerating it all and next time we will definitely make more time for play!

Volleyball

 Bree and Georgia make a valiant effort to return the serve. 

Bree is loving volleyball, especially with Georgia on her team:)

Jake has been on the fence a bit about just how much he loves it.  Mainly because the girls out number the boys about 20:1.  But his first time up to serve he hit 10 over in a row. 

Kind of studly, eh?  Just wish he knew it:) 

(That's him serving you can see the ball sailing over the net - sweet!)

Darnit

 That's the name of this guy.  Jake said he's thinking that's what the fish thought when it got caught, so that's what he named it.  And last night when I was far far away at the RS Broadcast, they ate Darnit.  I have bones in a ziplock baggie on my counter to prove it.

I think these two had a great trip. Most of it is top secret guy stuff, but I do know they were attacked by javelinas and had to jump up on the table to avoid getting their shins bitten off.  They roasted some delish marshmallows and were one of the few fishers to actually get a bite.  And Jake loved every minute being up there with his Dad.  Breezy and I missed them a bunch, but truth be told, we are really hoping Luke will get the invite next time:)

Jonas Phx

Loaded up the Ri van and we were off!

Riley Me Sarah Brittany Leah Georgia Macie Bree

What a fun night! Loved the big grassy hill that the girls ran up and down and danced on all night, breezy gettin me to boogie down with her, my germ free baggies of candy, the long intermission, rockin the lounge lizards, the confiscation of all things glo, tank tops w/ skinny jeans, the JBros shout out to all the parents with a Beatles song (seriously we're not that old!), screaming like tweenage girls, time with my BFF and the best poster in the house! 

Sarah, you just keep us in the loop cuz man we like the way you play!

Labor Day Weekend

Luke was definitely doing all the labor today.

Luke was a bit distressed over the sharing arrangement we had going on.  He brought his own penny and couldn't figure out why he couldn't just go buy his own.

Love those Fischers!

And just throwing this one in from Friday afternoon. Finally Luke plays dress up with some boy clothes!  Arghh Matey!

Happy Labor Day!

Viva La Italy!

Date night started out with a trip to the temple.  We did sealings and every single name was an unpronounceable Italian name.  This unbeknownst to me made my jaw drop and my eyes go into a blank stare which made Patrick have an uncontrollable urge to laugh out loud (thank heavens he refrained). When the sealings were complete, Eric couldn't wait to announce to everyone (including the sealer) how the night was just falling into place...Italian names and now we were headed off to Oreganos!  When some other guy in our group said, "Well that seals the deal doesn't it?", the sealer showed us all to the door.

Oh and the night just got funnier.

My dinner.  Might have been a little bit hungry when I ordered the whole 18 incher.  This came on the heels of the 3 appetizers we ordered, so I couldn't quite finish her off, but oh my is lunch going to be tasty tomorrow! 

So here are some things to know before heading off on a date with these guys. Eric just might show up inappropriately dressed and suggest changing in your car. Patrick just might incorrectly correct the sealer. Maynhia will definitely get hot and then cold throughout course of the date and she will order an entire pizza and be so full by the time it gets to the table she won't even be able to take one bite. Maryann just might need to order something different and not boring like cheese pizza and I just might slap your hand if you try to take a slice of my pizza. Oh and Jer.  Jer just might be the self-proclaimed party pooper (sorry guys no Jesters tonight!) But we love him oh yes yes we do and we wouldn't have him any other way.  Did you know he is fond of the color yellow but only when worn on the rim of a hat?

Fun night guys! Same time next month?

Painting Day!

I traced their bodies and the kids painted them today.  It was so interesting to watch each boy paint and see how one had to stay in the lines and use predominately one color, and another had to paint with every color and cover every part of  the paper and how another just sort of put a few strokes and was done.  They are all so different and it is fun to see how their differences really go well together!   I am loving our pre-school group so much!  So sad my turn is over for a few weeks:( 

What am I gonna do without out Lukie for 3 hours?!?!?!? 

 I just may have a lunch date lined up with Jer already!

ten rows back

The Fischers came through BIG time with these amazing seats (which came with free parking and food vouchers whoowee!). My Padres were in town so I could not have been more excited (my how I love that Tony Gwynn!).  Amber and Heidi entertained all night and Chad finally moved over by Jer to get out of the estrogen zone. Taters got a free shirt and his hat autographed by some Dbacks mascott.  We rubbed shoulders with Dan Majerle. It was a night to remember especially Amber asking every guy that sat in front of us if he was the one that sang the National Anthem to start the game off. You know they all look alike. Thanks Fischers for a real treat of a night. Keep this up and we just might start to forgive you for moving across town.