Christmas 2011

For many that know me, you will know that I am not a big fan of the Holidays. I guess in a nut shell it is because I feel to much pressure. I really feel like it is hard to focus ont he true meaning of Christmas when all I can think about is gifts I need to give and then I worry if the receiver will like what I am giving them. This goes for my friends, neighbors, relative, and yes, even my kiddos. It always ends up nicely. My kids are always thrilled, so I don't know why I worry so much, but I do. It's just me. So, here are a few pictures of our wonderful Christmas. Tera hosted our Prestwich Family party at her house. Calvin Requested a good Ol' Fashion VW Molasses Taffy Pull. I don't particularly love pulling Taffy, but It was a good memory to make! Tera did a fabulous job with the Cafe Rio dinner. Santa brought all of the kids a present and we did our traditional white elephant gift exchange.
On Christmas Eve we have a tradition to go to our good Friends Randall and Sharee Wise. They are wonderful hosts, and we just love them! It is always super fun!
Christmas morning we woke up at about 7:00 AM. I love that my kids still sleep in for the most part. Tim, Steve and Kassie came over to open presents and have our tradtional breakfast Quiche. Grandma Julie was super sick on Christmas, so we didn't get to see her and it wasn't the same without her. The boys seemed happy with their gifts. They all got a Trampoline from Santa. Kyle got a helmet Camera. Jared got a Kindle touch. Spencer and Landon got Remote control Helicopters. Later Jared said, it wasn't the most exciting Christmas we've had, but it was still good. I am glad that it is over!

The Boys on Christmas Morning...


Jared helping Tera hand out her GIANT candy canes


Jessica and Landon


Granny and Lisa


Cathryn and Lisa (Lisa is always behind the camera, so it was fun to get a shot or two of her)


The Slocum and Wise Kids....Wowzers!

Our Newest Family Member...

We were heart broken after Maggie died. It is so true how everyone says animals become a member of your family. As you can see we didn't last long without getting another dog. We weren't trying to replace Maggie, but it our home just didn't feel right without a dog here. So, we found little Ellie. Sometimes I think we are crazy for getting a puppy. It is definately a huge learning curve. But...she sure is cute!

Allof the pictures below are the first day we got her. She was super Tiny and snuggly!

Our Sweet Maggie Girl...

Maggie was our first family dog. We all fell in love with her from the minute we got her on Christmas 2007. She was four years old when we got her and fully house trained. She never had one accident (that we knew of) in the house and never chewed on anything we didn't want her to. We could leave her in the house alone for up to 8 hours and never had to wake up with her in the night. It took us a while to get her social with other dogs, but once we did, she was so sweet with them. She loved walks to the mailbox with Chad and learned to love car rides. We took her on a few hikes, and she was such a trooper with her short little legs. She protected me when Chad was at work and helped me feel safe. She was seriously the best first dog we could have ever imagined. In November 2011, I noticed she wasn't acting normal. She was skipping meals and sleeping more often. At first Chad just thought she was getting old. One day he was home with her all day and got a little worried. He took her to the doctor, and they felt a tumor near her stomach (but not in it). They decided to operate and put a drain tube in to see if they could shrink the tumor. After a few days they took out the drain tube and said that he wound would heal on its own. Well, the wound never healed and she started bleeding more...lots more. We took her to the doctor every couple of days, but they would always just send us away (we won't be going back to that doctor). After a week and a half, Chad took her in and demanded they do more tests and do something. Well, they tested her blood levels and she had lost over half her blood. They told Chad that she wouldn't make it through the night and recommended taking her to a special Animal Hospital in SLC. So, Chad brought her home so that we could all say goodbye to her. It was so heartbreaking for us all, and we all held her and cried. So, so hard! She spent the night in the ICU and had a couple of blood transfusions (little ones...who knew they had blood transfusions for dogs). The specialist came the next morning and said there was nothing they could do for her. He thought she had sarcoma cancer and it was spreading down her leg quickly. He didn't think she would make it through the day. Chad had to say goodbye to her again. He said they let him go into the ICU where he laid down by her and spent a little more time with her before he said goodbye. He called me from the hospital (I was teaching preschool) and we had a good cry over the phone together. We all loved her so much and will never forget our first family dog!


Maggie had the longest tounge yet never slobbered like most bulldogs!


Maggie had the best physique. Everytime we took her tot he vet he had to show her to everyone and tell them that is what a bulldog should look like



Chad loved Maggie


We loved her floppy cheeks and underbite


She loved to make her own bed, and find her own pillows


Oh how we love her so!


This is the night we said goodbye
Jared giving Maggie lots of love. She returned her love with lots of kisses


Landon Saying Goodbye


Spencer giving his last hugs

Trying to smile through tears...our last hugs for our Maggie


We love you Maggie and will NEVER forget you!

Canning 2011

Canning...I love it, but I hate it.
Luckily, I don't hate it for quite as long as I love it. I hate doing it...especially alone. It is time consuming and hot, and sticky and the clean up is the worst part of all. But, I love leaving the jars on my counter to admire my hard work. They must stay on the counter for at least three days. I love having fresh fruit all year long! I love that this year I canned with NO SUGAR! That is right folks...no sugar! Actually, no sweetner at all! Oh, and how I love the sound of a ping! Music to my ears!
This year I canned, peaches, pears (they were first and probably as last), tomatoes and grape juice. Really wished I could have done salsa, spaghetti sauce, green beans and apples, but seriously...who has the time?

Sadly, I only got pictures of the peaches and grape juice. I Don't have the energy to haul the other stuff back upstairs for a photo shoot!


 
 
 

First Day of School

I am still trying to play catch up with my blog posts. This is from the first day of school this year. Spencer is in first grade, Landon is in second and Jared is in fourth grade. Kyle isn't pictured, because he left earlier for Junior High, and I forgot to take his picure. Yes, I am still totally freaking out that I have a son in Jr. High. So, here they are looking as handsome as ever on the first day of school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landon's Dance Recital May 2011

I just had to get this post in as well. Landon took a couple of ballroom dance classes last year. One was called Jitterbugs and the other was called PeeWee Ballroom. He loved it! Absolutely loved it. I had a few technical difficulties with the camera, so I didn't get a good shot of him on stage, but he did a great job. Here are some pics afterwards. I made him a candy bouquet. I didn't sign him for dance again. He is really wanting to try gymnastics, so I am going to look into that! I am so proud of him though. I guess I am making my boys to all of the things that I wish I could have done as a child.

April 2011 Piano Recital

This is another post that is long overdue. This is Kyle and Jared's second Piano Recital. I am so proud of them. They each did a solo and then they did a duet together. They memorized their pieces and did an awesome job. Sister Johnson wanted each student to introduce their piece and then bow afterwards. Jared introduced his piece. But, wouldn't have anything to do with bowing.

Kyle and Jared with Sister Johnson, their piano teacher


Kyle and Jared doing their duet


Kyle playing his piece


Jared playing his piece


Sister Johnson even played a piece. It was very tender. Her husband was sitting right beside her with tears the whole time!