A Happy Home is Filled with Love and Laughter: November 2013

Putting up the Christmas Lights

Beej & Chris

We bought our Christmas tree the first year BJ and I were married on a black Friday sale for like $25 and have used it ever since. Sure I have told BJ that we need a bigger tree or that I would like a real tree, but this tree fits our family pretty good. I especially love all of the ornaments that we put on it every year. Each year we pick something that represents that year. Since my knee problems have been happening since BJ and I got married- this knee surgery was definitely one of the most important things of the year.

BJ found this ornament and we both thought it was just perfect. I am always putting up my knees to elevate them while I ice or because they are hurting, and since we went to Disneyland this year it fit perfectly.

This year mom made a felt tree for the kids to play with instead of the real tree's ornaments, yeah it helped a little. But we still had to keep putting ornaments up at the top of the tree after Connor pulled them off. But hey- it was worth a try, and the kids had fun with the felt tree anyway.

Pink Eye/Thanksgiving

Beej & Chris

Connor and Kaylee had been suffering from a cold for a few days when Connor's eye started to drain. I assumed it was a cold in his eye but when Kaylee woke up with the same type of symptoms, and neither one of them were sleeping through the night, we finally took them to the doctor the night before Thanksgiving. Both kids had ear infections as well as Pink Eye.

We quickly started their antibiotic knowing they wouldn't finish the 24 hours until the evening of thanksgiving, so I went shopping and quickly gather together a mini Thanksgiving feast for our small little family

All Kaylee and Connor wanted was JELLO. They each picked the color they wanted and helped to make it. They were so excited to eat the Jello they could barely wait lol

We turned on the Thanksgiving parade while mom cooked the Thanksgiving lunch. Dad got to go play football with some guys in the ward. He was pretty excited since he doesn't get to do that very often since we are usually gone for Thanksgiving.

Looking at all the deals

The kids "helped" to make rolls. Okay mom made the rolls and let the kids have some leftover dough to play with after

And here is our feast. Instead of Turkey we had ham. It was pretty good. Not as good as homemade stuffing, but not to bad for a last minute feast

Naptime

That afternoon after naps the kids eyes were clear (the eye drops we started helped a ton) and since they had been on their antibiotic for 24 hours we headed to Idaho to go spend time with the grandparents

Connor got a hold of my phone and took a few pictures of himself

Since we got there late we ended up staying the night. The kids took FOREVER to fall asleep, but we had fun spending time at Great Grandma and Grandpa Scott's house. We played games with Grandma and laughed and talked. We sure wish they lived closer!

Knee Surgery/Recovery

Beej & Chris

Getting all ready for my bilateral knee surgery at LDS Hospital

I was so anxious and nervous for the surgery days before it happened, but after a Priesthood blessing the actual morning of surgery I was surprisingly calm.

Doc came in and marked the order that he wanted to perform the surgery on my knees. He wanted to start with my Left that way if there was a miniscal repair he would only do that one.

BJ took pictures of everything ha ha

Surgery went good. I came out of anesthesia A LOT better than with my D&C. I slept a lot. The ended up doing surgery on both knees. They scraped 'PLICA' off both knees and found arthritis in both knees with the left being the worst. The doctor said he 'smoothed' out the arthritis off the knee as much as he could but it will continue to worsen over the years and knee replacements are in my future.

Here is what I looked like after surgery. I did walk out (hobble out) of the hospital, but ended up using crutches for a few days to go to the bathroom just for support

Papa Bruce watched the kids (THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!) and my parents came and visited (watched me sleep) while I was in the hospitall

Here I am a few days after surgery. I kept icing my knees and taking my aspirin just as the doctor ordered

Kaylee and Connor kept me company. I stayed upstairs for the first few days and the kids kept coming and visiting me. I LOVED it!

BJ was the best nurse ever! He bought me treats and drinks and took such great care of the kids. He was there supporting my arms as I went to the bathroom those first few days, and did anything he could to keep me focused on getting better rather than worrying about the house or the kids. I am soo grateful for the great husband I have!!

My amazing friend Challae knew BJ had to work Monday (which was under a week after my surgery) so she took it upon herself to come and help get Kaylee to dance and take care of my kids as much as she could. She made lunch for my kids and was there ready and willing to do whatever she could. I just love how close Challae lives and that our kids are so close in age. Challae is one of those people everyone can get a long with because she is so kind and fun to hang out with. I am so grateful for our friendship.

While the girls went to dance the boys kept me company. They play soo well together. Connor and Everette took turns listening to each others feet with the stethescope

A few days later I had fun putting makeup on the kids. Daddy didn't like it very much, so we may not be able to do it again ;) but we shall see...

Night before Knee Surgery FEAST

Beej & Chris

Since we knew I was having Knee surgery and wouldn't be able to eat from midnight on we decided to go to an 'all you can eat buffet' the night before.

The grandparents, Nate, Angela and her kids, and Uncle Johnathon came with us

We got a few cousin pictures after (missing Brooklynn, Carson, and Logan though)

That night I took Kaylee with me to the Jazz game. Kaylee is getting so good at sitting at those games. She has got the music down and will dance on her chair and will yell "Defense" really loud.