October 20, 2013

This is the latest excitement in Rhyse's life!  Sorry, just realized this picture is sideways.  Anyway, Rhyse is going on week 3 of a non-contagious rash called Erythema Multiforme.  It is a very stubborn rash that is not contagious and can come from a number of different sources.  Along with this very dynamic itchy bullseye rash that covers her body it brings fatigue and achiness.  To treat it we have to give her Zyrtec and an oral steroid.  The steroid has been extremely hard on her, changing her mood to be worse than a seasick sailor, and making her stomach hurt and just making her feel miserable.  One morning she woke up with one whole side of her face swollen up.  Eyes, cheeks, lips, you name it.  It was a little comical, though we tried to not to show it in front of her.  Dealing with her moods (some mornings she is hollering and screaming the first second I open her door) has been really challenging.  We are hoping soon-very soon to be able to stop the steroids so we can get back to normal. I do think things are improving because today and yesterday she began to perk up and play though she still had a terrible rash this am. 

Though we had to miss almost all of Saturday conference because of soccer games, we had a wonderful Sunday conference with our traditional scones (I left out the butter on the dough so they were extremely tough:)) and our between sessions hike.  This year we decided to hike the face of Green Canyon which was very steep but provided instant and constant views of the valley.  It was such a beautiful day and lovely to be up and away together.  I love hiking and love to see my kids moving easily and freely.  It is such a blessing to have Landen healed and again leading the pack!

Just a cute picture of Rhyse enjoying the fruits of our new waffle maker from Mom!

Rhyse and her preschool class took a trip to the fire station.  Rhyse was a little nervous but I was proud that she listened and participated with the other kids.  Fire men in their uniforms are pretty scary!  This particular preschool group is very full of energy.  I had a real challenge on my hands having them a couple of weeks ago for my two week turn.  It got me excited to be a better teacher and we created lots of montessori games that seemed to work better than the traditional group setting. 

The kids and I had the privilege of attending Grandma Higley's funeral.  It was a long drive and a quick trip, but we were very glad to have been there.  It was wonderful to spend time with family, be reminded of what a wonderful person Grandma was, and also remember how fragile life is and how family and friendships and the gospel are the MOST important things in life.  Each of the children dealt with the situation in their own way.  I found it very sweet to be there with them and to be able to talk and sometimes just sit and feel as they went through the process of a loss and a funeral.  After all the viewing and funeral, the kids had a wonderful time with their cousins using up every last minute with playtime.  We ate and ate and ate and played hard, and wore them completely out! Breck has a special relationship with her Grandma and was able to bring home some very special memorabilia of Grandma. 

We felt very blessed to have been protected on our way home.  We were all very tired and found upon arriving home that we had a completely flat tire and also a timing belt that was on it's ninth life.  I really feel like Heavenly Father watched out for us and protected us from harm and accident and getting stuck in the dark in desolate Northern Utah wilderness.  One exciting event that did happen was the sighting of two coyotes, one which ran directly in front of our van!

I even got lucky enough to benefit from some of the Winder girls specialty-make up!  (heaven knows I need it!)  Janessa gave me a makeover and the other sisters provided me with some other tips.  It was fun to talk and be with them.  I admire each of them and enjoy spending time with them. 

Another field trip to the Willow park zoo.  The animal trainer brought in a number of animals for the kids to learn about, including a chinchilla (the very softest) an owl, a turtle, and a cockatoo.  It was a rainy day, but the kids didn't mind and ran around feeding the ducks, enjoying the racoon who was actually awake, and all the beautiful birds. 

Talia in her red skinny jeans from Brigette.  She loves to put together a fun outfit and has a great eye.  Some days its stylin and others its just comfy running clothes and shoes so that "she can play soccer"
Every outfit has to be comfortable enough to be active in.  I love this about her.  This picture also shoes one of my favorite times of the day.  I love the time I get to spend with her at the violin.  She is playing Massenet's Meditation from Thais (which she had to play because she heard how beautifully Dantzel played it) and it is simply a gorgeous song.  I love to see her really feeling the piece and working to make each note beautiful. 

Talia's Aggies FC soccer team.  She played great this year-scoring a hat trick a few times and really improving in her foot skills.  She has reached the point where we really love to watch her play. 

Priesthood-Girls night out!  We had fun going out to dinner together and then watching a movie.  I had this thought while I was sitting there with all my girls, that girls night out is not really that much different than another other night!  I love each of my girls.  This particular night, probably because we were all pretty tired, it seemed a feat to find conversation and activities that could keep everyone engaged and happy.  We have become a pretty diverse bunch.  I am so lucky. 

Talia and Capriel are finally getting to try out their long-held dream of taking gymnastics!  I promised them that this winter we would take a break from basketball and take gymnastics.  I took them in for their initial assessment.  Talia almost had her back handspring down and could do front and back walkovers, so it was fun for them to be able to show them some of their skills.  After the assessment the coach came over and said that they would fit in level 3!  Which is their beginning competition level!  We aren't going to compete, but I was thrilled that they could be in the same class.  The coach said that it is a little advanced for Capriel, but he figures she'll catch up quickly.  "She is VERY strong,"  was his comment after the assessment.  She seems to literally be bouncing around all over the apparatus.  So both girls have taken two classes now and are are incredibly sore but also thrilled to be doing vault and bars and beam.  OK, to be fair, Capriel's a little scared of beam.  Especially when on your first day of gymnastics they try to get you to do forward rolls and kartwheels on the beam!  The coaches were amazed at how strong and capable they are and they are having a great time. 

We had UEA this last weekend and had a great time just hanging out at home.  We went climbing and out to eat for our special family events and the rest of the time just enjoyed sleeping in, eating Landen's crepes, and cookies, and reading, playing outside, and getting projects done.  I don't know if the kids enjoyed this, but I loved having a little more flexibility, time and help, to get a few things done that we don't usually get around to. 

I love this shot of Breck!  Check out those muscles.  This is an especially hard spot where you have to hang almost horizontal to get over that embankment.  All the kids are great climbers and challenge themselves to their limits.  Capriel just flies up the wall and then can be seen swinging all over the ropes.  She can even sissor her way up the ropes without her legs.  She figured out a way to tie her self into the ropes so that she could sort of climb and swing without having a belayer. 

This was also the first time Rhyse really climbed.  She has been really sick and even more ornery from the steriods and overall malaise, so it was pretty exciting to see her trying it and having a good experience. 

The kids enjoying a ride on the neighbors "train" on a gorgeous fall day.  They've taken many a ride on this homemade train that runs behind a four-wheeler.  We have the best neighbors. 

Capriel's soccer team.  Capriel loved soccer this year and scored tons of goals.  She learned to dribble much better and spread out and follow her kicks.  She had an awesome coach and a team with lots of kids who really wanted to be there.  A fun year!

Another fun campfire in our new firepit.  Thanks Grandma Pete.  My favorite part was after we had packed up the food and headed inside, Tal and Lan and Capriel and RHyse stayed out in the complete dark and played with the fire.  They like to make homemade pencils and write messages and could even be seen doing some type of indian war dance!  It significantly enhanced their pretend world and made me so happy to be able to provide that experience for them.  Every child should have access to fire in their playworlds.