Ho Ho Ho

Sleepy Babies

Justin and Megan are dedicated to afternoon naps. On Sunday church and naps coincide and the naps usually do not happen. By dinner they are so tired that they can't really even eat very well because they are falling asleep between bites. This Sunday was no exception. Justin was trying to enjoy a sucker but couldn't decide if he should eat it or close his eyes. Fortunately, they are both really pleasant despite the exhaustion. Megan is proof of that.

So Smart

I acquired a My First Signs Baby Einstein video. I put it in the car when we are on one of our many trips to town and the babies are bored. They absolutely love it. The first time I put it in Megan couldn't take her eyes off it and giggles the entire way through. Well, the other morning Megan got up and was toddling around. She was right by Annie and me and very clearly signed and said kiss. Annie and I were so excited and almost in disbelief but she kept saying and signing it. Since then we have noticed her signing milk and blanket, but of course only when she feels like it--she is a year old after all :) She is so smart!

Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma's best friend is Emma. So...she is Emma K. and her friend is Emma P. They were both born on December 3rd in the same hospital. Emma K at 5 in the morning and Emma P and 5 in the evening. Grandma Jo's birthday is December 2nd. So....Friday after school we headed out to celebrate!

Grandma is so sweet about sharing her birthday

The Emmas

Every other year we have a one friend party in lieu of inviting all the friends from school. These parties are my favorite! It is always fun to see what the kids will decide to do. Emma decided to do just what Jake had chosen for his birthday a couple months ago. We went to play at Monkey Bizness and then bless her she substituted Red Robin for McDonalds.

Jake started the day with a tooth to the lip as he landed at the bottom of the slide. He thought a band aid would help and he was right :)

THE ROCK WALL:

Everyone who tried made it all the way to the top!

Annie

Me! So nervous the kids would make it and I would not.

Travis and Emma had a race to the top. Travis had a rough and hilarious start, but came out victorious

Amber

Marc

On the day of Emma's birthday:

Emma moved back into a room of her own sometime this summer. I found the perfect bedspread for her when she moved in but beyond that have not decorated. It was so empty in there it echoed! So, while she was at school Grandma Jo came over and helped me make it a room Emma would love. She got a desk and chair, letters to spell her name created by Kenna, all kinds of wall stickers...well, here is the surprise and the tour:

=

We took a little break mid celebration to go watch Amber receive her honors as the Junior class princess for the Winter Formal. She is so beautiful and looked perfect all dressed up!

We are so blessed to have Emma. She is a very special spirit--always the peacemaker. She has always had a sense of who she is and what is right. She is an example to all of us. Her laughter is SO contagious, she is so smart (currently reading 88 words a minute), she is talented at everything she tries, and loves being a big sister.

Happy birthday Ems, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Diet Coke and Kisses

Megan knows just how to get what she wants.

10 Years Already?!

Looking at this picture I have to giggle. If someone would have told Travis and me what these ten years would have held, we never would have believed them. The girl in this picture never dreamt of having a large family, living in the country, and being called "Sister Bishop". But....fortunately the Lord often has better plans than we create for ourselves. I feel so blessed at all I have been given and can't wait to see what the next ten years brings. Happy Anniversary T-Bone and Kraupp Family :)

Oh Justin!

It seems as though there have been countless blogs entitled "Oh Jake". Today begins the "Oh Justins". I noticed him trying to climb in the toilet, I told him no. Silly me for thinking he would listen. I left the room for a second to grab something in the kitchen and returned to Justin who, by the way, was delighted with what he had accomplished.

It sure is a good thing he is cute!

The Nose Job

Wednesday afternoon Travis went in to have the surgery done to fix the four wheeler damage to his nose. I don't think anyone anticipated the pain he would experience. He tells us that the repair hurts far worse than the initial break. He has silicone splints up inside each nostril and a cast on the outside. He goes in Tuesday afternoon to have all of that removed. In the meantime, it is essential for him to keep up with his pain medication. Nights seem to be the worst since he can't recline at all. We will all be glad when this week is over and Travis is feeling better.

Grandma Amy and Papa made the trip over to help. Bless them! I think we are tiring them right out. Grandma is cooking, chasing babies, feeding babies, changing diapers, keeping Jake busy, and even fit in a batch of cookies.

It is a little hard to see but Emma and Jake both bandaged their noses last night.

And here is our dear patient. He looks a little high doesn't he?

Emma is always so willing to help. Travis can't bend over so she helped him put his socks on.

We Did It!!

It took us just over two years, but we read the Book of Mormon together as a family!!! It has been a very special experience for our family and we are all very excited to have finished our goal.

Cleaning the Garage...

My inability to keep a clean garage is embarrassing. I love it when it is clean, but can't seem to keep up. Anyway...I tackled it on Monday. Good news it is still clean. I bundled the babies up tight and put them in the stroller. Jake was happy to push them around (oh dear) while I attacked the filth. It didn't take long before Meg was sound asleep.

As I was putting all the bikes back in the garage. I grabbed Emma's old bike which happens to be the same size as Jake's new bike. The difference is that Emma's bike doesn't have training wheels. I put him on the bike and he took off! I didn't have to trick him into thinking I was holding on when I really wasn't, I didn't have to bribe him, I didn't even have to run along with him ! He just took off. Poor little guy has been telling us for over a month that he needed the training wheels off his bike.

Trunk or Treat

The babies didn't care much for the wig...

Our Halloween candy collecting adventures each year include: a ward trunk or treat party, school parties, and then trick or treating to the businesses in Homedale. They are all spaced our enough that by the time one event is complete and it is time for the next we are out of candy! Candy limiting is not something I think is healthy for children...besides there is no possible way for me to set an example--if there is candy around it needs to be eaten!

At the last minute Jake switched from his original plan of dressing as a magician and decided to be a cowboy. Emma dressed up as a clown. Annie created a design she calls Tarantula Lady. Megan and Justin are Mickey and Minnie. Everyone looks so cute!

Darn Four Wheeler

Travis will be having surgery to repair his nose November 4th. The doctor says it is an impressive break. New bruises seem to show up everyday. Here is the latest (they don't show up very well in the pictures).

Travis Today

Travis continues to improve and his appointment with the ENT is Tuesday. He went to work today despite my threats to either drive him myself or sit on him so he couldn't go anywhere. I knew this would be a problem because in his delirium in the ER he was talking about what a busy week he has. I took some pictures today and thought I would share.

Man Down

*Grandma Amy please don't look at the pictures...you'll find yourself with your head between your knees

It started as any other Saturday...Travis and the older kids were outside playing and I was inside with the babies getting a few things done. Just before noon Travis came in to tell me he was taking the kids with Kasey and they were going to hunt for pheasants. I asked him to please be careful...famous last words. They were in the middle of one of Garrett's orchards where there is a good size canal. Travis was on the four wheeler and was attempting to climb out of the canal. What happened next is a little unclear since Travis cannot remember and no one saw, but it appears that the wheels came up and the four wheeler flipped on top of Travis and then landed quite a distance from him. Emma was the first one to see and repeatedly asked Travis (who was gushing bloodfrom his nose) if he was ok. He asked her to go get Kasey and when Kasey and his brother got to Travis they decided they better call 911. Travis took an ambulance ride to West Valley where it was determined he has a concussion, a puncture wound to the right forearm, muscle damage to that same arm, and his nose is broken in four places. They did what they could for him at the hospital and then sent us home. He was so out of it--both from the medicine and also from the blow to the head. We will be seeing the ENT specialist when the nasal swelling goes down to address the broken nose.

The hospital staff told me that today would be the more difficult day, but really Travis is doing very well. He is sore and with each passing hour it seems a new part of his body aches. He has some pretty potent medication and fortunately is able to breathe through his nose so he can rest relatively comfortably.

I am SO grateful none of the kids were on the four wheeler with him as they often are. I know it is no coincidence that this accident which could have been devastating was relatively minor. In conference a year ago Elder Holland talked about guardian angels, and we know they are real.

The response from all those who love us has been wonderful and overwhelming. Thank you everyone for your love and support and for your continued prayers.

Anything You Can Do...

Megan and Justin may just have a theme song. It comes from Annie Oakley, "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better"

Megan saw Justin walking and couldn't wait to get around on her two feet. She has less inhibition than he so her walk is more free spirited and less thought out. She just takes off with wild abandon and sees where it takes her.

Happy Birthday Jake!!

JT Kraupper is 4! This is the first year he has really looked forward to his birthday and his excitement has been contagious. I asked him a couple of weeks ago who he wanted to come to his birthday party. His answer: Corey Edwards (the YM president in our ward), Nina (who is away at school), Amber, and Grandma and Grandpa. Well, we ended up with a more age appropriate Corey--Corey Romriell, Amber, Grandma and Grandpa, and our Kraupp clan. Jake has an adorable love of McDonalds so we started there. After letting the kids play and eat, we went to Monkey Business. I had seen an advertisement for it and we were all glad I did. It was so fun. The favorite was the HUGE air slide. Travis ended up at the chiropractor this morning to fix the damage. After Monkey Business we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for presents. Jake was genuinely thrilled as he opened each present.--even the boxes of pajamas or new shoes and ties. After opening the much needed clothes he opened a scooter, and got a bike and a stop sign. What fun!

We are so blessed to have Jake in our family. He is such a loving, smart, fun, outgoing, curious, hilarious, free spirit. There is never a dull moment when he is around and everyone loves to hear Jake stories.


Jake loves working with his dad, riding his bike, popcorn, the four wheeler, sprinklers, making people laugh, vacuuming, Kasey Garrett, giving hugs and expressing his love, eggs and chocolate milk, meeting new people, going anywhere, and being a big brother.