Everyone Needs a Twin

For our family it is so special to have these two little spirits who are going through life together. They love each other so much. If you mess with one you mess with both. Megan often is Justin's voice, and he is her fierce defender.

They both have their own rooms, but at the end of the day they would just rather be together.

Jacob is 6!

This past Thursday, October 13th, Jacob turned 6!!! On his birthday he took ice cream bars into his kindergarten class and shortly after he got home from kindergarten Grandma Amy and Papa rolled into town to surprise him. He was speechless. I thought he was going to cry. Later that night after gymnastics he opened his gifts. Friday evening was the party he may have been waiting for his entire life. He has never had a birthday party where he picked a theme and invited a handful of his closest friends. He decided long ago he wanted a firework themed party. When I asked him who he wanted to invited he started with Brock (our neighbor and his good buddy), then Corey (another good buddy), then Tonya (his BUS DRIVER), then Brent (TRAVIS' EMPLOYEE)...it was about this time I intervened and started making suggestions. There were still more adults on Jake's list than children, but he really does love Tonya, Kendall, Ali, and his grandparents. It just wouldn't have been the perfect party without them.

For a couple of months he has been planning the firework show. He researched youtube and knew exactly which brands and types of fireworks to purchase. After months of waiting he went finally got to go to the firework store a couple of weeks ago.

Jake was so sad that Ali wasn't going to be able to come celebrate with him. Again, he almost cried when she surprised him by coming into town for a birthday visit.

We started the party with dinner, then the kids painted pumpkins, then presents and a firework cake, and finally the firework show. He did a fantastic job of picking out fireworks and I think the party was all he had dreamed it would be.

Jake's friends Shawn and Cooper

Jacob and Brock

Ali and Kendall

The child who enjoyed painting the most? Justin!

Tonya (the bus driver) and Grandma Jo cleaning up the painting aftermath

Justin required a bath mid party. Travis predicted his nipples would be painted. He was right.

Presents

Shawn gave Jake cash. He was so happy.

The firework cake

The firework show. Nothing says fall quite like fireworks.

Last year when Jake turned five, he was so offended that I would not drive him to kindergarten. Now that he has started kindergarten he is ready for it to be over. His mind is so busy, there just isn't enough to keep him occupied. He would be much happier if they would just let him talk to everyone all through the day, but sadly that is against the rules.

Jake has a very mechanical mind and we cannot wait to see what he becomes when he grows up. He finds something that interests him and researches it until he is satisfied he knows all there is to know. Recently, we came across a catepillar on our walk home from the bus. It wasn't long before he knew what type of catepillar we had found, how to make a habitat, and what to feed the catepillar. Louie (the catepillar) may just have been the longest living captive catepillar. All the informtion was gathered through youtube. Jake loves youtube. He watches videos about everything he loves--catepillars, vaccuums, fireworks, and the occasional laughing baby.

Jake brings a lot of spark to our family. He constantly amazes us and definitely keeps us laughing without even trying. He has never really played with toys. To him work is play. He is an impressive four wheeler driver, has never met a stranger, and is finally learning to listen (hallelujah!).

We love you Jake! Happy 6th birthday!

The Tonsillectomy

Annie's tonsils have been giving her trouble for years. We saw the ENT on Friday and he scheduled her for surgery today. I worried about the anticipation and anxiety Annie would feel about the impending procedure, but it seemed she was almost excited to get them out.

Today was shipping and sale day for the cattle who have spent the summer in Twin Falls. So, Travis is out of town and was disappointed he couldn't be here.

This morning I started the normal morning routine of waking the kids for school. Emma is always so pleasant to wake up. When the first words out of her mouth this morning were that she didn't feel well, I knew she meant it. So, upstairs we went to take her temperature. Sure enough, she had a fever, was flushed, with a headache, and a sore throat.

Grandma Jo was kind enough to take Justin and Megan while I went with Annie. Emma got to go to grandma's too. I just pray we don't share any germs. The last thing my dad needs a bug.

Before surgery the nurse put in Annie's IV. I'm telling you the girl is tough. Well, she's tough as long as I am there. No one has ever loved me as much as Annie. When it was time to say goodbye, the tears flowed freely. The anesthesiologist gave her some medicine to take her to a happy place and it worked. She was wheeled off happily talking about what grade she was in and what book she is reading.

Post surgery I continue to be amazed at how tough Annie is. She has been eating and drinking like a trooper. I have to all but sit on her to keep her in bed. She hasn't so much as had a nap! I would love for her to rest and to willingly take her pain medicine. She does so well at swallowing pills, taking this liquid medication is no fun.

I called our pediatrician with Emma's symptoms this afternoon. Bless him for diagnosing her over the phone and calling in a prescription, and bless Kendall for picking it up for us! We have had strep around here, and every indication is that Emma has it as well. Meg is running a fever too, and obviously does not feel well. She was treated for an ear infection Monday. I'm praying her fever goes away soon and that she too doesn't need treated for strep.

The sliver lining? The boys are healthy!