Mylie's Birthday

For Mylie's 10th birthday, we did something a little extra special. I let her invite a few friends and we had a party at the rec. center in Rock Springs so they could go ice skating! It was a huge hit! I also made a volleyball cake (since volleyball is her favorite thing ever these days). I experimented with fondant for my first time, and it turned out pretty good. She was thrilled with it, so that's what matters.

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

On November 19 (Lewis's birthday), I finally got carpal tunnel surgery. I have suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome off and on for over 5 years, and during my pregnancy with Lewis, it got really severe. I ended up getting a cortisone shot in the wrist, which relieved the pain, which was keeping me up at night and limiting my sleep many nights to between 3 and 5 hours. Miserable!! The following summer, it started getting bad again, and when I went in for the shot that time, we decided that I should just go ahead and get the surgery rather than continuing to get shots. The shot gave me relief enough to get through the summer and volleyball season. I didn't want to try to be without the use of my right hand for any amount of time during those things, so I scheduled the surgery for November.  With a little help from Livi, who came and stayed with me for a couple days, as well as Tony and the big kids, I got through the initial recovery phase with no real problems.  And the surgery was a big success! I haven't had any pain, tingling, or numbness in that hand every since. The stitches looked kinda yucky for awhile (I had them in for a couple weeks), but then the scar faded rather quickly, and I was back to doing nearly everything within a month or so. Dr. Sam Linford did the surgery, and if my left hand ever starts giving me trouble, I'll know who to call!

RENO

Tony and I had a little different getaway this year. I came along with his as his "help" to a regional stock show in Reno, NV. I had never been to Reno before and was excited to come along. Although most of our time was spent in the barn (which was actually just a roof with open sides...in December!), we did enjoy a few other things as well.  First off, we stayed at Dale's timeshare condo, which was SOOO nice! It was like an apartment, and we also had access to a fitness room and hot tub, which we enjoyed every day.  But somehow I never took any pictures?! We also enjoyed some shopping one night, with a trip to Scheel's, which was pretty amazing. And we enjoyed some good food, especially once Dale was there taking us to the best buffets in town!  

Tony did a LOT of trimming while I sat in my chair reading a book. I did help with some things, however. I helped feed and move animals--we had 4 bulls and 2 heifers--and I helped wash them each day.  That's where the biggest memory of the trip comes in...

Let me just say that I have very limited experience with animals, and the thought of leading around and then washing these bulls had me pretty nervous.  The first day of washing, Tony showed me how, and then I started in. My heart was racing pretty good, but after the first 2 bulls, I was gaining confidence.  I was doing it just like he showed me, and it wasn't too bad. But on bull #3, I got kicked! I didn't do anything different. He saw me coming. He just didn't want me to touch him, I guess, so he lifted his back leg and kicked me right in the thigh! I was so mad and shocked and once again scared to death that I cried. I didn't realize that it hurt or was that bad of a kick until later when the bruise showed up. He also ripped my pants and brand new leggings, which I was using as long john's. I was NOT impressed. Tony finished washing that day, but I came back he next couple days and did it. I just left that particular bull for Tony.

The show was really competetive. We didn't win anything, but it was a good experience for Tony.  Probably the coolest thing was the sale. We sold a heifer in it, and they did the auction in the Nugget casino on a stage in a lounge! They brought the animals, all fit and covered in glitter, right out on the stage! I thought I took a picture of it, but now I can't find it. Anyway, it was really cool!

Although I'm not converted to getting involved in stock showing, (and if I'm being completely honest, I can't believe I have my young kids working with these big, intimidating animals!!), we did have a good week and some great bonding time.

Lewis's Birthday

A year old already! Lewis is such a cute chubby little baby, and he is so loved by all his siblings. He has the cutest smile with those dimples, and makes the cutest little noises. 

When I saw this cow cake, it was a no brainer. Lewis loves cows and tries to make the cow noise (although he omits the "m" sound at the beginning) every time he sees cows. He loves looking out the front window at the cows in the big field.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEWIS!!!

Mariah's Birthday

Mariah is 7!!! Mariah and I spent a little time looking on Pinterest together to find just the right cake idea to reflect her personality (and stay within my limited decorating skill set). We finally decided on this crayon cake, since she loves arts and crafts. It turned out so cute! She also chose her birthday dinner--homemade chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and peas. YUM!  Mariah is such a good girl and such a joy to have in our family. She is excited to be 7 because now it's just a year until she can be baptized. 

Halloween

It seems like this Halloween was basically the same as last. I missed it because I was gone to Regional Volleyball, but I made up for it by taking the kids to the pumpkin patch, which they think is the greatest thing ever!  The kids also loved their costumes and getting to dress up for school. This year, Connor was batman, Mylie was a zombie bride, Mariah was Cruella deVille, and Brady was Mike W. from Monsters, Inc. 

2015 Family Photos

This year, we traveled to Laramie on one of my few Saturdays off from coaching. We went to a football game, and then got ready for our family photo shoot with Michelle. On the way there, Lewis was screaming, Brady fell asleep, and Mariah started feeling sick, and eventually threw up. I was sure it was going to be a complete disaster, but looking Michelle did a great job, the kids did a great job, and looking at the photos, you would never know it was so close to being a complete disaster! Oh, and afterward, we were locked out of our van for a couple hours until we could get a locksmith to come. What a day!