Brynn takes 3rd place at his Pine Wood Derby!

Meg turns 2!

When asked by her mom what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday, Meg pointed to her older sister and said, "I want that Kate."

Brynn's appendix ruptured!

Brynn has had stomach aches come and go over the last year. His first memorable episode was a Monday morning after a long fun weekend. His parents thought he was faking it so he didn't have to go to school. During these episodes his walk became labeled "the little old man walk".

Back in October he was taken to the doctor on a Friday and he was set to get X-rays, but he would have to wait until after the weekend, thinking it was not a big deal. By Monday he felt better so his parents thought why pay for an X-ray. He had a soccer game shortly after and he felt better but still not 100%. His parents thought at least he's running, even if he is running around like a little old grandpa.

Over the first weekend of January an episode happened again. So on Monday his mom took him to the doctor's. Nothing was detected, but it was suggested to take him over to the ER and have him checked because of pain on his right side. Sure enough, after a cat scan they determined his appendix had ruptured. He had surgery Monday evening and everything went well. The doctor said it was the closest she came to getting it out the old fashioned way in 8 years, but was able to get it with small incisions. I guess the old fashion way is slice him open to get it.

Brynn was in the hospital until Friday (Jan. 9). He went without food and drink (including water) for 5 days (His parents have never done that and don't know if they could) to flush the poisons from his body. He was just hooked up to the IV and had a tube up his nose and down his throat and also a tube inserted straight into his stomach on the front right side. The poisons were cleaned out through the tubes. We think the most uncomfortable part for him was the tube up the nose. He pulled it out in his sleep one night and the nurses had to put it back in. You can't blame him for not liking that.

Lucky for Brynn, the pediatrics section of the hospital had a lot of video games (4 different game consoles (X-Box, X-Box 360, Playstation 2, and Nintendo 64) to choose from, Brynn played them all). Not having any of this at home he made sure to get his fill. Seeing the picture below he commented, "I miss my video games!"

Below is a picture of Brynn finally being able to partake of "something" after 5 days!

He left the hospital Friday evening and was back to school Monday morning. He has 3 small incisions on his stomach. The scars will be there to remind him the rest of his life. We're sure he will think of the video games each time he looks at the scars!

This was over a week ago - snow in Vegas

The kids loved it and it actually took a few days to melt!

Kate learns to ride her bike with Meg and Lex watching on the sidelines.

Halloween 2008

Brynn and Lex were pirates, Kate was a doctor and Meg was Kate's patient.

Meg couldn't make staying up for the carvings.

Brynn placed 2nd and Kate won 1st place for their poem's and pumpkin carvings at school!

Brynn turns 8 and gets baptized!

Family that was able to come!

Ummm, Lex, try putting those on the other end!

The stuffed animals don't bite!

We guess Lex figured that is was safer to put stuffed animals in the hamster ball instead of the taking a chance of getting a little nip on the finger again.

"Lex, what are you doing?" "My name is not Lex, it's Chips, I'm a hamster"

Kate starts Kindergarten and Brynn is back to school for 2nd grade! (Mom sings it's the most wonderful time of the year)

Of course Lex had to grab his backpack and think that he is going to school too!

Kate really likes her shoes!

One might not think this picture is AS cute if it is known that their Mom made them walk down the sidewalk holding hands to pose for the picture.

"Kate, what's your friend's name?" "I don't know???"

Kate just latched on to this girl at the bus stop.

When one door closes...

One evening Dad gets a phone call at work about the pet fish. On the phone he hears crying, then "Dad, Bubbles died!" Some more crying occurs and then instantly the crying stops followed by, "Dad, can we get a hamster?" A few days later someone left a hamster in its cage in the Wal-Mart parking lot with a sign on it "free to a good home." The employee that found it didn't want it, but felt bad for it sitting out in the heat. Bryan reluctantly said he would take it. Surprisingly, it has been a great pet and the kids have loved it. Hopefully Lex has learned his lesson and will be a little more gentle after being bit on the finger at 6 AM the other day! Lex's parents loved waking up that early to a crying kid and a little blood spot trail up the stairs. Fortunately a band-aid was all that was needed.