Our sweet little giraffe, Snow White, and bumblebee.
Kylene as Snow White. One thing I did manage to accomplish this week was make her costume. Poor girl had to wait until Friday for it to be finished; so patient!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween
With a 2 1/2 year old and an almost 5 year old, Kyle & I realized the job of carving is still mostly ours. They chose the design and we did the work while they played around us in the garage. Joy.
Our sweet little giraffe, Snow White, and bumblebee.
Kylene as Snow White. One thing I did manage to accomplish this week was make her costume. Poor girl had to wait until Friday for it to be finished; so patient!
Our Spencer giraffe.
Our sweet little giraffe, Snow White, and bumblebee. Kylene as Snow White. One thing I did manage to accomplish this week was make her costume. Poor girl had to wait until Friday for it to be finished; so patient! 
Ward Luau and post Ward Luau
Last Saturday, 24 October, was the Battlecreek Ward Luau. Kyle was asked to be in charge of the program for the evening and he did a wonderful job putting it together and emceeing. For the last month and a half we have been teaching the young women (12-18 female youth group) the Hukilau, a fun Hawaiian hula that was actually created by the LDS Saints in Laie. Kyle also taught the young men (12-18 year old male youth group) the Haka, a Maori war dance. They performed for the luau. Maile, Kyle's sister who has danced and performed the hula for several years, also performed, as well as his niece, Alohi. The bishopric did a hilarious Elvis number from the movie "Blue Hawaii." There was an incredible turnout and the whole evening was a huge success. I'll have pictures to share once I get them from my dad.
Another great part was having all of our family come. Kyle's parents came for the day; his mom played the ukulele and accompanied Alohi for her number. Maile & Parvin came with their family, of course, as well as Logan & Shayla. My parent's also came for the evening. Lots of fun.
And then...
Sunday night about 2:00 a.m. (Monday morning, I guess), when I woke up to feed Skyler, I felt really nauseous. It continued to get worse until I was vomiting and experiencing other unpleasantries. The next morning I decided to cancel the Stake Music Class I have been helping with and when we called a friend who lives right by the church to go hang up a note for us and she said her kids were sick, too, we though, hmmm; coincidence? Then we checked the computer and saw an email from a ward member via our "battlecreek sisters" yahoo group. Her family had it, too. It became apparent something nasty had spread at the luau. By Wednesday, the count of affected families had reached 39! Crazy, huh?
Most people had the vomiting and nauseau, etc., for about a day or two. But a few of us got to deal with it a bit longer. I still am, actually. Yep, it's been a full week now. I have had this unending stomach cramping/pain that has been miserable. Needless to say, I haven't been much of a housekeeper, wife, or mom this last week. I drove to the library and dropped some books off on Wednesday, but otherwise have been nowhere for a whole week. I have been able to get up and move around but wear out very quickly and mostly have been laying around watching my kids' tornado-like effect on my house. Thankfully, Kylene & Spencer have been wonderful about playing together and keeping each other entertained. And the TV has been on way too much this week. We cancelled preschool and the bishopric cancelled all ward activities.
On Thursday night a friend recommended I go on a liquid diet for 36 hours to clear out my system. I decided I would try just about anything, so Friday I drank way too much broth, jell-o water, Sprite, water, and apple juice. The stomach cramping went away which was so nice. But after 32 hours, I was too weak and had to eat, so I had some saltine crackers. Within 10 minutes, the pain was back. So discouraging.
Finally, sometime late Saturday afternoon, I started to feel little breaks in the pain. It has continued to get better, although it is not completely gone yet, but much better. I decided I needed to return to a normal diet as much as possible, to regain strength after hardly eating for a week, so that has helped me have a bit more energy. I am still not good for much, though! I hope after a good night's rest tonight, tomorrow will be a much better day! If not, I think I'll be calling my doctor. My house and kids sure need a mommy!
Another great part was having all of our family come. Kyle's parents came for the day; his mom played the ukulele and accompanied Alohi for her number. Maile & Parvin came with their family, of course, as well as Logan & Shayla. My parent's also came for the evening. Lots of fun.
And then...
Sunday night about 2:00 a.m. (Monday morning, I guess), when I woke up to feed Skyler, I felt really nauseous. It continued to get worse until I was vomiting and experiencing other unpleasantries. The next morning I decided to cancel the Stake Music Class I have been helping with and when we called a friend who lives right by the church to go hang up a note for us and she said her kids were sick, too, we though, hmmm; coincidence? Then we checked the computer and saw an email from a ward member via our "battlecreek sisters" yahoo group. Her family had it, too. It became apparent something nasty had spread at the luau. By Wednesday, the count of affected families had reached 39! Crazy, huh?
Most people had the vomiting and nauseau, etc., for about a day or two. But a few of us got to deal with it a bit longer. I still am, actually. Yep, it's been a full week now. I have had this unending stomach cramping/pain that has been miserable. Needless to say, I haven't been much of a housekeeper, wife, or mom this last week. I drove to the library and dropped some books off on Wednesday, but otherwise have been nowhere for a whole week. I have been able to get up and move around but wear out very quickly and mostly have been laying around watching my kids' tornado-like effect on my house. Thankfully, Kylene & Spencer have been wonderful about playing together and keeping each other entertained. And the TV has been on way too much this week. We cancelled preschool and the bishopric cancelled all ward activities.
On Thursday night a friend recommended I go on a liquid diet for 36 hours to clear out my system. I decided I would try just about anything, so Friday I drank way too much broth, jell-o water, Sprite, water, and apple juice. The stomach cramping went away which was so nice. But after 32 hours, I was too weak and had to eat, so I had some saltine crackers. Within 10 minutes, the pain was back. So discouraging.
Finally, sometime late Saturday afternoon, I started to feel little breaks in the pain. It has continued to get better, although it is not completely gone yet, but much better. I decided I needed to return to a normal diet as much as possible, to regain strength after hardly eating for a week, so that has helped me have a bit more energy. I am still not good for much, though! I hope after a good night's rest tonight, tomorrow will be a much better day! If not, I think I'll be calling my doctor. My house and kids sure need a mommy!
EZ Orchards Pumpkin Patch
There are three main pumpkin patches near our home (that I know of, anyway) and this year I was "lucky" enough to visit all three. We took the MiaMaids to Bauman Farms for an activity, the preschoolers to Fordyce, and last weekend while the McCune's were visiting, we visited EZ Orchards. The kids loved the attention and all the activities.
Spencer ready to ride. He was afraid of the miniature pony they had at Fordyce Farm and wouldn't even go near it, but was so excited to ride the full size horse. Go figure.
I think their favorite area was these miniature tractors. It was a muddy mess, but Kylene really got moving as she pedaled around and around in the small area. Until she crashed into another tractor, that is. We visited this area twice and definitely spent the most time here.
This picture is for Susan! Spencer on his John Deere.
It took a lot of pushing by the adults. Thanks, Shayla, for helping me save my back!
On the hay ride.
The kids being indians with Tutu outside the teepee.
Coming down the classic pumpkin patch pipe slide--a bumpy ride!
Kylene on the slide.
Skyler enjoyed riding in the backpack and mommy enjoyed letting grandpa carry him! Thanks, grandpa!
"Me love Shayla, mommy", is Spencer's favorite saying since Logan & Shayla lived with us. They were both so excited that Auntie Shayla came with us. 
Posing with Tutu & Grandpa.
Our little animal family.
For some reason, I just loved the real pigtails!
Spencer ready to ride. He was afraid of the miniature pony they had at Fordyce Farm and wouldn't even go near it, but was so excited to ride the full size horse. Go figure.
I think their favorite area was these miniature tractors. It was a muddy mess, but Kylene really got moving as she pedaled around and around in the small area. Until she crashed into another tractor, that is. We visited this area twice and definitely spent the most time here.
This picture is for Susan! Spencer on his John Deere.
It took a lot of pushing by the adults. Thanks, Shayla, for helping me save my back!
On the hay ride.
Spencer "reading" the sign in the corn maze.
The kids being indians with Tutu outside the teepee.
Coming down the classic pumpkin patch pipe slide--a bumpy ride!
Kylene on the slide.
Skyler enjoyed riding in the backpack and mommy enjoyed letting grandpa carry him! Thanks, grandpa!
"Me love Shayla, mommy", is Spencer's favorite saying since Logan & Shayla lived with us. They were both so excited that Auntie Shayla came with us. 
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Preschool & Pumpkin Patch
Kylene is participating in her second year of a preschool co-operative (moms take turn teaching). This year we have six kids participating: Jacob, Emily, Gabe, Rachel, Kylene, and Gwen. Kylene has really seemed to enjoy it thus far.
This week was our field trip to the pumpkin patch (Fordyce Farms). Spencer and Skyler got to join us, of course.
Spencer running in the hay:
Kylene riding on the pony.
Gwen & Kylene choosing their pumpkins.
Last week was my first time teaching; we made these fun pumpkin "faces" on english muffins for our snack. (I love that they're so easy to please!)
This week was our field trip to the pumpkin patch (Fordyce Farms). Spencer and Skyler got to join us, of course.
Spencer running in the hay:
The preschool kids on top of the hay maze (two of the kiddos were sick that day).
The boys and me on the hayride:
Kylene riding on the pony.
Gwen & Kylene choosing their pumpkins.Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Fall Family Night
Family Night yesterday was spent enjoying a fall picnic and playing at the park. Us Oregonians are enjoying the last cool, crisp days of fall before the rain arrives and never leaves.
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