Christmas Wrap-up

The kids had a super Christmas. We were pretty low-key and didn't go crazy with gifts this year, and the kids were just as happy as ever.  These pics are from Christmas morning... you can tell by the matching jammies!

Ruby had a very Merry Christmas, brought to her in part by Sesame Street.

Uncle Mike brought Karly this very cool Pikachu made out of paper (like heavy-duty origami).   Her Christmas was full of Pokemon and Harry Potter!

Our Lego Lad received plenty of Legos - and more! Crafts, games, Batman guys & Hot Wheels were other big hits.  He's diversifying his interests a little more these days!

Our pretty tree!

If you click to enlarge, you can see my new Yoda lights on the tree.
That's right.  I said Yoda lights.  They rock.

My Gnomes!

For Christmas, my mom & step-dad (aka Nana & Nice Wolf) got me these super adorable gnomes! Aren't they just adorable?! I told my mom I'd take pictures, so she could see them - they're handmade Kimmel gnomes, so she ordered them & they were shipped directly to me.




Then, because my brother can't behave, he made the gnomes check out their funky little mushroom...

And then we decided the gnomes were probably thirsty from their trip & time spent in a wrapped box.


I doubt anyone else would find this funny, but what can I say? We're easily amused!!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Wedding Recap

I know this is a little late, but here are a few more pictures from our niece's wedding last weekend. You know - the wedding my son didn't want to dance at? Ha! I'm going to play that video for his first girlfriend someday. And every girlfriend after that.

On the drive to the wedding, Brian & I were talking - and we realized we couldn't remember ever having gone to a wedding together. (Well, except ours!) And therefore, we'd never danced at a wedding together, either. We didn't have a big reception - we had a small outdoor wedding, and a dinner at a local restaurant (pizza buffet & cheesecakes!). So, we didn't even dance at our own wedding.

But at Emily's reception, Ruby actually let other people hold her, and I got to dance with my handsome husband for three songs.

Ruby loves her Daddy

Our niece, Emily, with her dad
Isn't she beautiful!? she looked like a fairy princess!

Our nephew, Rick, came home for his sister's wedding - he's in the Air Force and is living in England.  It was so great to see him!  He had been gone since March.  Karly was very happy to see him, too - she always enjoys hanging out with him.

Progress!

Lilo was actually purring here.
I think that's the first time she's purred while Ruby was even in the same room, let alone sitting right by her!

Ruby was pretty thrilled, too!

In the news

Our local newspaper had an article today about my friend, CJ & the T21 Traveling Afghan Project.   (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, that's okay - you can read the article!)

There's also information about the fundraiser on Wednesday, December 16 for Reece's Rainbow; so if you're local, think about stopping by!  Brian & I will be there, because the lovely Popcorn Wendy will be watching our children ... Braden is SO excited!  Because not only does Wendy make them popcorn - she also lets him drink MILK in the LIVING ROOM!  It's the small things that matter to that boy.

Today's the day!

Today is the last day for our auction on Lily's blog.  I'm so thrilled with the response we've received!

Make sure you get those last minute bids in:  Lily's Auction

Dancing King

This past weekend, we went to a wedding.

Braden was adamant - he was NOT going to dance at the wedding. NOT AT ALL.

And then the music started.

Yes.  That is my son, on the floor.  He was doing one of his crazy dance moves - It was like a donkey kick combined with a cartwheel.

Braden is dancing with his cousin Hope here - and his cousin Megan was a flower girl. Megan danced all around swishing her skirt like a salsa dancer; she really loved her dress!

He loved getting to dance with the bride, his beautiful cousin, Emily

If you want to see Braden in action, here's a short (VERY LOUD!!) video.  Seriously - turn your sound way down before you watch this.  It's only a minute long, but makes me giggle every time I watch it!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Last Wednesday, we had a snow day, which we spent our snow day putting up our tree!

Karly wasn't feeling well, so she didn't join us. (I believe she was suffering from a case of "Teenagers-like-to-sleep-in-itis.")

Braden was so excited!

I'm going to spare you the details about how Braden & I went to 4 different stores the night before looking for more lights for our tree.  In a storm.   Because we never found more lights, and Brian made what we had look great.

Do not be deceived by how helpful and adorable Miss Ruby looks here. In actuality, she threw several ornaments and took a few off of the tree. But she's such a cute little bird, isn't she?

My Christmas Card Header!

Since I didn't get a Christmas card out this year - my friend, Melissa, made me a header with the picture I was planning to use for our Christmas card.  I figured after the past couple years we could use some levity...

So, if you're in a reader, hop on over to check it out!

Thanks, Mel - the force is strong with you!

Ruby says ...

Tonight, Ruby was eating a snack & signed "all done" - or was that "all gone?" So I asked her, "Ruby, are you all done, or do you want more cereal?"

Loud & clear, "Mooore!"

Later, we were rocking. "Ruby, are you ready to go to sleep?"

"Nooo!"

Little moments like this - happened about 6 times today. When we're not expecting it, words popping out!

She's been good at sharing her (very many) opinions for a long time now, with using sign language - but I love how words are just popping out of her mouth more & more these days!

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Snow Day!

Auction

Our auction to help raise funds for Lily's adoption started today on Lily's blog.  It will run until next Tuesday, December 15.  Please check it out - and if you could pass the word around, we'd really appreciate it!

We have so many really cool items - something for everyone!

Braden & Santa

We're part of a great group called the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network -- an organization that focuses on the brothers and sisters of people with disabilities. We never want to let Braden feel left out, as we spend plenty of time with Karly at doctor visits and with Ruby at therapy appointments, and it's great that there's a group specifically for siblings (with a lot of activities that Braden will be growing into).

Each year, the FVSSN puts on a Santa Celebration. They invite the siblings and their families for a morning of Christmas-themed activities and a picture with Santa. Braden really enjoyed it last year and was excited to go again. Unfortunately, Ruby came down with a fever the night before and wasn't up for heading out, so just Dad and Braden attended the Santa Celebration this year.

Braden got to decorate a sugar cookie. He could have just put on some frosting and sprinkles and started eating but Braden being Braden he took his time and carefully made a smiley face with frosting and surrounded it with cherry chips.

Braden's second favorite activity he wanted to repeat from last year's Santa Celebration (the first being the cookie, of course) was coloring a puzzle and then taking it apart and putting it together again.

Braden also colored a picture -- and yes, in this photo he's coloring with both hands, at the same time. He alternates writing with his right and left hands, although we're sure he's a lefty because his penmanship is quite a bit better with his left.

Anyone who knows Braden can easily guess what he asked Santa for: LEGOs!

Karly Update

Karly & I spent the day in Milwaukee yesterday (which if you're on Facebook, you probably already know!)

She had 3 different appointments at Children's  - and we had her bloodwork done locally, earlier in the week, and her counts were great.

First off yesterday, she had an audiology screening - one of her chemo drugs can affect hearing, so we just needed a follow-up to make sure the Cisplatin hadn't done any damage.  All clear - and unless she develops a hearing problem in the future, she won't need that test again! 

Then, she had an ultrasound, to check for any tumor growth.  This was her first u/s since the one that originally found the tumor in November 2007.  Since then, they've done CT Scans throughout her care and afterwards.  Going back to u/s is a step in the right direction - they're less invasive (no IV, no contrast, no radiation involved) but man it wasn't easy.  Not only did it freak me out because that's how we originally found the tumor, but yesterday was December 4 - and the anniversary of when we found out we were expecting twins.

So, while it was easier on Karly, it was rough on me.  I kept thinking the u/s tech probably found a tumor & just couldn't tell me - especially when she asked if we have other appointments today that we'd need the results for ...

That was our third stop - the HOT Clinic.  HOT is Hematology, Oncology & Transfusion - and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet, but we really don't mind not visiting them every few weeks.  We got in for our appointment early and left the clinic at the time our appointment was scheduled to begin.  There was absolutely NOTHING to worry about, Karly looks great - and we'll go back in 4 months.  Just think - we could possibly make it the entire winter without a trip to Children's in Milwaukee! 

We ran into one of our usual clinic nurses while we were on our way out & Karly called out her name & gave her a big hug (which is pretty impressive, Karly's not usually great at putting names to faces - and she's typically pretty reserved about hugs.)  The nurse asked when we'd be back and I told her March, "We're not frequent fliers anymore!"  Karly thought that was pretty funny.

December 4

On December 4, 2006, we found out we were having twins.  In 2007, I wrote about what that day was like, the ultrasound when we found out our new baby was actually TWO babies.

It's been 3 years now - and it's nice to feel like we're actually moving forward with something positive, by pursuing Lily's adoption.  It won't fix everything, but it's definitely ... better.