Flashback Friday: Toy Room Tree 2011

The day after Thanksgiving is reserved for Christmas Decorating. 2011 was no exception. Back in January after Christmas 2010, Ethan and I found a tree, lights, tinsel, ornaments, star, and skirt all for $10!! The kids were so excited to have their very own tree! So much fun. I literally sat on the couch and watched while they put it completely together. No Mom interference-WHATSOEVER! As you can see I had a little bit of difficulty getting photos with good lighting, still learning, that is for sure.

The pictures don't really do it justice. The tree looked like it was being held hostage by the lights and the tinsel. Also, when it came time to take it down it was a bit of a challenge. The lights and tinsel were criss-crossed and it felt like I was untangling them as they were coming off the tree. I also saw a few ornaments hanging from the wire of the lights. Just a few. the 2012 version is pretty identical. I love it. They love it. Truly, what is not to love?

Griswold Christmas Lights

This is our 7th Christmas in our Willard home.

I have always wanted Christmas lights up and this year Nate surprised me with them!

I came home from a trail run way back in October and the worker men and Nate and were hard at work putting them up. Nate has worked very hard the last few weeks getting this done. He has added outlets in the eaves and three flood lights as well. He had to run a lot of wire through the attic, add a new breaker, outlets and light switches in the garage. It has been quite the project. The lights go all the way around the house and up over the ridges of the roofline. It looks amazing! I am so excited.  We are trying to keep up with Clark Griswold, what can I say? We are planning on adding some colored lights to some trees next year.

Merry Christmas!

Flashback Friday: Thanksgiving 2011

Since Thanksgiving didn't really exist for our family this year, since I had just had surgery and everyone else had the flu, I figured I would finally get Thanksgiving 2011 on the blog. We had  it in

West Haven at Nate's brother Larry and his wife Mandy's new house.

 You would never guess by looking at this picture that I would be laying on that very couch within two hours in the beginning throws of the flu. Hit me fast and furious.

 Larry

 Dan and Jen

 Evelyn, Sydney, Becca and Mya, for some reason the little girls were very into pirates this particular day.

 Ryland with evidence of his meal still on his face

 Janet

 Mya and Sydney

Mya, Kelsey, Evelyn and Sydney

Bent Out Of Shape

So, this week I had a nose job. 

It has not been fun. 

To clarify, it wasn't a nose job like you are probably thinking. 

Basically anything they could do to my nose besides changing the outer appearance is what they did. 

It has not been fun. 

When I was born my nose was "smooshed" to the left because I laid on my Moms pelvic bone those last few weeks. All of that smooshing wreaked havoc on the inside of my nose. Fast forward 30+ years and I was a mess. 

In August I got a sinus infection. I have had one, at least yearly, for a few years. No big deal, right? Get on some meds, take care of it, move on with life. Except this one didn't want to be taken care of. By the time I had my third round of antibiotics, used for Pneumonia by the way, and it wasn't touching the infection, my Doc told me it was time for a visit to an ENT (ear nose throat).

My ENT took one look at my nose, and ordered me more meds, this time stuff used for Anthrax and the Plague and ordered me a CAT scan. So, Halloween morning I headed in to get my scan done. Two days later I headed in to talk to my ENT. I knew I was in for it when he asked me if I was comfortable and if I could see his computer screen alright. 

I have no medical training and the moment I saw my scan of my nose I knew I was headed for surgery. It looked that jacked. No wonder I have always been a mouth breather, mystery solved! 

So, this last Monday, the 19th of November, I went in and had a Septoplasty and a double Turbinate Reduction. I also had both sinuses roto rootered out. I had a couple of other things done while he was in there but I don't remember what he said thanks to the fog I am in from the great pain meds I am on. 

So, now I am waiting til Monday to go back and get my splints removed from inside my nose. Cannot wait. I hear it isn't pleasant but that the pressure goes down significantly so, I cannot wait. The picture on the right shows you what splints look like. They are huge and sewn into the nose.

Then about the time Christmas rolls around I get to blow my nose. I think I am actually more excited about that than almost anything. 

When I feel frustrated with the whole recovery process I just tell myself that once I am up and running again I will probably knock a whole minute or more off of my mile pace due to finally being able to breath correctly. That helps. Big picture, right?   

Wordless Wednesday: Because They Are Cute

I Hope They Know

My family is sick. We have Flu, fevers, ear aches, vomiting, you name it and we probably have it.

My family is wearing face masks this week. Because of the sickness. Because I had surgery yesterday. Because they love me. It has been a rough week. I hope they know I love them back. 

Thirty Seven

Today Nate turns 37. I think he is a rich man. Happy Birthday!

Niner

Ryland turned 9 this year, NINE! I know I am going to sound like any other Mother out there, but seriously? Why does time fly so fast? It seems like yesterday Ethan was 9, or like I just brought Ryland home, or heavens, I was 9, sigh. At any rate, he had a great birthday party. Here are some picture highlights.

Hannah S., Daxton D., Ryland, Denton G., Ethan, Ally and Taylor S.

Dejalyn, Evelyn, Preston S., and Carson S.

Ryland with Denton and Daxton

 

Ryland and Preston

Hannah, Ryland and Carson

Evelyn and Ryland

He was super excited to get the new season of Star Wars The Clone Wars

Wordless Wednesday: Willard Sunset