Kai's first ski trip

We've been wanting to get Kai up on the slopes for some time. Finally, a couple of things provided the last motivation we needed: (1) Alta's ski-for-free after three; and (2) the Winter Olympics. We put the Edgley-Wedgie on the front of Kai's skis which help keep the skis from getting crossed. Kai and I took a few runs on the learner hill. Good times. We ran into all six members of the Cook family. Not literally, but almost. I found time for one run on Sunnyside before closing. Good to get that bug again. As you can see from the last photo (taken at the mouth of Little Cottonwood on the way out), skiing wears you out.

When the rental place measured Kai's feet for his boots, Rori began taking her shoes off. She knows she's ready to ski too and is just not succeeding at convincing the rest of us of the fact yet.

Antibiotic Wrap Up

We are happy to report that Rori is finally all better. What a week!

Unfortunately before things got better they got a little more complicated. We ended up going back to the doctor for our 3rd visit in 3 days on Wednesday. Tuesday night she had begun to run a slight fever that ended in a midnight call to the pediatrician to make sure that was ok- it was- but even after searching the internet we didn't know.

Wednesday morning the slight fever was coming and going but she was also had newly swollen hands and legs/ feet. Plus the hives on her legs were starting to look a little like blue bruises. So they had us come back in to check and then tell us for the 3rd time that all was still normal for a really bad reaction. By that afternoon the poor little thing had completely stopped walking on her own- we're sure her legs and feet hurt too much.

But by Thursday morning she had made great progress- the swelling was gone and we were back to just a few bumps on her face and body. That afternoon Kai came to me and said "I think Rori is feeling better because she is back to doing naughty things".

Friday she was clear and back to her little self. Hooray!!! As I said before- what a week! One more life experience down that we'd rather never repeat.

So here is a picture of the "bug bites" I took on Monday before we went to the doctor. I was sure they would be gone by our appointment so I thought I better document to show the doctor that I wasn't making them up- boy was I wrong:



This was in the thick of it:


And here she is today:

Antibiotic

Remember that Ear Infection that we didn't know Rori still had at her 18 month appointment last Wednesday? Well they gave her a 2nd antibiotic for it that she has been taking since then. Sunday night we noticed what looked like some bug bites on her one arm. Yesterday morning I also noticed some bumps on her legs so I decided not to give her any more medicine (last dose was Sunday night) and made a doctor appointment.

By last night it had turned in to this:




And today it lookes like this:


We've been to the doctor twice in less than the last 24 hours. They say she is fine. It is just working itself out. Looks like I will now be able to say yes when doctors ask me if my kids are allergic to anthing. Also looks like Rori won't be taking anymore penicillin for quite awhile. Good news is they checked her ears and the infection that we didn't know we still had is gone. She seems sleepy today (probably from the Benadryl) but other than that hasn't seemed too bothered or itchy by it which is a true blessing. Hoping it goes away faster than the possible 5 days the 3 doctors (who all came in to see her this morning) said it could go on for. Poor little one!

February Love

February has been flying by.

The Thursday before Valentines Day I volunteered in Kai's class at school for their big party. Kai was thrilled to have me there and it really was so fun to see it all first hand. If only he would always feel that way about being around his Mom. :) They had a puppet show for the whole school at the end and it was so cute to watch all these kids just belly laughing at the preschool humor. One of the puppets said something about underwear and I thought some of the kids were really going to fall out of their chairs laughing so hard. Kai even got picked to have the "brag bag" that day which is something that makes his week. (He later chose to bring his Christmas camera and a picture of him swimming.) We both had a lot of fun! They really had me working so I'm afraid I didn't get any pictures. This week he came home with this picture of George Washington that he made at school. He told me all about how George didn't brush his teeth well so they fell out and he had to get wooden ones. I think it was a story that really made an impact on Kai- he's been a flossing champ the last few days.



We had a great Valentines weekend. On Saturday monring Lance watched the kids while I went to the gym and a Baby Shower. We also got in Kai's swim lesson in the middle. Then that night we had a nice drive and yummy dinner up in Heber. Sunday we enjoyed actually getting to sit through Sunday School as Rori is officially in Nursery now. She fusses a bit when we first leave but then is a trooper the rest of the time. Her teachers say that she plays and likes the singing time, but she keeps a serious face the whole time just incase. :)That afternoon we all got in a nap- even Lance who is usually still going strong. That night we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Utah's so I dind't even have to cook.

But the best part of it all was the gift of time with Lance. He often still puts in a lot of work hours on Saturdays and holidays aren't really ever observed at his firm so it was a real treat to have a long weekend with him. He still went in to work in the VERY early hours of the morning on Monday but was home by mid morning to spend the day with us. We used the valuable time to make a productive trip to IKEA and the new In N Out Burger here. After naps we all went to the gym to work off the burgers. We are still loving the kids club at the gym! Amy and I tried another new class this week too- 24SET. It was tough but we really liked it.

In other news Rori had her 18 month check-up. She is in the 95% for height and 45% for weight. Same old story. She had a good report, but the doctor said she is still fighting that ear infection from a few weeks back. So another trip to the pharmacy and we are back on a different antbiotic. The first round of the ear infection Rori really told us about it the night before we took her in, but this time we had no clue.

Cousin Party

When we left Grandma's party the kids were in tears at the idea of having to stop being together. They sure do love each other. So we invited them over to our house Sat. night for dinner and a movie. Lance was in Orlando for a conference Thursday-Sunday so we were super excited to have the company. We'd had a long week with Dad being gone, trying to fight off some colds, and what we thought might have been pink eye begining (we started some antibiotic drops at the first sign and it happily never developed) earlier in the week so we were ready for a fun night. After some happy meals we put on a movie but quickly decided that it was really too fun to not just play. This was great because they really do play so well together. Kai and Rori loved having them over and Kai has already been asking when we can do it again.

Happy Birthday to Grandma

Last week we celebrated Grandma Utah's birthday. We hadn't seen Grandma since HI so we were super excited. There was yummy pizza and cake and lots of cousin playing which we LOVE.





We gave grandma this picture framed of the Cabin that we had taken in the Fall which we thought was really pretty.

Sign Making

Kai has recently taken an interest in signs. As we are driving he asks what different ones mean and checks to make sure we are going the correct speed limit. The other day he had me write bathroom on a piece of paper. This is what we found on the door a short time later. I suppose this is in response to the the items she's thrown in the bowl lately. Notice how well she is responding to the sign and note that the seat is down. We're also enjoying brushing our teeth lately thanks to a recent trip to the Dentist for Kai and Mom where Rori observed it all.

January Wrap-up

January is quickly coming to an end and before it does I thought I better do some recording. As a family I think we are looking forward to this new year. We're not much for setting new years resolutions but it is a good time to evaluate where we are and check on our goals for where we want to be going. So that is what we have been trying to do. We hope for good health, new opportunities, and time with those who enrich our lives.

So here is how we've each started off the year so far:

Rori is RUNNING all over the place. Her current favorite activities include gathering all of her days treasures by the back door, playing with the kitchen that Santa left for both kids for Christmas, taking out all the tupperware, and attempting to throw anything she can find in the toilet- so far we've just lost 1 baby doll and Kai's PJ's to the bowl. She's using a few words more often these days-like hi, Mama, DaDa, "Ka" (Kai), Uh Oh, Wa Ta (water), Shew (shoe), and Ba (bath). Bath time is the most exciting time of the day. She will run around the corner yelling out "Ba" as she attempts to tear off her clothes.









Kai has been busy with preschool- 1st progress report and being back with buddies after the holidays. Kai's teddy bear Hamley even got to go to school with him one day for Teddy Bear Day. Hamley is the bear that Lance and I got for Kai in London when we first found out we were expecting. Kai takes very good care of Hamley and generally likes to keep him safe and sound in his room on his bed. So it was a big adventure for Hamley to make it out of the house and travel to school. Kai also started a new class at Church. He (and the other kids his age) graduated in to the CTR (Choose the Right Class) class. He has new teachers and the classes got mixed up a bit so he is now with Amanda, Andrew, Louisa, and James. He loved his teachers from last year but he told us on Sunday that he now has the 2 best teachers (the ones from last year and the ones from this year). We did have the teachers from last year over for dinner on Sunday night and he was so excited about it that he could hardly stand it. Lindsey and Blake are so nice and good with him. We also love the Blake is the primary pianist- so super cool to have a guy for Kai's benefit since he already thinks playing music is so awesome.





I've been busy trying to get used to driving Kai to preschool in the morning snow storms. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the big hill that everyone waits in a line on that has turned icy a few times. Nothing takes your breath away like watching cars slide all the way down it. I've also been having fun at the gym with my friend Amy while all our kids play at the Kids Club. It's great to get in a workout and great to have Rori learning that it is ok to be with someone else for a little while. We took a Yoga class one night this week which was pretty fun(ny). Amy is a great gym partner so it makes it lots of fun which helps so much. We've also hit a few of the University of Utah gymnastics meets which is fun. I love the gymnastics, Rori likes the people watching, Kai likes the marching band, and Lance likes the homemade donut holes. Good for all!

Lance has been busy getting back in to the swing of work after a nice holiday. He's also been enjoying the gym (especially working on his flip turns again in the pool). And his new Church calling has been keeping him on his toes. On our vacation he got addicted to a new family history website and has been having fun learning more about our past generations. Turns out some of my family line ended up in Nanibia, Africa. Guess I didn't end up with any African in my skin color, but maybe that makes me somewhat related to Bradgelina.......bad joke........

So if we didn't have work, or school, or other responsibilities we would like to still be on vacation...........but it is good to be back in to the swing of life. So here is to hoping that we're ready and geared up for February and whatever else the rest of 2010 brings!

From Kai's Eyes

Kai asked Santa for a camera and Leapster games for Christmas and Santa (with some help from grandma and grandpa Whitney) came through. Santa showed up at Kai's preschool one day and Kai got to put in his request. A few days later was our Church Christmas party where Santa made another appearance. Kai waited patiently in a lengthy line to see him again. When he climbed up on Santa's lap I was close by attempting to quickly seat a horrified Rori also on Santa's lap so I overheard the following:

Santa: What would you like for Christmas this year little boy?

Kai: Well I think you already know, but a camera and leapter games. (I mean he had just told him a few days before but better safe than sorry)

Santa: Have you been nice to your little brother?

Kai: Huh? Um..I saw you at my school.

Santa: That's right.


Anwyay, so the camera is the Fisher Price kind that is made for kids and supposed to be "kid tough". We read the mixed reviews online and weren't sure what we were going to think about it.

He took a ton of pictures in San Diego and HI (like 300+)and we have yet to change the batteries which surprises me. It's a nice size- big enough to not get easily lost but small enough to fit in a bag. The quality has seemed better than we expected after the reviews and keeping in mind that it is a Fisher Price camera. And it is so easy to download his photos on to our computer.

The best part has been how much he loves it. He loves taking pictures and finding this to shoot. I love that it is a creative way for him to express himself and develop a love for photography. Plus it is fun to see what he deems picture worthy and have some special keepsakes from him at this age. We'll see if it holds up, but for San Diego and HI it was awesome to have.

Here are some of our favorite shots from Kai's Eyes.

San Diego:
























*Not shown here themes of note included several individual shots of other Christmas gifts. Like all of the ones in the 1st picture 1 by one, several shots of various tv shows, and what appears to be several shots of the newspaper being read by grandparents.

Hawaii:


















*Not shown here themes of note included several shots of our rental car backseat (door handles, window buttons etc.) and lots of angles and distances of self portraits.

Looked Who Learned to....

.....SWIM all by himself!

We're thrilled.

He's thrilled.



How it happened:
1) On our first trip to the swimming pool I said to Lance that we should really try to teach Kai to swim this trip. Living it UT Kai's time in water has been limited some to summer swim lessons

2) On about Day 2 of the trip I remembered that we had brought some water wings with us. Kai had never used any before and once he figured out he could really get around with them by himself he was loving it. It was lovely for us as well since the Condo pool has no shallow end where he could touch.

3) On Day 3 the water wings had given him great courage in the pool.

4) On Day 4 a little girl named Angelina shows up at the pool. She is turning 4 this week and has no water wings and can jump off the side and swim about 5 feet to the stairs by herself. Kai sees this, talks to her, and quickly rips off the water wings and joins her in the jumping and swimming to the stairs.

5) By Day 5 he is swimming the width of the pool taking breaths with a parent near by just incase. And the water wings have now been permanetly left at the Condo.

6) The rest of the trip (including some evening swimming) we refer to him as our little fish. He can't get enough of the water and is having a blast being independent.

*We'd also like to remember: At the Hilton there is a dolphin interaction pool and we ate dinner by it one night and walked past it a few times. Thus, several hours of swimming time were filled with Kai being an imaginary dolphin trainer of 10 dolphins. He taught them several tricks and would help them jump from pool to hot tub and back.