Sick Day!

I got a sick day today with out being sick!  Unfortunatly almost everyone else at work is.  Molly got sick on Saturday and we didn't think anything about it, until Sarah got sent home from school on Monday.  Last night I got a text from Anna's mom saying Anna got sick, and this morning Meara's mom called and Meara is sick also.  So I got Sarah (who is all better) and Molly off to school, then I got to come home.  Their mom, Heidi, isn't feeling good (surprise, surprise) so she was staying home and would be there when the girls got home from school.  I am just waiting for this weekend to get sick.  That is what always happens to me, in five years nannying, I have yet to call in sick, because it always happens on the weekend and I feel better by Monday.  Hopefully I dodged this illness!

So I got home thinking I would relax for the day, and all of a sudden I am vacuming up all of the dust that Ivan made sanding the sheetrock!  How fair is that?  Oh well.  Friday Ivan hopes to prime the loft and stairs, and paint it all this weekend.  Then the only rooms left to mud/sand are the three bedrooms and the study.  But they are going to wait because after the loft and stairs are painted we are going to start putting in the hardwood flooring on the main floor.  That is going to be interesting trying to stain and varnish the flooring while having a curious kitten roaming around. 

Well, now I have to go do laundy!  Talk to you later!

~MISSI~

thought i would post pictures off my phone just of everyday life..its stayed rather busy at my house being that mom's  in school and dad's in fargo this week. every saturday night the guys play hockey, dad has a contract and its fun to watch him, brian, and sometimes steven out on the ice..sarah decided she was brave enough to try an eagle stand! -debbie

Answer to quiz time!

Here you go! I only saw this happen several times this winter. The wind came along, making other wordly looks of the cabin roof. Good thing I caught it once. Am quite sure we'll have another dumping of snow before spring is here, but it has been quite nice ... and this snow is nearly all gone.

That's it for now ... we're off to a heated pool for a few days with three of the kids. It has been a while since we've done anything like heading out of our yard and relaxing somewhere. We'll see you on the flip side!

-a

Hail from Farmington

Now don't faint...it's been awhile.

Sad news, we had to put Katie down last Thursday.  A lot of tears fell in our household as it was very hard and sad to say good-bye to her.  Mitchell heard Katie outside last Wednesday but she could not make it up the steps.  Dave carried her in to the house and we found another sore on her hind leg, another lump on her head and several lumps around her neck and we knew it was time.  These sores seemed to pop up overnight.  One day she would drag her back leg when she walked and then the next day she would prance around like nothing bothered her but near the end she slowly told us it was her time to go.  I made the appointment, picked Mitchell up from school early so he could come home before she left and we cried as we said our good-byes.  Katie layed her head in Mitchell's lap as if to say "it's ok-I am tired and ready to go".  It was very hard on Dave I know and as I told him, it's just not right that we as humans have to decide how long a dog lives, it just tears you apart having to make that decision.  I know it was a very long walk for Dave to  bring Katie up to the vet's door.  We miss her dearly as she was truly a big part of our family and a very loyal  and loving dog.

Other than the news of Katie, things are pretty much un-changed around here.  Dave has been plowing snow like crazy (dollars falling from the sky as we like to call it), Mitchell is still growing like a weed and Tanner is getting ready for the military.  We meet with Tanner's recruiter on Monday night (Air-Force) but he is also looking in to the Navy diving program as well.  Tanner got a full time job and seems to like it so that is holding him over until he enlists.

Hope all is well for everyone, Frans and Jenny sorry to hear about Taryn, hope she feels better and very soon.  You all take care....
Oh and P.S.....please don't think I ignore this blog.....I hardly email, rarely text, and get consumed with homework and school projects and being the domestic queen....at my last job I could sneak in a few emails here and there but not where I am at now....no time!

Taryn

Ambulance ride

Her favorite nurse at Scottsdale north

Well, blogger won't let me upload any pictures!  Taryn is in the hospital with bronchiolitis and pnemonia, and has been here since Monday.  They just told me about an hour ago that we are being transferred to Phoenix Childrens hospital and will be in ICU there.  She needs constant breathing treatments, and they are better equipped there to deal with her if she decides she's too tired to keep trying to breathe!  She is working pretty hard at it!  So I will keep you all updated on her progress...hopefully she makes a turn for the better!  Like the nurse said, she could get there and they will decide she doesn't need to be in ICU, but better safe than sorry.
Jenny

Another quiz for you

I wanted to snap a picture of this before and missed the opportunity.

It was back again the other day.

This is not my yard ... just in case that crossed your mind. :)

-a

Happy Valentine's Day

Alyx and I went to the Women's Health Fair at the hospital yesterday. I brought home this bookmark that I thought was really fun.

I challenge you to see how many of these you can do in the coming week. I'm off to read my book. Have a great week!!

Uh oh ... I've been snapping pictures again.

Anyone want to plan a camping trip this summer?

Maybe Valdez, Fairbanks ... where else haven't we been yet?

You're welcome to join us!

Quiz time!

Any ideas what this might be?

Thought I'd see if I could give the brain cells a wee bit of challenge. :)

-a

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Happy Birthday, Special Treasure

God gave a gift to the world when you were born—

a person who loves, who cares,

who sees a person’s need and fills it,

who encourages and lifts people up,

who spends energy on others

rather than herself,

someone who touches each life she enters,

and makes a difference in the world,

because ripples of kindness flow outward

as each person you have touched, touches others.

Your birthday deserves to be a national holiday,

because you are a special treasure

for all that you’ve done.

May the love you have shown to others

return to you, multiplied.

I wish you the happiest of birthdays,

and many, many more,

so that others have time to appreciate you

as much as I do.

By Joanna Fuchs

happy birthday Elizabeth! Now I don't know if I would go so far as to having a national holiday named after you, but... you are indeed a special person!

happy birthday to you...

happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Liz, happy birthday to you!!!!  Enjoy your day, and enjoy this last year of your 30's!!!!!  Eat a piece of cake for us:)
Lots of love from the AZ Kuoppala's!