Christmas 2008

We spent Christmas Eve with my family. We had dinner and then Dalliam read us The Christmas Story. After the story we opened gifts. We were happy that Grandma Henningson was able to be there with us.

Kyler and Kenyon were the first ones up on Christmas morning, which was at about 9:00 am. Kaylee wasn't too happy with me when I woke her up, but she soon forgave me. Evelyn slept through everyone opening their presents and Russell fed her while the kids played with their new toys.

Kyler got a Magnetics kit from Grandma Olsen and some Legos from Santa. He has been busy for days building things.

Kaylee got ballet slippers, a tutu, and a Ballet Barbie from us and a crown from Kyler. She has been dancing for days, and does not like it that she has to take the crown off to go to bed. She also got Princess Crayons from her friend Kalli and has loved coloring in her Barbie Princess coloring book.

Kenyon got a big Magnetics set from Grandma Olsen. He has enjoyed building things like Kyler.



He also got a Handy Manny doll from Santa, which he carries everywhere with him.

Kenyon got so wore out by the end of the day, that he fell asleep on the stairs. What a crazy kid we have!

Kyler's Finished Room (almost anyway)

Here are the latest pictures of Kyler's room. The carpet was laid on Tuesday, December 23 and his bed was moved in on Christmas Eve. Kyler and Kenyon have adjusted really well to sleeping downstairs. We were a little concerned that they would be scared, but so far there hasn't been any issues. Kaylee has also done really well with sharing her room with Evelyn. Everyone has been getting between 12-16 hours of sleep a night, so no complaints from me. (Evelyn is the one sleeping the 16 hours!) We still need to do some touch up paint and get his closet shelf in, but other than that it is done! Russell did a really good job!

Family!

I just wanted to tell my family that I love them and I think they are wonderful! We are so lucky to still have my mom and dad with us. On Friday, December 12th they were driving home from Mom's Check-Up and got into an accident. They were hit head on by a car (which had already hit two other vehicles.) Mom's foot was trapped and she was stuck in the truck for about a half hour until they could cut her out with the Jaws of Life. Her left foot is broken in several spots. Dad is still and sore and might have a cracked knee cap. The x-rays didn't show anything, but it is hurting him pretty bad. The truck was totaled and if it wasn't for the seat belts and air bags they wouldn't be here. Anyway they got to spend their 40th wedding anniversary (the 13th) in Payson Hospital waiting for surgery on my mom's foot. Finally on Wednesday, they decided that they didn't want to do surgery on her bones, because she still has an infection in her abdomen (which put her in the hospital for Thanksgiving.) With the kind of infection she has, they don't want to mess with the bones, because it would be really bad if some of it got into the bones. So they just set the bones and put on a splint. This has slowed down her recovery from the other surgeries, but she is doing OK. We love her a lot and hope that the next year is a little (or a lot) easier for her!

We Love You Mom and Dad!

Busy Saturday!

We had a really busy Saturday. Russell got up early and finished the mudding in Kyler's room. Thanks to the radiant heat, the mud was dry enough to start the primer at about 1 pm. Of course the kids had to help, and they loved every minute of it (at least the 30 minutes that they helped.)

Kenyon lasted the longest, which wasn't necessarily a good thing, but what can ya do?

The primer was dry enough to paint the first coat at about 4 pm. We were mean parents and didn't let the kids help with the actually paint part. We took a break at 5:30 pm to go to Charlotte's Birthday Party, and put the final coat on at 7 pm.

The almost finished product. We still have the trim and base to do. The upper trim will be a lighter blue and the base and trim around the doors will be white. It looks like we will have a busy Monday doing that so it will be ready for carpet (of course it will be blue, too) which is scheduled for Tuesday. If you can't tell, Kyler's favorite color is blue. He wasn't very happy with us for not painting all of the walls blue, but I think he is starting to forgive us. He is happy with it so far. Russell has really worked hard and done a good job! What a handy husband I have!

Kyler's Christmas

For Christmas this year, Kyler is getting his room finished. The kids have had a lot of fun helping Russell with it. The carpet is scheduled to go in on the 23rd so Kyler and Kenyon will get to sleep there on Christmas Eve. We will put the bunk bed down there for the two boys. Kaylee will get to share the upstairs room with Evelyn. They are all really excited.

Eagle Watching

On the way home from Gunnison (getting supplies for Kyler's room) Kyler saw this eagle in the tree. We've looked for them several times, but this is the first time we've seen one when the kids have been with. Kyler thought it was really neat, especially since he is the one that first saw it.

Kenyon Helping Himself

Russell made some pudding the other day, and before he could even get it in the fridge, Kenyon helped himself to some. He is very good at getting what he wants, he just takes it.

Christmas Tree

Russell and the boys went and got our Christmas tree for us this year. I was sick and Kaylee didn't want to go. They found a really nice tree.

The kids had almost as much fun playing on the ladder as they did decorating the tree.

The finished product looks pretty good.

Evelyn is 3 Months Old!

We Have A Thumb Sucker!!

It is always her left hand, too. I wonder if that means anything? Russell hopes so! All of our other kids are right-handed, but she might be Russell's lefty.

Mom is Home!

Well, my mom was able to come home today! We are so excited to have her home. She is doing really well and is so excited to be home. Thanks for all of your support and prayers on her behalf.

Halloween 2008

Kyler was a cowboy.

Kaylee was Mickey Mouse.

Kenyon was a Fireman.

Evelyn was a Frog.

We went up to Salt Lake to spend Halloween with Grandma Henningson. We went down to the cafeteria to eat and then did some Trick-or-Treating at the hospital. It was fun to be able to spend the time with Grandma and to let her see the kids in their costumes. Grandma is doing really well and is hoping to come home next Wednesday or Thursday! We are so excited to have her home, and we are so proud of all the hard work she has put into her physical therapy and recovery. We love you Grandma!

Evelyn

I think we might have us a thumb sucker. I will wake up in the middle of the night because she is sucking it so loud I can hear her from clear across the house. I guess it isn't too bad if it helps her sleep the 8-10 hours at night that she has been doing.

With everyone getting a good nights sleep we are all happier, especially Evelyn!

Evelyn is Eight Weeks Old!

Kenyon: Just some fun pictures!

Update on Grandma Kay

Yesterday, October 15, 2008, we (Kendall, Dad, Wendy, Russell, Kyler, Kaylee, Kenyon, and Evelyn) went to visit mom. She is now in the Spaeciality Hospital in Prove. They had all the monitors and such off, which was nice to see. She is doing really well and is working hard on her physical therapy so she can come home soon. They figure that by the beginning of next week they will move her once more. This time it will be to a different facility. It is a rehab place by the Provo Hospital. There they will work on physical therapy with her for 3-4 hours a day, which will be difficult but good. While we were there they brought in her dinner. She is now on a normal diet and is enyoing it, even though it is work to feed herself and chew. Anyway, that is all for now. Thanks for your prayers!

Grandma Henningson Finally Holds Evelyn!

Yesterday Kaylee, Evelyn and I rode up to Salt Lake with Dad, Kendall, Braxton, and Charlotte to visit Grandma Henningson. She is still in the ICU but is doing a lot better. They were able to bring mom out into the hall so she could hold Evelyn and see Kaylee and Braxton. It was so nice to have mom finally see and hold Evelyn. We are going to go up Sunday so Kyler and Kenyon can see her too. Mom is getting better everyday. They have her off the ventilator for several hours everyday and she is doing physical therapy and is getting a lot stronger. She can hold a pen and write things down, which is really nice because we are not so good at reading lips (she can't talk because of the trac for the ventilator). They are hoping to be able to get her out of the ICU within the week and then in a rehab center in Provo shortly there after. Hopefuly things continue to go well so that happens. We love her and are glad she was finally able to meet Evelyn!