Snow Day!

Today was such a fabulous day! Somehow Salem missed out on the snow but Molalla got plenty! So we headed off to Grandpa Miles and Grandma Mariann's house to play. This was the first time that the boys were really old enough to go 'play' in the snow and really understand that this white stuff is pretty cool!

You will notice a theme with Matthew. Pants and short sleeves, or shorts and a sweatshirt. He's 12 and a boy....need I say more?
Sweet darling Kathryn

Hmmm....this stuff is kinda weird! And smushy!

But now that I have a shovel, its pretty fun!

Grandpa and Tyler all snuggly looking out at the snowy yards

Mommy and Zachary

Kathryn and her base of a snowman (which, by the way, the base was as far as she got)

Big brother showing little brother what snow is all about

Trekking in the snow out to the fence

Playing with the neighbor's dog Clancy as he sticks his nose through the fence and licks the boys' hands

And finally....this is Matthew, caught on video doing something that he is not supposed to do. He tried to deny his actions until I pointed out that I had the evidence on camera!

Shots Stink

For those of you that know me well, you know that I despise needles. I mean, freak out, pass out, hate needles. And I think one of the worst things for me as a parent is watching (well, not actually watching because I'd pass out, but knowing when) the boys get their shots. It just doesn't seem fair to stick needles in their little thighs when they just don't understand why we're intentionally hurting them. Thank goodness I have people like Mike, my parents, and my good friends who come with me to appointments and hold the boys for me while they get their shots. I realize that the children need to be vaccinated, but why does it have to be so miserable?

The boys had shots on Wednesday and for some reason, this time they are really affected. Both have very high fevers, and poor Tyler hasn't slept in days! Which means that I haven't slept in days. We are pretty much miserable in this house. But this too shall pass, and the good news is that we're done with shots until the boys are 5!

Kathryn has been quite the helper today. She snuggled with Tyler while I got Zachary ready for bed.
Zachary seems to be feeling a bit better this evening. The fever is down to 100 while Tyler is still at 102. I am praying for some sleep tonight and for 98.6 tomorrow!!!

Gotta Get Out Of This House!

When I saw the beautiful sun shining and bright blue sky peeking in the bedroom window this morning, I decided that we needed to get out of the house! Plus, Mike was laying in bed with a temperature of 101.2 and I wanted him to have some peace and quiet! We bundled up and went out for a walk around the neighborhood. Then we played in the slightly warmer garage for quite a while.

Apparently pop cans are good for at least 15 minutes of play.

And then.....we have this little slide in the garage that I snagged and am just waiting for spring to put it outside. Well, apparently the boys don't want to wait until spring. I look over and there is one child, HEAD FIRST and halfway down the slide, staring right at the concrete floor. I race over, grab the child from the slide thus avoiding impending disaster and a possible broken nose, and grab a blanket to pad the landing. And grabbed the camera for some good video.

Its Cleaning Day

Today was Cleaning Day and the boys decided to help out.

Newfound Talent

My Zachary has found his new talent: to spin in circles until he gets dizzy and falls over. It seems that he never tires of this!

Poker Night!

It was time for the Poker Party Night at the Sommer house. The boys were anxiously awaiting company. They had their cool-man jeans on....and got their teeth brushed and were ready to go!

Dad and the boys were ready for the festivities...
A little pizza for dinner....

Friends like Tristan to play with....

A big brother to help with the cards and chips....

Lots of friends and drinks.....

And all in all it was a great night!!!

Recovery In Progress...

I want to thank everyone who sent thoughts and prayers our way this week for Zachary's surgery. All went well and he is on the mend with about a one-inch incision in his eyebrow line. His poor little hands are bruised from the IV attempts and his eyelid is swollen and black and blue, but if you hadn't seen any of those things, you never would've known that he'd just had surgery. He is such a strong little boy....even after recovery and feeling so icky from the anesthesia, he was trying to smile and play. And I am proud to say that I did pretty well too, considering that I had to hand my little boy off to a strange nurse knowing what they were going to be doing to him! I think the doctor was more proud of me for surviving without freaking out than he was of Zachary! Thanks again everyone.