Tis the season

So far this month we have had a great time getting ready for Christmas. 

We got a tree and decorated it

We hung our stockings with care

We headed to our neighborhood community center to see Santa.  We got very lucky because Santa decided to bring two of his reindeer for the kids to see

Mrs. Clause had a dove and even let the kids hold it

Ashton sat on Santa's lap and told him what he wanted for Christmas...a matchbox car

As you can tell from this picture, Cate wasn't too thrilled to sit next to Santa.  She did tell her Dad to tell Santa that she would like a pair of slippers for Christmas.

(I had hip surgery about 2 weeks ago and get to wear this lovely brace)

After meeting Santa we all went over to the treat table to pick out something to eat

Ashton really enjoyed his cupcake

Cate enjoyed her cinnamon roll and Ashton decided that he was over getting his picture taken

We were able to talk him into taking a family photo though

Aunt Steph came for a visit and let Ashton open his birthday present early so she could see him enjoy it.  Yes she got him a trampoline!

Steph and Daddy put the the trampoline together in our basement.  Ashton and Cate tried to help out...

almost done.......

These are two of the luckiest kids!!!!

Poor little Cate

Upon our return from Texas on Friday after Thanksgiving both of our kids were starting to get sick.  Ashton started to have a croup cough and Cate got a fever.  We took them to urgent care on Friday and they gave us medicine for Ashton and told us they both had a virus.

This virus knocked them down pretty hard.  They didn't have much of an appetite and Cate continued to have fevers.

Ashton was very exhausted

On Wednesday I took Cate into the pediatrician and her oxygen levels were below 88% and she was wheezing.  The doctor gave her 2 albuterol nebulizers while we were in the office.  After the treatments her lungs didn't sound any better and her oxygen was still low.  She told us that we had to go straight to the ER to have her evaluated.  So we headed over to the ER where they hooked her up to oxygen, gave her more breathing treatments, and gave her steroids.  After being there for about 4 hours Cate wasn't improving so they decided to admit her overnight.

As you can tell by this picture it was a rough stay at the hospital.  Cate was put on nebulizer treatments every 2 hours so you can imagine how much sleep we both didn't get.  

The next morning Cate was starting to feel better and even wanted to color some pictures.

As the day went on she kept feeling better and better.  She was able to stay off oxygen for most of the day.  The doctor told us that if she took a nap and didn' t need oxygen during the nap then they would let her go home.  After a one hour nap she she remained off the oxygen and they said that we could take her home.  

It was a really tough time for our family but we had such amazing support from our friends and family.  Cate is doing really well at home and she be completely better in a few more days.

Thanksgiving in Texas

For Thanksgiving we headed to Cypress TX to visit the Harkless Family.  We had such a wonderful time with them.  The kids got along really well and had a great time playing with each other.  We spent a week down there and did a lot of different activities.  Here are some pictures from our visit:

We went to the zoo one of the days

The kids had a great time playing on the swing set in the back yard

Playing hide and seek

Jenn and Toby prepared an amazing Thanksgiving dinner for all of us.  

After Thanksgiving dinner we decided to take some family and group pictures

Cate's 5th Birthday

Cate celebrate her 5th birthday this weekend.  She had such a great time celebrating her birthday.  Here are a few pictures from the birthday activities:

Aunt Steph sent Cate some My Little Ponies and some princess plates and cups.  Cate was so excited to get the ponies!!

Grammy and Grandpa Rlowe gave cate a piano that you step on and a dance mat.  The kids are having a blast playing on them.

making "music"

We celebrated Cate's birthday at a the gymnastics place they the kids go to.  We had about 12 kids come to the party.  They all had such a great time running, jumping and tumbling.  They gymnastics place was the perfect place to have a kids birthday party.  Cate had a wonderful time playing with all of her friends.

Here is a picture of Cate with her friends Reagan, Jordyn, Lexi, Mia, and Ava.  

On the balance beam

Listening to Coach Malorie:  Lexi, Cate, Ava, Ashton, Mia, Cody, Jordyn, Camilla, and Connor.  

Ashton swinging like Tarzan

The favorite place for most of the kids to play:  The Foam Pit

Ashton was in gymnastics heaven.  He ran and jumped non stop for 1.5 hours.  He was so exhausted when we got home.

Here is a video of the kids singing to Cate

Once we got home from the party Cate got to open presents from Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Pat, Uncle Don, and Uncle Q

Reading her birthday card with Grandma.  Grandma and Grandpa gave Cate a slide that hooks on to her bed.  We put it together today and she is having a blast on it!

Aunt Pat and Uncle Don gave  Cate a Rapunzel barbie doll.  Cate has been carrying her around with her all day today.  

Aunt Stephie sent the kids new dishes.  She gave Ashton a construction dish set.  The utensils are trucks and the plate is a construction zone.  He wants to eat every meal with his new dishes.

Cate posing with her new princess dishes