Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  We were able to get together with our friends the Phillips and Wielands for some delicious food.  Unfortunately, no pictures.  After dinner and some games we went home and got our Christmas decorations out.  Guess who has already discovered the shiny, colorful appeal of the ornaments?

Pictures from Trip

Trying to make our way to the plane with all of our stuff.

Chase's first plane ride.

Isn't he cute?

Things were going great until Chase started breaking out in hives.  They were all over his face.  Unfortunately, you can't see them very well in the pictures.  He then broke out in a fever and had a fever for all of our time in Utah.  He also threw up a couple of times.  Poor kid.  I'm just so thankful that no one else got sick.

We were one of the first to arrive so we decided to do a little reminiscing.  Here we are standing in front of our very first apartment we had together.  It was a tiny studio.  When we lived there the area to the left of the building was full of junk...old oil, car parts, etc.

There was a Krispy Kreme right next to our hotel so we decided to check it out.  Here is Kailyn, Jordan, Hailey, and Caden watching the donuts get made.

For the funeral service, we threw all of the kids in this room to watch a movie and color.  Thank you so much to Miranda for keeping an eye on everyone.

Here is what the kids did during the graveside service.  Poor kids were exhausted.  The 2 hour time difference really messed up their sleep.

Ken was so excited to see the mountains.  He just couldn't take enough pictures.

After our time in Utah, we flew to Michigan and immediately hopped in our car and drove to Pennsylvania to take another look at the job offer Ken has there.

After checking out the hospital, we were loading up in the car.  Unfortunately, Jordan was watching Caden and turned her head just in time to meet the sliding door Kailyn was opening.  This picture really doesn't do justice.  The cut was actually fairly deep.  Thank goodness Ken is an ER doctor.  He was able to put her back together.

3883--Not just a Palindrome

3883 Miles Traveled
15 hours in airports and airplanes
5 states visited (or at least spent time in)
4 flights
4 car seats, 6 coats, 4 kids, 4 carry-ons, 1 stroller, 1 checked bag (When we arrived at the airport on Thursday morning, I said to the kids, "Welcome to the zoo!"  They said, "This is the zoo?"  I replied, "WE are the zoo."  The security check point was particularly enjoyable!)
3 days that started at 4 am or earlier
1 funeral (We will miss Grandma Kenison. The funeral was a wonderful tribute paid to her.)
1: 10-month old child with fever > 104 for 3 days
17 hours in the car (doesn't count in-town driving)
268: the number of fast food restaurants we visited (maybe a little exaggerated, but not by much!)
995: the number of fits/tantrums Caden threw (a low estimate; NOT an exaggeration)

How were the past 5 days for you?

We'll post pictures and give more details later.  Just thought it would be fun to give you a quick look at what that past 5 days have been like for us.

My Grandma

My maternal Grandma passed away this morning.  I don't know that it has fully hit me that she is gone.  I am going to miss her so much.  My cousin wrote a great tribute to her on one of her blogs.  If you want to check it out go here.  She really did endure a lot in her life.  I think of her often as Ken has had to work so much and I often go for a week without seeing him.  I don't know how she raised five young kids all on her own.  I find it very hard at times and yet I do have someone to lean on and support me (he may not always be here physically but I know he is there for me).  I love my Grandma very much and only wish that my kids could have been able to know her better cause she really was a great woman.  She was spunky, hard working, and loved her family dearly.

Robbery

So we got home Saturday night from a date and we were unloading the car when Ken hears someone calling his name.  I had gone in with the kids to get them bathed and in bed, so he knew it wasn't me.  Of course, it was a guy's voice, so he doubly knew it wasn't me.  It turns out it was our neighbors who live across the street from us.  Apparently, they had gone out for a quick bite to eat and were just getting home when they noticed that their lights were on and their garage door was open.  Their car was gone (they found it around the corner on a side street).  They had been or currently were getting robbed!  So we invited them into our house until the police arrived.  Apparently, someone had broken in through their back door, found a key on the counter, moved their car out of their driveway and parked it down the street, and then pulled their own car in so they could load it up with stuff.  They didn't have much stolen, it sounds like, just a TV and a lock box.  The saddest part is what was inside the lock box--the robbers will be surprised when they open it to find it full of medical degree information and letters the couple had written to each other (they are recently married).  We think they may have been targeted because they are both doctors, actually residents.  I am so thankful it wasn't us!  Of course, they may have seen our tricycles parked in the driveway and our peeling paint on our house and realized we have absolutely nothing valuable (other than our laptop).  No nice TV, no Wii, no money laying around, no fancy electronics, no gold, no fine silver or china.

0 for 5

Zero for five!  That's how many cavities were found in the five of us who went to the dentist (Kailyn, Jordan, Caden, Ken, and me).  Hurray!!  Chase did not get his tooth checked but they did think his tooth was adorable.  This was Jordan's and Caden's first time at the dentist.  All of the kids did amazing!  The staff were all amazed at how well they all did--no tears, no crying, no trying to get away.  They said we are welcome back anytime.

We were told we were destined for major orthodontic work.  All of our kids have crowding issues, especially Jordan.  Her teeth are already all crooked and that's her baby teeth.

Playing in the Leaves

Caden and Well Child Check

Caden was getting out of bed the other night.  He had a late nap and was a bit restless.  I took him up to bed and told him, "I do not want to see your little face anymore tonight."  He said, "OK mom."  He then turned his head into his pillow and said, "Can you see my little face mom?"

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Jordan,"Mom! Caden is being mean."
Caden, "I'm not being mean."(in a paniced upset voice)
             "I'm just the bad guy.  I'm the bad guy mom.  I'm not mean!"

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Speaking of Caden he had his well-child check this last week.  He wasn't able to get it last month due to everyone being sick.  He did great.  He amazed the nurses.  They decided to try and give him an eye test.  He did great.  The nurse was amazed.  She said they normally can't get 3 year olds to hold still and pay attention long enough to do it.  She then tried to give a hearing test.  Unfortunately, he couldn't understand to raise his hand when the headphones beeped.  I could tell he could hear it cause every once in awhile he would get a grin on his face.

One thing about Caden he is SO ticklish.  The doctor was looking at his back and he jumped.  She thought she had some how hurt him but he was laughing.  Then she tried to feel his stomach and his reaction was to full out laugh.  I love Caden's laugh!!

Here are his stats:
weight: 32 lbs (just about 50th percentile)
height: just below the 50th percentile


Caden watching the big trucks come and take our leaves away.  He is definitely a boy.  He loves trucks.

Silly

So here are the things that our kids have done lately that make me smile.

Chase loves kisses. If you ask for a kiss, he will stop, focus on my face, tilt his head and lean in for a slobbery kiss. Sometimes he even grabs my face to turn it so he can kiss me.

Here is a picture of Jordan's latest artwork.

Grandma and Grandpa Jones sent a Halloween package. Inside was some socks for the kids. Caden decided one pair would make great mittens. He wore them everywhere for a week. To the school to pick up Kailyn, to the store, and even to bed.

Jordan can not seem to remember to not pick up Chase. Here is the solution she came up with on her own. It is a picture of her in the middle and Chase crawling in the the bottom right corner. Then she wrote 'Do not pick up Chase' (with some help). She then hung it on the fridge to remind her. I wouldn't say it worked great but I loved her creativity.

DNP-Halloween Day at the Monson's

This year for Halloween we went to our friends the Monsons for a Halloween party. We had dinner, donut eating contest, apple bobbing and of course trick or treating. After trick or treating with our friends we went home and trick or treated around our own neighborhood. We had so much fun.

Kailyn was one of the only kids that was actually able to get an apple by bobbing for it.

Jordan tried but didn't want to get more than her lips wet.

Kailyn trying to help Caden.

Front left to right. Taevin Phillip, Caden, Kailyn, Jordan, Jenessa and Taiya Phillip, Ellie DeLap, Zeb Miller

Back row: Kent Miller holding Ike

Chase had missed his nap so he slept for the first part of trick or treating.

The kids getting some treats.

Caden and Jordan

There is a guy on our street that does tricks every year to give the kids their candy. The kids love it!

Lots of good candy this year.

Caden showing off his loot.

Farmer Charley's

Halloween day we went to a place called Farmer Charley's. We had gotten some tickets for a great price and unfortunately this was the only day we could use them. It was unfortunate because it was so cold the day we went. The wind was blowing like crazy and ruined a lot of our fun. We weren't able to go on a hay ride or a train ride and the corn maze was covered in puddles. It was great to be together as a family though, doesn't happen too often so we enjoy every minute of it. We were able to do the corn maze, duck races, hay tunnels, watch them fire pumpkins at targets, and watch some live pig races.

It had rained the night before so the maze was muddy.

Duck races.

Jordan doing the duck race.

Kailyn doing the duck race.

Halloween Activities

Kailyn's school costume parade.

Chase loved the parade.

We also went trick or treating in downtown Perrysburg with some friends.

Caden, Jordan and Chase (Kailyn was at school) are on the far right.

Jordan, Chase and Caden are front left side.

We also went to a Halloween activity at the library. Unfortunately, Kailyn was sick and unable to go. She wanted to go so bad.

Jordan playing pin the nose on the pumpkin.

Caden making a pumpkin cookie.