Everett's Eye Surgery

So earlier this month we took Everett in for eye surgery. He had gotten glasses a few months earlier and we were also told to patch his good eye to help train the weaker eye. After patching and getting used to his glasses, we were definitely noticing an improvement in his eyes - they were crossing less, but his ophthalmologist was pretty certain he would still eventually need eye surgery. They had to loosen a muscle in one eye and tighten a muscle in the other. We were told it was a very simple, easy surgery and he would be in and out in a few hours and be back to his normal self by the next day and that's exactly how it all went. I was still pretty nervous and emotional, but things went pretty normal. He couldn't eat anything in the morning so the night before we made sure he had a good meal the night before and we got ice cream afterwards. We woke up pretty early the next morning, left Claire with grandma, and headed to the hospital.

He seemed so happy and completely unaware at first that something was about to happen. It wasn't until the nurses were trying to get his vitals and put a bracelet on his leg that he got very apprehensive. We had our fun trying to distract him and talk him into letting us change his clothes into the hospital pajamas. The doctors even gave him a new toy motorcycle in an attempt to make him happy, but it wasn't until after he got some drugs in him that he was more cooperative. And then he started getting a little loopy. It was interesting seeing him loopy, but he was happy again.

Then the moment came when they wheeled him away from us. Then we waited. It wasn't too long, but it was still a little nerve racking. The doctors came back and told us they they were finished and a little while later we heard his screams (which was probably one of the worst parts). They finally brought him out to us screaming the whole time and he wouldn't calm down until everything was off of him, the medical tape covering his iv puncture and the bracelet from his ankle. He cried himself to sleep while in my arms, then slept a bit more on the drive home. He stayed awake the rest of the day and then fell asleep on the couch at 5:30 and slept until 6 the next morning. So it all went well and he was back to himself the next day (besides the three times a day we had to put eye drops in his eyes- he hated that part). His eyes were blood red for about a week and it looked a little creepy, but they finally started to fade and are all back to normal now. :)

the best of the rest of 2014

we're posting this a little late (okay, a lot late), but we wanted to recap our fun and wonderful 2014. these are just a few of our favorite moments.

amber tried to put together a father's day surprise that never quite came together, but it left us with some great videos...



flying kites early in the summer. claire especially loved it and asks us nearly everyday if it's warm enough to go fly kites again...



this is a super fun play center that the kids just love...



this little girl loves to sing so much...

everett falling asleep in the car...

rocking around the Christmas tree...

family home evening at the bowling alley. everett wasn't so much concerned with knocking the pins down, but he loved watching the ball come back up through the hole...

these crazy kids just have so much energy...

 

this was everett and his cousins' big group birthday party...

claire really loves her bike...

and finally, this was definitely the year of frozen...

Christmas

It's taken me awhile to get this one out but I'm finally getting it done. :) We had a wonderful Christmas and I don't have a lot to say about it just that we enjoyed spending time with all our family. Here's a glimpse of our Christmas through pictures. :)

starting with Christmas Sunday...

 Christmas Eve was spent with Scott's family eating dinner and decorating graham cracker houses...

Christmas morning opening presents...

it snowed Christmas day! :) Scott took the kids outside to play in it.

Bowling and Santa

The week before Christmas we decided to get out of the house and have some family fun. After Thanksgiving we all took turns getting sick and so after being cooped up for a few weeks it was nice to get out. We went bowling. It was fun, but the lane that we got was pretty warped or something... we all did pretty badly. Everett's favorite part was watching the ball come back up the return machine. :)

We walked around the Riverwoods afterwards and ran into Santa. We decided to let the kids go sit on his lap. Claire was a little nervous and had to be gently pushed closer. :) They both were able to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas though (a toy butterfly and a toy turtle). Love our kids. :)

from our family to yours!

Glimpse from Thanksgiving

This year, since my parents were back from their mission, we all got together with my family up at the Kerby's for our Thanksgiving dinner. We spent a couple days beforehand playing with cousins at my parents' house and it was a crazy but fun couple of days. I didn't get many pictures, but here are a few from the dinner. We had a good time eating, being thankful and playing games. :) 

The next evening was spent down in SF with Scott's family. We got to watch the annual SF light parade. It was fun and I think the kids enjoyed it. But even the warmest winter night can get chilly and Scott had to make it to work so we didn't stay for the whole thing. It was a fun evening though as well.

Putting up the Tree

I guess we're one of those families that likes to decorate before Thanksgiving. :) At least when Thanksgiving is so late in the month. Right before family came for the holiday we put up our Christmas tree and lights. Kids loved putting the ornaments on and they love turning on the "pretty lights" every morning. :)