Fantauzzi Family

November 2010

2011-03-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

The month started out with Madisyn having a crazy hair day at school. She is the first of my kids to really want to participate in spirit/dress up days at school. The boys never seemed to take in interest in it. So we made some twisty-twirly ponytails all over her hair.

Jacob turned 14 and enjoyed his first gluten-free cake. He is an amazing child. It is nice to know that he willing does everything(most the time days before it needs to be done) on his own, without having to be reminded. He earns all A's and doesn't even have to try too. He sits down everyday and reads his scriptures(can't say he learned that from me). He has already mapped out his next six to eight years. He knows where he wants to go to college and would love to be a writer or illustrator. Have I ever mentioned the stacks and stacks(Not joking) of notebooks that he has drawn and written stories in? He continues to amaze us with his knowledge and is such a blessing to our family.

I think our family dynamics are quite interesting and unique. We have our obvious stand outs for sure, but each one of us is so perfectly fit in our family. Not one of our personalities are the same. We often tease that so and so is our favorite child, but I know all of my children know that we love each of them the same and expect things from them on different levels that they are capable of achieving. Our kids struggle at times, because they know that Braydon requires a lot of our time and attention, but at the end of the day they all know we love them and how important they are in making our family a "FAMILY".

WE had a very quiet Thanksgiving this year. We celebrated with just the seven of us. Since I started working at BBW I knew I would be working on Black Friday, so for the first time in about seven years I didn't get up and go out with all the crazies to do some shopping of my own, but I really didn't miss it this year. I think I mostly missed the fun that I would have with either going out with my sister in law or my good friend Bridget.

More from October.....

2011-01-28T17:15:00.000-08:00

This month also came with something I am experiencing for the first time......my very first child got his learner's permit!!! Yes Kaleb is officially driving us around at times. I can't believe it!!!(Not that he is old enough to drive, just that I am old enough to have a child that drives!!!) He is doing quite well. Justin has been taking him out to the school parking lot in the the snow to get some of that experience down.

He also attended his first Homecoming dance. He went with a group of friends. They first had a catered dinner at a friends house, took pictures, then went to the dance and then after a few dances they headed over to a friends house to play basketball, games and eat more of course.

I also took a picture of him and two of his friends at one of our trips to the Halloween store.

Madisyn went to the high school's Spirit clinic, which was taught by the Varsity Pom team. She of course loved it!! Lindsay and Isabel(a couple of Kaleb's friends) took good care of her. They all learned a routine and then performed it at halftime of one of the football games.

Halloween 2010

2011-01-28T16:11:00.001-08:00

We enjoyed a snowless Halloween this year and had lots of fun activities. Madisyn and Braydon's school had a Halloween Carnival with a Trunk or Treat. We had our ward trunk or treat and then we had gone out on a chilly Halloween night for trick or treating(my mom was here to help/enjoy this) I only had two dress up for Halloween this year and I was feeling kind of sad. We also enjoyed our visits to the Halloween store not to far from our house at least twice a week for the whole month of October. Braydon enjoyed going there, every time we drove by it we had to promise him we would go and visit or he would keep kicking the back of our seats to let us know he wasn't going to give up on going. We entertained all who where in the store each visit. Sometimes it was just a walk through visit, but most of the time we had to try on the masks which made Braydon laugh (His contagious belly laugh), sometimes it was an occasional scare mom by walking up behind her wearing the Michael Myer's mask. (Now my kids and husband know if they want to really scare me all they have to do is wear that mask!) By the end of the Halloween season the props where no longer functioning, items were sparse, but Braydon still had to visit. We had an enjoyable Halloween this year!!

October

2011-01-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

My mom came in town just before Halloween and we took Braydon and Madisyn to the North Pole in Colorado Springs. Maddie and Braydon had lots of fun. (I was worn out after lifting Braydon in and out of every ride). Madisyn did not want to get near the Santa, but Braydon would have stayed and visited him all day. (Ironically Maddie thinks he is the real Santa) It was a beautiful day to have been there.

We took the kids to Kanosha Pass/South Park to see the changing of the leaves. It was really beautiful(my pictures do not do it justice). We stopped in South Park and enjoyed lunch from a roadside caboose turned bbq. The food was fine, but the small town entertainment was better. I took a bunch of pictures of the kids in the trees and Braydon enjoyed falling over into the leaves while we would take his picture.

September

2011-01-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

CAYSON!!!! This is his month. He turned 11 on the 10th(for you number sequencing types this year his birthday will be 9-10-11 and he will be 12) Our neighbor's the Sweeney's came to help celebrate his birthday. The next week he was awarded his Arrow of Light and is now in the Boy Scouts. He also joined the majority in our household by switching from glasses to contacts.(The first five of us all wear contacts, the contact lense company loves us!!)

I also decided after 15 years of children at home during some point of the day to go and start working again. I did it in hopes to work while the kids were at school, but I really love it and seem to work a little more. I call it my sanity job. I am working at Bath and Body Works and just finished my first holiday season.(actually it was my second, I worked there 14 years ago for the holiday season only). I work in a really neat little outdoor mall, that has an ice skating pond in the winter and water park in the summer.

August 2010

2011-01-19T19:07:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I once again put off updating my blog! Since it is the New Year, I am going to finish out 2010 and hopefully keep current on 2011.

The kids and I headed to Vegas in late July for a few weeks of vacation with friends and family!! We of course make it a tradition to head to Vegas in the hottest time of year! We stayed for a week with my mom, visited with my brother and Jen, went to the YMCA pool with Brandy and her girls, I also attended a funeral of a former Bishop of mine son who passed away while at scout camp(sadly it gave me a chance to see some people I hadn't seen in at least six or so years), we went to the Spring Preserves(oddly I never went there while I lived in Vegas, but since the kids got in free...). We then ventured over to my in-laws where we had swim day with the cousins, a hike at Red Rock Canyon, enjoyed Sarah's birthday, went and saw my teeny(not so tiny anymore) new niece Alayna Samantha Fantauzzi, and as tradition enjoyed a scary movie with Sarah.

Justin flew in the last weekend and we enjoyed a night away for our 18th Anniversary free of children (thanks Sam and Diane). The next day Justin's oldest brother Phil's stepson was married and then we went to my 20th!!!! High School Reunion.
That was enjoyable. I answered many peoples questions as to: I have been married 18 years(yes to the same person) I have five children (yes all by the same dad). I was amazed to see how many of my former classmates were not married or hadn't had children yet. We will see how they all are at the 25th!
(I have very few pictures, once I scan into my computer I will add them)

Braydon's baptism

2010-07-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Whenever we attended a baptism of a friend or family member, it was always amazing to watch the reaction of Braydon as the child was dunked into the waters of baptism. He always seemed to try to jump out of his chair and would let out loud squeals of excitement. His day has finally come and he couldn't have been more excited. He had a wonderful program with an amazing support of friends and family. We started with all the primary age children singing a medley of primary songs, and it was so beautiful to hear their sweet voices. Our dear friend Brandy gave the talk on baptism and she did an amazing job. She had Braydon's attention the entire time. he then was baptized by his dad, the way that Justin held him in the font was in a way to show their special bond that they have together. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful husband and father to our children and this was a humbling reminder of that. He calmed down enough to make it through on the first dunk(those of you who know Braydon are aware of how much he wiggles, let alone near water!). His Uncle Darren gave a wonderful talk on receiving the Holy ghost. He reminded him of what a special companionship it is to have with him in times of need. He was confirmed a member of the church and received the holy ghost by his father with a wonderful circle of Priesthood friends and family. He had an amazing baptism!

A Baby Bird Leaves It's Nest...

2010-07-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

We were very fortunate to have a bird nest right out front of our home. We watched the mama and daddy bird build the nest,Mama stay and keep her eggs safe,The baby bird eggs hatch,The mama bird come and feed the birds,Mama coach her baby bird out of her nest to fly, Now the nest is empty....

Madisyn and Braydon started their new school year on July 6th and I too feel like that nest. My baby has grown and left to be at school all day. She is now in the first grade and I am home alone(not quite yet, the older three don't start school until August). For the last fifteen years I have had a child at home with me. I feel a great sense of accomplishment as I sent them off to school. I am mama bird. We built their nest, I kept my babies safe as they grew, and helped them to become independent to leave the nest, to go to school.

I know this is not like me to write so comparingly to something such as a bird nest, but it just seemed so parallel to my life right now.

Braydon is in the third grade now and we just got the new COMMUNICATION DEVICE we have been working on since last year! I will add pictures and tell you how it goes. I went in for four hours one day and learned a lot about it. Braydon came in and got it calibrated to his eyes, so he can move the cursor around the screen. He immediately was asking them to turn the TV on!

Madisyn is excited to be in school all day now and eating lunch at school is such a big deal. I asked her how it was eating lunch at school and she said, "Great! I even got a free chocolate milk!" To which I was a little puzzled? I asked her how she had gotten a free milk and she told me that they had a big cooler full of milk and she just went up and got one! OH! BOY! I did explain to her that those were not free and that she needed to pay for that one.

Braydon turns "8"

2010-07-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

Braydon turned eight this year! WOW! He had a wonderful two week celebration of his birthday! He started with celebrating at school on his actual birthday. I brought in "Snickerdoodle" cupcakes to share with his class and teachers. He was given a crown that was made by his special friends in his "ILC" classroom and when he went into his regular classroom they had a birthday hat and light-up cupcake. They sang "Happy Birthday" and we handed out the cupcakes. The tradition in the school is to give out any leftover cupcakes to any other teachers or staff. Braydon gave them to his PE teacher, Cayson's teacher(who allows him to come in everyday on his ponywalker and find the chocolate cabinet and get a bite!), the Assistant Principal Mr. Powell too!

A week later we had a "WATER" party at the park with all his friends from class. We had a relay race a balloon toss and a water fight. The kids enjoyed cupcakes and Braydon opened his presents. I think he smiled the entire birthday party!!

Lost a tooth, Popsicles in the Park and 5th Grade Continuation

2010-07-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

Madisyn lost her first tooth in June. She is the youngest of all our kids to do so. The boys all lost their first tooth at the end of first grade or later. She was very excited about this because she had a special tooth card in her kindergarten class that she marked on for each tooth lost during the school year and she made it the last week!!!

Instead of a big assembly, Madisyn's class had Popsicles in the park to say goodbye to kindergarten and look ahead to the new school(which starts two weeks after their last day of kindergarten). We had a fun time at the park and went back to class to say our final goodbyes to Ms. Debbie and kindergarten! Maddie had a great year and has grown so much!! YEAH MADDIE!!!

Cayson has finished elementary school!!! He has attended four elementary schools over the years and always did great. He had a very nice continuation program. Each student was given a certificate and a copy of a slide show they showed during the program! Cayson has come so far! He is a smart kid! Never needed help with homework, always did his work without complaint! He is looking forward to starting middle school and being with Jake again!

"BIG CHEESE DAY", Zoo school trip and Field Day

2010-07-16T19:02:00.001-07:00

It was Madisyn's turn to be big cheese in her kindergarten class. Being "Big Cheese" means they are the important person for the day. They get to bring in a snack to share, read a book to the class, share a favorite toy, they have a poster hung up all week about themselves that they get to talk about it and they also have their family come in too. Maddy had a great time being "Big Cheese". She brought in fruit roll ups and kool-aid bursts to drink. She read to the class "Green Eggs and Ham". Brought in her favorite toy dog "Clifford" and when it came time to talk about her pictures she just said, "This is me and this is me and this is my family."

I went on the Zoo field trip for the Kindergarten class. This was the first field trip I went on with Madisyn. We had a enjoyable time! It was funny to watch the girls and their maternal instincts with the animals. I heard a lot of "Ahhing and Oohing. We enjoyed a lunch and returned to school.

The three youngest kids had field day the end of May. It has sure changed from when I remember my field day. Where was the balloon toss? the three-legged race? What is Jump the Canyon? Climb the mountain? It was a beautiful sunny day! Maddy made it to the semi-finals in the crab walk and flag tag! Braydon had the best time in the parachute! Cayson was enjoying being outside all morning.

A wonderful company!!!

2010-07-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

We found out about a nonprofit company here in Denver called Kids Mobility Network and what an amazing thing they do for special needs children with mobility issues. The company was started by parent's of a special needs daughter who didn't know what to do with the equipment their daughter outgrew. They take in donated equipment for mobility and refurbish it and re give it to other children. Our insurance would have taken months to order a new chair and would have only covered one item, so we filled out an application for a special wish list of items for Braydon. Braydon was in need of a new wheelchair(his previous one was supposed to last him 4-5 years and he had it for three) and we live in a three level house and wanted him to have a hi-lo seat(you can raise this to table height and lower it to the ground) on our main level so he could watch TV and play all in the same seat. In about 14 days they called us and said they had both available for us! We went down there where they fitted him to the brand new wheelchair(it still had the manufacturer's tags on it) and a slightly used hi-lo. If I could only describe the excitement and smile Braydon had on his face when we tried him out in each new seat! We donated his old wheelchair and another walker that he had outgrown. They only ask for a suggested donation on each item and gave us an invoice on the price each one would have cost us brand new. Let me tell the donation price we gave was one tenth the price each item cost. They are an amazing group of people!

What happened in the last few months

2010-07-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

I finally have a working computer!! Over the last four months we had both our laptop and desktop break. We thought it would be nice to take a break from having one in our home for awhile. Thanks to my computer savvy Dad and his graciousness to fix our desktop we are back online. I have a lot to catch up with on the blog:

April

We took a family/business trip the end of April to Salt Lake City. We thought it would be nice since the kids hadn't been there in over six years. I wanted to see Temple Square in all it's spring bloom! I wasn't disappointed. They had colors of tulips that I didn't know existed. It was a wonderful time once we were there. As usual there is never a dull moment in the Fantauzzi's household. We drove out Friday afternoon around 4pm and by about 7pm we were in a blizzard!! We couldn't see a foot in front of us. (It came upon us quite quickly!) We were doing fine with roads, but it wasn't the same for the large Semi's. We came to a complete stop on the interstate just outside Laramie, WY. It appeared that the Semi's were having difficulty on a small hill/curve combination about a mile ahead of where we stopped. Justin called the highway patrol and they told us to sit tight and they should have the trucks cleared in an hour or two. Around midnight we had a highway patrol lady come to our door and ask how much gas we had and if we had any medical needs that wouldn't make it through the night! We had plenty of gas and we ended up spending the night in our suburban on the interstate. I had packed oranges, bananas and many other items that I never bring with us on a road trip. Needless to say we all did well sleeping in our car. Around 8am the snowplows came and we were on our way. We had a real enjoyable time visiting temple square and they added a new center in the Museum that the kids had fun visiting. Justin went to a retirement party that night and the kids and I enjoyed dinner and a movie in the hotel. We felt very blessed to have been so prepared and comforted that night before. Everyone was truly patient during our night's stay on the interstate and it will be one to remember!!

I will continue with the next few months and all the happenings!!

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T14:07:00.001-07:00

This year we decided to try out the Easter egg hunt in our neighborhood park that is put on by a friend of our's who is a realtor. We didn't do it last year because it was freezing out.

He puts out approximately 12,000 eggs and they are gone within three minutes! We had a lot of fun. Braydon, Cayson and Madisyn decided to hunt for some eggs. Cayson heard there was money in them, no luck finding any of those. We even saw a cute little Easter bunny to take our picture with. I have to admit as fast as the eggs were gone we still ended up with quite a lot!

Later that night we all decorated our eggs.

Sunday we were able to take it easy because of Conference. The kids had fun finding their eggs in the morning and Braydon enjoyed his breakfast of peanut butter chocolate eggs. We had our usual dinner of ham and potatoes. Settled everyone down off their sugar highs to get ready to return to school the next morning.

"You'd better write that down or you'll forget it."

2010-04-05T13:26:00.003-07:00

I am taking the advice of my mom and writing down a few of the things the kids say or do(Or even I do), so that one day I won't forget them. It amazes me everyday that I have five children. I remember back in high school that I wrote down where I would see my self in the future. I wrote " In the future I will be married with two children and be a school teacher living in Las Vegas." One out of four, wow~
Madisyn-at this age in life she loves to draw pictures and hang them all over the house. She drew a picture to put on my bedroom door that shows if we are sleeping or showering we turn them over to which one. She also has pictures on each side of our bed expressing her love to me and her dad. She really loves to draw.
The other day Maddy and I were in Home Depot looking for curtain hooks and the sales associate comes up to me and asks if she can help us find something to which Maddy replies, "We are looking for hookers!"
The other morning before school, I decided to help Cayson out by making his lunch. He usually makes it himself and I had sometime since my mom was visiting and helping feed Braydon. We had tortellini the night before and he really loves to take leftovers, so I put the bowl in his lunch bag and off to school he went. My mom was in the fridge later that morning and asked me "I thought Cayson wanted to take the tortellini for lunch today?" I knew I had put it in his bag, but she was holding it in her hand. I began to think what else did I have in the fridge? I thought oh my goodness! Sure enough I sent him to school with a bowl full of whipped cream! I told my mom and she laughed. I had to pick Maddy up from school later that morning and brought the intended bowl of food to Cayson's class to do the exchange. Boy did I get a laugh from his teacher and class. Guess who gladly makes his lunch every time now?
Kaleb loves to make me laugh, laugh so hard that I am weak. He manages to do this quite frequently! He will shout "Mayday!" and proceed to turn on every electronic button in the car, including the emergency lights while we are sitting parked waiting for one of the kids to get off the bus! It is quite fun trying to turn off the buttons while he is turning them on. We usually have the windshield wipers going, emergency lights, the radio blaring and sometimes he rolls down my window. He also thinks it is funny to pick his mom up~I don't think it is fair that my child is big enough to pick me up!
I am sure there will be many more of these "Write them down or you'll forget it" moments in my life.

"The more honor and respect among the players, the greater the team." -Unknown

2010-03-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime."

-Babe Ruth

The YM church basketball playoffs were a little while ago. Jacob did practice with his team but didn't go to any of the games. Not that I have to explain this really to many of you, giving you know Jacob's size difference in most of the kids his age. He decided to go cheer his team on at the playoffs. They won their first game and were really excited to be playing the next round of playoffs. The team repeatedly tried to get Jacob to play some in the game. You could hear them telling him, "It is just for fun" You will have a great time" Please Jacob be part of our team" Jacob did play the last half of the game. He managed two baskets. In the process of him getting those two baskets was a witness to the sportsmanship of all teams involved. Each time Jacob received the ball his teamates cleared the path for him to make it to the basket and as he made it to the basket the other team divided down the middle like the splitting of the red sea. It was really a wonderful growing experience for both teams involved. Our team didn't win the playoffs, but in reality they came out with the biggest win of all!

Adventuring We Go

2010-03-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

We made a trip up to Winter park this past weekend. The night we left to get there, an avalanche had closed the main road in, so we had to go around another route, which made the trip 3 hours, not a little over one. We felt very fortunate to get there. We hit a snowstorm that caused the roads to be completely iced. After an avalanche detour and ice storm we thought we had a clear path in, but a mule deer decided to walk across the road. I was lucky enough to see it before it was too late and Justin slowed down just in time to watch it stroll across the road. Once we were there it was a lot of fun. We stayed in a huge condo. We could have had at least twenty people in it! This was the first time Jacob and Maddy went skiing. They both did really well and love it. Kaleb, Cayson and Uncle Darren were off on their own for most of the time(explains why I don't have any pictures of Kaleb snowboarding and Cayson skiing). In Winter park we talked with the National Sports Center for the Disabled. They have amazing programs for Braydon all year long. We learned that we could take a family training class so that Braydon could ski in a bucket seat ski. This looks like a sled with two skis under it and it is able to go on the lifts and someone holds the handlebar behind it while they ski together. They had a training going on while we were there so Braydon got to see a bunch of disabled people learning how to use the adapted skis. The weather was beautiful and we all had a great time.

Happy 15th Birthday Kaleb!!!

2010-02-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

First of all let me start off by saying, "I am not old enough to have a 15 year old!!" (Yes, I know if you do the math, I am!) I cannot believe that our number one is 15. Time really flies! Kaleb we are so excited for you and the coming years. You have reached a turning point in your life now. A lot of new and exciting things will be coming to you. You are a wonderful son! We love you so much! You are such a great brother. You keep us laughing. You are friend to everyone. The first time I held you in my arms and looked into your eyes, I knew that we had been given a child who someday would be the one his siblings looked up to and love and his parents would be proud of. You may not be the baby anymore, but you sure were our first baby and will always be. We love you Kaleb!!! This is your day!!

Happy 6th Birthday Madisyn!!!

2010-02-15T16:07:00.000-08:00

Six years ago today we were blessed with our one and only sweet little girl. I can't believe she is now 6. She has a been a whirlwind of fun in our home. She is very quick to learn and always wants to know more. She loves to help. I have finally realized something, I get asked the same question over and over, after someone finds out that I have five kids, 4 boys and only 1 girl and yes she is the baby. The last thing usually that is said to me, "You finally got your girl!", to what I would usually say "Oh she was a surprise, we weren't planning on having anymore after the four boys.", but I now know that YES!! I finally got my girl and she has been the one of the most wonderful gifts I could ever have been given!! Happy Birthday Madisyn! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-31T14:52:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful white Christmas this year. We had my parents in town and had white snow on the ground. This was Justin and the kids first white Christmas ever. We didn't have to wake up to early. Grateful that the kids are getting older and will sleep in a little later each year! We were able to video (skype) conference with Justin's whole family on Wed.(that is when they all could be together). It was really neat to talk and see everyone there. I took a few pictures of the kids enjoying some of their Christmas gifts. We had a lazy day after the presents were opened. We enjoyed a nice dinner later that day. We were really grateful to share this Christmas with both families this year. Looking forward to the new year too!!

Braydon and his shoes

2009-12-31T14:37:00.001-08:00

For those of you who know Braydon, you know that he quite frequently loses his shoes. He manages to kick off any pair that we put on him. We got him a pair of hiking boots this spring and we were so excited that he could not get them off, or at least not as easily. We had gone downtown to see the Christmas lights and then we walked around the 16th street mall Monday night before Christmas, while we were getting in the car I noticed that Braydon had kicked his shoe off while Justin was loading him in the car. I said, "Uh Oh Braydon kicked his shoe off"(which in my mind was telling Justin he needed to get the shoe after he put Braydon in the car). Apparently in Justin's mind the acknowledgment of me seeing the shoe be kicked off, meant I would grab it. Well as we got home and I asked, "Justin did you bring in his other shoe?" Of course the immediate Oh NO! we left his shoe downtown!! We both felt really bad, but knew if we went back that it would be gone. We have to park in paid parking lots and the areas are a little transient, so we just figured it was gone. On Christmas Eve my parents came in and we decided to drive them down to see the lights too! We drove them around the 16th street mall area and didn't get out of the car(mind you it was windy and barely 10 degrees with snow on the ground), somehow we ended up driving by the same parking lot we were in earlier that week and you could see that the snow plows had been in there and made nice hills out of the snow. I looked really close and I saw Braydon's shoe!! I yelled "Oh! My Gosh it is Braydon's shoe" Justin pulled over as soon as he could. Kaleb and I got out and ran over to the parking lot and sitting right there on top of one of the piles of snow was Braydon's shoe. Someone had placed it there. It was hard to believe we found it! It had snowed the previous two days, which would have covered the shoe and then for someone to place it on top of the plowed snow? I would have thought it would have been buried in the snow as it was plowed. We were grateful to have found it!! It was our own little Christmas Miracle.

2009-12-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

Downtown Christmas Lights

2009-12-22T08:46:00.001-08:00

We went to see the lights dowtown this year. We tried to do this last year, but didn't know where to go or what we were looking for. Glad we knew a litte more this year. It was beautiful. The County and City building is decorated with over 600,000 lights. We also went to the 16th street mall and enjoyed their lighted display too! Weatherman is predicting snow the next two days, looks like we may have a white Christmas!!

An Elbow??

2009-12-20T21:29:00.000-08:00

About two weeks ago I was called to come pick Braydon up from school because his teacher didn't feel comfortable sending him home on the bus. She told me "Braydon was in PE and got hit in the head by someones elbow and has a nice goose egg on his head." So of course I rushed over to see what she was talking about. I get in his class and he is surrounded by three TA's (teacher assistants) his para, the teacher and the nurse. I looked at Braydon and he has a HUGE! golf ball size knot on his head. I ask his para "An elbow, my goodness who's elbow hit him and did they break it?" She replied, "There where so many kids around him I couldn't see who it was." After a few minutes of discussing this and possibly taking him to the pediatrician to check him out, I head on out the front. As I am leaving one of the sweet little girls in his regular class says good bye to Braydon. I tell her he really isn't too excited right now because he got hurt today and she says "I know he fell out of his wheelchair and hit his head." I felt like I was standing in a tornado being sucked out of the room and I couldn't breath or think. I turned around to see the assistant principal standing there and I told him the situation of two versions of the head injury and leave the school. Thirty minutes later the principal is calling me and letting me know that she had called a meeting together with all the staff involved. Long story short the para panicked and lied. Braydon was being pushed around the gym by one of the kids in his class and it tipped his chair over. She couldn't apologize enough. The following days were filled with police reports, human resource investigations and termination of staff (one) involved in the lie. It is very unfortunate that this had happened. I know Braydon was enjoying every minute of being pushed around by one of his classmates. I would have understood that it was an accident and all would have been fine. I was very pleased with the way the Principal and Assistant Principal handled this situation. Braydon was fine, no concussion, just an ugly knot that is slowly going away. I am glad for that sweet little girl being in the right place at the right time. I could only imagine if Braydon hurt his neck, arm or had a severe concussion and I just thought he had an "Elbow to the Head". It is very hard when I think about the future and can only hope and pray that my son will find a way to have a voice for himself. He was sitting in the room this entire time with this look on his face, the nurse had commented on how he just didn't look normal. After the day was over I had thought, "He was listening to everyone talk about getting hit by an elbow and all he could think about was what are they talking about??"

Jacob is 13!!

2009-12-17T21:47:00.000-08:00

Boy! Jacob turned thirteen on November 16th. We will always remember when we moved to Denver, because we officially were in Colorado on his birthday. Jacob is really growing up over this last year. He is in the 7th grade and does great in school. We are really grateful that he loves to learn and never have to worry about missing assignments, unfinished projects(Wish they all were like this). He really strives to get everything done(sometimes to hard) on his own. He really is responsible. We love his caring, big-hearted spirit in our home. He still enjoys writing stories(Love looking at his notebooks full of stories and drawings) He has really challenged himself to finish reading the Book of Mormon this year. We Love You Jake! Happy Birthday!!!

Update!!! Where have I been???

2009-12-17T21:21:00.000-08:00

Boy! I really need to keep up! It has been awhile since I have blogged. A lot of things have been going on since the last update. The main thing is that we moved(YEAH!!!). We really needed the space went from 3 bedrooms to 6 and I LOVE THE HOUSE!!! Nothing like moving twice within a year??!! We didn't change schools or wards. We really like the area. We were really lucky to move over a little at a time and then we did one big move the weekend before Thanksgiving. I had so much help in getting the house ready. (Thanks Sari and Joni for the painting!!!) Jacob had his 13th birthday(I will post for him too). After my mom left after Halloween, Sam and Diane came for a week, followed by Justin's brother Tony, sister Sarah and nephew Ryan for Thanksgiving. Of course we did "Black Friday" starting at 3:30am. Tony stayed on with us this last month and has helped us a lot with moving and organizing the new house. He thinks he is leaving this weekend, "THINKS". Justin's youngest brother Darren came in on Thursday and will leave on Tuesday, while my mom and dad will arrive on Thursday Christmas Eve and then on the following Tuesday Kaleb's good friend, Jon, will be coming for the week too!!

Halloween

2009-11-03T17:26:00.001-08:00

The kids got to dress-up 3 times this year. They had a school and Ward Trunk R Treat and Hallween night. After a million mind changes, Madisyn decided to be a Ladybug. Braydon chose to be Woody again this year. Cayson was a skeleton alien. Jake was a Cool Ghoul, this was his last year to really dress-up and he didn't go around the neighborhood trick r treating, he was invited to a friend's house for Scary movies and goodies. The kids really didn't mind the snow. Braydon was so excited everytime we went up to a house where there was something that would jump out or the homeowner would open the door and spook us. He would still be giggling all the way to the next house. It was fun to have my mom here to walk around with the kids.

Grandma Kathy came to visit

2009-11-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday through Monday my mom came in town. She made it in gratefully through our Halloween snowstorm! Who would of thought snow?? It is practically melted now. We had a great time. We of course had fun in the snow the day she arrived. Justin was glad to get the Rhino out and use it finally. What better way then to pull the kids in the snow? Friday night we went and bowled and had a lot of fun. We also took her to Estes Park on Halloween. We thought it would be neat to go to the Stanley Hotel and take a peak inside. After all it was the inspiration for Steven King's "The Shining" and it is known to be haunted. Other than the costumed Wedding party there, we didnt see any "Spooks" around. We ended the evening with our ward Trunk R Treat and going around the neighborhood Trick R Treating. This was the first Halloween in a long time since I had to walk in snow!! She left on Monday and will return soon enough. Christmas she and my Dad will be coming.

Fall Colors of Change

2009-09-29T13:57:00.001-07:00

Since we moved here in mid-November, we didn't get to see the beautiful colors of fall. With the cool air and the beautiful tree's changing color it really makes you feel like the year is going by so fast. Time to pull out the Halloween decorations and get ready for a fun, cool(Possible snow??)fall. They say it happens every so often, the snow on Halloween that is. I guess I need to look into more mask related costumes this year, just in case the kids have to Trick or Treat all bundled up. I took a picture of some leaves from our front yard. Gathering these colorful leaves brings back an old childhood memory of when I was in Massachusetts and we made fall place mats with leaves we found around the school. We placed them between wax paper and our teacher ironed them for us to take home and use as a place mat. Sounds like something I just might have to do for my younger ones. So glad to WELCOME FALL!! Can't believe we are coming up on a year in Denver soon.

Cosmic Bowling

2009-09-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

Cayson wanted to have a friend party this year and we went "COSMIC BOWLING". He invited a few friends and had a great time. We had pizza, chips and salsa and of course CUPCAKES!!

Happy 10th Birthday Cayson!

2009-09-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today Cayson turns 10 years old! We are so proud of you! We love you and are very blessed to have you in our family. You continue to amaze us everyday with how smart you are! In honor of your birthday we want to let you know TEN things we love about you:

1. You love to build Legos and are great at it!

2. You amaze us with how much you know and want to know!

3. You pretend to be the quiet child, but when the conversation begins you certainly can talk!

4. You are a great help with your younger brother and sister!

5. You are a daredevil! Anytime you can find time for a new challenge you are up for it!

6. You are an example to those around you!

7. Your favorite food is pizza, but are willing to eat or try anything!

8. You love reading books about bugs, snakes, and other creepy crawly things!

9. You have a wonderful attitude towards life!

10. You are amazing video game player!

We love you Cayson! You are amazing! You bring a wonderful spirit into our home! Hope you have a wonderful birthday today! LOVE YOU LOTS!!!

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

2009-08-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National park. We had a really good time. We had to get back to a couple of commitments so we didn't get to spend as much time as we wanted to, but that gives us another chance to go back again. We had lunch in Estes Park and saw the famous Stanley Hotel(It was in the movie "The Shining"). I guess you can go on "GHOST TOURS" and stay in some haunted rooms. We also went strolling down the storefront streets. I could spend the whole day doing this. Lots of old buildings made into stores. We headed into the Rocky Mtn Ntl park and enjoyed the uphill descend. We are really close to the elk season, so we were really hoping to see a few. On our way down we saw a few, but weren't able to get a close enough picture of them. They are huge!! We didn't go up all the way to the top, but stopped at about 12,220 feet and looked out at the beautiful mountain range. The area we stopped at can get gusts of wind up to 100mph! There is a glacier lake up further, but the younger two determined that would have to be on the next trip(To many "How much longer are we driving?" questions). It was really beautiful seeing all the mountains and just getting away together as a family.

Vegas Vacation

2009-08-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

I spent the last two weeks in Vegas with the kids. We had a great time. The first week we spent at my parents house. We had our usual get together with friends at Peter Piper Pizza(Alex wouldn't let us forget that place :) !) Got to go to my old ward, had a picnic at Butterfly Park, met with some old high school friends at Macayo's and ended the week with a bbq at my mom's. The next few days we headed off to Disneyland. I love going there I forget about the stresses of life and enjoy the fun with my kids. Uncle Tony got to go with us, since Justin had to work?!? We headed back to my in-laws for the rest of the week. We had fun swimming, celebrating Sarah's birthday and just hanging out. Justin and I have never been apart for more than five days since we've been married, so the past few weeks were really difficult for the both of us. Especially since we celebrated our 17th anniversary apart! He surprised me and the kids by flying in Friday night! I was really surprised and for those of you who know me it is very difficult to surprise me and he really pulled it off. We had a wonderful anniversary night out Saturday! My mother in-law planned family pictures while we were there. This is the first time in about six years that all of Justin and his siblings had been together in one place! We really had a great time and we were sad to leave. Braydon cried for the first fifteen minutes out of town!

Happy 17th Anniversary

2009-08-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

THEN-1992.............. NOW-2009

August 1, Justin and I celebrated our 17th year together. Wow! I can't believe how time goes by. I could not be any luckier to spend these last 17 years and the road ahead with a more amazing guy! He is everything to me! I couldn't do it without him. We have seen many challenges over the years and I am glad to have had him by my side. In honor of our anniversary I am going old school.

J-joyous of our time together

U-unbelievable,undeniably great,unselfish

S-supportive,smart,strong and sexy

T-trustworthy,tough,terrific,thankful your mine

I-intelligent, Incredible, Inspirational, Important to our family

N-Nice to all, and very Needed!

Justin, I love you! I am very lucky to have someone like you. I look up to you! I am proud of you! I am grateful for your example to me and the children. I am so glad I get to spend the rest of eternity with you!!! Here is to the road ahead, bumpy or smooth I will be sitting next to you no matter what!! Love Ya!!

We are a proud farming family!

2009-07-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Madisyn was really excited to show me that we have a garden growing in our very own front yard. She wanted to show me the corn we are growing in our grass. Next season we will be growing some money trees, can I have any volunteers to come help pick the crop? This is why I love doing this blog, because I am able to easily keep a record of those times when your kids make you laugh.

Back to School Already?

2009-07-07T18:04:00.001-07:00

Today Cayson and Braydon started back to school for the new year. It was strange sending them off to a new grade after only finishing the last one two weeks ago. Cayson is in the 5th grade now and in his own words the "Kings of the school". The majority of the kids from his 4th grade class are now in his 5th grade class unless they changed tracks over the break. He said he only has 4 new kids in his class. Braydon is now in 2nd grade and was really excited about going to school today. He will have a majority of the kids from his 1st grade class, but because there are 2 different second grade classes on his track, he will have new friends to meet. With a tear in my eye and a smile on my face I also sent off my baby to her first day of Kindergarten too. Madisyn was very excited about finally going to school and now when we drive by the elementary school she is proud to say, "Hey there is my school" not just the boys' school anymore. Justin had to laugh listening to her talk to me last night before she went to bed and picked out her outfit. She wasn't quite sure if she chose the right outfit and after trying it on and having all of us tell her how cute she looked, she then decided that was the outfit she would wear. She went on to question, "How should I wear my hair tomorrow?" and her dad's response to that was, "Boy are you a girl!" To all you mom's out there with girls HELP!!! I of course could not miss taking pictures of each of them on their way to school. Madisyn had a little different schedule today so she was not awake yet when I sent the two boys off to school. Once Braydon got on his bus and headed the 2 second drive to school, I walked Cayson and his two friends over to the school and was able to get some pictures of Braydon being taken off the bus. It was overall an uneventful day for them all! They all will be in school for the next three weeks and then off for three. We will head home to Vegas for two of the weeks. Hope we all can take the heat!?

4th of July fun

2009-07-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

We had a nice 4th this year. There was one major difference in this one other than our usual Vegas 4th's! Notice most of us are wearing jackets!!! It really cooled down, I guess it was in the low 60's that night. It rained just before we started the bbq. It rained really hard. We had Justin's cousin and family over. They moved here almost 2 years ago. All the kids had fun lighting off their fireworks. Jacob and Cayson are commited to getting a Rolling Stone firework again next year. We did that one as the "Grand Finale" and it was really neat. At one point we thought it blew up, but it just popped off some ground blooms. My boys have been researching their firework purchases over the internet weeks before they could buy them. Cayson had made a list of what he wanted when it came time to go purchase them. BOYS!?! Kaleb wasn't in Colorado. He headed back to Vegas and now is off to EFY in Provo. Sure missed him! The night before we went to one of Justin's employee's house and watched a beautiful fireworks show. (I know fireworks on the 3rd! What will they think of next?)

2009-06-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday Braydon!!!

2009-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

WOW!! I can't believe it has been 7 years since we had Braydon. As I look back at all he has been through and where we are now I feel so grateful to have him in our lives! He truly is a blessing in our lives! With that being said I would like to mention seven things we love about Braydon:
1. You have a very contagious smile

2. You light up a room whenever you enter it.

3. You seem to make a friend wherever you go.

4. You are our little miracle.

5. You are a loving brother.

6. You are so smart.

7. You are such a blessing to our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDON!!! We love you and are thankful everyday for your special spirit in our home!

A Birthday Gift for Mom

2009-06-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

Braydon and I share the same birthday and I was singing and being silly(Wished I didn't record that silly moment!) and he decided to give me a birthday gift! This is the clearest I have heard him say Mama. I couldn't have asked for anything more!

Tornado!?!

2009-06-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today during the last 1/2 hour of our church meetings we were interrupted by the tornado sirens and instructed to gather together in our cultural hall. Luckily we were the last ward in attendance at the chapel so there was plenty of room. We could see the funnel moving towards our building 3 miles to the west as it headed towards us. It moved quite quickly above us and touched down about a mile east of us. Southland's Mall and Lowe's received the most damage. Windows were blown out of most of the outdoor mall shops. Red Brick Pizza had interior walls blown out. Trees, park benches and cars were thrown and flipped all over the place. The Lowe's had all of their air conditioners ripped off the roof. A townhouse development across the way was damaged. Some had garage doors blown in, windows blown out and loss of power. They shut the area down for awhile for gas leaks. In all there were 5 different tornados that touched down throughout the Denver area.
Back at our church building as we gathered into the cultural hall, you could imagine their were scared children and to help calm them down we sang primary songs(which helped drown out the pounding on the roof of the huge hail that followed behind the tornado). We were lucky enough to not have any hail damage to our vehicle, but some had dents in their vehicles. The most damage we saw in our parking lot was one member's windshield was cracked all the way across. The hail turned to rain and allowed us to get home safely. Within 2 hours of all of this, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping in our backyard. We feel truly blessed to be safe and unharmed.
There were no reports of any injuries to anyone anywhere after the storm had passed.

Cayson's Spring Performance

2009-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Cayson's school had a choir performance with each grade level performing different songs. The 4th grade did songs about the state of Colorado and America. He is standing behind the microphone on the right. He was excited because during their "Fifty Nifty States" song, he was able to hold both Nevada and Colorado. I had Madisyn on my lap during most of the videotaping, so I apologize for the unsteadiness at times.

GREAT FRIENDS, FAMILY, and A LONG WEEKEND!

2009-05-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

We were really excited to go camping this weekend. Our good friends the Cahoons brought our trailer up from Vegas for us(which meant Brandy drove their trailer and Cory borrowed a truck and towed our trailer up!!) We went to Richfield and had a great time. Sarah and Ryan came up Saturday night and had a blast riding and visiting. We really enjoyed seeing some of our good friends this weekend. We took advantage of the Knight's and had them cook up Jason's great Carne Asada!! We enjoyed the weather(it rained all weekend in Denver)and really enjoyed visiting with everyone. Braydon let us know that he did not want to go home, by crying the majority of our ride home! Did I mention we enjoyed visiting with everyone?? I have to admit this has been the hardest part of leaving Las Vegas. We miss everyone so much!!

Little Ballerina

2009-05-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Madisyn in her recital tutu(she is 3rd from right). She was really excited this year to finally get "A REAL TUTU", since all of her other recitals she wore something different. She will be dancing to Beauty and the Beast this year. She is still excited about dancing and doesn't have a problem going to dance. We will see how much longer this will last!?! These pictures were taken just before she had her studio pictures. Her recital is not until June. I will try and add her studio pictures as well. They came out great.

Spring is finally here! I think?

2009-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

We are starting to get out the flipflops and the shorts are coming soon!!! YEAH!!! We have green grass and leaves on the trees. It is funny how it seems like this happens overnight.
Braydon and Cayson have been on track break for the last 2 weeks and will be back to school this week.
We found out that Madisyn will be going to the AM class for kindergarten(That is what I wanted!!!)
Kaleb and Jacob are counting down the days until school is out. (June 9th! OUCH!!!)

I have been going to meetings for the last two weeks with the Assistive tech team at school trying out 3 new communicating systems. The touch screen ones are not as accurate with Braydon. He really likes to hit all the buttons. We have been looking at eye-gazing systems. Here is a website for one of them www.tobiiATI.com. This uses the same computer based touch screen system, but there is a camera and led light that reads Braydon's pupils and allows his eyes to move the cursor and select what he wants. He was amazing at this! He even found things that the tech guy didn't even know were on there.(McDonald's icon of course!)He is such a typical 6 year old(STUBBORN) at one point he wouldn't look at the computer, unless Cayson was in the room and asked him to pick someting!! I even tried using it. I did not realize how much it takes to focus your eyes on something! The down side to this is that we can't do a trial with these like the regular touch screens(they cost quite a bit more) so we are basically trying to figure out the best one for him within the hour of the meeting. They all are similiar, but size and mobility are where they differ. So hopefully by this summer we will have something much easier for him to communicate with!!

My mom is coming in a week for a visit. Grandma and Grandpa Fantauzzi are coming the middle of June with my nephew. I think Justin's brother Tony is coming in June. Our friend's Dave and Marybeth are coming in June. So if I don't update this for a month you will know why!! We are so excited to have so many people to come and visit us!!!

Braydon lost his first Tooth!!!

2009-04-19T17:10:00.001-07:00

This morning we woke up to find that Braydon's smile is a little less toothy! He has had a loose tooth for a long time and I have been working on helping it out. So as far as we know he swallowed it or the dogs found it!?! He really liked taking the picture!

Sledding in April??

2009-04-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

Snow in April? We have to remember were not in Vegas anymore. Part of getting used to living in a "Four Season State" is that anything can happen. Sure enough we got the most amount of snow of the year in Spring, not winter! As I am writing this it is nearly 60 degrees out and I am listening to the snow melt off the house! Funny to think that just yesterday we were bundled up and sledding. We had about a foot and half by the time the snow stopped. The kids really had a great time. This was the first time they were able to use the sleds they got for Christmas. I think Madisyn and Cayson had more fun throwing themselves off the sled then staying on it! Braydon tried as hard as he could to get a hold of any snow he could and it was really neat watching him WALK up the hill with Justin(I took a video of this and I will try loading it, no promises!) What a better way to end the day then having a SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Spring Snow!!!

2009-04-19T16:37:00.001-07:00

Way to go boys!!!

2009-04-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

We wanted to let Kaleb, Jake and Cayson know how proud we are of them! All 3 of them made the honor roll last quarter. Kaleb's GPA 3.2, Jake's GPA 3.9, Cayson got all A's. We are so proud of them and the great job they are doing in school! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! We love YOU BOYS!!!

Trying to Catch Up on the last few weeks!!

2009-04-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Well it has been awhile since I have posted, but we have been really busy. For starters we are definitely settling in Denver! Amazingly we traded in our BIG CHEVY TRUCK that we used to tow our 5th wheel for...drum roll please.......a Subaru Outback!! Crazy?!? We have driven in a few snow storms/blizzards over the last few months and this car handles the snow really great. We also wanted a car that we would feel comfortable sending Kaleb to school in when he turns 16 in a little under 2 years! The car has been nicknamed courtesy of Kaleb "The Kaleb's more than likely car when he turns 16" because when we were thinking about buying it we would say "This car we are looking at getting will be the car Kaleb more than likely will take to school" I was truly surprised that Justin would give up his big truck, but it just goes to show you that he really cares for his kids and puts them first! Love that about him!!!
We had a fun run of Influenza B in our house starting with Kaleb and every three days one or two of us came down with it. Justin was the only one that survived not getting it. It was miserable! The symptoms were high fevers, sore throats, coughing until you throw up and as it went away a runny nose. Did I mention a week and a half into this we were heading to Vegas!
We weathered the flu only to be hammered by two days of snow! The day we were to leave to Vegas we had two feet of snow in our backyard!! Our prayers were answered and the snow cleared and we made it to Vegas!
We stayed overnight at Justin's parents and the next day we had a combo Easter egg hunt/birthday BBQ. We headed to Disney the following day for three days of fun! Sorry there are no pics of Disney, but our family has been so many times over the past few years that I have been outlawed taking pictures of them! The Grandparents had fun taking pics. We had breakfast at Minnie's and loved being visited by all the fun characters. It was also Justin's big "36th" while we were there! After Disney I headed to my Mom's and Justin flew back to Denver. I spent the next three days visiting friends and family and of course got in a meal at Cafe Rio. We really had a lot of fun! It was harder to leave this time than when we moved!
After 8 days of fun we headed back home and got back into our routine and are anxiously awaiting to pull out our shorts and flip flops!!!
We really feel blessed to have so many family and friends who make us feel welcome and missed when we came to visit!! A day doesn't go by where I am not reminded of someone I miss in Vegas! Thanks to everyone for taking time to visit with us!!!
Easter was wonderful! The Easter bunny found the kids in Denver and with a little help from two Easter bunny helpers(our 2 dogs) we even found a few of our Easter eggs upstairs! Note to the Easter Bunny for next year--Hide the eggs higher up!! The kids enjoyed their Easter goodies and finding their eggs! Maddie kept saying"Mommy-This is the best Easter I ever had!" We attended church and I had a wonderful lesson in Relief Society that focused on the Atonement death and resurrection of our Savior. We returned home and had a nice Easter dinner with just the 7 of us.
I will try to keep up, but I am making no promises with summer and scout camp, EFY, cub scout camp and possibly a trip to Vegas!!

2009-03-08T22:29:00.001-07:00

“If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies”

2009-03-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

"Butterflies are not insects. They are self propelled flowers."~~Robert A. Heinlein

We took the kids to the Butterfly Pavilion and we really had a great time. They had something for everyone. The had insects, spiders, sea creatures and of course tons of butterflies!!! Madisyn and Jacob were the only ones brave enough to hold Rosie--the tarantula. I was brave enough not to pass out!!! They had staff their talking about different insects. I learned a lot more than I really wanted to about spiders. At the end of the tour there is in an atrium with hundreds of butterflies flying around. I let Kaleb take pictures of the different butterflies and he really got a wide variety. We enjoyed this place so much that the next weekend when Justin's parents came in town we took them to enjoy it too!!!

Birthdays time's TWO!!!

2009-03-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

We had a real great time celebrating both Kaleb's and Madisyn's birthdays! We usually celebrate them together, but this time we celebrated them on their actual days. Madisyn turned five and Grandma and Grandpa Fantauzzi arrived just in time to celebrate. We went to CasaBonita for dinner where Madisyn was the first kid to get a swing at the pinata because of her birthday. We came home and had a beautiful Princess birthday cake! She opened her presents and was thrilled to get a big girl bike!!!

Kaleb turned 14 just 6 days later. We celebrated his birthday at Amazing Jake's(Huge indoor pizza buffet with a roller coaster, go-karts, and some other rides) and Grandma and Grandpa were still here to enjoy it all with us!!! We had cake and opened presents from Grandma and Grandpa when we came home. He received his birthday gift from us and Grandma and Grandpa Cox a little earlier in the month, a new cell phone with a keyboard.

We really had a good week celebrating each of them and their special place in our family!!! WE LOVE YOU MADISYN AND KALEB!!!

Jacob van Gogh

2009-02-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

Jacob took art last semester at school and has really enjoyed it(He wishes it was a full semester elective). He was assigned to carve a rubber stamp(This is called Printing) out of anything relating to an animal. He chose to carve his into an Eagle with the background of the American flag. His teacher really was impressed with the results. She entered it into the school district art fair and his was chosen to be displayed at the school district headquarters. He received a congratulation's letter requesting him at an Artist's reception on the 25th of this month. Way to go Jacob!!!

Madisyn is so brave!!!

2009-02-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

I took Madisyn to the mall and she got her ears pierced. She was so brave. She sat there so patiently and didn't even move. I think I was more nervous than her. She was really excited about getting it done. I was planning on waiting until she was a little older, but I was the same age she was when I got mine done and she always is taking out my earrings and putting them in without a problem. The whole day you would of thought she was the Belle of the Ball. She would look at her reflection, walk around flipping her hair back away from her face to expose her earrings. She would continually ask questions like, "Am I going to keep these in when I go to sleep? How long will I have these earrings? When I go to Disneyland will I have my earrings? Do I really have real earrings in my ears?" At the end of the day when we were getting ready for bed she looks at herself in the mirror and then looked at me and said, "Mom, I can't believe that you have a daughter with earrings!" She definitely was excited about the earrings!

Happy 14th Kaleb!!!!

2009-02-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that I have a child that is 14!!! He has really grown up so fast. I really mean grown up figuratively too! He is 5'8 and growing each minute! Kaleb has really been a joy in our lives. Not a day goes by that we are not being entertained by his quick sense of humor! We are really proud of all that he has been able to handle in his 14 years.

Kaleb we love you and want you to know how important you are to our family. We wouldn't be the same without you. You have had to go through a lot of changes in your life last six months and have handled it so great! We hope you have a wonderful birthday and know that WE LOVE YOU and will always be here for you!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KB!!!

2009-02-16T00:14:00.000-08:00

Happy 5th Birthday Madisyn

2009-02-16T00:13:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that Madisyn is now 5!! It seems like yesterday that I was preparing myself to have a DAUGHTER!! She has been a wonderful blessing in our lives! It is hard to imagine that in just a few months(July!!) my baby will be starting kindergarten. She is so ready(More than her mom is!!) Because you are turning 5 today I wanted to say five things we all love about you!!

1. You are such a helper.

2. You have a big heart.

3. You are so funny.

4. You are a beautiful girl inside and out!!

5. Most importantly you are part of our forever family and we wouldn't be the same without you!!

WE ALL LOVE YOU MADISYN AND WISH THE BEST 5TH BIRTHDAY EVER!!!
(In case you are wondering Maddie, you have 365 sleeps until you turn 6 :) )

Trial #1

2009-02-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

Well I met with the AT Team at Braydon's school and they brought in three different communicators. We narrowed it down to 2 different ones and will be trying them both out over the next little while. Braydon chose the first one to try and it is called an Advantage Light. I really like this one because of the key grid it has on it. I think Braydon did too! He is able to move his fingers over the keys by holding his other fingers onto the grid. He moves them everywhere and anywhere he wants to. It was a real neat experience to see him so excited. It felt like hearing your baby say his first word for the first time. I hope as time goes on that the overwhelming need to hit as many buttons as he can will die off! Knowing him he is just doing it to annoy his mother! We are trying to use it as much as possible, but it is a little difficult because they won't attach it to his wheelchair until they get him his own. This is similiar in key pictures to the Dynavox he had in Vegas. The differences in this one are that you can see the screen a lot better and the key grid is a lot better and workable for him. We will see how it goes. Soon enough I am sure he will find a way to tell us that he wants a soda and cookie :)

Cherry Creek Reservoir

2009-02-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

This State park/reservoir is about 5 minutes from our house. We took the kids yesterday to check it out. There is year round fun to be had here. In the winter you can ice fish, ride bikes, walk, fly an RC Plane and go to the shooting range. In the summer you can rent jet skis, go out on a boat, swim at the beach, fish, picnic, camp etc. It is really quite large and can't wait to see what Spring will do to the many trees and plants.
The kids had fun walking out on the ice and watching some people Ice Sail? Of course what else did I expect but some picture taking opportunities. I didn't bring the big camera so I apologize for the far away pictures of the ice fishing and the bright sun exposure pics. We really enjoyed the day.

Another confirmation of why we moved to Denver

2009-01-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

Today I went to an assistive tech meeting at Braydon's school and boy was I blown away with excitement! They are so excited to have a child like Braydon to work with. We have been told by numerous professionals (ex. Physical therapists, speech therapists etc.) how they are amazed at what they see in Braydon. He is bright and just so ready to learn. This specific team has come in to look at possible ways to get Braydon to communicate. They are toying with the idea of using his foot and knee to activate switches for communication. There is also a new eye gazing system which allows him to scan through different pictures with his eyes and will speak the choices. We spent two hours together. Mind you Braydon is in a year round school and is actually on a track break right now, so most of the people involved came in on their own time.(I tried to imagine that happening in Vegas) We will be meeting again next week and they are bringing in some of the devices we have discussed for trial. I also am setting up an appointment for Braydon to go to a simulation clinic for a power wheelchair. This facility has a simulator that Braydon sits in and tries all different ways of moving a chair around himself. This will allow us to see the best and easiest way for him to function in a motorized wheelchair. It also has the ability to show if the communicating device and the way he uses the communicator will work while he moves himself around. I am overwhelmed, excited and grateful that these things are happening. After sitting there and watching Braydon get so excited, smiling from ear to ear, as he is asked by the the therapists if he likes using his eyes, foot, and knee to activate a switch to speak to us, I am so grateful for the decision we made to move here, as hard as it is and was on us, Braydon's smile makes it so worth it!

Xbox360 $150, Video Game $50, Patiently waiting to watch his brother play $$PRICELESS$$

2009-01-20T21:30:00.001-08:00

Braydon is a boy of routines. He comes home from school and needs his cup of chocolate milk and then it is time to watch his brothers play the xbox. On this particular day he was really wiped out from a day at school and was so patiently waiting for Cayson to finish his homework, that he fell asleep in his chair. After he woke up I showed him the picture and he just smiled and laughed!! It's amazing how a child can remind you of the true blessings in life, such as the companionship of a brother.

A Madisyn Moment

2009-01-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

I was eating lunch with Madisyn at McDonald's the other day and she was examining her fries and looked up at me and asked, "Mom, Do these fries fall down in my legs when I eat them?" Of course I wanted to tell her "No honey! They go straight to your bottom!" I had to explain to her about her tummy and how the food gets digested. She is always thinking and keeping me on my toes!!

More Family Fun

2009-01-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

Sarah, Ryan and Mike arrived just as soon as we dropped my mom and dad off at the airport and they stayed with us thru New Year's day. We really had fun! We went to the Denver Zoo, Casa Bonita(really fun place with not so good Mexican food) and Denver Temple. We spent New Year's eve playing games and eating a lot of junk food! Sarah and I along with all the kids(that would mean that Mike and Justin were asleep!!!) stayed up till 1am. In Justin's defense he caught my flu I had earlier in the week. Braydon was such a trooper! He stayed awake until midnight and fell asleep with the noisemaker still in his hand. I will have to get those pictures from Sarah and will post them as soon as I can.
Now things have quieted down and we(me) are ready for the kids to get back into school.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-04T17:11:00.000-08:00

We had a great 1st Christmas and New Year's in Colorado. My Mom and Dad came Christmas night and spent the next four days with us. I was able to take my mom to see "Marley and Me", drove around the neighborhoods. (So she could find a nice place to live, SORRY DAD!) Took them to dinner at our new favorite pizza place, Old Chicago and what was really nice was their Christmas gift to us was dinner and a movie by ourselves, unfortunately I was sick with the flu and was only able to enjoy dinner, no movie! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE NIGHT OUT MOM AND DAD!!! The kids really enjoyed seeing Grandma and Grandpa and showing them their schools. It was nice to have them here and can't wait till next time!