Merry Christmas 2017

Christmas was wonderful at home this year!  Christmas Eve jammies were a hit and Logi loved sprinkling the reindeer food all over the front walk.  After a late drive to look at Christmas lights, the kids were in bed by 9:30pm. I had a very late night getting ready for Santa, but these three are so worth it!

Kam got new training shoes, super cute workout clothes, water bottles, BCAAs, Bluetooth earbuds and a new gym bag from Gma and Gpa. 

Guess what Owen asked for?  He may have received too many games and his new Xbox One S.  This is the best motivator to get his school work done.

Logan loves his new Market with all his food.  I think he enjoyed building it more than actually playing with it, but it should keep him busy!  "Mama.. what you want to buy?"

We headed to my parent's for dinner and to celebrate Christmas Boulden style.  My dad always prepares a feast.. the missionaries even dropped in for some extra grub before their movie night.  My kids loved the new fire pit and the weather was beautiful!

 

 

The cousins opened their gifts and we did an adult exchange this year that turned out super fun!  My kids were exhausted on the way home, but they requested we drive through Christmas on Comstock before calling it a night.  I can't believe Christmas is over.  It's my favorite time of year. 

If I don't post again before 2018.. we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!  --Andrea, Kamryn, Owen and Logan ;)

Kam's Baptism Day

Yesterday was a perfect day.  Kamryn picked the 23rd as her Baptism day.  She has been taking missionary lessons for several years now, off and on.  She never felt like it was the right decision for her and she had plenty of questions.  Kam is a very smart girl and wanted to make the decision based on what SHE wanted and not to please anyone else.  Our family has been through our fair share of hard times and this fall has been no exception.  We have come together and chose to look at the positive in the situation.  The missionaries have been so amazing and we adore them.  They were so careful to not push too hard, but not let up either.  I am happy they didn't give up.  She has been glowing (literally) the last few weeks as she prepared for her baptism day.  I love her so much and am so proud of her!! 

 

My dad performed the baptism and it was so special for Kam.  My mom gave the talk on Baptism and it was beautiful.  Grandpa Todd performed the Confirmation and Gift of the Holy Ghost and gave her a beautiful blessing.  Grandma Monica and Uncle Tanner offered the prayers.  The missionaries gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost.  Thank you to everyone who showed up to support Kam.. we had a full house!  Owen stole the show at the very end when he jumped up to invite the entire room to lunch at our home and worked his charm on everyone.  He has such a great personality!  We had the best day and it couldn't have gone more perfectly! 

The day before the baptism, we celebrated Christmas with Carson's family.  The cousins all do a gift exchange and I had to get a pic of Tatums commitment to wrapping!  So in love the bows and now I don't have to buy any. :)

Owen got the watch he was dying to have.  It has so many settings and one of them says "SA" and he says "It means Southern Arizona."  Lol.  Then he tried to jump in the shower with it because "it's water resistant."  He was even so generous to set the alarm on the phone for 2am so I woke up to the most abnoxious alarm in the kitchen.  That watch...  Grandpa and Grandma bought all the kids gift cards to go indoor sky diving.. that should make some super fun videos!!

I can't believe how quickly these cousins are growing up.  Karlee already has a 2yr old, John just got engaged, Connor is half way through his Freshman year at U of A, Kam is heading off to college in the fall, Kathryn is planning to serve a mission after graduation, everyone else in high school and Luke is in Jr High.  Thankful for my two boys for keeping us young.  Don't blink.. they grow up so fast.

This morning we woke up early to tell find the Elf delivered us Reindeer food to sprinkle outside tonight.  I will not miss the Elf, but I know the boys just love it.  We had a great Christmas Eve service at church and Kam was congratulated by all.  We are so excited to celebrate Christmas at home tomorrow.  So many of our heart friends, many who were inpatient last year, are still in the hospital this year.  My heart goes out to them. Merry Christmas to all!!

Logi turns THREE .. Holiday Fun

We had a very exciting week and this weekend may just beat it.  My little bubs turned THREE and we were so excited to celebrate!  Logi is the sweetest boy you'd ever meet.  He is kind, polite, energetic and sometimes downright wild.  He makes us laugh a million times a day and I feel so blessed to be his "mommy."  He was so thrilled to wake up on his birthday and see the decorations.. he sat at the table and said "It's my Happy Birthday party!"  I did have to forgo the big family party this year because we have had so much going on, but he didn't seem to care.  He opened presents before church, helped Kam make his birthday cake and we had parm chicken for dinner.. which he didn't eat.  (surprise, surprise)  My favorite memory of the day was when he carried his Paw Patrol Ryder doll and his huge doctor's kit into church and he was SO proud of himself.  I love this little boy with all my heart and I know Carson, Kam and Owen feel the same way.

I have been so busy this Holiday season but we have made so many wonderful memories.  Gpa Todd and Gma Monica bought tickets to take a trolley ride around their neighborhood.  Carolers, hot cocoa and Christmas lights.. nothing not to love about it.  The boys had a fantastic time!  Kam was off with her friends at Zoo Lights and whatever else they do.

Kam finished finals this week with straight A's as always.  I still can't believe she graduates in May (queue tears).  We finished up all the college applications this week, and by WE, I mean 80% ME.  I am so excited for her future and she has a BIG day coming up tomorrow.  We spent all afternoon Monday baking cookies for her teachers and our neighbors.  Logi helped until he had enough cookie dough and then was off to play.  It was great to spend time with Kam in the kitchen just talking and listening to music. 

Logi had his 3yr well child visit and everything looks perfect.  He is about 90% for height and weight and is all caught up on his vaccines.

Connor is back from College for winter break and my boys are pretty excited!  We had lunch with cousins this week and Logi would only eat when Connor fed him.  Larissa pulled up an awesome photo on her phone of Connor and Kam when they were itty bitty and we absolutely need to recreate some old photos of this cousins.  I love that they grew up together and have such great relationships.

Uncle Tony sent home light sabers last night.  Logan has been handing me one ALL day long telling me "You are the PINK Power Ranger."  Wrong reference.. but whatever.. it's adorable.  I oblige and fight with him until my fingers get wacked a million times.  Three is probably my favorite age of all. 

With the hustle of the Holiday season, we are still finding time to take a drive each night to look at the lights.  We talk, listen to music and have good laughs.  I am so proud of where we are in life and how far we have come.  We are so very blessed!  I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season.  I will be posting about Kam's big day tomorrow evening before settling in for a night of marathon wrapping. 

Holiday Fun

We have been busy making the most of this Holiday season.  Our Christmas shopping is about half done and maybe a quarter wrapped.  I have been more focused on making memories this year.  Tonight was the Heart Transplant Christmas party at Phoenix Childrens Hospital.  The theme was Star Wars and we saw "father Christmas" (as Logan calls Santa) there too.

 Owen thinks he is BFFs with the docs... although Dr Zangwill has been a lifesaver.. literally.

 All the kids got a gift from Santa and then we had Roy (PCT) on DJ duty.  I mostly love seeing all our heart friends running around and my friends who have been through similar struggles.  There were a ton of gifts donated for all the kids by Donate Life AZ.  I think Owen was a little overwhelmed with all the excitement.

We finally had a chance to wander the hospital and check out all the trees.  There are some amazing trees in the lobby, but this is our favorite since Owen and his friends are on display.  It was such a great night and one we look forward to every year.

We have been taking detours to hit "Christmas on Comstock" almost every night.  It is so fun to listen to music and just drive real slowly down the street.  They raise money for Make A Wish every year too.. so bonus!

It hasn't been all fun this holiday season.  We missed a few Holiday parties because we underestimated the recovery of Owen's Gtube closure.  I removed his Gtube on October 20th with the hope that it would close up on it's own.  It wasn't closing, so we scheduled surgery to have it stitched up from the outside in.  The pain was a little more than we anticipated and he had a few days of staying in bed. It's been a little over a week now and he is back to himself.  The steri strips are still holding on strong, but at least he can move comfortable.  NO MORE GTUBE!!!! (for now.)

Logi has a big birthday coming up this weekend!!  He is so independent and keeps us all laughing.  His commentary on everything is pretty hilarious.  He is mostly super snuggly!  This Christmas is going to be such a joy with him.

Kam has a big day coming up next weekend, I'll post more about it then.  We have been so busy applying to colleges and she has been busy with finals.  She has become a workout fanatic again and it keeps me motivated as well.   She is my best helper and I don't know what I'd do without her!

I just finished finals and am getting ready to take the nursing school entrance exam.  I will have my application in soon and then I will wait for acceptance. Eek!   Until then... I am enjoying the busy of the season, focusing on what's most important, and trying to teach my kids the importance of service to others.  Happy Holidays!!

Hello December.

December has already been so wonderful and it's just beginning.  It really is my favorite time of the year... especially in the desert.  I love the chilly mornings and warm afternoons.  We are staying busy and that keeps my mind off other stuff.  This month is full of fun and I cannot wait to make memories with these three munchkins.

We kicked off the month with Mesa Temple lights.  Owen decided to be helpful by locking the car doors once he got out.. and locked my keys and phone inside.  After a two hour fiasco with roadside assistance, we were rescued.  It was a memorable evening and who doesn't love walking around looking at Christmas lights?

This little ball of energy is loving all the excitement around us lately and finds joy in the small things.  At the end of the day he crashes.. HARD.  I can't get enough of him.

These awesome missionaries offered to help us hang our Christmas lights.  I was only slightly terrified they would fall off the roof and I'd be calling their moms with a massive apology.  They survived and did a fabulous job.  We all adore them so much!

 

Last week we flew to Stanford for Owen's biopsy.  We finally got a 1A rejection score, which is as close to zero as you can get.  We just got word we can start weaning the steroids slowly again.  We are making a few med changes, including adding Enalapril back to the mix.  We will biopsy again in February and make it his annual study to check coronaries. 

Kam is my biggest helper most days and will go above and beyond to make sure her baby brothers are happy.  It has been fun planning for college and talking about who she is crushing on.  She'd kill me if she knew I typed that.  :)  She is making big decisions in her life and I am so proud of her!  I love this girl with my whole heart. 

 Emperor Moriarty has returned and brought with him a Gingerbread house kit.  Daddy gets to be the lucky one that builds that tonight.  I'm going Christmas shopping solo!! 

As we enjoy the Holiday Season... remember to Share the Light!  Try to do a simple act of service each day, or even week, to help someone out.  Owen is loving it and feels so good each time he donates or helps out.  I love teaching my kids that happiness comes from serving others.  Happy December!!