Oh Christmas Tree!

How does it happen that out of six children, only one goes with to pick out and cut down the tree?? Well, it was very cold and Austin always complains about going with to do it, so we put all the babies to sleep and left Austin to "babysit". Aidan, thankfully, still enjoys going to do it. Next year, the triplets will be old enough to go traipsing through the snow to pick one out so I hope Austin enjoyed his warmth this year!

This was the first year we let Aidan carry the saw. (Notice Steve is a little hunched over - it was blustery this year!)

I had to get a picture of Aidan from the front The tree Aidan and I agreed upon - after Daddy nixed the first three! Aidan inspecting Daddy to make sure he's doing a good enough job.

Cutting down the tree The tree is down!

After getting the tree shook and baled, Aidan enjoys hot (luke warm, really) chocolate on the way home.
We had fun, just the three of us. I am looking forward to future years with everyone out there also!

Incredibly Blessed

As I look at this picture, I cannot believe how incredibly blessed we have been. I always wanted six children, and after struggling with infertility, I never in my wildest dreams would have thought this mantle would have belonged in my home. God sure is a God of miracles!!!

Thanksgiving Memories

Since I didn't have time to write a Thanksgiving post, I am sharing a few of my favorite Thanksgiving pictures. It was a wonderful day and very relaxing. I am so thankful for each and every one of my children and the blessing they are to me. I am very thankful every day for Steve. I could not have prayed for a better husband.
Ethan:

Nathanial:

Grandpa and Nathanial (he knew where to go for more cake!)

Daddy and Noah taking time to relax

All of the Calonder grandkids Ashley with Hannah and Noah (of course she couldn't be trusted to just hold Hannah)

And how could I forget how our day ended?? With a first lost tooth!

Aidan's Surgery

Aidan got his tubes in and had his adenoids removed. He did pretty well. The hospital we use is just incredible for little people - actually probably for people of all ages, but they are so good with our kids. This is the fifth surgery our boys have had there (Aidan twice, triplets each once) and it just gets better every single time, I swear. Today, they had a music therapist come in for 45 minutes prior to the surgery and she sang songs with Aidan. She had all sorts of fun instruments for him to play with and he loved it. He got to play the drums, jingle bells, wind chime things, choir bell like things, thunder tubes, shaker eggs, all sorts of stuff. It was awesome and he was so relaxed when she was finished. He waited about 15 minutes after she left and I can't imagine how differently that hour could have gone if she hadn't shown up. They were running late, so he was a little nervous when she came in, but quickly warmed up to her. I wish I would have gotten a picture of him with her, but we were all very happy to just "play" for a bit.

While he was in having the surgery, someone from massage therapy came up to give me a massage. Sweet! I wasn't able to partake, though, because Hannah was eating, but did have a nice chat with the massage therapist.

A local women's group at one of the churches makes blankets for each of the kids (yes, we have five now), someone gives them a hand knit hat, and the anesthesiologist gives each child a little teddy bear all dressed up in surgical garb, so they get plenty of "good stuff" also.

Aidan was done in about an hour. Dr. B came in and said everything went well and Aidan followed after about another 10 minutes. He was not happy. Poor little guy was in so much pain in his throat, he just cried and cried. He got ice cream and that helped a little. We tried to give him lidocain to no avail - he spit it all out in my hand because it tasted "disgusting." She pulled his IV and we decided it would probably be better if we left sooner, rather than later and as soon as we were given the "all clear," we were gone. Aidan was much better by the time we got to the elevator and almost like his old self by the time we got to the car.

He wanted a cheese burger and fries for lunch - I really didn't think he could eat it. He did eat 1/2 the cheeseburger and about 1/4 of the fries, much better than I anticipated. He has been almost back to 100% this evening, other than being tired. He slept all the way home, but hasn't taken a nap today. He did lay around watching Narnia this afternoon. Now, he is getting ready to put lights on the tree and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. It's a good night for it - here in Iowa, the roads in our area are totally ice covered and there is expected to be a good bit of snow by the end of tomorrow night. It was a great day for Steve to take off. I didn't have to worry about his drive home and Aidan and I were home just as it started getting a little nasty.

And now, he wants to sell lemonaide to his father. One cent a glass - I think he can handle it!

Is she really???

I was a little surprised, but not really, to find Hannah sucking her thumb. She has already found her thumb it appears...