Christmas at the Dyes this year...

Our Christmas didn't start off so well Jared hasn't felt well since he came home from the hospital but we thought it was due to the surgery but maybe not. I ended up with the flu on the 24th. Desi came and took the girls for the day and then Leslie took Parker. I was so thankful. There is nothing worse than to have the flu and still have to take care of kids and even worse a baby. Kodie came home that night and also ended up sick. But thankfully we were all feeling pretty good come morning. Kodie was so funny this year. She was so excited to catch Santa and almost did. Or so she thought. She woke up about 4:30 am and said "Mom, I think I hear Santa". I told her to go and see. She came back with a dissapointed look and said. "Mom he didn't come". I said "well go back to bed maybe he just hasn't made it here yet. " So she did, and a half hour later 5:00am she was back up thinking that she heard him again. So I got up with her and walked out into the hall way and once again she had this dissapointed look on her face. She only looked under the tree and saw that there weren't any more gifts. I said to her " Does Santa ever leave your presents under the tree???" She got the biggest smile on her face and then walked out into the front room further. She started yelling "WE GOT THE WII, WE GOT THE WII" she woke Jared up who was down stairs sleeping in the chair and so we got Paige up and opened presents. She and Paige were both excited, happy and very greatful for their gifts.

Polly Pockets, Puppies, Jackets, sleeping bags, dolls, a password journal, bean bag, Heelies, a Wii what more could they ask for???

Balls, balls and more balls. He was happy!!!

Jared got a DS.

Sing it on the WII.

We had toys strung all over the house. Everywhere was open game even the kitchen floor.

Tuckered out after an early morning.

Family Update

Kodie has now lost both of her front teeth! Jared took the girls along with Carly, and Savannah on a sleigh ride behind the 4 wheeler to deliver our neighborhood goodies.
Jared had surgery once again this time on his stomach for his acid reflux. Hopefully this will be the last of them for quite some time I'm really tired and don't know how much more of this hospital stuff I can handle.



Jared has been really sick since we have came home from the hospital. He has swelling, soreness, and nausea, spent an additional night in the hospital because he just hasn't felt well at all. We were a little scared maybe there were worse complications from the surgery but the doctors assure us that he will be ok and that these side effects are nothing to worry about.
And yes I am still waiting for him to feel better.

My Grandpa Andersen


It has been about 3 weeks now since my Grandpa was taken to the hospital and diagonosed with Spinal Menengitis. He was in out of conciousness and we were all a little unsure of what was going to happen. He has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks, has a feeding tube, and is now in transitional care instead of ICU. He is gradually getting better although now he needs to go through physical therapy and hopefully he will be able to eat again soon today he was asking for Ice Cream. It was good to see him and know that he still knows who I am and could talk to me a little, even though he is hard to understand.

Today was my Grandparents 66th Wedding anniversary!!!

More...

Kodie finally lost one of her front teeth.

At the Dyes Family Christmas Party
we do the same thing every year and this is how the agenda goes.
1. We usually eat dinner which consists of a bunch of Yummy soups, veggie trays, rolls, and Christmas goodies.
2. Then we listen to The Night Before Christmas and watch the pictures on Grandmas old black Scroll box.

3. We sing Christmas carols and wait for Santa to arrive.
All of the kids, adults, and any other strays we have brought along that year take turns being called up to his lap and discuss what we all want for Christmas.

Kodie

Paige

Parker

Jared & I

4. Then the kids play out the Christmas Nativity

Kodie is Mary

Marley a Donkey

& MaKadey is Joseph

Paige is an angel

and here is the whole clan.

Sheppard's, Wise men and all!!!

Here is Parker and (soon to be) Uncle Josh

5. We then have to clean up the massive mess we have all made and brought to the party along with all of the Christmas gifts and goodies everyone exchanges. The kids had a blast as usual hanging out with all their cousins and playing late into the night. And once again it is over until next year.

Over Thanksgiving break when we were in Utah I made a special trip to my Grandma Andersens to learn how to make her Raisin Cake it is one of my favorites and no one can make it and have it taste like hers. So I went to learn from the expert her self.

I am so glad I did I got to spend a couple of hours with her and my grandpa and I think I know why no one else can make the cake like she does. She measures everything with normal silverware instead of measuring spoons, and everything is a heaping tsp. or Tbsp. witch equals 2 or 3 of them.

Shortly after I visited (Dec. 11th) my Grandpa ended up getting an ambulance ride to the hospital he decided not to wake up one morning. He was only unconscious but because he had Spinal Meningitis he was admitted to the ICU. He has now been in the hospital for a week and seems to slowly be doing a little better. He has been on heavy antibiotics, pain medication, and had a feeding tube to try and get his strength up. He wakes up occasionally and still knows where he is, who everyone is, and still has his humor. But he sleeps an awful lot. Mom said he did get moved out of ICU but the family is doing a fast for him and hope they hope he will be able to go home sometime soon.

I have made 7 batches & 70 small loafs of Grandmas Raisin Cake to hand out to friends neighbors, and family for Christmas and mine I have to say is just as good as hers. I'm glad I got to learn this from her.

Parker loved the batter and he made a huge mess!

The Raisins.

The Perfect little Cakes!!! :)

Finally a new post!!!

Ok it has been quite a while since my last post and it isn't because there has been nothing going on. It is because I have been TOOOO busy. The only reason I have time now is because I am in the Hospital waiting room while Jared gets surgery today. And the hospital has wireless internet and I will be here all day.

Well I don't know where to start so here we go and in no particular order...


I finally got a new CAMERA I love it and can't wait till I learn more about how it works. I have been snapping photos like crazy and these are just a few.
Pictures of Parker, we have tons of them these are just one from hundreds I've been shooting. I'm trying to get a good one of him doing all the goofy things he does and of coarse I have to take about 50 each time I get the camera out.These are a few photos we took on a 15 minute photo shoot to try and get a family photo for christmas cards. The kids and Husbands weren't too cooperative since it was cold and Jared was in a hurry to go to a ball game. Go Figure what is more important Family Photo or Ball Game???

Kelli & Quinns I think turned out good this is just one of maybe 10 we took.



Parker Driving? It was too cold to get him out to do more photos than we needed to.Kodie & PaigeThis is the Photo I finally decided to use.
Kelli did well taking it considering she had us to work with.

Decorating the Christmas tree
Kodie's Second Grade Christmas Music Concert


One of Shelley's JV Basket ball Games
Eric #21 is playing and does quite well when they let him play.

Thanksgiving Dinner at moms house was delicious. We just ate a few hours later than expected but that is nothing new when we all get together we loose track of time and none of us are ever on time. Why should dinner be any different:)
Goofy Girls Kodie, Paige,& my neice Brylee

Brayden my Nephew is so cute but can sometimes be a handful. Bryce, Jared, Chad and Nate were giving the kids 4 wheeler rides after dinner.
Paige fell on ther face while goofing off and really hurt her nose, but Jared and Camille both said there is nothing they can do for a broken nose unless it is really out of place. So we Iced it and put her to sleep after about an hour or so of crying.
Grandma is rocking Parker to sleep!