Animal Adventures

Here are the cute kitties we had for 2 weeks for a fun summer adventure.  I pretty much knew getting into it that we wouldn't have them forever but Mackenzie needed that learning experience to realize how much money and time that cats really take.  Pouncer was Brooklyn's and Oreo was Mackenzie's.  They were so cute and fun but cleaning the litter box was less fun and paying for vet visits was also not so fun.

Also this summer the girls have been able to take some horse riding lessons around the corner with Jeannie.  They love it and so do I.  Waiting for their turns.

Jeannie, Ashley and Mackenzie

Mom's Hobby

Summer league 3.0 has been a blast.  We went undefeated during the season. Then we won districts.  Pictured Here...

Tracee Kemp, Michelle Kemp, Me, Michelle Taylor, Allison Raddon, Megan Alder

Shelly Kemp, Gina Johnson, Kim Mitchell, Randi Pyper (not pictured Tara Adonakis and Sandy Adamson)

NOW ON TO SECTIONALS!!

Update On Sectionals...We took first against some tough teams (Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming) and we are headed to Nationals!

Summer Bucket List 2014

At the beginning of the summer we spent an FHE making our Summer Bucket List on our family dry erase board.

Aquarium:

Late over:

 Pool Party:

Primary pool party at Margo Cowley's (Primary President)

Water Park:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at Tuacahn:

Fallon Girl's Trip

Grandma Jill came out to help while Jeffrey was in the hospital. Such a saint, she really was such a big help.  And then on top of that she took my kids home with her so Jeffrey could have a quiet calm house for a week.  Shelley watched them during the days so mom could work. Another saint.  Donny made sure they got a jet ski ride while there.  Thank you family.

11 Fantastic Years

I celebrated 11 years with my favorite guy last month.  He hit a home run by booking a night at the cottage at La Caille where we stayed the night we were married.  He even coordinated an overnight babysitter.  We had the best time.

Mild TBI (traumatic brain injury)

Our summer started off not so well when Jeffrey pulled a little giant ladder down on himself in the garage.  He started throwing up that afternoon so we took him up to Primary Children to get checked out.  They told us he was fine and he would be back to normal the next day.  It took more like 3 or 4 days, but he finally seemed to be back to himself (not nauseated and more energetic).  The picture with the cars was while we were waiting at the E.R. 

Then a week after Jeffrey's first head blow he took another one that was somehow even worse.  He climbed up onto the piano bench, something he does often to play a few notes and climb right back down.  But I have replayed this moment in my head over and over where I was just standing a little closer, or a million other things that would have prevented him from falling backwards off the bench onto the wood floor.  He cried himself to sleep and then woke up throwing up a couple hours later.  So the next day we took him up to Primary Children's again.  This time they did a CT scan, which showed a subdural hematoma.  This is very serious plus he was so lethargic and nauseous.  We had to stay overnight to monitor him, which turned into 5 days of monitoring and waiting for him to feel better.  It took several days for him to keep anything down so he was on an i.v. with fluids and zofran and they kept him going on tylenol.  He finally seemed more like himself and even got down to play when we took him up to the play room.  Once he felt better, he kept walking out to the hall and wanting to escape, that's when we got to come home.  It was a happy day.  We were given instructions to keep his 2 feet on the floor for 8 weeks.  We are a few weeks out a the vomiting seems to have subsided (crossing fingers).  This has been a nightmare and we just pray there are no lasting effects.  We love our little buddy and would do anything for him.  Poor thing has been thru a lot but he is still my little ray of sunshine.

Christiansen Family Reunion 2014

It was so fun for our family to go to a reunion without having to leave home.  I am a mom who likes to travel with my family but it can be really stressful, especially right now while we are trying to keep Jeffrey safe and calm.  So the Salt Lake Venue worked out perfectly.

Thursday night we went up to Cyle's neighborhood for dinner and swimming.  We had to quickly vacate our outdoor pavilion when a crazy wind storm came through, but luckily we had an equally nice clubhouse for our yummy dinner and visiting.

Friday we braved the heat at This is the Place and had dinner at our place.

Saturday we went out to Herriman Lake for sand and water fun, ending with dinner at Codi's.

Shalese married Sam King the weekend before the reunion so it all fit together nicely.