Catching Up February

Well hello there little neglected blog! We have been super busy this last month and a half to say the least. As you know, we moved into our new house at the beginning of January.  After unpacking everything, we started into this whole ear-infection-take-over-our-lives kinda thing.  Jaxson had a couple ear infections in a row and the different medicines helped with the pain but he still had lots of fluid behind both of them.  So we scheduled an appointment with the ENT a week later.  During that time, Avery's ear drums both ruptured and leaked fluid and blood for a few days, and I also got a bad ear infection.  I don't know if you have ever had an ear infection as an adult, but WOW they hurt so bad!!  Hope it isn't as bad for the kids.   Well mind "ruptured" within 24 hours and slowly leaked for a few days.  Needless to say, we were in and out of the Dr's office, ER, Urgent care etc. for some time.  Then, on Jan 30th, Ryan had his surgery to repair his ACL - which he completely tore off the bone playing basketball in October.  He also tore his LCL and part of his meniscus but they healed by the time he had the surgery.  Rhonda (Ryan's mom) came out the day before Ryan's surgery to help out with everything and boy did she ever help us out.  I don't know what I would have done if I was trying to do everything myself.  Jaxson also had his surgery - to get tubes in his ears - while she was here. 

So anyway, that can be my lame excuse as to why I haven't updated the blog.  Here are the photos we have taken since my last post.

Our sweet Avery girl - can't believe she is almost a year old! 

 When we got home from Canada at Christmas, Jaxson kept "packing his suitcase" (this plastic bin) of toys and he would "fly" (in his toy box) to Canada (which is the yellow room upstairs).  We thought it was pretty cute that he wanted to go back and see everyone.

 Ready to fly to Canada

 I got some cold stone ice cream gift cards for Christmas (thanks Erika and Allan!) so we go once every week or so.  I LOVE their cake batter ice cream with the cookie dough in it - yum yum.  Jaxson really wanted to get his own this time, so I let him pick a flavor.  Well he more like picked a color - Blue (his favorite) and it  was cotton candy.  He got his topping-of-choice, gummy bears, in a separate container so they didn't get hard in the ice cream.

 Jaxson playing the running game and getting some exercise on the Wii

 We also set up the pink and purple tent Avery got for Christmas from Ryan's parent's.  It has been a hit and Jaxson and her love to play in it. And maybe mommy and daddy too :)

 What a brave boy!  Ryan before going into his ACL surgery

 After the ACL sugery.  In lots of pain but with a good attitude.

It was fun having him around the house for a few days while he recovered enough to go back to work.  He was quite sleepy a lot of the time - I don't blame him!  He even fell asleep while on the laptop. 

 His leg in all of its glory

 Check out those staples.

 Guh Goh (what Jaxson calls Grandma) playing with the kids.  She brought out a big container full of Ryan's old ninja turtle action figures and they are Jaxson's new favorite thing.  He requests daily to wear a blue shirt because he is Leonardo.

 We found Jaxson like his one morning - with his other sock ripped through the toes and slide up one leg because it looks like the shield on  "Pandicon's" leg - he is one of the ninja turtle action figures

 They had fun playing lots of ninja turtles

 That's a lot of ninja turtles!

 I helped Jaxson stand them up in the carpet.

 Valentine's day/.  I insisted Jaxson wear a red shirt today because it was valentines day - he wasn't happy but finally gave in.  I tried to sit these 2 together and get a good shot of them .... ya didn't work so well.  Oh well, these are my cute Balentine's (thats how Jaxson says it)

 We made red velvet pancakes for lunch (didn't have time for breakfast, my class at the gym starts at 9:30 and getting these 2 ready and out the door is time consuming!)  Someone was sneaking some of the batter.  Can't blame him - I like my batter too.

 Avery liked it a lot too

 Ryan was sweet and brought me some two-toned pink roses - they were very pretty! He also brought me some dark chocolate and almond bark with a hint of sea salt.  I tried some as a sample at Costco - wow it was so yummy.  I am afraid to say that the first bag is almost completely gone - oops!  He also brought home a gigantic animal book for Jaxson and a cute rainbow book for Avery.

 Avery's Balentine gift to me was to show me that she figured out how to open cupboards in the kitchen.  Awesome.  I can't take my eyes off of this one.

 So after a yummy steak dinner, we had some red velvet cake with cheesecake pudding and cool whip.  Was pretty good but I wanted the pudding to soak in a bit more.

 Here is the red velvet cake culprit.  Avery woke up the next morning covered in dark red barf.  Awesome X2,  Luckily - most of it came out of everything.  Last time I try to be a fun mommy and give my gives holiday food! (jokes).

Yesterday, we decided to dip the strawberries I bought in white and semi-sweet chocolate because we didn't get to do it on Valentine's day or the day after.  Well got them done and put them in the fridge so they could set.  We all went to my basketball game --- that's right - Ryan found a friend at work that plays in a ladies league and he set me up to play with their team -- it was great to play again even if I am a bit rusty.  Well we got home late and got the kids in bed.  We were about ready to pull out the strawberry's and enjoy them ourselves, but we heard Jaxson scream out.  I went in and checked on him.  He was covered in barf, along with the mattress, his stuffed animals, blanket, and carpet.  He has thrown up another 6 times since then.  So needless to say, we didn't get much sleep.  Ryan also woke up nauseated an my body is sore (like when you have a fever).  So we are just another bunch of sickies again.  Wanna come over and take care of us?  You can have the chocolate dipped strawberries!! :) Ok Ok, maybe just send some prayers our way, that would be appreciated.   

 Let's end on a happy note.  The roses Ryan got me are blooming and they look and smell beautiful!

Catching Up on Christmas

Life has been just a wee bit crazy lately.  We got back from Christmas Holidays in Canada on Wednesday Jan 2nd.  We moved out and cleaned our apartment that weekend, and have been in our new home about a week now.  We have most of the boxes unpacked (except for all my craft things ... which for some reason I have been dreading organizing) and are trying to get settled in.  We have been running to all sorts of stores everyday getting things we need - I am sure this will last a while longer.  We are loving the new house and are in the process of making it our home.  This is just a TON of photos from the last month :)

This was at Ryan's work party the week before we left for Canada. 

 Avery and Jaxson playing in some of the moving boxes.

 Avery trying to get away after the "death squeeze" (tight hug) from her brother.

Our new house!  We loved the way it turned out.  Now it is just time to decorate (which is intimidating! I need help - someone want to come do it for me?) It was officially ours the day before we left on vacation.  Good timing?  Nope! haha

 We made it up to the chilly white north (loved the cold weather!).  R to L ... This is Benson (Richard and Leslie's), Addi (Justin and Amelia's), and Avery.  These 3 spent a lot of time in these chairs eating together.

 Papa White with Avery and Addy.

 Kara loved making Avery happy during dinner time :)

 Christmas Eve.  Robbie and Cammie are going to be awesome parents one day -- they had a lot of fun helping us watch our kids!   We had our annual Christmas Program where we read the Christmas story, sang songs, and heard the testimonies of my parents.  Always love this time of year.  I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ!  It is because of him, that we have the ability to live as families forever - and for that I so grateful!

 Grandma and Grandpa Low.  I thought it was so sweet they were holding hands.

 All the kids opened new pajama's.  Avery's says "Santa Loves Me" and it had a cute red tu-tu on it. I couldn't resist.  Jaxson had a red Christmas footed pajama, but he would only wear it for about 3 minutes, then he took it off and put his Avenger Pj's back on.  He is obsessed.

 Trying to get a photo of all the grandkiddo's in their pj's - getting a good photo of all of these kids (at the same time) is hard!  Notice Jaxson already changed out of his pj's.

 And then there was a broken tree.  Someone's kid may or may not have done a front flip on the couch, landed off balance on the arm rest of the couch and fall into the tree.  As a result, the tree snapped off the metal base and became broken.  Ooops.  It took the boys a few hours to get it back standing again.  Christmas was saved!

Someone come spank this kid.  Naughty Naughty Boy.  He didn't mean to do it - he just has an overabundance of energy all the time. 

 Kissing cousins?  Don't think so - just excited boys on Christmas eve.  Jaxson had so much fun playing with his cousin Zachy.  He has asked several times since being home when he can play with Zachy again.

 Thanks to Leslie, we had a pretty cool gift to give my parents this year.  They were "Team Low Family" shirts for the kids.  Each grandkid had the number they were on the back.  Jaxson was 5 and Avery was 9.  Mom and Dad's shirts said "Coach" and "Assistant Coach."

Shortly after, Santa rang the doorbell at our house.  Crazy and unexpected.  The kids loved it. 

 Trying to get a photo of all the kids and their shirts.

 Santa found us all the way up in Canada!  Sorry Avery, you kinda got gypped this year.

 Lots of people in the house = Lots of presents.

 Christmas morning.  Jaxson got Avenger toys and he was super happy!

 Avery was happy to be eating puff snacks :)

 Jaxson's favorite toy - his Captain America shield.  He refered to himself as Captain America the whole duration of our Canada trip.

 He likes to make this face and pull some fancy moves while holding the shield (see photos later).  I promise we didn't teach him a thing - these moves are all his.

 Avery loved all the wrapping paper and all the excitement all around.

 All the girls opening up their scentsy candle warmers.  Yum!  I love mine- thanks mom!!

 Yep, that's Captain America alright.

 Avery's Great Grandma Low.  My grandma.  I had a lot of fun visiting with her while we were up in Canada.

 9 months old.

 A few Christmas day photos.

 As tradition, we had a dance party for all the kids.  We were trying to get the wiggles out before bed.  Notice the large purple dressed Rapunzel doll that Kara is dancing with.  She became the fun joke of the trip.  That doll was placed in various spots in the house to frighten whoever was coming that way.  It was pretty funny.

 Jaxson loved playing with his cousin Talia.

 Jax was tired of dancing.  He was also throwing a fit about something - can't remember.

 Jaxson's first time sledding.  He saw BEAR on wordworld do it, and was super excited to give it a try.  He loved it!!  He wanted to go again, but unfortunately we didn't make it a second time.

About to go down the hill.  

 So much fun!

 Mom got the grand kids each a giant coloring book to color on - they loved it!

 Jaxson officially turned 3 while we were there.  He got a giant white cake and a homemade ice cream cake. yum!!  Happy Birthday bud - you are one amazing little guy!!

 Check out his face - love it!

 I was able to go visit Grandpa and Grandma while at home.  I love these two so much!  They have been such great examples of service to me over the years.  They use to go to the temple several times each week and I hope I can do the same someday :)

 We went into Lethbridge on New Years Eve to go swimming and shopping.  Avery is a little water baby, just like her brother, Daddy, and Mommy.

 Amelia, Addi, Avery, and me.   Wish my skin was dark like yours Amelia!

LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this photo of my boys.  Jaxson usually pulls crazy faces in photos - but I think Ryan was tickling him in this photo.  How cute are they!! 

Delicious!  We stopped by Costco for some poutine.  Wish I had some right now.  Yummy fries covered in melted cheese curds and topped with gravy.  A Canadian specialty!

 When we got home from Lethbridge, Jax was tired.  I was super surprised he actually slept on the couch (after being awakened and transferred inside).  Avery thought it was pretty funny to tease him and play with his shield (which Jaxson never lets her play with while he is awake).

 New Years Day we had a French reunion up at the stake center.  It was great to see our extended family on my Mom's side.  This is Grandpa French - he is such a sweet old man :)  We sure had fun talking with you!

Sarah (Kristine and Ron's daughter) loved playing with Avery. 

 A photo with Grandma French too :)

 All the grandkids loved playing with Alvin (Karen's fiance) and Karen.  They are such a fun couple and we are excited for their upcoming wedding in June!!

Well that is it for now.  Hopefully when we get the house decorated, we can post some more pics!