The Criddle Family

Sunday, March 21, 2010

School has Started

I can't beleive that Tyler is in 2nd grade and Nathan is in Kidergarten. They are both at Adams Elementary. Tyler's teacher is Mrs. Leiese and Nathan has Mrs. Scott.

In August 2009 we went to the Oregon Coast for the 1st time as a family. It was a much needed vacation with Billy finishing up his 1st 3 quarters back to school at EWU, my surgery and it just being summer. We had wanted to go the coast for such a long time and we finally made it!

We took our travel trailer with us and had a great time. Our 1st stop was to see "Herman the Sturgeon" at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. It was amazing to find out that this fish are so old - 100 years and only eat every few weeks. We had fun feeding the fish and duck, while Tyler and Nathan tried to catch fish with their bare hands.

From there we made it down to Eugene to see Grandma and Grandpa, Justin, Lisa, Payden, Abby and GiGi and Poppy. We drove over to the coast and stayed in Florence for a few days. We were able to play in the sand and ocean, ride 4 wheelers on the dunes, and just be together as a family. It was the 1st time that the boys had seen the ocean. The dunes were amazing because I had never seen so much sand! It was incredible how much there was.

The Haceata Head light house was neat to see and we were able to go to our 1st "low tide" tide pools at Strawberry Hill. That was so exciting to see all the star fish, crabs, seals and sea anemone.

On Monday we all headed our different ways and we headed up the coast to Newport and stopped off at the Newport Aquarium. That place was fantastic. There was so much to see and take in. We were able to see HUGE crabs, sharks and octopus.

On our way up the coast we stopped at the Museum of Flight and at the Tillamook Factory to get a treat and see how they made the cheese. We love Tillomook cheese and ice cream, so it was fun to see where it starts. At the Museum of Flight, they had little tiny aircraft and everything in between. It was fun to see all the old airplanes.

Our last stop was finally in Cannon Beach and Seaside. I can not say how much we LOVED it there. We were able to stay there for 3 days and had fun flying kites, going out to Haystack rock to see the amazing tide pools, and just hanging out on the beach. On one day we were there right after breakfast and did not leave until dinner time. It was so fun to see the boys enjoying themselves. Ryan LOVED the sand. He would spend all his time lying in the sand and grabbing handfuls of sand and letting it fall through his fingers. Tyler and Nathan loved building sand castles and splashing in the ocean.

We are so excited to go back to the coast. We had some great memories. Thanks boys for the fun trip. I love you!

Finally I get a chance to update!!

Well a lot as happened since I last wrote. I will try to get all the fabulous highlights!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Unexpected Surgery

Well, today is the 1st day I have felt good since last Saturday (6 days ago). As many of you know, Fr the last number of years, I have had stomach issues. I had a lot of testing done years ago and never had another issue, that I thought it was over.

Early Sunday morning, I felt it coming on and decided that instead of "waiting it out", we would go to the ER. Well we were there for hours and had some testing done, when the Dr. came in and said that they didn't find anything and that I was probably going to go home, unless we wanted to do a CAT scan - We decided that the reason we went to the ER was for the testing - we did it, and thank goodness.

They found air bubbles where they were not suppose to be, so they figured that it was a peptic ulcer or a perferated bowel. So off to surgery I went and was so nervous. After 3 hours, Billy finally got the results. "No ucler, no perferation. Yes air bubbles trapped in a mass that they biopsed that was negative that they removed. While the Dr. was on the hunt to find the "hole", he was able to look at a lot of organs. He did find 2 infected lymph nodes that he removed and sent off to pathology. We would not get results for 3-5. So even though it was great that they did not find anything - there was still a chance of cancer. What a horrible word.

Thankfully after 3 days they got the results back and it was negative. Thank yu Heavenly Father for blessing me, so that I can continue to be a mom to my 3 wonderful boys. I appreciate all the prayers that we offered in my behalf. I am grateful for the reults.

Now I just have a huge vertical 7" scar on my stomach. The recovery has been good. The only thing that will be really, really hard - is not lifting for 3 weeks. Ryan is still so little, but I guess we will figure it out.

Thanks again for your prayers and the wonderful blessing from Heavenly Father

Seattle

We did so much in a few days that it was fun, but we were VERY tired!! I bought the City Pass and wanted to take full advantage of all great deals.

We left on Tues the 14th in the morning and got to Seattle by early afternoon. We hit the Aquarium 1st. It was great to touch and feel at the Tide Pools. It was probably everyone favorite. We also really like the tall fish tank as you walk in. It was probably atleast 20 feet tall - with amazing life swimming throughout.

Next we went on our harbor cruise. It was really exciting being on such a large boat. It was very informational - I did not get much out of it, since I was chasing 3 boys. What a beautiful coastline Seattle has.

After dinner and swimming at the hotel, we decided to go to the Space Needle. It was spectacular to see the city. The boys enjoyed looking through the spotting scopes. They had fun finding different things up in the Space Needle and then seeing them on the ground - like a Pepsi sign.

Wednesday we headed for the Zoo. We had a good time seeing all the animals. I think that it was too hot for them, becuase they were not really playing, most of them were just "sitting around".

By 2pm we were going to the Amusemeum of Flight. Both Tyler and Nathan crashed on the ride within minutes. When we got there, we were able to walk through Air Force One and the Concord. It was great to see how massive these planes are and a miracle that they can stay in the air!! They had a huge room full of all sorts of planes - fighters and old-school. Everyone really enjoyed this stop - well worth it!

On Thursday (our last day) we spent it at the Science Center. It was fun, but more over the top of the boys. The cool thing we did there was the IMAX. It showed Underwater Garden 3D. We loved that. It was the 1st time that the boys had seen an IMAX and also 3D.

We rode the monorail over to the mall for lunch. It was pretty hilarius that Nathan had a "battle" for the front seat with a man easily in his late 60's. The guy figured out that Nathan was wanting the font seat and sneaking his way forward. Well, when the opened the gates, the race was on! I couldn't beleive it - it was so funny to see them both weaving between the seats. Well he made it and the guy slide in 2nd!

The car ride home was really long! The boys did great considering how tired they were!

All in all, it was great and we had fun memories of Seattle.

Swimming and Camping

We have spent a lot of time at the county pools swimming. It is such a great time, splashing in the water.

I love our trailer!! I love it. It makes camping so nice and enjoyable. We have spent a lot of time out at the property. Camping with family and friends - what a better way to spend the summer.

Over the 4th my aunt Elysen and her husband Jon, my cousins' daughter Savannah and my grandpa Hinckley - all from Utah. It was so nice having them visit and I was amazed at Ryan behavior with Savannha. He LOVED her! Almost would go to her over me!!! It was really nice having an older girl with me all weekend, because Tyler and Nathan acted better and she really helped out with Ryan.

It is so fun riding on the boat. Ryan is constantly lifting his leg (like he is climbing on) and saying "ba boat"

Tyler is quite the tuber and has had a great summer "riding the waves" It is so fun to see him having fun!

Nathan just loves to ride on the boat or maybe go for a SLOW ride on the tube. He loves to drive and hold the flag.

What a great summer and sad to think that it is almost over.

Silverwood

Summer started with our annual trip to Silverwood. What a fantastic place and so much fun. I can't believe how much my boys "LOVE" the rides. Tyler loves the rides that make you completely sick and Nathan loves the rollercoasters. I did one ride with each of them and knew that I was done!

Nathan - I was completely amazed that he rides the "big" rollercoasters with his hands held high in the air and yelling. Sitting next to him, I couldn't believe how my baby has changed!

Tyler - I only did one ride and was about to puke! He kept going and going. He loves the rides that shot you from one side to the other and up and down!

Ryan - he loved all the little kiddie rides, but especially the "Little Toot Toot" train rollercoaster.

Billy - Well he becomes a 5 year old all over again. He love ALL the rides and loves that everyone loves riding with him.

It is amazing how fast the day goes. We never even made it to Boulder Beach - a huge waterpark.

I had to document that I still go on rollercoasters!!