Spring Break

We had a great spring break. We stayed close to home, but did a few fun things everyday. It puts a damper in your spirits when it SNOWS during spring break, but oh well we still managed to find lots to do. Billy was back in school, so we really couldn't go too far! We hit the library, Jump and Bouce, Baskin Robbins and Cabelas. It is so funny how the boys still love going to CABELAS!

We went to Triple Play with our friends from Montana the Richardsons. It was so fun to see and play with them.

Tyler and Gabe enjoying the wave pool.




I was suprised how well Nathan did - considering he had just had his surgery barely a week before. He mainly wanted to hang out in the hot tube, but hey thats where I wanted to be also. Grandpa Hinckley made him some plugs for his ears so we didn't have to worry about the water.






Ryan had so much fun splashing, running all over the place and putting his mouth over all the bubbly fountains. I knew that I would not be able to go by myself, ( Billy was in Utah for his Grandpa's funeral), so my mom came and helped which was a lifesaver. Thanks so much mom for all your help that night. I truly appreicate it.

Nathan's big surgery

After months of constant and nasty ear infections we went to the ENT and found out that it was not his ears - but his tonsils and adnoids that were causing "ALL" the problems. The Dr. even said that most likely in 6 months his speech will even improve. Nathan was fantastic through it all. He was not even that nervous going into surgery. In fact, he took the nurses hand and walked back all by himself.

The surgery went well and was over before I new it. Walking into the room to see him after surgery was difficult for me. Instantly the tears flowed when I saw my "baby" laying there all druged up and knowing that he was in pain and hurting. He was so paitent, and for him that does not come naturally. That night we all were thinking "wow" he is doing so well - up wrestling with Tyler and Ryan. The next day - was much different, but as long as we stayed on top of the medicine, he did very well.

I had stocked up on all the icecream and popsicles in advance and quickly found that he did not want any of it. He wanted mashed potatos and gravy, hot chocolate, soup and anything else that was warm.

Ryan took full advantage of the "maid" service that Nathan was receiving. He thought all he had to do was sit on the couch and eat whatever he wanted. Ryan was Nathan's little buddy watching TV and eating all the treats. Ryan ate all the icecream and popsicles that Nathan should have!


It was a good recovery and took a good week before he really felt comfortable eating different foods. I am grateful that he got the "full-meal deal", having his adnoids and tonsils out, and tubes put back into his ears. Hopefully we will see improvements in the next few months.

I am proud of you Nathan fori being such a good sports about your surgery and being patient with mom and dad while we tried to help you recover. I love you buddy.

Tyler's 7th Birthday

I can't beleive that my baby has turned 7 years old. He is such a great kid and so fun to be around. For his birthday we went bowling at Players and Spectators for an afternoon of fun, cake and icecream. His cake was a snowboarder on the mountains. He invited Roka, Matthew and Payden.

Pinewood Derby

Tyler is in cub scout and is a Tiger. He loves it. Ever since he was super litte, he also wanted to do it , becuase Billy has always worked with the Young Men and Boy Scouts. So when they announced at the beginning of school that 1st graders could be involved with cub scouts - he was all over it. It has been really good for him to have something fun to look forward each week and an opportunity to do something with just dad! Of course, the biggest and most fun activity was the coveted pinewood derby.



We went out to Great Grandpa Ransoms house to use all his wood cutting machines - after much debate of how the car should be designed. Nathan even got in on the fun and Billy designed Nathan a car also.





After weeks of "no you can not touch that" and "Don't touch that!" (even though it is suppose to be "Tyler's" car :) , melting lead and making a mess all over - it was finally time for the race. Many times Tyler was wondering " what the heck did dad do to my car?" I had told Billy that I didn't care if it took 1st placce, all I wanted it to do was make it down the track and finish!




The very 1st race of the day, Tyler's car set a new track record. I was so grateful - it looked like his car was going to do great! After Tyler's car and everyone else had raced - Tyler took 6th out of 35 cars. Billy had done a fantastic job on placing the weights in the right place and made a good car. We were shocked at how well Tylers "Shock Wave" raced. His car was number #321 and bright yellow. Tyler mainly raced against the older boys - since they had better designed cars. It was a lot of fun and very exciting.



Billy was even more excited when we realized that Tyler and him had done well - but we did not have to spend another Saturday in Districts for the "Race off" to see who had the best car! They only took the top 5 to Districts.



After the official race, they had an open race were family or whoever could race. Nathan had a lot of fun racing his car.


Billy talked with other dads and took some mental notes - so who know maybe next year they will do even better - or do the complete opposite!

Lovin' life on top of the mountain

We had a really great time at Mt. Spokane and are looking forward to next year when all of us, including Ryan can go.

Ryan at Mt. Spokane

Ryan found this stick and loved pushing it across the hill as all the skiers and snowboarders would come down and get on the chairlift. He absolutely loved it. We had a lot of fun watching dad, Tyler, Nathan and grandpa on the mountain.

Nathan Snowboarding

Tyler Snowboarding

Snowboarding

Well, Tyler and Nathan took up snowboarding this winter. They had a complete blast and did very well. They each got a lesson and picked up quickly and by the end of the weekend, were both going down chair 3 with dad. At first Nathan was a kamikaze, but with time he learned that it was actually a lot easier to snowboard "under control." Tyler did well and was able to ride the chair life ( even chair 3 ) by himself. He loved going on it by himself. Ryan and I were "lodge people" and had a goog time, eating treats and drinking hot cocoa. I just realized that ALL my pictures are blurry from the camera that I used. I am so bummed, but atleast you can see them a little.

I was amazed that they both did so well. Way to go Tyler and Nathan!!

Winter 2009

When we moved, it was probably the worst timing ever with snow storms, but we caught the one window between storms and made over the passes from Missoula to Spokane. When we arrived Billy told the boys that " we took a wrong turn and ended up in Alaska." Tyler and Nathan totally beleive him for a few minutes, because you could not see anything. Everything was buried in snow.

How life changes!

Well since the last time that I posted - our life has changed DRASTICALLY. We have moved from Missoula back to Spokane, so that Billy could attend EWU and finish out his BA degree in Business. I have been holding off of adding new posts, because I wanted to have all my posts in order. Well, I have decided that if I am ever going to get back on track I figure that I have to start with life now. So I am hoping that in the near future I will have an update blog :) So watch for more to come.

"I just could not breathe!"

Tyler was quite a little dare devil this year at Silverwood - all he could talk about was wanting to ride the Panic Plunge. The pictures are great of his face right after the "drop". I asked him if he was scared and he said, "No - I just could not breathe!" I am proud of you Tyler for trying it out.

Bumper boats

SILVERWOOD

It would not be summer without our annual trip to Silverwood. It is so much fun and the boys look forward to it each year. This year both Tyler and Nathan rode the rollercoasters. Tyler did the panic plunge - which in his words, "was not scary - I just could not breathe! :) I was suprised at how much Nathan absolutely loved going on all the rollercoasters. Billy was in heaven just knowing that both Tyler and Nathan LOVE rollercoasters. We never even made it to the water park - we stayed in the amusement park the WHOLE day from open to close. It was a great day.

Missing tooth

Well, the tooth fairy is now familiar with our house. On Saturday June 21, 2008 Tyler lost his 1st tooth. It was very exciting. We were camping and glad that we did not loose it in the dirt. The tooth fairy gave him 4 quarters and a one dollar bill. He now wants to save all his teeth and give them to the tooth fairy all at once - so he can get more money at one time :)

It's official Tyler has Graduated from Kindergarten

Doesn't he look so cute!!

Tyler's last day of Kindergarten

Tyler had a fabulous year at Hellgate Elementary School. His teacher was Mrs. O'Conner and she was a perfect fit for Tyler. She helped him learn to read, do math and enjoy going to school. He made some wonderful friends in his class. Tyler alway said that Mrs. O was teaching them "1st grade stuff." He loved going to school.

Nathan's last day of school

Nathan attended preschool at 1st Luthern Church and his teacher was Mrs. Stiff. He absolutley loved going to school and especially being the "super star". That was the day that he would bring treats/snack, show and tell and be the most important "line leader."

Learning the HARD way!

Well Ryan really learned his lesson on how to properly go down stairs. His poor face took a beating at the expense of learning. We did not realize that the slider door was left open. So much for cute 1 year old pictures - they will have to be post-poned.