Are our lives ever NOT crazy?

We've had a lot going on last week! Our Chirstmas decor is up. We've had a Santa that my SIL gave us about 9 years ago. My kids love it! It has 3 different story books that when you insert, Santa will sit and read to you. Here is a picture of Elly passing on the story tradition. She will spend 1/2 hour listening to the stories over and over.

Monday, Richard refereed 4 games that night. Tues. night Rylan had scouts and Richard reffed 4 more games. Rylan also had scouts. Wednesday was a 1/2 day for the kids and Rylan had pitching practice. We are so excited to have him working with Corey Wade; a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's a great opportunity for him. Because Rylan is on the Sandlot team we get an awesome discount. He practices with 2 other boys for the time slot and it was only $8.00. Rylan also had practice later that night. His pitching was at 5:30 and practice was at 8:00 so it was too far apart that he couldn't just stay at the Sandlot, so they drove back and forth.

Thursday was a big day for Morgan!! It was the day she got her braces off! The first picture is the before picture. You can barely see her braces ...

Here she is getting her braces taken off by the assistant (or whatever they all the orthodontist assistant). She got to choose a retainer that she'll have to wear all the time for 6 months and then just at night for the rest of the time. She chose a hot pink glow in the dark retainer and had a "High School Musical" sticker inside. WOW! The ways things have changed since my time!

Morgan was so happy to get them off! They gave her a "congratulations package" and filled it with all the kinds of candy that she couldn't have with her braces on. Here is her eating her first chewy candy since 7 months ago. She requested carrots for dinner. How often does that happen?!

Thursday night was also a Court of Honor for the scouts. They were really nice and presented Richard a Leatherman as a thanks for being in charge of the 11 year old scouts for year. Hmmmm .... I don't recall getting anything for being the Webelos leader for a year and making sure that each of the boys got their Arrow of Light! (While I had a baby in the middle of it ... and dragging 4 other kids every time after school.) It's ok... no bitterness! LOL

Rylan also received his 1st Class. We are very proud of him for getting this. He really needs to work on Merit Badges if he wants to get his Eagle.

Friday Richard didn't have to work since he got called in on Weekend duty. We decided to go out for lunch. Rylan had baseball practice and got done at around 10 p.m. By then Addi is coughing uncontrolably and is really laboring with her breathing. She has a pretty weak immune system and seems to decline so fast when she gets sick. It stressed me a little with her having been on a ventilitor as a baby and having RSV. I worried that it was rapidly turning into something scary. But she didn't have a fever, so at 11:00 p.m. we went to Wal Mart and bought a vaporizer. I have no idea why I've never gotten one before, but that thing is AMAZING! Everytime she gets in a coughing fit, we turn that on, and within a bit she settles down.

Saturday we woke up to SNOW!! Rylan had a clinic at the Sandlot on the mental sport of the game. It was incredible to listen to! They are having Richard help coach until he leaves so they had a clinic at night for coaches and during the day for the kids. I got to go to the one for the kids. This guy works with MLB, NFL, and the Ultimate Fighter champions. It was so fascinating and there were so many "life" lessons as well as team lessons. I think any athlete should hear this man speak!! (I took very detailed notes, so if you're interested I can give you a more specific low-down). When I got home Richard was in the shower and Elly in the bath and I was informed by 3 other frantic kids that Elayna threw up on Richard 4 different times. Whew! I'm glad I left when I did! haha! He even tried to call the Sandlot ... too bad they didn't answer their phones during the clinic! It was a loooonnnngg night with a little one that refused to throw up in the bucket!! Richard slept on the couch. He enjoyed going to his clinic that night as well. I thought it would be the same but it was totally different.

Sunday, Rylan received his first calling in the church. He has been called to be the Deacon's President. He's pretty excited and is taking it very seriously. I'll have to go to Deseret book and see if there is any good books that will help him.

So that's about it for now! This week is full of cooking goodies to pass out!! Hope I'm not passing out the flu too!! Happy Holidays to all and hope we can all slow down to actually enjoy it!