Cookie Time!

Is it considered Christmas if there isn't massive amounts of sugar consumed?

Bookie was Back!

I know, I know... Long time, no post! And you'll have to pardon these posts as they are being done in a flu-infused haze. I'd like to blame the flu for the lack of posts, but since I've only been sick since Tuesday night, that's probably not going to fly. I digress...

While Bookie is already gone, back to the North Pole with Santa, he was here and he kept these kids in line. While Bookie was up to some nightly hi-jinks, don't confuse me with the moms who go to outrageous lengths and mess up their homes? make cookies? leave behind elaborate messages? Who are you people? But I do have admit it was fun to have Bookie leave some cryptic messages and find a creative place for him to be found each morning!

As you can see, Bookie noticed there was a little whining around the Kearney household in the days before Christmas. Their "oh CRAP!" faces were priceless when they saw this little note... I felt bad for a second but was pretty pleased with the results!

Ryan came home one afternoon to pick something up and moved Bookie into a hidden candy bowl while the kids and I were running errands. They were SO excited when they got home!

And there was lots of bribing Bookie this year!

This was by far the cutest note that Aidan left. Look at that image of Bookie, genius I tell you!

Not only did Morgan recite her Christmas list to every passerby she could, she also wanted to make sure the big guy in red understood just how much she wanted Heely's, a skateboard and a new bike helmet. Message was received and this child now looks like a pink blur, constantly in motion. Once again, emergency room doctors, you are most welcome for our business!

I was runnninnnnggg... Here we go again!

I swore I was done. Only one marathon after having kids and then onto my next bucket list item. And then this little boy named Ben Towne got cancer and because his fight ended, his parents took it up where he left off. And they created the Ben Towne Foundation and decided to end this pain and suffering for other pediatric patients and their parents once and for all. They created Ben Towne Foundation and now it's up to the rest of us to make sure their goal is met.

Our children have had normal medical issues and we've been lucky enough to be able to find interventions (tonsils out, a stay at National Jewish, etc). It's not lost on us that these interventions are to make our children's lives better, not to save them. I constantly find myself thinking, what if my child's life was at stake with these procedures? What if these procedures were just the first steps in years long painful, tiring, wearying treatments? It's too much for an adult to comprehend. How could a child even begin to understand how they could receive such a devastating diagnosis?

Much to the chagrin of my knees, but to the happiness of my future orthopedist, I have registered for the Portland Marathon as a member of Team Ben Towne! October 7th, we'll be running mile after mile for this foundation, raising money and awareness along the way... I'm excited about this opportunity to put my legs where my heart is and be a part of the movement to change the face of pediatric cancer.

If you aren't a runner, fine... But then I'd like you to donate! If you are a runner, I expect you to join me. If you know a runner, I expect them to join me. The challenge is on people and this girl is going to be relentless... So here we go again!

Day 2 of Tonsil-lessness...

I am happy to report that after day 2 of recovery and we are doing just great around here... I think we underestimated this little guy, he's being such a trooper and we couldn't be prouder. He and I had a low key day of codeine (him, not me), lots of Polar Express and more milkshakes than I thought it was humanly possible to ingest!

Uncle Jonny and Auntie Heather sent a new Lego helicopter for the little patient. Utter bliss doesn't capture this little guys reaction to a new Lego set. Look at that little swollen happy, face! On a side note, his voice has completely changed. I keep looking over my shoulder when he calls out to me and think, "Who the heck let that kid in the house."

More thanks!!!

I recently had some additional pictures sent to me by Heather, which documented our oh so fun weekend and I just had to add them!

I love this picture. Little Max, I could stuff that kid on my carry on and take off with him, he's just too cute. Don't worry Foster's, I'm working on resisting this urge!

The Feast! Such a fun and yummy dinner, thank you Fosters!!!

Uncle Jonny and his boy. This little LOVES his daddy and will soon be able to out-throw him too...

Bogie and Dash, the hell hounds, were busy keeping the talent scouts at bay while this little show was going on! No need for child stars, they have plenty of time to get to work and make some moolah for Auntie Sarah/Mommy's retirement... I kid, I kid. But in all honesty, that little girl can SING!

Have I mentioned I am thankful for this little gal? Oh how she makes the world brighter!

Cousin time with Raechelle. We LOVE Rae, such a sweet and stunning girl. If she doesn't come to BSU, I just don't know what I'll do! Kidding, kind of... The hard sell is on sister!

Grandma time! These girls love, love spending time with grandma. There were lots of giggles coming from this corner!

At one time, these two just didn't quite know what to do with each other, but now it's all becoming clear that they are partners in crime. I smiled so big when I overheard the girls say, "Wait until mommy (me) leaves, I have a secret to tell you." Keep it up girls, I love it!

What, St. Nick? What a fun surprise at the Lodge! Check that off our Christmas to-do list. I mean, standing in line at the mall for 3 hours, my favorite sweaty place on earth, is fun and all, but to walk right up was pretty convenient.

So I guess it really is the start of the Season! Hooray!

Tonsils and Adenoids, oh my!

Most of you already know, but Aidan had his tonsils and adenoids out today! It was a big day and we were all more than a little nervous... Except for Aidan. He was beyond excited, movies all day, all the ice cream he could eat, AND he was able to wear his jammies out the house AND rumor has it daddy is picking up a new Star Wars toy as I type, what more could an almost five year old want? Needless to say, the excitement has worn off and he's wondering why his formerly beloved Dr. Beck would leave behind empty, bloody looking holes in his throat. Yes, he looked in the mirror and yes, he was ticked! His first words in recovery were, "I changed my mind, I don't like those guys after all (the doctors)."

We're extremely proud of our little guy. He handled it all like a true champ, is currently on his third medium frosty from Wendy's. No lie! And was recently found wearing my sunglasses, talking and laughing to himself (probably more the codeine than his personality). Two weeks with no activity is going to be rough at this rate... Fingers crossed the recovery continues this smoothly!

Giving Thanks!

We traveled to Washington for Thanksgiving this year! Such a fun getaway and good to see our extended family... We have a lot to be thankful for!

I am so thankful for this guy! A 2 year old snowboarding? Why, of course, if you are the world's most athletic toddler. Yes, I am biased, but still, the kid is impressive!

I'm also thankful for that guy.

And of course those two grandies. So thankful that they were there for the celebration!

Whirly pop time before the parents had a fun time out at the lodge! Who is that big girl and what has she done with my baby niece?

Whiskey guys!

See no evil, smell no evil? You never know what's going on with these two...

Striped buddies. I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of impishness going on when these two get together in the future!

Gramps writing his "thankful" list...

Not a high quality picture, but these two are just too cute. They look like they could be siblings and were found doing lots of giggling. Love!

Talent show time! It is SO much fun that the kids have cousins who are there age. They put on quite the show and watch out Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift, this girl is going to outshine you both!

And princesses of the world, watch out for this girl! Morgan and Aidan were diligent ukelele and tupperware bin drummers...

Special time with Great Grandpa Bobby Bob!