Saying Goodbye to Grandpa Brown

Today at around 4pm my Grandpa Brown passed away.  He has been struggling with a lung disease for some time, but I guess when you live so far away you don't really believe that it's happening.  

I feel pretty lucky to have had my grandpa around for so long.  He's been able to watch me grow up, get married and visit with my children.  Rebecca received her first set of scriptures from my grandpa as a gift for her baptism.  He gave her a pair that he had been using and had his name taken off and hers engraved on them.  I can't think of a more special gift.  

Chad was in Arizona last week interviewing for medical programs and was able to visit for the last time with my grandpa.  My grandpa asked Chad how he was going to die.  Chad said that he didn't really know, but explained the process his body would go through as his ability to breath deteriorated.  Little did we know then that a week and two days later he would be leaving us.  

I love my grandpa.  I love his smile.  I love his optimism.  I loved visiting with him.  He reminds me so much of my dad.  I know that he is in a better place now, but I will miss him.  I love you grandpa.  I can't wait to see you again someday.  

A Star Wars Birthday Party

After watching his sister get a crazy Harry Potter Party, Jake decided that he wanted a Star Wars Party for his 5th Birthday. (Complete with bouncy castle and General Grievous Cake)

To begin our Star Wars adventure Yoda gave the young Jedis a mission. Rebecca helped C3P0 give them instructions and the search for clues inside moon rocks began. Anakin taught them how to sense the force and R2 led them closer to their goal (after they found the glow sticks hidden in the sand). Unfortunately the dark force was close by and the young Jedis had to destroy Master Duku's Death Star in order to complete their mission. Fortunately they were able to destroy the Star and leave with candy in the end.

After all the Jedi fun, we had Cake and ice cream and the kids were able to bounce on the bouncy castle.

Thanks to some uncharacteristically warm weather, everything was outside and I didn't have to try and control 13 Five and Six year olds in our home. All said and done, Jake loved his party and we had a lot of fun as well.

Potty Training Blues

Dadadadum. . . You need to go potty 

Dadadadum. . . "No" he shouts in my face

Dadadadum. . . And then I look over

and there's pee all over the place.

I've got the blues. . .  

the potty training blues. . . 

he's way past his twos. . (he's 3 and 3 months)

and I've got the blues. 

Dadadadum. . . I really hate poop

Dadadadum. . . I think it's just nasty

Dadadadum. . . If I have to clean any more underwear 

I'm going to leave for Canastee (Is that a word)

Cuz I've got the blues. . . 

the potty training blues. . . 

he's way past his twos. . (he's 3 and 3 months)

and I've got the blues.  

So, some of us just have these cute little people with their own agendas.  How do you get mad at this cute little face.  I guess I will just have to sing the blues and get over it.  

This is definitely the Last One (But we had to do it for Karen)

Now that Chad is out exploring the world and interviewing for different programs, we have continued to get interview requests.  I really can't believe the response we have received after Chad decided to apply (Late) to internal medicine programs.  We turned down a few programs this week simply because we couldn't afford to travel to any more.  Then today we got one that we couldn't resist.  

The University of Arizona in Tuscan offered Chad an interview the day after he interviews in Scottsdale at the Mayo clinic.  I called Southwest and we were able to switch his flight without incurring a penalty (Yaaaa) and Karen has volunteered to drive Chad around.  She has been hoping we would get an interview there for months now.   So Karen, this one's for you.  

Where did you live??

In nursery today they asked the children. . . . . "Where did you live before you came to earth?" Little Hannah Heath's response. . "With the Priors."  

And One More . . . . CA Baby!!

Well hopefully, and I say that not because I want Chad to stop getting interviews but because our credit card is about to max out, this is the last one.  

Drum roll please. . . . . . . . . . . For Kim Gardner and all the rest of you praying that Chad would get an interview in CA it finally happened.  St. Mary's in Long Beach CA  (A UCLA affiliate) offered Chad an interview for their Internal Medicine program.  So off we go.  It's going to be a crazy two weeks for Chad.  He gets to visit programs in Texas, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona, California and Utah.  (Then he gets a week and a half off before heading out to Ohio).  Crazy life.  Did I mention that I get to plan a birthday party?  Jake wants a Star Wars theme and apparently mock battles to take place.  Wish me luck.  

We Did It!!!!

My goal for Chad was to get 10 interviews.  Today Chad was offered the last two that we needed to reach our goal of 10.  The first to call was Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID and the second was the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.  We are really excited about all of Chad's potential prospects.  My only prayer is that we will end up where the Lord wants us and in a program that Chad will enjoy.  Yipppeee!!!    

Christmas break comes to a close

Tuesday was our last day of Christmas Vacation so we decided to FINALLY go to Roller World and use our free passes.  Now, for Rebecca and Sara this was awesome, but for Jake and Joe, not so much.  Jake is just learning how to skate and Joe. . . well let's just say he needs a little more practice.  In hopes of entertaining the boys for a bit, I asked the owners if I could rent the bouncy castle for 30 minutes.  All in all we ended up having a good time and even ran into some friends of ours while we were there.  

Christmas Morning

I love Christmas morning. 

From the anticipation. . . . Mom and Dad making the kids wait until exactly 6:30 am before they can leave the hallway.  To the Stockings full of stuff and the yummy Christmas breakfast of cinnamon rolls and eggs.  Christmas is always sooooooo much fun.  

Twas the Night before Christmas

This year we stayed home for Christmas and then left the day after Christmas to visit family in California.  We have only had one other Christmas eve/day at home so we thought we would try and start some new traditions.  

Some traditions were more successful then others.  

Tradition #1 The Christmas Eve meal:

In Chad's family they always have chili and garlic bread (or corn bread) for Christmas eve.  We thought we would try Chili and soup in bread bowls.  Now, why I thought this was a good idea, I don't know.  We've never actually eaten soup in bread bowls before and my children are extremely resistant to new foods, but. . . . 2/3rds of our group liked it.  So I would say it's a maybe.  

Tradition #2  The Christmas Pageant with friends:

I grew up acting out the Christmas story with my family.  It's a different ball game when you throw friends in the mix.  I have to admit, this ended up being a lot of fun.  Our friends the Heath's came over and between the two families we filled all the parts.  Brad played Joseph because we ran out of boys, Halli took on the role of the angel, Becca played Mary (a webkinz filled in for baby Jesus).  Sara was a sheep while Joey and Hannah played the shepherds and last but not least were our three wise guys ( I mean MEN) played by Jake, David and Brandon.  We ended the (I don't know if spiritual is the right word) "event" by singing a few Christmas carols.

Tradition #3 Homemade Hot Chocolate with Candy Canes:

I think we were cookied out so we decided instead to make hot chocolate.  Thanks to Chad's mom, who put the recipe in our cookbook, it turned out delicious.  

Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas eve traditions.  I know that we had fun with ours.  Merry Christmas!