So...what is that little speck to the left? Why, none other than a kidney stone. I had the pleasure of dealing with this issue again this weekend. Almost five years ago I went to the ER sure I had something very wrong. I couldn't stand up I was in so much pain, and I wasn't sure what was happening. This time around, I knew. The back pain, the cramps that got consistently worse, and the overwhelming urge to pee...it brought it all back. So, I procured some pain meds (I refuse to tell how...apparently it's a federal law not to give them out to those they're not prescribed to) and began peeing into a strainer. Sometime late last night, I saw what I thought was sand...turns out, those little granules were responsible for all my pain. I'm hoping I can go at least another 5 years until dealing with these annoying stones again.

Snow Fun

With all the snow we've gotten recently, it seemed like a good time to let the kids go out and burn off some energy. This was really Owen's first time, since last year he was too small to go out in the blizzards we got (I think the snow was taller than he was!)

Sledding is now one of Emily's favorite activities. We have a hill in the backyard they went down, although once the deck is on the house, the hill will be gone.

Emily's other favorite snow activity? Making snow angels! I'm not sure where she learned about this...probably school...but she just threw herself down and said, "Mommy, I'm making an angel!" Too cute.

Snow Day!

At the beginning of the week, they predicted we MIGHT get an inch or so from this storm. I'd say they were very wrong :)

Surgery update

As most who read this know, I had surgery December 27th. While I knew I'd be in some discomfort, I still had big plans to do some painting and grading over my week-long break. I guess I underestimated the "discomfort" because I got a whole lot of nothing done. However, I'm happy to report that every day I feel a bit better, I'm back to being able to lift the kids, and I expect to be 100% in a couple more days (just in time to return to work!)

Christmas Night

After a morning filled with sugar and presents and a very long nap (for all of us), we headed to mom's to continue the Christmas fun. Aunt Helaina and Uncle Ron once again got the kids some nice loud presents :) Owen got a scooter that makes all kinds of fun noises, and Emily got her very own thousand piece band! Owen enjoyed playing the triangle:

Then moved on to banging the xylophone while Emily took her turn with the triangle:
Auntie Amber stopped by for a visit. Both kids love hanging out with Amber, and she made fast friends with Emily when she gave her some books.

Owen was obviously enamored too!
Later, Dan and Amber practiced their figure skating routine on mom's floors. For anyone who hasn't experienced the terror of mom's waxed floors...be glad. They have been the site of many an accident, including some stair falls (seriously...who waxes wooden stairs???)

Christmas Morning

Santa definitely arrived at our house!

Santa's gift to the kids was a kitchen. The two of them seem obsessed with household chores, and Emily loved playing with the kitchen at the dentist's office, so Santa knew this gift would go over well. It even has a grill so Owen can cook just like Daddy!

The mountain of presents for the kids seemed neverending!

Enjoying some donuts from their Christmas stockings...the first hits of a day long sugar high that would be driving me crazy by the end of the night!

Christmas Eve

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I love Christmas time, and this year was one of the best in recent memory. Christmas Eve was almost how I remember it as a kid...lots of family, very loud, and completely fun! After church, mom, Ron, Grandma, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Art, Matthew, and Holly came over to celebrate with us.

Emily and Owen opened their presents from Aunt Sharon and Uncle Art. While Owen was the one who got the drill (and safety goggles), Emily is the one who says SAFETY FIRST! She modeled the goggles so everyone could see how stylish safety could be.

Owen and Emily both love their aunt, and Owen gave plenty of hugs!

Grandma made her traditional brisket (yum...why do we only get this once a year???).
Owen posed in his Christmas Eve outfit...he's such a handsome little man.

And Emily looked beautiful in her sparkly dress and shoes. She's practicing her "cute" pose.