Fall activities

This weekend Kaden and I found a bargain on pumpkins and couldn't resist buying the biggest ones they had left!  (We miss picking out pumpkins from Pappy's garden!)

Friday evening I entered my chili into our ward's annual chili cook off.  I got the award for the "Most Home style" chili.  I thoroughly enjoyed tasting all those delicious chilies!

I spent my Saturday morning at Dad's house, (more on that later).  Saturday evening Kaden was invited to a friend's Halloween birthday party.  I dropped him off before heading to the church to help chaperone the youth "Hoedown" activity.

At the Hoedown I was to oversee the eyeball toss game.  See Kassie's eyeball in the air?

Here is Kassie's attempt at branding the bull!

Although the face painting was to be a fall theme, Kassie could resist having a narwhal instead!

Ally gives Ashton a pumpkin.

Kassie gave her the spider web.

This was Ashton's first church dance.  (Our youth must be 14 before they may attend a church dance.)  Saturday was three days before Ashton's fourteenth birthday, but she was given permission from our Bishop to attend.

People are constantly confusing Kassie and Ashton for each other.  They are often told how much they look alike.  Kassie and Ashton completely disagree!  It happens so often that we just laugh about it now!

Kaden's turn

Kaden watched as each of his six older siblings got to go school shopping and enjoy a lunch out with Mom. It got harder and harder on him to watch me leave the house without him. I had to have one of the older children hold him back kicking and screaming as I pulled out of the driveway. On the first day of school, Kaden finally got his turn. He picked McDonald's so he could also play in the "fun land". All he wanted to eat was french fries. After that he was ready to play... or so he thought. As it turned out, McDonald's "fun land" wasn't so fun after all. It took a great deal of convincing on my part to get Kaden to climb through the structure, and even more convincing to get him to go down the slide. After the second time down the slide he was done, especially since I wasn't willing to climb or slide with him.
I think if Kaden would have had a friend there with him, he would have enjoyed it more. Maybe next time.

What's my real name?

The other day Kaden and I had the following conversation:

Kaden: "I don't like your nick name."

Me: "Oh. What's my nickname?"

Kaden: "Gwenda."

Me: "If Gwenda is my nick name, what's my real name?"

Kaden: "Mom!"

How Dad is feeling these days

Yesterday morning Kaden and I went to visit Dad. We hadn't been over all week because Kaden was sick. Finally by Friday I thought he was well enough to be around my dad. We took Dad his favorite pancakes, ready for the freezer, plus a few other food items. Dad wasn't feeling too good... no energy, fatigued, feels like doing nothing, etc. We just sat around while Kaden watched some cartoons and Dad and I dozed in and out. I wish there was more I could do for him when he feels like this. I just got off the phone with him a few minutes ago and today wasn't any better. He can't read, his eyes are too bad from the chemo, doesn't feel up to being on the computer, can't go outside because it's wet and muddy, can't listen to music because the stereo doesn't work, no good programs on television, etc. He thinks he may be dehydrated again and that's why he's feeling so bad. He goes to the cancer center Monday morning for more chemo. He'll talk to the doctor then about how he's feeling. Sure hope there's a solution. This was Kaden earlier in the week! Poor boy! Although he is much better now, he woke this morning at 3 am crying from ear pain! He wouldn't allow me to give him ear drops. After 30 minutes of trying to sooth him and convince him that the ear drops would help, I woke Dale for his help. For whatever reason, he allowed Dale to give him the ear drops! Soon he was back asleep. I thought for sure I would have to call the doctor this morning to treat what I thought would be double ear infections, but he was fine when he got up! He's probably waiting until 3 in the morning again to start feeling bad, although I hope not!

Kaden turns 4

Kaden turned four on February 3rd. We celebrated at home with pizza, cake and ice cream.

After the meal Kaden opened his gifts and had hugs for the gift-givers.

Kaden is still a big fan of Bob the Builder!

Our biggest laugh of the night came when Kaden opened his gift from Avery. Having nothing else to give Kaden, Avery decided just to give him money. When Kaden opened his gift and pulled out a $5.00 bill, we weren't sure who was more surprised, Kaden or Avery! He had intended to only give $1.00, but in his hurry to get it ready, wrapped a $5.00 bill instead! The look on Avery's face was priceless! He quickly grabbed the $5 saying, "Wait! I didn't mean to do that!" He ran back to his room and re-wrapped a $1.00 bill instead!

Our family LOVES Cheez-It crackers, myself included! When I saw Toy Story Cheez-Its, I had to get a box for Kaden, who is also a big Toy Story fan.

I found this Toy Story hot chocolate gift set clearanced from Christmas that I knew Kaden would love! Brady gave me the money for it so he would have a gift to give Kaden.

At age four Kaden enjoys watching movies, playing computer games, practicing his mandolin, playing with toy cars, trucks and tractors, and playing with his favorite stuffed cats and dog. He loves to eat chicken nuggets, pizza, cheese and peanut butter Fluff sandwiches. His favorite candy is Reese Peanut Butter cups. When he grows up he wants to be a monster truck driver!

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby boy!

My Little Shoveler

We had a smaller snow fall in January. Kaden asked to go outside, so I got him suited up. Next thing I know he's at the front door shoveling the steps and sidewalk without being told!

Pictures from Kaden's birthday

Kaden couldn't decide between hot dogs and pizza for his birthday meal, so we had both!

Brady had a hard time lighting the number three candle since it had already been used for numerous other birthdays, so we put three small candles into the cake as well. Of course, he then got it to light!

Kaden hid his face while we sang "Happy Birthday" to him!

When I asked Kaden what kind of cake he wanted, he simply answered "Blue." Great! The perfect excuse to make a jello refrigerator cake using blue jello!

Soap in the shape of trucks! How fun is that?

Goodies from Ashton.

A gift bag from Kenzie.

Kaden received Geo Trax pieces from Nana and Pappy and Geo Air from Mommy and Daddy.

My mother improved overnight. She is still very sick, and not out of the woods, but doing better than yesterday. I appreciate all of your prayers on her behalf. I will be visiting her this afternoon as soon as the older children get home from school. This time I won't be taking Kaden with me!