Halloween in Iraq

Curtis had some Halloween fun, even in Iraq.

Halloween 2009

So our Halloween festivities started off on Friday night at my brother's house where we shared some yummy food and had 4 different movies going. That's right, 4 movies all in different rooms. There was "Charade", "The Village", "Harry Potter", and "A Heffalump Halloween" (I think). We brought the Halloween decorated brownies and everything was very yummy. We had plenty of family there, even a couple of cousins from my mom's side of the family came. It was great!

Then on Saturday we had our ward trunk or treat at the church in the afternoon. They had a potato bar first and then went outside for the trunk or treat. By the time we went outside it started to rain. So it didn't take long for all of us to quickly make our rounds and head back inside for awhile. They were pretty much finished by then and so we headed over to my in-laws to show our costumes. I felt bad for not seeing them last year so I made sure we made it over there this time. Unfortunately my father in law was not feeling well. It was nice though to have my mother in law take some pictures of all of us in our costumes. I might not have been in a picture otherwise. Anyway, after hanging out there for awhile and getting some goodies we drove back home, stopping by Jack in the Box on the way. After eating dinner we raced over to my sister's house where her kids were anxiously wanting to start trick or treating. I barely had time to set my bags down inside and slip my costume back on before we were off. After the first few houses we discovered that Garrett was going to have a hard time keeping up. So my brother in law took Jack back to the house so Garrett could get a ride in the stroller. I didn't keep my costume on very long though because it kept getting in the way. So I took it off and traded for my jacket. I'm glad we had the stroller to carry things.

The kids had lots of fun and got a ton of candy. I think they had a good Halloween but next year it will be so much better when Daddy is here to enjoy it with us.

NICU Grad Party

Last night was the annual NICU grad party and the kids had a lot of fun again this year. It was very busy and a little crazy at times but it turned out to be a good time.


This is the photo they took at the party. I had to scan it into the computer. I can't believe how good Nikki and Garrett are smiling. And all 3 of them were looking at the camera! I love this picture!

Yay, they get to color on the wall! Okay, not really...just the paper that was taped to the wall :)

Time for some fishing!

Our little ghost had a ghost painted on her face.

Jack having lots of fun sucking on whatever he can find. And he loves that his grandma is holding him.

They decorated their own cookies and Nikki is loving hers, except you can't tell by the look on her face in this picture.

Everybody loves a slinky! Garrett had fun decorating the cookie but he didn't want it so Gma Laverne and Mommy shared it.


So we came home with a few little toys, candy, a bike helmet & t-shirt for Garrett, and a first aid kit. That's right, they had a raffle and I was the first winner of the night and won a first aid kit. I think it will go great in one of our 72 hr kits at least. I was happy to win something but a little disappointed that I didn't win something better like Roaring Springs passes, Anniversary Inn, Scentsy products, train ride, etc. etc. But at least I won something.

Hospitals and Airports

At the Hospital
Yesterday was a long day for us. After waking up every hour and not getting much of any sleep I had to wake up at 5 am to get over to the hospital by 7am for Garrett to have his cath procedure done prior to his surgery. They had to go in through two different areas to get to his heart and lungs to take measurements of pressures and flows of the blood so they will have a better idea of what they need to do with his final surgery. They went in on his neck and his groin.

They gave him his mask to play with before they started anything. He put stickers all over it and then he chose a strawberry scented chapstick to rub on the inside so it would smell good.

He loved the smell so much he wanted everyone to smell it. He let the nurses, doctors, Jack, and me all have multiple turns putting the mask to our faces to smell it. Well, he's actually the one that put it up to everyone's faces. They also gave him medicine that helped relax him so he wouldn't care what was going on. He was so funny when they were wheeling him up to the ICU. He was just laughing and then starting to fall around. Acting a little loopy and drunklike. It was so funny to watch.

And this is him in recovery after they were finished.

Here's where they went in on his neck.

After having 3 popsicles it was finally time for some real food! Chicken tenders, Macaroni and Cheese, lemonade, and a chocolate chip cookie. He devoured most of it and I had a few bites.
I guess you could say we're getting a little preview and practice before the big surgery.


At the Airport
Sunday morning we went to church for about 40 min or so and then it was off to the airport to say goodbye to my dad who was flying down to Houston and eventually Iraq. I had to go home and change because the boots I were wearing were killing my feet. So I traded for some more comfortable shoes and jeans.

Jack with Grandpa and Grandma. Jack will be a bit different the next time Grandpa gets to hold him. Good luck Dad!