Sickness, sickness, sickness

This what our house looked like for pretty much the entire week. That high fever that Avery had at the start of her birthday weekend ended up lasting 6 days and Devin joined her topping out at 104.1 Sunday night. Justin stayed home Monday because he wasn't feeling good and had white dots in the back of his throat, so I just figured keep 'em all home. Justin's didn't develop into anything and went back to school on Tuesday, but I had Avery and Devin home all week. Avery went back Thursday, but not Devin. And now it's a 4 day weekend. Everyone is well and ready to get out for some fresh air, but it's supposed to rain most of the time. What timing. Well, at least everyone is feeling good and we are ready to start the new school week healthy and happy. I love the picture of Avery with our cat, Jagger. He just loves the kids and is so tuned into them when they aren't feeling well. He's the best cat. I just love him!

Avery's 8th birthday

This year was the year for Avery to have a friends party. She chose to invite just a few girlfriends and have her party at Mulligan's Family Fun Center. But it wouldn't truly be Avery's birthday if she didn't get sick. Seriously, the poor girl gets sick on her birthday every year. I really need to remember this for future planning. She came home from school on Friday with a fever of 103.0. So typical of her and we're so used to it, but yikes! Now what? I didn't have the phone numbers for a couple of the girls to cancel it, plus the party was paid for. So, I did what any horrible mother would do - rationalized that she got it from her class (which, I do know is true, but do realize it was rationalizing), so the girls were already exposed, warned Tandy (who said no problem), drugged her up and made the best of it. She started the day with 103.0, but after the meds it went down to about 100. One of her friends that she invited is the daughter of the principle at her school (so, for those of you that know Shelly, mums the word, okay?), so we were hush hush about her being sick. Aren't I terrible?! Anyway, she ended up having a great time upstairs in the party room where they enjoyed pizza, soda and cake and then went downstairs with their tokens to enjoy the arcade. Fun time for them! And hopefully no one got more exposed then they already had been.

Love these pictures of Devin playing with Kirk and how proud he is when he scores!

Avery and Lexi - her 3rd cousin, twice removed, down the road, around the block...oh, I just can never remember what generation cousins they are, but aren't they cute?

Happy birthday, Avery. You are growing up so fast...too fast! Can't believe you're the magic age of 8 and will soon be baptized! Hope your day was fun even though you were sick. We love you!

Early birthday present

Avery got a big surprise when she got home from school yesterday - a brand new bike for her birthday a little early. She was beyond thrilled! Can't believe she's going to be 8 in just a little over a week.

Camping Santee Lakes

This past weekend we took the trailer out for the first trip of 2011. We headed down to Santee Lakes in San Diego to give it another try. Last time we went there was during Thanksgiving break and it rained the entire time, so we wanted to see what it was really like. We had a great time doing all our usual things. This time we took the kids friend from next door, Hunter. They all had a really good time together and it was just a fun time in a nutshell. Here are some photos I took.