Gingerbread Houses at School

Andrew's class did their gingerbread houses, anti-climactically, after Christmas. Because of school being closed the week before Christmas break, all the classes missed out on doing their fun holiday activities. We finally got caught up the first week back to school. I helped the kids decorate their houses. You have never seen so much royal icing and candy. The kids were pretty good about not eating the candy. They had some interesting creations. It was a fun afternoon. I helped in Marin's class as well. They made gingerbread men or any other shape that they wanted. Marin chose to make a bowl out of her dough and fill it with candy. I did not get any pictures in her class since the two kindergarten classes were combined and I was too busy helping to snap photos.

Fun with the Fahsbenders

Grandma and Grandpa Fahsbender came out to Oregon for Andrew's baptism. It was a quick 5 day trip. Unfortunately we had monsoon rain, cool temperatures and the stomach flu all thrown in there for them. Luckily, they did not have any major travel mishaps and they did not get the stomach flu. Grandpa John and Tyra went out for a few runs, including one on New Year's Day that was in the pouring rain. We had fun though. Michele and Kevin got to see a movie. We went to OMSI to Mindbender's Mansion--a brain teaser exhibit. We ate out and celebrated my birthday and Eric's birthday as well as Andrew's baptism. It was a busy 5 days between everything. We sure enjoyed the visit with them and look forward to the next one.

Andrew's Baptism

Andrew was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on January 3, 2009. Kevin performed the baptism and confirmation. Both Grandpas were the witnesses and they participated in the confirmation, along with Bishop Towsey and Eric. Grandma Marilyn gave a talk on Baptism and Grandpa John gave one on the Holy Ghost. Lisa led the music while Eric played the piano. Grandma Michele gave one of the talks and Grandpa Norm gave the other one. Both the talks were very well done. They got lots of compliments. Andrew looked so handsome on his baptism day, even though he had the stomach flu the day before. We went out to Red Robin after the baptism. Andrew must have overdone it because he threw up again during the middle of the night--all over Marin's bed. He ended up missing church the first Sunday after his baptism and had to wait till the following week to be welcomed into the ward by the Bishop. We are so glad that he made the choice to be baptized. He is a sweet boy and I hope his testimony continues to grow.

Stomach Flu

So two days after Christmas, in the middle of the night, Marin came into my room to tell me she had puked all over her bed. I had her climb into my bed while I cleaned up the bedding. She fell asleep, till an hour later when she threw up all over the blanket on Kevin. In the dark, I thought it was blood so I rushed her into the bathroom to see that it was just ordinary vomit. She proceeded to be sick for the next 10 hours intermittently. The poor girl kept wanting a drink of water. I told her she would just throw it up but she didn't care. She was so thirsty. She liked the pedia pops that Kevin got but it took so long for them to freeze. Every two minutes she would ask if they were frozen yet. I highly recommend keeping some in the freezer for just these times. Marin got better and I thought the rest of us dodged a bullet. Now, a week later, Andrew is throwing up. It just breaks my heart to see my kids sick. They seem so helpless. I feel even more helpless because there's not much I can do. The joys of motherhood. On top of all of this, Andrew is supposed to be baptized tomorrow and my parents are staying with us. I am sure they don't want to get sick. Murphy's Law. I have been spraying Lysol on every surface I can find and washing my hands every time I touch anything. I just hope the rest of us don't get sick for tomorrow. I am sure he will be better by then. This stomach flu seemed to run it's course in less than 24 hours. Knock on wood.