Hannah graduated

Last night Hannah had a wonderful preschool graduation.  She has been attending Miss Angela's Little Learners Preschool since September 2010 and has completed all of the necessary requirements to have graduated!! :)  We are so very proud of her!  LOVE YOU BANANA! Now we look forward to kindergarten and elementary school.

We've been back!

So we've been back from Sonora for a while now.  I don't know why it has taken me so long to post.  No excuses, just didn't feel like it.  The guilt has set in now though and I know I should be keeping my blog up to date.  So, Cali was a blast.  Wearing my achilles healing boot has been a lifesaver.  I couldn't have imagined many more days on crutches.  I was about to go insane being so dependent on others to help me with my responsibilities.  I had had enough of it.  I will forever know and have an appreciation for mothers of small children who are forced to used crutches because of an injury.  I luckily had a very supportive family to lean on and so my situation wasn't too bad (it was still very frustrating at times though).

The kids and I (and eventually Jay) really enjoyed the weather.  Grandpa Kent and Grandma Lois have a little wading pool that we used a handful of times during our visit (which meant that the weather was mostly sublime while we were there).  We enjoyed spending Easter with our family.  The kids participated in 4 easter egg hunts: 1) Sonora Public Library, 2) with the Day family,  3) at the Sonora United Methodist Church and 4) at the Hursky house.  They were all very fun!  We still have candy left over from these events.

 Aside from Easter we were able to visit my Hursky Grandparents (on my dad's side) in Merced, we celebrated Ronnie's 13th Birthday, we attended the Mother Lode Round-up Parade (always a good time), we had a big family and friend gathering at the Tipton property with all of our good friends from Turlock and spent a lot of quality time with both the Tipton and Hursky families.  It was a very cherished time that we had.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

Since coming back to Utah, we have kept our selves pretty busy.  Hannah and Isaac have been able to join in on the end of their soccer seasons (first time ever playing for both of them) and are having an amazing time learning something new and meeting new friends.  I am so proud of both of them.

Hannah has joined back in with her preschool (Ms. Angela's preschool which she LOVES and will graduate from soon).  Isaac turned 4.  I can hardly believe it. We had a simple, low-key party with a few of his friends and it was a good time.

The weather is still very unspring-like here, have had snow and tons of rain since returning.  There is a T-storm abrewing as we speak.  Ah well, I know summer will be here soon, so I don't mind the rain every now and again.  We've just been loving life and enjoying each other as much as we can.  Jay is hitting the books hard everyday (as he should be) but enjoying all that he is learning and grateful for this opportunity (we all are).  Life is wonderful. So that's what we've been up to. Hope I didn't forget anything . . .

EXCITEMENT!

There is some excitement in the air for me today.  Later I have my first follow-up appointment with Dr. Morgan (my ortho-surgeon), get my stitches removed and receive my partial-weight bearing boot (Hot Momma!!).  Progress is happening and I am super excited!

Also on the agenda is PACKING!  We depart for Cali tomorrow morning and so there is lots to do to prepare for my month long trip to Sonora.  I know my MIL Lois is probably really looking forward to getting home, sleeping in her own bed, organizing the life she has been away from for the last few weeks and taking care of her lonely hubby.  I am excited for her too!  This trip is a bittersweet one though, especially because the kids and I will be leaving Jay behind to finish up his semester. :(  Not looking forward to being away from my love for so long but I also don't want him to be worrying about how to take care of me and the kids while trying to concentrate on finals.  It's for the best and we will reunite at the end of the month when he drives down (gives me something to look forward to).  So life is wonderful and full of excitement in the Tipton household!  Ready to soak up some sun . . . I have been missing it in my life.

Happy Spring!

So the last couple of days, it hasn't bothered me at all that I'm cast-ridden and having to spend my extra time elevating the gimp.  I am not jealous of all the ambulating people out there able to go outside for some fresh air.  This is the reason:

Spring in Utah.  I've never experienced this before.  It has been snowing (literally non-stop) for the last 36 hours, and we hear there is more to come.  Everyone keeps saying "this is very unusual weather for this time of year!" REALLY?? Has everyone maybe just forgotten about last year? Who in their right mind would want to go out in this weather.  As long as I am laid up I don't mind all of this nastiness but I want my children to be able to run and play outside.  I might be getting a little cabin fever if the sky were blue, the birds were chirping, and the temperature gauge actually broke 40 . . . but since I can't do much of anything now anyhow . . . let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Hey I feel like putting some Christmas music on and snuggling up with a mug of hot cocoa.  Happy Spring everyone!!

OUCH!!

So it's been a while since I have posted and this is why:  A ruptured achilles tendon . . . OUCH!!
This is what happened.  Thursday March 24, 2011 my "Block Party" volleyball teammates and I were gearing up for our championship game (at South Davis Rec Center).  We were only a few minutes into our our first game when POP, I stepped back on my left foot getting ready to spring forward and smack the life out of the volleyball, when I heard that sound . . . POP.  It was like a tire blew out.  I collapsed to the ground with a sharp pain in the back of my heal.  I couldn't even stand up, so I crawled off the court.  When I called my husband a few minutes later, I knew that I had ruptured my achilles tendon.  It was pretty obvious and pretty uncomfortable.  Later that night, once we got the kiddos into bed and auntie Dusti came by to stay with them, Jay and I were off to the hospital to confirm our diagnosis.  We were right.  Within an hour and a half, we were seen, casted, received a crutch tutorial and were even able to pick up my prescription.  Oh what a night!

A few days later Jay's mom Lois came to stay with us to help take care of the kids and help out with all of the housework.  She is amazing!  The woman never stops!  Let me just say I could get used to this!  She has been heaven sent . . . taking the kids on outings, cooking meals, vacuuming, waking up early with the kids (and letting me sleep in), mopping floors, sanitizing bathrooms, grocery shopping and so much more.  We are soooooooooo incredibly blessed to have her here.  I didn't have to worry about Hannah and Isaac when I went to my pre-op appointment and when I had my surgery (March 30th).  She has been here almost two weeks now and I just hope she isn't completely sick of us by now.  Don't worry Lois, there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

 I am going to my follow-up appt on April 12th and am looking forward to getting a partial-weight bearing boot!  YES!  Then on April 13th, the kids and I will fly out with Lois to Cali to receive some more TLC until I can be more mobile (we will sure miss you Jay as you stay here and finish off your semester :( !!!!).  It sure has been a crazy, unexpected two weeks but we feel so blessed to have the support of family and friends to get us through (flowers from my visiting teacher and a goody bag from my volleyball team, and countless play dates [and offers] for the kids).  I'll keep you posted!

A Wonderful Birthday!

Aren't birthdays super fun as a kid.  I felt like we celebrated for a full week . . . wait, we did!  And Hannah is sooooooo worth it!

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah!  We're off to a fun-filled birthday breakfast with Daddy (Mommy and Isaac came too).

Wait a second, Isaac got a present too?  What a lucky little man.

Next stop, Gateway Discovery Museum in Salt Lake City.

Hannah and Isaac love dressing up!  The museum is such a fun place to play and explore!  It is one of our favorite places to go to.

Next stop, Hannah's Birthday dinner!  Visited Tepanyaki in Salt Lake City for the first time.  It was a blast!  The chef cooks the yummy food right there in front of you . . .  ooh, fire.

They were using chopsticks for the first time (well, kid-friendly chopsticks).  Hannah is so lucky to share her birthday with her uncle Erik.  They each received a special birthday ice cream.

Isaac got a special ice cream too!  It is hard work celebrating Hannah's birthday!

The next day we celebrated Hannah's 5th birthday at her preschool.  Mommy and Isaac brought cupcakes for her class!

Her sweet teacher, Ms. Angela, made her a crown and certificate and gave her a little stuffed bear.  So sweet!

Finally, we celebrated with all of her friends at the The Wild Child in Centerville, UT.  This was a great place to have her party.  I didn't have to cook or clean or entertain.  I paid to have someone else do it!  What a relaxing night it was and most importantly a super fun and special night for Hannah!

Whew!  We were all very exhausted after partying for three days straight.  We are so thrilled to have Hannah in our family and love her sweet, kind nature.  She is the best daughter (and sister) that anyone could ask for.  It was a very special birthday because Hannah is a very special girl and she deserves it!  We (Daddy, Mommy & Isaac) love her sooooo very much.  

Happy 5th Birthday Hannah Bear!

Hannah is 5 . . . Already?!

I can't believe that 5 years ago tonight I was laboring in the hospital eagerly awaiting your arrival.  You were a little stinker at the end of that pregnancy and it took all your Mommy had to get you here, but you finally arrived and you were PERFECT!!  As soon as Daddy and I saw your sweet little face for the first time, we were IN LOVE.  We had no idea what life was going to be like with a baby but we were ready for the adventure and you sure kept us on our toes!

  

Your daddy and I were so excited to bring you home and get to know you better.

You didn't have any trouble learning how to eat . . . in fact, the only problem we had was getting you to stop eating!
Hey, but you were hungry because you were busy playing and growing!

As soon as you were getting around on your own, you were curious, adventurous and independent.
You got into EVERYTHING!  We love your spunk!

You were such an active little girl and we were thrilled to find out that soon you would have a little brother to play with.  We knew you would be an amazing big sister!

Look at you!  Such a big girl . . . learning how to dress yourself.   So stylish!  Love the bloomers as outerwear!  :)

You were so excited when your brother was finally here because now you had the best playmate in the world!  And you know what, daddy and I were right, you were the most amazing big sister!

The two of you have had the best time together.  What a blessing to have a little brother!

You are a great friend.

You love to play with all of your cousins.  You are so lucky to have so many.
They can't help but love your sweet smile (and you know what, Daddy and I do too). 

We cannot believe that we have been blessed with such a special little girl in our home.  We have enjoyed every single second that we have spent with you and we can't wait for many, many more years together.  Watching you learn and grow, and getting to know you has been an absolute pleasure.
We love you more that words can express Hannah Bear.  Happy 5th Birthday!  
Love,
Mommy, Daddy and Isaac