Hannah Gets Baptized!

We have some 8 year olds in the house so you know what that means...  Hannah was first on the chopping block.  Barry's parents and brother came out to help us celebrate.

 We got to spend some great relaxed time together since when we usually get together, everyone is always running around from one family event to the other...so this was a nice change.

 We spent half the morning playing marbles with the kids.

 Koen still is in his "making faces in every picture" phase.

 Michaelson family just chillin'

 Grandma reading stories to the twins....priceless  :)

 The whole gang!

 ...and don't forget the classic Daddy Daughter/I'm getting baptized pose.

Hannah was so nervous she was shaking in the nice warm water in the font.  I told her we couldn't tell.  She looked as cool and calm as can be.

 Another supporter who showed up, Uncle Reed!  We were pretty busy I didn't get nearly enough pics of everyone that I would have liked.

 Kael's funny face.

 Caught Aidan mid-blink

 The confirmation group

 Baptized and Confirmed.....check!  Here's the newest member of the church in our family!

 We later went on to an amazing luncheon put on by Terryl and Jody with great food, family and lots of fun.  We love you Hannah-Bug!

A Bad Week for Koey

Talk about a mother's worst nightmare.... the twins picked up a cough from who knows where and it progressively got worse.  There's no point in taking kids in when they first get it.  Been there, done that.  Doctor confirms, yes, they have a cough and they can only treat the symptoms which they refer you to the over-the-counter drugs you've already been using and sends you on your merry way.  *Gee, Doc, so glad I busted out $20 for that genius diagnosis* 

So after I started hearing wheezing I brought both of them in only to find out they both had fluid in their lungs.  Koen's sat levels were dangerously low and they immediately put him on oxygen and called the hospital to be admitted.  For about 15 minutes we thought we were admitting both boys, but it turned out Kael's levels were OK and he was prescribed some heavy drugs and breathing treatments to get the little bit of fluid out.

I headed home to pack a few things before heading to the hospital.  I tried to keep it together and not worry the boys because they had the look of confusion on their faces and Koen was scared and week and I couldn't keep it together.  The second I got home, just one look at Barry and his glance at our little Koen, we sat in the garage holding our little boy tight and crying, wishing any one of us could trade places with him.

We arrived at Timpanogos Hospital where they were just awesome, but that didn't help having to watch them not only put in an IV but a whole slew of tests that hurt him and made him uncomfortable.  They finally came back with what they first thought was Pneumonia, was really RSV.  I then spent the next 3 days, never leaving his side, holding him especially tight overnight just giving all the positive energy I could muster, hoping it would help his little body heal.  He was such a trooper.  A little shy with the nurses, but loved all the 1-on-1, undivided attention with mom. :) On day 3 we decided it was safe enough to bring Kael to see him since this was the first time they had ever been apart.

Kael was a little hesitant at first, having seen his brother all wired up to various machines.  But after a minute they were like 2 peas on a pod again.  As it turns out, they had a lot to catch up on. 

Since they were reunited, Koen made a quick recovery.  He was discharged within 24 hours of his big brother showing up which is faster than the doctor and nurses predicted.  I learn more and more every day how amazing twins are.  I only wish I could slow time so I absorb every minute of it a thousand times or more!

Finally at home, Koen was put on breathing treatments and heavy doses of drugs to make sure we get rid of every bit of it.  Even though it was a tough experience *more rough on me I think* Koen took it all well and in good spirits.  I am so blessed to have such amazing children!

Hannah's Birthday

Hannah is officially 8!  She went on a date with her dad and got to choose where and what they did.....surprisingly she chose to go to Panda Express.  LOL!!

While they were having a wonderful time we, back at the house, were preparing her birthday cake and presents.

I started this "tradition"  where apparently the kids decide what kind of birthday cake I will attempt to make.  Hannah chose a butterfly so.......this is what I came up with.

The boys helped me decorate, clean up and prep the birthday table and we turned off all the lights in the house and awaited the Birthday Girl's arrival.
We had so much fun hiding and waiting and she walked into a dark house with nothing but a butterfly birthday cake lit up, followed by us jumping up and screaming (really, it was loud...that's how excited we were and proud of our work)  "Happy Birthday!"

If she were a lot older there would have been some sort of heart problem following a surprise like that! I'm just saying, we did good.

We sang, she blew out her candle.....

For some reason she didn't get her one candle out the first time.....silly bug, bug.  But the second time was a success!  We all ate cake while listening to her date with dad.  After, she opened presents and the kids went to bed still affected by a great sugar high.

March Madness!

OK, so it REALLY wasn't that mad....we mostly stayed indoors and hibernated, seeing how it was freezing outside.

Kael drifted off to sleep watching a movie.  This pic cracks me up...he's such a good sleeper he can snooze in ANY pose... as evidenced by this Yoga/Kung Fu position called "Downward Facing  HI-YA!!".

One of our many things we do to pass the time indoors.  The kids LOVE to paint.  We have an art gallery in our toy room with a lovely collection of paintings that dates back to Hannah and Aidan's grand 'ol age of 2!

They are so proud once a painting of theirs makes THE WALL.  One of mine even made it!!.....so exciting.....  

January Fun!

Even though January is not the best month to go out and play, we just holed up inside for our playtime.  We now get to hang out with Jace one day a week while his parents go to school!  Hooray for school!

Crappy inversion outside?  Have no fear, there's plenty to do indoors.  Kael loves helping me clean up.

I could begin to tell you how many forts we have built, but they're sure fun to design and play in.  Plus I have LOTS of fort building experience!

Kael making a lovely face  LOL!!

Something else we had a ball doing is covering the table with a table cloth and spraying out a whole bottle of shaving cream.  The kids created interesting creatures and drew fun pictures.

Aidan created some sort of monster that was taking over his body.

....just some of our documented fun....

Aidan is 8!

The Michaelson Bunch

These little balls of energy combined make for one huge cosmic punch.  Not only do they have such bright personalities, and a bit gassy, they all make for one perfect combination.  Since day 1 they have always been best friends and Love, LOVE, LOVE!!! that they always play together and include each other.  They are nearly inseparable.  We are so blessed to have such beautiful children with so much love to give that teach us how to be better people around the clock. 

Aidan, born January 17th, 2006.  He was 2lbs 13 oz, and 17 inches long when he came into this life and had such a huge challenge ahead of him and he's been rockin' it ever since.  He just turned 8 years old!  He's in the 2nd grade, but his reading and math are on the 4th grade level.  He is a brilliant boy with quite an extensive vocabulary and loves to read and play the piano.  In fact, for now, he wants to be a professional piano player when he grows up.  He lost another molar shortly after these pictures were taken after he kept wiggling and tugging.

He is the leader of the group and makes sure that no one is left out when they play.  He has such a creative mind and a huge heart while being a goofball at the same time.  We love you Aidan!

For his birthday present, it was a toss up between a guitar, because he really wants to learn another instrument, or a remote controlled helicopter.  So we ventured to the store together to see what was out there and we found both.  He ended up choosing the helicopter since it was cheaper and felt bad about me spending a lot of money on his present.  It was a good choice either way, all the kids love the helicopter.

It's actually pretty cool and it even has ammo you can fire at things while it's flying around.

After the excitement was over, Barry gave it a whirl.

He especially loved targeting the kids and firing missiles at them.  He would fly the helicopter around the house and fire at them and they of course, loved it!