UPDATES!

Okay, so it's been a while since I've posted anything so here are some updates...

The Dermoid Cyst
Lindsay's recovery from her Dermoid removal (see Jan.26th) went so well. She is such a champ. I got a copy of the pictures they took in surgery and this is what they removed. It was much larger than it appeared from the outside. They got the whole thing in one piece and sent it to be biopsied. The tests came back completely free of cancerous tissue and confirmed that it was skin tissue that had formed a ball. Also that it would have continued to grow if we had not removed it. Anyway, It was such a good decision to get it out sooner than later.

Here she is now and you cannot even tell that anything was there... Umm... and I might be biased but isn't she gorgeous! Becky turned....37 years OLD in early February
Yes, I admit it, I'm only 3 years from that monumental birthday!So, for my Birthday Shane got me (well, us) a new Nikon D60 Camera. ( I say us because he loves photography too and I'm sure he will get his turn now and again.) I must also interject that he gave me this awesome gift the day our computer died and two days before the washer and dryer went on the fritz. (see post "They come in three's") So, we almost considered taking it back...but we didn't. I'm so glad as it is such a fun camera.

Update...They Come In Three's Shane fixed the washer. A piece had broken in the motor and he found the replacement part in town, in stock, for $18. So glad to be married to such a handyman. The Dryer he fixed but it still has a few issues. But it will do. The computer, well we owe a HUGE thank you to our friends Cameron and Lindsay. Cameron for his hours and hours of work fixing it and Lindsay for her patience with him away at our house fixing it. Anyway, we think he's a GENIUS! He saved all our info, pictures, etc., wiped our hardrive and reloaded everything. Shane and I realized how computer illiterate we still are. So, All worked out and we feel pretty blessed.
Emma Turned FIVE

Late in February Emma turned 5 yeard old. She will start kindergarten in the fall. We are so excited for her and she is excited too.

On her Birthday, Daddy brought her home her first bouquet of flowers which made her feel so special. She was beaming. My first attempt at creating a Barbie princess cake. It was fun. I used my Kitchenaid mixer bowl to bake the cake dress plus a single layer 9 in cake to make it long enough. Used the second single layer for the happy b-day message and candles. Emma was so excited to have her cousins, Aunt and Uncle and Nanny and Papa there to celebrate with her. She got a Fur Real puppy toy from Mom and Dad. A Barbie microphone and music belt from Uncle Mark, Aunt Carrie and cousins. A princess Artist activity set from Nanny and Papa.
A few other trinkets and clothes. All that was left was a card... what no bike? that is all I asked for... I'm sure she must have been thinking this. In the card was a note that lead her on a treasure hunt.

It lead her to the basement guest bedroom...but nothing apparently visible....
Ah, the closet...and there it was...the pink and purple princess bike with stickers and flowers. Just what she wanted. She has really enjoyed it even in the cold. She is so girly it is cute.

Happy birthday to our Lovely little Emma. She is a joy. We're so blessed to have you come to our family five years ago. She says thanks to all for the gifts. Grammie and Grampa sent her a new blanket which Grammie made for her (she loves it) and some money which she spent on a new baby doll and carrier. Thank you all.

More updates to come... Like Easter and all... But for what has been going on in March and early April See Shane's Garage... It was just updated again with more pics of the improvements on our Motorhome.

HOLY SHNIKIES! Shane's garage is updated!

They Come In Three's?

Our computer crashed and has been down off and on for about 3 weeks now and I'm still not sure it will survive. ( We have saved all of our photos so at least that is good.) The same week end that our computer died (while our friend was working on the computer for us) the washer died. It just stopped churning. While Shane was working on the washer the Dryer Died literally within a half an hour of each other! So, the out come of the computer is still in the air (functional and yet not.) Our friend has wiped the hard drive twice and reloaded everything. The washer needed a plastic piece that had snapped in the motor (So glad that Shane is such a handyman!) So he found the piece at a local appliance store for $18 in stock! Hallelujah! The washer was a quick fix thank goodness! The dryer he fixed that night, I'm not sure of it's problem...but now it seems to only dry everything on high heat. He needs to recheck that one. Okay...so they are supposed to only come in three's right? Not! Yesterday my battery in the van died in the parking lot of the post office. Now, we knew that it was having trouble holding a charge for very long and that we would have to replace it eventually, but to inch it along we had kept a self contained battery jumper pack in the trunk. I even know how to work it. BUT, Shane had taken it out to use over the weekend on something in the garage and did not return it to my car. I came out of the post office ( after dropping Brad off at school-in my pajamas, the girls in theirs too) to find the battery dead as could be. Shane to the rescue again...He took his break at work and came to jump start the van. Then we went to Autozone had the battery and alternator tested (hallelujah again just the battery as we suspected.) So, we did buy a new battery for the van. We are trying to follow the adage "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"...but there are just some things you can't do without!

Surgery

Our sweet little Lindsay was born with a lump beside her left eye. We were told it would eventually have to be removed. Well, it has grown over the last two years and is quite noticeable. We took her to an E/N/T specialist, recommended by her pediatrician, as they specialize in facial reconstructive surgery. He diagnosed it as an "ocular dermoid" meaning a cyst by the eye resembling skin tissue. By the nature of the dermoid it would grow until removed. (I pictured a large marble by the side of her eye by age 5 and a golf ball by 16...but that's just me...always the what ifs.) Anyway, Just time to have it done.
Before Surgery...Some pictures it is quite noticeable and others not so much. It just depends on the angle you are looking from and if she is smiling or not.

A couple of days before the surgery, Lindsay started to show signs of a sinus infection. The afternoon before surgery her doctor put her on a one day dosage of Zithromax just to be safe. She did not react well to the meds. By bedtime she was throwing up. ( Not what you want to see happen the day before your daughter is going to be completely sedated. ) The doctor on call told us the medication was most likely the cause. She fell asleep right after throwing up with a completely empty stomach. She had to fast after midnight, no food or liquid. She woke up at 3:30am "I want juice, mommy" and all I could give her was a binky. Poor thing. She was awake until 5am but did not continue to vomit... so, surgery on.
Surgery Day...
We had to be at the hospital to check in by 8am. Lindsay had no idea what was about to happen. She loved the special treatment, hospital gown and booties. Once she was changed we moved into the private child/parent waiting and recovery room. We then had to just wait and wait and wait. Good thing we had brought a bunch of things with us to do in her Dora Backpack. They gave her a Hop on Pop Bear to keep and she sure liked that. Finally at 9:20 it was her turn in surgery. We had to walk her to the doors of the OR and give her to the Anesthesiologist. She was so brave. We don't know what happened from there...if she cried much? That was hard for Shane and I. After a few minutes of composure we got some breakfast at the Hospital Deli. The nurses told us to bring it back to the room to eat as her surgery would most likely be short. (We were originally told an hour at the most.) So, an hour goes by and then 15 more minutes. So, naturally I was just beginning to worry. Finally, Dr. Blotter came in to tell us she was waking and to show us a picture of what he removed. It was over a centimeter in diameter...over a centimeter marble! A bit bigger than it looked from the outside. He got it all in one smooth piece and said he found no feelers so it should not grow back. They are sending it to be biopsied, standard procedure. She has three stitches, but he made the cut in her eyebrow, in a few years you won't even be able to tell.When she came in she was still quite out of it and mellow. When she noticed the IV it kinda concerned her but all she really wanted was to drink some juice. And when all was said and done with her safely in our arms all Shane and I wanted was a nap.

A Few Trips to Beaver Mt.

Beaver Mountain here we come. Season passes again this year for Shane, Brad and Emma. I think Shane has been 7 times this season, Brad 4 times, and Emma twice so far. I have even been once. So, here are a few highlights of a few of those trips...

December 26th (or was it 27th) Shane and Brad joined his friend Steve and his son Bentley. It's been too long since they have just hung out, life and such, you know. I hear they had a great time (just like old times) and by the looks of Brad on the way home he played pretty hard too. (Thanks Steve for the pics.) December 31st with Emma Back in Action

Emma was afraid her skis would fall off on the lift...So, Brad made her feel safe.

Flying like a bird and stopping like a pro. Not quite ready for the steep stuff but making progress.

Brad giving Emma thumbs up, Good Job.

January 10th "Just Me and My Dad"

Brad and Shane went up and Brad really enjoyed the sunshine. (Not so enjoyable though was the out of control snowboarder that plowed into him from behind. No picture, but it sure scared him. We're just glad no one was hurt.) January 17th ...Mom Dusts off Her Skis

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. Emma was happy to have mom come too. Uncle Mark joined us and it was fun to have him along. The snow was a little icy, which made for more snowplowing and some funny stories. First run off the bunny hill on a cat walk to the next lift Shane and Emma got their skis tangled and fell. It looked like they had been through a blender or were playing ski "Twister." No one got hurt but Emma took some coaxing to get back to ski mode.

Another run, I had gone ahead of Shane and Emma just a bit and had stopped to give Emma encouragement. Emma began to turn toward me and looked a little panicked having trouble stopping. (Again the snow was icy.) So I moved forward crossing her path to leave her room. Shane was backwards and started to ski backwards into me. I yelled "wait, stop, I'm behind you, I'm behind you," but it was all too late and I was not quick enough to clear his path completely. So, Shane plowed into me. I fell forward, my skis/legs doing complete splits (and not popping out of my skis.) Face planted, spread eagle in the snow. Shane landed on me on his back and Emma on top of him. So, dog pile on the icy snow and all I could do in the predicament I was in was laugh! Shane had to snap me out of my skis so I could get up. It must have been hilarious to watch! BUT the fall was murder on my knees. I had a hard time after that with my knees hurting. Emma is learning to turn. I think she'll do even better when she agrees to take the pink ski tip clamps off so that her skis can move freely. She and I took a little break in the lodge after lunch. She was ready to leave. We had a little mother daughter bonding time. Then she was rejuvinated and ready to go some more. At the end of the day she was upset with Shane for taking a final run without her. We are so glad Brad loves to ski. I think he was just a bit more cautious this day after the experience last trip being plowed into. He is really doing well and Shane could not be more happy to share his favorite sport with his family.Brad was so good to me. I think he was worried about my safety toward the end of the day. He said, "I think I will follow you, your path seem safe." Mind you at that point I was making small slow turns at the pace of a snail so as not to blow my knees out. I think Bradley just wanted to make sure I was safe, even though he could have gone ahead. What a good son. Even with the mishaps it was a great day. It was so warm and beautiful. Oh, one final thing... wow am I out of shape! (I think I need some time on the eliptial trainer before I can go back.)

New Years Tradition...in the making

The last few years for New Years the Utah Wirthlin siblings that can make it have gotten together. We go out for dinner New Years Eve and after gather for visiting, games, movies, snacks or whatnot and watch the ball drop at midnight. Then on New Years Day we gather at lunchtime and each family brings a soup to share. We ended up sledding sometime after our soup lunch last year. This year we celebrated in Cache Valley and the sledding was a natural fit. The Ball's, Wirthlin's (Mark and family that is) and Leavitt's carried on the New Years traditions this year. Even uncle Brad and aunt Emily's little baby Garrett was bundled and brought with us to the hill. So, here's to fun traditions in the making...New Years 2009!Emma LOVES the snow! Ryan and Miles brought a snowboard and had a blast. Em and Parker Got to tear it up. Everyone was having a great time. Although our 2 year olds all needed a little coaxing to enjoy the sleds. But once we got them started it took the wind and some frigid weather to get them off the hill.

Brad, Becky, Emma, and Parker ready to slide.

Becky, Lindsay, and Emma ready to go. Lindsay liked the sledding, but she doesn't like being cold. Although not pictured the men folk had their share of sled runs too.

Cache Valley sunsets. So beautiful against the Wellsville mountains.

Christmas 2008

Trim Up The Tree...
Emma's helping Shane pull the wrapping off of the tree. Always a real tree at our House. We picked this one up from Home Depot this year on Dec. 5th, a nice and green Noble fir.

Bradley helping me with the ornaments.

Christmas Eve Dinner...

Our traditional Hovik family Christmas eve dinner...ribs, rolls, potatoes, corn and Martinelli's cider. This year a twist, ribs-BBQ baby backs instead of just baked spareribs, rolls-Nanny's famous Orange Rolls, and corn- creamed Corn Gulliver. Mmmm Yumm. So good we didn't get a picture until after the meal.

Christmas Morning...

Looks like Santa came. Brad in front of his loot.

Emma finally has a prince for all of her princess barbies.

Santa Came through. Emma wanted a Barbie computer and a Island Princess Rosella doll that sings when you push her necklace. That big guy is amazing.

Lindsay got a princess Aurora purse and all the play things to go in it.

Maisy is wondering if there is anything for her...bummer, nothing but a bunch of paper. Brad is playing with his Newtons Cradle and in the background is Bradley's main gift, Rock Band...So fun for the whole family.

Lindsay got a radio flyer 3 wheel scooter just her size.

Shane got a Milwalkee Sawsall, a propane heater for the garage and a new set of screwdrivers. Among my gifts were the design studio, jukebox and another cartridge for my cricut expression machine (I got last year for my birthday.) So much fun!

A Very Merry Christmas...

The gifts go on from relatives near and far. They are all enjoyed and loved. We thank you all. We have been blessed so much this Holiday Season and have been so grateful to celebrate our Savior's birth in the comfort and warmth of our home. We are grateful to Our Savior for His love and sacrifice for us that the plan of our Heavenly Father, the plan of Happiness, could go forth. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Sunday After Christmas we took a family picture in front of the tree before it was time to take the tree down. It was a good tree, it would have lasted another couple of weeks probably.