Catching you up on January!

So, I've been neglectful.  My father made that observation to me on the phone the other day when he said, "So I looked at your blog and saw Christmas. Why can't I see any of the newer posts?"  To which I had to shamefully reply, "Because there aren't any newer posts."

That brings us here!  A New POST! It shall include:

The Petty Brian Head trip
Ashton's Birthday
Shane's Back Surgery
 and
A few antidotes I wish to jot down.

Brian Head Trip:
Soon after returning to St. George from Lander and Christmastime we decided to have a snow day in Brian Head.  We loaded my skis, the sleds and winter weather gear.  We traveled up the mountain after a brief visit with Grandpa Petty and some lunch.  The boys got to sledding, and I got to skiing - we soon found that Ashton was too tired and cranky to enjoy winter sports.  We put him in the car and he PROMPTLY fell asleep.  Shane watched snowmobiles with envy.  And we sloped down the hill again and again.  The weather was sunny, warm and we enjoyed it so very much.  However, after returning home, we found that Ashton was more than just tired, but also sick, feverish and not at all well, for several, several days.  This leads us directly to -

Ashton's Birthday!:
As it always seems to be for my small boys, Ashton was SICK on his birthday. Lethargic, whiny, and not having too much fun on his birthday.

We still enjoyed a smallish party with the VERY treats he requested: Cupcakes, Juice, Snacks and games.  We played the fun ball toss game, ate dinner, opened presents and then enjoyed much time with his birthday blocks.

He ADORES his new Batman outfit - pretty sure that was the highlight gift, that and his new cars from NQ. The next day he went to the Doctor and and we picked him up some Antibiotics for his poor little sickly self.

Antidote: We had FHE one night, and as I called the meeting to order, Ashton ran to his room, presumably to play and get away from the organized family unit.  Shane was about ready for collection duty, when in a joyful scurry Ashton dashes to the living room with his newly acquired "I Am a Child Of  God" coloring page from Nursery.  Shane and I were both stunned and so incredibly pleased that Ashton was not only going to tolerate FHE, but he was going to actively contribute!!! So we read his coloring page, and sang "I am a Child of God" much to the satisfaction our our smallest family member.

Potty Training has begun! Some days are good, and other days are not so good. Nathan is our best PT advocate. He encourages Ashton and runs to help at any moment!

Shane's Back Surgery:

On into January, Shane is FINALLY scheduled for surgery.  After some thought, research, a blessing, and a visit with Uncle Ed, Shane's final Pre-surgery jitters are slightly relieved. 

In the days before we celebrated nicer weather at the park...

Then surgery morning comes - the surgery goes well and with the help of family and friends we have kids placed, meals brought in, totally awesome treats provided, and needs taken care of. 

Nathan was so very concerned and protective of his injured father.  He crawled into bed and snuggled ever so gently with his dad.  Shane being, well, Shane was determined to get up and walk as soon as possible and made several journey's around the corridors as he tried out his newly refashioned back.  The herniation was removed, bones drilled and stitches placed.  He was fitted with a handy back brace and sent home with some prescriptions.  Ashton was not so excited about the hospital or his father's condition, but warmed up to at least trying out the bed once on the second day.

On Sunday the Ed, Mindy and Summer Shepherd family brought us lunch and company for a healing Shane.  It was so nice to have them and they were AWESOME.  They not only brought dinner (chicken and cheese enchiladas) but they brought plates, table service, cups, napkins, dessert and EVERYTHING for an easy lunch!  They even left us leftovers!  And I have to say that the pumpkin cake was so amazingly delicious, I happened to eat most of it in 24 hours. 

Antidote: Nathan LOVES having a drop or two of Tabasco on his taco's, hamburger and other food items now.  He will even request it for certain dishes.  We have another Hot Sauce eater on our hands.