December....

December is a blur, we spent 9 days in the middle of it in Rochester and all the Christmas hustle and bustle was in full swing by the time we got home. Because Christmas was on a Sunday this year, the girls school break didn't start until the 23rd, so we had 2 whole weeks to hang out and spend time together after Christmas. It was wonderful. I didn't really want to send them back to school when it was time, but off they went. 

Maggie really wanted to fill this out and take Haddie's picture...I think we probably could have added something
besides "dog toys" but that's all she wrote :)

Earning her keep!

Ugly sweater day at School!

The girl really does love everything that belongs to the dog. She crawls in the cage by herself all the time.

Reindeer Day

The day Arnie and I got home was Reindeer Day at Norfolk Iron. We had some pretty fun visitors at the office that night....

The right direction.

Arnie has continued to improve. There are very uncomfortable moments, but all in all he's headed in the right direction. Hopefully they will let him out of the hospital sometime tomorrow and we will go home on Tuesday. Arnie will need one more surgery in about 3 months, so we know we aren't saying goodbye to this place forever, right now the idea of coming back is a little overwhelming. He should feel good between now and then and our next visit should be shorter and the operation much less complicated. We are trusting that the doctor has this under control, there is a reason this department is number one in the country and we are very thankful to be here.

 

We miss the girls like crazy and know are missing us, but they're having a great time at home. We're so thankful for all the distractions they've had the last week.  I'm also really grateful for technology, the ability to FaceTime and to receive and send pictures instantly makes the distance more manageable.

 

silly silly girl!

 

All ready for their Christmas Program

 

We have great neighbors! They have been picking up our girls for school every day since we left and sending me pictures :)

 

The other day I ordered Arnie Banana Bread from the hospital cafeteria. On the tray there were 2 pieces of actual banana bread and this...
I'm not sure if they were confused by my order or trying to be funny. Either way, it made me laugh.

 

 

On Saturday Aunt Trisha and Uncle Jeff had their annual Cousins Christmas Party....as always, great fun was had by all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you look closely you'll notice they have matching wrinkles on their forehead :)

 

 

 

Dick and Betti had my mom and the girls over for dinner tonight....both of their Grandma's in one room, I bet the kids hated that :)

 

Haddie got a new tooth since we left! I guess she will have 3 front teeth for Christmas.

 

 

 

Arnie, Day 1

Arnie had surgery yesterday, at the Mayo Clinic, to repair the damage left behind from the diverticulitis attack he had last fall. The surgery lasted about 5 hours and was fairly complicated. The surgeon seems very happy with the results and is optimistic that within a few months his life will be back to normal. He has a long recovery ahead of him, he's been so strong through all of it, I'm optimistic it will go well. Today's goals are to get in a few walks and to start eating a little.

 

Please pray he continues to heal quickly so we can go home to our girls!

 

I think it's likely the only image of the last 24 hours he won't kill me for sharing is the one of his fancy socks.....

 

Thanksgiving and beyond....

One benefit of sitting in this hospital staring at Arnie is that I get caught up on lots of things I haven't been getting too.....like blogging.

 

our little elf :)

 

Uncle Deem finally got to meet Haddie.

 

 

The official Thanksgiving Stuffing Makers! Teach em' young.

 

 

 

There were so many of us for Thanksgiving we needed a big kids table.....

 

....and a little kids table.

 

 

 

Haddie did this to herself....but notice Grandpa didn't help her out :)

 

 

 

Haddie (and Wrigley) loves hanging out under the tree!

 

 

"What?"

 

Haddie's favorite babysitter brought her a false teeth teething toy :)

 

 

 

 

 I should take more pictures of the big girls....I guess you can tell which kid spends all day at home with me!

 

Our house is coming along. This was a couple of weeks ago, now the roof is all on and most of the house is closed in. I don't spend as much time up there checking on things now that it's COLD. Hopefully they'll mostly be working inside these days.