Monday, December 03, 2018

November Misc.

Mike started out the month by getting a sleep study at the sleep lab

I have no idea how he was able to fall asleep with all these things hooked up to him (he said it was really hard!)

Mike and I went with my family to see "Wait Until Dark at Hale Theater". It was very suspenseful! The actress that played Susy did a phenomenal job!

Nora hanging out with the orange pets

Cute little Oliver is so photogenic


For Pack Meeting this month, the cub scouts had a camping activity. They were split into two groups, and then had a race to see who could put up their tent in the gym the fastest



Making a "campfire cookie" for the treat


Max and Dorie love to cuddle



Oliver was fascinated by World of Warcraft, haha!


Mike's work had a special advance screening of "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald", two days before the official release date. I've been soooo excited for this movie to come out!


Last month we painted the "old office" to prepare to turn it into the new guest room/reading room. This month my bookcases from Ikea were delivered, and I got them all put together!

Max was so curious when I was sorting out all the pieces in preparation. I didn't let the cats be in the room while I was assembling the bookcases, because I didn't want them to get hurt, but they were so curious and scratching at the door. When I let them back in the bookcases were all put together and up against the wall and the cats seemed so amazed. Hehe.

We moved all of the Harry Potter stuff into the bookcases

Oliver loves this room and hangs out there a lot!

His favorite quilt

It is still a work in progress, but the Harry Potter themed guest room/reading room is coming along!

Max looking alarmed when he realized I was in the tub, AND IT WAS FULL OF WATER! Hehe

The monthly collection of sleeping cat pictures:





Dorie helping me wake up Sam for school

Oliver could use a few tips about how to hide...


Dorie's cute little wagging tail blur

We got to go to another fun movie event that our financial advisor set up, to see The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. It was also a drive for collecting donations of items for Primary Children's Hospital (that's why the kids have the bags)



 The story was very different from the original story used in the ballet. It was a visually stunning movie, with gorgeous costumes and sets.

A random find at the grocery store (we didn't buy it, a picture was enough, haha)

Max looking so earnest when asking for treats

The kids love playing Apples to Apples after Sunday dinner

We found out that the game reaches whole new levels of entertainment when V plays. Hehe!

Sam gave me quite a surprise one day by hiding in the dirty sock bin, and then popping up when I walked by!

Sunday, December 02, 2018

Jenny's Surgery

Earlier this month, I got some really bad abdominal pain that wouldn't go away. It was on the right side, so I was worried that it was my appendix. Mike took me to the ER, and after a CT scan and an ultrasound, it was determined that my appendix was fine, but my gallbladder was full of stones. Ugghhh! Surgery was scheduled for Nov. 26

Here is a more humorous look at the issue (by the Awkward Yeti)
 Here is my pre-surgery photo. The gallbladder removal went well. They were able to do it laparoscopically, so I just have 4 very small incisions. 

I was pretty dang sore the first few days after surgery. Max has been cuddling with me pretty much 24/7. He is a very loving little buddy.

Dorie has been hanging out with me sometimes as well

After a week I am feeling quite a bit better. I have my post-op check up this week, so hopefully all will look good.

Meeting Santa

We made an appointment to meet Santa at the Humane Society this year. I loved how the picture turned out!

Saturday, December 01, 2018

Beth's Birthday Tea

For Beth's special birthday outing, we went to afternoon tea at the Grand America Hotel.

We started out by ordering our tea or hot chocolate, and with a glass of strawberries and cream, and an assortment of small scones. I tried the coconut-almond hot chocolate, and it was amazing.



Karin found such a perfect birthday card for Beth - it says happy Bee Day (Beth's nickname is Bee)

Lots of "cheers" happened


I'm glad V thinks I'm funny - hehe


When they brought out our drinks, they also set a glass in the middle of the table with a flowering tea blossom in it for a centerpiece. It took a few minutes soaking in hot water to bloom, and was so pretty.

V's reaction

Next came the tea tray with all the sandwiches and other goodies!




So many yummy things to try! I thought that the cucumber sandwich kind of looked like a pokeball...

V got her own plate with special little sandwiches and cookies



Showing us her cute little bear cookie

V wanted to take some pictures too!

Kate especially loved the peppermint macarons

So fancy!


They brought out a special dessert with a candle for the birthday girl, and the harpist played "Happy Birthday"
 


 

Enjoying the beautiful decor of the hotel


We got to see some of the fun magical holiday windows. We will come back with the rest of the kids to see them all, and the giant gingerbread house.

We made a quick visit to the courtyard to see the lights and the giant Christmas tree



Our selfie in front of the tree

V and Grammy looking at one of the trees in the hotel