More fun in Idaho at Grandma's house!!

Having fun in Utah!!

We arrived in Utah last night around 10 pm. The babies had a HORRIBLE night, not falling asleep, literally screaming themselves to sleep after 1 am. Presley woke up several times during the night crying and then going back to sleep. But today they have a had a great day. They are having a BLAST with their cousins!!

Presley and Jacob having a great time!!

Beautiful Sophie

Cute Jacob!

Kendall, Carson, and Sophie playing dressup. Isn't Carson an adorable Tinker Bell!!

Time for Bed!!

Successful surgery!

I forgot to post that Presley's surgery went well. Except as soon as we got into the Surgery Center, she started screaming!! Remember the dislocated elbow just 2 weeks ago, well she definitely remembered and didn't want anything to do with being there. I had to take her outside until they called her in. Then they couldn't get her oxygen level because she was screaming so much. Poor little girl, they didn't even give her anything to relax her. They just came and scooped her up and took her screaming back to the OR!! The only good thing is that they decided to do her surgery first because she was so unhappy! We were there at about 6:55 am and were on our way out the door at 8:30!! She has some swelling, but other than that is fine!! Thanks so much for all the prayers and good thoughts!!

Monday is Presley's surgery.

Many of you don't know that tomorrow Presley is having surgery. She is getting her tongue clipped and it should only take about 10 minutes. But because of her age she has to be sedated. Her surgery is scheduled for 7:45 and we have to be there at 6:45! I'm glad it's early because she can't have anything to eat or drink in the morning. I hope they give her happy meds soon after she gets there because Presley will NOT be happy that she hasn't been fed!! She will only have a couple of stitches and the doc said she will be able to eat and drink with no special diet after her surgery. I am assuming she will be released soon after her surgery. I will let you all know how she is doing when we get home.

Another picture attempt

I had the kids at the park and tried once again to get a picture. Still no luck!! I will keep trying!!

Family in China needs LOTS of prayers!!

I just found out about this family this morning. They discovered that their daughter had a more serious condition than they expected and have decided to not bring her home. We have been there, we know what that feels like. We were blessed with Presley 3 days after Lexi, but it looks like they might be returning home without their daughter. Their blog is at http://lydiahope.blogspot.com/.

Christmas Cards

I LOVE sending out Christmas cards. Since we have brought Presley home, I have imagined what our Christmas card would look like. The kids would be wearing coordinating clothes, the picture would be taken with beautiful scenery in the background, and our kids would be happy and SMILING!! Fast forward to today. I realize that I have to take a Christmas picture NOW. We don't have the finances right now to buy them fancy outfits and after going through their closets I realize that they have nothing that matches. I am by myself and have to take a picture with 4 small children so the picture can only be done at our house. Landon and Presley want to run off, so I have to put them on something that they can't get off of, thus the window sill that has a horrible reflection. And the smiles......well, this is the best I got!!

So I decide to do individual shots and they turn out much better. Except Presley, we will have to do hers again. So, maybe next year we can have that perfect picture. But for right now LIFE is perfect. I have an incredible husband and 4 beautiful children. It doesn't get much more perfect than that!!!

Veteran's Day Eve

What do the Ries kids do when they don't have to go to school the next morning?? They stay up past their bedtime and PARTY!!

Kendall's in the top 3!!

Kendall's class is holding an election for "Teacher of the Day." Yesterday was the first we heard of it and she said she was in the top 5. She was excited, but we told her that it would be okay if she wasn't elected. Today they were to narrow it down to the top 2, but there was a tie so now there are 3. It is Kendall and there are 2 other boys. If the boys vote for the boys and the girls vote for Kendall, she just might have a shot! She is already stressing about what she is going to do because she wants to make it fun, but she also wants to make sure that her class learns something. I told her not to worry and that her teacher would help her IF she gets elected. She cracks me up!!

Halloween pictures

Can we redo Halloween night?? Carson was sick with a stomach bug and I got NO good pictures!! Here are a few of my failed attempt.

Presley's owie

Presley stopped moving her arm on Monday night. I called the doctor on Tuesday, but didn't hear back. I had an appointment today (Wednesday) for Presley's 18 month and Landon's 2 year checkup. Sure enough, her elbow was out of place. The doctor said "She is going to scream" and she manipulated her elbow back into place. We went and got x-rays just in case and I will find out the results by the end of the day. But she is finally using her arm again, so I think she is okay!!

Today's tally: Landon 24 pounds, 10th percentile for weight, 5th percentile for height.
Presley 26 pounds, 75th percentile for weight, 95th percentile for height!!

Presley had a fever, so she couldn't get her last immunization or flu shot. Since Landon is now 2, he was able to get the flu mist!! Wooo Hooo! No needles!!

UPDATE: X-rays were negative!!

Belly button!!

I love Presley's funny little belly button. It kinda sticks out like a little nose or something. I wonder who cut her umbilical cord...her birth father, a midwife? And what were they thinking? Presley had just been born with a noticeable cleft lip. I imagine there were many tears as they snipped the lifeline between their beautiful baby girl and her birth mother. She will probably hate her belly button someday, but I will always love it.

Carson Funny

I always mean to write down the funny things my kids say, so I figured it would be easier to just put it on the blog.

Carson did a poster of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse. He was showing it to us and he called it "The City Mouse and the Crunchy Mouse!!"

Presley got a hold of the fly swatter and Kendall screamed "Mom!! Presley has the fly swapper!!"