Fourth of July

We had a great 4th. We had a BBQ and then did some fireworks. After eating, JA took a long evening nap which was perfect for sleeping through most of the fireworks. She was a little scared when she did finally wake up for her milk around 10. CA and IA loved the fireworks, it helped to have earmuffs so it wasn't quite as loud for them.

Sitting with the big kids

IA learning the keep the sparkler away from her body.

I have no idea what CA is doing but he certainly is concentrating hard.

Camping pictures

Here are some camping pictures finally, a month later. As you can see it wasn't too warm but we had a blast. The kids didn't seem to mind that it was cold and the afternoon we spent at the beach was actually sunny and fairly warm. We canoed on Eel Lake. It took a couple of times but CA ended up loving it. IA got in the boat but as soon as it rocked she wanted out. But she did try her hand at fishing.

Misc. Stuff

Last weekend we survived our first camping trip with the kids. Well, if you can call staying in a yurt as real camping. CA and dad did stay in a tent but the girls and I slept in a nice warm canvas room on bunks. We had lots of fun and are already looking forward to going again. As soon as I get some pictures from Aunt M (thanks for being our photographer) I will post some.
Now on for other pictures:
We have had about one week of nice weather this spring and we took full advantage of it.










JA has decided she likes to play dress up. The shirt she is holding in her hand, she was using like it was a purse.


This is JA's first "pony". She really enjoyed having her hair like her sisters'.

CA Peanut Allergy Part II

We finally had CA's official allergy test and he is definitely allergic to peanuts. He is in the high category for the allergy. The good news is that he is not allergic to anything else that they tested and they tested a lot of foods.

He is taking it all in stride as he doesn't like peanuts anyway. However, he has to be careful about eating things that have been processed in plants with peanuts like M&M's and apparently some types of chocolate chips. He reached for a cookie at church again not realizing it was peanut butter so we will definitely have to watch him with stuff like that. Some kids with peanut allergies can't even touch the stuff or smell it. While he is not that allergic yet, more exposure to peanuts can increase his reactions. This is a learning process for all of us.

mmm... pudding!

At her last doctor's appointment, we were told to give JA things like pudding, custard, french toast with syrup due to her low weight. She had pudding for the first time and it was a huge hit. In the first picture, it may not look like it, but that is pure delight on her part. She wanted to make sure she got every last bite!

More Birthday pics

I had some complaints that I didn't have enough pictures, so here are some more. I can't quite get all the titles to match up, but you get the idea.

New Bike

Talking with Uncle T

Pirate tattoos

Making ice cream for party

Grumpy faces:-(

Making cake for party

Pics from the Children's Museum

Happy baby

CA Peanut Allergy

So some of you know that CA hates peanuts and peanut butter. Always has. Well, a couple of weeks ago he accidentally ate 1/2 a peanut butter cookie and actually had an allergic reaction -throwing up, bloodshot eyes, red face, wheezing and coughing. Fortunately, we were able to give him Benadryl and it cleared up. No rush to the ER. Unfortunately, it seems everytime he eats peanuts, his reactions are escalating.
We saw his doctor today and she prescribed an Epi pen to be carried with him. This is in case he has a life threatening reaction. If you ever have to give it to him, he would also need to go to the ER right away as the Epinephrine only lasts for a few minutes in some people.
Anyway, she advised us to be a peanut free house. Which is going to be very difficult for us. No more peanut butter sandwiches, butterfingers, Nutter Butters, and most importantly I am not sure about the status of making peanut butter cups at Christmas. All of this is sort of drastic, but if the allergy is escalating, of course we want to be cautious.
So I am just putting this info out there for those who will be watching him. We will have the Epi pen with him somehow and just be cautious about anything that might have peanuts in it or peanut oil or even be careful of things processed in places that use peanuts.
He is going to have a blood test soon to determine if he is allergic to other types of nuts so we will keep you posted.