Gimpies...

Monday was the BIG day! Hannah was to be relieved of her full leg cast (we hoped!) and Bill was to get the news he was hoping not to hear... time for knee surgery! Hannah went first, her x-rays showed a ton of healing and Dr. Burns decided to put her in a 1/2 leg walking boot! Not even a half cast! WOO HOO! That means baths with the whole body in the tub again! Clean feet, bent knees, and no more wheelchair!! Here's a couple of pics of her saying "ADIOS" to her pretty pink cast! She wasn't thrilled with the "saw" that cut it off- and the noise was a little much, but she was BRAVE!!! That's my girl!

Next was dad... here's a pic of the two GIMPIES on the table:

Bill had an MRI done last week due to an injury that he sustained about 6 weeks ago. He has been in pain for that entire time, trying to be tough and ride it out until his knee healed, only to find out that it wasn't going to heal itself. He has a small tear in his PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), a decent sized cyst behind the ligament, and a medial meniscus tear and degeneration. Yeah- a lot of medical terms, I know! All of it is correctable by having laproscopic surgery on his knee. So, he goes in Friday morning for the procedure. He's a little nervous, but he promised Hannah he'd be brave just like her! What a pair!

So Hannah's in a walking boot cast- and she's happy as can be. She's not quite into walking on her leg yet as it's a little sore and weak from being in a full leg cast for 4 weeks. But, with any luck, she should be walking soon!

And Bill will be on crutches for a few days and then walking after that-- so by this time next week, we should have some pretty happy walkers! (It's a good thing we're getting all this done now... no more injuries after Jan. 1st! That's a new year and a new deductible! :)

And Bill, if your reading this: Love ya babe, you'll do just fine! And I can't wait to practice my nursing skills on you--- hee hee!

Gingerbread House Contest!

The other night a few families joined us for a Gingerbread House Contest-- and, while Bill and I still carry the bragging rights from the Skinner's Riverbank Contest, we set out to win again, this time for the kids! Here's a few pics of the 3 "winners!" Although we all know who the real winner was-- SIVLEY'S ROCK!!!!!!!!!
Tanner's "most original" Gingerbread house:

Copeland's "most creative" Gingerbread house:

Sivley's "Most Traditional, Best Ever, Really Cool, Wish I'd of thought of that!"

#1 Gingerbread house!

One of those Christmas Question thingys...

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE ! ! !
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly bags, re-used from year to year-- a few wrapped gifts, just for the sound of the ripping paper on Christmas morn!
2. Real tree or artificial? I grew up cutting down our very own real tree and boy did it smell good! Since marrying Bill, we got real trees for the first few years, but last year we bought a 12 foot artificial tree and it is BEAUTIFUL!! So, I go for the artificial tree and a pine scented candle!
3. When do you put up the tree? Depends on the year- pregnant or not- energy or not- time or not! This year, my dad was in town this last weekend, so he helped Bill put it up, but who KNOWS when it'll get decorated?!?
4. When do you take the tree down? March-- just kidding. I try to sometime before Jan. 15th. But this year, it just might be March, so get off my case!
5. Do you like eggnog? Yummiest drink EVER!!! You gotta drink it straight too- none of this watering it down stuff!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A puppy dog- "Candy the 2nd" our 2nd full bread beagle... that was such a fun Christmas morning!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Do I have a nativity scene? How well do you know me? YES!! I have about 20 nativity scenes. My mom has about 300- so Bill should be happy I only have 20, right?! I have them from all over the world-- my favorite is the one I bought in Bethlehem 12 years ago when I lived in Jerusalem for 4 months. Although, I have a new Willow Tree one to put up this year... it might be a close second.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My sister Kelly- she has EVERYTHING!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Hannah, I always buy too much!
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Jeez, I can't really think of anything. I can think of a lot of "worst Christmas presents" I've given. Bill will never let me live down the shopvac I got him one year... it was about time he got a "PRACTICAL" gift instead of me always getting them, right?!
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail... about 160 of them, but it's probably not happenin' this year- sorry folks! Check my blog for the latest!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Polar Express on IMAX 3D
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I start in October, while keeping my eyes open earlier in the year... the biggest day is Black Friday-- yes, I am one of the crazies there at 5 am! I try to be done by Dec. 1st... I am almost done!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so - unless the white elephant gift exchange counts!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's English Toffee
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear for sure!
17. Favorite Christmas song(s): "Mary Did You Know?"
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Used to travel, but with 4, almost 5 kids... travelling is getting pretty hard!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Only if I sing the song!
20. Angel on the treetop or a star? A big Star with Clear lights- and a big bow!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open one "Santa's Elves" gift on Christmas Eve (always pajamas), and then the rest on Christmas morning- after breakfast.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The busy-ness that makes it hard to focus on the true reason for the season.
23. What I love most about Christmas? The attitude of giving that everyone seems to have... and the "Christmas Miracles" that take place. I wish it lasted all year!!