Kyra's Surgery

About a month ago I took Kyra to the ENT for her severe snoring issues.  I'm talking it is hard to tell the difference between Devin and  Kyra snoring.  After the LONGEST wait at the office-he snuck a peak and confirmed my thoughts: the tonsils need to come out.  Two weeks later was her surgery.

 

I was a stress case-so my mom made the trip out here to help.  Devin was able to get 1 day off--but having my mom here to help was sooo nice.  Since Devin was still hacking and I didn't want "those" looks while at the hospital-we decided that my mom would go up to Idaho Falls with me, Kyra, and Brynlee.  We woke up early and made it to the hospital by 6am. 

 

Kyra was in good spirits, colored, and would glare when the nurses came in to check vitals ans answer any questions.  By 7:30 she was rolled back for surgery.  It didn't take long and I was called to the recovery room before she woke up.  This just breaks my heart----she's confused, scared, in pain, and just wanted her mommy.  The doctor told me that her tonsils were way to big for such a little girl and she will feel so much better.

 

After recovery-they wheeled her out to the car in a red wagon and we were home by 10.  She was such a trooper. 

 

The last 2weeks have definitely been trying:  horribly mean, whiny, and refused to eat ice cream after I made the mistake to try and hide the medicine inside...Nope-she figured that out real quick.  It's still too early to tell if it has made sleeping better--sure hope so.  I sure do love her!

 

 Both of these photos are BEFORE the surgery.  All smiles.

Happy New Year 2014

This year we stayed home as a family for New Years Eve and New Years Day.  To celebrate the Eve-we had bbQ little weinies, nachos, soda, and other fast and easy finger foods.  Everyone was in bed by 10:30.  Yep-we are so boring.

 

Devin had to work on New Year's Day-so I spent the day fixing dinner.  I made yummy funeral potatoes, homemade rolls, and prime rib.  I've only made prime rib once before and it turned out dry and just not great.  This time I combined a recipe my mom had and one my sister had than added my own stuff to it.  It was AWESOME!!!!!  I just had to post a photo of the dinner.  We  used the china and had mango/peach sparkling cider.  The kids LOVED it.  The prime rib was better the next day.  I could honestly eat it every day and not get tired of it.  

Author:Unknown

At Christmas time you're expected to be cheerful, happy, and just filled with so much joy-your presence can be nauseating.  Well-I struggle with this, and the last couple of Christmas' have been more difficult.  I find it frustrating with keeping the true meaning of Christmas in my children's thoughts and actions when the world is focused on the material side of it.  It is stressful for me to find that "perfect" gift for everyone, make sure the newsletter is written let alone funny, and to bake and distribute all those goody plates which unfortunately I very rarely get a thank you for.  Yes-I would consider myself a Debbie Downer @Christmas.  But-I smile and keep going.

This year-there were a couple of people I new that passed away right before and right after Christmas.  Talk about putting things in perspective.  Both of them left behind a young and loving family.  I cannot even comprehend having my children grow up without a mom or a dad.  Hopefully they will never have to worry about that.  While reading on a friends facebook page regarding one of these deaths-a poem was posted and it brought tears to my eyes.  Yes-it is a Christmas poem-and yes-I'm a few weeks late.  In reality-this poem can fit at any time in a persons life that has a loved one, or two, or three-in Heaven.  The poem brought a little comfort to me in the last few weeks- I don't know the author or the origin--but I hope it touches you like it did me.

author:unknown

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas
trees around the world below,
with tiny lights, like Heaven's
stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tears.
For I am spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas
songs that people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can't
compare with the Christmas
choir up here. 
I have no words to tell you
the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description to
hear the angels sing.
 
I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones
you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

 I sent you each a special gift
 from my heavenly home above.
 I sent you each a memory of
my undying love.
 It was always most important
 in the stories Jesus told.
 Please love and keep each other,
 as my Father said to do.
 For I can't count the blessings
 or love he has for each of you.
 So have a Merry Christmas
 and wipe away the tears.
 Remember, I am spending
 Christmas with Jesus Christ
this year. —

Christmas 2013

This year we had a really nice Christmas.  We decorated the inside of the house early so we were able to enjoy it longer.  Devin was in charge of the outside decorations and got a lot of them up-but didn't do as much as he had hoped.  He is already making plans for next year.  One of our favorite activities is sitting on our couch and watching all of the cars drive by to look at our lights.  There are some that will actually take photos (kinda weird)  On Christmas Eve I counted 8 cars in 5 minutes.  It was a CrAzY around our cul-de-sac that night.

 I was playing around with my camera one night and asked Kyra to pose by the tree. Of course she was more than willing.

 

Photo of our home:notice the flying reindeer?!

Cortlynn and Tristan had a Nutcracker performance and was unable to attend the Ward Christmas party.  I braved it alone (Devin made it to the dinner) and took the little ones. Santa made an appearance this year.  Kyra was excited-her first time EVER, and Brynlee was terrified.

Christmas Eve jammies.

This year Santa brought Tinsel the magical reindeer to our house early.  The kids needed to be watched and their actions reported to Santa each night.  Not only would he hide every night-but he brought a box full of wrapped books.  Each night the kids would unwrap one and we would read it as a family (or at least try. Our schedules were almost too much)  We don't have an elf on the shelf--I don't need anyone extra being and doing naughty things at the house.  Having Tinsel hide every night was difficult enough.

The kids left out a plate of cookies and milk for Santa as well as Tinsel.  He always goes back with Santa on Christmas Eve.


 

You can't see it well-but Tristan sprinkled reindeer food out on the grass.  If you look close-you can see the sparkles in the snow.

Santa made it to our house and I was able to get a photo before the kids woke up.  This year--the kids woke up early-but they let me sleep.  Kyra came in around 9:00 or so-asking me to please wake up so they could open presents. 

Brynlee enjoyed the bow on her gift more than the gift.

 

On Christmas day-we traveled to Idaho Falls to have dinner with Devin's family.  They rented out a room and it worked out so much better than piling in someones home.  We enjoyed good food and good company.  It was extra special this year because Devin's mom suffered a heart-attack just after Thanksgiving.  She sure gave us a scare--and we were happy to have her celebrate Christmas with us.

Grandma and Grandpa McIntire weren't able to come down for Tristan's birthday-so they gave him his gift at Christmas.  Can you tell by his reaction that he LOVED his gift?!

Family Halloween Photo 2013

This year our Ward had a Halloween party at the church.  Cortlynn had dance practice but the rest of us were able to attend.  Here is our family photo.

 

Everything Nutcracker in the McIntire Household

 

Since it is the last day of 2013, I need to hurry and update the blog so my yearly blog book I print isn't messed up. 

 

The last few months have been Nutcracker everything at the McIntire home.  This year Tristan wanted to be in the production-so of course, we told him yes.  Cortlynn was in the Waltz of the Flowers--one of my favorite numbers, and Tristan was a soldier in the battle scene.  Practices began in October and once November and December came along---there were weeks that we had practices 6 days a week.  CRAZY schedule-but the payoff is a beautifully done production of a Christmas classic. 

 

Tristan took the role of a soldier very seriously.  He practiced day and night--and became the best marcher his little legs could handle.  He was the smallest in stature, but the biggest in heart.  Each time I would go watch--there would be older girls telling me how cute my little Tristan was.  Devin and I are so proud of him and his talent.  He has now asked us if he could take ballet.  So-beginning next week-he will also be taking a ballet class. 

 

Cortlynn has become a beautifully talented ballerina, and this dance really showcased her talent.  Watching her for the almost 7+ minute dance made me so proud.  What dedication she has.

 Since the older kids practiced non-stop at the house for the Nutcracker, Kyra too became obsessed.  She will now sing the music around the house, dance with Tristan, she knows the ballerina dolls parts, and is constantly dancing.  She was stealing Tristan's ballet slippers so much-that we gave her some for her birthday.  Kyra wears them everywhere and all the time!

Tristan and Kyra dancing.  Of course she is in her tiara, pretty dress grandma Swanson made, and her ballet slippers.

such a serious soldier

And they bow-----

Kyra's 3rd Birthday

I cannot believe my little Kyra Crystal turned 3 on December 23.  How fast time flies by.  Since my parents and Nicole were here to watch  the kids in the Nutcracker-we had a party for her the day before her actual birthday.  She was SOOOO excited.  Everything she opened; from her card, to the dollhouse, to her ballet slippers---her face would light up with the biggest smile.  Kyra loved all of her gifts.

 

 She wanted a princess cake this year-and this is what I came up with.  The cake and icing was pink with pink sparkles, and princess dolls on top.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYRA!!!!  We love you so much.