Mat Man

Today for part of our homeschooling Katrina was using the pieces we build letters with to make "Mat man" after constructing him I asked her to grab paper and draw him. Not to bad for a first attempt!!

My Little Chef

Katrina has been very eager to help in the kitchen lately and has decided that the crockpot is the "best" because it has allowed her to make me dinner a few times. I tell her what goes in and she does the rest



This past weekend I was making spaghetti and meatballs by request. She wanted to help so I prepped ingredients and she made the meatballs. She was thrilled to get to crack eggs, measure herbs and even mix it up.



When she stands on her little stool she is at nose level of most of our bowls. Once it came time to mix the meat up she was overjoyed that I let her do it. Poor girl discovered that raw meat doesn't smell so great!

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Bless her little chef heart she refused to stop and said "mom, little cookers cant quit or they wont learn" so she mixed, gagged, spit in sink, and kept mixing.



I Love her!!!

Katrina's 4th Birthday!

On Katrina's birthday we packed in the fun! We started out having a great morning snuggling, then met friends to play in a fast food "playland" before heading to work. After work we went to dinner with Auntie laura. She decided to straighten her hair for the day!

Katrina's PJ birthday party!

This year Katrina really wanted to do a slumber party for her birthday. One of her stipulations to making this a successful party was that I be the only parent allowed. Once hearing that we quickly vetoed the idea of 6 friends spending the night. However, we did decide to have a PJ party! her friends came to make pizza, watch her favorite "movie" (curious george) and have popcorn. I must say it was the easiest bday party I have ever done!

"park" time Seattle style

A few weeks ago Katrina and her cousins were able to get together to play. How could I resist letting them play in the GIANT puddle outside my door???? Ethan had to borrow my rain boots and the middle of the puddle was almost to the top of them.

more long over due pictures

Go Mariners!!!!!!

Today katrina and I went to Safeco field to see the Mariner Moose. I know I know the game is the point...but this little lady was so excited to see him that we went into the stadium as soon as the gate was open (about 2 hrs. before the game) We got to walk all the way down to the fence and watch Ichiro warm up, we saw the field get prepped for the game, and tried out diferent seats in the stadium! We agreed that they were all great! Then the big moment hit....SHE MET THE MOOSE!!!! AND HE HUGGED HER! It was pure magic in her eyes! We did get pictures but I can't get the camera to download so you get to settle for phone pics tonight!

After the game she cried becasue she didn't want to leave we had only been there 6 hrs! On the way back to the car she stopped and had an after game hot dog, danced to the amazing street musician playing his bucket drums FOREVER and we were quite literally the last ones on the street leaving the game "alley"! I am so blessed to be able to share these times with her!

A day at the beach

As part of our mini vacation we spent a night at Ocean Shores! There is something about the ocean and water that puts my sould at ease! Katrina is learning this as well!!

Easter Visit with the Steins

Easter Morning excitement!!!!

Auntie Sarah helps find the goodies!

Still lookin.....

As a special treat we got to visit Sarah at work....AT SCHOOL!!!! Katrina was so excited to go to school and see the big kids (2nd graders)! She walked right into the room like she owned the place!

and even got to sit at a desk to do "homework" for a bit!

There are more pictures of this visit that will be posted once I get the camera downloaded but here is a glimpse!

Visit with Grandma and Grandpa Cahill

We were so fortunate to be able to stop off for a quick visit with the Cahills on our recent mini vacation.

Playing dress up

Kat goes blonde!
Alice in Wonderland

Madonna

Medusa

Fly girl...er, PILOT????

The latest, and worst hospitalization Feb-March 2010

At the end of Feb. Katrina had another asthma flare up. It ended up being the worst attack she has ever had. The cause was unknown and the treatment was swift and effective but the event was terrifying. She was admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). She was not responding to the medicines and for a brief period the doctors were afraid they were going to have to intubate her to allow her a little relief int he struggle to breathe.

Auntie Leah rocks her as she final sleeps for a few minutes in the PICU.
By the time she was moved to the floor for a couple days she was tired of her oxygen and decided it did more "good" on her nose rather than IN her nose.

Totally wired and bored!!! what to do what to do????

Create paper towel costumes of course!!!!!

Thank you to all my friends and family that came to the hospital to be with us during that time! I can not put into words how much the prayers, meals, visits, texts, and love that you offer us means in those times and the weeks/months in between.

We spend alot of time walking on pins and needles and if not for our freinds lifting us up our feet would be bloody and scarred!
THANK YOU!

Painting a birdhouse.

Final product!

Hard at work

Blank slate....where to begin?

Katrina's surgery

On Feb 3rd, 2010 Katrina had surgery. She was originally slated to just get tubes put in her ears to help alleviate some of the illnesses that have lead to her hospitalizations. When her team of doctors realized she would be put under for the procedure they jumped on the chance to do some preliminary testing and observance to get to the bottom of her health issues. In simple terms they put a camera down her throat to examine her entire airway system for defects or irregularities. They also took a sample of her cilia (hairlike things inside lungs) to test for a genetic disorder. they found nothing!

Due to the nature of the surgery and her medical history they warned us that she may be kept overnight for observation. Here she is packed and ready to head to the hospital. Such a brave and happy little trooper!!!
At the hospital

waiting in pre-op

out of order but, Grandma Joyce was here to give me some much needed support. This is in waiting area of surgery center. Just an hour before surgery and still ALL smiles and strength!

Post-op hang out! Auntie Laura was able to join us and it was clear that after surgery and the intial fear of waking up alone (yes, I was not allowed there intitally, but her screams brought me in fairly quickly) Kat made it clear that mom and grandma were chopped liver in comparison!

So glad that day went smoothly and we were able to come home the same day!

c