Katrina in the hospital

As most of you know Katrina was in the hospital in Feb. She was admitted into the PICU on Feb. 14th after having a severe asthma attack. She was put on a ventilator with 12 hrs of getting to the ER because her little body was working too hard trying to breathe. While in the hospital we learned that she had pneumonia, a viral infection and a high tolerance to drugs. She proved to be quite the little fighter both of the medicine as well as for recovery. She surprised all the doctors and nurses when she was able to come off the ventilator in just a few days (the Dr. thought it would be at least a week).

Our little angel in a drug induced sleep! We pray we never have to see her with that many tubes in her ever again!
Here she is the morning she was able to breath on her own again holding the teddy bear Daddy bought her for Valentines day!
Still a little hazed she was happy to be held and out of her crib!
This is the way we like to see her, tube free and at peace!
Uncle Skip and Aunt Sarah were among the visitors to lend a hand and stay with Katrina so mom and dad could go get a little sleep.
Once she was moved out of PICU we were able to take her for a wagon ride! On one of the rides around the hospital she picked out this monkey and it became a fast friend.
Can you tell who was able to sleep for 3 days straight and who was not???
We were so happy to take her on outings within the hospital! It was a sure sign of her healing. Our favorite place to visit was the large fish tanks in the lobby. The journey getting there is another story! All I can say is that sleep deprived, pent up parents + a wagon+ a breath of relief with a healing daughter and empty hospital halls/ elevators = one crazy ride!
Katrina and Auntie Leah snuggle!
A quiet moment indeed! Dad and Katrina were happy to be together again. If only the circumstances were a bit different!

We would like to thank all of the friends and family who supported us while in the hospital! The meals, visits and prayers were much appreciated!!

Long overdue Katrina Pictures

Katrina attended her first "friend" birthday party in Jan. She got dressed up and enjoyed all the excitement. HEr favorite part of the party was by far the balloons and chewing on the strings of them.
All bundled up and ready to roll! This winter and early spring gave us great weather for walking and we took advantage of it!
One of Katrina's favorite passtimes is to talk to dad on the phone. Often she gets so excited that she smiles a lot and forgets to talk! The hairdo is a great addition to the picture! If only we could all use food as hair gel!
Our happy girl! This was actually taken the day before her first hospitalization for asthma. Does she look ill to you??? (sorry forgot to rotate it)
This is the last "toothless" picture we have of Katrina! This was taken the day she went into the hospital and by the time she got out she was cutting 6 new teeth! It was quite a week!

Katrina's First Christmas

Tis the season for friends, family, and holiday cheer! Katrina got a taste of it all on her first Christmas! She loved the Christmas tree and actually wasn't trying to climb it yet or eat the ornaments all day! She was a great shopping companion and loved tasting her first Christmas cookie, a spritz of course!A few days before Christmas Katrina had her friends Elyse and Kaelyn over for a mini holiday gathering! They all enjoyed opening the presents and of course sharing them so nicely!
At Grandma and Grandpa's Katrina was in awe of the presents under the tree!
She really enjoyed opening them and helping others with their bows.
Santa even brought her a pop on barnyard! She insisists on carrying one of these with her at all times now!
What a well loved and spoiled little girl! Now if only I knew where to put all the wonderful new Christmas gifts! Thank you to all and we hope you had a very special Holiday Season!

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Santa seemed to come in a small package this year! Who knew Katrina could get any cuter? Alright, anyone who has met her knows but, come on this is cute!!!Santa Kat visits us all, Grandpa.....
Grandma......
And Mom and Dad!
Although the "real" Santas sure did visit Katrina as well this year!
She loved opening her presents, even if she did need a little help!

Cahill's go South for Christmas

For Christmas this year we headed down to see Grandpa and Grandma Cahill! We had a great time visiting and even managed to squeeze in lunch with the Steins!
Dad begins teaching Kat early about the family tradition of playing Pinochle! She was a natural!


Charming as ever Katrina wriggles her way deeper into Grandma and Grandpa's hearts!

Uncle Skip and Aunt Sarah met us for lunch and Katrina stole the show!
She even tried her first rib!!! Yummy! Of course the bone was all she got but she enjoyed it thoroughly!
Mom and Katrina were very excited to get out of town with Dad!

Just because.......

There are so many great pictures that it is hard to share them all! Here are a few favorites of the month!
Katrina posing with her "new" hat! She saw herself in the mirror and laughed at it for at least 5 minutes!
Mom, katrina and Ethan posing to show off Staci's new "do".
Last week Katrina was sick! She had a fever hitting as high as 105 degrees and a double ear infection!
She was such a trooper! Even feeling like crap she was trying to smile and enjoy the cuddle time with mom!
What a cutie! What can I say that the smil doesn't already say!
Little Red Riding Hood! Such an adorable coat that we were able to borrow from her good friends the Cotton Twins.

Thanksgiving weekend!

For Thanksgiving we went North to spend time with Staci's extended family. Matt and Jill Von Feldt welcomed us all to their new winter getaway on Mt. Baker. We had a great time and enjoyed some much needed family time!


Katrina didn't mind the snow but wasn't so fond of her outfit and not being able to move around well!
The "Simons" part of the family played a great game of Uno back at the condo, even Katrina, Avery and Ethan got in on the action!
These little bundles are actually Avery and Katrina trying out the slide! Katrina wasn't so sure of it but Avery loved it!
Too cute not to share! Katrina and Avery best buddies!
Dad and Katrina both seem a bit tired here I think this must have been post turkey dinner! Katrina loved the sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie!
Grandma Joyce Came to the condo to visit! It was a great distraction for Ethan, and Katrina was finally able to play with his airplane!

Daddy's Home!

In early November Scott was able to come home for a weekend! We had a great time and were happy to have our good friends Skip and Sarah up to visit!
Mom and Dad were able to go out for the first time without Katrina! We had a great time going to dinner but we were both chomping at the bit to get home to Katrina!
Here she is modeling a new dress that mom had to buy to match the shoes!
Katrina is growing so fast! She looks like a big girl already! Here she is smiling as usual!
Katrina Insisted that she got to have one of Dad's new hats! It almost fits!
Aunt Sarah and Katrina playing together!
Uncle Skip and Aunt Sarah just "had" to bring Katrina a giant Hello Kitty Doll! It's only about twice her size!
Daddy and Katrina crawling around together!
Katrina loves having Daddy around!