Christmas, Christmas Time is Here!

Those handsome Petersons.

This was essentially a test shot for the final full family photo. It turned out pretty cute, though, so here it is.


Robby was really not keen on the family photo fun. So, we resorted to the rocking chair and he "had" to have the blanket. We figured it was better than nothing!

I loved this one of Drew.

Evan, always in motion, but very adorable!

Even with candy, the chair and the blanket, it was hard to get Robby to smile! The only one happened to be a close up!

This was also a test shot, but also very cute.

Living Suburban Life

This is our new Suburban.... Anyone need a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan or a 1999 Dodge Durango?!! No, seriously... We bought this 2004 Suburban last night with the intent to get rid of our two current vehicles. Isn't it a LOVELY Suburban?! It is OnStar and XM Satellite Radio capable. It has a factory DVD player and 6 CD changer. The interior is leather and the driver's and passenger seats are heated. It has a sun/moon roof. Best of all, it has adjustable pedals with the memory seats on the driver's seat for shorty pants like me! It seats 8 people and has a ton of room for stuff. Oh, yeah... it has an 8 liter engine and can kick any little sport's car's tail in a race! Ha ha!

Finally!

Drew's surgery is
scheduled for
January 22, 2008!

He will most likely be having his blood transfusion the night before.

We are excited and pray it works out this time!

We love all of you and thank you for your supprt through all of this!

Evan-in-the-Box

We find Evan squished into the smallest places! I think it helps with his sensory issues. And, well... It's just darn cute!

Family Fun

Drew shares some down time with Cousin Duckets, Aunt Cristina and Uncle Derek (in the background).

Getting to Know You

Drew and Duckets became fast friends! Get that boy a dog!

Evan's Sensory Day

At first, Evan had a hard time with Duckets. After his brothers jumped right in, he decided he would give Duckets a preliminary tryout. They got along just fine!

Robby, Meet Cousin Duckets

Robby loved playing with Uncle Derek and Aunt Cristina's puppy!

Drew as a "Cricket" (So says Evan!)

I found this at DI (I was there looking for formal wear for me for a youth church activity) and found this cute bug of some sort for only $10. I bought it for Robby, but it was stolen away by Drew! He went to school as Minnie Mouse and changed into this for the Trubk-or-Treat.

Evan as Pablo from "The Backyardigans"

Evan actually went to the Trunk-or-Treat as Mr. Incredible. I was all alone (Ryan was still at work) and was having trouble with my left arm, so I didn't get any pictures at the Trunk-or-Treat. I left Evan in the car to run in and get my phone. By the time I got back, he was crying, strapped in his carseat and "wet". So, after much sweet talk from Mom, he changed into Pablo- Tada!

Robby as a pteradactyl

I am sure this costume looks familiar to a lot of you! Robby looked SOOOOO cute in it!

Autumn Days

The boys love playing with the neighbor's dog.

Halloween Soup

Drew went through a phase of making Halloween Soup. Candy, water, a little of this and that... what ever he could find. He even got Evan into the game. Very cute, but a mess!

Haircut Evasion

I was trying to sweet talk Evan into a haircut by telling him we needed to get the hair out of his eyes. He decided wearing a headband would work just as well as a haircut! Drew is, of course, dressed up as Minnie Mouse! With sons like these, who needs daughters!

Scarecrow Festival

We went to the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point. The big boys got their faces painted (it was hard for Evan) and Drew made an amazing and harrowing climb to the top of a 25 foot rock wall!

I Think It's an African Elephant...

This big elephant was new to us! It was so neat. It played music, made elephant sounds and blew water out of the trunk!

The Ghost of the Bayou

We went to the Hogle Zoo about a month ago. Aunt Angie was nice enough to come with us! We got caught in a deluge!!! It was still fun and the boys LOVED the white alligator!

Snuggles

This is one of the few times I have seen Robby still AND awake!

I QUIT!!!

No, I am not angry, but, yes, that is correct. I am finally REALLY a stay-at- home mom. It's not a pretty much or "might as well be" thing anymore. I am technically unemployed! Ryan is still unsure about it, but I am really glad that I can finally focus all my attention on the boys. Even though I haven't been going in and working shifts, it is always a thought in the back or my mind, a worry, something else to think about! Now I am free for real- thanks to my wonderful husband!

Yes, this IS the way it always goes at our house!

So, Drew has Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD). We already kind of knew that from the first barrage of tests. Today I found out three things.
1) The DDAVP medication (technically Stimate at this dosage) WAS SUCCESSFUL in bringing Drew's VW levels to normal.
2) Drew ALSO has mild platelet dysfunction!
3) #1 and #2 mean that Drew has to have DDAVP 30 minutes before surgery and a PLATELET TRANSFUSION at least 1-2 hours before surgery.

I called the surgeon's office to schedule the surgery and, of course, the nurse wants to wait until she has the letter with all the recommendations before she will schedule it. GGGRRRR! Give a SuperMom a break! I am reeling from all of this. It is just added DRAMA to the whole numorous surgeries thing!

I will let you know when we FINALLY have a surgery date! I have recently been told I do this too much, but I am sure we will be asking you all for help when it is finally time. This looks as though it is going to be a major ordeal.

Von Willebrande's Disease- The DIsease That Isn't Really A DIsease!

I looks like Drew has Von Willebrande's Disease. Funny... it's not really a disease. It's more just a condition, a way of being. So, where do we go from here? We have another appointment with the hematologist on Monday. We are doing a drug trial. The drug is called DDAVP. It corrects the problem in a lot of people with Von Wille's. We have to draw blood, give the DDVAP and then draw the blood again to see if it improves his condition. If it is effective, we can use it before surgery to prevent bleeding problems. I am hoping we walk away from the hematologist on Monday with some answers. I just want to get the go ahead for surgery! We really need to get this done! At least now we have had the chance to investigate Drew's tendancy toward bleeding and hopefully fix it for this and future surgeries! I will be adding some links to info. on Von Willebrande's Disease to my long list of helpful links for those of you who want to know more!

Try It! You'll Like It!

For those of you who still have lots of kids and/or lots of places to be, try this out! I just tried it today and I think it is going to be great for us!
http://www.cozi.com/
It is a downloadable family calendaring program! It has seperate colors for every family member with the ability to send appointment reminders to cell phones, etc! It's great!

Evan's First Day of School!

What a silly boy! I tried to get a picture of Evan coming home from his first day of school. He could not give me a normal pose to save his soul! Weird body movements and poses are supposedly normal for Aspies!

Silly, I know, but...

Ok, so "The Office" season premeire is in three weeks. Here is a little something I enjoyed. I know other "Office" fans will too.

http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/#mea=150375

Dan's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Brian's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Angie's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Marie's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Ryan's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Robby's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Evan's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Drew's Celebrity Look Alikes?

Getting crazy with the computer!

I tried out some digital tinting. Robby's lips, cheeks, eyes and hair is tinted.

A Little Photo Fun!

Trying out balck and white effects.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Drew and Evan found some Coban and decided that everyone (even Mom) had terrible boo-boos that had to be taken care of. Of course, having this lovely outbreak of adult acne, Evan quickly realized my boo-boo(s) HAD to be on my face! I think the boys did a lovely job wrapping it up, don't you?

SMOOCH!

Evan working his medical magic- kissing the boo-boo better.

THE BEST WIFE EVER!

I let Ryan go on a trip to Yellowstone for 3 1/2 days with his brother Dan and their friend Tim. He asked me Saturday at 11 Am-ish and they were gone by 1 PM. He was kind to me and was back by 1 PM on Tuesday. This is Tim filming some of the wilderness for a movie he is making.

Ryan's shots

The following are a few of the really great scenic shots Ryan took on his little impromtu vacation.