Happy Halloween!

Halloween was really fun this year. Usually we have our ward "Trunk or Treat" on Halloween night but this year it was during the week. Parker was sick so we didn't go but Friday night we were feeling great. Every year we trick-or-treat to my mom's office (pictures). Then we went to a community trunk-or-treat and then we hit the streets. I lived out in the country growing up and we didn't walk from house to house on Halloween. We had to drive. This Halloween was my first time walking around the neighborhood. It was so much fun. Our kids loved it. It was great to see people from our ward out trick-or-treating. These are my only Halloween pictures even though there were several Halloween parties during the week: Katie and Brent had a kid Halloween party and had an grown-up Halloween party a few days after. Then MaKyra did go to our ward party with neighbors. We attended the school carnival. Our kids also had Halloween parties in school on Halloween and then trick-or-treating. Needless to say our candy loot is large. It was a lot of fun though.

Water Falls

Last week we went up to the mountains to see some waterfalls. There was a nice little walking path down to the falls. It was beautiful. All the trees were changing colors. The kids loved it. It was nice to get outside and moving.

Well Baby

Peyton had a doctors appointment today. She is doing well. She weighs 8 lbs 4 oz. The doctor said because of how well she is doing she is now considered a "well-baby" and will be treated normally. She will just have normal check-ups now. We are very grateful for how she is growing and doing. She is such a sweet little baby.

Peyton at Home

Peyton was welcomed home with open arms. My mom was able to hold her for the first time. Gabe loves holding her so does MaKyra. Parker takes his turn holding her for about 3 seconds and then he is done. It has been great having her home. She is doing great. She had a check up yesterday and all is well. Her heart and lungs sound great. She is eating and growing well. We have been so blessed.

Peyton Came Home

Peyton came home last Friday. We were so excited. These are pictures at the hospital right before we left. We are so grateful for the hospital staff that helped us the past week. They were so great. I was impressed with all the doctors and nurses. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

Gabe Going to School

Gabe started his new year of preschool last week. He is very excited. He is attending at our elementary school and he gets to ride a bus. He feels very grown up. He is loving it.

Four Kids Together

We took our kids to see Peyton today. They haven't been able to see her so they were pretty excited. The nurses had just fed her and got her to sleep so we tried to keep her asleep. I wanted to hold her so bad but I knew we couldn't stay long so I just let her rest. It is definitely hard to leave the hospital. Matt and I are going back to nightand I intend to hold her for a long time. I can't wait to have her home. The doctors still say she can come home Friday afternoon. They are running some tests on her today in hopes of finding what caused her heart to not work. They said they only find out 50% of the time. I am just glad she is doing so well. Oh, I forgot to mention she was 6 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches long.

Firsts

Peyton's first feeding.

Matt's first time holding her.

Peyton Marilyn is here!

Peyton was born early in the morning on Sept. 12 and was off to a rocky start. The left side of her heart wasn't pumping and so no oxygen was getting pumped to her body and fluid started backing up in her lungs. She was not doing well and so they transferred her to a bigger hospital. She has been improving rapidly thanks to prayers and modern medicine. The doctors have been astonished and how quickly she is improving.