Tagged... New Game...

Payton - 2 1/2 years old... scooping snow.

Brooks - 2 1/2 years old playing in the snow.

I’ve been tagged to play along with this game!Here are the rules:
1. go to your documents/pictures file on your computer
2. go to your 6th file
3. go to your 6th picture
4. post and blog about it
5. tag 6 people to do the same
6. smile!
I was kind of scared to see what picture was in the 6th file and 6th "location" on my computer. The first picture that I posted is the 6th picture in the 6th file. The second picture is of Brooks from this winter (same snowsuit - gotta love hand-me-downs). Payton was 2 1/2 at the time of the picture. He is now 6 1/2 and in the first grade at RTR. I saw this picture and was just in awe of how much Payton and Brooks did look a like at times (they don't much anymore). For those of you who know Payton... he is very soft hearted, quiet, a hard worker, wants to be "the best", is athletic, and is very intelligent. He definitely has his Dad's personality when it comes to wanting to do his best and not settling unless he has done his best. He enjoys hunting, fishing, reading, playing games, baseball, football, and basketball, and of course golfing with his Gma Peggy and Gpa Brad.
I tag... Jina, Jamie, Becky, Tammy, Angie, & Erin

Cruisin'

View from our airplane on our way from SF to Cinncinnati.

Tristan and Danielle had a balcony room at the hotel in Tampa.

Us ladies are enjoying the night before heading to sea.

Danielle, My, Peggy, Kristal, & Laura

The Carnival "Inspiration" ship that we were aboard.

There were 2400 guests - 600 of them were kids, plus 900 employees.

The large water slide on the back of the ship... that we enjoyed.

The first Sunset (Saturday night)

The Wilmes - immediate family.

Parents of the couple: David (dad) and Judy, Tony & Lori (mom),

Danielle, Tristan, Peggy & Brad

The Bride (Danielle) & The Groom (Tristan)

Craig & I at the formal dinner with the BEST waiter on the ship - German (from Colombia) Philip, myself, Laura, Kristal, & Matt before our Snorkeling excursion.
Craig - repelling from 65' in the air
I was conned into trying the middle-sized tower right away... about 50' to the top.

Me... walking across a rope bridge through the trees...

Craig and Kristal raced to the top of the 65' tower (tallest one).

I still have my "sea-legs" on and we have been on land for 2 full days now. My brother, Tristan, got married last Saturday on a cruise in the Carribean. It was an awesome experience for all of us as very few people in our group had ever been on a cruise. Here is an outline of our vacation"

Friday: Flew from SF to Cinncinnati and then on to Tampa Bay, Florida.
Saturday: Arrived at the port at 10:00 and were on the ship by 11:00am. It was super nice to be in a "wedding group" as we were one of the first groups of people on the ship. The wedding was at 1:30pm and lasted about 1/2 hour. It was a very nice service and everyone looked nice. After the wedding they had a reception for 1 hour where the drinks were FREE!!! After the reception we were free to do whatever. Every night we were scheduled to eat supper at 8:15pm - where we would meet with the rest of our group and eat at the same table and have the same waiter (German). The workers on the ship come from all over the world (55 different nations) and not one of them was unpleasant. It was just amazing how happy and friendly they all were.

Sunday: We really started to enjoy the weather as it was in the 80's. They have a running/walking track on the upper level of the ship so Kristal and I enjoyed a nice 2 mile run (yes, I know... we were on vacation but if you know anything about cruises it's all you can eat food). The water was just beautiful... this is one of my first times being out of the country so I was just in awe. We layed out in the sun and also enjoyed the large water slide that was on the ship.

Monday: We docked and were shuttled to The Cayman Islands where Craig, Kristal, Philip, Laura, and myself enjoyed snorkeling and swimming with the sting rays. The water was nice and warm (& salty) and the views all the way around us were just awesome. We had to take a shuttle back to the ship and start off for Cozumel that same day.

Tuesday: We arrived and docked in Cozumel where Craig, Kristal, Philip, Laura, my Mom and Dad, and myself enjoyed rock wall climbing, repelling, and zip-lining. We weren't able to snorkel due to the high winds and huge waves but were given quite the deal for 2 for 1 drinks at the bar. We hung around after our excersion and visited some shops where the bargaining began. The ships entertainment for the night was "The Love & Marriage Show". We got Tristan and Danielle up on stage and it was an AWESOME laugh.

Wednesday: We attempted to enjoy our last day at sea... it was really cold and windy so not much sun tanning was going on. The men enjoyed the casino where the women enjoyed the little shops and BINGO - I actually won a game however had to split the $150 pot.

Thursday: We arrived back in Tampa and were off the ship in no time - however like I said before I still feel like I have my sea legs on. I could swear that my house is on the ocean. It's a crazy feeling.

It sure was nice to be home and sleeping in my bed and seeing the boys again. I can't believe how much they changed in the week that we were gone. They did well with us being gone as they had SUPER people taking care of them. Payton stayed with Trent and Jackie and the girls and it sounds like they had more than enough things to keep them entertained. Brooks and Braxton stayed with Gma Bev and Gpa Doug and it sounds like they too kept very busy. We couldn't possibly Thanks them enough for taking on a challenge like that for a whole week... I sure missed them but had no doubts that they were being taken care of.

Introducing Josselyn Renee Hess...

Can't help but notice her "cheeks".

A little jaundice so she had to hang out in the sunlight for a few days. Love the position.

Could there possibly be a prouder "Papa". How sweet.

Nothing is sweeter than being held by your "Mama".

Once again I am an AUNTIE. On Sunday December 28th Josselyn Renee was born to Buck and Kirstin. She was a few weeks early but still weighed in at 7 lb 2 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. Sounds like things are going well for all three of them and I would like to wish them all the best as they enter parenthood. Buck and Kirstin are currently living in Victorville California but will be relocating to Colorado in the next couple of months. We certainly wish that they would move even closer to home so we could spoil Josselyn more but I guess we will have to do that through the mail. We Love You Guys and Miss You Lots... Take care...

Tis the Season

The boys had an awesome time this holiday season. On Christmas Eve Craig took Payton and Brooks to "The Barn" Christmas Eve church service... Brooks thought it was absolutely hilarious as the cow kept on "mooing" through the entire service. Braxton and I attended the Danebod Church Service with my Mom and Dad. I couldn't tell you if I have EVER missed a Christmas Eve Church Service at Danebod - I have always really enjoyed them. After the church services we had an AWESOME supper at Doug and Bev's. The kids kept themselves entertained with balloons, the Wii Fit, wrestling, and of course the new gifts once they were opened. As you can see from Braxton's picture above he was crashed and ready for bed. He was an awesome baby that night considering all of the running here and there and the chaos from the older kids. We got home in time to put the boys to bed... who were super excited that Santa was coming and I think it took about 2 seconds for them to fall asleep. Braxton was the first to awake which in turn came Payton and then Brooks. They looked for their stockings right away... Santa was good to them and gave them pj's, under-roos, toothbrushes, slippers, a movie, and Payton's new 'blow-up ball' (that he asked Santa for). He always asks for the hardest things to find - last year was an orange whistle. When they were done with their Santa gifts they opened their presents from us which was the Wii. Payton loves playing that... and can beat his Dad in baseball and golf. Craig got me an apple ipod and a new pair of tennis shoes - both of which will come in very handy. I finally broke down and bought Craig the tools that he has been wanting... forever.

We then had to get things packed up for my Mom and Dads. Once again an awesome meal prepared by Gma Peggy and Gpa Brad. Of course us kids usually help out and bring a dish to share as well... but nothing ever seems to beat the main course (or the many Christmas goodies that she bakes). And for the last time this season was the gift opening... I don't think that anyone left without a car load. I thoroughly enjoy the time spent with the family especially those that we don't see very often. It always seems that Christmas sneaks up on us and that there is a ton of planning and all of a sudden it's over. I am very greatful for the 3 Wonderful Adorable Boys that I have along with 1 Awesome Husband. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and I wish you all the best in 2009.

BAER Hearing Test

When Braxton was in the NICU at Sanford he was put on a gas (Nitric) which was forced into his lungs to help him with his breathing. When small children are on this it has the potential to cause some hearing loss. The doctors informed us that he wasn't on this for very long so he should be okay however they would like to run the test just to be sure. If I remember right he was only on the nitric gas for a couple of days. So this past Friday was the day for the test and we are happy to know that Braxton has no hearing impairments. Since he was "moderately" sedated he was not to have anything to eat or drink up to 6 hours before the procedure (except clear liquids up to 2 hours before). We went with pedialyte so he wasn't starving or crying all the way to Sioux Falls. Everything went smooth... we got there, got checked in, met with the nurse, the anesthesiologist came to visit us, the nurse came back and gave Braxton the sedation medicine (chloral hydrate), and Braxton was off to jammy land (taking what they call an "exaggerated nap"), the gal came to do the test and 1/2 hour later he was done and awake... and STARVING. I have posted a couple pics of Braxton hooked up to the machine that was testing his hearing. The BAER hearing test puts sound into his ears and the "pads" that were stuck to his head measures the amount of brain activity based on the sound put into his ears. It's a hearing test that the child does not have to cooperate with. We were pretty sure that Braxton had no hearing problems but felt that it would be nice to know now if there were any slight impairments. He was pretty sleepy the rest of the day which was really nice... so we could finish up our Christmas shopping. Once again another awesome experience with the doctors, nurses, and staff at Sanford.

Potty Training Complete...

Well I am so happy to say that Brooks is completely potty trained. He has been wearing underwear for 2 weeks now. He had a couple accidents the first week other than that the only other accidents that he has had are when he goes in to use the bathroom and he can't get his pants and undies down fast enough or if he "shoots" over the toilet seat and hits his undies. We are so very proud of him and new that he could do it. I am not sure what really made him become potty trained but I am definitely loving it. For being trained at 2 years 3 months he does an awesome job. I know some people say that boys are harder to train however I beg to differ. Both of my older boys were the exact same age. The accidents that he did have we would still have him clean up his undies which he was not too fond of so maybe that played a part in the training. I guess it doesn't really matter now as long as he continues to be a BIG BOY!!!

1st Grade Letters...

Payton was so proud that he was able to fill a "full" piece of paper with sentences. I have taken pictures of those sentences... see if you can read what he wrote. I remember looking back at my papers from grade school and laughing at our beginner level spelling. He really does an awesome job. At conferences we found out that he is reading at a 1st grade 8th month level. At the time of testing they were only at 1st grade 2nd month. We are VERY VERY pround of Payton and hope that he continues to succeed in his schooling.