Thursday, July 21, 2011

Preston's 15th Birthday

Our little Preston is not so little anymore. He turned 15 this year. He has grown over an inch in 3 months. He is a breath of fresh air to be around and he is darn cute too. He has been very patient this summer with his collarbone break. He was very limited in his activities, but kept a smile-well most of the time. He has a very full load this year at school. He is taking AP Chemistry and AP Calculus along with his other classes. He will have surgery in November to take out the plate and screws. We feel so blessed to have Preston in our family.
The kids gave him some awesome presents.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Preston's Collar Bone

Saturday Morning Christopher took the boys to the school to play Ultimate Frisbee with friends.  Preston went all out for a pass and had a major tumble. He was slow to get up and finally called for Christopher. Preston told Christopher that he couldn't move because he had broken his collar bone. He has broken this collar bone twice before when he was 6. Christopher asked him if he was sure and Preston said he was sure because he had heard it. (YUCK)

The girls and I were having a leisurely morning. I was just getting out of the shower when I heard the door slam closed. A moment later, Jordan comes running upstairs to inform me that Adam (4 years old) relayed the message that Dad had taken the car to get Preston who had broken his collar bone and I needed to get passports, a wallet, painkillers and phone. I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go, but thought I should head to the school. I hopped on the bike for the 2 minute bike ride to the school. I got there as Christopher was pulling out to come home. We stopped at home to grab ice and the painkillers that I had forgotten and headed towards the hospital. We got to the hospital around 11am and he was in surgery by 4.30pm.

Preston on the way to the hospital. He was such a stud, hardly a whimper.
Waiting for X-Rays (which they had to take a couple of times.)
Waiting for  Surgery


Nifty little scar
(click to make it bigger- if you want to, it isn't very pretty!!)


Before
After

Spring Break: Tioman

For Spring Break we took a fast trip to Tioman. We hadn't really planned on going anywhere for Spring Break, but we all decided we needed a BREAK. Tioman is in Malaysia. We rode a bus from Singapore to Malaysia and then a boat to the island. Before departing for the island they handed out throw up bags to everyone. It was definitely the most bumpy ride I have every been on. Everyone was a little sick and Sydney and Jordan even made use of the bags. We really enjoyed our time in Tioman and our time together.

Adam loves to snorkel. His favorite place is near the shore where he can touch if he needs to adjust his mask. He is quite a little fish.
Sydney discovered this perch at one of the beaches. She sat on the rocks, ate snacks while keeping track of everyone's moves.
We hiked through the jungle to this beautiful waterfall. Everyone had a fun time playing in the water and climbing around.
Christopher already has posted about this picture. I would like to point out it was his post and not mine. ;-)
Preston peaking up from the water. You can see the tip of Spencer's snorkel.

Preston, Spencer, Ethan and Christopher swimming around a small island.

Ethan and Spencer had both decided to go fishing for their birthdays.  We found a guide in Tioman who showed us how the locals fish. They drop a line with a big weight clear to the bottom and then jerk the hook and squid off the sea bottom with a quick motion. Spencer and Ethan had a blast. Jordan even enjoyed it too. The Guide would drop the line, snag a fish and hand it to Jordan. She caught the most fish...
Preston was sick, so he, Christopher, Adam and Sydney stayed at the hotel and lounged.

Ethan
Spencer
Jordan with one of the many fish she 'caught'

The day Preston was sick, the rest of us hiked to another waterfall that was supposedly in the movie South Pacific.
Jordan
Ethan and Preston 
We enjoyed the food in Tioman and enjoyed the prices even more. We found a restaurant we really liked and went back every night!
Ethan feeding the fish
Jordan being swarmed by the fish. She has bread crumbs in her hands
This is one of my favorite sequences of pictures. Preston was hanging on the beach with Syd. And little by little he fell into her 'trap'. What an awesome big brother to acquiesce.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Many or Few?

We went to an island called Pulau Tioman in Malaysia for a few days over spring break.  We can't decide if this is a picture of how many fish there are, or how much hair there isnt . . .

Socks?

We got here without Jordan's Curlers. We hadn't noticed until one Saturday night she decided she wanted curly hair for Church on Sunday. We improvised using the old sock trick. The socks weren't old, but the trick is ;-). Christopher is glad we only had to use his socks once. We have since purchased lovely curlers that Jordan isn't afraid do wear around the house and to a friend's house.

How Cute is she?


Universal Studios

We decided that Season Passes to Universal Studios might be a good idea for our family. We have all ready been several times and plan to go many more times this summer. Bring on the Summer! Today is the last day of school, so I really mean it. BRING ON SUMMER!!!

Dragon Fruit

We love Dragon Fruit. There are two kinds that we eat. One has white flesh with black seeds and one has red flesh with black seeds. The red one tends to STAIN!