Godo-bye Movember.

allergies

Because of Jake's recent ear infections and previous allergies, we had him tested to see exactly what makes him so miserable.  Turns out he is allergic to:

• cats
• dogs
• trees
• grass
• dust

So basically he's allergic to something from mid-January to November.

We are going to start shot treatments which will take about 5-6 years--just in time to send him off on his mission.

 Before the test

 and after

As we told him, it's a bummer, but it's better than being allergic to foods which is not treatable.  So although he's blowing his nose and popping his ears, he can enjoy some peanut butter and milk!

emmy

our curly girly

thanksgiving outline

I.
Who:  Grandpa and Grandma Johnson, Lon, and the 6 of us.
What:  Thanksgiving Dinner
When:  Wednesday to Thanksgiving Day
Where: Our house
Why: Everyone else (minus one sister) was on a cruise in the Bahamas!

 

II.
Who: lots of friends
What: Gingerbread house display
When: Friday afternoon
Where: Sheraton Hotel in Seattle & Mod Pizza
Why: Tradition!  It's time to kick off the Christmas season!

 

III.
Who: lots of friends
What: Garden D'Lights
When: Saturday
Where: Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Why: It was a beautiful night for lights!

 

We are thankful for family and friends!

           

eating out

Tonight we met up with cousins for dinner at IHOP.  Emmy was not happy about it.  This is what she wanted instead:

"I want the stickers from In 'n Out,

I want the fortune cookies from Panda Express,

I want the toy from McDonald's and

I want the Mac and Cheese from Outback.

I just want so much wishes!!!"

  

Sounds like a girl who knows her fast food restaurants.  

welcome back max

Once again Max is here to keep us all in line and report regularly to Santa.

One of my favorite things to do is hear Ali and Emmy talk about Max.  They get up early every morning to find him.  They write notes to Santa and leave them by him because they know he travels to the North Pole every night.  They tell him things they'd like to get for Christmas.  They tell everyone they see about Max.  And this is one recent conversation that made me smile:

Emmy: "Does Max go to Elf Church?"

Ali: "I think so because Santa knows Jesus and Max knows Santa."

Yes, Max even knows the church is true.  We got a really great elf.

ym

Jake had a visit from all of the deacons and their leaders.  Impressive!

Sunday they came to get him from Primary

after he cut the Bishop's tie.

 On Tuesday he went to YM!!!

He also checked off his first official Scout campout--complete with bats!

12 is serious.

undefeated

Jake's soccer team went undefeated this season!  Congrats to the Hornets, otherwise known as MCFC (Minecraft Football Club).  They (unofficially) changed their name this year.  After being the Hornets since Kindergarten, they were ready for a change!

a special Sunday

Jake was ordained a Deacon today and received the Aaronic Priesthood.  Whoa.  He is going to pass the Sacrament.  Whoa.  We have two Priesthood holders in our home now.  Double Whoa.

Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes flew in for the big day.  They spent the weekend with us and even saw Jake's last soccer game.  Of course, it was the game with the WORST weather!!

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson drove over Sunday morning to be here.  We had so much fun with both grandparents.  They were both serving missions when Jake was born, so they missed his blessing day.

The whole crowd: Us & Jake; Uncles Ben & Dan

  We don't take it for granted when we get them all here with us!

Icing on the cake:  Grandma Diane gave Jake 3 ties of Grandpa Lorenzo's to keep.  He wore one on the big day, in honor of his great-grandpa who he is named after.

 

Whoa.

end of soccer

Ali had a great soccer season this year!  She really improved and actually liked playing.  They deserved the entire bucket of ice cream after their awesome season!  Way to go Ali & the Green Geckos!!

12

Jake is 12.  Say what?!

His birthday did not go exactly as planned.  He could hardly sleep last night because his ears were hurting.  It became a good news/bad news type of day.

 

Good news: He felt good enough this morning to go to school today.
Bad news:  He came home early because his ears were hurting too much.

So on his birthday, we went to the doctor and found out the
Bad news:  he had a DOUBLE ear infection.
Good news: he can now swallow pills instead of drinking the liquid stuff!

Bad news:  So he was pretty sick on his birthday.
Good news:  He got to skip school on his birthday!  AND he didn't have any homework!

Bad news:  He took a nap--so boring on your birthday.
Good news:  He got to skip piano lessons!! (best birthday present ever)

Bad news:  He didn't get the Xbox 360 that he really wanted.
Good news: He got some other cool presents!

And we still got to eat out and he had a yummy dessert.

It was a good reminder to us that it's all in how you look at things.