Halloween 2013

Halloween is my least favorite holiday!  I actually really, really dislike it and wish it would go away.  Nonetheless, I try to enjoy it for the kids sake.  I do enjoy carving pumpkins.  This year we painted them and roasted the pumpkin seeds.  Kaylynn was in charge of gutting the pumpkins, because Ashley is absolutely disgusted by it.

 

Mrs. Potato Head

 

Little Red Riding Hood

Princess Fairy and Lady Bug

 

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 "The Stash!!" Fortunately I took most of it and dry sealed it for a rainy day!!

 

We've been FORKED!!

Allen and Tyler missed our ward Halloween party due to a BYU football game in Provo.  I took the girls and had a fun night of games and a chili, baked potato dinner.  When we came home that night, we had had visitors in our absence,.  Our yard had been forked - spelling USU.  The driveway had been written in chalk with anti BYU, and Utah State symbols and a drawing of the USU Bull. 
My first guess was our avid USU friends, but she didn't have a clue what I was talking about when I called her that night.  The next guess was a member of our Bishopric, who gives Allen a hard time about being a BYU fan.  He had made comments at the party about Allen and Tyler missing the event for the game.  Our other guess was a 5th grade teacher at Summit, but he denies it, although he wishes he had thought of the idea.  We  will probably never know who did it, we will just keep our thoughts of who we think it was and enjoy the laugh. 

 

Y B U when U can Be U State

U picked the wrong team

BYU - You are Utterly the worst

The girls filled a Lee's grocery sack full when the forks where removed from the lawn.

Joslynn's skin issues

Joslynn has had skin issues ever since she was a baby.  I remember she would rub her checks so bad they would bleed.  She has always scratched and has had very dry skin.  Luckily her skin is healthy on her face, but the rest of her body is a continual problem.  When she was a year old, we went to see a dermatologist.  He gave me some steroid oil to apply daily with instructions to moisturize routinely throughout the day.  Her skin seemed to get better for short periods, but never great.  At her three year check up I addressed issues of food allergies with her doctor.  He wasn't sure, but thought it might be a possibility, but thought I should see the dermatologist again.  I made an appointment, but then cancelled it, because of money issues.  We hadn't met our deductible, and really didn't want, or could afford the added cost. Our family doctor renewed the steroid oil prescription, so I thought I would keep trying that. 
Another friend suggested the idea of candida problem.  After much research, I thought this was her problem.  She had so many IV antibiotics at birth, and all her food allergies were food that feed yeast, so I thought I would try the candida regimen.  I gave her antifungals, tried to change some things in her diet, bought doTerra oils and applied them.  Her eczema flared BAD.  All the articles I read said it would get worse before it started to get better.  She hated gluten free food.  I tried making bread, bought gluten free bread and bought a mix to no avail.  One day I tried it and it was disgusting!!! (Made me feel very grateful that I don't have to eat it).  Nothing I was doing was making Joslynn better and she was miserable!!  She was scratching more, irritable and not sleeping well.  She was waking up multiple times during the night.  (Her scratching is always worse at night)  She hasn't slept through the night in years, but she was waking frequently and nothing I put on her skin was soothing. She had multiple open sores on her arms, legs, neck, back, that were draining and looked infected.  She looked like a severe case of road rash.  I knew I needed help, so to the dermatologist we went. 
I took a bag full of all the lotions, creams, oils that I have used.  Dr. Hubbard diagnosed her with a severe case of atopic dermatitis.  Her skin does not produce the natural moisturizers that normal skin does.  The symptoms include dryness and constant itch, which explained her constant scratching.  He put her on an oral antibiotic, oral steroid, cream, and some sleep medicine.  I was really worried about the steroid, but he reassured me that the small dose would be fine and the best way to calm her skin down. The sleep medicine (antihistamine) would allow her to get in a deep sleep so she wouldn't scratch and her skin would be able to heal.  He cultured some of her sores, which grew staph.  The first three nights I gave her the sleep medicine and it worked wonderfully.  It was so nice to actually sleep all night.  We decreased the dose of prednisone by 1 ml every three days. By the time we were down to 3 ml, her skin was starting to flare and new sores forming.  We returned to the Dr. after two weeks.  I was out of sleep medication and she was no longer sleeping through the night.  I did not want to continue with the oral steroid, but was concerned about her skin healing.  Prescriptions for lotions were obtained and another round of oral antibiotics.  We decided to do a patch test to see what she was allergic too.  We discussed candida, but he did not think it was a candida rash.   The patch test consisted of applying patches of different materials to her skin to see what she reacts to.  The patches were applied on a Monday and were removed on Wednesday.  He wanted to apply 100 patches, but only had enough "good" skin to place 60.  The outline of the tape was marked. (that's the purple marking on the edges).

60 patches on Joslynn's back

 

after removal days later.

2



On Friday we returned to find out the results.  She is allergic to nickel and potassium chromate.  Several foods have nickel:  green beans, chocolate, hot chocolate, nuts, canned fruit and veggies.  That explains her reaction when she eats nuts and chocolate.  She gets a rash and the scratching is HORRID!  Potassium chromate is in leather, paints, wax, glue, detergents.  Her skin is 95% better than a month ago,  but her scratching continues.  The antihistamine sleep medicine doesn't make her sleep through the night anymore.  We discussed continued therapy with UV light radiation or autoimmune suppressant drug to relieve symptoms. 
Her treatment includes three different prescription creams.  Protopic (which was $70 for 1 gram tube... HEARTATTAK), Cloderm which is a steroid cream, and Hylatopic Plus foam, which is a vitamin enriched foam to relieve burning symptoms.  I also have antibiotic cream, in case she has open sores again.  On top of all that I use generic Aquaphor four times daily to moisturize.  We are to return in one month and reassess then. 
We have had multiple family fasts for her and last month invited our family members and friends to fast and pray for Joslynn.  I am grateful for the priesthood.  Allen has given Joslynn blessings and it states that she will find comfort.  I really wanted it to say she would be healed, but it didn't.  I was blessed that I would now how to help her.  I feel that we are on the right path.  Deep down I know that she will be healed.  I don't know when, or the steps that will be involve, but I have peace.  I know Heavenly Father is very aware of her and know He has the power to heal her when the time is right. Until then, I will continue to pray for guidance on what to do and comfort for Joslynn.
On another note, this is not to complain, but more of a record of the cost involved.   We have not met our deductible this year, the dermatologist said:  you will now!!  Every office visit is $30 copay = $90, topical creams and oral antibiotics = $120.71,  our deductible is $750/person, or $1500/ family. 

Nauvoo, Illinois

Diane, Joseph and their children continued on to Nauvoo with us.  We saw some of the church sites as we traveled to Nauvoo.  The church has a replica of what the jail was like in Liberty and it must have been a horrible experience for Joseph and the others that were with him.  We went to Carthage and loved the history and spirit that is there.  We learned a few things and it was great to be somewhere the prophet Joseph had been.  I am grateful for the faith, perseverance, and obedience of the Prophet Joseph.  I look forward to meeting him someday.

 

Far West, Missouri

wagon ride through Nauvoo

Mississippi River - where the pioneers left when they were forced to leave Nauvoo.  Tyler and Ashley had left with Diane and Joseph to go to New York.  They spent three weeks in NY with my parents.

First Day of School Pictures

 

Alyssa - 1st grade, Kaylynn - 4th grade, Joslynn - my buddy at home.

 

Ashley - 6th grade

 

Tyler is in 10th - no photo available.

Happy Birthdays

Exciting ages for Ashley and Tyler this year.  Ashley turned 12!  She is loving the Young Women's activities.  She has YW every Tuesday night and volleyball on Thursdays.  Our ward is combined with two other wards, and unfortunately we aren't very good.  She has a good time with the four other girls that come.  Ashley is in 6th grade at Cedar Ridge Middle School.  Allen drives her to school on the way to work, and she rides the bus home.  She is playing the violin in orchestra.  6th grade is harder than she thought, but she works hard and is doing well.  She is extremely organized (a titch of OCD) and is very thorough.  She has started babysitting, and is thrilled to making her own money.  She has a babysitting kit and takes different things to entertain the children.  She is responsible and fun to be around. 

She was very excited to turn twelve because she could finally get her ears pierced.  I was hoping two  people would be there to pierce, but only one, so she had to do one ear at a time.  She said the second hurt worse than the first, probably because she new what was coming.  She also received some perfume, watch, and some socks.  We are very grateful that Ashley came to our home and for the helpful person she is. 

Ashley's new earings

Alyssa looks pretty excited about her presents!!

 

ice cream cake - and yes we are short on candles, just pretend there are 12!!

 

 

Tyler turned 16!!  He past up going to homecoming today because BYU was playing UofU in Provo.  He said he wouldn't see them play again until after his mission so there was "no way I could miss it".  Cheaper for him!  Tyler is a sophomore at Sky View High School.  He takes early morning seminary, so he leaves the house at 6:05.  He loves football, football, football.  He has two jobs;  a ref for youth basketball and a after school aide at Summit Elementary.  The hours are perfect and it keeps him busy.  He has learned that he has to prioritize and not waste time.  He rides his bike to school and we take him to the basketball games since it is dark when he his done.  He took his driving test and PASSED!!  He has to do some requirements before we will put him on the insurance.  We figure he'll get them done faster with that incentive.  All Tyler wanted for his birthday was a cell phone.  We finally broke down and got him one.  He is so busy going different places that we felt it was needed.  He was thrilled!

Look at Joslynn's expressions- I'm not sure who is more excited - Joslynn or Tyler.

 

Tyler also wanted an ice cream cake.  He was specific that he wanted a blue "Y".  So we got aggie blue mint ice cream to make the "Y".  Allen's coworkers thought it was just wrong to do that.  I think it's pretty funny!

New Doo

Kaylynn's hair was getting quite long. When it was wet, it would touch her fanny.  I told her when it got to her waist, it would be time to cut it.  It was tangling a lot, especially if it was left down.  The best way to keep it was braided, and then she complained I was taking to long to do her hair.  The day finally arrived and we chopped it.  She immediately stated how light her hair felt.  She had 12 inches cut.  Lots easier to manage!!!

 

 

Summer trips

 I need to catch up on the blogging thing.  We had so much going on this summer. We had a great trip to Kansas, then on to Illinois.  We hit 6 states in all with our travels: Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri!  We put a lot of miles on, but it was well worth it.  We meet all my siblings and parents in North Newton, Kansas for a reunion.  We were very excited to all be together, and for the most part, I think everyone had a good time.  This was the first time we have ever gotten everyone together away from the farm. It was very different and some had trouble with the close proximity of everyone!!  The 18 grandchildren had a great time together, which we were all impressed with.  I doubt we will ever get together away from the farm again, so I will cherish the memories of all being together.

So as stated, there were 18 children and 13 adults together for 5 days! It was HOT and Dennis said he was going to stay at the grocery store, lay down and put his feet in the freezer!!  That's quite the mental picture!!  We took some episodes of Dukes of Hazard and it was hilarious to listen to my Dad laugh and slap his knee.

We all arrived by the night of July 4th and started with a good fireworks show in the front yard. 

OK - these pictures are not in the order I would prefer, but I'm tired of the blog issues - so I'm leaving as is.

 

 

Kaylynn didn't like the loud bangs, or smoke, so she stayed on the porch

 

 

 

 

Joseph and "Big Daddy"

 

viewing the Dukes of Hazard

 

 

kraft on rainy day

 

 

Kaylynn and Kate

 

Yummy chicken Bar-b-que

 

Kenneth, Scott, Diane, Karen, Dennis, Jason,

 

 

all the grand children

 

 

 

 

1.  Kenneth showing us how to make a chicken pass out.  He tucks her head between the feathers and swings her around.  Hopefully she will still lay eggs!!
2.  

70 years old and finally starting!!!

I've never seen my Dad do dishes before! 

 

 

 

 

 

supervising water activities outside

 

 Scott and Jenni
 

Family Home Evening the last night together.