Chase’s Thumb Injury

Chase was playing a game against B E high school.  During the last minute of the varsity game, Chase went to dive for a loose ball and he hyperextended his right thumb.  It immediately swelled up and was really painful for him.  We put ice on it.  Dr. B was at the game and saw everything.  He looked at it after the game and told us to meet him at the hospital.  He got a splint for Chase and told him to wear it for the next few days and check back with him on Monday.  He fit us in between cases and looked at Chase's thumb again on Monday.  He was really concerned with how his thumb was flexing and was worried that he might have ruptured a tendon.  So he ordered an MRI.  Luckily, Kate (Lisa's daughter) was working and really pushed to get the MRI done that day.  The MRI came back and said that his thumb was just a sprain and luckily no tendons were ruptured.


The Saturday after Christmas, Matt was first call and happened to do a case with Dr. P.  He's the hand specialist that Dr. B wanted us to follow up with but we couldn't get in to see him for a couple of weeks.  Dr. B told Dr. P about Chase's thumb.  Dr. P asked Matt about it when they were doing the case together.  He told Matt that he would look at Chase's thumb after the case.  So Chase and I went to the hospital.  He examined the MRI and Chase's thumb and decided that it doesn't need surgery.  He recommend a custom thumb brace for Chase and hopefully he can still play with it.  They worked it out for Chase to meet with the occupational therapist, Pat on Monday morning.  He made it right there in the office.  It was slick as can be.  Chase is anxious to get back to playing ball.  He's been resting it over the Christmas break which was about two weeks since he was injured.


The trainer tapes the brace to Chase's thumb and makes sure it's secure and supported.  Luckily he's been able to play with the brace.  Mentally it's held him back a little but at least he's playing.

Matt’s Work Party

One of the games we played during Matt's work party was a gift exchange.  Matt ended up with the Christmas Vacation package.  Tanisha was the creative one that came up with this cute idea.


I've known since we moved up here that eventually we would need to host Matt's work Christmas party.  We were supposed to host last year but our house flooded (that was the only good thing about the flood).  Luckily mom had her ward party a couple of weeks before our party so I used all of her decorations.  We had about 35-40 people show up.  People were really good about helping with food. I cooked a couple of hams.  I was visiting with our sweet Relief Society President, Connie G about the party.  She gave me a great glaze recipe for the ham.  I put out some Rhodes Rolls.  It turned out delicious!  People brought green salads, fruit salads, fruit, cheesy potatoes and drinks.  For dessert, I did Costco cheesecake with a chocolate sauce and a berries.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the food.  We had a fun time playing games.  Matt and the boys were incredible with cleaning the house before the party.  Everything turned out really well.

Tanner knows his letters

Tanner passed off all of his alphabet letters and sounds. He’s worked really hard to learn his letters. His computer preschool really helped! Jess showed me a couple of fun games that I bought to help him learn his letters. 

I love this picture that Tanner drew of himself. I love his spikey hair. 

Waking up at 7:00 has been a little rough on Tanner.  Some mornings he’s so tired. This morning I took a picture of him because he was SO tired. When I took the picture he made a big smile. So then I had to sneak a picture of how tired he really was. Tanner catches the bus at 7:35.  I’ve been trying really hard to get Tanner to bed by 8:00 but sometimes it’s later because of his older brothers’ schedules. 

Cruise Ship

Bridger was obsessed with putting together this styrofoam cruise ship that Grandma and Grandpa R gave to us. Bridger’s free time is very limited because of basketball but any free minute he would work on it. He was able to put it all together in a couple of days. It was a complex puzzle for him but he loved it! 

12 Days of Christmas

I was trying to come up with a new idea for Marilyn for the 12 days of Christmas. We’ve been doing this tradition for at least 10 years. We love doing this for Marilyn. It’s so fun to talk to her every night and hear the excitement and appreciation in her voice. With technology we FaceTime most of the time which makes it so much fun! This year I painted a wood “HOME” sign for Marilyn that has a monthly symbol for the O.  Bridger helped me sand most of the wood pieces which saved me a lot of time. This project took A LOT of time but it was so fun to do this for Marilyn. It’s made with love! My house was a complete disaster for about 10 days but it was worth it! 

Happy St. Nicholas Day

St Nicholas found us a few days after the holiday. The boys kept forgetting to put their shoes out so he didn’t stop by. But then they finally remembered so he filled their shoes with a couple of gifts. He brought everyone some socks. Matt got Buddy the “Elf” Stance socks. Chase got Air Jordan socks and Nike Elite socks, Bridger got Nike Elite basketball socks and Tanner got Stance socks that have an astronaught dog on them. He also brought Tanner and Bridger a model car that they had to assemble.  I’m so glad he was finally able to come.

Let’s go in a cruise!

We celebrated St. Nicholas day with the R’s. St Nicholas spoiled us with a bag of goodies. Dad gave each family a St Nicholas figure from France. He’s so cute holding the Effiel Tower. Then mom and dad had each family open a big box. It was the playmobil cruise ship! They said that they want to take us all on an Alaskan cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary this summer!! Everyone went wild! Mom and dad had talked to the adults about it but the kids didn’t know. It was magical! It’s going to be so much fun!!!! Mom and Dad are so generous! 

Tanner’s Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Chase has a couple of basketball games. Tiffani offered to take Tanner to a family Christmas party. She talked me into it because she said Tanner would have more fun at the party to watching another game. I’m so glad I let her take Tanner because Santa was there!! Tanner had a great vaisit with Santa. He asked for a pink scooter and bouncy balls.  His buddy Mack was at the party so they had a great time! Tiff is so good to me! 

Nativity with the A’s

We love our Nativity tradition with the A’s. It’s a great way of starting the holidays. Ardell read the Nativity story out of the scriptures while Charlene helped Ella and Tanner set up the nativity scene. Afterwards the kids opened up their ornaments from Grandma and Grandpa.