Mystery Solved and Resolved

Ali before surgery with her stuffed dog they let her bring in with her.

We have FINALLY figured out a huge mystery that has been going on in our family for over two years now and even though it ended up being a little scary for Ali it turned out to be a huge relief and blessing. So Ali has been dealing with these bad stomach pains since she was five. We took her in to the doc over two years ago and they did tests and xrays but could never find anything. Our doc did mention that it could be food related and suggested we try taking her off dairy or wheat. I couldn't even fathom the whole wheat/gluten thing so we decided to try the dairy and started with milk. It seemed to help immediatley and we thought we had figured it out. But over the last two years, despite no milk she would still continue to get these pains but they were so random and varied in length that we could never figure out what she ate or what was causing them. Despite when, they were always very painful and she would usually spend the next one to three days doubled over in pain and keeping her up at night. The poor girls, we would always just say, well try going to the bathroom, or drink some water, or you must have had too much icecream, yadda yadda yadda. Well, about two weeks ago they came really bad and for about five days. She had to miss school and was very misserable. I was so sick of this I decided we were going to get to the bottom of it once and for all. I had never had her officially tested for any food allergies and decided we needed to get it done and figure out what foods were causing the havoc. I called our doc and she said she wanted to take a look at her and do some tests and if they came back with nothing she would send us to the allergy doc. I was a little annoyed because I just wanted to skip this useless step. We had done all these test several times before and they never showed anything. Well I agreed and brought her in and of course she asked all the same questions, is she nervous or anxious at school, does she stress or try to be perfect? No, no, no, she's in second grade!

OK, to try and make this long story not so short the doc basicly had no idea what was going on and of course the blood work came back fine but she did want to do an ultrasound to make sure everything was fine on the inside. Again, I thougt was pointless because she had had xrays done and found nothing, but again I agreed. So Jeff took her in on Thursday, two weeks ago, for the ultrasound and lo and behold they discover she has a HUGE gall stone in her gall bladder. Who would have ever know, but FINALLY! So because she was so young there was no surgeon in Fairbanks who could perform the surgery, she had to have her gall bladder removed, we had to go to Anchorage to a specialized pediatric surgeon. It just so happed that that next week on Tuesday we were going to Anchorage anyways for a conference Jeff had there and the surgeon was able to squeeze us in for our consoltation on Wednesday. At that meeting the surgeon said this was indeed the cause of incredible pain and need to be removed ASAP so he said how about tomorrow. So after some very hectic scambling one of our friends, our heaven sent angel, Leisel, said she could watch the boys and Saige for the entire day while I was in the hospital with Ali. Jeff couldn't miss his conference so he couldn't be of any help. So last Thursday Ali had her gall bladder removed by an amazing surgeon who was fantastic and it went great. It has been almost two weeks now and she has done great. We are just so thankful to finally have this figured out and that it was something that could be fixed with just a minor surgery and not something that she might have to deal with the rest of her life, if it had been a food issue. Every doctor we came across said this is almost unheard of in someone her age, and those that do have it so young she doesn't have any of the conditions that might have caused it. So it was a very freak thing and the poor girl has had to deal with it for over two years before it was finally discovered but to try and make it up to her, as soon as she could, we let her have a big bowl of icecream. Since she's never had an issue with milk this entire time. So whew, there,s our mystery and how thankful we are that it is resolved.

Side note: you can live just fine without a gall bladder!

Fun Fall Pics

I have to hurry and post a few fall pictures because of what is next and all ready here. We did have a beautiful fall that lasted about two weeks longer then last year, three weeks this year, so we can't complain too much. I just feel bad for the boys. They love to be outside and have only in the last month or so really been able to get around on their own so this will be a tough blow for them. Canyon checking out his first real leaf pile

Hayden trying to decide if leaves are more fun to play with or eat.

Our cute leaf rakers taking a break

Canyon on the left, Hayden on the right

Fun in the leaves

2010 Hunting Recap

It was quite the hunting season this year. Jeff really got to enjoy one of the perks of working as a teacher, hunting season off. Even though he did way more packing than he did shooting it was still some very memorable and exciting times had by all. Jeff's Dad and brother Clint came up the first week of the season and on their last day, of four they both shot this ram. His Dad on one end and Clint on the other. Jeff played Sherpa which was to hint the theme for this seasons hunting adventures.

Packing out animal number one!

The second week his brother Bart came up to do a caribou and sheep hunt. Bart drew a very hard to get caribou tag, along with myself. We were all suppose to go caribou hunting for four days but as I'm sure you have heard the story by now I was able to go the first day and then spent my next three in the hospital with Hayden. So I was here when Bart shot his first caribou and that was exciting. They spent the next three frustrating days looking for sheep in the clouds.

My super man packing out Bart's caribou, animal number 2. Sometimes he does let us carry a little!

The next week my wonderful, did I mention wonderful, friends Dana and Lance watched the kids for two nights so that I could have another chance at getting my caribou. This HEAVEN sent caribou showed up right as we were about to call it quits and I was able to shoot my first caribou, almost minus my husband, who shocker, was busy looking at sheep.

Jeff packing my boo out, animal number 3, but of course I was there as well and experiencing the heaviest pack I have ever had to carry.

Then almost last but not least, here is a picture of Jeff's sheep HE was able to shoot this year. This was suppose to be the half day hunt that turned into a two and a half day hunt, that let to a very good friend coming to his rescue, Keith Clark, again. Forcing the two of them to miss church, again, plus share one sleeping bag and a one person tent for the night, plus forcing us to seek refuge an unexpected night with poor Jessie and causing us to miss church in Fairbanks. Not that it's that big of deal except I had to teach a class. So to put it in Jeff's words, not mine at all, "This was the dumbest thing he had ever done!" But with it all said and done he did come away with a beautiful sheep and some new rules that he now must abide by or he is not allowed to hunt! No packing pics on this one, animal number 4, need to get them from Keith still.

To FINALLY wrap it up, the next week he returned to Healy to go moose hunting with Keith and helped him pack out his moose, animal number 5!

Hunting season 2010 is OVER!!!!!

Wildflowers

Some pictures from a day spent at the gardens at the university

If you can't tell them apart yet, Hayden on left, Canyon on right

Our beautiful wildflowers!

Here is Saige on her first day of kindergarden. I can not believe she is old enough, but then whoever can. She was so excited though and could not wait to ride the bus home with Ali. Ali is such a good big sister and is always looking out for Saige, they are such good friends, most of the time! We are so blessed to have such wonderful girls and kids.

A Day at the Fair

During the week Jeff was hunting with his Dad and brother, I took the girls to the fair. We met some friends from Denali and had a fun day visiting the animals, riding the rides, and looking at the exhibits. Next year it will be Jeff's turn to experience the fun and I'll be out hunting!

Ali and Saige with the bunnies

Canyon with a bunny

Hayden making friends with a goat

Ali, Saige, and friend Riley getting ready to ride the Ferris Wheel

Ali and Saige riding the little, but very fast roller coaster. They are the second from the front.

Trampoline Boy

I had to throw in this funny picture of Hayden and his static hair from playing on the tramp

Summer of Family Fun

Here are some pictures of when my family came up to visit this July. My Dad and brother TJ flew up and my other brother Nate, drove up with his wife Angel and their three kids. We had a great time and crammed just about all you can into the ten days they were here. We love having family come up to visit and just wish all the fam could have all come. Here's the adventure! We went and payed Santa Clause a visit

We played in the water at Chena Lakes on a beautiful 92 degree day

We went for a bus ride and hike in Denali one of the days

Uncle TJ with all the kiddos, Michael, Ali, Elsie, Saige and Dalton

I love this picture because it looks like Nate is the Father Duck with all his little ducklings following behind

It was funny to see the look on people's face when we got off the bus with this crew to go hiking. They would have really been shocked if Jeff and the boys had been there, but of course, Hayden decided to have one of his breathing spells the night before so Jeff had to stay behind with them.

We played in the mud with cousins, Elsie, Michael, Dalton, Ali and Saige We camped for five nights in various parts of the state, this is in Homer on the spit.

A cute one of our goof ball Canyon

Some got the privilege of attempting the scary task of feeding the boys! Poor Brandon with Hayden.

We did a beautiful hike by the Portage Glacier, Kenai

We had a fun time on our halibut charter, we had the whole boat to our selves. The wind was ripping and the waves were horrible but we managed to catch all our fish and without any puking!

After three days of relentless effort trying to catch some salmon my Dad pulled in these two whoppers on his last day.

We ended the trip with a fun hike down by Girdwood that included a beautiful waterfall and fun hand tram. What a great time and we miss you all terribly!

In August my mom, grandma, grandpa, and uncle came up to spend a week with us and watch the kids while Jeff and I were suppose to go hunting together. We got to hunt for one day before I had to come back and spend the next three in the hospital with Hayden. But anyway, I love this picture because it is a four generation picture if you count myself, who is taking the pic, Great Grandma, Grandma, Mother (photographer), and Daughters and ALL in Alaska!