Meet Oreo!!!

Our friends bought a kitty a couple weeks ago and ever since Allie saw their kitty she's been asking for one, she's actually been asking one since she saw the neighbors cat that lives behind us. So Todd and I talked about it and decided we would get an older cat this time not a kitten due to what happened in Georgia with the last kitten we got (visit here and then here for an explanation).  So I looked on Craigslist for about 2 weeks, emailed many people but never heard back until I heard back from Oreos owner. I was excited to go get him.
Oreo is about 5 1/2 years old, declawed, neutered, potty trained, loves to be brushed - even on his belly, is very affectionate and is just a friendly cat. He isn't a fan of the kids or Maggie right now but hopefully over time he'll come to love them. Oreo loves to sleep and hang out on top of the fridge and on top of the cupboards above the fridge.

Maggie meeting Oreo

This was a bed time. Maggie wasn't liking the fact that Oreo was in her territory. LOL!!!

Here he is up on the cupboard above the fridge

Grandpa Came To Visit

My dad has some work up in North Dakota and he decided to drop on by on his way home this past week. Colorado Springs is way out of his way to Salt Lake so we were very grateful for his visit. We sure miss seeing him!!! The kids loved having him here and wish he could have stayed longer but we know he'll be back soon and hopefully he'll bring Aunt Breanna with him ;p
But while grandpa was here, he went to the park with the kids, tickled the kids (many times), went to Family Day for Todd's work, and just had fun being with his awesome grandkids!!!

"Going to count those ribbies"

"1 ribbie, 2 ribbie, 3 ribbie ...."

"Weeeeee"

Uh Mom??? Help!!

Cheese!!!

Allie kept saying "I wanna go SUPER high gampa, super high"

Family Day

Today was "Family Day" for Todd's work. The FRG (family readiness group) put together a family hike in the morning at Garden of the Gods and then we were able to take a tour of Todd's work (which was a first, so we were pretty lucky) and then after they had everyone meet at the pool on base for some swimming and drinks. We did the walk and tour but then crashed at home after that since it was a long day. It was a very nice walk at the Garden of the Gods, we were able to meet some of Todd's coworkers and their families and get some exercise. And as for the tour, I can't really say much but it was fun to see where Todd finally works and see what he does (well kind of).

The kissing camels

I think this rock looks like a bunny

While walking we saw a deer

Having a break and playing on the rocks. That's the Chaplin and his kids along with Todd and Allie

Family Photo 2012

Baking with Daddy

Todd loves to make cookies - well Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Sandwich ones and make them special colors. So when he makes them he asks Allie to help and then she gets to choose the color for the cookies and the frosting. Allie loves baking with daddy! (I think it has to do with licking the beaters though LOL) ;p

Getting all set up

Putting the mixer together.

Helping pour in the sugar

"Its a sand castle!!" Allie calls the brown sugar a sand castle every time.

Watching D add in the eggs

Allie chose the color Purple for the cookies

Got a little distracted while D poured in the flour

Yummy beaters!!!

They got Allie's approval

The finished product. Purple cookies with the blue cream cheese frosting

Old Friends Reunite

While we were living at Fort Gordon (Georgia) we had made some really good friends and had become a good Army family and since moving here to Colorado onto Schriever its been so different. We have noticed that the Air Force don't really want to interact with the Army or other military branches. The AF don't like us living on THEIR base so its been hard for us to make friends. So when I found out one of my good friends from Gordon (who was stationed in Cali) was moving here I was THRILLED!!! I was excited for Allie as well, because she was getting one of her original best friends back. We've gotten together with our friends the Padillas quite a few times since they arrived. Amy and Allie have had a tea party, a sleep over, played at the park, and have just had a blast with each other!!!

Allie and Amy

Hear ye Hear ye

Before we left for our Utah vacation, Allie went to see an ear doctor because the nurse at her preschool was concerned about her hearing, it also didn't help that she failed the hearing test they did at school. So we were referred to Dr. Shaw's office. She first had a hearing test and then saw the nurse practitioner first and she recommend we get a CT Scan done because from looking at Allie's ear they couldn't see anything wrong. She did mention that the possible reason with Allie's mild to moderate hearing loss could be due to nerve damage so that's why they want the CT Scan done. So we mentioned getting that done and then we would bring Allie back to see Dr. Shaw (the actual ear dr) to get the results of the scan and then go from there.
So when we got back from Utah we went and had her CT Scan done. And let me tell you, I was really nervous about how she would do with this, but she did AWESOME!!! I was so proud of her. She sat still the whole time and the CT tech was so impressed by Allie she gave her a special prize. But enough bragging...
So forward to today (7/12/12) Allie and I went to see her ear doctor. They first started off with another hearing test and it came out the same as the other two that she had done - still showed she had hearing loss. Well we met and talked to the doctor. He looked at her ears and said she had "beautiful" ear drums (lol) and by looking at her ears nothing is wrong (well we already know this, duh!). Then he went over the scan and said he couldn't really tell (because the scan didn't pick it up very well) but he's pretty sure she has nerve damage. If you look at the image above the green arrow is pointing where the nerves are. He says its been this way since birth (and probably why she failed her baby hearing test 5x) and they cant repair it. Also where the blue arrow is pointing to (at the snail looking thing) he mentioned that the little hairs inside that are most likely not working like they should so with the damaged nerves and not working snail thing she's not hearing certain pitches and frequencies.
So we've decided the best thing for Allie will be to get hearing aids. I didn't want this for her but the doctor explained it'll be better for her especially with her being young and in school. So on July 30th we get to go back to see the audiologist to get the hearing aid molds and Allie also gets to pick what color she wants them in. I know its whats best for her, I'm just nervous about how she's going to do with them and all...

Z's Post Surgery Appt

Thursday, July 5th, Zachary had his post op appointment with his eye doctor. His doctor said his eyes look great and are healing nicely. He still has a little bit of blood still around his eyes but thats to be expected. Since that appointment Todd and I have noticed Zachary's right eye wonder here and there - still. So my guess is at Zach's next eye appointment I'll mention this and if his eye is still a little off we'll have a few choices:

1) Repeat the surgery

2) Try patching for a few months and see how that goes or

3) Zach will have to wear glasses

My guess is it'll be either option 2 or 3 so I guess we will see. But for now Zach is fine and recovering great and thats all that matters.

4th Of July

Happy 4th Of July from Allie and Zachary!!!
With us not being able to do fireworks or go see any (due to the Waldo Canyon Fires here) I decided to buy the kids their own flags that they could wave around and I plan to get them some fun glow sticks to play with tonight.