Happy New Year!  Sorry I have been gone so long.  December was a rough month---starting with a second hospitalization and nearly a 3rd one on Christmas Eve.  In spite of feeling like crap most of the month we were able to get out as a family and do some fun holiday festivities together.

Now that we live in downtown Bellevue going to Snowflake Lane (pictures below) was a piece of cake.  Kenny just put me and the kids in the wheelchair and we walked to the mall.  That wheelchair came in so handy this month!  There is no way I could have gotten out as much as we did without it.  Not only was I fighting serious infections the whole month---but my blood was really low too (very anemic).

One night we went to Snowflake Lane with the Scott Family.  My wonderful friend Lorna brought us a delicious meal which we all ate together and then we walked to Snowflake Lane.  For those of you who haven't experienced Snowflake Lane---it is pretty impressive.  It is an amazing drum show--with Christmas music---and fake snow falling.  The kids just love it!

All 4 kids waiting for the show to start--Justin is hiding around the corner.

Chloe saying hi to the Snow Princess---she let Chloe hold her wand.

I tried to get a good shot of the drummers but they were constantly on the move so it was a little challenging.

Caleb and Braden watching the (fake) snow fall. I think Braden is trying to catch some with his tongue. :)

The girls were having fun too!

Another night we met up with our friends again to go to the Botanical Gardens in Bellevue.  Kenny was a bit ambitious that night and suggested we walk to the gardens (with me in the wheelchair).  Long story short---we decided not to do that again. :) The lights were gorgeous--but I was half-frozen by the time we got there. Plus it was really crowded--trying to keep track of the kids was stressful.  We decided we might do it again in another 5 years!

Chloe thought the lights were really pretty!  She is wearing my hat from when I was little--my mom saved it!

Me and my sweetie!

Family pic!!

Chloe, Caleb and Braden enjoying the lights---not sure where Justin disappeared to.....

We had a pretty low-key Christmas because I was put on antibiotics again on Christmas Eve.  The doctor called me on the phone with my blood test results and said that my white count was really high again.  I was ordered to get lots of rest and fluids and to go right to the hospital if I got worse.  I was so thankful that we caught the infection in time---spending Thanksgiving in the hospital was enough for me!

Christmas morning---Caleb modeling his new firefighter suit (a Value Village find) and Chloe has on her new princess nightgown.

On New Year's Eve I got to see my good friend Heidi from college, her hubby Josh, and her son Caleb.  We were in Lacey visiting Kenny's parents and they were in Lacey visiting Heidi's grandma so we met up on New Year's Eve!   It was so good to see them again and our kids played so well together.  We hope to go visit them in the Tri-Cities later this year.

I think I am caught up now.  I have been able to get around much better the last couple days.  Praying I stay well--we would appreciate extra prayers too!