Busy, Busy, Busy.....

A couple of weeks ago when we were out at Mackinaw we found a fawn at the side of the road all by itself. So, my dad called a guy who lived up the road to come and get it. This guy has been taking care of the fawn. We took the kids to see it. They really enjoyed the fawn. Not too many kids get to see a fawn up close or touch one for that fact.

Ava and Alexus(My cousin, Shelley's daughter)

Hayden and Grandma

Ava at our Father's Day dinner

Hayden at t-ball

Ava at her cousin's house in Indiana

Hayden at cousin Emma's house

Eating out at Mackinaw with the family

Ava swimming at Aunt Julie's pool

Getting ready to play in the sprinkler

playing in the sprinkler

Father's Day picture

Hayden and Daddy during Father's Day dinner

We have been a busy bunch lately! You would think that during the summer we would relax. Well, between me working nights, t-ball/soccer, swimming, tumbling, and family visiting we haven't had much time to relax. Don't get me wrong, we have been having a blast this summer, but we have been pretty busy. I still really enjoy working in the NICU. I keep learning more each time I work and I feel pretty comfortable taking care of two sometimes three babies at a time. Hayden and Ava have been busy with t-ball, soccer, swimming lessons and Ava with tumbling. This past week my cousin, Shelley, and her two daughters and her mom came to visit. Over the weekend the women (me, my mom, my aunt, Shelley, and her mom) went to Chicago for overnight. We had a lot fun shopping, eating and laughing. My mom was the best with her driving my minivan. We had a lot of laughs with that. (Sorry, mom). While I was in Chicago, Brian took the kids to Indiana for our neice's dance recital.

Summer Style

Well, we did it! Ava had her first big haircut. She got her "chopped." We thought it would be nice to have shorter hair for the summer. I think it looks great! Ava likes it, too. It does seem weird to see her with short hair. It took us 41/2 years just to get the length it was. Now we can grow it back again. I am not sure how many inches were cut. Also, we had Hayden's hair cut shorter than normal, too. He looks very handsome! What does everyone else think?

Before the cut

After the "chopping"

Hayden's new style (what a cheeser!)

This morning after Daddy put gel in it to spike it

Ava this morning with her bow (we usually always have a bow in her)

I wanted to wish all the Fathers a Happy Father's Day for tomorrow. I am in the middle of working three 12 hour shifts. I don't think I will be awake enough tomorrow to do a post.

Happy Anniversary to.....

US!!!! That's right, It is our 9th wedding anniversary today!!!! I can't believe that it has been 9 years already. We have been through so many ups and downs in our short marriage. The worst was losing our three little babies. Through that we have become a much stronger couple. The most joy for me has been watching Brian be the best daddy ever!!!! I never have to tell him what to do (well, atleast I try not to). He plays with them, puts band-aids on, gives hug and kisses, takes them places by himself (very daring), and many other things. He is my best friend!
We had a nice evening. Brian had made reservations at Jonah's. So YUMMY! I forgot how great that place is. We got crab stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. Brian ordered fried shrimp. I ordered grouper oscar with the delicious sweet au gratin potatoes. Then because it was our anniversary we got a huge piece of chocolate fudge cake. Then we went to a movie.
Make sure you give your hubby a great big hug and kiss tonight and tell them how special they are to you!

Twinkle Toes and Nature

Things have still been crazy around here. I just got finished with working three 12 hour shifts from 7p-7a in a row. I absolutely love working in the NICU. I have gotten some great experiences already. The highlight so far is one night I got to go on two trips which is picking up a baby from another hospital in an ambulance. Everyone has been so nice and the babies are so precious! I do feel so bad for the babies that don't have the best mommy and daddy's. All I can do is love those babies and pray for them.

Also, Ava had her dress rehearsal last night and she has her recital tonight and tomorrow night. She is in a ballet dance and a tap dance. They are super cute. I will have Brian put the video of her dance on sometime soon. I couldn't decide which pictures to put on so I did a lot of them. Sorry!

Then I put pictures of the kids up from last weekend. We went out to Mackinaw to help clean it up. We are trying to get it ready so we can go camping and swimming in the lake. Hayden and Ava can't wait to go camping for the first time. I can't wait either. My family used to camp out there a lot and I have a lot of really great memories of camping and swimming in the lake. I want my children to have the same memories!!!

This is Ava with her new headband. We were shopping and she just had to have a headband because she said, "Everyone else has one so I need one too." I was thinking, "Are we starting this already?"

Ava climbing an old tree stump

Hayden was sitting on the deck looking at the tadpoles in the lake

Ava enjoying a smore

Gotta love the gooyeness

Ava taking a snack break before her tap dance. They are dancing to "How much is that doggy in the window?"

Wasting time

Daddy and Ava sitting in the crowd watching the other dances

Isn't she a cute dalmation?

Waiting to go backstage

In her ballet costume. She is a dewdrop fairy

What's Happening.....

Where have I been? There has been a lot going on in the Snyder household. Last Friday I had my two bottom molars taken out. I know, most people get theirs out in their teen years, but I took care of Brian in college when he got his out and that made me wait forever!!!!! Well, I was right in doing so because I was miserable!!!!! Way too much pain for me. I ended up getting "dry socket." Very painful. I had to go back Wed morning for him to pack them. Then I went back this morning to get them packed again. The packing really does help. It takes away the pain, but I have a constant minty flavor in my mouth. I guess that is better than pain.

I started my externship in the NICU this past Wed night. It was a great!!!!!! I am going to be working third shift (7pm-7am). I thought it would drag, but it went pretty fast. I felt pretty comfortable. My preceptor is awesome. She actually took care of Hayden and Ava so that was nice. She kept introducing me to people (which is great) but everyone kept saying I already know her. It was funny. What was amazing to me was there were some nurses who I remembered and they remembered where Hayden, Ava, and Miles spots were in the NICU. It really meant a lot when they remembered Miles and even his name! They really are amazing up there and I am so happy and lucky to be apart of their "family." Anyway, I was put right to work with the babies and the routine. I really do have some advantage with my past experience because I already knew how to do their temps, change diapers with wires all over, and feeding them (which you need to have some technique). I really think I am going to like working in the NICU. We shall see next week how things go. It was a super great first shift experience!!!!

Hayden had his last day of school yesterday. So now we are concentrating on potty training him. I know, he still is not potty trained. This has been a very big struggle with Hayden. He just doesn't want to do it. So, this morning he has big boy pants on. This might be a silly prayer request but please pray for mommy and daddy and especially for Hayden. I want him to feel empowered to do this. It is so time!!!!!!! Funny note: last night we were over at my mom and dad's house booking our resort for our first trip to Disneyland next May. Well, we were showing Hayden in the magazine which resort it was. Hayden said, "We can't go in the magazine" he kept saying it because he thought that we were literally going to the picture in the magazine. How cute and funny is that? I was cracking up!

Don update: He is doing much better! He has moved back to the floor that I was working on. He looks great and is gaining strength everyday. Thank you for all of your prayers!

Here are some recent pictures of the kids.

Hanging out at Mackinaw

Going on their favorite pug ride with Grampy

This is a picture of Hayden's bug shirt that he made at school.

Eating some yummy popsicles

I let them play in the water yesterday for a little bit.

TA DA!!!!!!

The playset is DONE!!!! I am so proud of Brian. He built the entire thing all by himself! What a super Dad! The kids are having so much fun playing on it.

Here is the proof for Brian's coworkers:

We had a nice lunch outside

They wanted to eat their snack on the playset

Swinging fun!

Their favorite: the bronco rider

Hanging out

Tonight as we were winding down together, Hayden was sitting on my lap. He was giving me kisses. He then took his ear and put it to my cheek and said, "Mommy, this is an ear kiss" I thought that was super cute and creative. So give all your loved ones "Ear Kisses" tonight.

Update: Please pray tonight for Don and his family. He coded twice last night. They did take him off the ventilator today and he got to watch his Cubs play and eat lunch. He got to talk to all of his family. My mom just called me and told me that he is back on the vetilator. Please pray for Don and his family to have Peace! Thank you!

Swimming Fun

We had a fun morning today! I didn't send Hayden to school today (I know bad mommy, former teacher) instead I took Hayden and Ava to an indoor swimming pool. They had so much fun! We met up with my girlfriends and their children. Then we went and got McDonalds and came home for lunch.

Before they got in the pool

Hayden loved feeling the water go down his pants

This is Isabelle and Ava

Update: Don ended up coding in the middle of the night. He is now in the intensive care unit. Please pray for him, my Grandma, and his family! Thank you!