It Was A Merry Christmas

Santa dumped his sleigh at Grandma Jackson's house. Tyson slept horribly the night before Christmas, so he wasn't too thrilled that we were all trying to wake him up to open presents. Finally, Uncle Brett went into his bedroom and yelled, "Tyson Santa came!" That woke him up and he was ready to see what Santa brought. He understood the unwrapping of presents this year and was a bit put out, when we had unwrapped all the presents, that he didn't have anymore to unwrap. Here are a few of the action shots of the day.

This is Tyson unwrapping his McQueen slippers from his cousin Jaelyn. Great action shot!

Grandma and Grandpa Jackson gave Tyson a horse "hippity hop" As you can see, the kid is all about the action shots!

We got a big bag of LEGOS from Uncle Travis and Aunt Kariann.It took some coaxing to get Tyson to sit on Santa's lap, but after a bit he did. But notice that he still isn't quite sure about sitting there without me close by.He had so much fun playing with everything that he passed out on the floor by the kitchen table.

Doesn't he look handsome.

Back In The Saddle Again/ Well Almost

Now you would think that this country girl would be excited to drive in the snow since I haven't seen in for a while, but that wasn't the case. Thursday night Vaughn and I drove up to Colorado Springs for him to take the Step 1 test. The plan was that I would go and Christmas shop while he tested. (That was the plan). I haven't exactly been feeling up to par, so the drive up in altitude didn't help the old sinuses. I felt like my head was as big as a hot air balloon. This wasn't going to be good. We got to the motel room and I was miserable all night long. Good thing the bed was a King sized. I tried to stay far away from Vaughn during the night, smothering my face when I had to cough up a lung. (He still isn't sick) Vaughn had to be to the testing center by 8 so we drove there and then I was left alone with my stuffed up head cold, cough, and this huge big diesel truck. Now normally driving this big truck wouldn't have bothered me, but you have to remember what I have been driving for the past 18 months. That is right, the rice rocket GETZ! Actually, I was wishing I had the Getz in all that traffic. It took about 35 minutes, several 10 point turns, probably a few pissed off drivers and many silent prayers to get me back to the hotel.
The rest of the day I went to the Citidal Mall, but was so sick that I didn't even enjoy shopping. I spent 1 whole hour just sitting in the truck trying to clear my head. I picked up Vaughn and made him drive home. I had my fill with driving the big truck. I think my choice in vehicles has changed, at least for now. I am ok driving a small car...... (maybe once I get better that will change)

Step one is over, for now!

It is official. Yesterday at 4:05 p.m. Vaughn walked out of the ProMetric Testing Center in Colorado Springs exhausted from taking the Step 1 test. He was glad to get it over with and has spent the last 12 hours sleeping and playing with Tyson. Now we wait for 3 weeks until the results come in. Keep those fingers crossed..... (Thanks to everyone for their prayers, hopefully they worked)

Croup and the Flu (in a bad way)

All good things must come to an end, and in our case it was an abrupt end. After we got out of the Rodeo Saturday night Tyson started running a fever and over the course of the next few hours his breathing became really shallow. I bathed him, fed him and gave him some Tylenol and tried to get him to sleep. He slept but was having trouble breathing. Finally I decided that we needed to go to the hospital. I woke up my parents, who weren't asleep b/c they were waiting for me to say let's go, and we took a taxi to the nearest hospital. By the time we got there Tyson's breathing was so shallow that I was afraid he wasn't getting enough oxygen. The hospital the taxi driver took us to was a children's hospital and triage. The little nurse on duty took Tyson's oxygen count and said it was good but that he sounded croupy. I had heard of croup before but never thought I would have to deal with it. We spent the next 5-6 hours in the ER while Tyson was given a shot, breathing treatments and x-rays. The poor kid. He just screamed and cried when they took his x-ray and we had a heck of a time holding him down for the picture to turn out. He cried "Mommy" over and over. It was enough to make this old girl break down and bawl herself. They finally released us around 6:30 in the morning and we took a cab back to the hotel. Luckily I was headed back to Colorado with my mother-in-law and to my father-in-law the doctor. Tyson and I both slept almost the entire way back to Colorado. He definitely had croup and still has a nasty cough. He hasn't been out of the house since we got back on Sunday and today is Thursday.
And since misery loves company, I fell ill with a nasty case of the flu Tuesday night. I haven't been this sick in a long, long time. So I am up and moving around, barely, for the first time today. It has been a rough week for us so far, but hopefully we are on the mends. (we should be with all the shots and medicine we are taking). Vaughn heads to take his Step 1 test tomorrow. We will all be praying for him to do well. Happy Holidays to you all!

Baby Shower and The NFR

Tyson and I spent a fun filled week at Grandma and Grandpa Westwood's house. We did find out that my dad has 3 new masses; one in his brain, one on his neck and one in the middle of his spine. That was a little disheartening to hear, but we are trying to make the best of it. Tyson and Grandpa Westwood bundled up and took his dump truck for a few test drives. Tyson had no idea how to steer, but he could push the gas peddle and make it go FAST! He and my dad had a ball.

This is what the snow looks like up on top of Cumber's mountain in Colorado. Yes it is cold and yes we like it. Although with the cold comes the flu and yes we have that as well. But we will write about that later. Isn't this a beautiful view. I love the mountains right after it snows.
Last Thursday we headed to St. George for my sister-in-law's baby shower. We have been waiting for this little bundle of joy for a long time. As you can see she made out well and received lots of goodies for her new little one. The diaper cake on the right side of the table was made by myself with the help of my sister and mom. It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

At the baby shower Tyson was able to see his cousin Jaelyn. We miss her so much and don't get to see her very often so when these two cousins get together, LOOK OUT! They had more fun running around with balloons and chasing each other. Cute little bugs huh?

We spend Thursday night at Aunt D and Uncle Jesse's house. Tyson had a ball playing with his aunt and uncle. Mom, Dad Tyson and I loaded up into the truck and headed for Las Vegas to the NFR Rodeo. My dad was bound and determined to take Tyson there to see the bulls.

Here is Tyson and I at the NFR Rodeo just minutes before the opening ceremonies. Vaughn is supposed to be with us, but he was studying for the Step 1 Exam. We missed not having him there. Tyson loved wearing his cowboy hat and watching all the animals. He loved the horses and eating all the popcorn Grandpa Westwood would buy him.

Two handsome cowboys. My dad loved having Tyson there with him at the rodeo. Tyson enjoyed it as well. My good friend Wendy Kabonic's brother won the world title in Bull Riding that night. It was fun to cheer for someone you actually knew. It was a great time at the NFR.