Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas from the Conser Family....

We love you and hope the end of 2010 finds you as blessed and thankful as we are....

We wish you a healthy and happy 2011.

With all of our love,

Jeremy, Megan, Leila, Nathan, Kathryn

Losses

We lost Travis on Dec. 3rd.  He is our beautiful niece Carina's Papa.  His passing didn't make sense to us because he was young and had a life with a lot of beauty and good in it.  We will miss Travis.  I loved Travis because he seemed to be the only person in the world that saw and called my giant babies(all over 9 pounds at birth) little and tiny.  When he held them, they looked little and tiny too.  He loved to hold them and wander around when they needed to be walked.  At family events he could often sense when I needed to get my babies back in my arms and would just pluck them from wherever they were and deliver them to me.  As my children started to growing, he talked to them like equals and shared his knowledge with them.  He always seemed very happy with babies and children nearby.  Having his own child was a natural fit and the new title of Dad suited him perfectly.  He always seemed happy with snow and water nearby too.  He loved the outdoors and I was anxious to go kayaking with him, but the last time he finally talked me into it, pregnancy hit and we had to put it off.  Travis knew just about everything about everything.  The plus side of that is I could always ask him a random question and usually get an answer.  I always appreciated him as another non-Conser at Conser family events.  He was a member of the Conser family when I joined it, however we had the bond of both being outsiders in this family and could appreciate each other in that respect.  A funny memory I have of Travis is at our wedding he saved us a huge plate of shrimp to make up for his not getting much shrimp on his own wedding day.  We will join in Travis' memorial on Dec. 22nd. 

On Leila's Blessing Day Nov. 2003

Enjoying snuggles from Leila and Sadie(but espeically Leila) Nov. 2004

Here is Uncle Travis and Aunt Tamra holding our two crazy kids.  Carina is in the photo too, she just wasn't quite ready to be seen yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We lost Grandpa Frederick on Dec. 17th.  Grandpa's passing made more sense.  He was 95.  He and Grandma had been apart for almost 14 years and I know their reunion is sweet.  His funeral will be held on Dec. 23rd.  This date is significant because this is his and Grandma's wedding anniversary- 75 years this year- and also the anniversary of Grandma's funeral 14 years ago.  Grandpa always called me Miss Megan.  He had a twinkle in his eye and liked to tease us.  He could be a grump at times, but we knew Grandpa loved us.  He had a pretty big sweet tooth.  While he and Grandma were touring the US our family would go to their home in Forest Grove and check on everything.  Once we came across a huge stash of chocolate in his frig.  I, being around 11 and very sure of right and wrong, refused to allow my family to take any.  This was Grandpa's after all, we shouldn't steal it.  Upon their return my Dad told him how I guarded his stash and Grandpa rewarded me with my very own chocolate bar.  Which someone else ended up eating at home(I was very annoyed).  As I have visited Grandpa with my children over the past few years I have appreciated his knowledge and memories and experiences.  He has always worked hard for a good life.  In our last few visits Leila and Nathan seemed to recognize and respect my Grandpa as something unique- its not every kid who has a Great Grandfather.  They really liked looking at his trinkets and belongings while we visited and listened to his stories.  Our last visit with Grandpa was at my Aunt Renetta's Home in Monmouth in October while my Aunts Linda and LaDonna were visiting.  I sat with Grandpa at the dinning table and he played with Kathryn.  He would put his had on the table, she would put her hand on the table, he would move his closer to hers, she would move hers closer to his over and over.  They both played and laughed and genuinely enjoyed each others company.  I am grateful to have these memories in my heart.

Leila's Blessing Day Nov. 2003



Grandpa's 90th Birthday- Jan 2005



Visiting Grandpa Dec. 2008

Grandpa's 95th Birthday Bash - Jan 2010- He LOVED Kathryn's red curls

Visit to Grandpa- August 2010



Howard Newton Frederick

Howard Newton Frederick, age 95, died December 17, 2010 at Orchard Heights in Salem, Oregon. He was born to John and Bess Frederick the 21st of January, 1915 in Marion County, Missouri, near the small community of Warren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Estelle Rice Frederick whom he married on December 21, 1935. They were married for 60 years. They moved to Forest Grove, Oregon in 1946. He worked for the US Postal Service in Forest Grove for 28 years. He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was the first Bishop of the original Hillsboro Ward. He served in various capacities in the Forest Grove 2 Ward until he was 90. Howard loved researching family history, sports and traveling across our great nation.

He and his wife had four children, LaDonna (Guy) Richardson of Crestwood, Kentucky, Richard (Renetta) Frederick of Monmouth, Oregon, Mick (Mary) Frederick of Hillsboro, Oregon and Linda (Michael) Harper of Duncan, South Carolina. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren. He is preceded him in death by two grandsons, Michael and Scott.

Services will be held at the Forest Grove Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 2700 Leon Drive in Forest Grove at 10:00 am presided by Pres. Brad Richardson and conducted by Bishop Darren Hitchcock. There will be a viewing one hour before the services. Internment will be at the Sunset Cemetery following the service.

Six on the 6th!

Our little Man turned 6.  He is my daily reminder some of the best things in life are not planned.  Some of the best things in life come like a storm out of nowhere and leave a happy trail behind making the world a better place for having happened.  We love our Little Man.  Nathan proved to me my heart was capable of even more love than I thought possible.

Nathan is very sweet.  He is very sensitive.  When we were planning his party, before he had a guest list for himself, he wanted to make sure we invited some babies for Kathryn and some girls for Leila.  He loves to share his things for the most part.  A new exciting toy might not be sharable for a while, but he is known to give his toys away to people he loves.  Nathan is goofy and funny, or at least he THINKS he is!  He always makes me laugh.  But when Nathan is in a bad mood, my heart breaks- it affects every part of this house.  Thankfully those times are few and far between.  After going to bed at night, unless he is super tired, he always gets up one more time to get another kiss and snuggle. 

Today for his Birthday Nathan wanted to go to Red Robin with Grandma and Grandpa.  We met up with them, and My Dad, who is quite the social butterfly these days, harassed the manager about getting a free dinner for Nathan's "Golden Birthday".  Of course that was not possible, however, when it came time to sing to our boy, the brought him a piece MUD PIE(which they used to give for birthdays when I was a kid)!  He wasn't super impressed with the singing.  In fact, he wasn't sure he wanted that big thing- he had in his mind an ice cream Sunday and our Nathan needs to be prepared of what is coming.  So he panicked a little until he saw both of his sisters eyes grow about ten times their normal size and the drool forming around their mouths(OK, mine too).  He dove in and didn't regret it.  He didn't even feel up to his actual Birthday Cake, which we will enjoy tomorrow.  Lucky Boy!

We love you Little Man!  Happy Birthday from your Family!

No More Daily Doses!

At around 5 months old Miss Kathryn was put on a daily antibiotic to help her with her kidney reflux issues.  Kidney Reflux in itself is not a big deal, but when it causes infection from bacteria getting back into her kidney and growing it becomes a major deal. Especially when the kidneys are teeny tiny.  Every infection causes scaring and too much scaring will ruin these delicate organs.

Kathryn around 5 months old

Today at around 21 months old Miss Kathryn got the go ahead from her Urologist to stop all daily doses of antibiotics.  He told us we do not need to worry next time she gets a fever that it might be a UTI.  Of course, we are to keep in mind the criteria and act accordingly if there are not other symptoms, BUT she should be a normal kid now! 

Kathryn around 21 months old

 Her ultra sound was a bit traumatic for her.  She really does not like health care professionals.  She likes her urologist, but wasn't so sure she wanted him touching her scar(which he made a straight line, not a lightening bolt like Nathan suggested).  After we were out of there, she was happy.  So were we.

Good Job Baby Girl!

Thanksgiving 2010

So very Thankful for some many things this year.


Its been a tough year for me... but I have so very much.  Thank you Lord for all my blessings. 


Today is November 25th, 2010.  Here are 25 things I am grateful for:

1. My Husband
2. My Amazing Leila
3. My Sweet Nathan
4. My Baby Love Kathryn
5. My Healthy Family
6. My Parents
7. My Parents gained through marriage
8. My Sisters
9. My Sister gained through marriage
10. The Boys gained through marriage
11. My Sisters who are my Friends
12. My Friends who have become as my Sisters
13. Long Lost Friends who took the time to find me and reconnect
14. Sweet wet kisses from babies
15. Tight crushing hugs from little boys
16. Conversations with big little girls
17. Modern conveniences
18. Safety and shelter
19. Music
20. Availability of medical expertise
21. A Dad who can still send e-mails with beautiful thoughts
22. A Mom who can craft and sew and make life beautiful with small things
23. Aunts and Uncles who love me and my children
24. Children who love my Aunts and Uncles and understand family goes beyond our home
25. My nieces and nephews that I love as my own.

and a bonus:  26. Fresh Baked Rolls

“Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent. It forges bonds of love and fosters loyalty and admiration.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Future Profession & Jammie Day

I realize my posts have been very Kathryn-centric lately.  She is just so darn cute!  I can't help myself!  I will post some updates on the other critters I created, but for now, its on with the Kathryn Show...

Here is a picture of her performing a job that could be a possible future profession?  Seriously- no pressure- but I know she is smart enough!

And there are days when my kids mirror the way I am feeling.  There was a day last week when Kathryn didn't want to get changed out of her Jammies.  When I asked her if she wanted to go upstairs to get changed or stay in her jammies, she just said:  "Stay in jammies."  Being a jammie girl myself, and wishing I could simply answer no and stay in my jammies- I indulged her.  She stayed in her jammies until after her nap.  I think its safe to say she has this mom wrapped around that pinky finger:

Babies and Blankies

Kathryn loves her blankies.  She isn't really attached to just one, but loves being snuggled.  We swaddled her at naptime and bedtime for months and months too long(all our children actually, this might be why Nathan can't handle being held too tight- but the girls can!), but she has enjoyed the cuddle factor of a good swaddling.  So long as it didn't interfere with her self-proclaimed independance.

Lately, she will bring me a blanket and simply turn around.  She is expecting me to drape it around her shoulders so she can walk around wrapped up in it. 

She also likes to roll on the floor with her blankie wrapped around her.  She will ask me to swaddle her dolly up too and will even roll her dolly around on the floor. 

 Of course... she is just my little dolly.

Recovery, kinect and tutututus

Kathryn's recovery has been going very well.  She is feeling great.  She wasn't sleeping real well for about a week, but has started sleeping through the night once again.  She still gets bladder spasms from time to time and they are quite painful- she doesn't know what do with herself- and its brutal to watch, but overall she is doing much much better.  We don't take her into the doctor again until Nov. 30th at which point they will do an ultrasound to make sure things look OK and with those results we will discuss what to do next.  I am very encouraged and happy with how things went and are continuing to go.  A healthy child has to be one of Lifes greatest blessings.

Kathryn is feeling much much better!

Jeremy got his new game on the xbox360- the kinect is a game where there is no controller.  There is a special camera that uses pretty cutting edge technology to track and even recognize its players- or avatars as a nerdy gamer might call it.  I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but the kids love it and it looks like a great work out.  I normally don't let them play video games until Daddy is home for the night, but today is Friday and its allowing me to blog.

I have been busy making tutu's and coordinating hair bows for my mom to see if they will sell in her upcoming bazaar on Saturday out at Jennings McCall Retirement Center in Forest Grove.  I can make one a nap.  They are super cute- the pictures don't do them justice.

We are looking forward to a nice fall weekend at home with everyone feeling relatively healthy.

Spooky Halloween!

This is my favorite halloween picture of 2010!

 Check out all this LOOT!

Kathryn Surgery Pics

Of course, I documented Kathryn's Surgery with a ton of pictures! 

This is on the ride in:  Wonder what we are doing up so early?

She got that cute pillow from the admissions lady.  Grandma made that beautiful quilt.  And of course Elmo was along for fun.  But she did not like being on that bed.  Those jammies seemed familiar too, maybe today wasn't going to be such a good day.

Much better in Daddy's arms.

Woo Hoo- Look at me!

I am QUEEN of the play room(who else plays in here at 7AM?)

Was the surgery worth it for this popsicle?  I think so!

The IV was put in her foot.  They poked each of her hands twice and the other foot once.  Its a good thing it was on her foot- every time she saw it she freaked out- if it had been in her hand we would have been miserable.  Thankfully she was "under" when they put the IV in.

Look at how loved Kathryn is!

She was great snuggle material!

She tried to get Melia and Uncle Richard to make a break for it.  But they wouldn't.

She enjoyed her wagon rides- she took one on Monday evening and three on Tuesday.

Melia's Cell phone can play Elmo video's- how cool is that? 

Yea- Mommy is a wee-bit tired.

The view from the window we didn't have in our half of the room.

This pretty much how I slept all night- and a took a little nap before her catheter was taken out.

Her super fun bear puzzle. 

So sweet!

So cute!

We love you Baby Kathryn! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!