Getting in the Christmas Spirit

After eating some amazing Thanksgiving food at Grandma and Grandpa Gallaher's house, it was time to start thinking about Christmas!

Trials and Blessings

Life has been full of both good and hard times recently. 

Our little Zoie went back to Iowa City for an ABR hearing screening. The results show that Zoie has some hearing loss in both of her ears. Mild hearing loss in her left ear and mild-moderate hearing loss in her right ear. She can hear high frequencies and really loud sounds, but voices are probably muffled, which could make talking difficult to learn. We are blessed to have found out about her hearing loss this early in her life so that she will have the ability to learn to talk just like everyone else. Like glasses that help people to see clearly, Zoie will get to have hearing aids to help her hear clearly. We are grateful for that!

Then, sad news. Our Daisy dog passed away. We were all sad. Especially Landon who felt close to her. The family was able to spend time loving and petting Daisy before she passed away. We are happy we got to have her for so long and happy that she gets to run all around and play in heaven now.

Everyone has been struggling to get over a nasty sickness that has been cycling around our house. We will be glad to feel good again! Mom took all of the kids along with her to the walk in clinic and got some antibiotics. So hopefully everyone is on the mend! 

We have been blessed. We found a new family van that fits us all nicely, and it will be good for all of the trips we will be making to and from the ear doctor from now on. Another bit of good luck is that our insurance covers hearing aids! This is great news as most insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. 

The trials can seem overwhelming, but in the midst of it all, blessings can be found if we step back and look for them. We can see that Heavenly Father loves us and takes care of us.

Cub Scout

Landon is so excited to be a part of Cub Scouts now. He went to his first pack meeting and earned his Bobcat. He also pinned a bobcat pin on Mom. It was a special meeting for some of the other Cub Scouts who earned their Arrow of Light. There was a special ceremony with scouts dressed as Indians and everything. Pretty cool! Thanks to Grandpa Gallaher for getting Landon his handsome scout uniform!

Cousins!

We were so lucky to have our Carolina cousins come for a visit! 

Uncle Allan, Aunt Allison, Uncle Craig, the cousins: Karli, Kennedy, Hayden and Harrison

 It was so fun to meet Harrison for the first time. Other highlights of the visit included: playing make believe, playing with play dough, visiting some of the sights and having a mini Thanksgiving dinner. Yum! It was delicious. We can't wait get together again!

My Kitchen Helpers

What would I do without all of their help?

5 Months Old!

Oh my beautiful Zoie! We love her SO much! 

She is just so much fun. She has mastered rolling over, both directions. She likes to play with toys, especially rattles. She knows how to growl and stick out her tongue. She is so soft and squishy. Everyone loves kissing this sweetie pie! She makes life amazing. Everyone loves her so much!

Zoie with Grandma Church

Leaf Jumping!

Playing Dress Up

Sadie is growing up so fast. I can't believe she isn't a  baby anymore. She likes to get herself dressed and often plays dress up. She doesn't care for Mommy to fix her hair. She likes to do that on her own. And speaking of hair, her's is getting long! It curls a bit when it air drys, but I took a picture of her hair after blow drying it because I couldn't believe how long it looked! She is a gorgeous girl!

Winter Hats

Aunt Sarah got these hats one Christmas for the boys. They fit the girls now, and they look so cute in them!

In a Pickle

Sadie climbed into the basket beneath the stroller and got stuck. Silly girl!

We Love Our Firemen!

Grandma Gallaher and I were heading out to Iowa City for little Zoie's ear appointment. On our way out of town, we drove by to check on our firefighters. This house across from the old elementary caught fire. By the time we got there, they had it under control. House fires make me sad for the families involved, but I'm proud of Grandpa Gallaher, Uncle Robert, Uncle Bryan and especially Kendall, who sacrifice to make the lives of others' better.

Sleeping Beauty