Kaitlin's 9th Birthday

While Dave was trying to recover this last weekend, I kept really busy. I worked a ton and had an obligation to Kaitlin, my little sister. I was in charge of her birthday cake for her 9th birthday. She has begged me for months to make the Dr. Suess cake that I had made for my mom's birthday. She would ask me when I was going to start it everytime I would talk to on the phone leading up to it. Luckily, Dave's family lives real close and his parents were able to help take care of him. They probably did a better job than I would have done with Sunny, his mom, being a nurse and me being clueless. I am grateful for them.

The Cake

I also made her a blanket. If you get a present from me, it's more than likely going to be homemade. I love to make things, I'm not that great at it but I think it means a whole lot more.

K, so I don't ever remember having as much personality as this little one has. She is the funniest thing! I couldn't stop laughing at her and her friends.

I can't even tell you how much I love this little one without a tear coming to my eye. Yes, I have tears coming to my eyes as I'm writing this, I am such a boob lately. She is a light in my life. I can't believe she is 9! Michael is going to be in shock when he sees her next Friday!

They went ice skating and were so adorably-cute with each other. One of the girls wasn't so good but they all stuck by her and would hold her hand. They would all hold hands and make this big chain. I caught a fall, and when one falls they all fall.

Recovering Dave

So Dave had a Septoplasty (is the correct term, but in other words septum) procedure done on Thursday. The doctor said his cartilage was shaped like an accordian. We don't know how it happened. Dave doesn't remember any major hit but it probably happened when he played football in high school.

He's been nauseated since the minute he woke up from the anesthia. From when I got to be with him in the Phase 2 recovery room we had to wait 2 more hours to even be considered to be let go due to Dave's nausea roller coaster. Poor guy has probably the weakest stomach I know. Every time we fly he has to take Dramamine to put him out so he won't be miserable the whole flight. And to think he wanted to be a pilot. After being at the hospital over 6 1/2 hours, for a procedure that took less than an hour, the nurse finally let me go get the car to go home. While I was getting the car Dave finally let go of some of what was bothering his stomach. Blood. I guess blood has a tendency to drain back into your stomach from nose surgeries and your stomach doesn't like blood. We think that is still the main cause of his nausea.

His nose is healing up fine and he can already feel a complete difference in breathing. Even with gunk still up there, he noticed a difference right off. I hope it helps in the long run. He was so miserable with the constant stuffy feeling and always having to clear his throat.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Being a Fall baby, I am bound to have pumpkin as one of my taste buds. Well, it's true, I am living proof:) I love pumpkin right down to it's seeds! This year I have been baking up all sorts of different pumpkin recipes. I decided I wanted to try making my own pumpkin puree. It turned out to be really easy and ended up with about 16 cups with a $2 pumpkin rather than 3 1/2 cups for $2-3 a can. It took awhile but you can freeze it and pull it out whenever you want to use it!

Cut up and clean out.

Add 1 cup of water to the pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes
Should be a burnt orange color

Scoop meat away from skin

Puree using a processor or blender

Straining the extra juice to thicken the puree

Ta dah!

Plenty more pumpkin treats to come!

The Annual Price Spookyard

The census says: This year's Spookyard was a success! Although planning became a last minute thing and we had less outside volunteers, it turned out to be a favorite for us and the spectators. We had many screamers from beginning to end where Dave would have them running out. We all had a lot of fun this go around. The weather was great too! No rain this year.

Setting up the day of

Dave had a little too much fun playing Jason. He had no mercy.

We all played our parts well.