Colin's Before & After

See those 2 bumps on either side of his neck? They were diagnosed as branchial cleft cysts when he was born. This picture was taken last night.

Last picture with branchial cleft cysts!

The surgery was successful. Here is Colin this afternoon after an early morning surgery. The doctor was able to make a small incision on each side to remove the cysts. They were much longer than expected, and the doctor had to cut into his neck muscles to remove them completely. Colin will have small scars, which will fade with time.

When Colin met the anesthesiologist, he was asked what flavor mask he wanted. He could choose from strawberry, bubble gum, cotton candy, chocolate . . . he chose cotton candy. When the mask was put on, he could smell the cotton candy as he blew very hard at a balloon in the operating room. He says "The next thing I knew, I woke up in another room!" I liked the fact that they waited to put in the IV until after he was sleeping.

Misc Shots

Colin doing a magic trick

Beulah & Lydia

I bought this car used for $10 when Colin was 2. It has been one of the best toys ever bought! My own kids love it, and I don't think any child that has ever visited has not played in it as well.

Nate's portrait of Bo

Nate's First Lost Tooth

Adopted Animals

Grandpa adopted animals in the kids' name this year through the National Wildlife Federation. The kids were very interested in learning more about the animals being helped in their name, and thought the stuffed animals were a great bonus! Nate has adopted a gray wolf (who he named Keller), Colin has a jaguar (which is probably named Jaguar), and Lydia has a sea turtle (which is probably named Baby since that's what she names everything right now, unless it's Elmo.)

Thanks, Grandpa!

Don't Mess With The Princess

If You Visit, Remember Your Light Saber

Annual Christmas Family Portrait

Christmas Morning 2008

Christmas Eve 2008

Standing in front of the tree. When did my boys get so tall??

Lydia is showing you her princess lights. While she did her best to un-decorate the tree, these managed to stay on!

You can see our sad, mostly un-decorated tree in this shot. Maybe next year we'll be able to put up ornaments again!

2008 Ornament

Since our first Christmas together, Bo & I have gotten a personalized family ornament for our tree. Here is the ornament for this year -- purchased in the nick of time on Christmas Eve.

I have more pictures to share, but it's been busy between illness and work and life -- I'll get some up as soon as I can. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!