Merry Christmas

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Dad's Surgery!

Thanks for a wonderful husband and many good friends, I was able to be there as my Dad had his surgery! I was so grateful that I was there and was able to spend some wonderful moments with him, mom, James and Katy and their kids, and Ashley and Michael. Words cannot express how much I love my family and how grateful I am that Dad made it through ok. Here we are 3 months later and he is going to have his 3rd round of aggressive Chemo today! The side effects are brutal! He and Mom continue to be such an inspiration to all of us!

Catching up--Jeff and Carly's Visit!

I was going through my pics and realized there was a bunch I didn't post about. I am going to try to print a blog book this year so I want to catch up!
I loved watching my brother help my son on the piano!! My brother is so talented on the piano and it was great to watch him with Tay!

Savannah was my helper in the kitchen!

Logan and Madi are only a few months apart and they love to play together! Sometime Madi gets jealous because Logan also loves to hang out with Taylor! We found them hanging out on the stairs together watching the I-pod!
We were so lucky to get to help celebrate Carly's birthday while they were here!

The kids loved the giant chocolate cookie sundae that they shared!

Bowling, Ringing in the New Year, and Eye Exams were some of the other activities we did together! When I oringially suggested that they come on their way to OK, I didn't realize that on the way meant an additional 9 hours out of their way!! It is 16 hours from our house to theirs! What a sacrifice my sweet brother and sister made on my behalf so that we could enjoy family for the holidays!! Thank you so much!!!

Folk Dance Concert!

Taylor and Emma love their folk dance group at school and I love that is helps them diversify their interests! Here are some pics from the latest concert.

Emma's Birthday

Emma's birthday started out with crepes of course! I took her subway lunch and met her at school and she had caramels for her class treat. That afternoon we had a few friends over for a party. We did flower arranging, something Emma is very good at and loves.

She requested chocolate rasberry cake for dessert. I had never made one of those before but thank to Grandma Pendleton's advice it turned out great!

She is always spoiled by all her Grandparents as many packages came in the mail. Also, Tim and Kathy, our adopted Grandparent, came for dessert and spoiled her as well! Emma, we love you so very much and are so grateful to have you in our family!!

Pinewood Derby

Taylor has lost every race in the Pinewood Derbies prior so he really wanted to do well this year since it was his last one! He worked hard on his car with Dad and they did well and even won a few races this yearThey also had a cake decorating contest! We used this as a Family Night activity and let each of the kids decorate a car. Our cake was sneaky cuz we made it out of rice krispy treats. We were all pleased with how it turned out:)!

Madelyn's Broken Arm

Our sweet Madelyn has lost 4 teeth in the last month and broke her arm. The teeth are expected, the arm not so much! We were on vacaction with family and while having tons of fun with cousins on a trampoline, she was bounced high and came down and landed funny on her arm. Thankfully we have Dr's in the family and she received great care until we could get home and get a hard cast. She is in a full arm cast for 3 weeks and then we will move to a short cast for about 3 as well. She is handling it like a champ and tries her best to write and do all she can in school. Of course it had to be her Right arm that is broke. The saddest part for her was no soccer this season! There is always next year though!!

Medical Benefit for Dad and Mom

Hey everyone!! We are having a Medical Benefite to help my parents out! Details are below! I know many of you aren't in the UT area but check it out. If you can't make it but still would like to help, go to bryan-susan.blogspot.com. We have a button on there for online donations. Also if any of you have something you would be willing to donate towards a Silent Auction then let me know.

Friends and Family of
Bryan Pendleton
are hosting a
Medical Benefit
to raise money to help with medical expenses and lost wages while undergoing surgery and treatment for Cancer.
Where: High Chaparral Building
(@ the Fairgrounds: 475 S. Main Spanish Fork, UT)
When: Friday, March 30th
Time: 5:30-8:00pm
Taco Salad Bar, Silent Auction, Raffle, & Entertainment
$10 a plate donation for Dinner
Local Choirs and Groups to Perform!!
Silent Auction & Raffle Winners Announced @ 7:30pm
For more information or to make a donation go to www.bryan-susan.blogspot.com

Thanks for letting me be a public announcement for a minute!
Hope you are all doing great! We are good here, finally got a bunch of snow on Monday and my kids have had a blast playing in it! Really rare, this is our first big snow since November! Hope it doesn't last all spring!!

Tribute to My Dad!

Today is a special and somewhat emotional day for me. I want to pay tribute to my Dad on his birthday! It is somewhat emotional because he heads in for surgery this week to hopefully remove a very large cancerous tumor! My dad is amazing!! I know everyone says that and I am sure it is true for most, but it is especially true of my dad. He won't like this picture I posted because it was first thing in the morning, but he is holding his newest grandbaby who is his namesake, and the love in his eyes says it all! Dad loves his family unconditionally! There isn't anything he wouldn't do for his family!! Growing up my dad held 2 and at times 3 jobs so that he could provide for us and allow my mom to stay in the home with us. Dad is the most charitable man I know. He will give the coat off his back to a stranger and has before. He is also the most forgiving man I know. He doesn't hold grudges, he lives by the motto, "friends don't remember!" He is giving, optimistic, persistent, loving, and wonderful!! I could go on and on, but to sum it up. Dad, you are my hero and I am so blessed to have you in my life!! Good Luck this week!! I love you!

Christmas from Grandpa and Grandma Katsschke

We saved Grandpa and Grandma Katschke's presents til Christmas night and the kids were thrilled to have a few more to open!
Taylor received the Hardey Boys books, he is half way through the first one!
Emma got ear rings, a jewrly tower, and bubble bath! She was in the tub within minutes!
Madelyn got the game perfection and has loved it!!
Olivia received a lot of dress up clothes, including some beautiful ballerina tutus! She was undressing almost before she finished opening the gift and has put on several fashion shows since!

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Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! You always put a lot of thought into our gifts and we really loved all of them!!! Miss you guys:)