Ballet

The girls had ballet practice the other day and the parents were invited to watch them practice. I took a few pictures of the girls. I am so proud of how they are doing. They are enjoying ballet so much it has been a fun year so far :)

 

Sand Dunes

Saturday we took the girls to the sand dunes. We had so much fun digging and climbing in the sand. Im pretty sure we brought home enough sand to make a sand box though lol that stuff was everywhere!!!!

PKU update

Its been a long time since I have updated on PKU. Things with the girls are going good. We had a check up in December and the doctors are happy with how the girls are doing. They still take KUVAN and their doctors feel that even though it isn't gaining them much as far as more exchanges go (being able to eat more food/phe) it is helping with stabilizing their phe level and helping them to be more happy and at ease and also helping them have a clearer mind!!!! Thats good enough for me. I have been thinking a lot of how lucky I am that my girls where born now when testing for PKU is mandatory and when there are more low protein food options out there for them to eat. My girls are normal, happy, intelligent, sweet girls. Its crazy to think how different things would be for them in a different time. There is a video on YouTube called PK-Who that I watch once in awhile. Usually when I am feeling down and I need a reminder of just how lucky I am. It shows adults who where born before testing was done for PKU. Untreated PKU causes the worst form of metal retardation. In this video it show how these people who haven't been treated really have no IQ. It is so sad to see the way they are in comparison to my girls and it gives me something to be very thankful for everyday!!!!

It is for sure not easy and there are definitely nights we go to bed with tears in our eyes but i'll tell you I couldn't be happier with where the PKU world is today!!! It has a long way to go BUT it has came so far in the last ten years. I know we have a lot to look forward to in the future :)

If this movie wont play for you, you can copy and paste this link to your search bar and it will take you to youtube video PK-Who
http://youtu.be/FY5ZEQfUOqY

We always try to do something fun after the girls PKU check ups so this time we went to Temple Square to see the lights!!!! It was so pretty. We tried to get some pictures but had a hard time. Ill post some even though they aren't that great.

Shaylees Birthday

Shaylee is 5…………. thats hard to say. I can't believe my baby is 5 years old. I always say it but where did the time go? She is such a fun girl. I think its funny, Shaylee has so many different sides to her. She is extremely shy in public but at home you would never know it. She runs this place!! She is the sweetest little thing in the world but at the same time you better not make her mad cuz boy does she have an attitude!!! I love her so so much i don't know what i would do without her!!! Happy Birthday Shaylee Bugs!!!! We love you so much!!

This year for her birthday all she wanted was a boy cake and a big teddy bear. I made her a spider man cake and grandma Mary and grandpa Larry got her a big Teddy Bear so she was so happy. She got so many things for her birthday and has loved all of them. I think this has been her favorite birthday by far. My parents gave her a microphone that she has sang to everyday! My grandparents gave her money which she informed me she wants to buy bubble gum with haha, my sisters family gave her tub paint and a robe and she has had a blast with the paint and wore the robe every night and my brothers family gave her a bat man custom that she plays in everyday!! We gave her a bike :) We had gifts, puffed rice balls (she wanted a boy cake to put a candle on but puffed rice balls for desert) and root beer floats and then we went swimming! It was a fun party :)

Gilgen Family Christmas Party

We have a Gilgen Family Christmas Party every year and they are always so much fun. This year and last year we had the kids act out the story of Jesus birth. It is really fun to see the kids get so excited about it and I love that it helps them remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. 

Taylor played the angel and Brooklyn played Mary. Shaylee wanted absolutely no part in the play lol

Christmas

Christmas this year was kind of bitter sweet. As far as our family went we had a very nice christmas! This year was different though because a few days before christmas some friends of ours lost their sweet little boy. I can't even imagine how they made it through the holidays. My biggest fear is the same as everybody else, losing a child. We wanted so badly to be able to help them through this time but what do you do? It was nice being able to have the girls home for Christmas vaction and just hold them close. I am so grateful for Heavenly Fathers Plan and the comfort it gives me. I know there are MANY days that my faith in Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ are the only thing that get me through the day. 

This year we stuck with tradition and went to my grandma and grandpas on christmas eve to see Santa Cluas. Shaylee was still to scared to sit on his lap but he came and talked to her so I at least have a picture this year!

Grandma and Gramdpa gave the girls birthstone necklaces for Christmas!

Taylor and Pagie with their necklaces! They love that they have the same birthstone :)

After all the excitement at grandmas we went over to Fairview to watch my parents open their gifts. Every year the girls bring a gift to open while we are there. By the time we get home the girls are ready to set out milk and cookies and go to bed!

I didn't get any good pictures christmas morning but Taylor got a razor power wing scooter, a new bed spread, Lego friends and clothes. Brooklyn got a tumbling mat, roller skates, monster high dolls and clothes and Shaylee got a tumbling mat, basket ball hop, toy gun and clothes! We had a very good Christmas and as always I'm so thankful for the true meaning of Christmas and that my girls always remember why we celebrate :)

 

Christmas Program

This year our schools Christmas program was How the Grinch stole Christmas. I think it was my favorite play they have done so far. The songs were so fun and the decorations were adorable!!! We got to do their hair all who-ish and wear silly scarfs and shocks. The girls had so much fun!