Halloween Pumpkin

Cambell the Allergenic

Disclaimer: Sorry for the full-frontal nudity.

Last week Cambell had his appointment with the allergist to get tested for food allergies. This was after his unfortunate run-in with a scrambled egg. Boy did that cause some damage...his worst reaction yet. (See blotchy thighs above)

After getting pricked by 25+ food substances in his thighs, we found out Cambell is allergic to dairy/milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. It's unknown how serious his peanut allergy is, so we got a Rx for an EPI pen just in case. Poor boy. He can't even have PB&J - we'll have to use SB&J (soynut better and jelly). Yum.

Quick trip to Utah

Cambell and I went to Utah at the beginning of October since the Kotters would be there from Virginia. My dad wanted to see us one more time before they leave far far away.

We were all supposed to go to the BYU game on Saturday but eventually wimped out because of forecasted snow! Well, it didn't snow during the game, but it did on Sunday. In addition to seeing the family, I spent some time with Jess, Mikenze and Megan.

As this picture shows, Cambell is thrilled with the snow.

First birthday

Cambell's first birthday was Saturday, September 20th. We didn't have any family to join us in celebrating, but I don't think Cambell knew the difference.

Adam went paint balling for the day and came home limping and complaining of massive wounds. I meanwhile spent the day in the kitchen baking cake, frosting, bread, soup, etc. I listened to the BYU v. Wyoming game on the Internet so I'm not complaining. (Perfect fall Saturday in my mind--BYU football)

Our friends, the Quillens, came over for dinner and Cambell's presents. He was more interested in the box and hangers that my mom sent full of clothes than he was the clothes, books and other toys. Cambell's first experience with red velvet cake was not exactly positive. I didn't give him ice cream b/c he seems to have a reaction to dairy. He wasn't real thrilled with the taste of the cake and then, a few minutes later he got a bumps and a rash under his chin and neck. This has been his reaction to any kind of dairy and alas, the cake had milk in it. Poor kid on his birthday!

One funny note, Cambell got some cars and he loves to drive them around saying "vrrrrrooomm" and crashing into things. I swear he's never seen someone do that. It must be inborn in boys - as I'm sure it will soon be manifest when he uses anything and everything for a weapon.

It's official! Maui is in our future!

Adam and I have been talking about going to Hawaii when he graduates law school in May for a celebratus graduatus a la Hawaiiatus. Our friends have been nicely hinting at it for a long time (so they could join us at my parent's condo - this is likely one of the only reasons they are our friends.) Well, we bought tickets a few days ago. Hopefully it remains as much of a good deal as we think it is!

I bought a bathing suit this summer and did not use it once. How sad is that? Not necessarily by choice, but I guess it reflects the lack of sun, water and outdoors I had this summer!

Highlights of summer

Since I am WAY BEYOND behind in this whole family blog business, I will include a wrap up of the summer that was 2008. (Plus, if I group it all together, it might look like we actually lead exciting lives...)

This picture of Cambell looks like a miniature Grandpa T.

Cambell's big accomplishment this summer was moving from the army scoot to crawling to pulling himself up to standing.

In July we went to Utah. Cambell loved watching his nieces and

nephews play. The Kotters had never seen Cambell in person yet.
We also saw baby Ethan blessed. My favorite part of the trip was

going to the cabin--eating good food, playing badminton, floating

the river, and going 4-wheeling!

Here's examples of Adam being the "fun" uncle. On his side of the family, Brandon fulfills that role, but in my family he's kept busy wrestling and rough-housin'.

I loved going to Greenbluff and picking raspberries for a great

price. I made lots of jam. We also went last weekend and picked

peaches and blackberries. Maybe I do have Grandma Thorne and my Dad's genes in me - a love for the soil and fruit trees. Though I hardly have a green-thumb. How many times have I failed at growing a no-fail kitchen herb garden?

Over the July 4th holiday, the Ereksons came to visit. We went to Portland in May to see them so it was their turn to visit Spokane. We found a picturesque spot to watch the fireworks over Liberty Lake. It was right on the lake, an inlet where people can drive and park their boats in their front yard on personal docks. Wouldn't that be nice someday?