Haven's Video

Sara put this together for Haven. It's really cute.

Sasha has a drinking problem.

Empty bottle, baby passed out. Draw your own conclusions...

Isn't she just the sweetest?

Ezra is home!

Ezra came home on Monday afternoon. He is doing great now. Thanks to Children's Hospital in St. Paul for taking such good care of Ezra.

I am having some serious Sasha withdrawals! She came on Friday and stayed with us until Sunday (she did bring Caitlin with her too.) She is such a sweet baby. She sleeps really well and eats good. The only thing that is worrying is that she is not gaining weight very fast. When I babysit next Friday night, I am going to fatten her up!

Thank God that all the babies are out of the hospital. With everyone who has been in the hospital in the last three weeks, it's enough to make your head spin. Grandpa, Caitlin, Sasha, Sara, Ezra, Sasha again... Yikes. Enough already!

Thanksgiving is coming and we are truly thankful this year that all are healthy and happy.

Creamy Crab and Red Pepper Spread

Makes:2-1/4 cups

2 green onions, thinly sliced, divided
1 tub (8 oz.) Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
1 can (6 oz.) lump crabmeat, drained
1/2 cup Shredded Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped red peppers
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers

Measure out 2 Tbsp. of the onions; set aside. Mix remaining onions with all remaining ingredients except crackers; cover.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Sprinkle with reserved onions. Serve with crackers.

**I made this for a bonfire on Saturday. It was great and very easy to do. You could make pinwheels by spreading on flour tortillas and slicing. Wraps would also be great, spread on a whole wheat flour tortillas add some lettuce and cucumbers to make a crunchy and filling lunch.

Ezra and Sasha Update

Ezra Lee Daninger, 5 lbs, 7 oz, 18.25 inches long

We now have a photo of Ezra, courtesy of Sara's facebook page. I tried to add some others, but they were too compressed to be very big and when I tried to expand them were too furry. He is gorgeous.

He is off the ventilator and out of the incubator and is now in a crib. He is eating more every day and seems to be growing a little. They don't know when he will be home, but it will be before Thanksgiving.

Sasha was readmitted into the hospital on Saturday with feeding problems. She has the cleft palate which makes it difficult to feed her and also suffers from acid reflux that makes her miserable. At Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, they were able to give Caitlin new bottles that work really well for Sasha and a "sling" so she can sleep at a 45 degree angle to help with the acid reflux. It worked so well that she gained almost three ounces in two days!

She has changed so much in the last two weeks! I will be having her and Caitlin stay over next weekend so I will have some great photos. We are also hosting Sara's baby shower and probably doing some scrapbooking.

More updates to follow.

Welcome Ezra Lee!

He came a little early, but we are so glad he is here! We don't have any photos yet because he has not been able to come outside of his incubator and play yet. He was born on Tuesday October 28 at 10 p.m. by c-section. He weighs 5 pounds 7 ounces and is 18 1/2 inches long. He was 6 and a half weeks early.

Sara started having contractions regularly around lunchtime. At 3 p.m. she was driven to the clinic by Erica because she was not able to drive. They looked her over and thought that maybe her water had broken. So Lakeview Hospital transferred her to United/Children's Hospital in St. Paul because they have an excellent NICU.

Haven came to Gigi and Papa's house to have dinner and a sleep-over. Around 8 p.m. we got a call from Trevor saying that things were not going to happen tonight and he was heading home. Then at 9:15 we got the frantic call, "Come quick, they are doing a c-section right now!"

Erica and I raced to St. Paul where we were told that Sara and the baby were still in the OR. Go sit in the waiting room. Not likely! We stood in the hallway and were rewarded for our disobedience with a glimpse of Ezra Lee on the way to the NICU. He is adorable. I told Haven the next morning that she had a new brother. She was nonchalant about it, taking it all in stride. I don't think she will "get" it until she sees the baby.

Sara is doing really well. She is recovering just fine from the c-section. She is sad because she can't hold Ezra yet. She goes to the NICU and is able to comfort him through the ports on the side of the incubator.

He is going to be just fine, but does need some help to breathe. He is just a tiny little peanut. But the kid is feisty. He pulls his CPAP off his face by himself. I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. He is a fighter, that's for sure. We will post photos when we have them. For now, just keep their family in your thoughts and prayers. We are hoping that he will be home in time for Thanksgiving. That would be something to be truly thankful for.

Sasha Update: OMG! She is so adorable. I am having Sasha withdrawals!!! I get to see our girl this weekend! The deal that Steve and I made was: She was mine for a camel, a horse and eight goats. Russell is still working on the livestock. I don't think Caitlin is going to part with her that easily.

2008 Pony Bowl Champions

Matthew and his football team have won the championship! Their team, the Patriots, had a great season. Their record was 6-2 and they were in second place behind the Broncos, whose record of 7-1 was marred only by a loss to the Patriots.

Coming in to the championship game, we knew that we had a strong team. The game got off to a great start and the Patriots wiped the floor with the Broncos. Matt had several hard hitting tackles, even the parents gasped when Matt tackled the other team.

Matt had a huge crowd of supporters including Grandma, Sara, Trevor, Haven, Caitlin, Steve, Erica, Dana and even baby Sasha! Everyone was hoarse from cheering when the game ended with a score of 19-6. The Patriots had won the "Pony Bowl!" (Stillwater's mascot is the Ponies)

After the game the entire team went to Stillwater's Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and the carousing carried on for quite a while. Coach Randy did a great job with the team and this was our chance to thank him for his devotion to our kids. Sarah K was our server. While we were there, Shaunee came in to get take-out and we got to see her too! I think she and Chris are going to come over next Saturday for a bonfire!

Welcome Sasha Jean

Welcome to Sasha Jean! She was born last night around 6 p.m. and weighed in at 5 pounds 6 ounces. She is such a tiny wee peanut! She is gorgeous! We took tons of photos, but only have posted a few. Everyone is so excited about having another baby.

She is so tiny that Gigi needs go shopping for preemie clothes before she heads to the hospital tonight. She has lots of hair and is very pink! And very quiet. I have rarely seen such a peaceful relaxed baby.

Welcome to Sasha Jean Bisson

Haven says, "It's my baby!"

Haven and Sasha

Dad is totally in love!

Uncle Matt and Uncle Connor admire Sasha

Evening walk on a lovely fall day.

We went for a walk tonight past the Salem Church, past the school and into Fairview Cemetary. We were looking for brilliant fall colors as the leaves are peaking now and won't last long.

Tonight was cool and wet as it has rained all day long, but the sun peeked out and lit some of the trees so they were glowing with warm color.

Stillwater mentioned on the Today Show

It mentions Stillwater as a place to visit for fall get-aways.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/26901335#26901335

Love it!

St Croix Valley Athletic Association Football

Matt is playing football with SCVAA. He plays for the Patriots--#77. Here are some photos of Matt in uniform during his game yesterday.

"My chinstrap is getting loose!"
Halftime Talk with the Coach
Teammates & Friends

Update & Family Photos

Wow has it been a long time since we updated our blog. I guess with life being so busy we have let this easy task fall by the wayside. That won't happen again.

We are expecting a bumper crop of grandkids. First due is Caitlin, she is due on November 8th with Sasha Jean. Second due is Sara, she is due with Ezra Lee on December 8th. Third is Erica, she is due on Feb 24. We are going to have a very exciting and busy winter.

Connor started Kindergarten this year. He really likes school and is making friends easily. He has a great teacher. Ms Mattiesen (Mat-tea-sen) is a very kind lady that is working with us to ensure Connor's success. We have already talked about how his vision problems may affect his learning and are talking regularly. He is playing soccer this fall. He is really enjoying being successful. He played baseball this summer and with the vision problems was frustrated by the small ball.

Connor playing for the Lakers

Matt started third grade this year. He is growing so fast. He is playing American style football. He is the biggest kid on the team and as a "striper" is restricted in the play. (Stripers are over 100 pounds and can't carry the ball.) He makes a cracking tackle/safety for his team. Photos of the games to follow.

We went on vacation this summer to the North Shore of Lake Superior and over to Ely MN. We camped and had a great time. There are some photos of things that we did including touring Tower/Soudan Mine, visiting Split Rock Lighthouse and Enger Park in Duluth.

Split Rock Lighthouse

Tower Soudan Mine

One Mile Down in the Mine

Connor Miner

Ringing the Japanese Temple Bell

Connor and Dad at the Enger Park Temple Bell

Temple Bell

Grandma, Matt, and Connor at Enger Park Lookout

Duluth, MN

Presenting the Pickle Sisters

I have two of the most awesome friends. Renee and Jody Jacobs are so much fun! They are the Pickle Sisters. Russell and I went to their birthday party where they sang karaoke--Splish Splash. I have been trying to figure out how to take the movie from my cell phone and post it online. With Erica's help, I was finally able to do that. Here they are making their blog page debut.

Hope you enjoy their talent as much as I do.

Happy Easter 2008

I know it's not a traditional thing to do during a snow storm, but while the flakes were flying we snuggled up at home and dyed Easter Eggs. I think Haven ruined her dress, but the Eggs turned out Awesome!









Easter is here, with a vengence. We have had snow all weekend and it is not melting. It's the kind of sticky wet snow that makes great snowmen.

Connor had his well child exam on Friday. He was doing so well. When the nurse came into the room to give him his injections, she was carrying a tray. He was so excited! He told her, I really like cake. He thought he was going to get cake! Poor thing. She had him lie down on the exam table and asked me to hold him, which I did. He screamed bloody murder! When we were all done, we went to Cub Foods and he limped along like he had broken his ankle. But he is so cute. So now, he is all ready for kindergarten.

Family Photos

Connor

Haven is a big helper!

Let sleeping Connors lie!

ACE

1-2-3-4 All in a row

Building skycrapers

Ben

An exciting day for Connor

Yesterday Connor and I visited Oak Park Kindergarten. We formally registered him for school next year. There were toys and games set up for the kids to play with. Connor set about making friends and playing with all of the fun stuff. After about 45 minutes we were all called together and were treated to a bus ride. Connor was thrilled. We drove around the block and back to school. Of course, Snonner Boboli won't ever be riding the bus, but that made no difference.

We went to BWW for dinner last night. We met Caitlin and her new guy, Steve there. It was kids night, so the meals were 99 cents, there was face painting and ballon animals. They really make it fun. Matt got all painted up like a puppy and Connor chose a rainbow butterfly. Very stylish. Steve set out to impress by doing the "Blazing Challenge." I thought he was going to be sick, but he did it!

Lastly Erica is getting ready to move out with some friends. I am very sad about it, because I will miss her, mostly. The mess left in the bathroom, I won't miss. But Erica herself? I will miss her terribly. Lucky for us, the house they are renting is only a mile away. I predict we'll see her more often after she moves out. Dinner, laundry facilities, clean and quiet. Yup. We'll definately see her more.

Easy Blue Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
1-1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup KRAFT ROKA Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
MIX all ingredients in medium microwaveable bowl.
MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring after 3 min.
SERVE hot with WHEAT THINS Crackers or celery sticks.

This recipe was found at kraftfoods.com They have some really easy awesome recipes!

It's been a while since our last post.

Christmas and the New Year have come and gone. They passed us by almost unnoticed as the entire family was sick the the influenza. We never did get our turkey cooked, by the time I was feeling strong enough to lift it and put it in the oven, it was too late.

2008 is going to be a great year! If we can survive the stress of work! I am taking it one day at a time. I have a great quote on my computer at work. It says, "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it annoys enough people to make it worthwhile." Herm Albright. I really like that. That kind of humor is my secret weapon against the stess.

Connor went to Kindergarten Roundup at Oak Park. He is so excited about starting Kindergarten. He is so ready! I worry about his eyesight and if it will affect his schoolwork. When we were talking to Dr. Schloff, if didn't sound like it should, but we won't know until he starts learning how to read. I also worry about the dyslexia. It's hereditary and boys are more likely to inherit it than girls. I am going to be keeping a close eye on his progress in school.

Our 9th wedding anniversary is in few days. Time has flown by. It's hard to believe that it's 9 years since Russell moved over to the US. Wow. One word for you honey, citizenship. Love you!