Mark's issues!

Well the week came to an end with no real news to add. Then on Thursday as we were putting the kids to bed, Mark bent over to give Allyson a hug and kiss. She jumped up to reach him and grabbed onto his neck. As she did he almost doubled over in pain. That one hug pulled his back out. To add to this the next day he stayed in bed and called me to tell me that he has Pink Eye. That is right Pink Eye. We have no idea where he got it. Could have been from the pool or a guy at work that has a Staph infection. Well anyways he has been quarantined from the kids. He is not allowed to touch anything. If he does I am right behind him cleaning it. Never a dull moment at the Barlow House.

Palm Springs / Kami's Birthday

We were invited to Palm Springs with the Tanners this last weekend and we had a blast. First on the way there on Saturday morning January17 Allyson tells us when we are about 5 minutes from the time share that she has to go really bad. So Mark tells her to hold it and she replies with "Dad I can't my seat belt is in the way". We both started to laugh so hard. Once there we got checked into our 1 bed room which was very large and the kids wanted to swim first thing. One our way to the room Mark hears Gavin calling him. He turns to see Gavin hanging over the side walk in the bushes. We get to the room with no more issues. So we make our way to the pool and found that although the weather was in the 70's - 80's (very nice) it was still cool. Well not for Mark. The pool was heated which was great. The cement when wet was very cold on your feet. Gavin slipped and fell once right on his face. Like a trooper he got up and kept going. Allyson loved the kids water slide and was a pro by the end of the weekend going down the slide and swimming to the side with no help at all. Gavin liked the slide but still needed some help since he can not swim alone yet. Tristan tolerated it. He preferred the jacuzzi and looking at the girls. Already at 5 years old.

This next story has 2 sides, Kami's and Mark's. We will start with Kami's, as I was sitting on a lounge chair with Tristan and Gavin, Allyson was in the pool going down the slide and Mark was watching her. Gavin decides to go get in the pool. The kid pool at the shallow end is only 1 1/2 feet deep. I look over to see if he made it to Mark and can not see one section of the pool at 4 feet deep. I stand up and don't see Gavin. I panic (not an understatement) and promptly run for the pool. I hit water on the cement and down I go. Right on the old bum. Not a soft landing at all. At this point I am 2 feet from the pool and just slide into the pool and grab Gavin. He is so proud of himself at this point telling me that he jumped in all by himself like a big boy, and that I caught him. I don't know if I want to strangle or hug him. I choose to hug and hold on tight. For Mark's side, he says that he did not know what was happening. He saw me coming to the pool and fall right on my bum. He rushed over thinking that I had really hurt myself. Once everything calmed down, he started to laugh uncontrollably.

The rest of Saturday ended with diner and Gavin having a slight fever. Allyson was so tiered the she fell asleep while mom dried her hair after her bath that night.

On Sunday we had no more accidents and everyone had a great time. We swam most of the day and came home later that night. We love these California winters. Warm enough to get into a warm pool in the middle of January. Although my (Kami) birthday was not until Tuesday January 20th, I consider this my present. A very nice get away for the weekend with my family.

Gavin and Dad hitting the water.

Tristan on the slide.

Allyson the pro coming down the slide.

Allyson asleep while getting her hair dried. Really asleep.

5 Year check up.

Well the twins had their 5 year check up with a few shots that were left over.

Tristan was first. He was weighed (33.2) and measured (3' 7") and told by the Doctor to eat more. He got himself so worked up that he was crying and screamed before they ever gave him the shots. Once they were done he was fine. He is right on track. He took the Doctors advice and we had no problem at meal times today.

Allyson was next. She was also weighed (34.4) and measured (3'6"). She is also on track. She waited to cry until she got the shot and took a few minutes to gather herself. She got lots of stickers that made her feel much better.

Everyone is doing great and just about ready to sign up for school. Well I don't think mom and dad are ready.

Raisins anyone?

We got a tub of chocolate raisins from Grandma Collins a week ago and the kids just loved them. So much that we would find Gavin with a hand full. So we moved them to the back of the counter. He still got to them. We moved them to the pantry, he still got to them. So we moved them to the top of the refrigerator, although we never caught him, he would still get to them. We would just find the chair over by the counter. We could only imagine him standing on the counter and getting them off the fridge.

First Week of January

Well the first week of the year started off with a bang. Both Mark and Kami came down with a cold/sinus illness this week and have had no energy for anything. We only have a few things to add. Gavin is officially a Sunbeam at church, which for those who have no idea this means that he goes to a Sunday school class and is no longer in the Nursery. We signed Tristan up for baseball. I don't think he has any idea what that means yet. Allyson does not want to play baseball, "that is for boys". She wants to take dance lessons, so needless to say we will be signing her up as soon as we can find a beginner dance class.

New Years Eve

We had a very busy day. We first went to Great Grandpa and Little Grandma Reafsnyder's house (Kami's Grandparents). Great Aunt Letha was there. We had lunch and even dad showed up even though he was working. We slept all the way home.

Later that night we went to the Tanner's for our annual New Years Eve party. Unlike past years all three kids made it to Midnight. Mom and Dad played bowling on the WII. Mom hit her head on the Patio at the Tanner's (don't ask). At Midnight we counted down and set of some noise makers. Then we went home and went right to bed. We even slept in in the morning.


I know that this is really late and have no pictures at this time. I will be posting more later.

Christmas Day 2008

As a family we started a tradition of dad turning on the Lights and starting a fire before we go down the hall. Every one meets in mom and dads room first. Well this year Tristan decides that he wants to see what Santa brought first. He came back to the room and was so excited about what he saw. He wanted so bad to tell the other two. Well mom and dad kept telling him that we would call Santa to come and take it back if he said anything. He did not care and out of the side of his month said "Bikes". I don't think they heard and he was relieved that he said it. So no harm no foul. So we get to the tree and they see all the stuff sent from Grandma Sue in Texas and their Bikes and Gavin's scooter. It was over before it started. Good thing we have it on film so we can go back to see it.

Later we went to the Barlow breakfast where we figured that we had 46 grand kids and we were still missing 59 grand kids. It was at the Marks older brothers house. Lots of fun.

Diner was small this year at the Fisher house, One of Mark's sisters house. More food and family time and we were off to home. We did not spend any time with our new toys until the day after.


I will have to add pictures later. I just wanted to get these last post up before the end of the year. We hope the everyone has a Safe and Happy New Year!!! News Year Eve post will be on Jan 1, 2009..