Adventures in potty training

Since I haven't blogged for a while I was looking through my old photos and couldn't pass up the chance to share these. I waited a loooong time to potty train Trey. I just couldn't face tackling it while I was tackling his diet, speech, sensory issues. So finally we he hit 4yrs old in November I figured that I had waited long enough. Although my sister Heidi said "Don't worry as long as your not packing diapers in his backpack as you send him off to Kindergarten you're fine, and even then I'm sure it would be o.k." I can always count on Heidi to cheer me up and make me feel that I'm doing everything "right".
Trey was surprisingly easy to potty train even with the speech barrier that we have. For a couple days he would bring out his little potty into the family room and sit all day on his potty and play the wii. My kids would come home from school to find Trey with his underwear around his ankles sitting on the potty playing the wii and would say "Mom gross, he's in the family room, what if my friends came over", I thought that it was so cute that all I could do was laugh.

Arrgh Matey, we've had a fun October!

Get ready for lots of pictures! I tried to condense them as much as I could. October was such a fun month for the Draney family. We had tons of cousin time and loved every minute of it. We went to the pumpkin patch which is always a hit. They had a witch that was welcoming the kids as we waited, but Trey took one look at her and immediately turned the other way and starting RUNNING back to the car:) After we got to the patch he warmed up as he saw all the cousins finding their pumpkin.

Above are pictures from when we went to the park in our costumes for a picnic. We had fun playing football, playing on the playground and laughing as Jason tried wading in the stream to retrieve the volleyball.


October is Dylan's birthday month and he had fun at his family party. Also I planned Dylan's class Halloween party and went to school for that, you can see Dylan's "This is awesome!" face above as he is painting his pumpkin. We were also trying to get some of Dylan's scouting requirements finished before he turned 10 and got out of Bears so I took the kids to Salt Lake for a day and we went to a really fun art gallery, had a picnic and went to Temple Square. I had such a fun time with my amazing kids! And for the first time since moving to Syracuse we took to boys and went to the pumpkin walk. It was very cool, a little too cold, but my boys loved it. This next year we are going to enter some pumpkins that we carve.
Our picnic in the middle of downtown Salt Lake City.




I went a little crazy with the sewing machine and made pirate costumes for my whole family. I loved watching my pirates having fun!

Love all of the fun family memories:)

Happy Birthday Dylan

On October 19th my sweet boy hit double digits!! Dylan turned 10 years old, I can't believe that I have been blessed to have him in my life for 10 years already. Dylan is simply the sweetest, most loving, most considerate, and most caring boy that I know.

Dylan had so much black hair as a baby, it was so much fun:) He is all Hunsaker genes and has one of those sweet faces that hasn't changed that much since he was a baby.



Dylan was pretty sick as a baby, until he got tubes, but that didn't stop him from smiling all the time. He has always tried to make everyone around him happy, and he always succeeds! Dylan has always had a special little sparkle in his eyes and a powerful spirit about him. I am constantly learning from his amazing example and feel blessed to be the mother of such a strong young man.



Dylan has always looked up to his big sister. He has learned so much from her, and in return, he has been one of Taylor's best teachers. Dylan has always had an ability to look on the bright side. I am often impressed by his naturally happy demeanor and selfless attitude.


(Dylan at Preschool graduation)



(Dylan at a singing performance)





Dylan is what you would call a late bloomer, I remember in Kindergarten he was so sad, because everyone lost a tooth before he did. I told him that I didn't know when he would start to loose his teeth, but only that I knew that he would loose them eventually. He might have been slow to loose his first tooth, but he has always been pretty mature when it comes to coordination. Dylan loves all types of sports and has the ability to take constructive criticism and coaching well, without letting it get him down. He strives for perfection, but takes criticism in stride.




(Above Dylan at his Kindergarten graduation, and below Dylan right
before his baptism) Like I said before, Dylan has a such a special, strong spirit about him. He has learned to really listen to the Spirit and to follow its promptings much earlier than I ever did. Still I struggle to listen as I should, and I learn so much from his great example. I have often been impressed at how he handles hard situations. There was one time when he was in 2nd grade that Dylan was being constantly teased for being so small. One bully in particular began to cross that line and went from verbally bullying him to physically bullying him. Every day I would ask Dylan how his day went, and everyday he found something positive to say until one day he just broke down and started to cry. He told me how he was being pushed down and just didn't want to go to school anymore. When he told me the whole story, I got my mamma bear claws out and wanted to march up to that school and give that little bully a sound spanking.However, my cooler head prevailed and I gave him a hug and told him that I believed in him and new that he could figure this situation out.
About a month later I was checking up on the situation with him and was asking if he was still being bullied by this kid. He said: "Oh no, we are good friends now." I dug a little deeper and found out that this same bully was having to stay in at recess because he needed to get an insulin shot and no one would stay in with him, until Dylan volunteered and got all of his friends to stay in with him too. He showed compassion to someone who hadn't showed compassion to him, and turned an enemy into a friend. I am humbled by his example to me! I know that I would not have been that brave, and still sometimes I am not as brave as him.


Dylan is just like his Dad, in that he loves golf! He is naturally gifted at it, and we need to nourish that a little more than we do. Dylan loves to go golfing with Jason and to be outside. Dylan swing is natural, or so Jason tells me since I wouldn't know what a natural or unnatural swing looked like:) Dylan would be happy just spending the whole day on the course with his Dad and Grandpa Hunsaker.
Dylan shines in many areas, but where he really shines is in his role as big brother. Dylan has two little brothers that think the suns rises and sets with Dylan. Whatever Dylan does, he has two little imitators that follow right behind him. I am a little sister myself, and know how much I always wanted to follow Heidi around. I wanted to dress the same, where the same makeup, go everywhere with her and her friends, and luckily I have a big sister who has been a champion for me still even today. Dylan similarly has taken his role as big brother and has set the bar pretty high for all other big brothers out there. This year, Dylan's friend Fox gave him an invitation for a late night. When Dylan gave me the invitation, he said "Mom, this is an invitation for a late night over at Fox's house, but I already asked him if Devin could come for a while." I almost cried, I told him that I he doesn't have to let Devin go to the late night with his friends. He assured me that it would be o.k., but maybe I could come get him after an hour so he would have the rest of the time with his friends. Dylan always includes Devin and it makes Devin's day every time. What a selfless big brother he is. He also takes such an active role in helping Trey, he has learned sign language so that he can communicate with him, and he is constantly participating in my speech therapy sessions with him.

I love you Dylan so much!!! You are an amazing young man and I feel blessed to be your mother. I thank God each day for your positive spirit in our home, you help everyone around you to look on the bright side and to be better versions of ourselves.

Trey speech progress (Apraxia)

For school I am giving a presentation on Apraxia (the speech disorder that Trey has) and so I have video taped him for the presentation. I have decided that it would be good to chart his progress so that I can better work with the speech and occupational therapists.
Trey will be 4 next month. These clips don't show that his cognitive level is actually pretty high. He knows all of his letters and can identify them using his ipad.
Also he recognizes and can spell his name, and counts from 1 to 10.
Keep in mind that just 2 months ago he was still very silent with little or no sounds being produced. This is the progress that we've made since going on the GFCF diet.
(Trey Signing that he wants a treat!)


Also Trey uses sign language to communicate, but since we are really struggling with getting him to be at all verbal, when we practice speaking, I try to have him use just his words and not his signs.

Follow these links to access the videos of my sweet Trey:)

http://youtu.be/Y_05sljAyLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4kNHnNTSvo
http://youtu.be/IKPCwzKppr8

Trey really has made a ton of progress, even since these video's and learned a speaking part for the primary program. He didn't end up being able to give his part, because of his sensory integration disorder. All the people in the chapel along with the size of the room is really hard for him, but I was so proud of him that he let me take him to the podium and then back to his chair....it's all about baby steps here, and celebrating the little victories!

Up next for Trey is a visit to a Pediatric Neurologist, and then hopefully to some specialized speech therapists and occupational therapists at Primary Children's rehabilitation center in Bountiful.

Our Latest Adventures

Soccer Has Begun Again!

We love soccer! I love going to the games and to practice and watching my boys:) Dylan has turned into quite the player. His footwork is impressive this year and he has turned into a great leader.
Devin is getting in their this year and when he chooses to be aggressive, he does great things.












Labor Day Weekend

For this labor day, we stayed home, which is new for us. We had so much fun spending time together as a family.
We took everyone golfing which was so much fun. Dylan has been golfing for a while and so he already knows what he's doing. Devin and Trey had fun on the putting green, and Jason gave Taylor some lessons to improve her swing.
I even hit some and was surprised to see that I remembered how.












Trey's 1st day of Preschool!!!

Trey is in preschool at Ellison Elementary this year with peers that are not struggling like he is. I have been so nervous for him to go to school this year. He has something like 15 kids in his class, with 3 teachers. This is not the one on one attention that he was used to last year. No signing is done, and there are not pictures to help him with stations. Thank heavens that we have a great occupational therapist that is evaluating him as well as a speech therapist and special education workers. I think that he will end up going to school 4 days a week which will be wonderful for his development. Right now I think that they are leaning toward having him in the functional skills class for 2 days and the class he is in for the other 2 days. We will see how things work out, there is more observation that has to happen and then a meeting with me and all of the specialists. I am hopeful!





Adventures in Sewing

Since Taylor is in the Pep Squad, she has had to participate in spirit week this week. This meant crazy hair day, duck tape day, fake an injury day and today which was super hero/character day. Since our family is going to be pirates this year, we figured she would go as that. However, my schedule has been crazy and at 10 p.m. last night, I still hadn't gotten her costume done. It was Jason's birthday and we got home from our date at 10pm. Somehow I pulled it out of the crapper, as we say in Idaho, and stayed up for most of the night sewing her a pirate shirt and corset, which she wore to school with a bandana and my boots. I think she looked awesome!!! (Too old, but awesome non the less) She is supposed to be Penelope Cruz's character from Pirates 4.

Gluten Free Foods in Layton!!!

I practically NEVER look in the Hometown Values mailing when it comes. Not that I'm not interested in saving money, it is just that the things in it usually don't pertain to us. We don't really eat out since Trey has gone on his gluten free, dairy free, and soy free diet; it's just too hard. We also aren't in the market for dance classes or spa treatments, so the mailer usually ends up in the garbage pretty fast. However, I have been sick with a sinus infection and so last night I picked it up before it found its way into the trash and found an ad for a new (or at least new to me) gluten free store right here in Layton. I am SO excited!!!!!! There address is 1596 N. Hill Field Rd. #B by the Layton Hills Mall. This has come at a perfect time for us. The last two days Trey has just about be on a total fast. He is tired of all of the hot dogs and the dinners I make that are GFCFSF make him nervous to try:( So I am hoping that I can find some normal looking and smelling ideas for food there. I am in a rut for sure. Out of 11 meals that I've made that are GFCFSF he really only would give one a try, the chili. And he has eaten a ton of it! But now he is refusing it, and also he's refusing the stand by's so I need to expand my repertoire of food. Cross your fingers for me please!

Hunsaker Family Reunion July 2011

It isn't very often that ALL of us kids are able to get home at the same time. With Rob in Kentucky we don't see him often, and the rest of us have older kids that are in school and lessons, that make it hard to travel during the school year. This last week we were so fortunate to have Rob and Lyns and their two boys in from Kentucky and ALL of the rest of us up in Idaho to celebrate Mom turning 60!!

It was so much fun to see 17 grandchildren running around laughing (and sometimes crying) together. I am so grateful that my children have strong family ties to their cousins and aunts and uncles and of course Grandma and Grandpa. It was fun for me to see my sisters and brothers and to get to talk and have fun watching our little ones play together. It was wonderful to see the blessing of family in action. I am most grateful for my parents who have dedicated their lives to family and helped us to realize that though we change and grow and are separated by miles that we are each others strength and support. We are not little any more, we make our own choices, we have our own interests that are different from each other, but we are an eternal family that is blessed to have each of us children sealed to our spouses and raising our own children in the gospel.
Thank you Mom and Dad.....we love you!

I hope that you all can make it through all of these pictures, I love looking through them, what fun memories!

This weekend we had fun giving rides with the 4 wheeler, swimming, golfing, picture taking and just being together.



Vicki and Cody

Cohen had a lot of cousins excited to see him and his brother Canyon. It must have been pretty overwhelming for this little guy, but he had a great time and I think he will miss the ciaos of it all:)

Heather and Katelyn
It was very fun to have a little baby to pass around and cuddle with. Savannah was definitely Katelyn's favorite baby whisperer.

Charlie is a little boy that is on a very comfortable and consistant schedule. It was so fun to watch him keeping up with the 'big boys'. By the end he was a full fledged member of the big boy club.



Uncle Robbie facilitated an epic water battle that all of the kids LOVED!

The kids and the adults had fun playing kick ball in some serious heat

Dad and his mad dutch ovening skills treated us to an amazing dutch oven dinner complete with raspberry cobbler

Sweet Ella above and us with Grandma Hunsaker below

Trey and Charlie bonding over ipad....ahhhhhhh

A family vacation isn't complete without 'smores!

Summer and Dylan

At the airport picking up Rob's family

Picture day with all of us was a little crazy.......I'm not going to lie......some of us were lucky to make it through alive!
The kids were amazing considering that some of them almost got eaten alive by mosquitos

Trey with Papa as entertainment was set! He loves his papa

The kids with Great Grandma Hunsaker

Dad and the boys he raised

The outlaws (otherwise known as the brother in laws)!

Dad and Rob

My sweet Taylor

Devin and Aidann

Sawyer showing just how long the picture taking process took

Heidi and Jacob Larsen above and below the Larsen kids

Sadie, Summer, Sami and Savannah

Sami

Skyler

Sawyer and Skyler

Sawyer ditching the 'oh so yesterday Blue Steel' for a new and more awesome "Magnum"!

Savannah

Sadie

Summer


Now for the Draney's

Trey

Devin

Dylan

Mom and Taylor

The kids

Hollie and Jason Draney

Coming up next....The Mottishaw's

The beautiful Paige

Katy and Sean

Miss Aidann

Miss Ella



Now For The Hunsaker's

Cohen

Bubba.....AKA Canyon

Robert and Lyndsay

The Hurd's

Heather and Steve

Charlie

Sweet baby Katelyn


The Carter's

Cody and Jocelyn

Cohen and Ella

Grandma and Grandpa with ALL 17 grandkids
What a legacy!!


We will see you at cousin camp soon!!

Suzie, we miss you! Hope you can print out these pictures:)