Yes I know it's been forever since we've posted. I have a lot of catching up to do. Not because any of you REALLY want to know what has been going on, but because this is basically our family journal. We've had some fun times and also a little slump of just being too lazy to write. So be patient at the next few days of major posts.
I decided that I probably should try and train a little better for the Avon walk coming up next week. I'm in ok shape so I haven't worried about it but now I think I'm in for a shock. I keep thinking, I've been running, it's just a walk. I've since decided it will probably be very hard and I've just been stupid. In my head I can see my mom shaking her head at me. Either way, I'm very excited to be doing it with Nicole and Leslie.
So the other day I told the kids we were going on a long walk. It's slightly difficult here to get in the mileage because many of the roads don't have sidewalks. There was a park on route so they were all for it.
We came to a major road and were just merrily skipping along when I noticed they had a large section closed and covered with trees. They were cutting and mulching with huge trucks. We had no where to go. A worker asked me if I wanted to cross the street and I reminded him there was no sidewalk there and I obviously had a double stroller and kids.
Now, I don't get embarrassed very easily but when he full out stopped traffic, I came about as close as one could get. We probably had about 200 yards to get around them and I can only imagine the evil glares we were getting. Not to mention the traffic pile-up it was causing. Luckily it wasn't on the big hill and I could just jog it. That was actually very nice of them to help us out. Had to laugh though.
When we reached the park, the kids were so happy to have their picnic we'd taken. We'd been there 20 minutes and it started to rain. We had about 7 miles back to our house. Yeah, so luckily the train was a block away and we got a ride home. I had thought that we could probably just walk home from the station by then but nope, it was then POURING. So.. we took a taxi. Our long walk turned out to be about 2 miles. I'm so ready for 39!! :)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Slightly Embarrassed
Sunday, March 15, 2009
How to Lose 20 lbs in 20 Mins Guaranteed!!
For all of y'all out there who are bustin' the calories and drinking the diet couph syrup flavors from your new year's resolutions, there's a new way to do it, and it is guaranteed, with no chance of ever regaining it back!! This last week on the vascular team I was taught proper techniques that works great for diabetics, smokers, and those who suffer from venous stasis and sedentary lifestyle syndromes. Meet Mr. Gigli saw. We call him "Mr. Giggly". One of the fun parts about being a student/intern is you always get to do the sweat work and burn a few calories yourself. So you come in with a foot or leg that is no longer circulating blood like it should and becomes a gangrenous mass--and Mr. Giggly and the gangrenous extremity part their ways, leaving you with a decreased BMI and an anesthetic smile! The extremity is dissected to the bone carefully and then at the bone the saw is slipped behind tibia/fibia and while friction works its magic you can lose up to 20 lbs!!! (results not typical). And if you're worried about that extremity and the ressurrection, we can work it out so you can take it home and bury it yourself. You can go for the typical peg leg, pipe flute, or the athletic spring charged for getting back on the track. Or maybe even have an adjustable hook up for a rake for the fall or a spear for fishing, and a snow shovel for the winter, or perhaps a garden tool for weeding. But really how morbid. Y'all must be thinking how insensitive of me. O well, if it doesn't warm up outside so I can get out and get some exercise, other than the few calories with Mr. Giggly everyday, I just might start enjoying vascular surgery a little too much!!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Avon Walk for a Cure
My aunt Cheryl and cousin Nicole, at the end of Nicole's marathon last year. Cheryl surprised her at the end of the 26+ mile walk. I love this picture!
I just wanted to make a post to get the word out of something I feel very strongly about. Finding a cure for breast cancer. My cousins Nicole and Leslie are going to walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, DC in May. They are walking in memory of their mother, Cheryl "Cherry" Jensen, who passed away last June after battling breast cancer.
I got a mix up on the dates and am worried I wont be able to raise enough money in the short time until the 2 day marathon walk on May 2-3. I loved my aunt very much and want to help in the fight. I am still trying to raise the amount needed so I can register and walk along with them. If I am unable to raise the amount required, I will be giving my cousins those donations which I have received.
The money we raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures.
I can’t do it without your help. Though I’m required to raise at least $1,800 in donation, I want to raise much more!
How To Help Me
Write a check, make it payable to "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer" and send it to my home address. I will then send it in with the appropriate form. As I mentioned before, I am still trying to raise the amount needed to register. If I am unable to reach the amount required, your and my donations will be added to my family fund raising campaign on the Avon Walk website in the team name "Pink Cherries".While at the site, you might want to spend some time to find out more information on why this event is so important, and the organizations and people that will be helped by the money we all raise.
If you have any questions, you can email me at andyandkristen@hotmail.com.
Love and thanks to you all!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Weird?
Today we went on a nice family drive. As much as we dislike Walmart, we drove over and hour to Connecticut to go to one. Not just any Walmart, a SUPER Walmart. Nothing special to west coast people but here they are very rare. It's the only one in the state. The ones here are small and most of the time the shelves literally have hardly anything on them. No kidding!!
So we were in crazy heaven stocking up on a few things and happily paying 3 dollars less for milk than we do at the local grocery store.
We stopped at Wendy's to eat on our way home. We were sitting there and Payton said,
"Mom, look at that weird guy."
"What weird guy?" I didn't see anything odd.
"That guy has orange hair."
I looked to see a middle aged red haired man eating a hamburger.
"Payton he's not weird. He has red hair just like Halle does."
"Oh!"
We just laughed and shook our heads because I've never heard him say that before. And that's surprising since we live in NY, the melting pot of the world. Muslims, Jews, African Americans, Mexicans, Chinese, Koreans, Goth's, Cross-dressers, the 'Naked Cowboy', and all sorts of "different" looking people and he's never seemed to notice. He picks out a guy with nicely combed red hair as "weird." Could always be worse I guess.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Jesus Loves Me
This weekend we had so much fun visiting our good friend Mike in Connecticut. The kids just love 'Uncle Mike', especially since staying at his house means having a sleepover on the big bed.
Every time we go, however, Halle turns crazy with excitement and can't seem to fall asleep.
Mike has a new picture in the living room of Jesus smiling. The kids haven't seen this one before and were very intrigued. "Look mom, he's smiling cause he loves me!"
The cutest thing though was when we had to keep getting after Halle to calm down and go to sleep. Payton said, "Halle, you better go to sleep cause Jesus is watching you." He was indeed.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Liar Liar, Pants on Fire
After a long day of swimming, we went upstairs to check out the arcade. They had a lot of fun games and the kids quickly found their favorites. #1 Dance Revolution. Oh yeah, our kids can get down! They even get the whole pout lip out, I'm cool look and everything. Hilarious!
So difficult to get a good shot because she was running around like CRAZY!
Batman
I won!!40 Degrees, Let's go Swimming!
It has seemed like a very long winter for the kids and I. Without a car during the week we can only do so much in the house. Andy wanted to get away for the weekend so we found this indoor water park close to our friends house in Connecticut. I didn't realize how many of these places actually exist. It was a ton of fun for the kids, once they got used to the water anyway. (Not as warm as I would have liked). It's a little different swimming in 100 temperatures outside. It was decorated really cool with life-like beach paintings on the wall and palm trees. I loved not having to worry about sun screen.
Basically the have a huge building with all sorts of slides, big and small for all ages. Rope swings, water basketball, and a lazy river which was our favorite. And then there was this gigantic playground/slide. It had an enormous bucket at the top that would fill and dump water every few minutes. Looked cool but the kids were scared of it, especially Halle. We learned to time it though so they could enjoy the kiddie slides. And thanks to Grandma Gold, they new they'd love the spa and spent most of their time there.
She sure LOVES her swimming suit.
They had cute holes all over that sprayed water up. 
It was great fun but I still think I prefer being HOT in cool water. Must have been just me but I wished the water was all warm like the spa. :) The kids loved it though and I was so glad we went. They now are counting down the days until we can go swimming outside! Until then, we'll just have to stick to long "Bumble" baths.Happy Valentines Babe
I have the most romantic husband. For Valentines we said we weren't going to do any gifts. We were just going to have a family day. Well, my awesome hubby just can't hold back and surprised me with this. Being the awesome wife I am though, I gave it back to him in return for Valentines.
For real though.. We were watching TV one night and this infomercial came on about this small oven that cooks in half the time. It has magical powers and is practically got Hogwarts written all over it. I laughed at it and funny enough it showed up in a pretty package a few days later on my doorstep. I was very skeptical but didn't want to hurt my man's feelings on this very loving gift. So we gave it a try. Andy loves it and this is him anxiously awaiting his steak. I put it in frozen and it cooked in 35 minutes. 
It cooks with convection, and two other types I can't remember...Anyway, it steams and can do dehydration, and all sorts of mind boggling things. It actually turned out great. AND because he ordered at a certain time they through in a bunch of goody stuff like a pizza flipper and a blender of some sort. Anyhoo, My hubby is happy to have this for him, I mean me for Valentines. :)Thursday, February 12, 2009
Blue snow?
The other day we got, yet, another snow storm. The kids put their gear on and were excited to go out. Poor Halle just gets all the hand me downs that don't quite fit yet. It was so funny watching her try and walk in over-sized boots and overalls.
Good thigh exercise. Not that it exactly works for me, but maybe it could you. Good old airplane with the kids. A daily activity at our home.
Every time I take a picture, Payton insists on having at least two more 'pose' pictures. This is his sad face. My poor sad child. 
OK, so I stole this idea from my cousin. It looked so fun that we started doing a color day. This was our first day and the kids loved it. Payton has had a hard time with colors and this seems to really help. The color they chose is of course blue. We ran all through the house finding blue. They basically just threw it all in a pile. No way to really show it nicer. Just a pile of blue! They picked out blue clothes and/or jammies. If I was a super-mom, I'd be creative and do blue food or whatever.Oh well, maybe I'll try and be super next week. My sweet girl
This face just makes me smile every day. Yes, she is full of that Spicy Huntsman blood but I love her for it. Keeps me on my toes.
I've been trying to get some cute pictures together for several projects I've been wanting to get started. Plus, if I don't send some pics to all the grandparents soon, they may start to dis-own us.
This particular pic was just a random one from the other day. I love it though.
She's been really fun this week and constantly giving me hugs and I love yous. Her favorite place is right on my lap and who doesn't like being adored?
Today we decided to get out of town for the weekend and found a fun place to take the kids swimming. She couldn't stop talking about it all day. We started packing our bags to leave in the morning and as soon as she spotted her swimming suit, she HAD to have it. Being the miss independent she is, she tried putting it on all by herself. Not sure exactly how she managed but it was twisted and stretched every which way. Her arms just sort of stuck out in opposite directions, while covering her face. "Mom, can you help me?"
She then proudly ran to show daddy. When I told her it was time for bed she had the biggest alligator tears. She did not want to take it off, she was going swimming tomorrow!! So I gave her a kiss and put her to bed...in her swimming suit. She is quiet content.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Museum Of Natural History
We finally were able to see 'Rex' at the front of the museum. Last time we went we only saw the dinosaurs in the dinosaur area, however, this time we found what we think they tried to create in the movie, "Night at the Museum." At least that's what we tell our kids anyway. :)
This was our 2nd trip to the museum and much more enjoyable than the first time. We were able to cover more ground since the kids are older. We had a fantastic time and saw a great deal that we somehow missed the first time. Well, I know exactly why we missed it. The dang place is gigantic to say the least. With a little help, we happily found 'dumb-dumb'. I tried giving him some dentin gum I had in my pocket but nothing happened. Maybe he likes the actual "bubblicious bubble-gum". Oh well, it also wasn't dark yet. ???
Some of our other highlights included, seeing a 3 ft lobster, a monster jellyfish, another enormous floor of African mammals, and the hall of ocean life. (this was closed last time)
Payton took his camera he got for Christmas and is now a 'professional' photographer. He had a blast taking as many pictures as he wanted. It made him so much more interested in everything too. I think he literally took pictures of almost everything we looked at, but we hadn't adjusted the camera yet so the flash messed up most of them. oops! We hope to go one more time before we move though so next time bud...:)
Halle loves getting her picture taken and saying 'cheese'. However, she stops smiling to say cheese. Gotta work on that one. One of Paytons proud pics.Tuesday, February 3, 2009
One big Celebration
We had a fun time celebrating Andy's birthday. He is so spoiled I swear. He had 3, yes, 3 little happenings for his gettin olderness.
Our first fun event was a family dinner with our good friend Cindy. We decided to try a new place close by. Andy said it was a pizza place, but after looking at the menu, we quickly realized it wasn't. I couldn't pronounce half the stuff on the menu and even the spaghetti description didn't make me believe it was actually spaghetti. It turned out ok though. We then had home-made sundays and let the kids terrorize Cindy's dog Oreo. It was a lot of fun.
Date #2 the kids and I spent the whole day planning for dad to come home. We made home-made cards out of foamies, glitter and stickers. We then drew a huge card on the wall and even attempted to make pictures of ourselves and our dog. Next, we made another big poster of dad and put all sorts of pictures of things that remind us of dad. That was so much fun. It's actually still on the wall and the kids keep adding to it daily. 
Payton and I even made a ginger bread man cake. Ginger bread men are Payton's new current obsession. I let him to it mostly himself and it turned out...ok. :) Na, it was great! (I realize this doesn't actually go in order of the pictures but hey, I didn't want to re-do them.) :) 
Last but not least, the next night Andy and I went out alone. Wow, that doesn't' happen too often. Thanks to our good friend Afton we had a nice night. She watched the kiddo's while we went to Ruth Chris' Steakhouse. This was 'our' not Andy's first time at a really nice place. We had to laugh that they even had fancy little gadgets to get the crumbs off the table between each course. It was very yummy, but we'll probably stick to Wendy's. It's slightly less expensive. :) 
Monday, February 2, 2009
Everything's bigger in TX
One thing I miss about Texas is how everything seems to be bigger. In NY, everything is smaller.....small apt, small dogs, small family, small portions, smaller wallet (for us), smaller parking spaces for---smaller cars. Payton asked me the other day on the freeway if we were ever going to have a big truck and our dog Boo. I told him, hopefully soon. Then a tiny little car zoomed past us on the freeway like it was going to the the back nine on the golf course. A chase was encouraged/ensued and we pulled right up along side the "smartcar" and peeked over into the tiny window-- and yep------- it was a nomadic hippie who then flashed us the "NY peace sign". Payton had never seen that sign before, so he flashed it back...sort of...I've heard it said that your vehicle is usually compensating for something, but at least with these dad gum "smart cars" they spell it out for you. Happy Groundhog day y'all.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Happy Birthday Dad!
Happy Birthday Dad! Here is a little letter from the kids.
Payton: Because I love dad! Because he's fun. Daddy likes to wrestle with me. I like playing toys, I like playing basketball. Andy makes me popcorn. I like eating ice-cream. I don't know, because I love dad!!!
Halle: Yeah, I love daddy. I want a yogurt! I love Cindy.
Well, they can't focus for too long but either way, we love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday!!
The big 29! Dang we are getting so old. I can feel the Botox just around the corner.
Here are a few things we love about dad. Random ramble here, so be patient. :)
I love that you try and teach me the things you love. (Except Xbox thank goodness.) You're a great outdoors man and I love that ruggedness about you. Makes me feel safe. We'll never starve, that's for sure. I love how excited you get, just by seeing or hearing the sound of a goose. Cracks me up. I love and hate at the same time how when we are fly-fishing you tell me where to cast and when I can't get it you do it in one little swoop.
I love that you are sensitive. Great men are a little ya know. You have a feisty side too and I love that too cause I like your honesty.
I love that no matter how ugly, fat, or dumb I feel sometimes, I always feel good about myself because you are always telling me how great I am. Even when I was preggers you told me I was hot. Liar, but a good man!
You are great at your work. You're co-workers love you cause you make them feel respected and you are a positive person. You have worked your tail off this past 2 years and I am so proud of you! Almost done babe.
I love that you dream. As expensive as it can be sometimes. :) I admire that you set so many goals for yourself and work to achieve them. I love that you urge me to do the same.
I love you more, but the kids are climbing all over me as I type. :)
Happy Birthday! Love, Kris, Payton and Halle
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Just Like Dad.....?
I love the little things that kids choose to listen to and then hang on to. Ya know, not the things like, we always pick up our toys after playing, but the Lion spits out his water on Madagascar and then they decide to do it too...all over the TV.
The other day, Andy and I were talking about the rotation he just finished in OB. He was able to participate in a lot of C-sections and repairing surgeries. He was telling me about the doctor giving him the knife to do the cut and so on.
He then continued to tell me about how much he loves his new/current rotation of Ortho. His second day he did a knee surgery and he was explaining how many saws and tools actually go into a replacement.
This of course is 'normal' dinner talk at our house for some strange reason. Payton looked up and asked him, "Dad, why do you cut babies?"
Dad, "what?"
"Why do you cut the babies?"
Andy just started laughing so I told him that sometimes, the babies are too big so they cut the mommies belly to take out the baby and then put a big band aid on it. :)
"Oh" he said.
The next morning, Payton kept asking where his Handy Manny saw was. He said, "Cause I'm a doctor and I have to cut the babies!! I get my cut and then my hammer and go bam bam!" Basically he's an all around doctor who can do childbirth, plastic surgery and knee replacements all at the same time. I know we should be so proud. He just doesn't listen to what we say now. :) Luckily he's only seeing Halle's dolls as patients for now.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Limit, shminit..
I've been trying to get my blog private but since both of our extended families are large, it's been difficult getting everyone in at the 100 limit. I fixed a few things and then I had the number down to like 93 people or something. Blogger kept telling me it couldn't add because the limit was 100. What? It would not budge. Those of you who've gone private, how do I get this right? Much appreciation. :)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Special Deliveries.....memoirs
Well, Bill Cosby once said giving birth was like a man grabbing his bottom lip and pulling it over his head, or like that rich man getting to heaven...you know the whole needle/camel thing (ouch!). I know most of y'all have been through labor or held a leg or two, but what makes it interesting is when you find yourself in those situations with different religions, cultures, ages, pain levels, etc, sometimes very entertaining. I just finished OB/Gynechiatry (I call it) last week at the Labor and Delivery in Richmond Hills about 10 miles east of Manhatten. Though I saw things I hope I never have to see again, in the contest of the both evil and benign, here are 3 of the finalists.
Bronze Medal goes to: Luke ch 2. Around the 23rd of December the L&D floor was packed, many people wanted to Induce and get home before Christmas with a new baby. We had a hispanic couple come in late--all we had was one of the small triage rooms till-- we could get a decent suite. While doing the history her name was Maria (Mary) and the husband's name was José (Joseph). Wow!! And the baby's name? You guessed it------Alejandro. Either way there were no complications--and I did get the baby some nice Aveeno oil from the nursery. On a side note...God always prepared men to do his special work by showing them visions of the work being done, then the finished product. I hope before Joseph got to bethlehem he had one of the visions of the birth, and he didn't faint, and he knew about the placenta too, and uterine atony, and sterile technique episiotimies. Of course, in bethlehem, there were lots of experienced animals around as well who had all been through it.
Silver Medal goes to: A nurse. My second day we had a muslim patient that I was assisting in delivery. I was doing the enthusiastic/dramatic coaching, and after about 3 hours of pushing, the baby finally was delivered--prayers were pronounced immediately and the nurse slapped the father's bracelet on my hand--- ya know the one the father gets so he can take the baby to the nursery and security clearance. I looked at the nurse somewhat cockeyed, she said, "You're not the father? but you were so into it...wow!" I replied with a red neck twang, "Well, mam, if that's what it'll take to git a gud grade on this rotation, I just could be--whatever u want. But--- you might want to give it to Achmed, the dark skinned guy with the long white robe and the turban shaking his head over there on the couch---before things get too crazy." The nurse agreed.
Gold medal goes to: Tight sweatpants. While not considered a trend setter or used for attraction, sweatpants do save lives. Last monday a few minutes before coming on shift I was the only one not in the conference room for shift change (for some odd reason). I hear a man's voice yell down the hall "Ya viene el nino. Ya viene el nino!!! (The baby's coming!!). And I knew this was not a weather pattern change. I sprinted down the hall, watched the woman collapse in her husband's arms, and he slowly lowered her to the floor in the middle of the hallway. Again, I was the only one there. I pulled down the sweatpants (and a thong) and quickly heard a loud cry from the middle of the woman's sweat pants on the floor. I yelled for some gloves--that another patient threw at me from a room, I shakingly picked up the perfect little thing out of the sweat pants, reduced the chord, and gave him to mama. By then the word got out... and nurses were scrambling...then the doc clamped and cut the chord and she was able to walk into a nearby room. We all took pics with the family. They said they were thinking of naming the baby Andres (Andy)Wow!! But my question is, how did the baby get past that thong? and----I'm glad she wasn't wearing a dress...
Anyway, now on to Orthopaedic surgery.... all men---a stable environment. I won't have to instruct women on how to breast feed, how long they have to wait till they can be intimate again, bleeding, crying, the funny flatus question, whining, yelling, cramping, pushing, etc. OB was fun, but it is a job for women or men who pretend to be one...not for me. Studies say that every 10 seconds there is a woman giving birth somewhere in the world............she should be found........ and stopped! FYI: The above pic is one I pulled off the internet, not an actual patient.
Friday, January 16, 2009
PG ?
Today we were watching our recordings of American Idol. Payton was getting excited for those who could sing really well. This one lady came on. Payton stopped, stared and said, "Mom, she scares me."
"She scares me too bud."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
He did what?
My mom sent this to me and I laughed so hard. Mainly because Andy hates shopping, well.. not the sporting stores, but Especially at Walmart. I could see this situation happening to us.
This is why women should not take men shopping against their will. After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart . Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - she loved to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart:
Dear Mrs. Samsel, Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Samsel are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8 August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3 : Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his ' Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18 : Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21 : When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!' And last, but not least .. 15. October 23 : Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Oh, they got it too!
You're only as strong as your weakest link. Yep. This was so funny. Maybe Mel will post her video. JK :)
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