Merry Christmas!

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Good News Carmen is coming Home

Carmen is finally coming home!!!

After almost two months in the Hospital

Carmen's Doctor is ready to let her come home!!

It has been a long road and lots has happened since she went in .

It will great to have her home.

Madeleine is excited to see mom and not have to go

through a double set of locking doors to do it .

She is excited to have some mommy time.

Carmens doctor called this morning and asked if I was ready to have her come home.

And of course I said yes if those who have been working with her in the hospital

feel she is ready then of course I want her home with us.

It has been a long two months she went in on the morning of the 19th of October

and has been there since. By four o clock this afternoon she will be a free woman and be able to once again sleep in her own bed she is excited for that .

There will be some out patient care for awhile and she will need to be watched , but

she is ready to come home and we are excited for that.

Carmen is doing ok but she has been moved back downstairs.

Carmen has been moved back downstairs into the 1500 room at Portland Adventist Medical Center in Portland. although she is making progress.... she is not sleeping through the night. She has been placed on a hospital hold and will have to meet with a court appointed Investigator again to determine how long she has to stay. Her job will probably not be there when she comes out, but she will be able to reapply if she decides she wants to continue working for the Red Cross. I need to have a job in place so that she doesn't feel like she has to work to support our family. I am grateful for all of your love and support. Maddie and I have been spending lots of quality time together when I pick her up from boys and girls club after school. And she has gone to see Carmen a few times. She doesn't want to go into the ward that Carmen is in right now but she will talk to her sometimes on the phone.

Carmen is making progress

Carmen is making some progress. The doctor is hoping to move her up to the 4300 room by the end of the week. That move is depending on a room becoming available. She still has a long way to go ,but her progress is promising.

Maddie and I are doing OK we have a great support system

available and that has made coping with the trials much easier.

We are so grateful for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf. Maddie is having a great year at school despite all that she has been through this year. I guess kids are pretty resilient thank goodness for that.

Our family has been and is a great support for us.

Carmen's brothers are

dealing with his quite a bit differently.

They have only inquired about her a few times.

They are having a difficult time dealing with all of this ,

they have lost both of their parents in the span of eleven years.

Thank you for all of your love and support.

Tomato basil parmesan soup

This recipe is from http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/.  The girl who wrote the blog came and talked to our Relief Society one night and gave us tips on slow cooking.  I made this the other night and Jared even ate it and he hates tomato soup.  He actually ate three bowls of it.

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup


Makes about 2 quarts

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced carrots

1 cup finely diced onions

1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano

1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil

4 cups chicken broth

½ bay leaf

½ cup flour

1 cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup butter

2 cups half and half, warmed

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil (if using fresh oregano and basil, if using dried oregano and basil add it in the last hour of cooktime), and bay leaf to a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft. About an hour before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for another hour until ready to serve.

Happy Birthday Novemberites!

This month is such a special one, it's birthday time for me (and Sheri).  We'd really like to celebrate this happy day with us.  (Some lyrics to that song are missing here) There's something we can do...we'll sing a song that you should know...Happy Birthday to Me...oh and Sheri.

Happy Birthday Todd!

Happy Birthday Sheri!

And the family keeps growing...

This family keeps growing and growing.  We added 2 more to the mix last weekend.  Brittni got married to Trevor Kruse.  Welcome to this huge, crazy family Trevor!

Trevor and Brittni Kruse





The whole Matz family

foreshadowing :)

Little Hudson Ebbs, born July 16

 And the newest member of the family, Carver Holt Sanders, Tyler and Kim's little guy.

Crazy year for the Sanders clan.  Two weddings, 4 births.  What's next?

A picture of Benjamin David Ryan Sanders

For those of you who could not be here for his service, Here is a picture of our angel as he went back to his heavenly home. He is sorely missed by his family, both immediate and extended. Thank you again for all of your love and support.

August Birthdays!!!



Breanna Turned 16!!!



Greg Turned 50!!!

Big Birthdays in the Matz Family this year!

In Loving Memory of Benjamin David Ryan Sanders

It is with great sadness that we announce that Benjamin was delivered/and departed on August 02, 2011, but was not allowed to stay. He had completed an honorable nine month mission to prepare his mortal body.He is continuing his work on the other side of the veil. He has brought much happiness to our house despite his short stay. He will be sorely missed but definitely not forgotten. Pictures and service Info coming soon.

We have a Birthday...

 

Happy Birthday to Christina!

August 2nd, 2011.

Hudson Raydin Ebbs

Born July 16, 2011 at 4:?? pm. He weighed 8 lbs 11 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. We think he is wonderful!
Mommy, Baby and Daddy are all doing very well.

The New Family

Hudson

Grandma Sheri and Hudson

Grandpa Greg and Hudson

Trevor and Brittni are Engaged!!

Trevor and I went hiking in Sisters and we got to this point with an amazing view of the mountains. He said we should set up a timer so we can get a picture together and thats when he proposed. Getting down on one knee and everything :) Very sweet

Save the Date: September 2nd and September 3rd 2011

Todd and Christina

Here's a few pics from the fabulous day! Welcome to the family Christina!

My fave

Happy Birthday, Heather!!!!1

Hope you have an awesome day.

Happy Birthday to Berklie!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Berklie, Happy Birthday to Berklie, Happy Birthday to Berklie, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!!!! We love you Berklie. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Announcement Preview

A preview for your viewing pleasure, but I'm not revealing the whole picture, just yet...

 They should start hitting mailboxes...

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Ryan (not pictured), Riley, Josh and Mikaela. Lots of birthdays to celebrate. Hope you all have a wonderful birthday. We love all of you.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mothers in our family. May you all have a restful day and be well taken care of. Love you all.

Happy Birthday, Sydney

This is a few days late, but I wanted to wish Sydney a Happy 8th Birthday! Hope that you had a great day!

We did it! We actually created a child that is not going to be instinctively drawn to pink and princesses (at least I hope not). We can't wait to meet our little baby boy!

We Just Can't Decide...Which one Do you Like? (It doesn't matter, we'll

Another Sanders Baby

For those of you who haven't heard yet, we are going to be having baby #4 in early September. We will find out next Wednesday if it is a she or a he. We'll let you know.

Thought I would add a picture to wish Carmen a happy birthday, too. Hope it was a wonderful birthday.

Happy Birthday Carmen

more from the Hill's

Just can't get enough of her! We were able to have Reagan's baby blessing at home on Sunday.