Happy Halloween

Crow and Scarecrow

Gandalf and Waldo

Smarty Pants and Nerd

Darwin did dress up this year, but I guess I didn't get a picture of him.  He wore black pants and a black t-shirt that said "Budget Ninja Costume" on it. =)

Herd Immunity and What To Do About It

I haven't written an update on Caleb in awhile.  He is really doing awesome overall.  We are still going to the doctor every month for blood work, but everything always checks out really good.

In August, the doctor ordered several blood tests to see if any of the antibodies from his childhood vaccinations were still present in his system.  All of the tests came back negative, so technically he is no longer immune to the childhood diseases that the vaccines prevent.  I was a little concerned, but the doctor said the reason he was fine and not getting sick was because of something called "Herd (or Community) Immunity".

Here is a blurb about what Herd Immunity is from the web:

 "Herd immunity (or community immunity) describes a form of immunity that occurs when the vaccination of a significant portion of a population (or herd) provides a measure of protection for individuals who have not developed immunity. Herd immunity theory proposes that, in contagious diseases that are transmitted from individual to individual, chains of infection are likely to be disrupted when large numbers of a population are immune or less susceptible to the disease. The greater the proportion of individuals who are resistant, the smaller the probability that a susceptible individual will come into contact with an infectious individual. Vaccination acts as a sort of firebreak or firewall in the spread of the disease, slowing or preventing further transmission of the disease to others. Unvaccinated individuals are indirectly protected by vaccinated individuals, as the latter are less likely to contract and transmit the disease between infected and susceptible individuals. Hence, a public health policy of herd immunity may be used to reduce spread of an illness and provide a level of protection to a vulnerable, unvaccinated subgroup. Since only a small fraction of the population (or herd) can be left unvaccinated for this method to be effective, it is considered best left for those who cannot safely receive vaccines because of a medical condition such as an immune disorder, organ transplant recipients, or people with egg allergies. "

Because this isn't a fail safe method of avoiding these diseases, Caleb is now on a schedule to receive most of his original shots over again!  As of today, he's had nine of his childhood immunizations re-administered. Some of the vaccines (live virus types) cannot be given to him at all until he is at least 24 months past his transplant date... in fact, we have had to defer three live vaccines for Kalia until that time as well.

So that's about it for an update.  Like I said, he is doing really well, but he still has some hurdles to overcome.  Good thing he has Brooklin's blood...she is a state champion hurdler! ;)

and did you notice they are all wearing Star Wars shirts?? =)

It's Autumn Time...Wait, What?

It's cold.

It's been three and a half years since any of us have been cold, and we've kind of forgotten a few things.

• All of our noses and throats are dried out and we are using a lot more lotion and chapstick.
• Our cars need a few minutes in the morning to warm up before they are ready to go...even if we are already late for seminary or work!
• Socks are now necessary!
• The sun seems to be getting lazy...late to rise and early to bed. (Hawaii's sunrise/sunset only has one hour of variance throughout the year so they don't observe daylight savings time.) 
• Going through the box of coats/hats/mittens was like Christmas morning!
• I have to remind Isaiah (pretty much everyday) that he can't wear shorts to school...even if he does wear a coat with them. =)
• Brooklin and London need running tights for their end of season practices/meets. 
• Our baby has decided that wearing shoes is ok.  We are still working on getting her to appreciate coats, hats, and mittens...but the shoes were a big step for her!
• Brooklin came home early from the homecoming football game because she couldn't feel her toes.
• If you leave your coat over top of the heater vent in the floor, it will be nice and warm when you put it on.
• Raking leaves is fun!

Homecoming

Brooklin's homecoming dance was this past weekend.  Her old school didn't have a homecoming dance, so this was her first time going.  She said she had a lot of fun with her date, Wyatt.  Here are the pictures...aren't they cute!  =)

Bass Pro Shop

After Brooklin's xc meet today, we stopped by Bass Pro Shop!  It was so awesome!!  It was very similar to Cabela's...except for all the mannequins in Bass Pro Shop had guns!  hahaha! Kalia was afraid of the fish in the freshwater aquarium and the huge stuffed brown bear, but she loved all the candy in the fudge shop.  (Why do all the good sportsman stores have homemade fudge at them??  How do those two things go together?  hahaha!)

Here are some pictures of our little adventure in Bass Pro Shop.

I was taking a picture, and some guy asked if I wanted to be in one...so we are all in this second one. (Isaiah was on a scout campout and Brooklin was still at the xc meet)

Posing with the Duck Dynasty guys!

She was so afraid of this bear!  It was kind of funny though... =)

Do you think she will ever get this deer?  Mannequins in Bass Pro Shop are all armed...but probably not dangerous. hehe!

London has a bare-behind her... =)