Christmas 2014

This Christmas was special in that we were all together for a few days.  I'm so glad that we were able to get my last chemo completed so it didn't interfere with going home.  Yes, you read that right.  Chemo is all done!  Hooray for us!  Now we can start sprouting some hair.(:

The kids wasted no time and got busy pulling out every possible toy from Bumpa and Grammy's toy closet.  Logan and Aislyn turned into mini-engineers and built several towers. 

 Major is quite a smiley little guy.  Do you see his sweet little dimple?

Lane was enamored with him.  He played peek-a-boo for a long time and Major rewarded him with several smiles!
 

 No white Christmas this year but the kids kept themselves busy in the giant 'sandbox.'

Lane and Kort dug out the airplane again.  It kept them entertained for quite a while.  Right up until a wing decided to turn into two wings.  I'm amazed it has lasted this long!

The boys playing Monopoly Empire.  Judging by the noise level, it was an exciting game. 

Auntie Laurie played a round or two of Sorry with the younger kids while the older kids and the Uncles headed to the ski hill.

Laurie snapped these photos.  Despite the age difference (or maybe because of it?), these two are the best of buds.  Logan's facial expressions are priceless!

Happy New Year to each of you!

Together with Family

Over Christmas, all of my family was together for a few days.  We haven't had a decent family picture taken since Geoff and Jocelyn were married.  So, we gave it a go on Sunday after Meeting.

Not too bad!  We clean up rather nicely.(:

And if we're going to get some pictures taken, we might as well do several...

 Our little guy was not impressed.  More pictures?! You've got to be kidding! Ha!

 Once reunited with Jake, all was well.  Bumpa and Grammy with their 12 grandchildren.

Then came the individual family pictures and finally, the kids were off the hook.  No more pictures for them!

But maybe a couple more while we're at it...

Last but not least, our parents - 46 years and counting!

Holiday Photos

It's that time of year again.  Time for the annual family photo.  Time to wish each of you a very Happy Holidays!

With love,

The Mad Hatters

A Low-key Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving plans changed at the last moment and we didn't get to go home to the farm to spend it with Ryan's family like we normally do.  Chemo #5 had to be delayed a week in order for my blood counts to recover and so instead of the week before Thanksgiving, it landed 2 days before.  So, we made the best of it and had a steak and grilled shrimp dinner on Monday to mark Dad's 69th birthday.  I'm sure you're feeling sorry for us about now...(: 

Happy Birthday, Bumpa!  Geoff and Jocelyn came over to help us celebrate and it served as a  mini Thanksgiving dinner as well.

These two supplied the after dinner entertainment.  We always say Uncle Geoff is pretty goofy but I think he might of met his match in his nephew!

In other developments over the the weekend, Lane is now singing, "All I want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth!"

Ryan's cousin Craig and his family stopped by on their way 'through.'  I use that term loosely as we were not on their direct route.  But we are so glad they stopped.  It was great to see them and the kids were highly entertained by Allen and Lisi making animals out of balloons!

When the wind chill drops, time for some indoor fun in front of the fire!

And now it's December and I can hardly believe it!  Hope you're all staying warm and happy!

Things That Make Me Smile

Here are a few random things that have made me smile this last while...

It's good to the last drop.

 Grandpas and Daddies entertaining and being entertained by the munchkins.

The munchkins and their well equipped friends, Ed, Grace and Fred.  Their cousin Lana has been mailing them comics starring these intrepid faces and even has made and sent them hats (that fit perfectly, Lana!) and blankets to keep warm in this latest cold snap.(;

Does Fred not make you smile!?!  Lana, if only you could see the enthusiasm with which the kids rip open your envelopes!  They love them!

Trick or Treat

Ryan decided to make the kids' costumes this year.  He outdid himself.

 Three very excited Minions.

They got extra candy and lots of complements and came home feeling like celebrities.(=

Update #55

I'm sure you know by now that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  There's been lots of pink out and about.  My favorite display of pink comes from #55 in this picture:

Doesn't Jake look good in pink?!

But Jake, just a quick word - would you quit growing up on me so fast!?! Please?!  Maybe slow down, just a little bit?!  Do all Aunties feel this way?  I'm finding it hard to believe that we have not 1 but 3 nephews playing high school football.  They're not supposed to be that old yet!

But I digress.

I had chemo #4 yesterday.  Only two more to go!  Even better ... the chemo is working!  The tumor is shrinking and the doctors are happy.  Makes me happy too!

Happy Thursday to each of you!

Fall Happenings

A few of the recent happenings here in the mountains:

Ryan and Lane have spent quite a few Saturday mornings in search of fish.  Ryan's got Lane good and trained about the appropriate way to photograph a fish...namely at arm's length!  It looks much larger that way.(:   The kokanee are tapering off but the rainbow fishing should start picking up as the water keeps cooling.

Bumpa and Grammy took the kids to their school's Fall Fest. 

The local fire house has a couple new recruits.

 Bombs away!

And finally,

Morgan received the Student of Character - Responsibility award for her class for the month of September.  She was recognized with all the other recipients in an assembly and was pleased as punch Grammy and I were able to come see.  She's settling into school and loving every minute of it.

Meeting Major

We have a new nephew/cousin that we got to meet last week.  He's pretty sweet!

Lane was absolutely fascinated by sweet little Major.  There is something amazing about new life and realizing your 7-year-old self used to be just as tiny and helpless.

He took lots of turns holding his cousin and just staring at him.  I did the same.  Major is such an easy-going baby, he hardly made a peep. 

Logan slowed down long enough to check out the bundle in Auntie Jocelyn's arms.  Morgan, however, did not.  Nope, she and Aislyn were off to the races!

Birthdays

We celebrated two birthdays last week. 

#6!

#4!

As you can see, they were both quite excited with their new numbers.  There was no need for me to feel guilty about not making their cakes this year.  They were thrilled to get to pick out their very own cake at the grocery store.(:

Regarding Baldness

I've never been one to spend much time on my hair.  Pull it back, flip it up, insert clips, and let the ends curl as they may.  Five minutes max.  It's out of my face, no fuss and on to bigger and better things.

Then comes the haircut.  

Then wisps of hair left lying behind.  Fingers full of hair at the slightest itch.  Shower drains clogged with hair.  And finally the shaving before it gets any worse.  

Oh my.  

Even though I spent little time on it (and have already gone through the cut/shave/regrow process 13 years ago), I'm still amazed at how much of my sense of self is wrapped up in hair.  It will regrow.  I know this.  This thought is what keeps me smiling even when I see the shocked looks on the faces of acquaintances who haven't heard my diagnosis, or the kids' dentist, the lady at the check-out counter at the grocery store, and even Lane's sweet little classmates.  I wonder if they think I've maybe gone off the deep end?  Decided to go for a drastic new hair cut?  Or maybe the hairstylist made a big mistake and had to take it all off?  I guess I'll have to recommend they avoid letting their husbands get anywhere near their hair.  Not worth the savings in avoiding a hairstylist...Ha!(:

Still, it is the kids that keep us laughing.  The last time I was bald, I remember being in the women's dorms at a church convention.  A little girl, maybe 7 or 8 years old, took one look at me and in a very horrified voice informed me that there were no boys allowed in the girls dorm.  

"No," I assured the little girl, "I'm a girl."

"Then PROVE it!" she insisted.

I looked at my friend Janell for help only to see her doing her level best to avoid rolling on the floor in laughter.  

"Ummm....I'm wearing a skirt?" 

She was barely convinced.

This time around, I've been even more aware of kids and their honesty.  They haven't learned to moderate their responses or try to be politically correct.  They're curious and not afraid to admit it.  While adults often avoid even commenting on my hats, kids have no qualms.  As I was picking Lane up early for a dentist appointment, one of his classmates came up and gave me a hug, looked at me curiously and said, "I like your new hat Ms. Jeannie!"  

My own kids have informed me I look like Daddy. Logan took it a step further this morning.  While he was playing with his trucks I heard him muttering. 

"We have 4 boys in my family." 

"No, we have 3 boys and 2 girls,"  I replied.

"Nope. Only Morgan is a girl.  You're a boy, just like Daddy!"

Boating Fun

I'm sitting here in my chair in the chemo suite with quite a bit of time on my hands.  I believe it is time for an update!  The last 3 weeks since my first treatment have been surprisingly good.  A couple of days of exhaustion and general ickiness followed by an upward swing.  Then a couple of really good weeks.  I'll take it!

In other good news, we've loved having Geoff and Jocelyn so close.  They've been moved into their new home for a little over a month now.  Mom and Dad were over helping with the settling in process and they took a break to head to a picturesque little lake not far from their home.  We happily joined them for a fun afternoon.

The arrival.  I think we exceeded the maximum capacity of the Zodiac by a kid or three but we arrived.  That's what counts, right?

 Relaxing.

 The big boys braved some cold water to do some snorkeling.

 Logan wasn't so sure...

When the kids discovered the kayaks, they discovered a much warmer activity!

They learned pretty quickly by trial and error and were able to get the kayaks to go in the general direction they desired.  Instructions shouted by grandparents and parents were largely ignored.

 Then they discovered they could give each other rides.  Cue lots of laughter!

But the highlight occurred when Uncle Geoff got the Zodiac out and proceeded to give the little kiddos rides while making waves for Lane.  All in all, a great way to end a fun day!