Thanksgiving weekend

Rocking out on Rock Band

Eric's homeade pie

Dad and Austin aboard the train

The Polar Express

Santa's lap

My entire family came to town for Thanksgiving this weekend. It was so nice to have everyone here. In our 10 years of marriage, Eric and I have only spent one Thanksgiving with my family and never at our house. Thanksgiving day we mostly just chilled, ate delicious food (especially Eric's homeade apple pie), watched football, and played Rock Band. Friday, my mom, sisters, and I got pedicures, always a treat. Then we all went to the movies and saw "Tangled" and ate dinner at our favorite Japanese restaurant in town, Sakura. Saturday, the boys went on a train ride on the "North Pole Express". All in all, it was a enjoyable, relaxing weekend and good to be together as a family.

This year I'm grateful for much. Although it has been a rough year for us, our lives have been richly blessed and we have much happiness. I'm grateful for ALL of our family members-we really do have the best, most supportive families in the world. I'm grateful for the gospel. There's no way I could get through life without it. I'm grateful for friends. I'm grateful for answers to our prayers. Heavenly Father has answered many of our prayers and has blessed us with the things we need. I'm grateful for miracles. We have witnessed MANY miracles in our lives, many of which have happened this YEAR. They are a true sign of how much our Heavenly Father loves us! There are many other blessings I'm grateful for, but this is a good list!

Something to celebrate.

I have officially finished my biochemo treatments. WOO HOO!! I thought this day would never come. My last round was brutal. Lots of throwing up and very sleepy. But I don't care because it's my last full week in the hospital!!! I am so ready to start feeling "normal" again (which might take a few months) and not feel weak and tired all the time. I will never take that for granted again. Scans come in mid-December when I start maitenance therapy (which is once for month, 2 days in the hospital and only 1 drug). That's when we will find out how well this treatment worked and if I have a complete response or not. Last x-ray revealed one tumor still, although very small and not active. We are praying that it will be gone though by the time I get scans.

This picture is of me with my brilliant and wonderful doctor, Dr. David Minor, and his nurse practitioner, Christine (who is also wonderful). I took this on the last day, so you can get an idea of how crappy I look by the end of the week (but happy to be done nonetheless!).

Growing up way too fast...

I have these moments where I want to freeze time because it seems like our kids are growing up way too fast. For example...

1. Austin is reading and writing words and sentences like crazy. He loves to write "notes" to everyone and does a pretty good job sounding out and spelling words on his own. The kid is so smart.

2. Carson hates sitting in a high chair (although I insist on it sometimes because it contains the mess easier.) and prefers sitting on a "big boy chair" now.

3. Austin doesn't pick on his little brother as much anymore. (Don't worry though, they still have their moments.) They play really well together for the most part.

4. Carson says big words in his sentences all the time, like "ridiculous" and "completely".

5. Austin has lost a tooth and about to lose another here any day now...

6. Carson takes shorter naps now (meaning I wake him up) because he talks too long in his crib at bedtime. It's a real bummer.

7. Austin prefers action figure cartoons like "Batman" to "Backyardigans" now.

8. Carson is asserting his independence more and more...

9. Austin says his prayers without any help and has some very deep thoughts.

10. Even though Carson is still considered my "baby" and sleeps in a crib, sucks his thumb, and wears diapers still, he is getting bigger everyday and sadly, losing his chubby cheeks and belly! :(

First snow

It seems like our first snow came a little early this year. As much as I love to ski on it, I REALLY despise driving in it. The kids love it though and I have to admit, it does make everything more beautiful outside, don't you think?

Too funny...

Austin's door

The Farm Man Benefit Run

The third and final benefit run for us was held Oct 30th at the Farmstead Corn Maze in Meridian, ID. They had a huge turn-out for the event, which was a 5/10K challenge run through the corn maize complete with jumping over obstacles, army crawling through the hay, walking the plank, climbing over hay bails, and water balloons thrown at the runners! All the while, wearing a Halloween costume! I was so disappointed I wasn't there for the event, but Eric went and had a good time despite the cold!