First ski of the season

Riding up the magic carpet

Look at me!

Carson's first run with Dad

Riding up the lift

There he is, coming down the hill!

New Years Eve we took the kids up skiing for the first time this season. It was beautiful and sunny, but quite cold!! Despite Carson's whining the whole time because his boots were too tight, we had a blast! Austin did very well and is learning how to slow down, stop and turn pretty good. He had a big grin on his face the whole time he skied down the hill (because what's not to love about it?!), it was pretty cute. Even though Carson isn't quite 3 and it will take another year to really be able to learn, it was still good to just get him out on the mountain and used to having skiis on his feet.

Skiing is hard work with kids, but in a few years it will be pay off and it will be something that we love to do together as a family!

Christmas 2010

Christmas Day was wonderful for our family. The month leading up to that, however, was not! Trying to recover from my last biochemo treatment (which was a doozy), dealing with a sinus infection and a bad rash (an allergic reaction from an antibiotic) that kept me from sleeping well, starting my first maitenance therapy and getting scans, all the while trying to take care of kids, the house, and get ready for Christmas really put me into a tail-spin this month. I just wanted Christmas to be over! But it all turned out to be great. We headed to Logan for the weekend and stayed with Eric's dad. It was peaceful and quiet, just what I needed. The kids had a blast Christmas morning opening presents and stockings and it was fun to be able to be with grandparents for that. Christmas evening we got together with the WHOLE family at Salli's house (minus Erin and Ryan, sad!) and had a family recipe exchange and watched the cousins exchange gifts. That is always chaos, but fun nevertheless. It was so wonderful to be with the family and catch up, although I don't feel we did enough of that!

Austin was a sheep for the nativity scene we acted out Christmas Eve (Carson was a wiseman and wouldn't cooperate for a picture)

Anna and her cute jammies

Austin got "Despicable Me" in his stocking

Carson got a play parking set from Santa. Boy was he excited!

Austin got Kinex from Santa. Just what he asked for.

Carson was so stoked to get a "big" Lightning McQueen, a remote control car

Playing w/ their toys

A few of the girls

Grandpa and Brett

C & T relaxing

The princesses

Most of the cousins

Trey and Austin

Eric and I

Scan results

It was a nerve-wracking month leading up to my scan after completing my biochemo treatments. I knew from the last x-ray that was done right before my 6th treatment that one tumor still remained. Smaller and still shrinking, but nevertheless there. I just prayed it would be gone completely, but knew deep inside I knew that it was probably a long shot...

Well, I was right. The last tumor (which was the biggest) still remains in my lungs. It is 1.8cm long and the shape of a sliver apparently. The good news though is that is not active and is still shrinking, even if the shrinkage has slowed down (which is normal). I have to admit that even though this wasn't bad news, I was disappointed. I really wanted to have a "complete response" by the time I finished the biochemo. My doctor, however, is still optimistic that I can have that response by the time I finish the maitenance therapy over the next year. I have to hold onto that and just keep doing what I'm doing!

Santa

I took the kids to see Santa at the Mall. Carson just stared at him, it was hilarious. He wouldn't say a word. Austin, on the other hand, had no qualms about telling Santa what he and his brother wanted. His words were, "Santa, I would like some Kinex for Christmas. My brother just likes cars. That's why his name is Carrrr-son." Too funny!

In 1 month I will be here...

Maui!!! I can't wait. This year has been tough and starting 2011 out by relaxing on the beach sounds perfect to me! My parents are taking our whole family there Jan 7th for a week. Pure heaven and just what I need! SOOOOO looking forward to it!