Merry Christmas Eve!!

Merry Christmas Eve! Last night we got back from our trip to California. Sierra had a follow up biopsy from her one in October. To our undelight it was another 1A. That means that we will return in February for another follow up biopsy. A 1A means that there are white blood cells lurking around her heart but they are not attacking it. We were hoping for a 0, which means absolutely no rejection. So, instead of returning to California in April we will be returning in February.

We left Friday the 19th and drove to Reno, staying at Circus Circus. Then we went the rest of the way on Saturday the 20th and were able to go see Ben (received his heart the same day as Sierra) and his family. It was so fun to see them. Thank you Angel and Gary for letting us drop in on you like that. We had a ball and look forward to July or August when Ben comes here to visit!

Sunday we decided to culturally edify ourselves. So, we decided to go to the Cantor Art Museum at Stanford University. The kids were really excited to see the Africa and Ocean displays (which we saved for the last). To their disappoinment it was nothing more than more statues and boring paintings. We did get a kick out of a man that was standing in a room and wasn't moving. We finally figured out that it was a wax figure. Everyone was laughing and a little timid to get too close to him for a picture. After the museum we were able to meet up with our dear friends the Stockwells. Shawn (received his heart July 30th of this year after waiting for 2 1/2 years for a heart) looks so awsome!! He gets to go home for Christmas. We are so happy for them. Hopefully they made it past Seattle and the snow back to Alaska. We love you guys and will be seeing you in February.

Monday was Sierra's biopsy. She did awsome. Lindsey and I were at our friends the Gee's hanging low with Hunter and Gage. We were blessed with a quick stomach flu that hit us that night and wanted to keep us away from the hospital and Sierra. Thank heaven Sierra didn't get the bug!! Then we pulled out yesterday from Palo Alto and made it home by 11:30 last night in time to go tubing today and get ready for Santa. Thank you Jane and Bruce for letting our family crash your cottage. Now you can say you've housed a family of 7. Thank you for all you do. Bob and Kaye Paugh, thank you for inviting us to your party. It was amazing food (as always) and company. You have an awsome family. Thank you for making us feel so welcome in your home. To everyone, have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Sierra and Ben at Ben's house.

Gary, Gage and Ben

Adorable Ava and Gage

Beautiful Angel and I

The wax figure. Notice Megan pulling Sierra into the picture because she didn't want to get too close.

Our family in front of a painting of the Stanford family.

Our last picture of sunshine outside the Gee's home before we left Tuesday.

Shawn holding Gage at Applebee's.

The trio of amazing kids-Shawn, Ben and Sierra

Sierra coming out of anesthesia after biopsy. It's always fun to get her talk when she's a little rummy.