Dec 16, THOR, The Office party, & Utah trip

This last week we had the office Christmas party at Jim's house. We had a nice dinner and a gift exchange. This year Stacy and I did a great gift for none other than thee one and only Tom Isaacson.  We found out that Glenda wanted to see the movie Thor because of Thor's great hair, but Tom wasn't crazy about taking her. So for a Christmas gift, we bought Tom a Thor wig and helmet. Now he can take here and look great!  It was so funny.  Tom was a great sport.  Allen also got a fake snake in his present. It was a fun night.

On Friday, after Megan and Sierra danced, we left for Utah to go to Stacy's grandpa's 93rd birthday party.  It was a nice event down in Draper at Stacy's cousin, Tammy and Kevin's house.  Many of her aunts, uncles, and cousins were there. Afterwards we went to see the lights at Temple Square. Apparently there was some sort of concert or something going on because it was crazy trying to find a place to park. The lights were nice to see, but there was hords of people.  There was so many people it was hard to enjoy the spirit of Christmas.  We were able to stay with Ryan and Michelle and spend a bit of time with most of Stacy's family.  All good stuff.

One more game left in Lindsey's YMCA basketball.  It has been a great season for her and her 5 teammates. Now Hunter has basketball, Lindsey has volleyball, Megan has junior high basketball, and Sierra has skiing and volleyball. Going to be an exciting 3 months as I get geared up for tax season. 

This morning at breakfast we were handing out the morning meds (not a few), commenting on the lovely prednisone and how is stunts Sierra and Lindsey's growth.  Lindsey is very sensitive to her height, or lack there of. Sierra had the quote of the day, "Well if it keeps me alive, I guess I am good with it", as she downs a huge hand full of meds.  Ya know, maybe we all complain about 'things' way too much! 

God bless the family of Dale Smith.  They still haven't found any remains of the plane. Our prayers are still the family.  What a sad, sad thing to happen.

Sierra has biopsy Jan 6, and Lindsey's biopsy is February 8.

Till next time, Merry Christmas

 

Grandpa Glen Hobbs. 93rd Birthday party. He is winding down in life, but he is and was a very good man. We sure love him.

Stacy's siblings and family at Temple Square

 

 Megan and Sierra performing the dance routines. They have fun with that stuff.

Yes, that is our high school gym. Go Badgers!

 

Our favorite picture. This is Tom (Thor) ready for the movies!!

Glenda, how can you resist?

 

Dec 7, Remembering Dale Smith

It's been a pretty basic week here. VERY cold. Highs in the teens and lows in the negatives. Lindsey is still playing YMCA basketball. Still amazes me how well she is doing and how hard she runs given where she was at a year ago.

Stacy picked up 2 night shifts this last week. That always wipes her out.  Had Range here for the weekend. He and Gage are best friends. They love to play 'cowboy' all day long. Range has the funniest cowboy talk for a 5 year old. "Aunt Stacy, Can I have a drink of water? I don't like eggs. In my house, my Dad puts the hot chocolate in the refrigerator to warm it up."  But you have to say it the way he does, loud and like a 5 year old cowboy.

We also had Lacy and Patience Wick here for the weekend.  Good kids that needed a place to go.  Megan and Sierra are doing a lot of babysitting.  They love doing it and are making a bit of money.

Finally got word from California regarding the next tests. Sierra and Lindsey have blood draws now. Sierra has IVIG and biopsy on January 6, and Lindsey has biopsy in early February.

But that not the real thing that has been weighing on my mind. Last week Dale Smith's small plane went down in Idaho. They have searched for 6+ days now and still haven't found any sign of him, his kids, or his aircraft. Dale was a very nice guy who lived in San Jose. He had given us rides through Angel Flight to Calif for biopsies and checkups. His parents live here in Baker City, so it worked out good for him to come and visit, then fly us to California.  We are still in shock over the loss of this good person. He was an excellent pilot, and we always looked forward to flying with him. Our prayers continue to be for him and his family.

Here are a few pictures of Dale Smith back in July when he gave us a ride to Calif.

Nov 25-30, Thanksgiving week

What an enjoyable Thanksgiving week. We had good family time, games, and visiting. On Wednesday Josh and Tara, and their 5 kids showed up. Hunter and Lindsey were sitting out by the road watching for them for well over an hour. They were convinced that Josh and Tara were broke down somewhere and we needed to help them. But all was well. Garrity and Seth and their new little baby John Thomas showed up late Wednesday. Jake and Wendy went to N. Dakota to her sister's place.

Thursday we did the 5K Turkey Trot in Baker City. All of us except Gage ran/walked it. Lindsey and Sierra walked most of it but did well.  Thanksgiving dinner was at our place this year. We had Mom & Dad, Justin & Emily, Garrity & Seth, Josh & Tara, and the Kymetics, a total of 27 counting kids.  We had the dinner in our cleaned out and newly insulated shop, it was a fun place to have it.  Later we had Nick & Hil, and Allen & Pam over for pies. We shot guns and played pinochle.  That night we had 14 cousins over for a sleep over. It was a living room of kids, pillows, blankets and lots of giggling!

Friday Josh and I cooked breakfast for all 14 kids while Stacy and Tara did the 'Black Friday' thing.  Josh and I definitely came out ahead on that one. Once the wives got back, we headed for the hills and cut 8 Christmas trees for various families. Then over to Justin's for more games, hot tub, and activities. It was then Justin's turn for all 14 cousins to stay the night.

Saturday after Josh and Tara, and Seth and Garrity we gone, we cleaned up, 'decked-the-halls', decorated the tree, and put out Christmas lights.

Regarding our kids medical needs (which are never far away), we are waiting to hear from Calif regarding Sierra's next IVIG. May be next week, may be in a month, still not sure. Gage is good till February for a checkup. Hunter, Megan, and Lindsey are due for checkup's with the Boise doctor.  They all seem to doing good, no major concerns at the moment.

It was a great week.  Stacy and I talked about all the things we are thankful for. We are grateful to be home, health kids, family around us, beautiful area, good job, and faith that keeps us together. We are excited and look forward to the Christmas season. God has truly blessed us.

Christmas decor

 Lindi and Gage in the shop for Thanksgiving dinner

 Thanksgiving in the shop

 Josh and I cookin breakfast

 Yah, Sierra and Lindsey doing the goofy hair.

 Lindsey putting up her 'Beads of Courage'. If you remember, for every poke, every night, the Berlin, the transplant, and many other things, she received a bead. We now use that string of beads as part of our Christmas tree décor.  The bead at the top of the tree is the 'Heart' bead.