Birthday, Birthday!

We have been busy with birthdays, a surgery and other nice boring activities. That is to say, we haven't had to go to California for a whole month. YEAHH!! Hunter had an inguinal hernia that he had repaired. It was a quick day surgery and he did great. He says, "My bumps got fixed." We are glad for that.

September 20th was Sierra's 10th birthday. Who would have ever thought three years ago she would have made it this far. It was great. She got a new hat that came with a lot of attitude when she wears it. I will have to be cautious of ever shopping at that store again.

Hunter's birthday was 4 days later on the 24th. He turned 3. Our little reminder of the age of Sierra's transplant. He wanted EVERYTHING Thomas the Tank Engine. I have never had one of my children so into a character as he is. It is really funny, however, it isn't enough to make him want to potty in the toilet. No matter what the bribery.

Gage's first birthday is Thursday the 1st of Oct. He will sadly be turning 1 already. An age which we weren't sure 8 1/2 months ago he was going to make it to. So, we get to celebrate 3 of our birthdays right together to keep the good times rolling.

Here is us to appreciating good health and a month stretch home. Looking back at how very blessed we have been this year. Thanks for checking on us. Happy Fall!

Lindsey running a relay race at Sierra's birthday party. Jason helping her.

Hunter getting ready to go into surgery with his intimidating purple gown.

The happy sleepy medicine in effect. Ready to wheel back to OR.

Sierra blowing out her candles at her birthday party. Lindsey more than willing to help.

Mr. Gage monitoring Sierras gifts at her birthday party.

Sierra and Megan saw some curlers in a closet and decided they wanted to try them out. It turned out really cute.

Hunter and his birthday breakfast of cold cereal. Notice the fruit loop holding the candle.

Mom aiming to please at all costs. My crowning moment of "Thomas the Train."

AC/DC & California

We had a fun and busy past week. It was the girls' first day of school Monday. Lindsey was ecstatic to finally be going to school all day.

Wednesday we left at 4:00AM for California. We had a concert to attend and it started at 7:00pm in San Jose. This just happen to fall along Sierra's biopsy schedule. (Coincidence? I think not!) Our dear friends the Stockwell's were going to go with us but were unable to (we really, really missed you guys). Jason found 2 of his scouts from 8 years ago to go with us. They were fun to take.

Thursday, we went and showed Dylan and Simon San Francisco. They had never been before so we crammed as much into one day as possible. We started at Pier 39, then to Fisherman's Warf, The Ghirardelli chocolate factory (Okay so that was for me.), and returned to our car. To our disappointment Trista, our friend was not on the corner of the parking garage for pictures. We went through China town, down Lombard street, and then on to the Golden Gate bridge. We also stopped at Muir woods on the north side of the bridge and then followed the highway along the coast to Half Moon Bay. It was a lot of fun and perfect weather.

Friday was Sierra's biopsy. She did it awake without any IV or anything for pain. Except for a local numbing cream they put on her neck where they go into get the biopsy from. She did cry a little. But, I am so proud of her I could burst. I don't think I could do it! We had some good news, her pressures in her heart have been high since May. This biopsy her pressures had returned to normal. Big relief. We don't know yet what her biopsy was but will hopefully find out Tuesday.

We got home safely Saturday morning at 5:00 AM. Thanks to Simon and Dylan who were determined drivers and got us through the longest hours of the night. Thank you boys we appreciate it. We will let you know when we hear on Sierra's biopsy. Thanks for checking on us.

The girls out by the bus stop their first day of school. Hunter saying, "It's not fair Mom."

Thee Angus Young in his prime.

These are for you George and Trista.

Obviously this guy caught on that we were taking a picture a little to late. Yes, Jason gave me grief for wearing Khaki capris to an AC/DC concert (I wasn't there to impress).

Simon and Dylan in China town.

Dylan talking to "His Grandpa." His parents might have some explaining to do. He sat down and this guy started talking to him and told him that he was his Grandpa. He was very nice, from Korea. He was full of advice and Dylan couldn't understand a word of it.

Dylan, Sierra and Simon at the Golden Gate Bridge.

The gang at Half Moon Bay just before the sun was setting.

We just thought this was a cute picture of the kids after church today husking corn out of the garden.

Southern Utah or BUST!

This last weekend we went on our last family vacation to Monticello, Utah. We left Thursday and drove to Salt Lake and stayed with Jason's Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Jay. It was a lot of fun to see them and their lovely home. Friday we drove the rest of the way to southern Utah and went to Arches National Park (despite the large amount of protest from our back seats). It was beautiful and fun to see all the different structures.

Then we FINALLY (as the kids would put it) got to Aunt Holly's in Monticello. Saturday we drove by Canyon lands national Park and had a picnic. It was a lot of fun to see my sis and spend time with her family. Thank you Holly for putting up with our family. We enjoyed every minute we were there!

This was a cute picture of the kids and their cousins in a make shift covered wagon.

It is so fun to see their creativity. They decided to see if they could get their cousins goats to pull the wagon. I think Roper did most the pulling.

Jason and the kids at balanced rock in Arches National Park.

The kids and I in front of another arch.

The whole family, my sisters family and their friend Clara. We covered up the view, but it is a beautiful view of Canyon Lands.

Hamburger Rock, where we ate lunch and the kids ran around.

All of us in Holly's bronco ready to head home. It was HOT!!

Family reunion, continued

All gathered in the shop during the rain

Here are some more pictures from the reunion.

Working cattle at Mickey's on Thursday. Rain was just pouring

Josh assisting Ryan in the barrels

Jen shooting skeet last night (Saturday)

Ryan and Lindsey assisting Calvin with the skeet

Hillary and Stacy taking a shot at it

All of the Aunts and Uncles just after a memorable slide show

Having dinner in the shop, Stacy and I are so proud

Nick and Chase butchering a chicken

Family reunion various pictures for Bro

Ryan and the 'Goat tying'

The 3 brothers, Allen, Dad and Jay at the 'Bingham rodeo'

Stick horse races at the Rodeo
This picture was just before the big 'Yah Ho'

Hunter and grandpa at the corrals at 'Mickey's

Garrity and Amanda gathering cattle

Gathering cattle from 'Mickey #2' now Laufers

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Current picture of family playing cards.

Lindsey, Megan, Sierra and Hunter at the RMH.

Sierra about 1 week post transplant on 3W.

The family in Sierra's hospital room getting close to discharge.

Today is a very special day for us. We get to celebrate the miracle that took place in our life three years ago. Sierra received her precious heart August 3, 2006. We have had ups and downs since that day, but nothing that I would trade for these last three years we have been blessed to have Sierra with us. Thank you Nicholas, our hero whose sacrifice gave us life. We honor him and all other organ donors this day.

Happy anniversary to Ben and Peter. Also, to Shawn who celebrated his first year anniversary on the 31st of July. We love and miss all of you and honor you this day as well.