October 12, Deer Hunt

First week of October is the deer hunt here in Oregon. We did it a bit different this year. Because of kids games and schedules, Justin and I went up the 1st weekend with a total of 9 kids.  The tradition is only kids 8 or over can go, a bit of right of passage I guess. So... we had Sierra, Megan, Lindsey, and Hunter; Justin had Ayla and Keanna; and Josh sent 3 of his kids, Landon, Ryan and Kallie.  My Dad and Uncle Jay also came along for the ride. As always it is a lot of fun and the kids look forward to it like Christmas morning. Opening morning I had 5 kids with me out hunting with Uncle Jay following behind. I had Hunter, Lindsey, Megan, Landon, and Ryan. Justin had Sierra, Ayla, Kalli, and Keanna. My crew was able to hunt into a 3 point. It was a great experience for the kids and they had a ton of fun. 

One of the best parts of the of the hunt was when I got to the top of the ridge, sat down, popped open a can of sardines and Vienna sausages, turned on my phone to check messages, and behold.....my beloved USU Aggies beat BYU.  At that moment, my life was complete. I LOVED getting messages from college buddies and my Utah cousins telling me the news from Prove. IT WAS AWESOME!! Go Aggies!!

Jake, Roper, Dallee Jo, Seth and Jodie went the 2nd weekend and got a very nice 2x3 and Roper shot a ridiculously huge 4 point.  It's just not right for kid that young to shoot a buck that big.  Roper still has a grin from ear to ear over that one.  Hat's off to Jake for letting his son take the first shot.  I guess Roper shot that thing on his second shot while standing up.  Jake never did shoot at it.

We have hunted at this location for the last 33 years. The deer hunt experience with the kids is more valuable that the deer we shoot. For us, it's a great way to spend time and create memories with our kids. (At least that is my excuse when my little nephew shoots the big buck).

Speaking of kids, Sierra's swelling is back and her weight is up. It got to the point of calling California.  So we did some blood tests and an echo.  Last week we dropped the predisone and increased the Lasix. Those 2 adjustments have seemed to work for now. In the last 4 days, her weight has come down almost 5 pounds. Her anti-body test came back negative, so things are good, we just need to monitor the swelling and puffiness. They are not sure why she is swelling up, especially on the right side. Hopefully the medicine adjustments fix the problem.

 

Megan is loving the volleyball. Her last game is this weekend against Elgin. Had a really close game in Powder against Joseph. Lost the first match but won the 2nd two.

 

 At deer camp the kids get to drink as much pop as they want.

 

 Hunter, and Landon helping with the buck

 

 The crew after a fun hunt.

 

 

 

 Sunday morning at deer camp

 Tree swing, BB Guns and stories from Uncle Jay and grandpa about the good ole days.

 The bear cave.

 Can you believe this!!

 Can you spot the big horn sheep?

 

 Opening morning

 Hunter and I on an evening hunt

 More deer camp

 On Sept 27, Hunter was baptized. My son is growing up (kinda).

 So.... we get him a Honda 50 motorcycle. Look out!

 And Gage had is 6 year birthday. To celebrate, right after this picture, he was running around outside with a whiffle ball bat in is MOUTH, fell down, and bruised up his mouth and throat.  He was miserable for days. But Stacy made an awesome cake that he ate about a week later. 

September 24, Birthdays and biopsies

In an effort to continue a brief record of our lives this is where we are at....
Sierra and Lindsey had there biopsies in Calif about a week ago.  Stacy went down with them on Angle Flights. Very generous pilots went out of there way to help our little family.  Stacy and the girls had fun visiting the Stockwells, Colette, doctors, nurses Riza, and Nichole, Nori, and 'Kevin' her teacher at the hospital school.  Interesting how our memories of 2012 and 2013 are beginning to fade. It was such a life changing experience. 

As for our kids status...not perfect reports, be we will take it.

Lindey's echo and heart pressures are perfect, and got a 1A for rejection (ranked 0-4 with 4 being the worst). So 1A is not perfect, but it is nothing to worry about.  They will see her again in Calif in early Jan or late December.

Sierra's echo was 'OK', (not perfect... but ok, per the doctors). Her heart pressures are up slightly (grr). But she got a ZERO for rejection. If here DSA (antibody) test comes back negative, which it has for several months now, they may turn down some of the heavy meds and not see her until early Jan or late December. Sierra also has some swelling in her face, tummy and feet. Nothing we like to see.  They are hoping that turning down some of the meds will help with that.  But we know it is not rejection.  In my very unprofessional opinion as a father, I believe there is a relationship between the less than perfect echo (the way the heart beats) and the swelling.  You would be amazed if you saw how many meds Sierra takes compared to Lindsey, 3-4 times as much.  That is just the way it is I guess.  Sierra has been getting up with me in the early morning to exercise.  She is not crazy about it, but does it for the health of it.

Gage is scheduled to be seen in Calif in late November to check and tune up his pacemaker.  He is acting and eating well and growing a bit. So if you are waiting for that 3rd transplant, you will have to wait!! (A long time, I hope).

That is the 'crazy' stuff, the rest is just good-ole fashion living.
Hunter's 8th birthday is today.  He is growing, and loving soccer. We remember pretty clearly what we were doing 8 years ago in Calif the night he was born.

Sierra's 15th birthday was on the 20th.  She has been studying for the drivers permit, but not ready yet. Seems to be dealing with high school, seminary, and boys.
Megan just loves to play volleyball.

 Getting ready for biopsy

 Art the clown came by for a visit

 VERY good friends, the Stockwells from Alaska.  Shawn had his transplant about the same time Sierra did.

Lindsey's good friend, Colette. They met up at the American Doll store for some girly fun.

Angel Flight pilot.

 Stacy and her cub scout.

 Sierra's big #15, with Darbie, Laurin, and Payton

 For some reason she wanted a 'mustache' cake.

She wanted NO help from little brothers.

 Kids took soap out to the trampoline. They had a ball!

Lindsey's friend, Flessia was also there.

 Stacy took the cub scouts to the local newpaper. Brave woman.

 Another soccer game for Hunter.

Stacy and little John (My sister Garrity's boy)

Hunter's Birthday breakfast.

8 years ago. Hunter and the girls.

 In Calif, about 7 weeks after Sierra's transplant.

Adding Shawn Stockwell, he was also waiting for  transplant.

And Megan serving it up.

 Range, Gage and Lyndie, pretty funny threesome

 Gage showing off his handy work at school

Megan and Sierra 'celebrating' with Hunter for his birthday.

September 7, Back to school

We are back into school. Sierra is a Freshman in high school. Megan is in 8th grade, Lindsey is in 5th, Hunter in 3rd, and Gage is in Kindergarten.  This is the first time Stacy will be home alone. Kinda weird.  However, she will be pretty busy with being the school nurse, volunteering in class rooms, being the new CUB SCOUT DEN LEADER (ha ha stay tune for that) and working at the hospital. 

Sierra and Lindsey have biopsies a week from Wednesday in California and Gage has another pacemaker check this Wednesday. Those tests will determine if/when they want to see him in Calif. He has been acting and eating very well.

Megan is very excited about the volleyball team. They had there first game in Imbler and won 2 out of 3.

As for Stacy and I, we still grateful to all be together in Oregon.

 I want to be in the picture too.

 A load for my parents. Good work for my kids.

 Sometimes we have to work at teaching our kids to work.  This was one of those times.

 Hunter and good-ole Axlerod.