December 2016

This December started off different than anybody could have expected. It was one of the hardest, yet most memorable months I can remember. My dad was diagnosed with Small Cell Prostate Cancer the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We were told it was a very aggressive form of cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes, bone marrow, lungs, liver and intestines. It is treatable with chemo therapy but cannot be cured by it. 

. The doctors had planned on starting him on Chemo Therapy the first Monday in December, but his body couldn't wait that long and he was admitted to the Hospital on Thursday evening December 1st. All of my siblings gathered at the hospital as for the first time we were all together with a member of our immediate family seriously ill. Death and sickness has not been close in our lives and it was somehow therapeutic to reminisce together. Kyle caught the last flight to Salt Lake and arrived around 11 that night. We had spent more than enough time at the hospital and all went out to pick up Kyle from the airport. Then he went up to see my parents. We met a couple more occasions over the weekend with just my parents and their kids. We coped, talked, laughed, cried and then made plans on how we would support my parents, and each other. We planned to start a Facebook page as a method to share news and updates on my dads health. We also determined to record stories of my dad and agreed to let him tell stories and we would record them. Then we talked about having a website dedicated to my dad and his family. 

I cannot express the variety of emotions that I felt in those first three weeks after his diagnosis. At this point we had no idea what was ahead (really we still don't know). We did determine that we don't know the future, and that God does know. My dad has been emotionally strong throughout each day and step of this process. He is a man of great faith and his faith strengthens all who he talks to. I share in his belief and knowledge that things will always work out exactly as they should. 

Tradition has it, the first Saturday morning in December Santa visits our church. 

Lincoln asked Santa for a bullet gun. After all, he had just spent Thanksgiving Day picking up "bullets" from his cousin's nerf guns. As he watched his 22 year old and 14 year old cousin have a serious nerf gun war.  Later that day I explained to Lincoln the difference between a "bullet" gun and a "nerf" gun. He got right to work to set Santa straight.

 Oliver asked Santa for a Candy Cane. After his older brother's request, this was quite easy.

 Thomas would not even get close to Santa. So we all joined in to "make" him get his picture.

 Just because, well I don't know why. But my brother Ryan decided to treat his siblings and his mom to a dinner at "The Roof". I had never been there, but enjoyed my $50 meal. 

 A neighbor gifted our family 6 or 7 pair of cowboy boots. All the boys were pretty excited.

 Gingerbread houses with graham crackers are the best. I hope I remember to not buy the gingerbread crap in a box next year.

 This little kid's personality is exploding! He'll do all he can to make you laugh. But he's got a pretty easy audience most of the time.

 It was so nice to have my dad back home! He had good days and bad days for quite a while. This was certainly one of the good days!

 Khari turned 5 and we had a good time celebrating with her and sugar!

 Isn't that the most handsome 5 year old you have ever seen? Finally on stage. He loved every minute of the 20 minute Kindergarten Program.

 For Christmas this year, we got a weekend getaway from my parents. It was a memorable time as all 26 of us gathered in a giant retreat home in Mapleton. We arrived on Thursday afternoon and left Sunday night. The kids call this place "A Maze" and I always think they are trying to say amazing. Truly this place was a maze and amazing!

We played, and played and played and ate and ate and ate. 

 New pajamas for all of the grandkids!

 There was always so much energy and always so many smiles!

 Emily's sister came down on Saturday and took pictures with everyone. It was good to get one last shot while my dad has hair ;-)

 The cousins exchanged gifts and there were more and more smiles

 "Yes!" was Oliver's reaction when he got his new Hot Wheels track.

 I even talked Hudson into playing a game with me!

The kids put on a pretty impressive nativity!

 Back to life, back to reality. Lincoln started back to school. And away we go!

 More gingerbread houses at aunt Jod's house. How many pieces of candy can fit on one rooftop? 

 Uncle John gave us a special treat for Christmas this year! On Christmas Eve we ate at the Red Iguana then we went to a tubing hill on the way to Park City. Lincoln had severe anxiety about what was ahead of him, but everyone had an absolute wonderful time!!!

 Judy took one for the team and played with Thomas who they say was too small to go down the hill.

 Christmas morning was on a Sunday this year. To say it was a White Christmas would have been an understatement. The kids were great sports about getting their Sunday clothes on and walking to church before diving into the presents.

 They did steal a peak into the front room and opened their stockings.

 Home, and changed, and let the unwrapping begin!

 Somehow, they get spoiled every year!

 We went back to John and Katie's for soup that night. The boys didn't want coats on, but who can resist walking through a fresh foot of snow under any circumstance?

 The day after Christmas was a fantastic day for sledding! There were enough people to prove that!

 The Egbert's treated us to a day at The Aquarium. The penguins were on their best behavior!

 Plenty of swooshing and swimming --these guys were quick!

 On New Year's Eve we had breakfast at Kneader's Cafe thanks to a Christmas present from my parents.

 I interviewed the boys about their year of 2016. When I learn how to download a video I'll share them. But for now, here is Thomas. His interview is his smile!