Grandpa Mike

This summer was a fun one but we have had a few major downs to counteract the ups. Jared's dad was told in June he had Lung Cancer. They were able to do surgery and removed the lower lobe of his left lung. The doctor said it was all encapsulated and the nodes were clean. We thought the major stuff was done and gone. After being in pain for several more weeks he again went back to the doctor and was told this time that he had a spot in his head a spot on his hip and a tumor on his spine. STAGE 4 (It doesn't get much worse!)He is doing radiation now and is doing slightly better he has his good and bad times. He will begin chemotherapy in a few more weeks.

When we told the kids Courtney cried and asked a few questions, Zach cried and didn't want to talk about it. Tyler cried because he was going to miss a birthday party so we could go and see Grandpa, and Kenzie just smiled and laughed (I think that the younger two don't understand what is going on.). It has been a long couple of weeks. I think Jared has cried more in the last two weeks then he has in the last 15 years. He is really close to his Dad. the prognosis we have gotten are anywhere from two months to three years at best. We are trying our best to have faith, that miracles do happen, but we do realize that it is in our Heavenly Fathers hands. We also do appreciate all of our friends and family. You have been great. Thank you for all of your continued support and prayers.

Jared's Uncle Clint made all of the Adults lime green shirts that say, Cancer Sucks! on the front and "for the love of Mike" on the back. The kids also got shirts that look like a baseball score and say Grandpa Mike 1 Cancer 0 and on the back they say "for the love of Grandpa Mike". They were pretty excited to wear them to school today.

CONDO TIME!

Our annaul Stoker week in Park City was fun in the sun as usual. Tyler celebrated his 6th birthday while we were there, I can't believe he is six all ready. How time flies!

 

Annual Camping Trip

We always have an awesome time when we go camping with the Brown's it is so nice that all of the kids are the same age and they enjoy being with each other. Good food, great time floating down the river, a few scraps and some lost flip flops, but all in all a fun adventure, and now that we managed to talk Tanya into three days maybe next year we will shoot for four!?

 

June Trip

It was so much fun to take the weekend and spend some time relaxing with friends, We went to a cabin down by Fish Lake and Capitol Reef National Park. The kids all had a great time, and the adults as well. Thanks to all who came and had fun, The Degraw's, Mascarenas, Seals, Smarts and us.

Catching up!

For Rikki's 18th Birthday/Graduation we had a masked ball in my parents backyard. They had lots of goodies, lots of good music, even some of her friends parents came. Of coarse everyone was required to dress up, some of her friends even came in their tuxedoes. It was a lot of fun, Tyler danced until he could dance no more and then layed down on a swing and fell asleep, and Kenzie discovered that her new favorite thing is the Chicken dance, or "da-da-da" as she calls it.













Tyler finally figured out during his last three games what you are really supposed to do while playing soccer, it was very exciting, and even though he didn't get his own goal he assisted in a few. Those purple sharks were a pretty awesome team!

















Zachary was quite the little baseball player and a pretty darn good pitcher, for his team the Seattle Mariners. It was fun to watch him, and the fact that he enjoyed it made it that much more enjoyable. One of the best things about this team is that they were able to get the six kids in our ward that are that age on the same team, and the Coach and both of the assistant coaches were also in our ward. It is always nice to know a few of the fans. It is onlt to bad that next year they all have to try out so the chances of them being on the same team again are pretty slim, but we can always hope.

New Calling

Well, my world is changing as worlds often do. I have been called as the Primary President in our ward, and I think I am excited but it is a big job. We have a lot of kids, but I am trying to remember that I was called because my Heavenly Father loves me, and he knows I can do this. I am excited about working with my councelors and getting to know them better, but at the same time I am going to miss being incharge of the Ward Activities. That was an easy and for the most part nonstressful calling. I am also going to miss being in the nursery, the kids, and the friendships associated with it. But as I said my world is changing. I just hope I am up for the challenge, and a little less time. As Summer put it, I just went from busy to crazy busy! But I think it will be the good kind of busy.

Good Times from Noodle City

Lunch out with my college roommates, it was so good to see them and catch up on new and old times, so nice to know that I'm not the only one struggling with the daily things that life has to throw at all of us. (Maren, Betsie, Leanna, Erin, and Angie, Stephanie left before we got a picture). Lets do it again!
Our ward Luau that I was in charge of turned out great. Not as many people as I would have liked but what can I expect with so many small children, and not all that many girls that babysit. But those that did come had a great time, eating, doing the limbo, playing with hula hops, and with the ugliest shirt contest. We also got the missionaries to do the Hakka (not sure if that's spelled right). My Aunt Marcia, from Idaho, even showed up and surprised me. I am however glad it is over, it was a little stressful. But worth it!