Trunk-or-Treat!

Last night we had the Trunk-or-Treat!  This year it was a Tri-Ward Trunk-or-Treat. (ward: name of a geographic area whose inhabitants are assigned to attend a specific building at a specific time) So all three wards that meet in our building attended.  Some people didn't like this, but we have been in all three wards in our building, so we enjoyed it.  They served hot chocolate and donuts.  It was great!!!  I would also love it if it was on Halloween, but I can't get everything I want!!!  The kids really enjoyed hanging out with their church friends.  Austin and Aubrey carved the pumpkins they were suppose to use for chem club.  (They didn't go to chem club because they had dentist appointments.)  Everyone loved Austin's Avenger's shield!!!

Austin went as a man with a mustache.  Ok?

Ian went as Where's Waldo?

Aubrey threw this one together.  She was 3 hole punched.  It is an Office reference.

I love that Austin's friend Tanner when as Evil Tanner.  He is the sweetest kid, and that is what makes this so funny!

Ian's friend Ethan went as Dr. Who!  Totally awesome!

Austin's friend Dallin went as Waldo too.  So here is Waldo and Waldo Jr.

Halloween At The Dance Studio

This year Aubrey is on one of the cutest dance teams ever!!!!  These girls are amazing and so sweet!  I am impressed with how kind and friendly these girls are.  Every Halloween, the dance studio lets the girls wear costumes for a week before Halloween.  It is so cute to see the little girls all dress up.  Well, our team decided that they would dress like dancers from the 80's!  The whole team did it.  It was great.  The last picture has one of their favorite teachers, Miss Stephanie, in it. 

Chemo Is Done, And Where Are We Going???? We're Going To Disneyland!

It has been an interesting year.  When I finished chemo we decided that we needed to do something special for our family.  So we decided to take a trip to our favorite place, Disneyland.  While we were there we realized that the last time we were together at a Disneyland park was in 2007, when we went to Disney World.  Sure the kids have been to Disney with their schools and such, but we haven't gone together in quite a while.  In fact, there were rides that Ian has never even been on!  Disneyland had a bunch of new rides, so this trip was extra fun!!!  We loved it.  The good news is that there were hardly any crowds.  We got on all of the rides we wanted to.  The longest wait we had was twenty-five minutes.  Lets just say, that could be considered a Disney miracle!!!!  I also love going to Disney at this time because they decorate so pretty for Halloween and the fall!  It is so pretty in the parks.

Star Tours is all new.  We loved it!!!  At one point Darth Vader comes and tells you that there is a Rebel Spy on the ship and then he projects a picture on the screen of the spy!  Let's just say, I am a rebel spy!!!  Surprise, Surprise!

Splash Mountain had no lines at all.  We went on it two times in a row and we didn't even get off the ride!  Don told us over and over again that because he was in front we were going to get all wet!  Hmmmm, it didn't really work out like that!

We love the Haunted Mansion during the holidays!

We had no idea that Space Mountain was also the Haunted Galaxy for the holidays!!

The new excited is Cars Land at California Adventure.  It was amazing.  It looks like you stepped off into the movie.  We loved it and we were just in awe the whole time we walked in it.  We did get to go on the Radiator Springs Racer.  That is a must!

We also realized that this might be one of the last big trips we take with Austin.  The mission age has been dropped to 18 which means that Austin can leave for his mission in June.  We are so proud of him that he has decided to go early.  It makes our life a bit crazy, but it also makes you appreciate every moment with him.  He is a good big brother.  Especially this weekend as he went on all the rides his siblings wanted to go on!  We will miss him.

Thank You

There are times I am criticized for not blogging about everything I have received while being sick with cancer.  I am sorry if I have hurt any one's feelings. I am very grateful for everything I have received.  I am thankful for all of the notes, cards, phone calls, texts, facebook messages, flowers, and gifts.  Believe me, I am very grateful.  Unfortunately, these things come at a time when I am dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy.  I am very tired and achy.  By the time I feel good, I have forgotten to take a picture of the gift and therefore can't post them on my blog.  This does not mean I am not grateful for the gift.  I do try to get out thank you notes, and I am pretty good at that!  I am sorry that some people are not happy with me.  I hope they understand the position that I am in, and can forgive.

Flag Football Update - All Good Things Must Come To An End

We lost a game.  So sad.  We beat this team before.  We are the only team they lost to.  Now we lost to them, so we are tied.  We have the same record.  Ian said the boys on his team were crying.  Ian told me, "I don't know why they were crying, it's just one game!"  He has it right!!!

Last Day Of Chemo!

My chemo therapy is done.  Well, that's what they tell me.  I still have a hard time believing it.  Now I move on to my next phase of my treatment, surgery.  I am more scared of surgery than I am of the chemotherapy!  Surgery is going to hurt.  Yuck!  I am also going to be laid up.  There is no way to get around it.  My gosh, that scares me.  People who have had mastectomy's tell me that it isn't that bad.  I am counting on that.  The good news is, I am pretty healthy!  My blood counts are wonderful, and my body had handled everything really well.  Things look good for me.  Hopefully I can heal fast.  I do feel like I am at mile 13 of a marathon, and getting ready to finish the second half of my race.  Those miles can be the hardest.  Today, some wrote on my facebook that this trial has been so hard on my family.  Yes in some ways it has been hard, but at times I can see how many blessings have come our way.  One of the big blessings we have had is that our burden has been light.  Life has gone one like it always does.  Rarely does my cancer disrupt our lives.  When it does, I have so many wonderful people around me to help us.  Like the dance moms from Aubrey's dance team.  They are always willing to drive Aubrey to dance.  They also bring us little treats that are much appreciated.  The meals that are brought in when I have chemo.  That helps Don get things done, and get kids to where they need to be and not worry about dinner.  It is the little notes, and kind words that lift us.  Our burden has been lifted, and because of this we can get through this time.  I have been able to work and teach Sunday School.  I haven't been sick.  Our family has been blessed.  My heart is constantly full of gratitude for my many blessings.  So, now I move on to my next phase.  I will keep everyone informed on how that is going!!!