Horse Play

I was switching the laundry. When I was finished I walked into the family room to find this. Yes, they are on horse back and listening to music.
I'm so impressed that they remembered to wear their helmets. Remember safety first.

Gavin not only wants to protect his head but also his eyes. Atta Kid!

Graham is not only riding a horse but he can carry another one while he rides.

Talented!

Gretchen looks like she got hurt she is actually sing along with the music.

Painful, I guess.

After the kids were horsing around Harrison was playing the Wii and Gretch and Gavin got a fun game that our friends the Petty's sent Hunter, Othello. It is really a fun game and Gavin loves to play it. In fact he is waiting patiently for me to get done with this post so we can play it. Ah summer I'm so glad your finally here.

Gretchen

I failed to mention that our great friends and neighbors are gone for most of the summer. They couldn't have picked a better time to go to San Diego than now. The weather here is nice but not hot enough to make the pool our constant activity. We really miss the Dezzani's and can't wait until they get back. Notice how long Gretchen's hair is, well yesterday she got in chopped off.
For so long she hasn't wanted her hair cut. Well this weekend she got a bee in her bonnet and couldn't wait to get a cut. She is very happy with it. It will be so much easier to to take care of after going swimming too.

Gretchen also created this great house with the Jenga blocks. She was so proud of it that she wanted to take a picture of it.

Gretchen has been so excited for the summer which means spending more time with her cousin Kelly. She left the afternoon so spend time with Kelly until Thursday. Gretchen loves her brothers but is always excited to have a break from them. Gretchen is always singing, listening to music or playing the music on an instrument. She is still in love with horses. Is a great helper around the house and with the boys. She loves to be outside doing anything. Gretchen loves to laugh and gets a kick out of her brother and dad all of the time. She definitely has some sass in her. Aaron says she gets that from me. I'm not so sure. Okay maybe it is. She has to defend herself somehow from her brothers sometimes. We love having her in our family.

A Night With Friends

We were able to go to the Clark's last night for dinner. It was a great time. The Toman's are here visiting and working. Also the Mooney's came over for dinner too. I gave Gretchen and Kymry the camera hoping to get some great shots. We did until the camera battery died. Rats! Guess I should have checked that out.Kinda of a dark pictures. Hunter in front, with Aaron on the left, then Chris with 2 1/2 week old daughter Brookx, Rhiannon, Eric, E and me. Cameron was off trying to figure out the trouble with the A/C. Courtney was baking some cinnamon rolls.
Falon

Still cheesin' it up.

Maddox

Graham and Falon

Kymry from far away

Cadie

Gavin on the floor, Nixon and Bryton.

We had such a great time. Love those night when you can just hang out and talk with friends.

Hunter Update

Thursday Hunter and I headed up to Doernbecher's. The appointment went fairly well. Hunter had his LP (lumbar puncture) a.k.a. a spinal tap. That took 15 min. Then he was given his chemo. The same chemo we do at home. Hunter decided not to get a snack after his sedation. He was hungry for something else.

We had to wait around to get the chemo from the hospital pharmacy. the nurse wasn't quite sure that we were going to get it in the mail on time. While we were waiting for the prescription to be filled. Hunter and I headed to get some lunch and new church clothes. Late week Hunter was getting ready for church and couldn't get his dress pants buttoned. The week before they had been snug. But last week was a different story. Luckily some friends had some extra dress pants for Hunter to borrow.

After getting lunch and his dress clothes, we headed back to Doernbecher for the prescription. Hunter had fallen asleep on the way back. So I told him I would just run in and grab the prescription and be right back out. When I came out Hunter was standing near the van. I asked him as I was approaching if he just needed some fresh air. He said, "No, I throw up on the other side of the car in the parking lot." Unfortunately I had forgotten his anti-nausea medicine. So all of the way home Hunter would sleep then wake up and throw up a little, sleep some more then throw up a little more. I felt so bad for him.

Hunter doesn't usually react this way. I think it is the new round of chemo and not having a snack after his sedation. We are definitely learning things that we should and shouldn't do. I'm still so impressed with how upbeat Hunter is. I don't know if I would have such a great attitude as him. He really is such a great example to me.

Rockin'

The kids were watching some T.V. the other day and a rockin' song came on. I heard someone playing the drums right with the beat. When I walked into the room this is what I saw- Harrison on drums and Graham playing the guitar.

I thought it was really cute and creative. Gotta love summer for these lazy days.

Toothless Wonder

Gavin finally lost his other front tooth yesterday. It has been hangin' there for a couple of days. Uncle Jared talked to him about pulling it. Gavin let him do it. Gavin's pretty excited about it because he can eat normally now.

He also started baseball today. Coach Chase is back from last year. He was also one of Gavin's preschool teachers. After practice Gavin said he kinda forgot how to play baseball. I'm not sure what he meant. He was playing first base and catching the balls as they were thrown to him. Then throwing the ball right back to his coach. Gavin also hit every ball that was pitched to him. I think his nerves were definitely a factor in the 'forgetting how to play baseball' thing.

Chemo From Home

This next phase of treatment for Hunter involves chemo from home. It really wasn't so bad. I was a little nervous about taking the needle our of Hunter's port. I practiced at Doernbecher on a mannequin. It's a bit different on your own son. Luckily Hunter is a very patient patient. Excited to get it off.
Don't worry he is totally playin' it up for the camera. I'm working on getting the tape off. Thankfully there is some great stuff that I rub on the tape and it comes right off, no ripping skin.

Almost got it all off. The tube hanging down his tummy is what I connect the syringes to. No needles, just screwing the syringes on and off. Pretty easy.

My set up on the table.

Trying to get the needle out. It was much easier on Hunter than the mannequin and painless for Hunter.

There is still some bruising from the surgery of putting the port in and a scar from the incision. Hunter was so glad to get it off.

The pictures are a bit blurry. Hopefully this week we can get some better ones.

Allergy Season

Since it's allergy season, I've been stuck indoors. I've tried many different medication. Some don't work others make me to drowsy. So I just do eye drops and try not to be outside to much. Not so fun for the kids because I can't take them swimming. They have been very patient with me and it hasn't been such great weather to go swimming. Usually by the 4th of July allergies are gone. I'm hoping that all of the rain we have gotten doesn't postpone when the grass is cut. Enough whining, this is what I've been doing to keep busy-knitting hats.

This is for our niece,Ireland, due in July. Justin and Ashley's baby. Ashley loves cherries. So I thought it was perfect.

Not for anyone in particular, I just wanted to try this pattern.

Another I've been wanting to try. There are still more cute hats I'm wanting to do. We'll see if I get any done not that school's out. I'm sure I can fit some knitting in. Gotta love the lazy days of summer.

Basketball Graham-style

I was getting out the kids' tubes for the pool the other day and came across this inflatable hoop. Graham was so excited to have a hoop that he could shoot into.
It also works as a good hideout.

Nice one!

Off to find more balls.

Some of the balls Graham found to shoot with.

Graham is such a funny little gut. He keeps us laughing and smiling. When he is explaining something or telling a story Graham has the fummiest facial expressions and hand jestures. He really is hilarious.

If I can't find Graham in the house, I can ususally find him in the backyard. He is either swinging on the play set, kicking a soccer ball, wandering around the backyard in a make believe world or reaching his hand through the fence to play with the neighbors' puppies. Graham loves playing anything with his siblings. Hunter and Graham have a great time playing together. Graham was very disappointed when Hutner couldn't wrestle anymore. Thankfully they have great imaginations and figured out other games to playHe is such a tender hearted little guy. Out of the blue he will just give us hugs and kisses. It just melts my heart. We are so grateful he is in our family.

Gone Fishin'

Saturday Aaron and Hunter got up early to go fishin' with our friend, Darin Thornton and his friend Cory. This is Hunter and Aaron's first real fishin' trip. Gettin' ready to head out.

View of the lake.

Hunter driving the boat.

Enjoying the ride.

Getting some pointers.

Finally fishin'

He got one.

Darin's got the net ready.

Is he excited or what? This is my favorite picture.

There it is.

Darin getting the fish out of the net.

The catch.

The proud fisherman.

Still so excited about his first catch. I can even hear is giggle.

Aaron with one of his fish.

Hunter showing his true fisherman skills with Cory in the background.

The catch of the day.

Aaron and Hunter

Hunter learning to gut a fish. Can you see the smile on his face? I think it was there most of the trip. They all had such a great time. One Hunter will likely never forget.