BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND CHEMO TREATMENTS

 

Since we are going to be in Arizona on April 3rd, David and Nikki hosted a family get together to celebrate George's 64th birthday a little early.  Nikki asked what he wanted for his birthday and he said he would like the family to get together and just enjoy each other's company.  Nikki also planned and cooked his favorite meal, even though, she never made it before!  How brave is that?  His favorite meal?  Pat's receipt for scalloped potatoes and meatloaf!  Nikki took her receipt and it was great!!!  Thanks Nikki!! Topping off the meal was a ice cream cake that Amy brought down - George was in 7th heaven .  Of course, family also includes our great friends and travel partners, Bob and Donna.  For entertainment we had Kasey and Karsten with Mylee and Ty supporting dogs!  Here are a few pics of the party.

We are so proud!

Amy and Nikki (check out  the refreshments behind them)

When are we going to eat?  Do I have to eat toys?

Kasey is having a ball in Karsten's walker!

Pat with David's dog Ty and Kris without his beer!

Bob and Donna - Oh yeah , coffee was furnished for the old folks!

Is Karsten that heavy David?

We thought we would send some pictures of the second set of treatments.  George said it is a cake walk compared to the treatments 8 years ago.  No side effects, no pain, and really nice set up for taking the treatments.  Of course the proof of the pudding is -- when he is cancer free!  We are very confident and appreciate all the prayers and thoughts from around the country and hope you continue to say a few words to the guy upstairs (it seems to be working).  Some of our friends have also been through chemo but we bet that the facilities were not as nice --- these are brand new and they have the latest equipment and lab to mix the cocktails for the patients.  The nurses are very knowledgeable and very, very helpful to everyone.  The puppy is so gentle and ensues he visits all the patients several times a day - checking on them.  Hope you enjuoy the pics!

George realaxing!

Pat with a good book and a comfortable chair beside George during treatments

Plenty of room at the nurse's station

Chemo nurses, Amy and Ginger, looking over George's schedule

Roxie, the chemo dog with Pat

We are in final countdown to leaving Colorado Springs for warmer weather, we woke up today to snow and had to drive to Denver for the chemo...next week we hope to wake up to the big bright sun in the sky and drive to the golf course.  

Until next time we hope you enjoyed the blog today, it was a little different but that is what backyards are all about.... a little different!

Aunt Nikki babysitting for the Super "K's"

Aunt Nikki has a new job and we think she is very happy, tired but happy!!!

Aunt Nikki seems very happy with Karsten!

 !

Look I can now play the piano with one hand!

Kasey goes to new heights with Aunt Nikki

Kasey look behind you - there are lots of fish!

Aunt Nikki and Uncle David with the Super Ks at the Denver Aquarium

Nikki and Kasey behind the fish!

Karsten and Aunt Nikki in the Aquarium - Wave to us Karsten!

We thought we would visit with David and Nikki, as they took the boys home with them and to the Denver Aquarium the next day. Aunt Nikki is in her new job as the Nanny for Kasey and Karsten. 

How did that happen?  Kris and Amy were looking for a babysitter but were not sure they should take the boys out of their daycare learning environment.  Nikki did not like her job very much.  So we think after a few goblets of wine by Amy and Nikki, they decided that the best of all worlds for the boys would be Nikki taking over the daycare of the boys and be their Nanny.  So Nikki gave her job two weeks notice, Kris and Amy gave the Daycare two weeks notice and now the boys have a new Nanny.  Nikki and David adore the boys and she is a great for them.  She is so organized and is teaching the boys something new everyday.  Of course we are also happy that the two families are getting closer, it would only be better if David and Nikki lived a little closer to Kris and Amy. 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures, until next time we hope you are getting out and enjoying life...You know it is Spring!!!! 

GETTING READY TO HIT THE ROAD - AGAIN !!!

Our time in Colorado is rapidly drawing to a close and we are getting anxious to get on the road and see more of this country.  We now have some limitations with George's treatments being scheduled every 28 days but we think we have figured a way to see more backyards.  We have synchronized our medical appointments with our friends and travel companions, Bob and Donna to maximize our trips. Our road trips may be a little shorter and a little closer to Colorado but we will be doing what we enjoy - seeing this wonderful country and visiting with friends.  So as we mentioned before, we will be driving to Tucson on April 1st, two days after George's second set of treatments and return to Colorado about three weeks later for his third set of treatments (half way through the two day treatments).  The downsize of traveling is that we have two little boys that wrapped their little fingers around our hearts and it will be very hard to leave them, even for a few weeks.  I guess we need to trust their parents and Aunt and Uncle to take care of them in our absence but it will be hard.  We have included a few pictures for your enjoyment!

Kasey helps Grandpa sweep the "dirt" around the motorhome with the motorhome's washing brush. 

Grandma giving driving instructions to the boys, looks like Karsten is listening and Kasey is ready to go!

Karsten really enjoys his Johnny Jump Up!

Kasey going down the big boy's slide - Grandpa let go of me!

We attended Karsten's baptism today!  David and Nikki drove up to Denver to share with our youngest grandson this major milestone in his young life.  I am sure Kris and Amy will be posting this on their blog so be sure to click on their blog for story and more pics.

Karsten with David and Nikki before being "wet down"!

Kasey enjoying a little freedom before the church services!  He has that "I got away from Grandma" look in his eyes.

Good Looking family

Nikki with Karsten, Amy, Kris and David holding Kasey
If only we could only get everyone to look at the camera, this could have been a great picture.

           Hello everyone--  it is picture taking time!!!!

 We have had such a wonderful time visiting with our kids and grand kids.  Lucky for us we will be back (a little more regularly than what we thought a year ago) and will get to enjoy them all again.  We hope this blog finds you in good health and spirits.  Take care of yourselves and get out and enjoy life!

We ran across this quote from Elisabeth Foley, it is the way we feel about you - our friends and family.

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."

We hope that we have grown separately but not apart from all of you!

Kris's 33rd Birthday and More!

The last couple of weeks have been reserved for birthdays and now that Nikki's celebration is over, it was time for Kris's birthday!  Even though, we understand Nikki celebrated her birthday from Feb 27th until March 5th...Oh to be young again!  Congratulations Nikki!!!!

Kris normally is a Lobsterfest kind of guy for his birthday but he decided on a steak night so we went to the Texas Roadhouse.  Amy, Kasey, and Karsten celebrated with Kris and us!  Although it was very loud and we had to wait a long time to get a table,  the steaks were great, and done to perfection!  We thought we would post some pictures of the celebration!

Mom, I think I ate the whole thing!

He really does not look 33, does he?

While we were waiting, Amy found a beer glass holder on a sleeping Karsten's car seat!  Is that an legal or do we have grounds for Grandpa and Grandma to blackmail someone?

Karsten is not 21 Kris so no beer - no matter how much he wants it!

Grandma, No time for playing, I am hungry, when are we going to eat?

Thought we would update you on George's treatments.  Everything went great!  No side effects, no nausea, and he is feeling great.  So we did two days of treatments this week and the next treatments are the 29th and 30th of March.  The nurse said that the first treatments would be the worse for George so we do not expect any side effects on any of the other treatments----Great news!!!!!!

We have also talked to Bob and Donna and decided that we are headed to Tucson, AZ for most of the month of April to see our friends Tom and Maryann Graue.  On the way down to Tucson we will be stopping off in Albuquequer for a few days to see Mike and Rita.  It has been a long time since we have been on the road and we all wanted a little warmer weather for our next backyard adventure.  So after Karsten's baptism on March 20th and George's treatments we are out of here until the end of April.  We fully expect to see our friends, Doug and April here in Colorado as they make their way back to Gunnison for their camp hosting at Blue Mesa --- can't wait to see them again! 

Our blog should be back on schedule with regular postings as we get ready to travel and of course once we are visiting this country's beautiful backyards.  Hope you all are enjoying life and going out of your way to be HAPPY!!!!