Bird on a wire

I let the birds out tonight. They flew to the floor and just stayed in place, a little frozen. D finally sat down in the living room with some potato chips, and the next thing I knew, this is what I saw...

And the celebrating starts...

D is getting a new phone for his birthday, so we stopped at Chris's store to pick it up. He doesn't look thrilled here, but that's just his teenage attitude.

There's actually a huge 4th of July parade two blocks from our house, we found out yesterday. We hadn't planned for it, but next year it will be fun!

We're headed to my dad's, my sister is in town. She ordered a cookie cake for D, and we got a cake and champagne to celebrate my brother's engagement. I just hope I brought sunscreen...

Happy 4th!

Fresh veggies!

Chris started our garden today. There are six raised beds already here. Two are full of garlic, most of the rest are completely overgrown.

He and D cleared one of them out the other day, and Chris bought some plants: cabbage, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapenos, squash and zucchini. Our neighbor says we have just enough time to get them started. We'll be waiting impatiently!

A familiar site

My parents had their pool redone, so we had our first swim today! Daulton was the last one in, of course. I want to compare this to past years.

So where is...

We moved today! It's so exciting. D started unpacking...always the important things first...the nerf guns!

American beauty

This is the prettiest thing that has bloomed at the house so far! Chris isn't too fond of the prickers, but I just think it's so beautiful.

Shakespeare on Saturday

We saw the play Love's Labour's Lost at Allegheny last night. We all really liked it, it's very funny even with the slight language barrier. Good show!

Home improvements

This is D, 'helping' me at the home store...

The Sunday Post

Rudy LOVES to sit here on this chair. She can see all the critters outside, but more importantly she can watch all the birds soaring across the sky. I would feel bad, but I think she likes the safety of our home. Rocket doesnt mind because he can easily keep watch over her.

At the new house they'll have a bird feeder to watch. Can't wait to see that!

All in a day's work...

We spent the day at Lowes and at the house. D obliged us and helped to clean up the yard. I got all of the wallpaper down in the bathroom--we lucked out, the previous owners used the kind that's easier to remove. I'm hoping the kitchen is the same!

As seen in music city...

I was in Nashville the last 7 or 8 days. Stayed at the beautiful Hutton Hotel, it was exquisite in all regards. This is in their lobby, thought you might enjoy. I love the blue glass 'water' he's drinking from... more pics of Nashville to come, once I get home I'll upload them all.

Another northwestern PA winter...

Here are some highlights from the last few months.

Chris's friend, Daryl, was over one night while it snowed and blowed. When he went to leave, we discovered the snowfall had drifted right in front of our door! We had to dig out piles and piles while you can see the cars next to us were fine!


D has been taking drum lessons at a local music store. Each study room has a fun door on it, and his teacher has some great art on his wall. I snapped a pic while he was in class.


Bowling is one of my favorite pasttimes! I dusted off my bowling ball and shoes and we headed out into the cold.

Hospital gowns and Valentine's Day...

Well, thanks goodness it came and went without any major procedures, but Chris's second hospital stay was another long week. On Valentine's Day I brought him chocolate-covered strawberries and slept in the room. I documented, as usual.

I snapped this while we waited in the ER hallway. It took them a few hours to get him to a room upstairs.


Chris definitely had a better view this time! We could see ice fisherman out on the bay, and it snowed quite a bit.


This is officially my new favorite photo of Chris and Daulton. They were playing the game Battleship on Daulton's game player, and they both laughed at the same time. I always catch them giggling about one thing or another, in their own little world.

We did it!

Well, we bought a house! It's such a strange feeling. Now instead of being full of potential, it looks like a lot of work! ha ha. But that's okay, it will be SO great when we're done. This is our front porch!

a big change

I always sit across from the guys at restaurants. So this is a typical image I see pretty regularly. This is also what Daulton's hair has been looking like for a few years...



Lately the view has changed a little...Daulton decided to alter his appearance—it's a dramatic difference! (And now they look alike more than ever!)

power positive

Chris has been a good sport about me trying to document his medical experiences. Here is a quick view at what we've been through the last couple months.


Finally feeling better from the arm thrombolysis, the multiple procedures that fixed the blood clots in his arm and that led to the eventual discovery of his tumor.


A visit from Daryl, who has been a great shoulder to lean on for both of us.


A get well card from adorable Ally, the daughter of Chris's coworker, Joe. Joe was bummed that he couldn't visit (he always had to be at the store in Chris's absence) but his wife brought their two children by to see us. I think Ally made a second card just recently.


A visit to the lab for a blood test. Chris goes regularly so they can manage his blood thinners properly. He's no longer afraid of needles!


I can't remember if this was before or after his bone biopsy. I can only imagine it was before, because he probably wouldn't have let me snap a photo after. Definitely the worst (most painful) procedure so far, we're hoping he won't have to do it again. Luckily it didn't take long. If it's going to be painful, it should be short.


Chemo Number 1! I tried to be discreet so I didn't offend others there, I think there was only one guy left when I took this. The room has a central large desk for all of the nurses and then chairs all around all four sides (and some rooms behind that). The nurses and staff have been wonderful so far, and we're so lucky to have wonderful doctors as well.

fall 09 wrap-up

A few pictures from our fall...


My new favorite photo of Chris.


Chris with my brother, Peter. Peter's girlfriend, Missy, had a 70's-themed party for her 30th birthday. Peter went all out!


Trick-or-treating another year!


The three of us on Thanksgiving.


Our trip to the Cleveland Browns game (go Vikings!).

the holidays 2009

Here is a link to our holiday photos!

Christmas 2009

school days

So the school year started and D seems to be pretty comfortable at the high school. His bus comes an hour earlier than it did last year, so we all get up early now. Tonight was the school open house, and Michelle, Chris and I had to walk Daulton's schedule. We went from homeroom and continued on to each of his classrooms—I forget what it's like to switch classes like that! (Okay, I forget most everything from high school, it was WAY too long ago.)

I found an old photo of D on his first day, I think it's from second grade? Both it and this year's photo are here:

goofballs II

we hung out at the beach the other night, we played catch football and watched the sun set. when I tried to get a nice photo of the boys on the beach, this is what ensued...I figured it was better to have the video.

click on the thumbnail below to play. (I'm not sure about the quality, I'm trying to figure out the best settings.)

From Presque Isle

happy birthday, d! (oh yeah, and america)

D's 14th birthday started with presents in the morning, of course. Always a favorite part of the day.

We headed over to my parents around 10:30 and had a wonderful lunch/dinner, followed by birthday cake and ice cream. D, of course, had to wear the birthday hat—it's tradition! My sister, Nicole, was in town for the week, so we got some more time with her, too!

Around 3 we headed to Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center. They have a 4th of July celebration every year that includes a great view of Pittsburgh's fireworks on the river. We saw an IMAX movie, checked out their robotics exhibit, saw a great presentation about electricity ("High Voltage!"), and got in a laser light show after the fireworks.

I have to say the fireworks were incredible (complete with free popcorn and soda) and by far the best show I've ever seen in person. Chris asked at one point if it was over, because they were stopping at certain intervals. I told him, "If there's one thing I know about fireworks, it's that you always know when they're over!" The finale did not disappoint.

The long car ride home was rough, but I think completely worth it!

Link to photos here:

D's Birthday 2009

goofballs

I caught both of these goofy photos in the last couple weeks. The one of Chris alone is from a comedy show we went to. The show hadn't started yet, but we were being silly.















On a different night, Chris and Daulton accidentally wore the same T-shirt. We went out to dinner, and luckily I often have my camera with me. They reluctantly granted me a couple photos to capture the moment.

relay on!

I volunteered as an entertainment coordinator for the Relay for Life again this year. It starts around Noon on a Friday and goes for 24 hours.

The weather report was calling for really bad storms, but somehow we lucked out and had the most beautiful weather ever all day Friday! Around 2 a.m. it started storming, so everyone was asked to clear out of their tents and take shelter.

We returned around 6 a.m., but the storms continued without break. Chris, Daulton, my dad and Char all showed up to help me pack up the car! By 9 a.m. Chris, Daulton and I were having breakfast at a local restaurant!

It was disappointing we had to call off Saturday morning, but Friday went so well I think we'd all call it a success! My team this year raised over $1,000, I'm so proud of everyone.

Here's a link to photos:

Relay for Life 2009

he's outta there

Had to get a smile from Daulton on his last day of 8th grade!

the beginning of summer

Last Friday we had a family picnic at Allegheny. Chris and Daulton drove down at 5 p.m. and we all ate and hung out. On the way home they called me and told me to stop at Family First, a sports park, so we could ride the go-karts. Perfect idea!