Christmas 2009

Trying to catch up on the events of the last month is impossible. Suffice it to say we had a bit of a rough Christmas. Thank goodness we have the boys to keep us laughing.

I may or may not have mentioned here before that my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer 1.5 years ago. The lung cancer metastasized to his bones and finally to an adrenal gland. The past couple of months have been rough for both he and my mom. On the morning of December 16th mom called to let me know that dad had been admitted to the ICU. We are not certain if the respiratory issues he faced were related to pneumonia, a Tarceva reaction or a combination of both. Either way my dad was requiring full CPAP support while in the ICU, and things were not looking favorable for a recovery. My dad's wishes were that he not be placed on a ventilator, and we honored those wishes. My dad was always a fighter and always 'figured it out'. Logically I know that no one can 'figure it out' forever. That being said, my dad passed away on December 18th with my sisters, my mom and myself at his side. I read a quote from Patrick Swayze's wife, Lisa Niemi. She said, "And while the disease may have taken him, it never beat him." If this doesn't apply to my dad I don't know what does.

It goes without saying that we will all miss my dad terribly. The last thing I want to say is that you would be hard pressed to find another man so fiercely proud of his family. He would have loved these Christmas pictures of the boys.

The big reveal! The kitchen was supposed to be the big last present. I had it covered up with a blanket, so you know how long that plan lasted. It ended up being one of the first things they 'found'. Definitely a big hit! Notice Quinn and his orange 'safety vest'. It came as an accessory to a Tonka truck...complete with a hardhat and a stop sign. Jason said all they need now is a pack of Marlboro Reds. Nice!! Haha!

Jason showing Quinn the big bunch of deer that were crossing through our backyard on Christmas morning. I so wish they were old enough to understand the whole Santa/Reindeer concept. It would have been perfect!

Parker opening up some Fridge Food to go along with the kitchen.

"Would you like some butter mommy?"

Cookies!

Quinn is quite ecstatic! The boys literally played with that kitchen for two hours on Christmas morning.

Johna and Joel home from Boston. Check out Johna's owl hat! One of her owl themed Christmas gifts from J and I.

Mom, Quinn, Maria and her boyfriend Rob, who is a barber. He gave Quinn his first 'barber' haircut a few days before this. Quinn was SO patient!

Ready to direct some traffic!

These have been used mostly as a fort and as a means to climb onto things that should not be climbed on. Sigh. Maybe someday they will actually SIT in them!

Merry Christmas!