Not Pneumonia!?!!!

Well, Rob's been feeling lousy for over a week now. He was already getting a cold last weekend when he went on a Scout camp out with our old ward, and they rafted the Weber River. Long story short, their 14 foot raft hit a pillar for the freeway and flipped, sending all the passengers for a swim in the Weber River. Rob was able to hold on to the raft, and eventually get it flipped back over, but he spent considerable time and energy in the river. When he came home, not only was he scratched and beat up, but was also exhausted. He rested as much as he could over the weekend (as much as you can rest when you have to teach Elder's Quorum). Then he worked all this week, and snuck in a nap here and there when he could. The other day he asked if I would make him an appointment to see the doctor. Really?!!! He usually has to be on his death bed before he sees the doctor. He thought he had pneumonia. Well, he just got back from the doctor's office, and sure enough, it's pneumonia! WHAT?!!! It's only been a few weeks since Nathan had pneumonia. I feel bad now, because I didn't think he was that sick. What a summer this is turning out to be. No, really we're doing really well (other than a little pneumonia here and there).

Abby's Blessing

A few weeks ago, while much of Rob's family was in town after the temple, Rob blessed Abby. It was so neat to have his dad participate for the first time. We had hoped he would do the blessing, but he didn't feel comfortable with that yet (he's only had the priesthood for a few weeks). It was the first time my dad wasn't there for a blessing. We miss them terribly, but have posted lots of pictures for them.

All of my family that lives around here, plus Linda and her family from Idaho were there. I think we counted 46 people from our families- I'm sure our ward appreciated the huge increase in attendance that Sunday.

These are the girl grandchildren on Rob's side of the family. Aren't they beautiful?! This is Jerany with Abby, Cameryn, Sarah and Madi.


This is my awesome nephew Josh. He is the oldest grandchild on my side of the family, so of course we had to get a picture of the oldest with the youngest grandchild. We are so proud of Josh. He just graduated as Valedictorian of his class, and is heading to West Point! We will miss him.

What You Lookin' At?!

Check out this poor kid.
Matthew woke up yesterday morning looking like this.

He looks like he's been in a boxing match, or looks like Will Smith in the movie Hitch after he eats shellfish. We figure he had an allergic reaction from a bug bite on his eyelid. He didn't seem to be bothered by it at all (the sad look on his face is him whining after waking up from a nap) Benedryl didn't seem to help at all. I tried icing it, but how do you get a two-year-old to ice his eye!? Tonight it seems to be a lot better. My sister-in-law gave me some good suggestions to try. It's just so bizarre, that I had to post it. Have you seen anything like this with your kids?

Sealed in the Temple

About 2 weeks ago, Rob's parents went through the temple for the first time. It was absolutely amazing! After his parents were sealed for time and all eternity, Rob and his three sisters got to be sealed to them. It truly was a miracle- we seem to be seeing a lot of those these days.

Rob baptized his dad in September, and normally he would have to wait a full year before being allowed to go through the temple. Because he has acute myloid leukemia (AML), they worried he wouldn't make it that long. His Stake President put in a request to the 1st Presidency that they waive the year requirement for his dad. He got a letter back from President Monson, allowing him to go to the temple early. I am so thankful that I was able to be at the temple with them. It was truly a remarkable experience. -Life changing stuff!

They have had so much support- it's been incredible. Twenty-one family and friends came to be with them at the temple. This is the new Draper temple, and it is gorgeous. During the open house, we toured this temple with our kids, Rob's parents, and his sister Tara's family.

Here's Rob & Jill, Clint & Sena, Robert & Shirley, Steve & Tara, and Walter & Charity.

Rob's mom, Shirley, and 5 of her 6 siblings: Kenny, Gary, Dave, Sandy, Shirley and Jana.Here is Rob's family with their friends Dennis & Gail, and one of their daughters, Tori. Dennis was the family's faithful home teacher for years and years when they lived in California. What an impact he made on this family! At the time, none of them went to church. But slowly, one by one, they've all made it to the temple.I can't put into words what a special event this was for our family, nor can I describe the feelings there. I'll just say that it was absolutely amazing, and we are so thrilled that they are sealed as a family. We are so proud of you, Grandma and Grandpa.

Thanks to my sisters Terri and Laura for watching my kids so I could be at the temple. I was nervous about leaving my 4-week-old Abby for 5 hours, but she did great.

Rob's dad had a bone-marrow biopsy not long before the trip to the temple. He is in remission! Another miracle. Earlier this year, his cancer cell counts were up higher than when he arrived at Huntsman. The doctors didn't think there was much more they could do for him, as they had exhausted all the known treatments he was eligble for. As kind-of a last chance shot, they gave him a chemotherapy that's normally for a different bone marrow disease. Now, after 4 rounds of this milder chemo, he's in remission again! They are preparing him for a blood core transplant later this month. It's risky, but we cross our fingers, and pray for yet another miracle- that it will eliminate the cancer from his blood. Good luck Grandpa! We love you.

Sarah Rides

A few weeks ago Rob found a 16" bike for Sarah at a yard sale on his way home. Nathan was as excited about her learning to ride as she was. For a few days as they would head out the door, I'd hear Nathan say, "Ok Sarah, are you ready for another bike lesson?" I had no idea what exactly they were doing out there, until Sarah came in the house saying that she had ridden across the yard. I asked if she meant that she'd ridden across the yard with Nathan holding on. Nope, she'd done it alone. I had tried helping her a few days before, and she didn't seem nearly ready to ride. What a surprise when I went out and saw Nathan help her on the bike, steady her and help her across the driveway, then let go. She rode for quite a ways across the yard.

I suggested we try on the road, and she rode so fast that I couldn't keep up. She doesn't really know how to stop, so she rides up on some one's lawn, and bails off the side. She is such a little daredevil! The bike seems so big for her, but she's now learned to get on and get going all by herself. Way to go Sarah, and thanks for the help Nathan!

Memorial Day Fun

For Memorial Day, we ended up having most of Rob's family and my family over for a marathon barbecue. It was so much fun having everyone here. It was the first time we really hosted anything at our house, and it was so nice having room for everyone. We ate and ate, played lots of games, and the kids ran around like crazy. Here are some photos from the day. I missed taking pictures of Bolongo Ball, and Rob shooting off his potato cannon.

Here's Matthew, Logan, Camryn, Brandon, and Gus.

Nathan, Weston, and Sarah

Sarah and MadiIt was fun having Sena and Clint in town from Arizona. Here's Sena with Abby.

Hi Clint, I know you're reading this. Watch for future posts with gorgeous pictures of your girls.

Ryan showing his monster serve as he and Nathan take on Jim and Rob in an intense badminton game. Matthew and Adam were so cute together. Gotta love Matt in his sleeper and fleece pull-over.

Matt's just kicking back on his Mater. What cute boys!
Abby had a ton of people to hold her- and loved every minute of it.

It's Pneumonia

I was right to be worried about Nathan being sick for so long. He's got pneumonia! I'm so glad that I took him back to the doctor on Friday, because we caught it in the early stages. He's doing really well, and hasn't been running as high of a fever since he got on antibiotics. It's hard to keep him from doing too much; he gets feeling pretty good while on ibupropen and wants to play. Poor kid, what a way to spend his last week off-track. He starts up with school again on Monday- hopefully he'll be well enough soon so he can go back.