More fun with Granny & Grandad... and Beth!

My Mum, Dad and cousin's daughter Beth, came over to see us!  We had a very busy trip planned!  First stop... Whidbey Island for some fun on the beach with friends.

Beth, Anna and Kayle had a great time covering themselves in clay!

Beth got to fish too!

I love my Daddy!

It was so nice getting to hang out and relax with friends!

We also got to go to the zoo in Seattle with Hannah and Thea who were also over from England.

We had a great time looking at all the animals.

Beth and Kayle got to touch a little lizard while at the zoo!

Beth was loving all the American food.  She picked some fun cereal!

We also took a day and went into Seattle.  We went to Pike's Place Market and up the Space Needle.

Beth and Kayle had fun posing outside the EMP at the base of the Needle.

Getting ready to head up the Needle.

Heading up.... higher and higher...

At the top...

Once we were done up the Needle, we went to this fantastic glass exhibition.  I have never seen anything like it before.  I guess the artist is really famous, but I can't seem to remember his name!

We also went to the North Bend Farmers Market and got some beautiful flowers and shaved ice.

Strawberry Daquiris were on the menu too!  (Of course the girls were virgin!)

Ours weren't though!

Beth thought it was really scary that we have bear warnings by our bins!

We had to hit the Irish Bar in honor of Jenny... and have a pint of Guiness!

Shopping was also on the list of fun things to do!

Swimming in our pool was also on our list of fun things to do.  Kayle had so much fun playing with her Grandad in the pool!  She has really got confident in the water.

Next stop... the Great Wheel on the docks of Seattle.  We had never been on here either, so it was all new to us.

It was a bit high up... and scary!

But, we all had lots of fun!

Our time together was amazing... as always!  I love it when my parents come to visit!

Surgery for Jason

It's been a very long few months, but the time came for Jason to have surgery on his bad eye to see if they can restore his sight... we went to a new doctor to get a second opinion because we didn't like being told that there was no hope for Jason's sight.

After 2 completely random recommendations, we went to see the most amazing Doctor called Doctor Nash.  He took one look at Jason and wanted to try to do surgery to restore his sight.

The day came... I took Jason into Swedish Hospital in Seattle and hung around with him till he went in.  It was at the same time that my parents were here, so they looked after Kayle for us.

My sweet man was very nervous before he went in!

Jason got all marked up before he went in!

Jason was in surgery for about an hour or so... unfortunately the surgery was not successful.  His retina was too damaged so he will never see out of his eye again.  It was extremely upsetting and disappointing  but at least we can now move on with our lives and get things back to normal!

We are so grateful to Doctor Nash for even trying... he didn't charge us for his time or services either!

Sorry... what did you say?

I had my hearing test this week... it was a follow up appointment to see how much damage the Cysplatin chemotherapy had done to my ears.

After about 45 minutes of testing, the doctor told me that there is damage to the high pitches that will not get any better!

So... from now on, you will have to be a bit patient with me because I can't ear you as well as I used to be able to.  If there is alot of background noise, like in the car or with the TV on, or with lot so of people talking, I can't really hear you too well!

But... sa la vi... I am OK!

Vacation Bible School

I was in charge of Vacation Bible School this year... it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had!  I got to organise things from the very beginning.. the decorations, the groups, the activity co-ordination... everything!  I had so much fun doing it and was so blessed to get to know so many new people.

My friend Carrie worked on the AMAZING set! 

This is our fantastic cast for the play!

Every morning first thing, we would sing songs... the kids had so much fun getting into the groove and dancing and singing away! We had about 160 children!

The adults had a pretty good time too!

 We spent the 3 months building up to VBS making decorations for the whole church... here are some!

This was Kayle's first VBS... she had a great time!  She got to do so many fun activities with her friends, and she got to learn lot sof new things.

At the end of the week, my staff gave me 3 AMAZING gifts!  

They secretly made me 3 Care Bears... I love Care Bears!

The whole experience was just wonderful and I can't wait till next year!

Giddy Up Horsey

Since I found out that my Cancer had come back, I have been doing things that I have always wanted to do... I have been 'Making Memories'...  So, yesterday, I got to go horse riding with a wonderful lady from church called Denise.  She was so kind to teach me how to ride and then take me on an amazing 2 hour ride.

I got taught how to saddle up my horse...

... and then exercised him a bit so that his saddle adjusted.

Me in my cool cowgirl hat!

I had such a wonderful time... I can't wait to go again!

So grateful for generous people and friends!

Thank you Denise!!