Snow Day In November

Logan had it's first real snow storm of the season Saturday. Will was suppose to take his Scout troop hiking in Logan Canyon this morning. Instead he had the boys over for doughnuts and hot chocolate. The kids were so excited for the storm they shoveled the snow off the grass in the backyard, (good practice for when the driveway needs it.)

Family Trip To Lagoon

Saturday, we took the family to Lagoon's Frightmares. It's been a tradition of ours the last couple years. This year was extra special because Uncle Jon and Aunt Lori traveled from Twin Falls to go with us. Cousin Myles went on his first roller coaster. Ariana also graduated from the kiddie rides to the big rides. She went on the Bat, Spider, and Colossus with a little coaxing from Uncle Jon. Riley and Dad went on the Wicked roller coaster, a bad idea for Dad still recovering from chest surgery. Meanwhile Lexie's favorite rides were the boats and cars. Last night in her prayers she thanked Heavenly Father for all the rides that didn't go up and down. Daddies thankful for Advil and Mommies thankful that she could play with Myles while everyone waited in lines.

It's A Girl!!!

Tuesday, October 13th Jana went to the doctor and found out we're having a little girl. Riley says it's just not fair and Lexie says she wants the baby to be named after her. The best news, the baby looked healthy and is still expected to make her debut February 28th.

A Summer To Remember????

Summer 2009 will go down as one we'll never forget and never want to re-live. During the first days of August, Will contracted a sore throat while hosting a radio promotion at the Cache County Fair. After three weeks, multiple doctor visits, and countless drugs that had no effect, we were told that he had cancer of the Lymph Nodes, called Lymphoma. He was immediately sent to Ogden's, McKay Dee Hospital for testing. Surgeons performed a biopsy and found what they thought was cancer turned out to be several large masses of infection inside his chest cavity. It's called Mediastinitis. He was hospitalized for the next week as Doctors operated and inserted four suction tubes into his chest (three through his right rib cage and one through his neck.)

While Jana stayed with Will in Ogden, Riley contracted Neumonia and missed the first week of school. Believe it or not, he was so sick he actually wished he was at school. Ariana also showed signs of Neumonia but was over it within a couple days.

After Will was released from McKay Dee Hospital, he was put on bed rest for several weeks and kept on IV antibiotics and pain killers. Doctors had left one of the drain tubes in him, making it difficult for him to breath. He spent Jana's Birthday unable to get out of bed.

A week and a half later Will was able to get out of bed so that he and the family could visit the Logan Temple for our 12th wedding anniversary. We also tried dinner at the Iron Gate Grill but his appetite was so small he couldn't eat. It's the first time he's ever left a restaurant with a doggie bag.

On September 28th, Doctors removed the Picc Line to his heart and took him off all medication. The chest tube was also pulled out except for three inches. Doctors were concerned that removing all the tube could lead to further infection. Jana pulled the remainder of the tube out a week later. He's now able to breath without pain and is beginning to resume his regular schedule.

We have been so blessed through all of this though. We literally lived off of Prayers and Priesthood Blessings for weeks at a time. Add to that the love of Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Co-Workers who helped lift us up and carry us along. We can't even begin to tell you how thankful we are for all of you.

Vacation to Grandpa's Cabin

We took off to Grandpa's Cabin for the July 24th weekend. It was 105 degrees when we arrived in Idaho City, an hour north east of Boise. The shade of the big lodge pole pines though made most of the days cool. We arrived at the cabin Thursday night, just in time to unpack and call it a night. Friday we spent the day hiking and exploring. Friday night Jon, Lori and Myles came up to join us. Saturday we spent time swimming in Mores Creek and going into Idaho City for ice cream. You can't make a visit to Idaho City without eating a Pot O' Gold, the biggest ice cream sundae you'll ever find. They serve it in a gold miner's pan. Sunday we went to church at the Idaho City Ward. We sat next to a young girl who brought her pet caterpillar to Sacrament Meeting. It was a good idea until the jar holding the little crawler broke, right as the Bishop stood up to begin the meeting. Fun times. Monday we drove into Boise to visit Grandma Wheelwright before heading back to Logan. We're going back in August and the kids are already counting down the days.

A family hike through Grayback Gulch loop. (No the dog isn't ours.)

Riley and Lexie holding cousin Myles.

Ariana and Lexie getting their turn holding cousin Myles.


Swimming in Mores Creek.


Lexie, Riley, and Ariana helping with the Dinner dishes.

Family Pictures

Saturday we decided we ought to get family pictures taken. The last time we did, Lexie was only a couple months old. A good friend Katie Burton, who graduated in Photography at USU, took them for us. We went over to Willow Park, early Saturday morning, and did several different sittings around the pond. They really turned out cute. We've had a hard time deciding which ones we want to keep. Some of the closeups she did of the kids are really cute.

In other news, next week were planning on tripping to Idaho City to the Wheelwright family cabin. We want to do some late spring cleaning up there before the rest of the family comes up in August for the Family Reunion.

Riley's 9th Birthday

It's hard to believe, but Riley turned 9 years old on Thursday, July 9th. Seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Makes Mom and Dad really feel old. This year he wants a "real Scout knife," for his birthday. He also asked for a magnifying glass, after he learned how to start fires and burn ants with them. That's my boy!!! We spent the afternoon with he and his friends at the fun park, playing on the soft play jungle gym. After, we came home to open presents, and have some cake and ice cream.