Friday, June 26, 2009

Last month in a nutshell

I know it's been a while since I've posted and that's due to us getting back to "normal" life. I admit, it's been an adustment getting back to the swing of things...swimming lessons, grocery stores, preschool, etc. Trust me, I'm so grateful to be doing the crazy normal things, I'm just getting used to being the full time Mommy again!


It's been over a month since our last hospital stay. It's almost felt weird not going back...almost. But trust me, we have enjoyed it! It has felt so great to stay home and know that Bree's treatment is over. As for us, I wanted to post a few pictures of the last month.

First thing's first, Breezy is doing great. She's is crawling all over the place and enjoying her new freedom. She's started to get feisty and develop attitude. It's fun to see her personality develop. She's also started to become more girly at her 15 months of age. She will bring me her shoes and hold her feet in the air for me to put them on! I LOVE that she loves shoes! That's my girl! Also, she has been interested in wearing bracelets and sunglasses. Anytime I have a bracelet on, she has to wear one too. I'm amazed that she is already so interested in these things at such a young age! Last of all is her hair:
It's growing! I took this picture about 2 weeks ago. It's almost 1 inch long now. With her new found girlyness she's tolerated wearing her bows and hats, but now that her platinum blonde is coming out, I want to show it off!

This past Wednesday she had a check-up with her oncologists which entailed a physical exam and bloodwork and everything is looking good. She'll go in once a month for the next 2 years for the blood work and every 3 months she'll have the other tests done (MRI, bone marrow biopsy, etc) to look for any sign of the tumor...which they won't find because it's gone! Goodbye cancer, we won't miss you!

As for the boys, they've been doing great. Caleb had his last day of Kindgergarden on June 3rd. He had a program at school which he thoroughly enjoyed. He loves his friends from school. He's already missing school and his teachers.

Gunner had his last day of preschool on May 28th. Here's a picture of him with all his friends from his class. Thanks Rachael for letting me steal this off your blog. :) Gunner is on the right side.
Then (about 2 weeks ago) we were able to go on our first trip as a family in over 7 months! We went to the cabin and had such a great time. The Browns (Krista & Ryan) were there at the same time and we had so much fun with them! The boys were in heaven with all their cousins!
Gunner and his cousin Cameron have matching PJ's (thanks Krista!) and they were so excited to be twins up at the cabin. These two were inseparable. Everywhere they went they were together. Cute boys!

This trip Bree got to take her first ride on the quad with Daddy. I was a little nervous about how she'd do, but she was loving it and Justin was loving having his little girl ride with him all while enjoying the beautiful scenery all around them.

Last year Justin got me a new camera, which I love, but I didnt really know what I was doing with it because it had a bunch of fancy buttons and gadgets. Well, I've taken a few classes and tried to get aquainted with the camera so this cabin trip I tried a few of the techniques I've learned. I do not claim to be a photographer, but it's been fun experimenting!

Trying to capture "Sunflare"

I love my boys but for some reason whenever I want to take some cute pictures of them, their faces are always stained with whatever food they've been eating. What kind of Mom takes pictures with stained faces? Oh well, maybe I'll learn photoshop someday and remove the brownie stains!

This is my ultimate favorite shot of the day. The wild flowers are so beautiful at the cabin. Bree was being a really good sport and let me take some fun pictures of her. She is my little supermodel!



19 comments:

Aimee's Family Journal said...

Im the first comment!! =0) You are so popular, I guess I should consider it an honor! I loved your happy update filled with normalcy! WAY TO GO!

Grandma and Grandpa cook said...

Oh Kari, It's so wonderful to hear you getting back into normal. WE loved all the pictures. Thanks for sharing them and the boys wouldn't be boys without something on their faces. What happy memories. Our little girly girl looks so happy with all her new freedom to explore. Such happy pictures, they make us smile.

Summertime Designs said...

You are doing SO GREAT with your camera! I need to take some more classes. I still have not been able to master the sunflare. Good for you! I love Bree's hair and that all of your kids are platinum blonde. She just looks so much older and I can just see her energy and life emanating from her. So glad you guys got to go to the cabin and that the kids could play with their cousins. Oh, and I love that Bree brings you her shoes to try on. She really is a girlie girl. Claire has been trying on all the big people shoes in our basket by the front door and keeps tripping over them because they're so huge. It was so good to see you last week! We'll have to do it again soon!

Beverly said...

Love all the photos. Happy all is going well for your family! Many blessings to you all.

Kelly said...

What a fun post! i LOVE THE FAM TRIP PICS! Im so happy for you guys! Love ya

the bates motel said...

awe super cute pics! glad you guys have been able to start having a normal life again and got to get away as a fam!

Anna said...

I love your joy in the simple things of life. :)

Steph said...

I'm so happy that things are going so well! I love Bree's hair. So cute about the shoes--Brielle loves shoes too, but Annika wouldn't leave shoes on for anything. I remember after Annika's last surgery, when she wasn't in the hospital for months, it felt weird to us too, to not be going (but in a good way). Your pictures are great! I really love the one of Bree in the wildflowers. I'm just so glad she's doing so well. We love you all so much!

Brooke said...

Glad you are all doing well and enjoying summer!! I love her hair :) What a cute family you have!

Unknown said...

I think you have a wonderful family! Happy to read that Bree is doing well. Enjoy each other and enjoy life every single day!

Hugs Renata

Melissa Bosen said...

Glad that you could get away after so long! How in the world have you fit photography classes into your schedule??
Sure love ya!

The Johnson Family said...

I love all the pics! I am also so happy that you have returned to normal life...I am sure it feels good. I think that pictures with stained faces just adds character. You should see mine!

Nuestra Familia said...

Hi Kari, great pictures! Everyone looks so great, I agree with the ultimate shot of the day, she is so beautiful.

Jessica said...

These are great pictures, Kari! It was so much fun looking at all of their smiling faces! I hope that you all have a nice getaway together again this weekend!

Can I just say that it's so good to constantly hear you talking about Bree being cancer-FREE now?! God is good, Kari.

Rachel said...

Congrats on getting back into the swing of things. Your kids are all beautiful and I love reading all about them.

Wendy Daw said...

Bree is so beautiful. I am so glad you are able to enjoy getting back to normal. Love the picture of Bree in the wild flowers. It warms my heart to know the cancer is gone and she can enjoy all the things she deserves!!

Trisha said...

I'm so glad you're getting to be "just a mom" HA!! It's such a blessing, but it's definitely a busy job! I'm so glad you're all doing well!

Patti said...

You don't know me, but I "stumbled" on to your blog. But it was no chance meeting because I believe it was a divine appointment. I am so thrilled by your little girl's healing. God bless all of you with the happiness you so richly deserve. Many blessings, Patti Hogue

The Scotts said...

Yea for normal life! Your kids are so cute, all of them!! I love Bree's platinum blonde hair. And I was laughing because I think it is a boy thing. Jake always has food on his face when I take a picture too! Always!!