Thursday, April 28, 2016

This one

Awwwwwww, memories. Those eyes, that smile.  Our first born, Jackson Henry, and the clangy-noisy but way-fun Johnny-jump-up that hung between the living room and dining room at the Walton house.  And now he thinks he can be college aged?!

Will I even get through May to August this year?  I don't think it's possible as emotional as I already am here in April.

Those hand dimples!
I miss them like crazy.   : (  : (  : (

Melt my heart

I needed to come up with a baby picture for Jack's upcoming senior band  banquet and in the process found all kinds of sweetness like this.

Grant and Jack, summer 2002

Sam smile

He still smiles but Sam missed three days of school this week with an allergic/infected eye. 

Spring looks/feels/smells good

No doubt about that.  The other day Caroline guessed everyone's favorite season and she hit it right on for me.

Bike shop garage

We have had a lot going on with bikes around here lately.  We are up to ten here at our house and yeah, there's six of us.

That cat

I didn't get far in unpacking my summer clothes 'til Bobert made himself a new bed.

That cat

I didn't get far in unpacking my summer clothes 'til Bobert made himself a new bed.

Snap of a nap

Growing all those legs tires a girl out.

Nope

He thought maybe adding the hat would make the collar a little less noticeable.

Pain in the neck

Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for being here and filling the helpful roles they did while our family needed some extra support with Gary's surgery happening.  But as you can see, even they can't keep their son under control.

Also, we are very thankful for the excellent doctors and staff at Barnes. I wish I could tell anyone that might be putting off this surgery because it seems so scary to have your vertebrae messed with, it is certainly worth it and is not as scary or major as it might seem.  This of course is coming from the person •not• being cut open, but I think Gary feels the exact same. 

This guy

The morning following, not even 24 hours later!, his disc removal and replacement surgery.  Whoa is about all I can say.  And thank goodness he feels so good.

Looks like a bike pro to me

Jack has enjoyed the biking far more than I think he expected he would.  He is planning to take a bike to college for sure now.

MadCo trails

I know I've said it many times before, but this trail system here is a jewel.  I probably could research it and maybe find a name and story, but whoever it was that thought to convert the rail beds to something so wonderfully beneficial and openly available to this community deserves plenty of recognition.

Biking merit badge

Jack getting ready for one of his bike rides.  He had to do of each of the following: two 10, 15, & 25 mile rides and then a final 50 mile ride as one of his remaining Eagle requirements.  He got it done!

Awwwww

Sam brought this home from school. Nametag with, presumably, his plan for the future:

"DQ fry cook (like brother)"

Before and after

But forgot the after : /

Bike ride from he**

The first bike ride I'd taken in a long time was not good.  I wanted to go along with Jack on his 10-miler but my seat was painful from the first pedal, we were headed west straight into 20 mph wind, and I had had enough by mile 8. I abandoned the trail at the local hotel and sat on a comfy cushion outdoors in the crazy wind until Gary and Jack finished and picked me up in the truck.

After that, I got fitted for a correct seat, got new hand grips, and got my bike tuned up and now it rolls like a dream.  Glad I didn't give up after Day 1.

Throwback: Easter 2001

Grant and Jack

Easter smile

Happier? Easter

Happy? Easter

Panteras with the boys

Late March

Surprise Snow

That beautiful March morning we woke up to this at Karen and Joe's. The night before we'd had a great time with Dimaggios for everyone and hanging by the fire with the family.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Mail Man Cow Boy

Now a Boy Scout

And he can trail right along with the brothers and dad

Last shot as a Cub

Scout Sam, 5th grade, 11 years old

Our final Blue and Gold Banquet

Sam's den

Ouchie

One morning recently, I woke up with a hot, red, swollen knee and could barely walk.  I got into the doctor that same day and after an xray and mri, was diagnosed with prepatellar bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid sac between the kneecap and skin. The doctor asked if I installed floors. Nope, I barely even clean them, ha.  The next day I had it aspirated and injected with cortisone.  I thought it would be an instantaneous relief but unfortunately it was not. About two days later though I was up and finally walking.  I had a similar experience before but it was a gradual build up of soreness and swelling and resolved on its own where this time it was immediate and severe. Opposite knee though.

(I don't know how to link using my phone)
http://gills-a-gogo.blogspot.com/2009/12/not-bees-knees.html?m=1

At Miner Park

And then we played in the creek

Pancakes with Sam

Just he and I hit the IHOP

Chinny chin chin

The night Caroline was racing a friend at the skating rink, hit a wall, busted her chin, went to the er, and then got Steak n Shake at 1am