Happy Halloween 2024

I struggled a bit this day, but managed to still be there for my kids.  (Huge blessing.  I know Heavenly Father knows the desires of my heart and blessing me accordingly.  He knows how important it is to me to be present for my children on special events.)

We had our Boo Day party with Britters...

...who was a RAD 80s girl!

Gavin was Dipper Pines.

Alayna was Mabel Pines (her homemade sweater really lit up!)

I only had energy to put a cloak and scarf around my pjs, so I wasn't the Gravity Falls character, Wendy, like I was for the trunk or treat, but that's okay.

We love our Boo Days!

Ring around the Witches Hats

Pass the Witch's Broomstick

Store bought pizza - had to go simple this year.

Gavin went trick or treating with Michael Thornton (the skull king).

Laynie went with a group of friends around the neighborhood.  Dad hung out at the Bryner's/Jarrett's home for most of the evening and Brittney and I answered the door to tick or treaters.

Probably the tiniest Boo Day cake we've ever had, but it worked.  :)

We went to Justin and Joni's house to see their awesome spook alley.  

It's always a fun way to end out evening.

 

Carving Pumpkins 2024

I was still feeling half descent by this day and was able to carve pumpkins with the crew.  We had Grandma/pa Anderson over for dinner to help celebrate Matt as well.

Laynie's pumpkin went along with her costume.  She was Mabel Pines - a girl who loves to craft.

My cute little creation.

Matt's pumpkin - wink, wink!

Gavin went all out traditional.

Happy Halloween!

 

Matt Turns 41 in Hogwarts

Oct. 29th (the day after my 1st chemo treatment) was Matt's birthday.  I was really worried I'd be sick in bed like I was 6 1/2 years ago so I called on my sisters in law to help make this day special for Matt.  Turns out I was feeling half descent, and wasn't sick in bed.  I felt a little bad for all the visits, but I hope it made Matt feel special, nonetheless.

Lili, Misti and Alexi brought dinner and a fun Harry Potter game.

Misti also brought butterbeer and cupcakes by from Ann.

Matt got a treadmill to put under his work desk in his office.

Laynie gave dad a cute flower that played the saxophone and danced.

Justin, Joni and kids came by again for brownies and ice cream.  We all sang Happy Birthday to Matt.  He held a wand in his hand and he motioned his wand to blow out 41 floating candles on our ceiling.  It was pretty epic!

 

A Harry Potter Surprise!

Justin, Joni and family were full of surprises!  They wanted our kids to have a "happy" day on the first day of met chemo treatment.  On Oct. 28th, they snuck in while Matt and I were at the clinic and decorated our home - Harry Potter style!  

Keys were hanging in the hallway.  A string of admittance letters to Howard's hung by the front door.

Candles were mysteriously floating in our living room.

Even potions adorned the table top.

They came that evening with a sorting hat and we found out what house at Hogwarts we were called to:

Gavin:  Griffindor

Alayna: Hufflepuff

Matt: Slytherin

Cindy: Ravenclaw

We were also given our own trunk, owl, socks, robes, scarf, wand and notebook.

Joni goes ALL OUT in everything she does.  She really made this day special for our kids.  She brought the magic to us on a day that would have been doom and gloom.  I'm so glad she's my sister in law.

 

Here we go again... Gearing up for Chemotherapy

This go around, I went with Dr. Greg Chipman as my chemo doc.  He's AMAZING!!!! So much better than the one I had 6 years ago.  His office is in Pleasant Grove.  He suggested I have weekly treatments of carboplatin and taxol along with tai-weekly treatments of Bevacizumab, a targeted drug therapy.  The weekly treatments of chemo should be easier on my body, but produce the same outcome.  I'm feel so lucky to have a doctor who listens to me and wants what's best for me.

I got my port placed in the same location as my last port.  This go around, it didn't hurt nearly as much.  I was able to sleep on my right side 2 days after having it placed.  it took about 2 week for me to sleep on my side the first time it was placed.

de ja vu...

My first treatment was on Oct.28th  I started wearing ice on my hands and feet during the Taxol treatment.

CSA Heating and Air sent me this beautiful flower arrangement.

 

Miscellaneous Fall Photos

Gavin helped with a Cub Scout recruitment activity.  He got in some volunteer hours as well and was a pro at managing the ax throwing station.

Laynie and I made this dolly's nightgown.  I love teaching my girl to sew.

I got to help out in Laynie's 4th grade class when they made solar ovens.

Took the kids to a new park in Lehi - it was massive.

Went on a quad date to make candles.  Here Matt is trying to decide which scent he'd like to use. LOL!

Laynie was invited to Ryder's birthday party.

Laynie also had a fun activity day where the Young Women gave them manicures and braided their hair.

Laynie and Halie sold a bit of garden produce.

The Parks took us off roading and let us take their rzr for a ride.

 

Frightmares 2024

We LOVE Lagoon!!!!  After a bummer of a summer, we used our get out passes to go to Lagoon.  I couldn't do much due to my health, but I went on a few easy rides and then talked to a nice lady while Matt took the kids on the more jarring rides.  I also slipped out and went to Kami's house for a visit and brought back some hamburgers for everyone's supper.