Cycle 5

Thursday is Chemo day. Here is our day in the life :)

Andy wakes up and takes his medicine. The first 5 days of Chemo are the hardest because he has 17 pills he has to take every morning. 

We then head to breakfast. It is Andy's "Last Meal" for a few days... and the last time he feels good. Today we headed to Marley's to try something new. We all decided Lucas' pancakes were the best, but my egg and cheese sliders were pretty good too. 

Lucas thought it was fun to run back and forth through the entire restaurant multiple times. 

Filling up the drinks... not to worry we all drank water and got a Diet Coke at Sonic on our way to treatment. No Pepsi for this family :)

Trying to get a family picture... Lucas was not in the mood.

We tried again and Lucas had another meltdown. Better luck next time :)

I love his little hand.

Lucas' new favorite game to play with "Bay Jane" (he doesn't say the last "B" in baby, so now we all call her "Bay Jane" instead of "Baby Jane"

This is Jane's "Shy" face. When anyone tries to get her to smile she nuzzles into your neck and smiles. I love it.

Today our day went a little differently since we headed to Salt Lake instead of our usual Provo clinic. Let me tell you that this is such a blessing for our family. The facility at the Huntsman Center is out of this world. Words cannot describe what a difference our day went. 

You can tell by the exterior of the building how advanced they are.

The infusion room is rated #1 in the nation. Every patient has their own private area and the entire room is floor to ceiling windows. It is so happy! Especially for such a difficult day. At our old clinic it was such a depressing room with everyone crowded together... just looking at one another feeling sorry for everyone. Here everyone has there own space, thermostat, light switch. The chairs have a remote to recline and every station has a warming drawer for blankets. I am telling you- it is amazing. 

Skull Candy donates headsets to all patients so they can watch TV without disturbing others. 

Here was Andy's station. Lucky number 6A! 

View from my lunch spot. The cafeteria was yummy too.

I think the best part of this new facility is the nursing staff. The nurses explained what they were doing. The IV poles (is that the proper term?) were computerized so the nurses could tell exactly how much medicine was going in. Then after every 20 minutes they would ask Andy if it was too fast or too slow and adjust as necessary as to not get too sick. In Provo the IV drips were on a dial and the nurses would deem how fast or slow to insert the medicine. Sometimes it took 3 hours, sometimes 5. And every time it was too fast making Andy even more sick.

They also mix his medicine at their clinic so it is fresh and perfect for just him. This has been such a blessing. Tonight Andy has been feeling well, actually ate dinner, and although still feels crumby, is feeling the best he has felt since after a treatment! We still can't believe we are able to go to this wonderful facility. And it is only an hour away. 

While we are at treatment, my in-laws watch the kids. Today I sat with Andy half the time then we switched. 

Cycle 5 is over. Now we only have ONE MORE!! Hip Hip Hooray!!

Best Weekend

Last weekend is what we consider the "Best Weekend". It is the weekend before Chemotherapy and Andy is feeling his best. We always try to fit in as much as possible since he feels good. Of course he still has his bouts of nausea, but overall he feels well. So here is our weekend:

I started off with his actual birthday. We didn't do too much celebrating since we had celebrated the weekend prior--but we did open presents

 And eat birthday cake- Jane really really wanted some. Soon enough love bug, soon enough :)

 Lucas gave the cake a thumbs up

 First thing Saturday morning we bundled up and headed to the park. 

 Lucas and Daddy played Football- notice the snow on the mountains!

 Jane and I just watched the boys play

 Can you tell Lucas loves his daddy?

 After showers and breakfast we headed to Scheels to see what the big hype was all about. Notice in the background the "Fishy Tunnel". It was overall a pretty cool store, having every item ranging from Hunting Gear to Designer Jeans. Unfortunately it was PACKED... so we decided after an hour or so to hit the road. In a few months when everyone else in Utah isn't also trying to see what the big deal is we will venture back :)

 Instead we headed to our other favorite Sporting Good store- Dick's. Lucas was so excited to play "Skee Ball" with Daddy. 

 I am obsessed with him in his helmet. I can't wait for T-Ball!

 After all our adventures mommy was ready for some Lunch. Of course we went to Hires for some burgers. YUM! 

 Sunday brought us Lucas' Big Boy church outfit. I was obsessed, 

 Sunday evening we went to Aunt Traci's for dinner and dessert to celebrate all the October birthday's. Sadly, this is the only picture I got. These two cuties are only 2 weeks apart! They are best friends already!

Bompa House

Lucas loves John and Jane's condo in Salt Lake. In fact, love would be an understatement. When we told him we were going to "Bompa's House" he starting jumping and ran to get his shoes. And then the entire drive up he was screaming in delight "BOMPA'S HOUSE!" I think it is the mixture of the elevator, seeing the Salt Lake Temple, and being able to see the Utah Trax from the window. We loved seeing cousin Nick (and sadly didn't get a picture with him!) and spending time with our Bompa and Grandma.

Bompa bought a special train set that can only be played with at the Condo. Lucas was in heaven. Grandma even made some "Mail packages" out of yarn and cotton balls for the train to carry.

 Mommy and Janie

 Lucas, Mommy, and Janie

 Happy Girl!

 Jane has now started giving kisses. Love them.

 I love this picture. Such a sweet baby.

 Tummy Time. Where's my bow mom?

 The Jane's playing Peek-a-boo

Playing Choo-Choo's with Grandpa

 Tunnels

Elder Uchtdorf's talk about Making Memories was our conference favorite this weekend. We have decided as a family to take our camera everywhere and really make memories everywhere we go. It doesn't matter if it is at a park, playing trains at home, a big family vacation or family dinners. Everyday we need to make memories and document them. Today I think we did so. We love spending time with our friends and families. We especially love spending time with our Bompa and Grandma and look forward to spending lots of time with Grandma Tracy and Crampa in 9 short months this June!!

Date Night

For Andy's birthday we went to dinner with the Hinckley's at Sundance Tree Room. None of us had been there before and it was so much fun. We figured it out that the last time we went to dinner without any kids was when Danielle was pregnant with Preston! Over 5 years ago! We had the best time talking, laughing, crying and eating some yummy food. We sat at dinner for over 2 hours and enjoyed one another's company. I am so grateful for their friendship. After they left today Andy and I told each other that at some point we need to live by them.

This morning they came over for breakfast and conference. I wish I would have taken more pictures! The two little kids were napping and the three older kids we were trying to entertain so we could listen to conference. Danielle made the cutest conference packets for the kids filled with treats, coloring packets and crayons. I love every minute we get to spend with them and are forever grateful for their willingness to visit us!!

We love you Hinckley Family!!