Reunion Time

Today was blast from the past today.

Yesterday, a group of us went down to our local NBC station

for a segment on Baldapalooza.  The morning anchor there

just so happens to be married to a gal I worked with at my 

first TV station in Las Vegas.

Today, Tonia Ellis Petcash dropped by the house for a visit

and a get-caught-up-conversation.

Small, small world, eh?

 But wait, there's more.

About this time last year, you may remember we got a request

to go and meet a group of local bikers who were heading up to

Sun Valley.

Every year, about 500 to 600 bikers gather there to escort

the bus load of children with cancer to Camp Rainbow Gold.

Nate Peters asked to meet Kean before they made the trip

to get a little inspiration.

We instantly fell in great like with Nate Peters and have kept

in touch (in fact, he's over the stage logistics for Baldapalooza).

This afternoon, he drove out to the house on his Harley

to give the boy a little spin.

 How lucky are we to be surrounded by so many great friends!

Kean should sleep well tonight...dreaming of things that go vroom.

Superman

It is party central at our house.

Byron's best friend, Mitch Cluff and his family have come to

visit us from Arizona.

We kept with tradition and played 

Barker Bingo

(complete with prizes from  the dollar store).

 The Cluff's brought each of us girls a beautiful silver

cancer bracelet.

And for boy wonder?  Kean got this most appropriate 

Superman shirt.

 Our little Superman didn't feel so super starting this afternoon.

(Dang Chemo).

Of course, Byron had the perfect antidote:  a motorcycle ride

(actually two of them).

 Mitch got the other cycle out for the other kids.

It is an amazing thing to watch-- Kean going from being whiny,

grouchy and miserable to totally content after his ride.

Here's hoping he sleeps well tonight!

Her Guts

So I think I just might start taking applications or at least keeping

a list of who wants to marry this girl.

She plays the violin, draws, is an epic babysitter, a hard worker,

darling, sweet and has one of the kindest souls ever.

 Oh, and did I mention she sings?

Non stop.  We have to ask her to stop singing to eat dinner or say a prayer.

Well tonight, she got to sing her guts out.

Her orchestra teacher for the first time decided during their

final concert to have the 6th graders play a pop tune.

Of course, Greer knew every word so she asked her if she'd like to

sing a solo-- accompanied by the orchestra.

Another boy in the group insisted she wasn't the only one 

who could sing-- so he got to join her.

Here's a little taste.

And did I mention she has the sweetest soul?

She came home and took her little brother

for a ride on the "Greer Express".

The Good and the Bad

Today was one of those days we just want to clone.

Kean was happy, ate decent, took his meds without complaint--

basically a no drama day (well except for that moment when

he smacked the little girl next to him at therapy-- sigh).

He and his Daddy went for a long motorcycle ride

on a near perfect afternoon.

 This evening we all went out and started planting our garden.

Kean was quite the dirt chicken by the time we were done.

 But we got a good start on things.

We have to take advantage of these moments.

Tomorrow, unfortunately, Kean has heavy Chemo at the hospital.

What a drag-- but once again it means we are another month

closer to being done.

In the Spotlight

It's funny.  I hung up my microphone eons ago

and yet it seems like this cancer thing has gotten me

in front of the camera quite often.

Last night the girls and I headed down to the

Boise State campus to this building-- overlooking

the football field and all of Boise.

 We were invited to a reception honoring St. Luke's

hospital's big donors.

Since I don't have two nickels to rub together-- we

weren't invited because of our big donations-- we

were invited because Kean and I were highlighted in a video

about how the nurses are what makes this hospital great.

We couldn't agree more-- and trust me, I swear, we know

half of them!  Truly it was a pleasure to talk about

all the nurses who have made such a difference in our lives.

Now onto the pictures.

Greer was totally into the food.

 And you'd think the three had won the lottery

when they got to get Shirley Temples!

That's our friend Nick Propp photo bombing us.

 He and the rest of this gang were the brain trust behind

the BSU Dance Marathon.

They were spotlighted for raising over 66 thousand dollars

for the Children's Hospital!

 And while Kean was featured prominently in the video

(he dazzled by the way), he had to stay home.

But all is not lost, guess who came to give him

a motorcycle ride this evening!!!

 Yep, Motorcycle Jeff and Motorcycle Kean

reunited.

 All is right with the world again.

A Pap Smear and a Prayer

Today has been all about trying to keep Kean from 

being too miserable and getting him to eat something!!!

Stupid Chemo.

It stresses me out.

He did seem happier to be outside and sitting in the garage

on Byron's old tractor.

 I have purposely never taken Kean for a ride on a tractor,

motorcycle or four wheeler.

Otherwise, I'd be hounded all day every day by you know who.

 When Byron got home from work he took Kean on a real

four wheeler ride-- and look who he let drive part of the time!

Yikes!

 I, by the way, this afternoon had a doctor's appointment

with a new doctor for a physical and annual exam--

yes that female one.

I really, really liked the new doctor and had quite the unusual

experience.

After I got dressed, she came back in and asked if she could

say a prayer for my family.

She then held my hands and said the most beautiful prayer--

petitioning the Lord to bless my marriage, my husband, myself,

the three girls and especially Kean.

It was really sweet and the most unique doctor's visit I think I've 

ever had.

We are feeling the love.

Tonight we came home to a box full of Valentine's treats

from Grandma Kay.

 As I said, feeling the love.

Doesn't Get Any Better....

Now that the snow and ice have forced Motorcycle Jeff, Motorcycle Bill

and Byron into hiatus, this has become the favorite substitute.

And oh, it never, ever gets old.

The Spoiling Machines

I took Kean by the "Motorcycle Men's" office to give them 

their Christmas presents (and to get and give a few hugs).  Kean was totally into it--

showing off his newly acquired smooth walking skills.

Motorcycle Jeff (aka - the Spoiling Machine) had a present

of his own for the boy--

 one that was quite the hit-- and bound to be a favorite

for the next few years--

 a bonafide biker jacket just like the big boys wear!

 Fur lined to keep him toasty warm.

And can I tell you it fits perfectly and he has worn it a ton,

except when I get out my phone to take a picture of him in it--

then it is off in a flash.  Go figure.

Motorcycle Jeff's spoiling didn't stop there.

Look what he gave each of the girls.

Can't get any cooler, eh?

As if Kean isn't getting enough love,

look who came over tonight?

 Kean's buddy, Axe (Alex), also bearing a gift.

He got him a Matchbox racing track.

And, dang, I didn't capture his initial reaction the first time

the cars raced down the track-- Kean was tickled.

So you'll have to settle for this one-- let's just agree

that he will LOVE this toy!

Punting

Drastic times

call for drastic measures.

The cold weather has virtually shut down the motorcycle rides

and there's not enough snow for snowmobile rides...

so Byron has this new "thing" with Kean--

 an indoor ride.

Silly me.

I stopped recording right before Kean said
"cycle ride, Daddy" with utter satisfaction.

Fleeing the Coop

Our dear friend Elly took Reese for an afternoon out-

to see the Festival of Trees

 and a real, live reindeer.

Pretty heady stuff for an eight year old.

 Kean on the other hand, has been tired of being cooped up.

We took a walk down to Grandpa Bodily's yesterday afternoon.

Kean made a bee-line straight for the shed that houses-- yep, you guessed it,

the motorized throne.

Luckily, Grandpa Bodily fell for Kean's pleadings and off they

went for a  long ride.

 You can't really tell from the pics, but it was quite cool

and breezy outside.

 Kean came back with a big smile on his face and tears running down

his cheeks from the cold.

Worth every second!!!

Bless that Grandpa Bodily once again!

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

It is still painfully cold here-- but that hasn't

stopped the boy from wanting a snow cycle ride

every minute of every day.

His dad did have better luck at getting him to keep his mittens on

(at least for a little while).

 Reese entertained us tonight by putting on Kean's boots,

mittens, coat and helmet and riding his Harley around the house.

Let me tell you- Kean didn't like it one bit!

 What we did all like is Byron's brother's son, Kyle

stopped by and stayed for dinner.

It was so fun to have him  "in da house".

p.s. Kean has heavy Chemo tomorrow.

Jeez, seems like it was just last week

instead of a month ago.

Bring on the bacon.

He starts Steroids again tomorrow too.

Snow Cycle

Those crazy weather guessers.

Our snow didn't go away--

it multiplied!

We had about a foot and a half up here on the hill.

And you know what that means?

The "snow motorcycle" came out!

 Holland (aka Hottie) took Kean round and round.

 And yes, this mother did put mittens on the boy.
And no, he wouldn't keep them on for anything (or anyone).

 Reese and Greer decided to build an igloo.

They didn't get very far--

but did take their lunch out in the snow.

Crazy snow for us here--

but no complainin'.

The kids got their fondest wish-- a snow day!

The Reprieve

Thanks to Veteran's Day (and thank you to all of those

who have served our country), the girls did not have school today.

We had picked apples yesterday afternoon, so today went 

over to my parents' house to make applesauce.

Have I told you Kean is in love with applesauce?

And he can say the word "applesauce" as clear as I can!

 I have to say the girls were all great workers--

from washing apples to cranking out the sauce--

my mom and I had wonderful helpers.

 We actually cranked out 28 bottles-- and boy, oh boy, 

is it ever tasty.

 Anything to please the boy and keep him eating.

Oh, and Byron did take him for a very short spin late this afternoon.

Kean came back with red cheeks, a runny nose, ice cold hands--

BUT, a huge smile on his face.

We had one little reprieve.  Unfortunately, the heart break

will return with the freezing weather that's due tomorrow.