What a weekend!

Thanks to Grammy & Papa Jameson (and the help of many others), Eric & I were able to go to Washington this weekend to visit his brother Rik, his wife Heidi, and their 8 awesome kiddos. Seems a little random, but I'll explain...

10 years ago Rik was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (fancy term for Cancer in his lymph system that will never go into remission, no matter the treatment). Eric and I had only been married less than 2 months when we got the news, and it was uncertain what the future would hold for Rik and hid little family. That's a pretty scary thing to not know whether you'll get to spend another 2 years or 20 years with your brother. They've been in Spokane the whole time, and it's been hard to be away for both the good, and rough times.

Anyway... We got an email a couple weeks ago from Rik's amazing wife, Heidi, saying that she was going to throw him a surprise 10 year anniversary survival party. She was wanting everyone in the fam to write a little note for a book of memories she was making for Rik. When we heard about the party, we decided we needed to be there. So we made arrangements, let Heidi know we were coming, and headed for Washington.

The party was held at Heidi's parent's house. Can you believe this view from their back porch???It was a complete shock to Rik. He had no idea it was coming!Eric & I just hung back a while to let his friends all say congrats. After the initial shock of what was happening settled in, Heidi said, "Eric, why don't you give the blessing on the food." Then Eric stepped out from behind the friends, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Rik ran over and hugged Eric. That moment was worth every effort it took to get there! Doesn't look so "sick" to me! ;)

There were a ton of people there (I'd guess somewhere in the 150-200 range). And it was a GREAT time for everyone! Thanks so much to the whole Demars family for welcoming us, and for helping Heidi to make the party go down without a hitch! We are grateful that you are there for them.

We spent the next 2 days hanging with Rik and Heidi and the fam; mostly the younger kids. You know how teenagers are... ;) They took us around Liberty Lake, and showed us what a great place it is. And we spent alot of time just hanging out and chatting. We are so glad we were able to spend that time with them. It was sad to leave, but we're excited to see them when we cruise together in January. Hooray!

We love you, Washington Stewarts!!!

Daddy's girl!

This picture says it all...

Daddy had been asleep on the floor, and when he stirred, Tater went over and sat down next to him, patted her lap and said, "Right here daddy." Aaaahhhh! Their relationship really is that sweet!

Attack of the killer weiner dog!

Chandler and our "Tootsie Dog" have an interesting relationship. Chan can't lay on the floor without Tootsie "attacking". It's pretty freaking funny to see the take down by an 8 pound Tootsie roll.
Check out the video...

Pack meeting

Last night we had a Pack meeting (Cub Scout gathering). Chan has been waiting since his b-day in July to get his Wolf, and last night it finally happened. They had the parents come up and help the blindfolded boys eat this tray of gross items that "wolves would eat". Some of the items were meaty fingers (Slim-Jim jerky), muddy water from the dirty lake (chocolate milk), slimy bugs (plastic bugs that squirted red jelly), and rats (gummy rats). The rats didn't go down so well... ...but the rest of it was no big deal.

Soon he was dubbed a Wolf, and he received his award. Check out the cool Wolf statue they gave him!

Now he's excited to start getting his Bear requirements done.

And so it continues...

Way to go Chan! We're proud of you!

New hair for the girlies!

Over the last few days, all of the girls in our family have gotten new hair do's. So this is for those we don't see very often.

Me... I'm short auburn with brown and blonde hilites. The girlies said I now have "sassy hair!" Maybe they'll let me into their "Sassy Girls Club" now! :)

Shelby's has been short for a while, but we went even shorter, and more stacked in the back. It is so spunky! I love it on her.

Harley... We cut off 6 inches!!! I didn't want to, but she said that she was just "sick of the snarlies" that her long hair gets. So I gave in. I think it makes her look older, which won't make daddy very happy when he gets home from school! ;)

Tater... She still has "baby hair" that's growing out. As her hairdresser, I couldn't stand to look at that mop on her head for one more second. We went short on her, too. But it's not stacked in the back like Shelby's. It's just a plain bob.

I love my girlies!!! They are so different, yet each is such a blessing in their own way!

A good time for everyone...

Last night was our very first Mutual activity as a new YW Presidency. We played some "get-to-know-you" games, and ate homemade ice cream and brownies. I was worried that the activity wasn't going to be enough for the girls to really let loose, so we could get to know them. But...I'm happy to report that from what I could tell, EVERY SINGLE GIRL had fun! We had a big crowd, and got pretty rowdy, but I think it was a roaring success!

1 down, a whole bunch more to go...

Back in the saddle!

Eric officially started back to school this week for the last year of his MBA program. Yuck!!! The kiddos and I hate having him gone Mon & Wed nights. Not to mention the homework, and late night studying he has to do on the nights when he is home. It's really been hard on him, too. It kills him when he has to miss baseball practice/games, homework with the kiddos, family prayer, tucking everyone into bed, Pack meetings, (well...maybe not Pack meetings so much!). Now with my being at Mutual Tues. nights, it's even harder for everybody to be apart.

However, I promise I'm not really complaining. We recognize that it will pay off in the end. But, DANG... we sure miss him when he's gone! We just keep telling each other that, "it's just until May. We can stand on our heads for that long." But, we can't wait to have him back after this is all over.

We love you, RICO!!! And we are so proud of you!!!