I thought I had added a picture of Grandma Nellie's funeral to my last post.  Grandma raised 6 boys.  I think the pale pink casket they picked out for her was perfect.  She didn't have many "girly moments" raising my uncles.   :)

Kjerstin and Erika

Kaitlyn Nellie Lovell
She was named after an amazing woman.

 This is part two.  To go in order read the previous post.  

Jay, Duke and Cole

 This is after Adelyn went through the temple.  She received her mission call but that handsome guy on her left swept her off her feet and they are getting married February the 15th!!

Sophie's but #2 Birthday party!  We were glad Grandpa Newell and Grandma MaryAnn were able to be there.

Grandma Nellie and my sister Janeen at my Dad's funeral.

My first buck!

Halloween 2013, Aspen was a cat.

Cole giving us council.  He wanted us to remember that each day is important, to stay faithful and strong.  He was an amazing example to us.  We miss him more then worlds can express.

This years wrestling shirts!

Yummy Thanksgiving pie.

Sledding at our 1st annual Christmas party.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hello Family and Friends,
This is going to be our Christmas letter for this year.
I hope you are all enjoying this Christmas Season.  This year has been… a year for change, growth and I must admit heartache.  We miss Grandma Nellie, my Dad (Grandpa Newell) and our Cole so very much.
We are truly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that has given us peace and comfort.  We pray all is well with each of you and that especially at this time of the year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ that we also remember his life and sacrifice for each of us.
Merry Christmas!

Aspen Lorraine Lovell born at the same time Daren was being sustained as our new Stake President!

We had a great trip back to D.C. with Kjerstin and Kurtis.

The cutest grandkids ever!

Fun road bike trip!

Our sweet Erika graduated from Success Academy, CVHS and with her associates at SUU!

Our amazing Kjerstin graduated also with her bachelors!

Erika and Kaitlyn had a dance competition at Lagoon.  We had a fun day as well. 

Seminary Graduation

The last day of Cole's chemotherapy we had a celebration at the Great Salt Lake!

We took the girl on a little cruise!  PARTY!

Aspen's blessing day.

Daniel's Eagle Scout Project.

Daniel and Kaitlyn did well at the 4h livestock show.

This is part of our year... to be continued.

Last night we had the Mecham Family Christmas Party in Aurora.  It was so good to see all my family on the Mecham side!  What a great group of people I get to call family!  I had a hard time deciding whether to go or not but I knew that if I went I would feel a lot of love and support.  Thanks family!

My goal today is to recruit one of my kids to help me post some pictures and hopefully write some more!

Kaitlyn and I decided to watch the video that was made for Cole's funeral, which features snippets of  Cole's life.... bad idea.  Can't stop crying.  We really miss him.

This picture was taken the day Cole had us over to trim their shrubs.  Duke, Grandma MaryAnn and I trimmed as he told us how he wanted it done.  He also wanted us to trim his neighbors. He was discouraged he couldn't do it himself, but we were his hands that day. :)  The neighbor didn't get as good of a trim job as Cole and Taleena because we ran our of day light and energy.

This ia a picture of the goat hunt.  A day we will always remember.  What a blessing to have one last awesome hunt together!

I need to start sharing some of the awesome memories that were made the last few weeks of Cole's life.  I'll get to those soon.  But last night Daren and I went to the movie, Saratov Approach, about the missionaries that were kidnapped in Russia.  It was a good movie.  And of course the whole time I was thinking of Cole.  The night Cole passed away, Ethan (Cole's hospice nurse)  leaned over to me and said, " you have experienced your Abahamic trial, except you did not get to keep your "Isaac".   I try not to question why Cole needed to go so soon.  I have to remind myself that our Heavenly Father knew all along that he would be calling Cole home November 2nd 2013.  I know his plan is for our growth and our good and if we could see the whole picture as God does we would have no saddness.  I'm glad we have so many opportunities to see a glimpses of the big picture! Though at times we don't understand we have faith and more then that we know everything will work out and we need to put our full trust in our Heavenly Father and His plan.  I was glad those missionary parents got to keep their sons.  As I watched the movie I came to the realization, as I did with Cole, that if they needed to die that "it would all be OK"  just like Cole kept telling me.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is real.  He lives and loves us and knows each of us individually and fully.  He understands our heartaches and joys.  That really came into focus for me when in the movie a man called one of the missionaries parents and told of his story, when he was kidnapped in Argentina.  As he described the feelings he went through and ultimately realized Christ like love for everyone, even his captors, my testimony was strenghtened.  There is a purpose in life and God's plan is what brings true joy and peace.  I did have painful thoughts of wishing Cole could still be here with us physically just like those parents were able to be with their sons but we will be with him again.  One of my favorite sayings that has sustained me is " Life isn't fair, but Eternity is! "  Everyday, most of the day, I am missing and thinking of Cole.  But I feel him near very often and know he and our Savior Jesus Christ are giving us strength, understanding and comfort.  I am so thankful to have Taleena and Aspen!  We love them so much.  What a huge blessing they are to us!  This big change in their lives is not an easy one to say the least and she has her difficult times but Taleena has such faith and knowledge of the gospel that she is constantly amazing me and strengthening all those around her.  I can not thank everyone enough for the prayers, financial support, uplifting notes and love we feel from you.
Thank you and God bless  :)

You may already know the news about my son.  He passed away early Saturday morning, November the 2nd.  Even as I write this it doesn't seem real.  I really felt he was going to be healed.  The last  several weeks I have to admit I was given more insight on God's plan for Cole and a greater understanding of the purpose of this life and the reassurance that this life is not the end but a mere moment in our progression. 
Cole made it clear that each day is important , and we live to do our very best with no regrets.  We have seen many miracles along the way. After Cole was given 1-2 weeks to live the cancer stopped growing for 2 weeks!  His oxygen levels increased and we saw progress.  We were given this miracle, not the one I was anticipating, but a miracle non the less.  Then the cancer took over again.   He fought a good fight and The Lord was pleased with his efforts.  Cole and his wife are amazing.  They have handled this trial with faith, strength and have set a grand example of enduring to the end.  Cole and Taleena  have an eternal marriage and we will all be together again.  I have to hold strong to the truthfulness of the gospel to be able to also endure to the end.  

Cole gave us a lot of good profound counsel.  I feel very blessed to have been able to be with my whole little family plus Grandma MaryAnn, his aunt Janeen, Taleena's brother Sheldon and his wife Becca, the night of his passing.  We were able to all visit with him as a group and then one on one.  He was making us laugh and of course we cried a lot but he taught and inspired us until the very end.  

So much still to process.
That's all I can write for now.  

Where to begin again?  Two weeks ago my Mom was down visiting for a few days.  On Thursday the 17th we got a call as we were shopping in St.George that Grandma Nellie wasn't doing well.  A half hour later my Aunt Janet called to let us know Grandma Nellie had passed away.  The news was bitter sweet.  We were glad that Grandma was able to finally be reunited with Grandpa Lloyd and my Dad.  But she will be missed.  She was the center of the Hatch Family.  Life won't be the same with out her.  But we know she is happy and enjoying her time with loved ones.  She finally is able to meet her Mother.  The mother that died while giving birth to her.  What a marvelous reunion that was!  Grandma Nellie was an amazing woman and her legacy will live on in her  posterity!

I would LOVE to say that Cole is doing well and getting better but that is just not so.  He still is positive, upbeat and doing his best.  He is now confined to his bed but makes the most of it.  He studies when he is not sleeping.  We have started reading a book together when I visit.  I can't think of the name right now but it is the "Mormon" version of the Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis.  Chris Himerdinger wrote it.  We are enjoying it.
Taleena is taking such good care of Cole  and Aspen.  I often wonder how she stays so strong.  I know we have all been blessed with comfort and a certain amount of peace but she is with Cole 24/7 and I know it takes a toll on her.  I think we are all trying to make the most of each day.  Each day is a blessing.  We all just keep waiting for him to start getting better.  But for now his body is not showing progress.  His right leg is starting to go numb as well.  His organs are not functioning properly which causes grief, some times more than others.  Two days ago he got a new apparatus to add to his collection, a sea-pap breathing machine.  He wears his regular oxygen when he is eating and visiting, other wise (starting yesterday) he uses the new mask that covers his nose and mouth, it forces a lot more air into his lungs.  My Dad would use his at night.

Going back a few weeks, when Cole was still able to get up and go from the bedroom to the living room, Duke went by to visit and Cole was in his suit and tie.  Duke asked him what was going on and Cole told him he got a call from his good friend and neighbor, Jaimie.   Jaimie needed a blessing.  He got on his suit and he and Taleena went right over.  Taleena sat behind Cole as he gave the blessing and was there to catch or steady him if he lost his balance.  (They make a good team :)  )

I am finishing up that book, What's on the other side? By Brent L. Top.  I have gained insight, peace and perspective as I have read this book.  One thing that stood out to me today was, as we gain more understanding of death we will better live today.  When we see the eternal perspective it helps us want to live better today and prepare ourselves for the next life.  Another good book to help with perspective and to face the adversary is, Putting on the Armor of God, by Steven A. Cramer.  Great book, I need to read that one again.

Enjoy your day!  Remember each day is a blessing.  Our friends and loved ones, here with us and those beyond the veil are watching over us and helping us!

My days and weeks are running together.  Things that happen a week and two weeks ago seem like yesterday.  And at other times it seems like several weeks have passed.

Last week is a blur so I'll start with 2 weeks ago when we found out about Cole's last prognosis.  On Saturday when we went to the temple we came back to Cedar and Cole received another blessing confirming what was said in the first blessing.  This helped us regroup and continue in faith that he could overcome the cancer.  A few days later Ethan checked Cole's oxygen levels and they were up.!!  Medically this didn't make sense.  The next day they had him turn off his oxygen for 1/2 an hour and then checked the oxygen levels again.  The levels were still up!!
By the end of the week Cole started getting sick and vomiting about once or twice a day.  But they changed his pain medication and we were waiting for things to improve.
Saturday October 5th Kjerstin was having a Birthday Party for Sophie.  She is now a big 2!  We all headed over to Enterprise to party!  My Mom and Dad were able to come down and they beat everyone to the party and had some time alone with Kjerstin and her little family.  Grandma Mary was a big help to Kjerstin putting on the last touches for the party.  When we got there, after listening to the first session of conference, the party was just beginning.  I walked in and went over to Grandpa Newell and gave him a hug. He didn't look very good.  His color was not quite right and he was having a hard time catching his breath.  He had just been up and was trying to get his breath back.  I talked to him for a few minutes and then went to help Kjerstin with "duck , duck, goose".   Sophie then started opening her gifts.  Dad was still uncomfortable.  We opened up the doors to get the air circulating and it seemed to help Dad some.  He was able to relax a bit.  Grandma kept asking him if he wanted to leave.  He wanted to stay for a while but after a few minutes he decided they should go.  Duke and Kurtis helped him out to the car.  When Dad is having a hard time breathing it usually helps when they get into the car and get the air conditioner blowing on high then he is able to relax and start breathing better.  This is what we figured would happen and he would be OK.  As Mom ran back into the house to get her things and say good bye I leaned into the car and said good bye to Dad and he was feeling bad that he couldn't stay.  I told him that he had done all he could and that is was good that he had been able to come.  Mom came out I guided them out of the driveway and I waved good bye.  Dad passed away on their way to Cedar.  His passing was peaceful.  He didn't struggle for air as he thought he would when the end came.  This was a blessing for him and all of us that he was able to just slip away.  Looking back, as hard as it was for Mom to be alone with Dad as he passed, she knows he didn't struggle and this is a comfort.
The next week is the blur.  Getting ready for the funeral was comforting during the times we were reminiscing, hard when we had to face the reality of what we were planning.
As the viewings took place there was such an amazing amount of support.  And even before the viewing many family and friends came by the house to give support and love and lots of food. :)
The funeral went very well.  The weather was beautiful, a nice fall day Dad would have enjoyed.

To catch up with Cole... it is very difficult.  Last year it was easy compared to this go around because I knew basically what his routine was, when he would be feeling really sick and when a few good days were coming.  This is a whole new ball game.  It is a real roller coaster.  His lungs seem to be staying about the same.  He seems to breath a little heavier now but he says they seem about the same.  The hard thing to watch is that he is his left leg and foot are numb again.  He has lost a lot of weight and he is very weak.  When I get worried Cole tells me, "Mom, faith and fear cannot exist at the same time."  So we are choosing FAITH!

Dear  Family and Friends,

What a crazy few weeks we have had with many ups and downs.  First of all I would like to say that yesterday Adelyn went through the temple!  It was wonderful to have those that were able to be there to support her!   What a blessing to have her make that step and make those covenants!   All our children were there, 5 inside the temple and 3 waiting outside.  What a beautiful day and experience.
It was also a very emotional day.  Knowing the blessings of the gospel are comforting and bring us peace.

Yesterday as Cole was reminded of all who have and are still praying for him made him very emotional, which in turn made all of us emotional.  What gratitude we have for Heavenly Father's plan for each of us, for His plan of salvation and eternal families!

Our crazy few weeks started out by the news that Cole's cancer is back if full force.  The tests showed that the cancer is basically everywhere, giving him less then a year to live.  In only a week  and a half  he started having a harder time breathing so we arranged for him to be on oxygen.  The Dr. at that time suggested that Hospice come in and help them.  I was not in favor with having hospice because of the stigma of death being associated with Hospice.  The Dr. set up a time for someone from hospice to go and visit with Cole and Taleena.  After Ethan visited with them Cole and Taleena felt very comfortable with his assistance.  If they felt good then I could too.  The rest of the family met Ethan the next day.  Heavenly Father puts people into our lives for a reason and Ethan has been a blessing.

On Thursday they did a chest X-ray that showed the cancer had quadrupled.  The oncologist said he has 2 weeks to live.  What a crushing blow.  It took a day or two to regroup and remember God is in charge and he has a plan for Cole.  Our faith is comforting us and we are enjoying life and realizing  blessings from this trial.  Our faith is becoming stronger and stronger as well as our reliance on a loving Heavenly Father and His plan.

If you know Cole and Taleena, their are amazing!!  They have a tremendous amount of faith.  After the first news of the cancer coming back which was on a Thursday, we then fasted and prayed and felt comfort and a renewed faith from a priesthood blessing.  On Monday I thought it would be a good idea to have a family activity for FHE.  I called Cole and he said they would not be able to make it because they had invited some neighbors over for dinner and FHE, then he was going on splits with the missionaries!! Cancer isn't stopping them!

Today Cole and Taleena's ward had a special fast.  Many others are also fasting and praying.  Thanks you all for your support and love.  I know God hears and answers our prayers and rocognizes our fasts.  He loves us!  I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ, His gospel and all he has done for each and every one of us.


 

Can"t Sleep...  Thought I could catch up on the Lovell Happenings.  In the last post we were waiting to find out where Addy was being called to serve.  She opened her call last week with many freinds and family anxious to find out... she has been called to serve in the Bajia Blanca, Argentina Mission.  Her departure date is the 23rd of October.  That is pretty quick but she already has a passport so we think that is why she is able to leave so soon.  We will be busy getting her ready.
Cole had his scans done a little earlier then they were first scheduled.  He has been in a lot of pain and we needed to find out why.  We are praying it is the nerves healing that is causeing the pain.  Also I think now that he is trying to get back into a regular schedule it is taking a toll on the weak parts of his body.  We should know the  results of the tests Friday.
Kjertin and Sophie are spending a few days with us and Sophie is keeping us very entertained!

Hello,
Where do I start?  School is back in session.  I have such a cute group of kiddos!  They are so eager to learn.  Daniel started HIGH SCHOOL... is that possible?  He is attending Success Academy in the afternoons and CVHS in the mornings.  And YES he has been very busy with homework.  Every night from day one he has spent cracking the books.  I am proud of him for staying on top of things.
kaitlyn is now in 5th grade and is also doing well.   Erika and Cole are attending SUU.  Kjerstin is extremely happy that she has graduated and can be home with Sophie!  Life is very exciting and nerve racking for Adelyn right now.... her mission call is sitting on the counter calling to me to open it.  But I will be strong.  Adelyn is at work on the ranch.   She comes home tomorrow or possible Tuesday and she will open it then.  We are all eager to have her read her letter from the first presidency!!  The next few months will be interesting....  I'll just leave it at that for now.
Duke just got back last night from an AMMA ride (all mens motorcycle adventure).  They went to Colorado, had a great ride and saw some beautiful scenery.

Life is going very nicely.  Cole, Taleena and Aspen were living with us until yesterday.  I will honestly say I will miss them.  It was good to have them here and it was especially great to get to love on Aspen.  She's a cutie.  Cole and Taleena were very helpful while they were here.  Cole and Daniel helped me prepare a spot for an herb garden.  Then Cole and I planted the herb garden while Taleena made a delicious dinner.  

Yesterday they moved into their apartment.  I know they were so excited to be able to get all their things out of storage and get back to their "pre-cancer" life!  Thanks to Duke, Kurtis, Daniel and Andrew Christensen they got everything moved.  The girls helped Taleena clean and get a few things organized.

Cole and Aspen had colds coming on and today when I called Cole didn't sound too great.  He probably overdid it yesterday.  Hopefully the colds will not last long.

I posted on Facebook the news about Cole and just remembered for those of you not on Facebook I needed to tell you the wonderful news.  Cole's cancer is officially in REMISSION!!! We are feeling very happy and blessed!   Cole's platelets were low so he needed a transfusion so they will leave his port in for two weeks and then he will get it out.  He is excited to get that out.  Then the first part of July sometime Cole, Taleena and Aspen will move back to Cedar... oh happy day!

I was talking to Cole yesterday and his appointment is on Tuesday afternoon.

Tomorrow is the big day.  Cole has his appointment with his doctor.  He will find out the results of all the tests.  We feel very confident that all will be well!  I will post again soon.
Have a great day.

Hello Everyone,
It has been awhile I know.  Life was crazy busy there for awhile, going to graduations and getting all my Kindergarten end of year reports finished up!  Whew, sure glad those reports are finished.  But is was also good to see the amazing progress each student made.  It's hard to let them move on to 1st grade.  I'll be talking with each of their 1st grade teachers to make sure they take good care of them.

Erika's graduations went well.  The first one was Success Academy and then SUU (associate degree) then CVHS and then Seminary Graduation.  She spoke at the seminary graduation and did a great job. The day after the Success Graduation Erika and a group of friends headed to the St. George Temple!  What an awesome group of kids.  That's how they wanted to celebrate and they had a good day doing baptisms.

Cole's last week of chemo was June 3rd - 7th!!!!  He called me the first of the week and asked if I wanted to come to his last few sessions.  Addy, Kaitlyn and I headed up there on Thursday and met him, Taleena and Aspen at the hospital.  Thursday went well.  Friday was the emotional day.  Cole and I drove together and then a little later Taleena, Addy, Kaitlyn and Aspen came.  Cole and I had a little time to talk.  One of  our close family friends is going through chemo again and we were talking how hard it is for him to go to the hospital because it makes him very emotional.  Cole said he has been there.  There was a period of time where he would also feel those same emotions.  As he would get close to the hospital knowing he was going to have another treatment  he would literally sob the rest of the way and try to get control as he walked from the jeep to the front doors of the hospital.

As Cole and I sat there getting him hooked up to the chemo for the LAST time I could not help but cry.  I looked around and some patients were there for the first time. I overheard the nurse talking to a woman and explaining what was going to happen.  Her daughter sat there and listened.  I later talked to her for a minute and let her know it will someday be her last day like my son's .  She said that will be a day to celebrate.  We hugged and she went back to be with her Mom and me with Cole.  There were other patients that I could tell were in the hardest part of their treatments,  so sick and weak.   I remembered seeing Cole like that.  And feeling so blessed that he was getting strong again and looking very good I may add!  It was an emotional day.  I told Cole I didn't know why I was being such a cry baby.  He just smiled.  He said, "you have had the emotional battle and I have had the physical one".  I know he and Taleena have had the emotional one as well but he has literally fought for his life.  He is winning the battle, he is  kicking cancers butt!!!

I called and had the rest of the family come up to celebrate.  They were not able to be there when Cole "rang the bell".  There is this bell that on the last day of treatment get to ring it.  When he rang the bell, actually he held Aspens hand and she rang it, that's when we all let the tears flow. Cole didn't but he's tuff.  :)  It was great.  We took some pictures and some video footage.  I'll get that downloaded sometime, hopefully soon.
We took pictures with the amazing nurses that took good care of him.

To celebrate we went out to Antelope Island and had a barbecue.   Cole didn't know the rest of the family were going to be there so they went to the visitors center and when we walked in they surprised him.  It was great having everyone there, except we missed Kurtis who was working and Erika who was at EFY.  We had a yummy barbecue and then floated in the stinky Great Salt Lake.  The Lake wasn't stinky I guess but the water lever was very low and so there were some muddy places getting out to the lake that were putrid.

This past week Cole, Taleena and Aspen come down.  He did pretty well with recovering.  He didn't get too sick.  Today they left a little earlier than they had planned though because he was feeling exhausted.  When he would stand up his heart would race.  When that happens his blood is not good.  He will probably be getting transfusions tomorrow. On the 19th and 20th he has his scans to check everything.  If everything looks good they will take his port out soon!  He is excited about that.

Thanks again for all  your prayers and support.  The 19th and 20th he could use a few extra prayers.  We feel confident that the tests will come back good.  His last tests looked good and we feel blessed to have witnessed such a miracle in his progress.

Good Night and God Bless

Hello,
I've been slacking again.  So I'll try to catch up.  I am so glad we have Sundays to regroup and put life back into perspective.
I've been having technical difficulties and I need to get to bed but first I'll give a brief run down on what to look forward in my next post.

I got a call Thursday night from Erika, she was locked in a Mr. Bubbles car wash...
Sounds a lot like Duke, Kjerstin, Kurtis and I getting locked in the Washington D.C. temple baptistery...

One graduation down, 3 more to go...

Cole,Taleena and Aspen were able to come visit...

Had a great Saturday at Thanksgiving Point running the 5K with my niece Nicki.  It was also fun to watch my brother John and his wife Celest and my niece Mandi and her husband Sam run the 1/2 marathon!!

Stay tuned for more details later.......

I want life to slow down!  Going over the calendar the next two months will be crazy but June should be much better.  Erika will have 3 graduations, no 4!  Success Academy Graduation on April 24th,  SUU Graduation on May 4th and 5th.  She will graduate with her associates in Science and Engineering. She made it and is very very excited to be graduating!!  CVHS Graduation May 23rd and also seminary graduation sometime in May.  Kjertin graduates From SUU as well with her bachelors in Family Life and Human Development with an emphasis in family services.  We are so proud of her!!!  She made it!!!!

Daniel went in to get a new cast because he took some of the sand dunes home with him is his cast.  Not very comfy on the skin.  They took it off and exrayed it and he got to keep it off!!  He just needs to go easy for a week or so.  (Good Luck with that one, he's a 14 year old boy, they don't understand, "go easy".)

Cole had chemo this week.  He hasn't been as sick so far and we pray he will not get as low as he has been getting.  They are going to give him 2 weeks to recover instead of one.  When Daren took Daniel into get his new cast the Dr. that has been working with Daniel is the one that Cole went to after his first MRI.  He was very happy to hear how well Cole is doing.  He said when he saw Cole's MRI it was the worst case he has ever seen.  And that he didn't sleep for a few days after consulting with Cole, Taleena and Daren.  The news he gave us that day was so hard to handle.  I can honestly say that was the hardest day of my life.  I am so glad that the night before he went into talk with the Dr. that he was given a blessing.  He was told that the road to recovery would be a hard one but that he would make it through.   And Taleena's blessing told her twice that he would be OK.  I did wonder what OK would look like.  The Dr. said he would lose his leg.  And Cole and Taleena were trying to be so positive. They said they would rather have Cole with one leg then no Cole.  Of course we all felt the same way.  We feel so blessed that he has responded so well to the therapy.  

We have learned so much through this trail.  We know God knows and loves us.  I know that faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation is what gives me hope and peace.  I have been blessed by so many giving and caring people!  There are many good examples the Lord has surrounded me with and I have many people to lean on.  Thank you all and God Bless.

Kjerstin and Kurtis invited us to go on vacation with them!  Why not is what we said and we were off to see sights in 5 different states!!  Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia plus D.C. We first went to Maryland. Kurtis is helping Kjerstin get the best shot of a ship in the Baltimore Harbor.

Hang Up we are on VACATION!

George and I

Valley Forge



The guys in Martha's kitchen!!



Where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written and signed!!  It was awesome to be there!



The Liberty Bell

Washington D.C. Temple 

Remember we are on VACTATION!



Independence Hall



U.S. Capital     Where they took my mangos and Duke's leatherman :( 



Megan, Mike and thier cute kids let us stay with them a few nights.  Thanks!!  It was great to visit with them.  What a cute and wonderful family . In the middle are Megan and her two youngest, Lilly and Sam.



Arlington National Cemetary

Erika and Andrew - Prom 2013

Cole and Aspen



Sophie giving Aspen a smooch!

 

Kaitlyn at her dance competition in St. George.



Aspen is such a cutie!  She is a really good baby.  She is already sleeping around 7 hours at night!!!



After the dance competition we had to wait for Erika to get back from the Bar 10 Ranch.  So we went to the movie,  Croods in 3D! 

Duke and I and 5 other couples had a great trip to Sedona Arizona.  It was nice to have heated seats when we left Wednesday morning and the temp was 29 COL degrees.  We defrosted when we got further south.

 





  

We had a lot of fun enjoying the sand and sun for Easter.  W





Anna Travis joined us for some Easter egg rolling, 4 wheeler driving, hot dog eat'in fun!



For an update on Cole... He was feeling pretty good for a change and was able to enjoy our Easter fun.  Today he started chemo again.  We are hopeing for a speedy recovery.  It seems that since he had chemo and radiation his recovery time is much longer.  But he is getting to then end of the treatments!!  Only three more weeks of treatments with the 1-3 weeks in between for recovery.  He will hopefully finish up in May and be able to move his cute little family back to Cedar.