Trip to SLC #50

 Well, or so it felt like it. But hey when family is around, I will be down!

I went to SLC to see my mother one last time before she headed home, and to see Hanna again.

Hanna got the cutest little puppy named Cassie, and we couldn't get enough of the little pup!

Posin with my little sis.

And my mom.

We know how to work it!

Cassie is a champ at tricks!

We went on walks, went and looked at mummies at the museum, got Hanna hooked up with projects to keep her busy, and watched T.V. A nice and relaxing visit with my sis and mom.

Hanna also had an appointment with a radiologist, and it looks like she will be doing radiation therapy. She was pretty bummed about it, but the Doc told her to look at it like extra insurance to keep this away once and for all!

ICE round three complete!

After the new year I headed down to SLC to be there for Hanna's last round of ICE treatment!

Wednesday we headed up to the hospital to start the process.

Her labs came back, and the Dr. was so close to not letting her go through with treatment. Her numbers were low. But Hanna begged, and being that they were border line she said yes, warning her that she would need a transfusion.

So we headed over to the infusion clinic.

One of Hanna's patients, Chuck, was also receiving his treatment as well.

We had so much fun with him! He made the mood so much brighter.

Hanna is wearing his "This chemo is giving me some strange side affects" glasses.

Hanna seemed to have a harder time with the nausea. Even with all the drugs. It's so hard to see someone you love go through something so awful.

But Hanna is such a trooper! And now she gets a small break. She will be having her stems cells harvested within the next week or so. She will go into the hospital the beginning of February for the last round of chemo, and her transplant!

There is a light at the end of the tunnel...

Round Two.

 Monday my sweet sister in law Caroline took Brooke for me so that I could spend time with Hanna. The hospital doesn't let little kids in so I have been really lucky with so much help with my kids so I can be there to support Hanna.

My mom came in on Sunday as well, so it was me, Sandy and my mom all there to keep Hanna company! The treatment started out fairly normal. And then two chairs over from Hanna, a patient receiving chemo coded. Truly one of the scariest things I have ever witnessed. It shook me and my mom up pretty bad. Within minutes there was 6 doctors, and about 10 nurses around this poor lady.

While it was going on, an old man decided to give us some humor by sauntering over there I suppose to just see what all the comotion was about. I mean did he not get a clue that it was serious with all the people and Dr.'s around?! Only the elderly can get away with stuff like that!

Thankfully she was OK, and they continued her treatment.

Not too long after that, another patient came by handing out candy. We got to chatting with him, and he had us laughing so hard I had tears running down my face. This guy could be a comedian! My mom said he should do a show called cancer comedy! As we were talking with him we learned he is terminal. I just couldn't believe his outlook on life, and how he made it his mission to make everyone else around him have a better day. What an example!

Next a man with a therapy dog came by, and Hanna was in Heaven!

After a few hours of Chemo, we met up with our cousins for some lunch at Zupas!

So fun to see family. We seriously have the best family.

Day two we headed up to the Hospital around 10:30 and they got all her labs and everything done in time to start her Chemo at 2:30. A serious improvement from the last start time of 5pm.

Poor girl wasn't feeling the best from the first day, and a few hours in, 

she was starting to really feel it :(  She sure can pull off the sick chemo look though!

 Nothing better than having your mom around!

My mom and I left around 10 pm so we could get some sleep, and so Hanna could try and get some as well. We waited a bit in the morning to give Hanna and Sandy some alone time. I have a tender place in my heart through this whole process for Sandy. As family, it is our instinct to just want to be there and take care of her. Really forgetting that Sandy is, and should be her number one support system. We are there as back up. I had some struggles with this when Ryan was sick, and being newly married, so I am sensitive when it comes to making sure we are looking out for Sandy and what he needs as well.

When we got up to the hospital poor Hanna was not in good shape.

 It is not easy to see a loved one in pain. I told her to just think, one more time of this Chemo, and then she gets a couple weeks off!

She is one lucky lady to have this guy by her side taking care of her.

Hanna, you got this. 2 down 1 more to go before we move to the next step in this journey. Your a rock star, and I love YOU.

Last Hoorah!

 This weekend we took a last little trip down to Utah before school started.

We headed down Friday to Logan, to run the Top of Utah Half Marathon.

Ryan and I were supposed to run together, but poor guy was suffering from IT band issues, so he decided not to chance it. I was bummed cause I think we would have been able to run it together, it would have been so much fun!

So this race was a warm up for October, I was supper excited to race. I have only done Ragnar this year, other than a 5K, so I was excited to see how a longer race would go for me. 

I was a bit nervous, since I've been training by myself all summer. I didn't know if I could run like I did last fall without the group, and the coach right by my side.

The course was a net down hill, so I knew I could at least (or hopefully) match last years race.

It seriously was the funnest I've ever had in a race!

The first half was a gradual down hill, through a canyon, and so beautiful! I just took in every moment of it.

Here are the stats, for those of my runner friends:

Time: 1:37:12

Pace: 7:24

Age Group Finish: 7/333

Female overall: 25/1427

Overall Race:104/2083

Seriously the best race ever! The Monster Dash that I did ranks up there with this, but since this had much better weather, it's passing it up in the favorite category. A PR for me by a little over three minutes ( thanks to the downhill), and I couldn't be more happy! It definitely boosted my confidence for Chicago. I'll be honest, I've been getting nervous for it, letting the mental part of running get to me. But after this I am back!

Some of my cute friends from Ragnar also ran, so we bussed it up to the start line together, and celebrated afterwards:

 All three of us PR'd. Yeah for us!

I then quickly showered and we headed down to Salt Lake to celebrate Ryan's grandmother's birthday. Lucy is by far one of the best ladies on this planet. She is simply amazing. And at the ripe young age of 97 couldn't look better!

Brookie sitting on Uncle James lap. She just loves him!

 Ryan and Lucy.

She is the sweetest person I know. So glad I got to live with her for a week or so before I was married.

The twins wanted in on the picture action with Grandma Lucy.

( Even though their expressions don't really show it...)

After lunch we went and walked around Temple Square.

I really can never get bored of going here.

Now school starts tomorrow, and boy are my kiddos beyond excited!

And so am I. I sure love spending time with my kids, but I am so ready for a routine, and a schedule back in my life!

Weekend Getaway.

 This past weekend we went to Salt Lake.

The main reason, was Ryan had a work conference and I got to tag alaong. Hanna and Sandy, and Mark and Caroline both helped watch the kiddos so I could get away.:)

We headed down early to hang out with Hanna and Sandy for a bit.

Both girls passed out on the way down.

I am so glad that I have such good little travelers.

Saturday, (after my first 20 mile run of this training season ), we headed to Seven peaks to soak up some sun, and PLAY!

Brookie loved the wave pool. That was her hang out spot.

 The boys were MIA the whole day going down every slide multiple times.

 After a few hours Ryan and I took off to go check into our hotel, and get ready for the conference.

The hotel was beautiful! And we had an amazing view from our room.

Ryan attended the conference, and I enjoyed sleeping in, laying out at the pool, and I also took a trip to Park City to to some school shopping. It was a great break and a great getway.

Monday I did go to one of the sessions.

It was a moderated Q&A with President Clinton, and President George W. Bush.

Who would pass that up right?!

Needless to say it was amazing. It was so surreal to be 50 ft. from two previous presidents.

They were both so inspiring to listen to.

Definetly the best part of the trip for sure!

Thanks to wonderful aunts and uncles who made it possible for me to go with Ryan.

Girls Weekend.

(notice Brookie's little friend under the tree...)

Since this past weekend was father and sons camp out, us girlies decided to head down to SLC to hang out with Hanna and Sandy.

We had so much fun hanging out, eating treats, and shopping!

And Kylee had fun taking LOTS of pictures. I'll only torture you with one:

Yeah for fun weekends!