Quilt Cousins!

When Anthony went through 14 months of treatment in Seattle for his leukemia, I had 3 of our younger children with us in Seattle.

Our two older children stayed home with Andy.

Whenever Andy would come visit (weekly and whenever Anthony was admitted to the hospital), Daniel and Kelly stayed at two other families' homes.

Those families are like family to us now.

When their children started having children, I got busy.

There are 3 grandchildren now, and one coming any day.

I was behind on baby #3, so I thought of a design to make that would work for both babies, just different colors.

The baby coming soon is a girl, and her mom requested no pink.

She's getting a vintage-y teal and yellow look.

Make A Difference Day!!

I have a project that I've worked on since 2011.
When children are sent in an ambulance or life flight to Seattle, I make kits for their parents.

The first time Anthony went in an ambulance to Seattle, I was given 15 minutes to be packed and ready to leave.  Not much time, and if you add shock in there, not even close to enough time!

My kits include toiletry items, snacks, vending machine money, socks, gum, etc.  This is the stuff that's needed for the parents to get through the next couple of days, let alone the next several hours.

I've found it can be more than 8 hours from the time you go to the ER to the time that you're able to get to real food (hospital cafeteria).

The last couple of years, I have included my project in our local Make A Difference Day.
This year, I received a phone call on my birthday (total coincidence!) that my project is a national winner!!  Only 14 projects won national awards.

The prize was being able to make a $10,000 donation to the charity of my choice.

We were able to donate $10,000 to STRONG AGAINST CANCER at Seattle Children's Hospital!
My hope and dream is that this donation will help other children have a chance at a cure like Anthony had.  He's healthy now, and all kids deserve that.

Check out our surprise video!!
https://www.facebook.com/makeadifferenceday/videos/10155421959479835/

If you aren't on Facebook, you can see it HERE  on Youtube.

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 6

We ran some errands before leaving town, then arrived in Western Washington early evening.

I had to try to find a decent, slimming, shirt for the news interview tomorrow.

More details will come on that, when I can.  ;)

It's Aunt Di's birthday today!  

We're staying with Nana and Aunt Di, so we don't have to leave so early in the morning.

Everyone watching a movie.

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 5

We are home. Until tomorrow. Then we'll be in Seattle until Friday. 
LONG day driving, but we drove the whole way today. 15 hours

We arrived home. For the night.

We drove ALL. DAY. LONG.

15 hours.

But we made it home!

Last week, I renewed our long-expired AAA membership.

The lady told me the benefits of membership.

I laughed and thought it was ridiculous when she said they provide fuel delivery.

Well, we ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere.  

I was so thankful for being covered by AAA again.

The house was dark, but happy to have us back.

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 4

Tuesday morning, Andy and I went to the temple with Kelly.

It was her first time going all the way through and receiving personal blessings.

We hung out with Kelly part of the day, and also Jared in the evening.

Kelly almost took us on a hike, but Bridal Veil Falls was closed!

We visited another thrift store and found good stuff.

Being a good dad to get just the right angle for the shot Kelly wanted. 

 I liked Kellys' sandals, then saw the exact same ones featured on a fashion blog the same day.

 First time visiting In N Out!

It was good, inexpensive (even with everyone having milkshakes with their lunch), filling, and everyone was so nice!

 Anthony having everyone say the Pledge of Allegiance with him.

Anthony took a few pictures. 

SpringBreakRoadTrip2017 -- Day 3

We arrived in Provo!

It took half the day to drive, since we stopped at around 4 thrift stores.

Found some great deals for my eBay store.

The mountains in Utah are gorgeous!  Still a lot of snow on them too.

 The shower/restrooms we used at the KOA.  They were so clean and nice to use!

The normal showers had a water pipe break, and so they're under repair.

 Anthony's eye was starting to turn in, like strabismus, I think.

So, we've been enforcing him wearing glasses regularly throughout the week.

Calling the doctor on Monday.

Maggie forgot her phone at the church on Sunday.

When we went back, the doors were locked.

We stopped by again, on the way out of town on Monday.

Luckily, the carpets were getting cleaned and so the doors were open!

Just some of the many hundreds of cattle we saw on the drive.

So many little calves too!!!

I have several friends who are in love with Younique makeup.

Our first view of the Provo City Center Temple, viewed through the filthy dirthy windshield.

Anthony kept telling us it was a Disney castle though.

Cell phones never capture the true beauty of sunset.

View from our hotel room.

We stayed at the Sleep Inn in Provo, and they were wonderful!

Clean, relaxed, affordable, good breakfast, large enough room.

Meeting Jared finally!

Anthony was ecstatic to meet Jawweh (Jared)

He's making Jared and Kelly hold him in front of the mirror.

 Kelly and Lilly comparing height.

 I had a cute outfit ready for Anthony, but he insisted on wearing his BYU shirt.

He and Jared were twins!

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Kelly and Jared

 We had a short and sweet Family Home Evening in the hotel room.

Mike 'n Ikes were the refreshment.

Sisters

Josh, Lilly, Kelly, Maggie, Anthony, Jared

We were missing Daniel!

I think Anthony demanded a selfie.