Chace's Birthday

Today Dustin and I went to Chace's birthday party. It was crazy. There were tiny people running around everywhere. Diving into the ball pit, siding down the slides, hiding in the jumpy forts, pulling on my sleeves- craziness; but fun! I was somehow coerced to slide down the slide not once, not twice, but several times! We got a few fun pictures like the one here with Dustin, me, and Chace's older brother Cooper. Cooper just kept running back up the slide and yelling "C'mon Ross!". I don't know where these kids get all the energy!


After all the fun in the play area, it was time for cupcakes and presents. Chace was so cute and behaved so very well with all the commotion! What a fun day.

Halloween

Dustin was able to come to Santa Rosa for Halloween and we got to spend it with my friends and co-workers at Peter & Michelle's party. Evan and Emily both knew Peter was going to be a cat so they dressed as cats too. My two roommates, Evan and Emma are in the picture with me and Dustin. Michelle made some awesome drinks and Peter coordinated some fun games. Dustin and I won two of the three games. Well, he won the "Chubby Bunny" contest hands down- way to go Babe! :D The video is one of the first few rounds before everyone else was eliminated.


After all the games were over the drinks we'd been having certainly set in. Dustin found his way to the dancing pole and proceeded to show us a few tricks! Everyone had a fun night.

Dad's Surgery

In September we found out the chemo and radiation didn't eliminate my Dad's cancer. His doctor, Ace Jones, recommended surgery. This was devastating for our family, and my Dad. His battle with throat cancer over the last year had been a difficult time, and we'd all believed he had beat it. Today, October 1 my Dad was in surgery at St. Lukes for 9 hours. I waited with my Mom, Erni, Carrie and Sally as friends and family stopped in and said hello and prayers with us. We were all elated when we got the "A OK" from the doctors that the surgery went well.

That evening, I stayed the night with Dad in the ICU. He wasn't able to speak, as we expected. But he was able to write, and boy did he! I stayed up most of the night reading out loud what Dad was writing and communicating with him in this way. We took turns staying with my Dad so we could read what he was writing and make sure he was comfortable. Between myself, Mom, Erni, Carrie and Sally- he was well watched over.

It will be a long battle fighting the cancer from this extremely invasive surgery. Dad will have a tracheotomy for several weeks. He will be back on the feeding tube for months- just like last year from the radiation & chemo. With my Mom's loving support, I know my Dad will be doing well soon. I'm looking forward to my Dad's recovery and the Holidays with my family in Boise.

Boise Road Trip

September 3rd, Dustin and I hopped in my car and headed to Boise on our first road trip. Twelve hours each way. The drive was so much better with Dustin along, especially since he drove a lot! Several times Dustin was getting his grove on while driving, and once I actually caught him on video with my iPhone.



We spent a lot of time with my family and friends. It was a very nice trip. My favorite picture from the Labor Day weekend was of Dustin, Chuck and me out one evening.

Santa Rosa Marathon

Well, the day finally came. The day I was to run 26 miles with my training friends Irene and Trisha. Sadly, I wasn't able to run at all due to my extremely painful shin splints. I've gotten some really good advice from some local runners including buying new shoes (again) as well as some exercises to help build up my shin muscles. I'm still jogging at lunch (usually 3-4 miles) and hope to do the next half marathon at the end of October. One day I WILL do a marathon, but for now I'll live vicariously through my training partner Trisha.

Below is a picture of Trisha after jogging for 5 and half hours, headed for the finish line with her two boys who joined her at the end of the race.

Way to go Trisha! Just Awesome!

Tainted Love

For my second time since moving to California Emily got a group of us to go see Tainted Love (an 80's cover band) at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa. Pictured above are (left to right) Laura, Emily, Ross, Katelynn and Dustin. We all met up at Katelynn's house and had some drinks together. Then we took a few minutes for the posing pictures (below is a group shot) and then we headed out. We all had a great time dancing to the 80's music and enjoying our beverages. Dustin was an angel for being our DD. He was exceptionally patient and kind, even putting up with us eating his french fries on the way home! Thanks Babe- I owe ya some fries ;-)

Houseboat Trip- Lake Shasta, CA

My friend Tyson and his girlfriend Alena organize an annual houseboat trip. I was so fortunate to be invited to go with them this year. We ended up taking four cars and trucks from Sonoma up to lake Shasta where the houseboat was. Tyson brought along his boat for wake boarding and tubing. I drove my car with Dustin, Evan and Katelynn. Upon arrival we started off right away popping a few cans and sliding down the slide into the water. The scenery was beautiful and I met some great new friends! Dustin and I had so much fun!!! (Here's a picture of the two of us on the tube:)
There was a small incident when we jumped in from the top of the boat and Dustin injured his ear. We ended up having to leave Saturday evening and go to the ER in Redding. Fortunately he didn't permanently damage his ear, but it was severely traumatized. We ended up spending the night in Redding, and then met back up with our lake friends that morning.

I'm not sure what my favorite part of the trip was; watching shooting stars with Dustin, playing catch phrase with Emily and Evan, tubing and driving around the lake... or dancing on the houseboat with the other crazies...I really hope we can go again next year!