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We LOVE watching Tanner play soccer! He is having such a blast!

Ben+ mealtime= fun, laughter, and endless sticky grains of oatmeal that are not the easiest to clean up. On the plus side, all the protein he's been consuming has him tipping the scales at a whopping 22 pounds. A little perspective-Eva our three year old is only 30 pounds. Ben's catching up, Eva!

The lower picture is a "preview" of school pictures. We had to snap some of our own. I love the equality and ease of school uniforms. Our children, however, do not. It stifles their creative liberties with clothing, so they say. I for one am all for bypassing the resurgence of 80's rocker gear.

Illness, like necessity, must be the mother of all invention. I think my kids are bored to death with the cough/cold they have because they are devising all sorts of hilarious play games. Todays game was "paparazzi," of course invented by Grace. She has the funniest sense of humor and dressed Eva up like a star "undercover." She told Eva to run because she was the paparazzi and would take her photo! And, that she did. Though Eva seemed less like a camera shy super star and more like a crazy diva. Maybe Eva is famous for those wicked crazy splits she can pull. Ouch! Grace also told Eva today that she better hurry and wash her hair in the shower, or she was sure to get dreadlocks. Seriously?

Lots of catch-up......

Tanner received the Aaronic Priesthood today and he will now be able to pass the sacrament at church. He is getting so mature and big. We are so proud of him for what a great young man, brother, son, and boy he is. It was hard to see him look so grown up in his suit.

Our sweet Eva is loving having some Mom time when Grace goes to school. Although most of you know she is painfully shy in public she is such a ham at home.

We are on countdown for the end of Chemo and the end of most home meds. To keep an eye on the prize and to get some feelings out, Kim came up with the great idea of having everyone write down some feelings about Leukemia, cancer, chemo, and our lives right now, she then made a paper chain and everyday we tear one link off and count down until the end of Chemo.

First day of school!

Camp Harlow! Candlelighter's is a great organization for children with cancer that sponsor's events such as Camp Harlow. We spent 3 days in a cabin swimming, horseback riding, miniature golfing, riding bumper boats, horses, and go-karts, playing night games, singing by the campfire, and sleeping in sleeping bags. The kids had an amazing time and were able to meet kids their age who knew what it is like to live with a sibling with cancer, or to go through Leukemia treatments. We are always amazed at the strength and charity of these organizations.

Grace's FINAL Spinal Tap!

Though we're a bit behind, Grace had her FINAL spinal tap on Friday, September 10. It was a big day. She had chemo-receiving Vincristine, a spinal tap to receive her Inthrathecal Methotrexate (a chemotherapy directly injected into her spinal column to break through the blood/brain barrier and protect her brain from getting Cancer), and another bone marrow aspirate. The bone marrow test was done to ensure that no more Cancer has returned. As many know, Grace was hospitalized over the fourth of July because of a virus. That virus caused her to have a new condition known as ITP (Immuno Thrombocytopenia Purpura), which causes spontaneous bleeding, insane bruising and petichiae (little blood spots on her skin). Her doctor decided to do another bone marrow test just to make sure there were no other culprits in terms of her ITP, but thankfully all is well and she is Cancer free! We can hardly believe it, but next month she officially ends her two and a half year course of chemotherapy for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. On October 8, we are going to be singing all new praises as she has her last hospital therapy and then on October 16 she will take her last dose of home chemotherapy. It's hard to believe that day is just around the corner. I'm not even sure how to feel about it, quite honestly. It's just hard to believe. One thing is for sure-we're looking forward to watching Grace play like a child should play. And though two years of Chemotherapy has in many ways robbed her of childishness, it has replaces those little fancies with much bigger abilities. Grace is stronger than our whole 30 years of experience combined. I guess she proved Robert Frost right in his sentiment that "The best way out is always through!" Cancer fears you, Grace!

HAPPY 12th T!

Wow, Tanner! Where did this last 12 years go? It's hard to believe that our little man is evolving into such a teenager-you have traded in your fluffy tuft of baby hair for a Beiber haircut, you replaced your dinosaur figures with army gear, and your eyes that held stars only for your "awesome" mom and dad are starry eyed for girls! You are quite the pre-teen in many ways, but our favorite thing about you is you're comfortable still being our little man. You will spend hours with army figurines, legos, or just reading a good book. You are the first in our house to invent a new game for all to enjoy. You are constantly creating an atmosphere of fun in our home. When you arrive home from school, the whole house starts buzzing with fun and laughter. You have always had the ability to make others feel happy. You have such a magnetism to you-you always draw others in with your joyfulness and confidence. We appreciate who you are, Tanner. We are thankful you are so compassionate and extraordinarily patient. We appreciate your intensity about everything and the way you disect knowledge and inbibe learning. There is not one hair on your head we would change-we would only change the pace at which you are growing! I think that you have a distinct purpose on earth, a remarkable ability to change lives, and your unguarded smile will bring others peace when they need it most. Thank you for sharing these last 12 years with us. We know the upcoming ones are going to be fun!