Finally long enough

After having no hair during her second round of chemo, we all celebrated Eila's first day being able to wear pigtails.

From Jan/Feb2014

Beaver ball

Tonight's Beaver basketball game honored Gary Payton (probably OSU most famous player), and since we were running a little behind schedule we got luckily enough to run into him outside the arena!

From Jan/Feb2014

The game was really fun as the place was filled with lots of energy.

From Jan/Feb2014

And we got on tv (at a commercial break)!

From Jan/Feb2014

Nana's birthday

It was fun to celebrate Nana's birthday with Emilie this year.

From Jan/Feb2014

We still miss her very much.

Christmas & family

From Nov/Dec2013

The Howe family was at our house for Christmas.  With 4 little girls, it was a very busy time but oh so much fun.  We enjoyed opening all the gifts,

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

singing Christmas carols (lead by Eila),

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

reading stories (the night before Christmas),

From Nov/Dec2013

opening stockings,

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

and just spending time together.

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

(And, of course, there are many more pictures online.)

Another angel & lamb

For this year's Christmas program, we had another angel and lamb.

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

Christmas project

Grandma and Grandpa come over today with all the makings for gingerbread houses.

From Nov/Dec2013

We were a great building crew.  But it was probably a toss up as to which was more fun for the girls, decorating or snacking on the little candies.

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

From Nov/Dec2013

Four successful houses made.

From Nov/Dec2013

9 months

Eila had her 9 month post-chemo check-up today.  We are entering new territory for all of us, since we didn't make it this far the first time.  Needless to say, there wasn't a lot of sleeping last night for Joel or I, but Eila was her usual chipper self.  She had the usual ultrasound scans, x-rays, and blood work.  Without her port, she had to have a regular blood draw -- this is now the new low point in the visits for her.

But we are VERY happy to report that she continues to be cancer-free!  It's hard to describe how good it feels to get the "all clear" (my heart soars), although I must admit that it's still mixed with a small amount of fear for the next visit.  That only last a moment because it's easy to push those fears aside as we look at our happy 3 year old.  Very glad to be approaching the new year with this good news.