we need "a little help from our friends"

on tuesday, avery celebrated her 6th birthday. we fished and just played together. she really enjoyed her special day. today, we took her bowling to continue the celebration and it was great until mom fell and landed on her shoulder. we took her to the ER and found out she broke it in 2 places. mom and dad will be returning home on saturday, 11/1.

for those of you who may not know, dad starts radiation treatment on monday to target that spot of MCC on his left cheek. the drs in seattle have been consulted and the oncologist and radiologist have set the course for treatment. 17 consecutive business days starting monday, 11/3.

so, with dad starting treatment and mom with a broken shoulder, we are all going to need "a little help from our friends". whether it's a meal for the folks or taking one of them to an appointment, if you can lend a hand, please let us know. and as you already know, prayer is always welcome!

**can you hear that Beatles song?

vacation

as i write this i am listening to a blustery wind outside my window at our friend's home in Weed, CA. that's right... Weed, CA. brian and i planned a vacation to first drive to San Jose to take the kids to a children's museum there and then head on up here to Weed a stay for awhile at our friend's place where we spent some extended time last year. we asked dad and mom if they'd like to join us and the answer was an emphatic "yes!".

so here we are. San Jose was great. mom and dad got a chance to visit our friend Charles who was the caregiver and "adopted son" to mom's great aunt maryann, as well as visit the site where maryann and her husband carl are buried. up here in Weed, we are in the shadow of Mt. Shasta [which has very little snow on it... surprising for this time of year!]. we've had the chance to see many of the local sites in the "state of Jefferson" and visit Mt. Shasta City and the headwaters of the Sacramento River, McCloud and the reservoir 10 miles outside of town [great fishing... dad and brian caught 9 rainbow trout! mckenna was the official "netter"], and our friends' Dale Creek property. we even took a drive up to Medford, OR, to tour the Harry & David plant and then to Ashland, OR, to visit Lithia Park and walk the town. the fall leaves are so beautiful up here... we all can't seem to get enough of that "eye candy"! it truly shows the handywork of our Creator.

we are having a great time up here. thanks to all who are praying for us.... keep up the great work!

dad's birthday

my last post mentioned a surprise in store and many of you know what that surprise was... it was a birthday party. SURPRISE! and was he surprised. about 35 of his friends and family came out for the fun. he didn't know what was happening. he thought he was just coming over to our house for a quiet birthday dinner. i will post pictures soon.

so many thanks to all of you who sent cards, letters, flowers, goodies and donated blood. dad said it was his best birthday ever and in all his 80 years, he had never had a surprise party thrown for him!

so happy birthday, dad. you've arrived at 80 with style and class. and we are so glad!