Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Henry's to the Moon Memories: Toy drop number 2

We dropped off another batch of toys to Randall Children's Hospital on Monday. Over 140 toys, which makes a grand total close to 600 toys delivered. Not bad for our first annual toy drive. 


Nature

There was a lot of beauty at Champoeg Park. The empty trees with the blue sky back drops. Fallen leaves, flooded waters. It was lovely.






 Scooting down the path.

Camping: Champoeg

We went camping for two nights at Champoeg State Park with the Robert, Michelle, Paige and Presley. We had amazing weather, and a very fun time.
Our cabin.
 Owen posing on the picnic table. (he danced up their too)
 On a little walk, we found a stage. The kids played a bit up there.
 First night: chicken fajitas.

 The next morning was COLD, but if you give Owen a stick, he's quite content.

 And of course, a scooter.
 Paige and Owen posing for a quick shot on our walk.

 Owen found a lizard at our camp after a walk. I assumed it would be a small one, but this little guy was a good six inches.
 The kids really enjoyed watching it move, (slow) and protected it from all grown ups walking by.


 Petting furs at an interactive museum.
 On one walk, there should have been a path, instead there was a large flooded field. Fun to throw sticks into.

 Owen also found "helicopter" leaves, makes a good mustache.

 Kids at camp.
 Robert playing football with the kids.
We had a great two nights. I'm excited for our next camping trip in March, and for more camping trips here!

Monster Trucks

Lucas took Owen and Bob to the monster truck show last weekend. They had a great time.

 Big trucks...
 Cute boy.

 Their seats were front row. Loud, Dirty and very Fun.


Monday, February 10, 2014

Henry's to the Moon Memories: toy drive

Today, was the three year anniversary of Henry's cancer diagnosis. Another hard day, but we were able to turn it into an amazing day. We donated toys to Randall Children's Hospital, in our first annual toy drive.
A lot of toys.
 More toys...
 Wow.
 Where's the carpet, and where's the couch!
 We are so lucky to have so many friends and family support us, and donate to our toy drive!
 I think by doing good things, it makes Henry's memory even stronger.
 So, the weather cooperated and we had Nick help us bring two vans worth of toys to the hospital.
 It doesn't do it justice, but we filled up a storage room with toys. Jessica, from Child Life, will sort and distribute over 450 toys. (plus another delivery will happen next week, due to delay in toy drop offs from the weather)


 Lucas, Owen, myself, and Jessica

After giving toys, we visited the fourth floor and day treatment. We saw some of our favorite nurses, and saw all of our oncologists. So many emotions, mostly good. This amazing group of people were, and are, such a big part of our lives. I love them all.

Henry's Birthday

 Yesterday, was Henry's birthday. He would have been four. We had made "soft" plans to ride the MAX and maybe make a cake, but the weather was so snowy and icy, we stayed at home in our pajamas. It made me think that is was quite "Henry-like". We made plans, but they went another direction... and it was OK. By afternoon we ventured to the grocery store and bought a little cake. Sang/cried Happy Birthday, and enjoyed a quiet day. We cried, but we laughed. We survived another day...

Happy Birthday sweet Henry. To the moon...


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Snow day: number four/Henry's birthday

Today, is our fourth day of snow. It is also Henry's birthday. We are exhausted from playing in the snow, and also emotionally from the day. So, we are taking it easy. 
Owen decided to dress all in black like Luke Skywalker, so we decided it was a great day to watch Phantom Menace. It's not even noon, so I don't know what else we will do today. With the layer of ice over the few inches of snow... I think we are homebound today. I think I'm OK with that.


Snow day: three

The snow continued, so we continued to play!
Around our neighborhood.

 At Francis Street Park, we met up with the Podpah's to sled.


 Lucas, Nick, Owen, Brock and Porter (he is hiding behind Nick)
 Lucas and Nick riding down.
 Brock and Owen
 Three boys.
 Lucas and Kasi
 That's me in back, Lucas and then Owen.

 In the afternoon, we went sledding again with Bruce, Amy, Bailey and Zeke. It was a bigger hill, which meant faster runs, but longer walks up. Owen in blue, Zeke in red and Lucas in the middle.
 Zeke and Owen passed out up top.

 There was a stump in the middle of the run, it took our sled out.

 Owen LOVED it. He was a little tired on the walk back to the car, but he was quite brave sledding!