Christmas, Sierra's Birthday, Samantha home 1 year, Logan done with chemo, Daddy's birthday, Lunar New Year...

There is so much that has happened during the past three months that I don't know where to begin and I know I will forget half of it!

Christmas was good. Logan was nearing the end of treatment and the two weeks before Christmas he didn't have chemo so he was feeling ok. Not great but at least not as bad as some weeks. This was our first Christmas with Samantha. She LOVED every minute, from the decorations to the food to the presents to everything in between. She even stayed in the church nursery for the first time just before Christmas.

Sierra had a great birthday. Her best friend was with us for the actual day and into the evening. We had Japanese, her all-time favorite since she was two years old (I was reading the journal I keep for her) and I made both brownies and cupcakes because she couldn't decide! For her party we had it at a miniature golf place. This was her first time ever not having her party at home. It was also the last. She didn't enjoy being split up from her friends (they were in groups for the golf, which we did not expect) and not being able to socialize and go at your own pace. It was too rushed so I didn't enjoy it either. The only good side is there was no mess to clean up. After the party she had her three friends who moved away last summer spend the night. She was sooooo excited not only for them to spend the night, but also just to see them. They used to see each other daily at school but had only seen each other once each since summer. They had a blast. Two of them adore Samantha so I got the night and the next morning off with so many helpers!

Samantha was home one year on January 22nd. Time sure does fly. She has really blossomed. We have been very lucky that other than some issues with her weight and eating (and normal adjustment issues) we have had a fabulous year and she has fit in perfectly with our family. She is a normal, naughty almost two year old but she is perfect. Sierra loves her more every day and cannot say enough wonderful things about her. She also loves to spend time with her and will do virtually anything with her. We have been blessed. I will go into more detail about her for her birthday post. She is quite funny and silly and I keep hoping to post a video. Some of the things she says are just beyond description!

Last month Logan's chemo finished and he is presumed to be in the clear. That is what we are all praying for. His initial scan came back with a spot on his lung and his repeat scan, which should have been last week, had to be postponed due to him being too ill. Hopefully it will be soon to put all of our minds to rest. His reactions to the chemo are still around and can apparently not only last several months after chemo stops, but can actually get worse. He will have to be checked monthly because of the type of cancer and his young age but we are all sure he will be fine.

Lunar New Year was tons of fun. We had several celebrations. New Year's Eve we went out to dinner, something we had never done before. Jeremy didn't like it but on New Year's Day we had another feast, this one at home. Our big feast was on the last day but unfortunately, my sister and her kids couldn't come due to illness, but we had friends, and for the first time, my parents came. Jeremy and I spent hours cooking and everything turned out really well.

There are tons of photos of our fun times and I'm now using a site where I can make things cuter and it's much easier. I just drop the photos in and add a few words. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox photobook