Cabin Time!

We were able to go to a cabin in the mountains, near Kolob outside of Kanarraville, UT, with some of our friends last weekend.  It was so much fun.  We went fishing, ATV riding, shot guns off the porch, and ate good food.  The kids were catching more fish than the adults (with their Batman and Toy Story fishing poles mind you).  We are so lucky to have such awesome friends.  These are some of the pictures from the trip, thanks to Jon Allsop.  Can't wait to do it again next year:)  

Fishing by the pond

Late night guitar playing

Some more guitar

Relaxing in the cabin

Corey in his happy place...fishing!

The view from the porch...so pretty

I love this picture..Corey and Chad

Picture of the cabin

Corey helping me put on the lure

Any time we go fishing, it is pretty much Corey helping me unsnaggle the fishing line I get caught on weeds, rocks, etc...ha ha.

Crazy Ride!

I would consider myself a pretty closed book.  I don't like opening up too much, which is why I am kind of hesitant to write this post.  But, I do know that I want to remember the experiences I have, and I won't do that if I don't write them down.  So I write this more for myself (it helps writing it out).  This past year has been a pretty crazy one.  Last October on a Saturday I found a lump on my throat and went in that next Monday to the doctors.  After getting referred out to my endocronologist, I was referred for blood work, an ultrasound of my neck and a biopsy.  This process took over a month or so and on December 22, 2011 I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.  Being told you have cancer is the most surreal moment.  You kind of expect it when they are doing biopsies and all these tests, but nothing can prepare you for it.  The doctor said the prognosis was good, but there would be some hurdles first.  I had surgery January 17, 2012 to remove my entire thyroid (I am now on thyroid medication which I take every morning).  In April, I did one round of the radioactive iodine treatment to kill any remain cancer cells.  That went well and after doing a whole body scan my doctor said the cancer didn't spread and that the radiation worked and everything was where he wanted it to be.  I will be following up every six months for a LONG while.  I go back in October to follow up.  It's been a crazy ride, but I have been able to grow a lot from it as well.  I feel grateful for an amazing husband who has been by my side EVERY step of the way.  I feel grateful for the knowledge and peace that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I KNOW that trials help us to grow, otherwise we just sit around not learning or changing.  Life is good:)      

Right after surgery

Steinberg Diagnostics, where I became radioactive :)

Disneyland Trip - 5/5/12

We did a Disneyland trip before McCall left on her mission.  It was so much fun!  

The Amazing Race

Andrew's 30th Birthday was one for the ages.  Andrew's wife Brooke, made the Amazing Race come to life.  We were Team Black for the Amazing Race.  We went to various locations on the strip and ended up in 5th place...not too bad.  Our goal was to not end up in last place...mission accomplished!

Before the race began

Andrew's team

During the race

One of the challenges during the race

Sisters

One of the challenges

Happy 30th!

My dad looking ridiculous :)

A Wonderful Night

My beautiful sister, McCall received her mission call to the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission in February.  She went through the Las Vegas temple on April 27, 2012.

My wonderful parents and McCall

The siblings 

The Las Vegas Nevada Temple

After McCall went through the temple 

We celebrated McCall going through the temple and my Dad's birthday 

Happy Birthday Dad - 4/26/12

Some More Pictures Maui 2012

Lahaina, Maui

Lahaina, Maui

Bubba Gump's Restaurant

Cool church in Makena

Big Beach and Little Beach 

Maui is beautiful!

Remains of lava flow

Pretty views

Pancho was a must, didn't care how ridiculous it looked

View at Black Sand Beach

So sad to be flying home