Simone's First Sledding Experience!

These pics were taken back at the end of November, but here is Simone's first time sledding!!
She was less-than-thrilled most of the time, due to hardly being able to move in her snow outfit, but she was definitely interested in what was going on. I think she thought the whole thing was just bizarre. Enjoy!




Simone watching Daddy make snow angels!

Where Did Christmas Go???

Wow, I have no idea where the holidays went. Simone had a wonderful Christmas! We had so much fun now that she was a little older this year and could unwrap presents, play with her cousins, and overall just enjoy it more.
I'm too lazy to write captions on all of the pics below, but they're from a party at the Popp house, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Enjoy!

Popp Party





Christmas Day at Nicole's Aunt Bobbi and Uncle Jeff's House:











Christmas Day morning at home, when Mommy got home from work. Simone opened her presents from Santa and Mommy and Daddy!





Christmas Eve night at Greg's Aunt Sue and Uncle Tim's House:





Christmas Eve Day at Nicole's Dad and Kathy's house:

Health Update

I realized it's been quite a while since I've done a health update, so here we go!

-I had another full body CT scan in November (it had been a year since I had one) and it was ALL CLEAR!! YAY!!

-I had my 4 month check-up with my oncologist in December- this also went great. My blood levels were all good, and they tumor markers that they check for were also all within normal ranges. GREAT NEWS!

-I have a breast MRI coming up in the next few weeks, I'll keep you posted on that.

-My stomach for the most part has been great. I still have my days, but I've been able to eat much more normally. We just took a trip to Jamaica, and I ate some REALLY spicy foods down there, and my stomach handled it great. That made me much more brave to start eating some other things now. I'll still take it slow, but it's been so nice!!

-I feel like my energy level is SLOWLY getting better and better. I started working out again after Thanksgiving, and am back to running a little. I can run a couple of miles without completely falling over, which I am pretty proud of! Hey, it's not the marathons I used to run, but you gotta start somewhere!

That's about it! All good news! I still hope and pray that all of my upcoming tests continue to have wonderful results and that this cancer stays away FOREVER. I can still use your prayers, too!! But, each test that goes by that is all clear gives me more and more peace of mind.
I just celebrated my 33rd birthday and plan on celebrating MANY, MANY more!! Here's to a HAPPY, HEALTHY 2011 (and my first year with NO chemo in 2 years!).

Simone Is Walking, Ya'll

Greg's B-day!

It was a busy weekend Nov 5th-7th...two parties at our house! Greg's was that Friday and Simone's party was that Sunday (pics further down in another post). Above- the birthday boy! He looks thrilled, I know.


Scott and Ryan- lovely.


Jackson and Simone having fun together!


Let's just say we had an incident that involved needing to dunk Braden in the tub. He had fun in the tub, though! (With mommy Jenny)


Ryan, Kevin, Joel


Parties are a tad different now that a lot of us have kids!!


Jackson entertained us all for a while! He is so funny!


We all ooohed and ahhhed over Ryan's new little guy Gavin. What a cutie.


Greg, Joel, Kevin


Alicia and Jenny


I don't know who liked this toy more- Jackson or Jenny.


Of course we had to break out the Wii. I don't think I've ever seen Kevin move so fast!


Or Greg!!

Thanks to all who came over to celebrate!

Simone is ONE!!!!!

I absolutely cannot believe that my little girl is ONE. No, I mean, I really can't. I don't know where the year went. All you parents out there know how crazy it is. And what a year it was....lots of craziness, of course, but the joy Simone brought Greg and me is just unbelievable.
We had just a little get-together with our family at our house for Simone's party, and it was just a perfect day. Above- all 3 of us at the end of the day, which is why Simone isn't looking too happy! It was naptime. She had a WONDERFUL day, though.



Some of the fam- Bobbi, Amy, Lucas, Grandma Joanie, and Carole.


Simone's "throne" all decked out.


It was crazy how nice it was for November! We were able to eat out on the deck!
Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Pat, Grandma and Grandpa Skoge, Grandma Joanie, and Sean and Liam.


Time to open presents! Uncle Tim and Auntie Suzie on the couch.


Wow, this opening presents thing is fun!!


Simone LOVED her play kitchen that she got form Brenda, Sean, Liam and Lucas.


Simone's smash cake, which she didn't smash- more picked at.



She did not know what to think of everyone singing to her!!


Simone and her big cake!


Liam was enjoying Simone's presents, too! This little cake was so adorable from Grandma Joanie.


Cousin Lucas passed out on Sean...too much partying.


Whew! The tired parents after a wonderful day.
What Simone is doing now:
Not quite walking on her own yet, but very close. Takes a couple of steps. Still walks around with her walker toys all the time. Aside from mama and dada, Simone's first word was "outside!" How funny is that? She says it clearly, too. She also says "Uh-oh," "cheese," and her version of "what's that?" (sounds like, "wha'sat?". LOVE IT. I can't remember what I put in the post from a couple of months ago, so I may repeat things, but she points to her nose, ears, and tummy when asked. She holds her play phone up to her ear like she's talking (hilarious). Brushes her own hair, and points to a lot of different objects when you ask her where they are. It's just amazing to me what a one year old can know and understand! I know I'm forgetting some things...but it's just so fun to see her learn new things and see the light bulb go on.
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, SIMMIE!!! Mom and Dad love you so much!!