I don’t know why we hadn’t thought of doing this before, but Lacey, Becca and I finally decided to get together and have a girls night. We didn’t have much of a plan, but decided to make some cute crepe paper flowers to decorate for Valentines day. Tom was even able to take Lilah to scouts with him so we would have the night to ourselves.

We ran to the store and grabbed some pipe cleaners, which was the only purchase we had to make. The rest of the stuff we already had on hand. We had a great time and made a bunch of flowers. We made enough for everyone to have a little table display. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of us all together. Thanks again girls! Can’t wait to do it again.

We love living so close to some of my family and really enjoy the time we get to spend together. Lacey and Travis were nice enough to invite us over for dinner at Travis’ apartment. Lacey made pizza with a whole wheat crust and basil, chicken topping! Everything turned out great and we had a really fun time. Lilah loved getting to see Travis’ lizard.

Here’s Lilah, in a pair of boots that belongs to Travis’ roommate.

The very next night, we headed over to Houston and Becca’s apartment for some delicious homemade soup! We felt so spoiled! Two delicious dinners that we didn’t even have to make. We were able to bring a side dish of our garden carrots to Becca & Houston’s place. I’m still so amazed that you can leave carrots in the ground all winter without them getting limp or going bad! You just go out and dig them up as you need them! Garden carrots always taste much better than store bought ones too. Lacey and Travis came over as well and we all enjoyed the time to just relax and catch up. Lilah adores all of these people says their names all the time!

Thanks again guys! Wish we could see everyone else this often too!

We headed up to Idaho about a week after arriving home from our Boston trip. My mom started chemo on the 1st of December and we were fortunate enough to be able to head up there to help out. My mom is an amazing woman, and I look up to her so much. She has an amazing attitude about life’s trials and her unfortunate situation with cancer is no exception.

We actually stopped in Twin Falls for Tyson & Kaylee’s wedding dinner that Friday night. My parents and little brother Cole met us there. It was fun to be able to see so many family members on the Haworth side. We spent the night there in Twin and attended their wedding in the Twin Falls temple in the morning. The ceremony was beautiful and I found myself feeling very grateful for my own eternal companion. I can’t believe that it has almost been 4 years!

All the Haworth sisters with Grandma & Grandpa Haworth at the wedding dinner.

Tyson & Kaylee after the wedding:

We drove up to Boise that afternoon and attended their wedding reception in downtown Boise that night. The Boise temple is closed right now for maintenance, and that is why they did the wedding in Twin Falls. Soon they will have 2 temples in the area! Boise will reopen and the Meridian temple will be build just a few miles from my parents home! We are all very excited!

I was fun to have Heidi, Cathy and Kylee come back to my mom’s house. We all went to the reception together that night then they all flew out the next day.

My mom’s 2nd treatment was the following Thursday morning. Her treatments usually last from about 9:30am-2pm. She meets with doctors & nurses, gets tests done, & gets the treatment. After her 2nd treatment we decided to go to a wig shop and pick one out. Mom hadn’t lost her hair by this point, but she could tell that it would be happening soon. We spent a good 2 hours trying on just about every wig in the shop! We had a good time and both decided that it was fun to at least pick whatever hairstyle you want when you loose your hair. Again, my mom has an amazing attitude. Here are a few she tried on:

We ended up picking 2 different wigs! They are quite different, and it’ll be fun for her to switch up which one she wears. It was a good thing we got the wigs so soon because just a few days after the 2nd treatment she decided to shave her head. Her hair was coming out in handfuls and loosing your hair is actually quite painful. It felt a lot better once it was all gone. She had me shave it. I forgot how cute she looks with her little bald head.

This kind of chemotherapy has been the most difficult. Her appetite goes, and the nausea and fatigue take it’s place. It’s been much worse than her last experience a couple years ago. It’s been hard to see my mom this sick, but it is much easier when I am here with her and can see it for myself. She has a way of making you feel happy and at peace with her condition. She is so strong and it is contagious. I have learned  so much from her positive attitude and faith. Thank you mom for being the most incredible women I know.

There was just too much to fit into one post, so here’s some great stuff from the second part of our trip—Thanksgiving through Dec. 1st. As you’d expect, we spent a lot more time around Hybid and the horses. While some of the kids were participating in a games rally (on horseback) Lilah discovered the egg and spoon game.

Lilah couldn’t get enough of her grandparents. She loved playing games with Grumpy…he even coached her on the ‘memoh’ (piano).

And while we made our share of messes, we were also able to spend a lot of time cleaning up and organizing the house. Mom helped us go through drawer after drawer of kids artwork, papers, photos, gems and junk. We bought and labeled bins so that everything has it’s own place. Which is no small feat, as those who’ve visited can attest.

On Saturday night Kristie and I left Lilah with Nana and Nina, and headed into Boston for a date night. We spent some time in Cambridge, grabbed dinner near Faniuel Hall, dipped into the Italian North End for dessert, and spent the rest of the evening walking and window shopping around Newbury St. and Boylston. Lots of memories there, so much fun to be back.

We also got a chance to head up to our place in New Hampshire for a couple days. Here’s a shot of handsome Wicky, looking manly.

On our way out of town we stopped by a small farm where my mom buys raw milk. They had all kinds of animals that Lilah absolutely loved—chickens, dogs, cattle, pigs, calves, horses, etc.

On our last full day in town, we decided to go to the New England Aquarium. That place seemed magical to me as a kid, and my return 20 years later didn’t disappoint. Lilah spent the whole time running around excitedly, yelling “Fis! Fis!”