This is the last post

Most of you probably know this by now, but Bonnie passed away on Wednesday. Thanks to all of you for all your support and love. I don't have it in me right now to write a long tribute, so I'll end with this:

"When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."

-Stuart Scott

You can see her obituary and information at this website: http://www.utahvalleyfuneral.com/obituaries/Bonnie-Walton/

I think this is it.

Since I was told I likely had less than 6 months to live, life has been a little bit dreamlike. I had so many things I've wanted to do, but, hey - 6 months is relatively long - I could get around to it eventually. No big. And I've felt pretty good-healthy, positive, able to do the things I needed to.

But now, things have changed. Again. I am the boy who cried Wolf yet again. A few weeks ago I could walk, sit up, roll over, all the toddler milestones. Maybe even muster up a smile. Unfortunately, now, a bump on a log has more mobility than I do. It's clear that things have taken a turn for the worse. The cancer in my spine is siphoning the life out of me. Current estimate of my expiration date is in 4 - 6 weeks. And I've lost so much function that I feel I've wasted huge amounts of time I could have been spending with my family and kids.

So now it's time to kick it into high gear.

We're going to Disneyland! What are your best tips for doing Disneyland with kids? Any secret places we should know about? Kid favorite rides? Awesome food? Places to nap?

Christmas

Christmas happened, I promise, I'm just terrible at documenting it (historically as  well).

Lydia turned 5!

We're working a little backwards here. 

Clear back in December Lydia had a fun Princess party. She even had a special Royal visitor, Rapunzel! 

She was so fun - she sang a Princess song, talked to each of the girls, and did a fun craft. We ate cake, opened presents, and took pictures. Easiest party ever.

Princess cake made by my Mom!

And the next day she got a new bike!

And another cake!

Happy Birthday, my big Lydia!

Rafe turned 3!

We had a blast celebrating with this little (big) guy, and some cousins and friends at a construction themed birthday party.

The kids all looked so cute in their construction hats and aprons (thanks, Home Depot!) while they decorated little buckets and shovels.

My Mom made this fantastic cake because she is a cake-decorator extraordinaire.

The kids loved knocking down "buildings" with our "wrecking ball."

And digging in the sand for some treasures was fun (although it precipitated the only meltdown of the party - by Lydia).

We drew with chalk!

The Moms talked.

We didn't get great pictures of it, but Olive did a great job helping the kids with a traffic cones ring toss.

Cake, ice cream, and presents rounded out our party.

I really appreciate all the help I received from my entire family to pull off this fun party. We hope everyone enjoyed it!