Our Trip to Oregon

In late January Jonah and I traveled to Oregon to spend time with John and Ellie. John has been diagnosed with Lymphoma, a type of cancer it was in the form of a painful tumor on his spine.  We wanted to be there to love them up and that is just what we did. It is amazing to me that I will remember so many incredible moments from a time that was really scary. SPOILER ALERT:  when we arrived we did not know how bad or "good" the cancer was. It turns out that it was "good" and John is undergoing radiation treatment as well as receiving antibiotics for an infection that was present in the tumor as well as the cancer. Thankful does not even start to cover the joy that is in our hearts when we think of this as the best possible outcome.
So, my memories. We arrive in Papa's room at the hospital and it's nap time. Jonah climbs up onto the bed with Papa and they both fall asleep. It's extra special because Jonah does not take naps outside his crib very often these days.
Our dear friend Mari and her family who put us up at their house, lent us a car seat, and gave us a "home" to come to while we were staying in Portland. Jonah loved playing with Mari's two kids!
After Papa was released from the hospital and we returned to Corvallis we were able to see our dear friends Chris and Gina and their girls Olive and Penny. It was so fun to see the kids reunited.
On the second weekend we were there we got to go to the coast for some R and R before Papa began his treatments. We had a spectacularly sunny time and got to see aunt Kari and play in the sun.
I truly feel it was a gift to be there with our family during a really difficult time.

A very special nap time!

Jonah saying vroom vroom

Jonah and Penny playing on the rocking horse

Jonah and Mor Mor playing with the hose at the coast

Building (and knocking down) his first sandcastle