Will's Birthday "Party"

All Will wanted for his 10th birthday was to ride in Uncle Peyton's plane down to Carrizo and hunt with him, John, Grandpa and Daddy. Peyton was happy to oblige and they had a great trip. Will shot a beautiful turkey while they were down there.

Wheels up!

Getting ready to board. Bailey came along to see the action.

Look at that beautiful turkey!

Home in Austin!

The best Christmas gift ever was Dr. Chao letting Mimi come home to Austin for good! She still has an appointment in San Antonio about every 2 weeks but that will become less frequent as she continues to recover and do well. We are so thankful! We never thought she would be home for Christmas. We are so thankful.

Pics from December

Fishing in Bertram. John loves to fish.

A complication of the blood thinners - subconjunctival hemorrhage in her left eye. It looks terrible but thankfully wasn't painful.

We all loved to do puzzles at the apartment.

BACK HOME! Mimi and Grandpa convinced Dr. Chao to let them go home for Thanksgiving. I think they were so happy to be HOME for a period of time.

Nana and Pop Pop came to visit for a few weeks. We thought they would stay a lot longer but they returned to Pittsburgh right after Christmas. This is our Thanksgiving meal. They stayed in the house in our neighborhood that Mimi and Grandpa own (and that we hope they will move into some day!)

Another bass caught by John at Bertram!

Matt bought a golf cart for the family for Christmas!

Will and I enjoying the hunt in Carrizo.

Alivia with her "babies" - Bubbles (front) and Hazelnut (back)

Alivia and Anna LOVE Hopdoddy's Burgers so I took them there one day as a special treat.

Putting up the Christmas tree!

Happy 10th Birthday Will!

Happy 10th Birthday, Will. You are a natural leader to your brothers and love to hunt. You are enthusiastic and know how to sway others to your side of any argument. You love listening to music and riding bikes. School isn't your favorite, but you have become so much more independent this year - there has been so much growth. I am proud of your diligence. You will be an entrepreneur when you grow up and I pray that you use your skills to bring Light to this world. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Hunter

What is your favorite color? Black

Who is your best friend? Tanner

What do you like to do? Hunt, Fish and ride bikes

What is your favorite food? Pizza

What is your favorite subject in school? Texas History

What do you want to remember about this age? "It is hard in school."

Discharge Day!

Mimi did so well after the transplant that she was able to be released 10 days after the transplant! We were all so excited! She never even had to receive a blood transfusion during the stay which is really amazing. She is such a fighter. Mimi and Grandpa rented a really nice apartment within walking distance to the hospital which has been a God-send. Grandpa was able to walk back and forth with ease and it is the perfect place for Mimi to go after the transplant so she is close to the hospital if needed.

DISCHARGE! YES!

Wheeling out to get picked up by Grandpa. It was pouring down rain!

The apartment across the street. We would often get take out or heat up meals that people had given to them. They have generous friends because Mimi is such a generous friend, also.

John's first BUCK!

 The only real positive thing about having Mimi in San Antonio is that it puts Grandpa closer to Carrizo. He went with Matt and the kids while I stayed in San Antonio with Mimi. I know he loves spending time out there. John shot his first buck with Grandpa during this trip! They plan to enter it in the contest at Los Cazadores.

John's FIRST BUCK! He shot it with Grandpa at Carrizo.