Since we were unable to get Christmas cards out this year the way we normally do, we put together this short slideshow. It takes a minute to load, but it's cute! Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Update on Brett - and- Mark rides a bike!

Brett's surgical procedure to remove his Broviac central catheter was successfully performed last Friday, December 11. He also had a bronchoscopy done. Pretty much anytime he has to go under general anesthesia for any reason, they will want to do a "bronch." This is where they go in with a camera and look around. If there are airways that are plugged with thickened secretions, they can inject a little bit of saline into that airway (called a "wash") that clears that one airway. The thickened secretions that are removed become the culture that they can set aside and see what type of bacteria are growing in the lungs - thus knowing better whether there is an infection, and if there is, what antibiotics work best on that particular bacteria. So far, the cultures have only grown oropharyngeal flora, which is good news. The bronch did show that Brett's airways are inflamed and swollen. Since this is the first bronch he has had when he is "well," there is nothing with which to compare this newest bronch. It is hard to tell if he has a virus coming on or if this is the way his lungs normally are. And there is no way to know as of now. He carried a fever for a bit after the procedure, but pretty much felt back to normal within a day. He is back to his regular smiley self!!

Mark rode his bicycle without training wheels for the first time tonight! Here is the link to the cute video if you'd like to take a look!

YouTube - Mark riding his bike for the first time.

Christmas Decorating

Once home from our last hospital stay over Thanksgiving, we set out to decorate the house for Christmas. Mark especially loves doing this at his age. Here's what we put together.

Mark decorating the tree

Mark's favorite part is putting the angel on the top

The mantel - this is a new set-up for this year. Everything is completely new! Do you like it?

Even Brett and Gantt got into the spirit!!

Upstairs handrail

The Gingerbread House Mark made -- and ate

Our Christmas cards - thank you everyone! I'm sorry we did not get any out this year! (Been a little busy...)

The tree - we love it!