First Snow

Lotti had a great time hiking in the first major snow of the season this morning. Then again, Lotti has FOUR LEG DRIVE. Her mom forgot to bring her yak trax and ended up slipping and sliding instead of enjoying the scenery.

More Second Summer Hiking

Today we were fortunate to have beautiful weather when we hiked from Slate Mountain to West Fork. I know I keep on saying it, but I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful place, and even more blessed to have such wonderful and supportive friends, and several furry friends, to share the beauty with me.

Autumn Leaves

I'm finally feeling up to hiking again and Lotti is always ready for THAT action. The Second Summer we're having has provided many opportunities for beautiful hiking days.

I am blessed to live within minutes of many trailheads. And blessed to have wonderful friends to enjoy the beauty and fellowship.

(And their Motrin.)

More Hikes and More Indian Summer Photos to Follow......

Just Me and My Gal

Whooping Cough impacted our lives in a lot of different ways this year, but it probably changed Lotti's life the most of all. She didn't get to do any mountain biking, hiking, camping, or even much walking this year. But now that our beautiful autumn weather is here, I'm hoping to get out a little bit more. City Creek is really pretty and getting more colorful each day. And Lotti is ready to get back in shape. I guess I better get ready for that, too.



Cycling Soccer Samaritans

Aha! Another cyclist willing to help me retrieve my ball from the street.
Remember, friends, if you can get them to TOUCH the ball, the game is ON!

I've learned that the shorter the cyclist is, the more likely they are to stop and help me get that "out of reach" soccer ball.

Good luck in your own soccer game in your street.

Or in a bicycle lane. Or gutter.

Lotti Kinda Likes Soccer

Lotti's Slumber Party

Lotti had a week-long slumber party.

OMG, it was just WAY too much fun.

Oh, Rats!

Spent the weekend petsitting for Dona B. The latest addition to her menagerie includes a rat named Madision, which I nicknamed "Matilda the Mouse". I also sat Goofer, her long-time canine companion, and BB the Bassett Hound PUPPY, who is still definitely a puppy.

Who would have thought I could be in the same room with a big rodent, let alone FEED the thin? But Matilda kind of grew on me.

She is actually adorable, with a little pink nose, cute little ears, excellent manual dexterity, and beautiful brown eyes. I was pretty amazed by her speed, agility, and intelligence.

If I could bob that long, creepy, snake-like tail, we could become fast friends.

Alex, S.P.I.T.

We thoroughly enjoyed our recent visit from Stupendous Physician in Training, Alex. (Doctor In Training Superb was rejected for obvious reasons.) As usual, our visit was much too short, but it was more fun than an aunt should have.

The SPIT is fun and beautiful, but she's also extremely SMART. House, you better watch out for your job.

 Alex trying to teach some challenging students the health benefits of a nutritious breakfast.

 Al and her grandparents.

(And their dog and my dog.) 

Chauffering her grandmother.

Mom, me, and Al enjoying mom's backyard. 

It's quite apparent by now who the photogenic family member is.

Every time she visits, it gets harder and harder to let her go back to school. (Notice my gripping fingers.)

Don't know how I got to be such a lucky aunt. Oh yeah...I think it was a gift from my sister. Thanks, Sis!

Father's Day Visit from Nate & Kim

Had a great visit with Nate & Kim last Father's Day weekend. But it was way too short. They need to come back again soon!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

We love you!

We didn't give those Whooping Cough commercials a second thought. After all, we'd been vaccinated when we were little, right? But after a combined 8 weeks of being sick, 11 bottles of cough syrup, 4 misdiagnoses, 3 doctors, 1 case of pneumonia, 2 cases of severe bronchitis, 1 case of pleurisy, 1 torn tongue (from coughing so hard), torn rib cartilage TWICE (also from coughing so hard), 3 chest x-rays, 4 trips to the ER, 1 trip to urgent care, 3 trips to the doctor, 5 antibiotic prescriptions, 3 IVs of antibiotics, 1 nebulizer treatment, 3 inhalers, 2 rounds of prednisone, multiple pain medications, multiple natural remedies, 1 vaporizor, 1 humidifer, scores of sleepless night, thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of suffering, pain, and gasping later, it has our full attention. To all those we unknowingly exposed, we are very sorry. If you develop cold symptoms, please go to your doctor or clinic and get the quick and easy test. If you don't have symptoms, please go get a booster shot. They are only 80-85% effective and they only last 5-10 years, but it's much better than no protection. And beware that you can UNKNOWINGLY carry this highly contagious and air borne disease to your innocent loved ones. Kudos and gratitude to our beloved niece, a medical student, who suggested we be tested for whooping cough based on symptoms I emailed to her. She is going to make an amazing physician. To our friends and family and co-workers, thank you for all of your patience, compassion, and support during our continuing trial. We're both still very sick, but at least now we know why.

Six pokes later, I have learned to flush my own IV (Shelbe, I might be after your job), but I'm starting to feel (AND LOOK) like a human pin cushion.

I think I'll ask him to rob a bank. We're gonna need the money to pay our medical bills.

When we're not at the Emergency Room, we spend our leisure time in the ICU. Nice folks. I wanted to get photos of Wade, Nathan, and Paulette, but those ICU nurses are kind of busy. Go figure.

My newest hangout. They bring me pop and let me crochet and watch TV. But you know, nice as they are there, this is NOT my idea of a good time. And two afghans later, we are still suffering with no end in sight.

Sure wish our Pertussis would have been diagnosed before it got to this all-consuming point. But maybe God wanted to use us to educate others. Or maybe He wanted to teach us patience. Whatever the lessons we're supposed to learn, I hope we're learning them. And I hope others will benefit from our experience.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED, STAY CURRENT ON YOUR BOOSTERS, AND EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

And to anyone who thinks Pertussis isn't serious, come on over! You can watch us cough til we puke and our rib cartilage pops. Then for an encore, we'll writhe on the floor gasping for air for several terrifying minutes.
All brave souls are welcome to come share the fun!

Whooping Cough Facts That Surprised Us (May Surprise You, Too!)

Pertusis (Whooping Cough) is a nasty disease. There is NO CURE and NO TREATMENT. It is spread by a highly contagious airborne bacteria. Some doctors believe that antibiotics that are given early in the illness may shorten the duration of the illness. Unfortunately, Whooping Cough is very seldom diagnosed early in the illness. The bacteria releases a toxin into your tissues, lungs, and larynx. That toxin takes approximately 100 days to dissipate despite treatment. Antibiotics may kill the bacteria, but you just have to wait out the toxin. The classic "whooping" occurs in 50% of cases and usually doesn't occur until the 3rd or 4th week of the illness. Immunization is only 80% effective and that protection lasts for 5-10 years. For every case that is diagnosed, there are 49 cases which go undiagnosed. Whooping Cough is also known as the 100 Day Cough because the illness lasts approximately 3 months. The worst symptoms usually occur during weeks 3-6. Complications from coughing so hard include vomiting, incontinence, broken ribs, torn rib cartilage, pleurisy, torn tongue tissue, bleeding in the eyeballs and the facial skin, and fainting. Pneumonia is also a complication which occurs in 5-10% of Pertussis victims. Immunizations are normally NOT given to people 65 years or older. Severity of the disease varies. Some people have a "regular" cough for several weeks. Others experience the whooping, painful, all-consuming cough for months. Fatalities occur most often in babies. However, fatalities can also occur in teens and adults with complications such as pneumonia. Underfunded and understaffed health departments are having a difficult time educating the public about this highly contagious disease and the importance of keeping current on their vaccinations. People with a mild case may not know they have Pertussis and unknowingly spread it to others by air. You can get Whooping Cough multiple times in your life. GET VACCINATED!

City Creek

A little more hiking with Kelly, Carole, Jack and Lotti this weekend. We were fortunate to have good weather and we ran across some big game this time (mama and baby moose). Lotti was smart enough not to try to herd them, which was amazing.

 Still trying to get Lotti to be as well behaved as Jack, but I think it's a losing battle.

 Lotti was beat when we got home, but despite her fatigue, she would NOT give up the tennis ball she found on the hike.

Women with a Common Purpose

We hiked Chinese Peak Saturday. Fun AND challenging, but we made it.

Lotti had to wait for me a few times. Okay, well, MORE than a few times.

More like constantly.

The snow didn't help matters, but it sure was beautiful.

Despite the weather forecast, we lucked out and had beautiful weather.

Next week? Kinport!

Well, maybe HALFWAY up Kinport?

Sydnie Turns FOUR!

Time flies on. It's hard to believe that Sydnie is already FOUR!

 But we had a wonderful time celebrating with her.

Just like her grandpa, she gets cuter every year.

 Her awesome big brother helped her celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Sydnie!

Love, from Grandpa & Grandpa. (And Lotti, too!)