Birthday Party for Livi and Ryker!

Okay, so needless to say I went a little overboard this year with the kids birthday party....let me explain, Ryker's birthday is on the 19th and Livi's is on the 28th so until they ask other wise Im probably going to do their party together. Since they basically have all the same friends right now anyways. With lots of help from family the party was an absolute success! I could not have done it with out amazing people helping me with the planning, setting up, or the budget. What great people we get to have in our lives!

Birthdays have a whole new meaning to us this year. It wasnt just celebrating the fact that these wonderful kids were born, but that I still have them in my life. I remember sitting in the hospital after Livi was diagnosed and not ever thinking that she would see another birthday as horrible as that sounds, or that she would ever even get to go home. Look at us now. What a wonderful day! I thought I was going to be a mess and going to be stressed, but no...everything was absolutely perfect!

Birthday girl was all smiles today! (even though she was on those pesky steriods)

A part of the birthday crew enjoying the delicious food prepared by my mom, dad and sister

I think the grown ups were more into this blow up toy than any of the kids, it was seriously awesome to take out some serious rage that anyone might have had!

Rykers and Livi's AMAZING cakes were actually donated by Adriana Brenda Arciniega White a wonderful friend that we made this last Christmas when she had heard about our darling Livi from a fundraiser that Kids Village had for us. The cakes were the perfect touch.

Thank you again!

After all the guests left we just played on the bouncey houses by ourselves before Jump for Joy came to pick them up. What a wonderful day! Thanks to everyone who came out!!

May Clinic VIsit

Livi just got Vincristine this clinic visit, she has been doing so well at home with only a few pukey episodes and minimal leg pain that was easily maintained with pain relievers. No fevers this month just lots of summer fun. With school out we have been swimming, going to park and lots of playing outside!

Here is our good friend Oliver, we see him almost every time we are at clinic. Livi and Oliver love eachother so much and its so wonderful to see all of the wonderful volenteers that dedicate so much time at Primaries, the animals and people alike. I love the excitement and warmth it brings to Liv's face, she is an animal lover and I never see a bigger smile from her when we are at clinic than when she is around the animals.

Vitals like a champ!

Getting ready to access Ariel's port with the child life specialist, Rochelle.

A little grouchy today...

Getting ready to get accessed, it seems to be getting much easier these days, she still flinches but at first she doesnt even want anyone to hold her hand (I end up holding it to keep her from pushing the needle away at the last minute) but she tries and has all the determination in the world, and thats all that matters.

Scrub scrub scrub!

Good job!! She actually thinks its super cool to watch her blood come out, she is so interested in all of the things going in and out of her body.

Clinic Stats:

Weight: 42.6 lbs

Height: 106.8

ANC: 6.0

2011 Dance Recital

Livi started dance in October of 2009 she loves it and really is a natural, so I didnt want to keep it from her. She loves music and her favorite thing to do is dance around the house listing to Justin Bieber or Enchanted. This year her recital was at Mountain View High school, and the whole family was so excited to see her stuff!

After wards she got flowers from grandmas and grandpas, she was so excited.

Here is Livi with her adorable cousin Kynzie, we were so lucky to get them in the same class this year! I was so happy Livi had a friend I had put her in dance before I put her in school and I was so nervous to see how the other kids would treat her when she didnt have any hair. But with her best friend by her side, she was as confident as ever!

And she did an amazing job! You would have never noticed that she was sick or had been sick or that she had missed half of the classes! What a sweet baby girl I have.

Pre School Graduation

This year Livi was able to attend a little bit of school, she probably got to go a total of 2 months, but she loved every second of it. It was so cute watching her go into class and all of her little class mates greeting her and hugging her. The sweet heart just soaked up every second of it she could. She learned a lot this year and I attribute that to her amazing teacher Mrs. Rebecca, she is so wonderful and was so awesome about making sure no one was sick and making sure everyone used sanitizer. We love Kids Village and look forward to Kindergarten there next year. Thank you to all of the wonderful staff that made this year so wonderful for our family.

This is Livi last year at her last preschool graduation with Ryker, Daddy and Mommy, just 3 months before she was diagnosed.

And this was our little angel this year. Who looks happier than her? There was no wiping that grin off her face today! We are so proud of you Livi Lou!

Her with her cousins and best friends Jarrett and Kynzie who came to support Livi.

Here is the family shot from this year, our lives have done a complete 180 since the last graduation ceremony we attended but at least we are all still together and nothing makes me happier.

April Clinic Visit

Well we made it through Maintenance course #1! The courses consist of 3 month cycles, the same 3 months over and over for the next 2 years. And yes only going to clinic once a month still is heaven, we love it! This month at clinic Livi got her dose of Vincristine and a LP with Methotrexate. First LP in 3 months, wow going from getting them so often to only once every three months is so wonderful words can not describe, no more head aches, back aches...This time daddy got to come with us too! Chase has only been to clinic a few times and I think this was his first time experiencing the whole RTU (rapid treatment unit) thing. I forgot my camera this time so I dont have any pictures :( But here are some of Livi's hair, its growing like crazy!

Clinic Stats:

Height: 107.5

Weight: 19.5 Kg (42.9 lbs)

HCT: 34.8

WBC: 2.1

ANC: 1.10 (1100)