Happy Easter!

Wednesday, last week, was parents/grandparents day to watch what the little ballerina's have been learning.  My camera battery died within 2 minutes of it.  Payton, as usual, was shy at first, then joined the group.  Still not sure why she's like this.  They were so cute!  Sorry for all the videos, but I have to keep them somewhere!

Sitting in the back "warming up"

Thursday, I had to drop Griffin off with Granby and Grumps, as we were heading to the beach, for a friend's wedding, for the weekend.  We decided, because of late hours, and lack of a real schedule, Payton would probably be okay, but definitely not Griffin.  I spent a little time with the kids before leaving him.  I missed him SO much!

4 Wheelin'

Right before leaving Griffin :(  At least he was happy!

JUMP!

Payton, Brian, and I spent Thursday night in Mt. Pleasant, SC, with a dear friend of mine from Junior High and High School.  We.Had.A.Blast!  Jenny and her husband, Will, have two beautiful girls, Camden and Riley.  Payton thought they were the coolest kids ever. Jenny and I got in a good run Friday morning, and her neighborhood is gorgeous!  It was nice to have a running partner.  We will definitely be going back to visit this summer, as our visit was way too short!

Payton putting the choke hold on Camden (left) and Riley (right)

Almost sunset

Payton looks so grown up here!  She LOVED the "big" girls.

Mommy and Daddy

Me and Jenny...just like High School.  But with wrinkles.  And wine ;)  Wait, we "may" have had wine in HS too?  Nah, wine coolers back then.  Lol.

Payton and Camden's Girl Band

We checked into our condo on Friday, at Folly Beach.  We played on the beach, while the rehearsal was going on, then had a beach lunch.  That evening Payton was left with some babysitters (and the other kids) while we went to dinner, then Brian went out with the guys for the bachelor party.  Payton, because she stayed up so late the night before, and had a cold, was a BEAR. To us.  The babysitters, kids, etc.  She didn't want ANYONE to touch her except for me.  It was a trying evening, and into Saturday.  We made the best of it, and continued on with our weekend...in Charleston, Folly Beach, and the wedding.  I very much enjoyed my sunrise beach run...I could definitely get used to that!  The wedding was beautiful, Payton, for the most part, behaved, and we had a great time.

Payton enjoying her new DVD player, an early birthday present from Granby and Grumps, on the way to the beach.  We now have two DVD players, and the kids will be allowed to watch them on "long" trips. Payton asked me, last week, if going to school was a "long" trip.  She's already working the system!

Payton wanted to stick her toes in the water.  The look on Brian's face says it all.

The cold water didn't stop her though!  (and didn't stop me when I was a little kid)

Payton and Kennedy playing on the beach

Going over the Ravenel Bridge (the one I run over each year in the Cooper River Bridge Run)

Finally calmed down for the baby sitters, and they had a fun bath :)

Gorgeous morning beach run!

 

We went into Charleston and had fun!

Payton was making a wish (and keeping it in her head) before tossing in the coin

Ravenel Bridge.  2 miles of pain!  lol

At "The Battery"

WE were having lunch.  Payton was having a short nap.

Before Payton fell asleep, I told her about some froggies I had seen.  She wanted to see them when she woke up...like that was one of the first things she asked about.  So, off to see the frogs at the Folly Beach park.

Sidenote: I need a tan.

Walking to the beach wedding

There were comments from EVERY ONE who walked by about how pretty Payton was!  She was eating it up.

Grant, waiting for his beautiful bride

The wedding party

Pam, the gorgeous bride, and her sweet Mother, Elaine

Kennedy, Pam and Grant's precious little girl

The kids took over the dance floor.

Payton (almost 3), Kennedy (3 in July) and Christian (3)...check out that hair!

Someone was excited about her chocolate covered strawberry and wedding cake!

While we were gone, our dear friend, Kim, was keeping the dogs. The dogs LOVE her, her kids, and her big fenced in backyard.  They are comfortable over there, and we are so thankful for her.  Also, her chihuahua thinks he's the man when they are there. (THANK YOU KIM!)  Emma has not been eating, and has lacked energy to do anything, for some time.  Fast forward to Monday...her vet appointment.  She has blood in her urine (possible UTI) and has lost 15 pounds since November.  She hasn't been eating.  The vet doesn't see any signs pointing to cancer, which I am so thankful for.  I had to go through that with Bailey.  BUT, there is definitely something not right.  Fast forward...the results:  Emma's blood work was normal in June.  Yesterday 3 of the categories were off the charts, indicating possible kidney infection, or renal failure.  Also, because of chronic diarrhea, she's been losing protein.  So, the vet suggests we bring her in for 48-72 hours for monitoring.  While there, they will flush all the toxins out of her system, suggest some new (awful tasting) food, which should help balance some of the levels, and watch her.  Improvement from this treatment is the best case scenario.  Worst case is that it is renal failure, and we will "keep her comfortable" until the inevitable.  It breaks my heart.  I went through Bailey having cancer, and it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  You know, when they are cute little puppies, that this time will come sooner than you ever hope for, but it never gets any easier.  We are praying for the best, and hoping it is just an infection.  And a big thank you to all our friends for reaching out, and offering to help. We appreciate you more than you know. We'll keep everyone posted. 

She just looks sick.  Doesn't perk up.  Breaks our hearts :(

We've been so busy that we haven't had much time to catch up with Nana and Granddude, except through their blog, and a Skype call last week.  It sounds like Janet has gradually had a little more energy, and even was able to walk more than a mile over Easter.  The pain meds she's on is contributing to her fatigue in between her spurts of energy.  She's anxious to get her drain taken out this week.  After further hormone testing, they have suggested her course of treatment, moving forward, to be Herceptin therapy.  If she chooses to do this, it is supposed to attack any aggressive cells which may not have been caught, and removed, in the surgery.  She'll meet with her oncologist, toward the end of the month, to discuss the pros and cons of this type treatment, and make a decision.  We're hoping she feels up to visiting soon, as I know the kids, Brian, and I would love to see her :)  Again, here's her blog/Carepages site, so you can get up-to-date, and more specifics on Janet's positive progress:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/janeth

We hope you had a "hoppy" Easter!  We are in full swing of "birthday week" for Payton.  She was treated to her first pedicure last night, and I'm afraid I may be creating a monster.  She loved it, and is ready and willing to show her sparkly toes to everyone (they alternate between purple and pink sparkly toes).  We'll be celebrating her THIRD birthday at the beach this weekend!  It will be my 9th time running the Cooper River Bridge Run, and although I've been pretty slack on my training lately, I'm excited for the run, the birthday, spending time with friends, and the BEACH!

The Easter Bunny came to visit Payton, but it was at the beach.  We were packing up, so no pictures :(