Noftle Family Blog

Christmas 2011--or the crazy cousin Christmas

2012-01-20T08:58:00.000-08:00

I know you get tired of me saying this--but my computer is not treating me right. It knows how little time I have for blogging these days but yet it will spend 30 minutes trying to load 4 pictures. I'm crying Uncle after several days of loading these few pictures and going with my standby, "you get, what you get, and you don't throw a fit!" Maybe after I get this post published my computer will drop it's grudge and let me load pictures---maybe. Holly and Brian's family came on December 24th and it was fun to have 3 of the 5 families at Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve. It's been a lot of years since anyone did that. We had the kids do a very quick nativity with the usual hurt feelings over parts---every girl always wants to be Mary, and since we had a real live little baby this was especially true. On the 26th Brenda and Heather's families rolled into Royal and all 19 cousins were together again. I noticed it's getting easier though--the kids are growing up and the amount of screaming isn't mainly made up of babies crying but mostly of boys getting rowdy! We spent 2 nights up at Ensign Ranch and for the first time there was no snow. The last night we were there it started snowing after dark, of course. The kids didn't care they went out in the storm that night to make sure everything they owned got soaking wet. The especially loved standing near the roof overhang waiting for huge "slides" of snow to fall on them--go figure.

Just the boys--this picture was the best of many, here I'll show you...

Trying to corral the 2 year old and catch the eye of everyone except Carter.

For a few minutes they found it impossible to stay on their feet.

The sisters, Brenda Courtney, Moi, Heather and Holly.

This one little baby was the most fought over baby -- ever. ONE because Anistynn is so snuggly and sweet to hold and TWO because you don't have to keep track of the other wild ones or cook while you've got the baby!

All 19 of them--in one picture--at one time--with no tears--will wonders never cease.

The girl cousins, I must say a much easier group to photograph! It is a big deal to the girl cousins that they have 10 girls and the boys only have 9--girl power---they need to Thank Matt and Courtney for the buzzer winning girl!

Another easy group of cousins to photograph. 10 of the 27 Andersen cousins got together at Matt and Courtneys during Christmas break. It was fun. Grandma Andersen got her reminder of why she should be glad she moved to a retirement home.

The directors of the family feud game and the hosts of the evening events.

Intense team trying to win--they didn't. David and Brittany brought their twin baby girls and Melanie brought her new baby boy and we supplied Anistynn---there was still fighting over babies. Apparently there just can't be enough babies to go around this family.

Sydney, and sparkly Sierra and a fashionably animal print clad Anistynn.

It's the nativity--Zoe and Adalynn stayed in character very well.

Sydney, Zoe and I made the worlds best brussel sprouts--not to brag or anything!

Sierra made "duchess" mashed potatoes for Christmas-big hit. Weirdly enough a bigger hit than the brussel sprouts!

Sammi managing to hide her face Christmas morning.

Zoe, Daddy, Jax and a brief glimpse of Sammi above. The Cougar Man below--Christmas day 2011. I swear Sierra and I were there too.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-30T18:59:00.000-08:00

I had a brilliant idea for this Thanksgiving--I would have each of my children make one of the dishes for our Thanksgiving meal. I also thought I would take pictures and blog/brag about it later. Here is Sierra on Wed. the first of the children to make her dish. She saw the Pioneer woman make mashed potatoes one time so, that is what she contributed this Thanksgiving. As a bonus I should add that I think they really were the best mashed potatoes I've ever eaten! I have to admit that having 5 kids cook--not my best idea. You can tell Sierra and I did well--smile on her face and mine when we were done. However, by the time Sierra finished, so had my patience. Jackson said he knew how to make his pie, they had done it in foods class. So I let him go---you can imagine the mess without my help. Plus Thursday morning I discovered (after he had left for the Turkey bowl game of course) that he hadn't put the filling in the pie shells after all and so he only gets 1/2 credit for the two pumpkin pies! Zoe had the assignment of fresh corn casserole. Only 5 ingredients---no problem---wait---problem--- she had to cut the corn off of 8 ears of corn. Can you say sticky, milky, messy. I don't need to say it, I lived it. Carter bailed on his green bean dish, I was thrilled to do it alone by that point though. Samantha managed to pull off homemade rolls Thanksgiving morning and they turned out yummy. You might be wondering why there are no pictures of Zoe and Sammi cooking---I told you I got over my enthusiasm for cooking with my children a little quicker than the project ended!

A close up of Sierra's masterpiece mashed potatoes.

The traditional Thanksgiving place cards that Sammi and Kylie made several years ago. This is the fewest we've ever had out for a Thanksgiving dinner. I was worried it wouldn't feel very 'holidayish" with such small numbers, but it was fine. Calmer than usual and we went to the movies together that night which reminded me of Thanksgiving nights in Moses Lake at Grandma Bishops house. The grownups would always drop us off at the movie theatre after Thanksgiving dinner--probably to enjoy some well deserved peace and quiet!

Carter enjoying his "trees pie". It is Grandma Louise's destiny to make Carter his favorite Cheese cake dessert every Sunday and holiday for the rest of her (or his judging from his weapons addiction) life!

Jackson is a bit proud of his 1/2 effort in the pumpkin pie department. (Yes Brenda I can see the picture was turned but I'm tired from the party at your house last weekend!)

Not related at all to Thanksgiving day, is this picture of the last Noftle child displaying his knowledge of shoe tying. We had no choice he told me Mr. Buster can't tie shoes, and it was getting embarrassing to keep asking Dylan to do it for him! Please pause to sigh over my baby growing up---speaking of babies growing up.....

I came across this today---Jackson's first ever dance picture --- SIGH!

Michael is a Chair

2011-11-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the 2012 Chair for the Irrigation Certification Board. Or is it the Irrigation Association Certification Board Chairman? Maybe the Chair of the Irrigation Association Certification Board. Anyway, Michael is (pick one of the above) THAT this year. What does that mean. I don't really know but here are my best guesses: more phone calls and decisions on certification appeals and disputes. Deciding on the agenda for the summer and winter meetings of the Certification board. Determining which "panels" certification board members are on. Making sure the work of the Certification board moves forward. More conference calls with the Irrigation Executive Board. He also has to talk today, and next year at the Certification Luncheon. Plus, correct me if I'm wrong dear, I think he is probably supposed to get fabulously wealthy this year and retire me from all housework and cooking duties. That's about it as I see it!

In other news navy ships are big y'all.

Included in the "other news" section, some limousines aren't so very, shall we say....elegant.

The chair of the Irrigation Association Certification Board, working the Nelson booth.

San Diego + Brenda = Sun (finally)

2011-11-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

California doesn't like me. Seriously. Several years ago the irrigation show was in San Diego, and it rained the whole time. This time we flew into town, we were here a few hours, and then the "Coastal Storm" came into town too. Saturday (yesterday) Brenda came to play and so did the sun. Today she isn't here and it's raining. I feel like Eeyore sometimes!

I begged Matt to send me a picture of his 4 daughters. Avery-7 yrs. Adalynn- 4 yrs. Aftyn- 2yrs. and Anistynn- day 1!! I love that Aftyn has the i-phone in her hand--I hope Santa brings her one. Anistynn wanted a little more rest under the Billi lights before she goes home. Her Mommy must have told her all about tanning beds in the womb!

Since Brenda brought "wheels" to town we headed over to old town when Michael's meetings were over. He had never been to the Mormon Battalion Museum and I hadn't been since they completely re-did it.

Brenda made bricks for me!

She pumps water too-really the most talented of sisters.

In her spare time she pans for gold.

the view of old town from the observation tower.

We ate at cafe coyote, it is the same place we all ate the night before Matt & Courtney done got themselves hitched.

see-proof

In case I haven't posted enough unflattering pictures of myself on this blog.

First we, then we, now we are....

2011-11-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

O.K. you all know me and blogger don't communicate well---and i don't know how to move pictures to be in the order I wanted. Soooo this is a "then we" had Halloween shot. Sammi and Jax went to Bailey's Halloween party. Sammi was Hermione Granger and Jackson was a "Chic Magnet".

"Then we" asked Mr. Buster if I could get a picture of him and Carter---Dylan, Detton, and Dracula liked the idea so much they jumped in.

This is Courtney and Heather on Halloween. When I left town they were both still prego. I only left two days ago. Heather had her baby yesterday the 4th and Courtney is having Anistynn today (the 5th) after being in labor all day yesterday and going in last night late. I made Courtney pinkie swear she would wait till 11-11-11, she is in big trouble with me--not Courtney, but Anistynn, impatient little girlie. She better love me the best! I had just published this blog post when Matt texted that Anistynn is here, safe and sound. 7lbs. 13 oz. 19 1/2 inches long. Can't wait to see her.

Zoe found that one of the wild kittens under our bushes isn't so very "wild". She really hates that we won't let it live in the house. But she can bring it in to "play" with it. I found these pictures plus about 40 more of "wild kitty" when I downloaded the camera card!

Really---I'm thinking of you kitty. Your life would be one of harassment if I let you live with us. We also have had trouble since the weather turned cold with our pantry to garage door staying shut. Why do I tell you this? Because we came home the other day after being gone a couple of hours to find it open. When we walked in a white streak of a "truly wild kitten" went through the kitchen and downstairs. We have the "truly wild kitten" trapped in the playroom/laundry room but have been unable to catch it for FOUR DAYS and counting. I have found poop to clean up. I hear it, and occasionally see the streak when I walk in to do laundry, but we can't catch the ~~dumb thing "~~truly wild kitty"! I wish Steve Irwin was still alive.

This picture is under the "now we are" section!! Michael and I are in San Diego. I took this Picture Thursday, the day we got here. Our view from the hotel room is awesome. I love watching the navy boats go in to port, and all the activity in the Marina. Yesterday RAINED and was so windy. Coastal storm according to the news. Brenda says California only gets storms when Michael and I come-yippee.

This belongs under the "first we" category. Before Halloween or San Diego, I went with Zoe on her walking field trip to the fire station. Not traumatic like Sierra's Kindergarten fire station field trip, thank heavens! Just one more reason Royal is better than Othello! Here she is with Miyah Lee.

In the obstacle course.

Team work

Mrs. Ziegler's cute class.

This is "then we" let Sierra have a Halloween party. 25 of her "closest" friends partied it up at our house. Fun kiddos.

More dim pictures to drive my sister Brenda insane. Your welcome Trevor!

Wait, hold on, before the Halloween party we went to Burke's pumpkin patch. The Burke's have 3 daughters, Reese is in Sierra's class, Sydney is in Zoe's class, and Jessie is in Carter's class. The family does this pumpkin patch for the girls---they help with the work, and then the 3 sisters get to keep the money--Zoe would like Michael and I to run a business and give her the money--she completely disregards the Burke girls have spent months weeding, watering, and working. Just hand over the cash.

Jonathon Burke getting ready to shoot the pumpkin cannon off. Carter doesn't need the money, just the cannon!

Our kids and Reese Burke(scarecrow)

Jackson had his last game on Halloween night. We were winning by enough, so Coach Allred told Coach Whittiker to get the ball down close, then give Jackson the ball and let him make the touchdown. Well the boys got the ball to the one yard line and something happened on the snap and we fumbled in the end zone, but luckily a Royal Knight lept on it for the touchdown. So then Coach Allred yelled down to give Jax the hand off for a two point conversion, instead of kicking. I wonder what the refs and other team thought of us going for two at that point?! Michael and others swear that Jackson broke the plane and had the 2 pt. conversion but the refs determined he didn't. As an added bonus he got tackled hard---HE WAS SO EXCITED!! The boy loved it. I love that our coaches have worked all year to let him play, yet keep him protected. However; when it came to the end of the season, and the game was well in hand, they took the opportunity to give him the ball. I, of course, missed all that since I took my 3 little ones trick or treating. I figured since they had sat through 4 to 5 games a WEEK since the beginning of September, and I mean literally 4 & sometimes 5 games a week with Sammi's volleyball and Jackson's football schedule, they deserved a break on Halloween. Really it would be cruel and inhumane treatment for them to miss trick or treating. The little kids have been pretty good sports about their big siblings sports. The traveling to away games hasn't been torture--maybe the Noftle's are growing up. Or maybe the new car is roomier than the Golden Terd and everyone is just enjoying the comfort and space! By the way Sammi has named the new car the "Silver Bullet". Don't feel too bad for the GT though. We intend to sell it, but not until we get the Green car going. Then the GT will get it's well deserved rest, with a nice family who lives on a farm.....

Ryan and Michael doing the "broadcast" for Royal Football. Every Friday night. We had to miss our first playoff game last night. So Michael and I listened to the broadcast in our hotel room. The game was ugly and we squeaked out a win. I'm so glad---for the team first, Jax second, and the coaches who work so hard. Plus my Michael was literally getting sick at the thought of the season ending.

Good natured Aftyn and her family attended all of Jackson and Sammi's home games this year. Usually with smiles on their faces too!

Sammi started out her high school freshman season on C squad. After about 3 games she and Robin got moved to the JV squad. Tough year for volleyball though. Only won a couple of games. Our girls sports need some TLC in Royal.

Sammi is a great player though. She serves well and dives all over the place to get the ball up to the setter.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....

This little boy got his Driver's license!!
It took two written tests, and 3 drives but he did it! The reason I put down how many times it took for him to pass the tests is that someday his kids will struggle with that too. I don't want him telling them "when I was 16 I took the test once and was done with it". No sir, let this blog stand as a witness for my future grandchildren!! Now, please consider this your public warning!! New teenage driver on the roads in Royal. Sammi and Jax have enjoyed his license very much. No more LONG walks to the seminary building in the mornings. And, since Sammi is done with volleyball , she hasn't even had to beg Jax to run her home after school before Football practice starts---imagine that!! I'm excited to have an errand boy, but I never thought considering Jackson's health that I could worry MORE about him. Turns out I can!

Sierra, Carter, and Zoe Halloween 2011.

Homecoming Week 2011

2011-10-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

Somewhere, is a picture of Jackson and Sammi on Pajama day---can't find that camera---so let's imagine them in pajamas----done. Now, let's pretend that homecoming week isn't the craziest, busiest most tiring week ever. And because it's not so tiring let's pretend I didn't somehow miss taking their picture on Color War day. O.K. now let's imagine Jackson in purple and Sammi in yellow----done.

Nerds from left to right are; Becca, Jax, and Sammi.

Friday, spirit day-at school Sammi got Jacob Lee's jersey and wore it all day and to the football game. The girls all try to wrangle jersey's from the football players. The girls are successful at it. The boys never try to wrangle the girls volleyball uniforms--phew.

Becca and Jackson's shirts for the homecoming dance.

The injured leg and the non-injured leg see if you can tell which is which.

Sunday it wasn't swollen. Monday it is, of course. A nice HARD swelling, why? Did they miss a broken bone? The boy can hardly stand to put any weight on it. I wonder how he will get around the High School tomorrow??

#15 Friday night at the Football game--it is always easy to find Jax on the Varsity sidelines, because he is never more than 3 steps away from Coach Allred. He still remembers Michael telling him in Jr. High to stay close to the coach in case they need to throw someone in the game you want to be the first someone they see--I bet Wiley would like to deck Michael for that life lesson.

Circus day, in case your confuzzed Sammi is a tight rope walker, or trapeze artist, you pick.

Someone has a camera that is worse than mine--Jackson. A picture of the two of them on their Homecoming date. First date for both. Ahhhhh so sweet!

Becca at the restaurant (I'm guessing here as ole' busted leg has gone to bed).

The "group" on their date. Becca Lee, Jackson, Amelia Roylance, Zachary Christensen, Katie Ellis, and Carter Christensen. First they went golfing, then out to dinner, then to the dance, then out to Allred's pond where a projector was set up outside for them to watch a movie. The decorated dinner table, hot chocolate and treats and movie were all the brain child of Carter's mom, Katie---she made the boys look good!

So did you notice the pictures of Jackson's right leg in all the homecoming splendour?? You did--I bet you want an explanation (Michael my love STOP reading now!!)

Soooo Saturday was a long day. Wedding in Moses Lake helping Jax look like a stud for his homecoming date, going to the restaurant to decorate the table, setting up outdoor movies, making lots of hot chocolate and waiting up to make sure we didn't have to nail him on curfew! Sunday was General Conference. Sierra and Sammi had been trying to get sick since Saturday, not too long. However, Michael was leaving for Texas Monday morning, to be gone until Friday, I had to Sub Monday, Carter and Zoe had Soccer games Monday, Jax had a football game Monday night in Wahluke, and Tuesday I was working again and Jax had to have his arm re-examined and re-xray'd from the break, and we would get home from the Doctor just barely in time for Sammi's volleyball game. Then on Wednesday I had to leave at 7 am to drive Jackson to Seattle Children's Hospital for Endocrinology, Oncology and MRI appointments. As they coughed their way through morning session Michael and I were debating---are they going to get over it, is it just a cold, will they get worse, do we wait till Thursday until one of their flaky parents has time to go to the Doctor. Zoe has a sinus infection, do they? Sierra gets pneumonia so easy....yada, yada, yada so it was decided Michael would drive to Moses Lake and take the girls to the walk-in clinic. So Michael and all his daughters left (Zoe claimed she was going to miss her Dad and she wanted to be with him---I think she was tired of church on t.v.!). I was watching the afternoon session with my sons when I noticed the frog Zoe had gotten from Allred's pond in August was finally dead (yippee!!). So when the first song break came on I asked Jax to take the whole 10 gallon glass tank out to the garbage and just throw it all away, so Zoe wouldn't know. He obeyed, but as he was throwing the tank away the frog hopped up (guess it wasn't dead, just holding really still!) and startled him. He dropped the 10 gallon glass tank on his leg and foot. The next thing I heard was Jackson yelling from the front door for Carter to bring him a towel that he could get blood on. So I got up, sighing the whole way, grabbed a hand towel and started walking up to the front door. That's when I saw Jackson standing in a huge pool of blood. I could see a chunk of the shin was cut and pouring out blood. So I took the towel and put pressure on the shin and blood started squirting out the top of his foot, which shocked me. When I looked at the top of his foot I felt ill, I thought I could see bone. I did the best I could putting pressure on both spots with my two hands and started yelling to Carter to bring the phone. Poor Carter, he did good following my instructions to dial Grandma's house even though he was scared and feeling sick. He was white lipped and sweaty and scared to see all that blood. He told me he thought he was going to be sick from the blood so I told him to give the phone to Jackson. Jackson was talking to Grandma in his usual slow, easy going, draw. I thought, good grief--so I started yelling at the phone, "Jackson tell Grandma to get over here, fast, tell her you are bleeding badly and I need help". Within seconds Mom's car could be heard tearing up the road to our house. Mom, Dad, Matt and Courtney all came. Mom grabbed another towel, Matt was elevating Jackson's leg and I was shaking like a leaf. It was such a relief not to be there alone anymore. Matt and Mom were both worried about the foot cut too--everyone time you tried to stop pressure it just spouted again and they thought they could see bone too. We pressed gauze in the major 3 cuts and Mom and Matt wrapped it tightly with an ace bandage. Dad started cleaning up glass and blood that was everywhere and Courtney was trying to get some color back in Carter when she realized all her kids were alone at Mom and Dad's and all of the adults were at my house! Oops. We put Jax in the car and elevated his leg, I sat with him and Courtney drove with Mom up front with her. We called Michael who was at this time in the Exam room with the girls and the Doctor. I had him ask the Doctor if we should go to the E.R. or the walk in. He said "Just tell them to come here and I'll give your family the group rate". At the risk of making Michael pass out I said, "let him know we think we can see bone in one spot---the Doctor asked is their any blood that squirts up without pressure? I told Michael yes and the Doctor said 'we don't want him here, tell them to go to the E.R.". By just saying that, we had, I know made Michael ill. By the time we got to the E.R. he and the girls were there waiting for us. We got Jax in and sat down but they had to bring us a chuck and garbage bag because he was bleeding through our gauze and ace bandage. The E.R. doc. said the foot wasn't cut to the bone but the white we were seeing were his tendons. They x-rayed for glass fragments and then checked his tendons which seem fine. Then finally stitched him 2 hours later. Big gappy stitches not close together---is this the "new stitching method"?? Honestly, I don't know because before now the only one of our kids to have stitches from an injury was Carter---and he had ONE stitch in his eyebrow. Jax had 5 in the shin, 6 on top of the foot and 2 on the back of the heel. Even Mom thought it looked strange you could fit several stitches in between his every stitch. His ankle is hard and swollen today, and so painful to walk on---this will be a long 8 days for him I'm sure. He did say more than once that he was glad it didn't happen before his big date! So today Michael went to Texas, Zoe, Carter, and I went to school and we left the sick and afflicted at home!

Sierra Joli Noftle part 11

2011-09-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

This outfit was the first complete outfit Sierra picked out from the store--it was her 5th birthday present wish, to shop for her own outfit. Have I mentioned Sierra mostly creates her outfits from hand me downs! She called it her cheetah outfit, it came with a pair of cheetah boots and a "kicky Beret" (name that TV show series).

Six years old, I wish you could see the pants better in this picture, crazy patchwork print, the hat went with it, there was also a Cheetah print in the pants and hat---why Elephants why?

This outfit, besides the mini skirt, isn't so important to Sierra's story as the fact that this is a picture taken on the Kindergarten field trip to the Othello fire station. To date this has been the single most traumatizing event in her life. Not brother sick with brain cancer---this field trip. This started months of crying every night because she was afraid of fire---it potty trained her because she didn't want to even try the alarm system I had borrowed from my sister, she FREAKED when I suggested we just push the button to see what the alarm sounded like (I never did hear that alarm!)---she was too afraid it would sound like a fire alarm, so she never woke up wet again. To this day--over 5 years later if she has a bad dream, it is that the house is on fire. She wants to cook but is afraid to be by the oven or stove---TRAUMATIZED.

An example of one of her "Queen" outfits--although from the back, it is a solid long yellow coat over the perfectly matching yellow dress--she wanted yellow church shoes, but we couldn't find them. So hard when Payless doesn't consult with us about our Easter needs.

This year, for her 11th birthday she didn't request a pirate cake (thank heavens) she requested a double layer white cake with cream cheese frosting that SHE could decorate herself. So I gave her, her white cake and she and Hadley went to town--figuratively speaking--they actually stayed in my kitchen!

Aunt Courtney gets the most creative, homemade elephant gift of the birthday award. What an honor. I don't even get honorable mention. I bought her the "Sagosten" elephant floor pillow at IKEA. What I failed to notice or understand was that the "Sagosten" inner bladder to blow up and put the "Sagosten" elephant pillow cover over wasn't included. Got that? I bought the "Sagosten", but the "Sagosten" wasn't included so we have a flat "Sagosten" on the floor---rookie mistake.

This gift is thanks to Abigail Delay--actually JoAnn. Sierra wanted a "colored mini block thing that makes cool shapes like Abigail has. So JoAnn was in Tri-Cities, and took the time to stop at Craft Warehouse and buy it for her---I love Royal City and the "hey I was in town the other day so I grabbed the color block toy thingy I know you needed for your daughters birthday" type service!

So old she needed one of Carter's fingers to illustrate her age!

1. Her middle name is French for "Pretty".
2. She has a "thing" for ELEPHANTS and has for a few years--we don't know why, I do know that Sammi claims her "thing" for Elephants started before Sierra's, and that Sierra is copying Sammi. I would like to set the record straight, I can't remember what makes me certain, but I am CERTAIN Sierra had a "thing" for Elephants first and Sammi was not far behind. So saith I.....debate amongst yourselves.
3. She is a little timid around animals, once she gets used to certain pets its no problem but she is on my list for child least likely to become a veterinarian---unless they have specific Elephant vets--then she is top on that list.
4. She thinks the Peace symbol is groovy, likes it on clothes, jewelry, etc....
5. She still likes and plays with her American Girl Doll, Rebecca. If given $1,000.00 to spend on clothes, I think she would split that clothing budget between her wardrobe's and Rebecca's.
6. She doesn't love athletics, but her Dad still loves her!
7. She has lot's of good friends her age, but she really loves playing with her little 2 year old cousin Aftyn. And Aftyn loves "Rare-ra".
8. She is extremely smart.
9. She has a sense of style that she didn't inherit, it was inherent! I like to call her style "homeless flower child, gets in head on with the Queen of England". It's confusing to read but I can usually look at an outfit and know Sierra will love it---I make no pretenses about knowing what clothes will dub me world's lamest mother with Sammi and Zoe, but with Sierra I haven't disappointed her yet ( I just had a thought, what if her kind-heartedness makes her seem delighted, uh-oh I feel uncertainty setting in). She likes leggings with skirts multi-layered shirts topped with a knitted poncho....AND she likes dresses in solid colors with coordinating coats.
10. She is very kind-hearted. I can't tell you how many times Carter or Zoe have been given a chore that they whine and carry on about for YEARS (maybe not, but too many minutes of my life for sure) and all of the sudden I don't hear the complaints so I will go check and discover Sierra working away on their chore for them. Also I know suspect she may be play acting delight over some of the clothes I've given her over the years!!!
11. She is the best mix of little/big girl I know. Loves to sit on our laps and cuddle, and loves Justin Bieber. Loves her Doll, and loves pirates, has since she was three and Michael thought she was so young that watching "Pirates of the Caribbean" wouldn't scare her. It didn't, scare her, but that started 7 years of pirate themed birthdays and gifts! Loves riding bikes to Subway with Hadley and ordering lunch---sans adults, but wants me to sit in her room while she falls asleep. Loves to play with Aftyn for hours, but wants a real babysitting gig---oh and a date with Justin Bieber.

Jackson asks, Becca answers

2011-09-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

I know it's hard to believe, but Jackson is 16----do you hear me?? SIXTEEN!! Sooooo he decided it was high time he experienced his first date--DATE! Sorry it's just incredible to me, I can remember what that kiddo looked like when he was 16 minutes old and now---I'll refrain, I think you all know how old he is. Anywhooo he decided he wanted to ask Becca Lee to the Homecoming dance. He made a plan (with help from Aunt Courtney, Me and Sammi--let's be real he is a boy!) and I pulled him out of early morning seminary five minutes early so he could implement said plan undetected by Becca. Well, why don't I just show you;

Courtney meeting us at the high school with the balloons. Inside each balloon was a little piece of paper - Becca had to pop all the balloons then put the words together to spell out "Becca, will you go to Homecoming with me? Love, Jackson"

The boy getting ready to go tie the balloons to her locker. Are you proud I didn't walk inside the high school photo documenting the whole thing? I know Jackson is.

To answer back, Becca brought a gift sack full of tootsie rolls with this note on it. So Jackson did the only logical thing---involved his weights class in unwrapping and eating the tootsie rolls until Ali Janett found one that said......

YES! So fun--hope the date is as fun as this was!

lost and found

2011-09-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find our "real" camera this morning and there was something (next post) I had to document, so I got out the video camera and low and behold lost pictures from July were suddenly found! Don't you love it when that happens. Like when you put on your winter coat for the first time and there is $10.00 in the pocket it's like you won the lottery!

Cutie pie William scored an inflatable bat at Summerfest. This is good and bad---good because he is so cute, bad because now I miss his cuteness.

Birthday boy Jackson at Aunt Holly's the day we celebrated the fact that he was going to turn 16 in 3 days time! I HAD to be the first won to give him a sixteenth birthday party even if it was before he turned 16!

Some of the kiddos I pay for at Hill Air Force base, probably wrecking their planes as I took this picture.

Zoe's turn in the flight simulator--she's the wind beneath my wings!(if you know what movie that song is from your OLD and probably a girl.)

Hill Air Force Museum is mucho grande.

Carter wasn't actually sideways in the chair--just one of those fixable things that I'm apparently not going to fix. Love the sisters hands behind him when he is trying to concentrate on his flying skills.

This plane is like the one my Grandpa Andersen was engineer of in WWII. He also had the job of manning the ball turret during battle--I can't even imagine how scary and uncomfortable that was.

More of those same Kiddos at that same place.

Zoe, Sierra, Miyah, and Natalie ready to perform at Summerfest.

First Day of School 2011

2011-08-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

2011 Noftle Family Theme -- "Rise Up" I wanted something to do with making the most of each moment, class, opportunity and Michael said my idea coincided with the BYU football team's mantra for this year--it's catchy and it makes us feel collegiate!

Mr. First Grade himself---Carter aka Cougar

My (sob, sob) first daughter (sob, sob) is starting High School (sob, sob) Ninth grade watch out.

Zoe, heading to third grade with no worries 'cuz Justin Bieber has her back.

Sierra--my fashionista, is sporting a fetching school uniform for the first day of fifth grade. Please note the OWL lunch box she HAD to have.

My tenth grade is so awesome, excuse me, so McAwesome.

The Fearsome Five.

Another fearsome group of five, except we substituted a Sammi for a Grandma Louise. Sammi and Bailey had to make their stop at Grandma's desk without us---it's almost as though Sammi thinks Bailey is cooler than her McAwesome family--nah can't be that. I was happy to hear Tiffany took a picture of the cool freshman walking into the high school despite their protests!

Traditional picture of grade school Noftle's in front of the Red Rock Sign. Next year only TWO grade school Noftle's -- it's like they are trying to grow up or something, I've got to check into this phenomenon.

Mr. Buster and Carter---I will have to dig up the picture of Jackson and Mr. Buster on Jackson's first day, of course that picture was taken before I had a digital camera so it'll take me a bit more effort! Trust me Mr. Buster doesn't look a day older than when he was Jackson's first grade teacher.

However; I did have a digital camera when Zoe started first grade with Mr. Buster!! See what I mean, the man never ages.

Mrs. Ziegler and Zoe (and Dayne--hi Dayne!)

What's this---blast from the past, Sierra and Mrs. Ziegler first day of school 2009. Like mentioned before deeper digging will have to ensue to find Mrs. Ziegler and Sammi's first day of third grade! Maybe I should start teaching at Red Rock too, it's keeping Mike and Sheila from aging....

I was walking back to my car when I found this red hot cutie pie--we call her Crazy Mae at our house.

Let's take a walk down Memory lane shall we.... 2009

2006---Red Rock must be doing something right, Mike and Sheila not aging and Grandma Louise looks younger and thinner in 2011 compared with 2006. These people should have to pay to work there.

2007 school year, Sierra looks uncertain!

Jackson is 16 (actually he turned 16 on July 27th but I've already lost mother of the year this year so just add this to the reasons why!)

2011-08-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

While he was living it up on BYU campus my oldest baby turned 16. I know, I know, driving (gasp), dating (gasp, gasp), but don't fret--he turned 16 so I did the only thing a mother can do, I broke his arm. Now no worries about driving licenses, they won't let him test with a cast on, and as for dating I told him it's far to dangerous in a cast, he might go to put his arm around the girl and accidentally knock her unconscious which would not look good on his dating resume. So there -- I gotcha boy!! He actually hurt his arm in weights class before school got out and one of his parents (I'm not naming names or pointing fingers, but I'll give you a little hint it twasn't moi) took him to the Doctor and the saw the swollen elbow, did the x-ray and didn't see anything; however, they did tell Jackson and his parental guardian that he should come back in 2 weeks if the elbow still hurt. Fast forward 2 months, during which he fell out of the gator at the bike-a-thon, and rolled his four wheeler, and I am picking him up from football practice and I ask him if his the elbow he hurt in June ever bothers him when he is lifting weights for football, he gave me a look that clearly said, "silly little mother, you are so clueless and I am so 16", and he verbally informed me that he can't lift weights with that arm, that it still hurts and that he still can't straighten it. I took him back to the Doctor the next day and the new diagnosis is a broken elbow---so cast. In true Jackson luck style the day he got his cast on I stopped at his friends house that we didn't have a mailing address for and had Jax run a thank you card to their door, he would have made it to the door if the giant black dog hadn't bit him. Luckily the friend came out before the bite became two bites and Jax made his escape. Then two days ago the Jackson luck continued and he fell down our front steps giving himself a lovely goose egg on his forehead between his eyes, with a cute little cut in the middle of the goose egg. He is a walking testimony about 16 not being as cool as teenagers want to believe!
We had done cake at Aunt Holly's house before EFY. Then he turned 16 at EFY and I sent cupcakes and he had the entire group of hundreds of kids to celebrate his birth. BUT his mother couldn't sleep unless he had a sweet sixteen party at home. Unfortunately his mother is also a big procrastinator and after she got home, got unpacked, had another weekend of company and got organized the party day happened during Grant County fair week which many a Royal City Teen has a cow, pig or lamb at!! Jackson wanted to go paint balling so that further limited his invite list to the number of paint guns I could beg, borrow, or steal. But I think he had fun, and he didn't have additional injuries (just minor bruising) so it was a success.
Normally this would be the part of the post where I would write a little about my birthday child. But I can't, because I will cry. So I can't write that every birthday he celebrates reminds me of how lucky I am to have him HERE on earth to celebrate them. How Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, though often not fatal, IS fatal for some. That Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis is a cat of a whole different color and I can't help but wonder what he will look like, sound like, move like on his next birthday. How I KNOW he hates going to the Oncologists and getting MRI's, and BAER tests, and lab draws, and Endocrine appointments but he stays cheerful and tells me how bad he feels for the other kids he sees there. I wonder how his life would be if there would have been no cancer, no chemo, no brain lesions. Would he be as athletically talented as he was as a young boy? Would he be tall like his Dad if cancer had left his pituitary gland alone? Would he be as kind, and loving, and patient, and empathetic, if he hadn't gone through all this? So I better not write about my birthday boy, my hero, my limited vocabulary wouldn't let me put what I feel about him into words anyways.

Before you say anything Brenda, I think I may better getting a better camera soon! This poor quality picture is illustrating (barely) that Jackson preferred to be hunkered down during the "wars".

We have not had our usually hot weather this summer, but don't worry the day we make kids put on layers of long sleeves, and long pants we hit the high 90's. Luckily Gatorade saved them from dehydration, many a war has been lost due to dehydration according to no survey.

The gang (they actually look like a gang) BrittneyJo Hebdon, Selia Jenks, Becca Lee, Tanner Christensen ( who informed me is the only person besides Jackson to make the invite list to all 3 of Jackson's parties this year!!) Jackson, Kai Jenks, Jacob Lee, and Carter Allred.

The Noftle version of a volcano birthday cake, birthday boy sold separately.

Just a suggestion, don't use GIANT sparklers, they sparkle a loooong time.

Masks up---they must not be in a real gang, any reputable gang member knows not to get their face caught on camera with the gun still in their hands.

July, july, july why must you fly by??

2011-08-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

It's a new day, (actually it's 8:30 pm on a not nearly productive enough day) and I am turning over a new leaf. There will be blog posts at LEAST twice a week for the month of August---you hear that blog owner, TWICE A WEEK. But let's just roll the end of June and all of July into this post to get us all caught up in the saga that is my life.Actually it's not so much a saga, but it sounds more DRAMATIC (and less "laundryey")that way. I tried for a while to get these photos in chronological order, for optimum clarity, but it was hard and I dramatically gave up. As I have said before, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

The last week in June we took Jax to the hospital in Seattle, we brought along some other cutie pies and treated them to the glass museum in Tacoma for being so dang cute.

Glass horse made right before our eyes.

The Chuey, or chewy, chawhooly, or caboosy glass bridge--someone famous made all these and his name starts with a ch--or at least a c.....

Since Jackson couldn't fall asleep 3 months ago during his Brain stem Auditory Evoked Response test the Docs. prescribed Atavan to make sure he could this BAER test. The atavan worked. I was to give it to him an hour before the test, it's a good thing I've been working out (stop laughing Michael) I practically had to carry the poor kid back to the exam room. His words, "Atavan's da bomb".

The Eagle project is completed--not the merit badges or the paper work--but hey--the sign looks awesome. Thanks El Dorado stone, Farrah, SHOC committee, Royal II Ward scouts, and City council.

The fourth of July and Allred's pond keeps getting bigger and better every year.

Dad the pyro technical dude with his minions Matt and Brian. The Brian minion might have an L& I claim with the burn he sustained on top of his noggin--ouchy.

Some cool cats I saw on the fourth.

The Royal fun run (two words that just don't go together---fun and run) proceeds benefited Histio Heroes this year.

The kids fun run--can you spot, Jackson, Kylie, Sammi, Sydney, Wesley, Sierra, Tyson, Preston, Braxton, Carson, Zoe, Avery, Carter, Dexter, and Adalynn? Yeah I didn't think so.... but they were there I promise.

Zoe at community days in the park.

Grandma Louise, Brenda and Kylie at the wind farm--these crazy people will farm anything.

Back at the fun run Michael completing his first 5 K and doing it in dang good time. I can't exactly remember his time but I remember it was dang good!

Somewhere in Vantage there were these weird kids, just had to take a picture of them.

On the "Dam" tour, we could watch those fish swim by for hours, I just wanted a comfy chair and I would have been perfectly happy. Let's make that happen next time Uncle Rick!

Our fearless guide, Uncle Rick.

Abigail and Adalynn had trouble with their hard hats, apparently they don't make them in preschool size---strange.

All right, who wants to see a deep hole? Anyone?

I'm a sucker for old people, holding young people by the hand, whilst they all wear protective head gear--but who isn't?

Adalynn and Kylie showing that dressing like bumblebees is still in.

Andersen's can't get enough of watching fish swim by--we are easily entertained.

Mathew, Gina and Jordan in Cafe Rio. (Oh and my purse a lovely hand me down from Sammi)

Dallas, Marcie and Jonnie at Cafe Rio. Did everyone hear that Carter has discovered Apple Beer?

Tour of BYU with the all the kids but Jackson--he was at BYU though, attending EFY.

We got a sneak peak at the new Basketball floor in the Marriott center. AKA Jimmers house.

Sammi giving us the thumbs up---for Elephants, she has loved them since I can remember....Sierra too--whatever floats your boat.

Now jump back in time to the last little league game and watch Sierra watch the ball go by.

And watch Zoe play catcher.

Dreaming of playing on that court someday---Cougar playing for the Cougars, works for me. Carter actually told our tour guide that his middle name was Cougar---this kid just won't own up to the fact that Michael is his middle name!

Four very cute girls getting ready for a Stake Dance.

Cougars can play Catcher too.

And Cougars can swim in Allred's pond-Cougars are pretty talented.

Did I mention the girls got new rings?

Cougar had to pose for me--his sisters were to afraid to get that close to the stuffed animals.

Ice-cream and tire swings two good reasons to spend your fourth of July at Allred's pond.

Plus if your lucky Shaina will use your head for a walking stick.

Everybody loves a parade, especially Will because Grandpa bought suckers.

One might ask; Becky why are your daughter making those strange faces? One would not get an answer; because Becky just doesn't know.

BYU creamery---life is good.

Brushing the sand of dinosaurs bones---the worlds cutest archaeologist.

Somedays your children all get swallowed by a giant prehistoric shark--somedays that's o.k.

Padding his resume.

The world's tames water tube ride---not Zoe's choice, Sierra is a scaredy cat!

Bored boys on a boat---Scaredy cat Sierra makes for a slow ride.

The worlds' most patient nail tech--Brooke.

Sammi touched the cousin that touched Jimmer---thanks Taylor for putting up with the touching!

Tanner and Jackson hugging their EFY group goodbye.

What should you learn from this picture.....How about when your Mom tells you to wear a helmet when you ride a four wheeler ---- do it. We are hoping Jackson gets the message--he should 1. remember to count his blessings 2. remember he is not invincible 3. remember to listen to his mother.

Theatre room at Greg and Brooke's Kylie apparently gives this room two thumbs up---high praise.

Having your 16th birthday at EFY isn't bad at all....it's pretty good in fact.

JACKSON IS SIXTEEN! How, when, where, why is the world spinning so fast??

I have beautiful nails now---watch out boys.....

I have beautiful nails but I am scared of fish in tanks---go figure.

Did I mention you should listen to your mother?

So besides the bike-a-walk-a-thon....

2011-06-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

It's impossible to tell from my blog, but we have been up to other things lately besides the Royal Histio Heroes bike-a-walk-a-thon. Here we go....

Carter pretended to be the "pirate" that stole the X from the Kindergarteners. It was his idea and I O.K.'d it with his teacher. I hope this doesn't start a life of crime....he will truly be able to blame it on me!

Brenda came to town and I twisted her arm to take Zoe and Sammi's birthday pictures. Their birthday's are in February, she came in May---I fall behind at times.

Carter "graduated" from Kindergarten---waaaaahhhhh I love Kindergarten, truly I am going to miss having a Kindergarten class to hang out with, it's pretty fun.

Mrs. Mueller got choked up during graduation---I of course was a goner.

The handsome graduates.

The Eagle project is nearing completion, I'm for sure getting a nagging badge.

Besides, programs, and graduations, Kindergartners also get a beach party. Why stop the partying after 2 events!

Emmanuel and Carter.

Water toys relay races.

Awesome shot of Zoe in the end of year music program. I missed Sierra altogether--Brenda is not proud.

Carter at the music program---bottom right in yellow (hair and shirt!)

We did more with the Noftle's besides just making them work at the bike-a-walk-a-thon.

We took them to the world's coolest water slide.

Carter and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Mueller.

Carter is quite the dare devil (not!)

About now Caleb is wondering why his Mother hates him!

Mason survives a wild ride down clinging to Marcus's neck--Sarah has the photos to prove it!!

Hard to tell but, Marcus is riding on Billy, who was riding on Dallas--it was a manwich!

Pictures of the bike-a-walk-a-thon anyone?

2011-06-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

Adalynn getting ready to high-five someone after "she" (read Tanner behind the dunk tank) dunked Jax. You know I think I have been high fiving wrong all these years, I never lift my leg and really put my all in it.

My camera doesn't do justice to how red faced these three little walkers were. Adalynn, Trent, and Jaya bestest buddies racking up the miles.

The start line, amazingly only one crash at the start and it only took down one rider, I was fearful of this part but it went smooth.

Wayne Riner and Matt Hadley from Connell. Two of our six dunk tankee's. People paid $50.00 bucks to throw the first ball at Wayne (read Kent Andersen). Uncle Rick paid $50.00 to throw the first ball at Wiley Allred. And Kelly Albertson paid $20.00 bucks to jump the line, I think because first grade teachers are always saying "don't cut in line" she just needed to cut once!

Shane and Carson taking a break. Long day for them--at Children's Hospital yesterday for Kyler's appointment, back home to Arlington, then get up today and drive across the mountains to Royal to spend the day with us.

The quilt Polly Carlson helped Mrs. Muellers' Kindergarten class make for Kyler. Carter's handprint animal is the bear in the top right corner of the quilt. Don't you think his hand is so smart looking? Ohhh I just noticed behind Courtney is the little mermaid lounge chair all set out---do you see why Uncle Rick picked it now?!

Brynn and Gabbi showing off their face painted faces.

Not quite as full as a football game against Connell, but people were milling around, they wouldn't hold still for a picture--can you believe it!

People getting their dinner were entertained by the dunk tank.

This made me cry. Do you think I'm crazy now? It's because our soon to be neighbors, borrowed this stroller from our now neighbors for the b-a-w-a-t and it's Jackson's 1st stroller! Chriss threw us a baby shower when Jackson was born and this stroller was the gift from her and Lisa. His first stroller at a fund raiser for his rare disease, excuse me I have to go cry again--I'll be right back. I pushed that thing all over Tri-Cities with little baby Jax in there, dreamt about his glorious future.....can't go on. I loved that it was still rolling in his behalf though!

You probably can't hear Jackson saying "it's cold" , you'll have to trust me on this.

There, now he is sitting more lady like.

Mom was very popular. I'm sure it was her magnetic personality and not the ice-cold water, cookies and bandaids!

Do you see Jens, Emily, Matt, Courtney, Dallas, and Marcie up there tallying away? NO--again your going to have to trust me.

I wanted to take a picture of the line of bikes, but all you can see is that the grass really is greener in Royal City.

Matt Hadley after his dunking--good sport. Hey how about being a REALLY good sport and letting us take the 1A title this year in Football, it would mean so much for Jackson's recovery, and you've already got BYU paying you to go there....please?

Michael, the incredible shrinking Man, running the dunk tank.

Plinko board NOT run by Drew Carey.

Tanner just after "helping" a patron dunk Jax!

Zoe was that patron, she was pretty excited. We could probably make millions if we let little sisters dunk the brothers that torment them all day long!

Sarah napping again! Baby Carson was a popular boy at our house. We (o.k. me, Zoe, Sierra, and Sammi) were all vying for his attention.

Jackson and Tanner on their "official" duties, just like Royalty in the Rolls Royce.

more pictures of the fantabulous bike-a-walk-a-thon

2011-06-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that Nicki and Whitney love Jackson yet?

Sammi the daredevil, competitive, record breaking bicyclist.....I think she was looking so determined because there was a water station about feet in front of where she is now.

Don't you just love a town where even the babies insist on being a part of it?

Some punching action, any thoughts on how we can punch the serious runners who attended without slowing them down? Keep in mind they are faster than the speed of light.

The Dad of the boy that has that darn Histio disease.

See Carter did more than eat cookies and drink water, Debra has brought me indisputable proof.

This even was so hot even newlyweds and fairly newly born wanted to attend--of course since Grandma has the "walking" legs I'm guessing Dain pretty much goes where she wants him too...

Jackson punched a card or two, when he wasn't falling out of the gator that Tanner was driving.

A good picture of the crowd.

This ball prize kept mysteriously disappearing and luckily for us Bade would always be the one to "find" it!

Busy prize table.

Uncle Rick picked a little mermaid lounge chair, my bucket list now includes seeing Uncle Rick in the little mermaid lounge chair.

2011 Royal Histio Heroes Bike-a-walk-a-thon

2011-06-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to put this post up since Saturday---but I have resisted to fulfill other responsibilities until today. Now blogger is resisting! It is loading my pictures at the rate of one per decade, so I hope someone will be willing to step in and carry on when I am too old to keep loading these pictures up. My new and improved plan includes putting up a few pics at a time and over the next few days the whole story should appear!! It was an amazing event--amazingly, amazing. Over 260 participants and hundreds of others to observe and join in. We are overjoyed at the results---$25,000.00 to send to Histio Heroes research fund! Can you believe what this tiny little town in Eastern Washington can do?!! I want to thank everyone---sponsors, participants, volunteers, attendees, family, friends, and even the Head coach and star player from Connell who came and took their turn in the dunk tank. Just how I'm supposed to not hug those two when I see them again I don't know.....maybe if I wear all my Knight gear the magnetic poles in the earth's crust will keep us naturally apart! Debra Bergeson sent me 268 pictures, Maria Allred sent me dozens, Melanie has posted some on face book (but you all know I won't be able to figure out how to make those march onto my blog!---wanna come visit Mel I have a job for you!!!) and Jessica Greenfield said she took over 500 pictures that day. We don't mess around with our good memories around here! So without too much further ado here are your pics, oh one more ado---I love you ALL! Thanks for helping us in our mission to save our son, and his quality of life for many, many, many, many years to come.

The registration line---complete with patient people.

Pretty cool volunteers

Marcus is saying "Look, Dallas, look, at the good people of Royal". Dallas is dutifully looking. I have very dutiful brother-in-laws.

Corbin at the bike-repair station (I'm guessing for a bike-repair, not just for kicks) that Dad and John Klefbeck ran--they fixed over 40 bikes that day. Including Sierra's, twice I think.

Lindsey Christensen offered to run a bake sale--we took her up on that offer!

Why is Mother not manning her first aid station? Someone get on the radio and find out who gave her permission to abandon her station---sheesh. I might be overreacting, I'm guessing now from the background that the event might be over, or not started--bikes are going in the wrong direction. I'll look into this before I press charges of abandoning her post.

Jackson's job was to go around, help where he could, cheer people on, and be friendly, talkative and worth his weight in gold. Tanner's job was to make Jackson do his job. Tanner had a hard job!! Do you think they called each other and said, "hey wear your plaid shorts and flip flops and I'll wear mine"? Will they tell us if they did?

Royal football players manning the punch stations (not Hawaiian punch that would have been cool though--but punching peoples cards to track how many miles they were accumulating). These are good boys, mark my words. Johnny is pointing out the paparrzzi (Debra) to Colin and Carter. Chase just knows to smile and show his good side for the cameras.

Every bike-a-walk-a-thon needs and limo golf cart soooooo, we borrowed one from Dean Callahan.

Waiting for the race to begin.

Cute chicks came from all around for MY SON. I'm so proud!

Charisty and Yessenia walked the entire time--they are true friends. Walking for them is not as easy as it is for most of us---if I could borrow their sweet hearts I'd clone a billion of them.

Front Page News

2011-06-01T18:44:00.001-07:00

Look who made the front page....not to brag or anything!!http://www.theroyalregister.com/news/article_6e450c2a-8649-11e0-a52c-001cc4c002e0.html

This week we...

2011-05-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Monday=Violin/Piano recital in Moses Lake for these girlies.

Tuesday=The first little league games, Carter 5 pm field 1 Zoe 5 pm field 2 Sierra 6:30 pm field 3

(no pics yet)

Wednesday=High School Evening of Honors. Jackson was recognized for being on the honor roll and for random acts of kindness. The RAK was from the Life skills teacher at the High School. She said Jax and Tanner know the names of all her students and make a point of poking their heads in her room when they walk by to talk to the kiddos in there. They also look out for them at lunch and other events. Jackson is talking to Yesenia in this picture --- she adores "yackson" as she calls him. (sorry that sounded pretty braggy, but I think that is a pretty great award for him and Tanner to get)

Thursday=Sierra game 5pm , Carter bye, Zoe game 6:30 pm Carter Kindergarten program 6:30 pm. See any conflicts there??!!

I'm hoping there are some better pics on my video camera because these are pretty bad. To be fair--Carter never stopped moving!

Friday=Mr. 8th grade program. Sammi and Bailey put on this whole event for their end of term "passion project". They did an amazing job. It was attended by more than 125 people and they raised over $1000.00 for Histiocytosis, plus it was fun! Way to go girls.

Wednesday was also Uncle Matt's 31st birthday but darn it if I can't move the picture to it's rightful place!

Saturday Michael and I left for Spokane, we had tickets to see "Wicked"(loved it) and we are spending the weekend it's our belated anniversary weekend---Happy 18th sweetheart!

Maddie is my heart hero

2011-05-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

Today, Royal City's most famous patient left for Seattle for her third, and biggest heart procedure. About 75 of us lined her road to send her off with our love. We do love Maddie and her family, so please pray for her, pray for her family. The surgery is on Tuesday. My sister Brenda is Katie and Brian's age, I'm MUCH, MUCH older (!!), but it has been good to have Katie to talk to. She understands my heartache over Jackson's health. She knows first hand the ridiculous guilt I feel as a mother. She empathizes about insurance and medical expenses and spending hours on the phone.....to get not enough done. And however nice it is to have someone else who "gets" all that, I wish she didn't. I wish Maddie had a whole heart as healthy as her brothers. I wish Katie hadn't a clue what oxygen sats were, or child life services, or Bactrium, or the name of her scheduler at Seattle Children's, or what floor the family laundry is on, and the cafeteria, and the sibling playroom, or what doors to go out of for cell service. But she does and she always will. And of my many, many blessings I count my "Medical Mom" friend Katie high on the list.

So go get 'em Maddie, I am keeping my pink bracelet on till you get home safe, sound, and PINK!!

Maddie at the Harvest Ball in Tri-Cities.

Maddie the "Cover Girl"

Balloons for Maddie. We let them go when they drove up the road.

You can't read it with my mad camera skills, but the bracelet says, "Maddie is my heart hero".

Katie had them made---love it!

A bike-a-walk-a-thon for Histio Heroes

2011-05-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

We have talked about it for a couple of years, but now we have pulled the trigger ( I hope it's the only trigger pulled before it's over). We are having a bike-a-walk-a-thon on June 11th to benefit research into Histiocytosis. I am going to put the article Michael wrote about it on the blog, he did a good job. Then we (o.k. he made it, but I "perform" it) made a power point presentation to show to all the students in Royal School District. So far I have bawled my way through the Junior, Sophomores, Freshman (Jax for some reason wasn't sitting up front with his friends, but in the farthest back table afraid of getting wet like at the shamu show I think) high school classes, and 6 of the 26 classrooms at Red Rock Elementary, and have scheduled to hit up the middle school this Friday. I am hoping(?) to go through all of Red Rock Mon. thru Thurs. So far over 300 kiddos have taken forms. I am sure not all the parents are going to allow those 300 kiddos to participate but it's an encouraging sign. Michael has pulled in some corporate sponsors but feel free to share Michael's letter with any corporate big wigs in your life---pretty please! Jacquie Dorsing and Debbie Olsufka started a cinch sack fundraiser to help cover the costs of our bike-a-walk-a-thon and two cute girls from Jackson's class come up to me after the power point presentation and told me they were going to start selling cookies and brownies at their church on Sunday to raise money for Histio Hereos! Samantha and her friend Bailey are putting on a "Mr. 8th grade" program, May 27th, and all the money from tickets and the raffle they are organizing for that night, they are donating to Histio Heroes too. So many times I have had the thought, I want to be the one helping with the fundraisers(I'm really a very good helper), not the one with the sick kid hosting the fundraiser, but I get so many offers of help, so many tender, teary, kids hugging me, that my courage is bolstered. We have so many great friends and family helping us too. Soooo, come if you can come, pull in the Gates foundation if you have the connections, and pray my tear ducts stop leaking sometime soon!

2011 1st Annual Histio Heroes Bike-a-Thon/Walk-a-Thon

The Disease

Histiocytosis is a rare blood disease that is caused by an excess of white blood cells called histiocytes. The histiocytes cluster together and can attack the skin, bones, lungs, liver, and/or the central nervous system. The effects of the disease can result in progressive multi-organ involvement that can be chronic and debilitating. In some cases, the disease can be life-threatening.

The vast majority of people diagnosed with Histiocytosis are children under the age of 10, but it is also found in adults of all ages. It is approximated that Histiocytosis affects 1 in 200,000 children born each year in the United States. This illness is so rare, there is little research into its cause and treatment, and it is considered an "orphan disease," meaning it strikes too few people to generate government-supported research.

The Face

Jackson Noftle, a local Royal City resident, was diagnosed with Histiocytosis when he was just 4 years old. It was discovered that the disease was attacking his skull and orbital bones, pelvic bone, and pituitary gland. At that time he underwent 6 months of chemotherapy to stop the progression of the disease, but was left with permanent damage to his pituitary gland. One of the pituitary functions is to regulate growth hormone. Jackson has been taking growth hormone injections since the age of 8 to supply the necessary growth hormone that his body in no longer capable of producing.

Around two years ago Jackson began to exhibit some new symptoms that were feared to be a return of Histiocytosis into his life. After some intense and prayerful research by his mother, help from his doctors at Seattle Children's Hospital, and a trip to Houston, Texas to visit Dr. Kenneth McClain at the Texas Children's Cancer Center, our fears were realized. Jackson was diagnosed with a secondary and more debilitating form of the disease known as Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System (CNS) Histiocytosis. This form of the disease sometimes occurs in the teenage years of those who had the initial form of the Histiocytosis in the first years of life. It attacks the brain stem and can leave its victims with tremors, difficulty with walking, speaking, swallowing, and learning. For Jackson, lightning did indeed strike twice. He underwent a second round of chemotherapy under the treatment protocol established by Dr. McClain in 2010 and is dealing daily with the effects of his disease. The disease affects his fine and gross motor skills, has slowed his speech and has made school and sports much more difficult.

Jackson is a caring and resilient 15 year-old who has been an ambassador for his disease and other important causes both locally and regionally. He has raised funds for Histiocytosis in the past by selling rubber bracelets and hosting a local 5K run. He has also given presentations to local organizations such as the Lions' Club about Histiocytosis and his life with it. In 2009, he was asked to be a featured patient at the Seattle Children's Hospital Festival of Trees, which raises funds for uncompensated care and allows Seattle Children’s to provide quality medical care to all children of the region regardless of a family’s ability to pay. In 2010, he was also a featured patient at the Children's Hospital Guilds of the Tri-Cities Annual Harvest Ball fundraiser. At the Harvest Ball he gave a brief presentation and also became "Mr. January" for the 2011 Children's Hospital calendar, making him literally the "face" of Histiocytosis in Washington.

Finding a Cure

The Histiocytosis Program at the Texas Children's Cancer Center, is associated with Texas Children's Hospital, the largest pediatric hospital in the United States. The Histiocytosis Program Director, Dr. Kenneth McClain, sees over 100 new Histiocytosis patients per year, and has over 400 active patients in the clinic. Children from all over the United States, and as far away as Spain, Ecuador, and the Philippines make the trip to Texas to be seen and treated by Dr. McClain. (Jackson has been to see him twice so far.) Dr. McClain is one of only a few physicians in the world researching a cure for children with Histiocytosis.

The Histiocytosis Research Laboratory, through the dramatic increase in the number of patients, has been able to develop and expand clinical trials of innovative therapies and leads the world in research of Histocytosis. This clinical experience provides the unique opportunity to establish clinical and biologic correlations that no other center in the world can. Dr. McClain's gene expression research has recently disproved long-held theories about the origin of Histiocytosis and led him to refocus on other more likely causes. He and his associate, Dr. Carl Allen, have also developed a new and successful treatment protocol for treatment of Neurodegenerative CNS Histiocytosis (Jackson's current form of the disease). Past treatments could only keep a patient stable, but not bring about improvement in their symptoms. The new treatment resulted in significant improvement of symptoms in over 60% of the patients in the initial study.

Histio Heroes Research Fund

The Histio Heroes Research Fund has been created by a group of histiocytosis families from across the country to help raise funds that will support Dr. Ken McClain and Dr. Carl Allen in pursuing important and ground-breaking research into histiocytic disorders. This research deserves the financial support which will enable continued progress to be made towards better understanding and treating a disease which has not been well understood, and which will have a significant impact on Jackson's life and the others around the world in desperate need of hope and healing.

The Event

On Saturday, June 11, 2011 you too can actively participate in finding a cure for Histiocytosis. Jackson, his family, and a legion of wonderful volunteers will be hosting the 1st Annual Histio Heroes Bike-a-Thon/Walk-a-Thon in Royal City, WA to raise funds and awareness for the Histio Heroes Research Fund to help Dr. McClain and Dr. Allen in their search for miracles. The event will be held on the grounds of Royal High School. Those who wish to bike will make laps on a one-mile course laid out on school grounds. Those who prefer to walk will make laps around the track. Either way, participants will raise money for important research by collecting donations in advance of the event in support of their participation.

The event will take place from 4pm to 6pm, and will be followed by dinner and prizes for all participants. In order to make this event a success we obviously need as many participants as possible to collect as many donations as possible, but we also are in need of event sponsors to help cover the expenses of undertaking such an event. Your sponsorship will be greatly appreciated and will be recognized through local media, on-site at the event, and/or t-shirts distributed to participants. Please help make a difference in Jackson's life and in the lives of these young patients affected by Histiocytosis.

Working on my Nagging badge....

2011-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Jackson is working on getting his Eagle Scout and as a result I am apparently working on my nagging badge. Here is a "small sample" of the nags I have employed in my desperate attempt for a nagging badge... Have you called Farrah?--How many people are coming on your work day?--Do you need to call the scouts and remind them?---What scouts did you get a hold of?--Do we owe Brandon anything for using his boom truck?--Do you know or are you guessing that?--What web sites did you got to for Chimney stones?--Did Grandpa say 16 x16 or 16 x 8 it makes a difference you know...--How are you getting water for the motar?--What time does Grandpa need you?--Did you check Western materials for chimney stones?--What supplies do you need for this saturday?-- Did you record the number of people and hours yet?--How much is the grant from SHOC?--What is the city expecting to pay?--And the nagging goes on and on, really the only way I won't get my nagging badge is if they brick me in the new sign! I could do quite a long post on my true scout feelings, but I will resist, I'm afraid they wouldn't give me the nagging badge if I open that can of worms. Things have been crazy around here, I subbed 5 days last week and 3 days this week, I have three days next week too---the house looks and feels fairly neglected. Zoe and Carter are in soccer, and I am coaching Zoe's team (I wonder if they have an inept coaching badge?) Sammi is in Softball and we enjoyed 30 mph winds yesterday at her first game--good times! On the bright side her game in Warden was over run with squirrel type thingy's and the 3 youngest spent the whole game with the Chief of Police's 3 youngest trying to commit a Federal crime by intending to capture and harm the weird rodent creatures. Another bonus of the Warden game was that because we left straight from Warden to go to Moses Lake for violin/piano lessons I didn't have to do any housework. I left the house at 7:45 am and got home at 9:00pm. Nothing like avoiding the mess if you can.

Front & back of the old Royal City sign.

The brains behind this ~~fiasco~~ eagle project, Grandpa Kent and Brandon Jenks.

Good turn out scouts---yes, that adds up the hours quickly!

Reading play in Kindergarten, seriously the best play I've been too in ages.

Some Kindergarten smarty is in 1st grade read well now!

8th grade history wax museum. Ever heard of Bonnie Guitar? If not ask Sammi and Bailey they can tell you all you need to know.

Green soccer team won every game--not coached by moi. Carter had 3 goals in games.

Blue soccer team lost every game---coached by moi, could there be a correlation?

Sammi hitting--sorry about the fence, I would have had to WALK to get a clear shot.

Second base wonder--Sammi Noftle.

Sierra and Zoe April students of the month. And not to brag or anything, but Sierra also got an award for making the 100 point AR club.

Stable

2011-04-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Jackson had his tests at Seattle Children's hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday. Since this is our spring break, we got all the kids up at 5:30 am Tuesday and loaded the GT for the trip over the mountains to Seattle. Not one of the five kids felll back asleep, I asked for family together time and I was getting it, with a vengeance!! Sierra was car sick within the first 30 minutes. We got checked in at the hospital and Carter and Zoe went to the sibling play room. Sierra and Sammi went with us to take Jackson to Neuropysch for his first tests. He was there from 9am until 12:45. During that time Michael took Carter on a special "date". Michael had discovered the Pacific Science Center had a special Star Wars exhibit and we had been telling Carter all about his special date with Dad for days. When he found out what the "date" was he told me he was "way excited, like wohoo excited"!! They went to the Pacific Science Center and Carter saw the thousands of items displayed from the making of all the Star Wars movies. Meanwhile back at the hospital the girls got a reprieve from Grandma and Aunt Courtney. They came and brought Avery, Adalynn, and Aftyn. We (just the girls, not poor Jackson) all ate lunch at the hospital cafeteria. Then those 8 left and I brought a plate of food back for Jax to eat while he finished up his testing. He got done just in time to head to audiology for his BAER (brain stem auditory evoked response) test. This test didn't go so well, not that Jackson's disease is worse it's just that it is the most quantitative tests our oncologists have, but in order for it to be a good "reading" and valid test Jax needs to be asleep for it. I thought that would be no problem since we had gotten him up so early and he had endured nearly four hours of testing already that day. But apparently he just couldn't get into a real sleep, they can tell that from the brain waves he produces. He felt like he dozed off more than once but the test includes introducing sound in increasing volume and he just couldn't get into a real sleep. We will now have to repeat this test in 3 months and give Jackson some atavan to help him sleep for it. Tuesday night we let the kids swim at the hotel for a couple of hours and then all went out to eat at Johnny Rockets, the waiter was great with the kids and since Zoe and Avery didn't get into a fist fight I call dinner a success!! After dinner we got everyone in Jammie's and settled watching cartoons and Jax and Sammi (Sierra assures me she was the only one doing any real babysitting!) graciously babysat while the adults slipped out to the U village shopping district which was 1 block from the hotel. We bought necessary things like a poultry thermometer and cups with wrap around straws. Jax and I took the shuttle from the hotel to the hospital Wed. morning. Our MRI appointment was for the IV start at 9 am and MRI at 10. I knew it was going to be one of "those" days when the IV wasn't even started until 10:15. But after we were taken back and Jax got into a hospital gown they had us waiting in the hall for his MRI room to open up. They brought out a tiny little kiddo who looked so injured, I'm guessing a car wreck and all tension from waiting almost 2 hours left. Amazing what a little perspective can do for you. I got to be in the room for Jackson's MRI. It is freezing cold in there because the Magnets in the MRI tend to create a lot of heat---better for the machine to be in a cool room I guess. Jax had to hold VERY still for about 45 minutes and be injected with dye half way through. My ear plugs couldn't drown out all the noise from the MRI, that is one loud machine. Michael and Carter picked Jax and I up after the MRI and we raced to Northtown to meet the family for lunch in the food court. Then we took all of our kiddos and headed back to the hospital for Jackson's last two appointments. We had a good appointment with his Endocrinologist, Dr. Taplin. He took the time to explain to us alot about Jackson's pituitary gland and his future medical needs. It doesn't seem to early to start planning for his eventual transition to Uof W which will probably be his hospital for his adult life. I think Michael and I were both surprised to learn that Jackson will always have to have his hormone levels monitored, because with a damaged pituitary gland they can stop functioning properly at any point. I though we were out of the woods with his thyroid and such because they were fine now, but apparently that isn't the case. The thyroid hormone is easily replaced by medication so I won't borrow any trouble by worrying about that now. Jax was very close to 5 feet 5 inches which means he grew 4 inches in the last year which is great! We had a bone x-ray and hope that those results come back 18 to 24 months delayed so that he can hopefully grow another 3 to 4 inches before he has to stop the growth hormone shots. Once your bone age is 16 most people don't get enough benefit to continue the HGH shots, and the insurance companies won't pay for it anymore. The last appointment on Wednesday was in Oncology with Dr. Rebecca Johnson. She did a great job validating Michael and I in our different opinions as to how Jackson in doing! No easy task there! She didn't have the results from the Neuropsych tests, BAER or MRI yet so those still have to be looked at. Her exam should some very slight changes. Not enough to alarm her but enough to make her order another BAER in 3 months and in her words "a possible trip to Houston if anything else goes south". She could see what I saw in Jackson's speech. His right side of his mouth isn't moving as much as the left side. But overall she declared him still "stable" which is great news. Everything is so slight that we are going to keep a close eye on things. I just don't want to make the mistake I feel I made 2 1/2 years ago when I didn't realize that he had ND CNS LCH. Actually had never even heard of ND CNS LCH. She reassured us they won't let Jackson slip through the cracks and that we and they will be hyper diligent in his behalf. All we can ask for. We are reminded once again of our privileges here, in our little corner of the world---good medical care, good doctors and good family and friends who support and love our son. It's real easy on days like today to count our many, many blessings.

This hovercraft actually moves. Michael said it's teathered down but it has high powered blowers that lift it off the ground then you can steer it. All the pictures are blurry because Carter had it spinning good and fast.

Not Carter's father---Luke's father.

After the Star Wars exhibit they went through the rest of the science center. Here Carter is kicking it in a dinosaur footprint.

Insurance

2011-03-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

I have been dealing with some yucky insurance issues lately and I have had no desire or intention to write about it---like Scarlett O'Hara "I can't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow"! However; earlier this evening I was reading the blog of another Mom who has a son with ND CNS LCH. She had been cataloging the roller coaster ride that Insurance bureaucracy takes us on and I had to laugh, plus I felt so much better just knowing other people weren't better at getting through the red tape. Is that bad that it made me feel better? I certainly don't want anyone to deal with these NASA level phone calls, but sometimes when I get off the phone I feel so stupid and slow, like if I had 10 more points to my IQ I could figure it all out. But her blog reminded me I am not unintelligent, not missing the genetic coding necessary to understand co-insurance, deductibles, and out of pocket premiums.
Four years ago we signed on to a private health insurance policy for our family that cost us $666.00 per month. It covered Jackson's DDAVP pills and HGH shots. Fast forward to 2010 by now our premiums were $1100.00 per month and Jackson's HGH had a $25,000.00 cap on it, that is after we pay $7500.00 out of pocket major medical (HGH in 2010 was considered major medical and not a prescription medication like it had been previously). Jackson's HGH is just over $5500.00 per month which works out to over $66000.00 a year a difference of $41000.00 plus our $7500.00 so $48500.00 uncovered HGH for 2010. We applied for patience assistance with the pharmaceutical company who made his medicine but because we had health insurance we weren't eligible! Go figure. Then we applied for patience assistance at our Children's Hospital and we were accepted, but we had to go around and around for a month because our insurance had to be capped out and we had $800.00 in benefits left for Jax at the time. Can you order $800.00 dollars worth of HGH---shockingly no! That cost us another $1200.00 to "max" out his benefits, but the next glitch was since our Insurance company had switched his HGH to major medical our Rx benefits for Jackson were NOT maxed out although we weren't allowed to get HGH on our Rx benefits. No refunding the $1200.00 either! Luckily Children's Hospital is capable of common sense and with a few phone calls and several hours of perseverance we got his medicine for the remainder of 2010. I felt bad because he missed several weeks of it.
Then Jan. 1st, 2011 came (cue threatening music) our particular insurance plan was "discontinued" and we were "moved" to a "comparable" plan. The first thing I notice was that HGH was back in the prescription benefits column---so far so good. And there was no longer a $7500.00 out of pocket for the family, it was now $16500.00! Yikes, but at least the new prescription out of pocket deductible was only $2500.00, at this point I was fist pumping and dancing---$2500.00 not $7500.00 and no cap---yippee. I was happy for about 8 days---I should have known better, but since we were paying $1900.00 + a month in 2011 ( I'm too tired to do the math but what % of increase is it to go from $666.00 to $1900.00 + in 48 months?) I figured we were due some better coverage, still can't believe I didn't smell the rat. I mean, really Becky, since Jackson was 4 years old I have learned the Insurance companies have the worlds' smartest financial wizards---not wall street, not major corporations, but the Insurance companies. Of course I had read it wrong. Not $2500.00 deductible for Rx's but a cap of $2500.00 for Rx's per person per year, or in insurance lingo pcy (per calendar year). So 8 days into 2011 Jax had exhausted his prescription benefits! Brilliant, perfect, if you'll all excuse me I am going to crawl into bed and sleep until 2012. I had such a defeated feeling about me. Fast forward to March 18th, and we are applying for "group" insurance, mind you this is one of MANY different options we have researched, called on, and applied for. Hours (many hours---!) have been spent on the phone and on the Internet. We have met with our insurance lady and I have her number memorized now---can't remember my sisters number by heart, but Clarissa and I are TIGHT! The tax documents are copied, the forms filled out, signed, witnessed and now we WAIT. Wait to see if their is a loophole unforeseen by us and the insurance agent. If not we will officially be on a "group insurance" plan as of April 1st. Of course we are cautioned by all involved to pay both premiums in April just to assure us a smooth transition--why not it's only money! Of course since we are switching from an individual family plan to a group one the out of pocket expenses we have paid thus far in 2011 won't be attributed to our new policy, however; Mrs. Noftle if you would like to stay with an individual plan........or split Jackson off to his own insurance, or...... We should know before April 1st if we have been accepted into the group plan. I actually DREAMED last night that I was going through my cute lime green folder (I find it helps to put "headachy" papers in cute folders, makes it easier somehow) and I found a plan that covered my whole family for $115.00 a month with no co-pays or co-insurance or max oop. I was so excited I called Clarissa up right away, no waiting to look her number up! She couldn't believe she had forgotten this plan--it was a nice dream! I hope someday in the future, I'll be glad I wrote this all down. I also don't want pity, I'm KNOW I'm not the only human that is frustrated by these things, so no poor Becky comments! Maybe I want this written down for posterity sake, like when my Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Pugsley wrote warning my Grandma Bishop not to spend $15,000.00 dollars for a 4 bedroom house on 3 acres---they felt the price was WAY TOO HIGH! I want my Grandchildren to say--"Big deal, Grandma, we pay $1900.00 for a pack of gum!" actually I don't want that either---see there is no knowing what I want! Just ask Michael!

Zoe's Baptism

2011-03-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to have professional photographer, Aunt Brenda at the event, we have the cool pictures to prove it. She also gave an awesome talk on Baptism. Zoe picked all her Aunts and her Grandma's to participate in the program. Then her sisters and cousins sang a song also---girl power!

The picture of Aftyn and Monica cracks me up. Both Aftyn and Monica have the same special blankey---and Matt saw it at the church and threw it in their car. Meanwhile back at the church Monica's family was searching the building room by room while Monica cried for her blankey. Luckily Monica and her blanket were reunited at lunch---close one! In the bottom picture Holly is warming her hands on a pan that is recently out of the oven. Heather apparently thinks she is nuts.

Newest member of the church---for a few minutes anyway!

People were so sweet and gave Zoe cute little things to help her remember her special baptism day---the best part was the unintentional "theme" gift of necklaces! She got 6----she is thrilled, she told me she almost has a enough to wear a different one everyday!

Zoe is the first of this group of friends who are all on the way to their baptism day.

Our little family before the baptism.

Our bigger family before the baptism!
It was a great weekend---so much fun to have family from Utah and California make the trip. Saturday after the baptism and lunch, Matt, Courtney, Holly, Heather, Brenda and I walked downtown for a "treat". We had so much fun, reminded me of days gone by---except for Matt and Heathers speed walking contest, that's a recent development! Thank you everyone for making Zoe feel so loved and special. A sweet girl like her deserved all the love she got!!

January and February 2011

2011-03-02T23:25:00.000-08:00

I'm tired of being behind on my blog sooo let's hit the highlights of January and February and move on from here! I'm not even going to put the pictures in order---you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. I also have some awesome video of Jackson's 3 point shot, Sierra's Destination Imagination competition, Sammi and her friends Dancing to some hot new wii game, however; I can't get the video to load, but let's not give up, Brenda comes to Royal TOMORROW (cross your fingers)!

Gage, Sierra, and Tyler at the DI competition

Jackson and Sammi had Courtney, her girls, Grandpa and Grandma, and their parents and siblings for their basketball fan section. Sometimes they had more family at the games then the other team had spectators!

Zoe had a Royal Princess party, the station included Manicures and Hair....

Painting a crown picture frame and dressing up in our old formals from High School. Quite a change from Carter's army party we threw in December.

McKayla, Kate, Gracee, Miyah, Avery, Sydney and Zoe

The 8th graders after the dance team tryouts. Khrystal, Sammi, Carley, Bailey, Jackie, Hannah, & Robin.

100th day of Kindergarten in Royal BIG deal, lots of fun, here is Carter with Addi

Putting 10 of 10 different snacks in a baggie...

100 day of school necklaces---edible even better!

AWWWWW so cute!

Detton and Carter

Kaelyn, Emmanuel, and Carter doing???

Always violin and piano lessons every week.

Dance the night away.....

I took 6 pictures the morning of Sammi's b-day, Zoe's backside was in 3 of them

See....

3D Bieber on her 14th birthday what could be better?

The Zebra cake Aunt Courtney made for Zoe's birthday

And last but not least, Zoe played the piano at the Red Rock Talent Show---she did great. Were all caught up, bring it on March!

And now Christmas!

2011-02-24T14:41:00.000-08:00

Christmas---in my head it's a beautiful time, full of cozy evenings wrapping presents in front of the fireplace. Hot Cocoa for the kids when they walk in the door. Family snowballs fight, with laughter and inside jokes. Instead, I was working right up to Christmas Break on a long term sub job. My kids loved it--they were in my classroom A LOT, to the dismay of their actual classroom teachers, who were trying to squeeze some 'educatin' in their brains. So needless to say Christmas decorations were barely in place, with barely wrapped presents, that were barely bought, under the barely put up tree. The day after Christmas my sister Holly and her kiddos came to stay and we had a busy, fun, happy break, and our good times were even set to the musical stylings of Carter Michael Noftle Big Tough Awesome Wiggly (note it's not straight anymore, it's wiggly, and he also eliminated the Power Rangers All The Colors part---his decision not ours, who are we to mess with his name?!)
The three oldest got IPOD touches, big hits, and Sammi generously gave her old version to Carter and Zoe to share. We enjoyed two weeks of easy to transport children (Jax let Carter use his DS!) until Carter and Zoe lost Sammi's old IPOD touch--they blame Addalynn, I don't! Santa must really love Zoe because he brought her a live animal---a male cat named Yardly. Santa got him from a local shelter and he has turned out to be a great cat so far---let's Zoe mess with him as much as she wants to! Carters' drum set is also loved. However this year the "Piece de la resistance" was the Mom and Dad gift, one they have been saving for a LOOOONG time(5years) a massage chair. Next year we are going to ask for the time to sit in it!

The house wasn't robbed--this is just what is looked like by 8 am Christmas morning! Sammi and Sierra are claiming they never fell asleep at all. I know they woke us up at 4:45 am asking if we would let them go in--we did NOT.

Christmas Eve or Day (how quickly I forget) at Grandma and Grandpa's. Jackson discovered a love of the "farkle game".

Zoe and Yardly. Can you tell he's a patient cat??!

Carter Jammin in his Jammies.

Dad's 60th birthday party at Allred's.

More party goers!

Bead crafts on New Years eve---beads are hard...that's all I'm going to say about that.

Poppers at Midnight

The men were particularly energetic this New Years.

Poppers, popping

Playing farkle---Jax would like the world to know he had a 4000 point roll.

New Years and Sydney did not mix--poor girlie did not feel well.

Next up, December Birthday's

2011-01-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

It happened more than a month ago, but it still happened--Michael is 40 (he could care less, I hate how matter of fact he is---sheesh a little freaking out is good for you) and Carter Michael Tough Ninja is 6 years old. I only gave the boy who was excited about his birthday a party. He wanted an army theme and he got it. Marshmallow guns indoors, obstacle courses, boot camp drills and instantly broken camo dog tags, and helmets. It was loud and fabulous. I love people jumping to attention when I bark orders at them--I need to do more of that --"-Mom, Yes, Mom" sounds good to me.

I think Michael thought if he acted goofy and wouldn't give me a decent smile on his birthday that I would give up and not post a picture of him---that's what he gets for thinking, and not smiling normally.

Army Cake for Private first class Carter.

Tug of War--part of the obstacle course.

Injured soldier game.

Rations for all good soldiers.

Shooting Range

The soldiers met in my classroom at Red Rock then quick marched over to Private Carters House.

First up Phoenix....

2011-01-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

I realize I am WAY behind, but I am determined to catch this blog up. So to where to begin---how about a trip to Phoenix for just me and my Mr. You got it---sunshine and husband time. My cousin Shannon picked us up at the airport and became our personal chauffeur and tour guide for the next four days. I highly recommend her---she is very entertaining. I knew I was going to re-live the glory days with Shannon, when on the drive to her house from the airport we approached a tunnel and she announced she always pretends that when she goes through this tunnel she will come out the other side and be in New York!! That is soooo Shannon, classic Shannon, if randomness can be called classic! We went to the "Rockettes Christmas Show" the first night we were there. We giggled at the Arizonaites dressed in their boots, scarfs, hats and coats---it was 71 degrees outside! Michael was in shorts and we both had short sleeved shirts on--we felt so hardy and tough. We met up with our friends Steve and Shelley a couple of times and that was great too---except she was 8 months pregnant and still thinner than me. But she is a good enough friend that I will forgive her for her thinness--I'm kind like that. I also got to have lunch with my cousin Heidi once and it was fun. It made me miss my Grandparents , I guess having both Shannon and Heidi together, made it seem like the rest of the family should be there too. Our last day there we toured the Frank Lloyd Wright house and museum, very cool. My rectangular home didn't bust any architects brains, that's for sure! We had a great time seeing family and friends that we don't see enough of. Plus none of the kids woke us up in the middle night once! I am pretty sure Grandma Beve can't claim the same from her "vacation" which was to snowy Royal City to take care of our kiddos for us. Thanks so much Grandma Beve---it is so nice to go away together and know the kids are not only happy but thrilled to have us gone!

The Rockettes had some pretty cool sets and I'll admit it--great legs too!

The Gingerbread house I made as a Thank you for my Cousin Shannon's awesome tour guide duty. Some people might think they saw it at the swanky Camel Back Inn in Phoenix but, it was me. I remembered I had a camera when I saw this cool gingerbread house, but did I remember it 30 seconds later when I had a long fun lunch, with Shannon, Heidi, and Shelley? (the answer is no)

Michael, Shannon and Brian on the Frank Lloyd Wright tour.

Franks pool--I remember something about geometric shapes, dang I hate being old.

Frank Lloyd Wrights Arizona home.

Aftyn's Festival of Trees

2010-11-27T20:58:00.000-08:00

After church on Nov. 21 we headed over the mountain pass to Seattle to see Aftyn's festival of tree, tree. Of course it snowed, of course we had to chain up, of course Michael and I are inept and Matt had to help us out--of course it's us, we wouldn't be Noftle's if we could put our own chains on. The entire driving experience reminded me that I am RIGHT to be grateful everyday that we are out of chemo.

A close up of some of the "real" deers on Aftyn's tree, Carter knows they are real because he can see the fur--duh!

Four of the Noftle children are looking--good enough.

A close up of Aftyns sign board.

Aftyn KNEW we were all there for her!

At the Christmas story area.

Carter was never board waiting in line for Santa for an hour. His fingers are swords, or light sabers, or guns--whatever the voices in his head tell them to be.

All the chillens in front of her tree. I don't know if you can see but Adalynn's stance was cracking me up. Was she about to do the splits, take off running--what was the plan here?

Aftyn did NOT take to Santa, but the Noftle kids are done crying over him and the Easter bunny---sigh.

Football Injuries

2010-11-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

Jackson's freshman year of football is over--they lost in the second round of playoffs. A lot of people thought we were crazy to let him play. People who loved him were so afraid he would be hurt, we knew they meant well and we love them for it. I thought I would document our 2010 football injury...

A gash on the scalp.

But.....not Jackson's scalp, it was....

tough guy Carter's scalp. Yes, Cougar man made the injured list on the last game of the season. He should be off it by basketball season which starts----now.(sigh)

Braxton's baptism

2010-11-18T19:30:00.000-08:00

On the way to Eagle Mountain we stopped in Treemonton to see my Great Aunt Eloise. Her house is filled with things I remember seeing at my Great Grandma's house. I loved that my girls got to be there with us--four generations.

Showing us some of Great Grandma's treasures from her wedding and even some of her Mother's things that would be my girls great, great, great Grandma!

Uncle Charles wartime medals. He was a POW in WWII for over 3 years. He is the neatest man, in his 90's and struggling with his health, but the mind is so strong. He told some neat stories.

The boy we came to see! He was so sweet and I felt it was more than worth the 24 hours of driving, and 10 hours of sleep in 4 days to be there!

Heather and Brett--the proud parents.

On the way home we stopped at my Great Aunt Bonnies--the girls are turning my Great Grandma's butter churn.

Dad, Mom, Aunt Bonnie, and Uncle Frank

Aunt Bonnie, did just what my Grandma used to do--stand outside and wave as you drove off.

This picture is of my Great Grandma Louise Kunzler Puglsey. It hung in my Grandma Bishop's basement and us kids would swear her eyes would follow us. Now I'd love to have it hang in my basement and freak my kids out!

Halloween 2010 - hurry and read since it's almost Thanksgiving!

2010-11-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Carter-decided since he couldn't have his cutlass at school with his pirate costume, that he wouldn't wear it at all. Authenticity is priority one--so he wore a ninja costume since a ninjas only weapons are himself!

Detton and Carter show their moves at the Kindergarten party.

Yet another ninja, I think there were four in his class!

I got to make witches brew for the Kindergartner's--I suspect they liked it from the squealing!

Carter and his "Mummy" team

Zoe the rock star

Sierra discovers her Indian heritage.

For Halloween he was a Pirate, since the sword was allowed!

Avery and Adalynn-if you know Adalynn you know how perfect this costume was for the "blue" lover.

Aftyn the kitty-cat.

Sammi and Bailey before Bailey's annual Halloween bash.

Harvest Ball

2010-10-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

On Saturday October 16th the Noftle's, Andersens, Jenks, Allreds, and Stewarts attending the 25th Harvest Ball put on by the Tri-Cities guild in support of Seattle Children's Hospital. Jackson and several others were featured patients, and Jax had the job of introducing the keynote speaker.

Regular sized Jackson standing next to Giant Jackson!

In front of the dessert table, I look much happier when I am in front of the dessert table.

Our table

Just like I set the table for dinner at home.

This was a black tie optional event---we were the only ones who optioned out!

Jackson and Grandma Louise, enjoying the $100.00 a plate event.

Justin and Heather--they proved their friendship--who else would give up a Saturday night to see some sweet, elderly, lady, skin spilling out of formal gowns?

Miss. Maddie--at some point I have got to get her and Jax together for fun before these events happen so she will like him enough to go on stage with him--it would make them both less self-conscious.

Let me put the menu down just in case any of you were looking for a dinner idea for tonight:
Appetizer--Buttered seared scallops in a sweet pea puree, micro basil, fried proscuitto and truffle oil with little acorn cracker Salad--malabar, golden pea tendril, sweet tango and mizuna wrapped in cucumber with harvest apples, foil brick blue and candied walnuts served with house vinaigrette Intermezzo--green gage plum sorbet Entree--nouvelle mixed grill, roasted veal loin filled with chantrelle herb mousse, tasmania ocean salmon, morel glace de' viande, sweet walla walla onion cream, classic pear potato, butternut in grand mariner caramel cream, fresh white and green asparagus in roma ring, fresh baked dinner rolls with butter.

Flaunting her "black tie" beauty---I will forever be upset that I didn't snap a picture of Courtney as each course of the meal was served---little Miss Smiley here got more peeved looking with each dish---she wanted the happy meal apparently!

Dessert Dashing Dad, making Courtney smile about the food for the first time all night!

Jackson doing his part for Seattle Children's hospital.

He introduced himself as "Jackson Noftle" or Mr. January in your calendars!

Jax and two other patients--who missed their high school homecomings to help with the fundraiser.

Maddie and her Grandma Nany--luckily I had the Star Wars book in my purse---I really should clean that out before black tie events---put the Iliad and the Odyssey in, or something more highbrow!

The Invitations to the event had Jackson and Maddie (they are hard to see but trust me not my photography skills!)on them---not bad that they made both "designs" since there were 25 kiddos.

Beautiful Maddie and her heart buddy Teagen grace the cover of this years Calendar--so young to have a cover shot already, I'm still waiting for mine.

And Mr. January himself lives in my house---I'm honored, I really am. Nights like tonight bring back to me what an amazing kid Jackson is, what he has endured, since the age of 4, and the kicker is -- what he has to still endure in his future. He is my hero. Thanks Mom, Dad, Courtney, Justin and Heather for paying threw the nose to support Jackson tonight.

10-10-10=40 years?

2010-10-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

The numbers add up to 30 but, in fact I am 40 today. Oh well, I've looked into it and there is nothing I can do about it! Last week was wild in four days we had 9 games to attend. Some at the same time, I only saw 5 of them but to be honest I felt like I had not missed any of them!! I loved complaining about it last week but in reality I was fine with it. I knew it was Carter and Zoe's last week of soccer and I really enjoy Sammi's volleyball and Jackson's football games. For the next 13 or so years I will happily attend every game my kiddos are in. Still Friday night after the football game in Yakima it was wonderful to stay in town with no kids---just Michael and I. We stayed at the Rosedell Bed and Breakfast and as is becoming the custom with me we met with the "colorful" folks!

If you remember last year Jax and I stayed in a hotel for Chemo and ended up at the hotel while it had a Burlesque Dancer convention there. Weeeelllll our Bed and Breakfast hotel owner/hostess was, up till a year ago, and bartender/"dancer" (her quotes not mine) in Vegas. Her husband was helping her, but now he is back in Vegas because he works for the Sultan of Brunei, and Prince Jeffery need him at the mansion in Vegas---of course your standard ho/hum couple! Also staying at the Rosedell was a couple who were ghost hunting, but luckily enough Michael and I were staying in the Turret room and only the Red Room is haunted-phew! You can't make this stuff up. We got to church in time and then tonight we were supposed to go to Courtney's for Sunday dinner. When we got there I walked in to 75 people yelling "surprise". I was VERY! It was embarrassing to be the guest of honor but so fun to have so many people I love all together. There was lots of yummy food and a chocolate fountain, and Courtney had everything set up so darling. Lesa Buster and Katie Allred made a DVD of pictures of me and that was so fun too.

The bigger picture is of me in a wig when I was four---Dylan Allred wants to know if I still have that wig!

My star, I wonder if Courtney will leave it up forever.

Somehow a pirate "crashed" the party. He was so cute we let the little bootlegger stay.

Jackson's best buddy in the world turned 15 today---for his birthday I surrounded him with beautiful girls and took his picture--your welcome Bud.

Kids had Mac and Cheese, and other snacks in the garage, along with a game of water toy sword fighting.

What can I say---love you Courtney, Mom, Lesa and everyone who made 40 fabulous. Now I've got to go live it up!

How about a little homecoming, a little birthday party, a little road trip, and to wrap things up a wedding??

2010-10-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

I specialize in wordy titles if you were wondering. O.K. hold on to your sideburns, here we go...

The week of September 20-24 was homecoming week in Royal City. We enjoyed Pajama Day (Sammi snuck out without a pj picture)

Then the High School had Disco day and the Middle School had "Color" day ...(8th graders were gray and green?? go figure)

Then the high school had generation day, the Freshman were the Babies (big surprise!) and the middle school had Hawaiian day---again Sammi eluded me, it's starting to feel personal.

The next day was crazy hair/hat day at the Middle School and Movie day at the High School, the freshman were to dress like "Lord Of The Rings"--I'm still looking for the twisted mind that picked that impossible movie---what are you supposed to pull out of the closet for that movie??

The freshman also did their freshman duties by losing at boys volleyball, powder puff football, and the bed races. Ahhhh the good times of being a freshman, thank heavens they only come once.

Carter Allred's baby crib, re-crafted by freshman craftsman, Michael Valentine. Maybe they should start a furniture business....

I bought these "solid gold dancer" leggings thinking ahead to all the many, many spirit dress up days ahead---what are other people buying those leggings for??

Jackson's hair was black and gold---this led to a mistake I made later that same day.

And here is the mistake, I let the three little munchkins paint their hair for the football game Friday night. Black was everywhere, on all our clothes, all over their faces, on my walls, ALL over my bathroom. But no worries, my tears of regret were enough to clean the tub out.

Then on Sunday the Washington version of this gorgeous girls tenth birthday. Sierra Joli Noftle=10 years old, I can't believe it either.

We invited this chick, she smiles like a winner and knows the Happy Birthday song--perfect guest.

Aftyn let the rest of her family come too--Adalynn was dressed in all blue--she never let's us down in her dressing blue "phase".

Carter and Zoe wrestling on Sierra's new bedding, it's cute bedding, the fighting gets a little worn looking.

Sammi is trying to prove that watching cake boss isn't a waste of her time---so she made Sierra's cute cake.

When we got to Utah on Monday Sierra was surprised with a birthday party at Grandma Beve's house. Grandma even invited Aunt Holly and Aunt Heather's families. As an added bonus Magen's baby, Taytum Tank, allows all my little kiddos to cart him around, they loved it.

Some of the party attendees...

Tuesday morning we took the kids and Marci and Dallas took the Freeland kids and we all went to "This is the Place Park". Mountain man taught us how to melt lead to make our own bullets.

We panned for gold.

Traded our gold nuggets for commodities (otherwise known as candy).

Rode the wild horses of the west----"Chip and Dale".

Learned that there was a day when doing laundry was even worse than it is today---thank heavens for electricity and front loading machines.

We played hoops and sticks, and sometimes we dropped hoops and sticks, sometimes we caught hoops....

Carters' gold nugget smile reminds me of a toothless mountain man smile....

We went to the village blacksmith shop--you know errands to run metal to bend yada yada yada

We happily took care of all the stock around the place....

Oh, and we done got ourselves some learnin' in at the ole schoolhouse, highly educated pioneers now.

Some did leather stamping, some (little Billy) hit Zoe in the nose with their mallets, to each their own!

But Tuesday night was the real reason for the trip---these two lovebirds tied the knot. Your looking and Mathew and Gina Noftle. I think she is going to love us--what's not to love!

At least Uncle Mason wore a tie to the wedding (kind of!), Carter flatly refused--he does have shoes on though, baby steps, baby steps.

Carter's favorite dessert in the world---Cheese pie (cheesecake).

These last two pictures were out of order, they refused to comply and I gave up--go ahead call me a quitter.

Now I am caught up--until tomorrow.

Still Here

2010-09-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

Been a while since the last blog entry, since then we have:

1. Had five children doing homework in their 19 different subjects
2. Gone to Stake Meetings, Cub Scout Pack Meetings, Drivers Ed. Parent Meetings, Presidency Meetings, 504 plan meetings....meetings
3. Sammi started volleyball at the Middle School
4. Jax had his first C squad football game (they won with no seconds left on the clock with an amazing field goal kick--first highschool game is a win for this class!)
5. Zoe and Carter started soccer---Mom is Carters' coach, she gets a better workout than any of the players.
6. Took Jackson to Seattle for checkups with Oncology and Endocrinology.
7. Took two nieces into my home so the other niece could be dramatic with an admission to Seattle Children's Hosptial!
8. Avery, Zoe and Sierra did cheer/dance camp and performed at the High School Football game--I videoed the bleachers, (didn't know camera was on) then put it on the girls and turned the camera off ( I thought I was turning it on). GRRRRR
9. Driven Carter for x-rays in Moses Lake--he's fine.
10. Driven to Piano and Violin lessons a few times.
11. Helped with Middle School NWEA testing.
12. Did I mention the 5 kids all have homework all the time??
13. Let Carter, Zoe, and Sierra invite friends over for playdates.
14. Many loads of laundry, not much cleaning (don't worry it shows), too much cooking ( I think if I quit making meals the kitchen wouldn't need cleaning so much, I might try it)

So really not much here--nothing to blog about anyway.

Can't Complain!

2010-09-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

September 2010--Jackson in his high school football jersey.

September 2009, port placement surgery,

the start of Chemo, of days away from home and family, of low counts, and a kid who couldn't play football.

Jackson and his port have parted ways....

2010-08-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

It's true after 12 months together, 48 chemo infusions, (1x4=4 4x12=48 48x4=192) a lot of accesses, (math is hard), and no infections, (good job port and Jax) Jackson and his port have decided go their separate ways. I'm o.k. with it. We went to Seattle last night, ran into rock blasting on the pass(of course), and got to the Hospital early this morning. They did surprise us by announcing they would include a spinal tap in his port removal surgery. We have wanted this procedure because Dr. McClain is finding clinical ways to track the progress of ND CNS LCH by analyzing the cerbrospinal fluid. So he had his port out, spinal tap done, and came home. We had been warned by another histio Mom to move slowly and stay flat after the spinal tap and we did, Jackson was pretty much flat for 6 hours today, and no spinal headache. Worth it, from what I have heard you do NOT want a spinal headache.

Jackson looking like we woke him up at 5am, which we did.

Back from the recovery room.

Michael and I can always tell they haven't replaced him with a clone by the way he itches his nose when he has been under anesthesia!

Tiffany and Bailey (neighbors and friends) brought Jax Royal Knight balloons and a football which they had the team all sign--I am sure that took plenty of time and effort--these kind acts always bring me to tears. And the flowers are for little ole' me ,courtesy of the Tiffany & Bailey team too.

Grateful today for:

1. Ports to deliver my son medicine necessary to prolong his life and quality of life.

2. Doctors and nurses who are willing to study and go to school for years, and then work long hours to save lives and improve medical techniques.

3. Friends who don't forget about us month after month after month

4. Family who are always there to pick up the pieces-and the children.

The final farewell to summer vacation---AND The first day of school 2010 style

2010-08-26T23:53:00.000-07:00

If my blog is like a book, today's book will read like an illustrated children's stories. Heavy on pictures, light on text. And Brenda I don't know why some pictures are lit right and some are not, they were all taken within seconds of each other from the same spot. Maybe teenagers have a natural darkness about them---ohh I'm spooking myself out now!

The day before school started there was one last "pond day". Lunch and swimming with friends was on the schedule for this soiree. This is a picture of Gracee, Zoe, and McKayla---now SECOND graders. I remember when all these babies were born.

The kiddos had some game going, I never quite caught on to it--sometimes you sit on the pipe, sometimes you jump in, sometimes your thrown in. Oh well, as long as they understand.

When we got home from the pond party it was showers and pre-first-day-of-school-spa-day. Zoe obviously NEEDED this firming mask, especially on her lips!

And I think Sierra was getting her hair done did while Zoe firmed her 7 year old wrinkles.

Then it was time for the back to school dinner. We used to just have a special dinner then Michael would give the kids blessings. But I got an idea from another blog last year of having a family theme for the school year--something to focus and work on. Last years was "We can do hard things". I think we did too! I know Heaven helped us, usually through many of you. Now looking back makes me realize what strength and depth my children have. I'm a lucky Momma.

Bless you Dollar Store.

Can you guess this years theme? I'm not telling!

Do me a favor, next time you see Jackson, or Sammi, or Sierra, or Zoe, or Carter ask them what their family theme is this school year!

Babies first. (He can't read -- next year I probably won't be able to put baby safely by his name!) This sad looking little Carter was up at 6:30 am grabbing my face asking how many more Spongebob's till Kindergarten starts. I sure hope Mrs. Mueller teaches him to tell time---and not by T.V. shows--- real time.

Now for the baby girl (I'm safe she likes to be called baby girl). Zoe is beginning second grade today. She even let me curl her hair, I hope Red Rock enjoyed it while they had it.

When I grow up I want to have the style Sierra has always had. She is starting fourth grade today. A few more weeks and this chicky will be 10!

Ummm Sammi has a certain "style" about herself today too. Top of the Totem pole this year--Eighth grade. Wish the lighting was better she is giving you all quite the look.

His Royal Highschoolness, Jackson. All hail the freshman.

Looking like nice normal Noftle's--in the shadows of course, I might want/need photography lessons for Christmas.

More children in the dusk. I just added this one to make Brenda sigh/cry--hey don't judge me, she was all braggy about being at Disneyland today. People stuck in real life, taking poor quality pictures of their kids, need some revenge.

I thought it was cute how Carter's backpack took up a large percentage of his body! I am easily amused.

Our neighbor/Sammisitter Bailey and Sammi--these two didn't spend very many days this summer apart.

The always popular Red Rock sign photo op.

Carter and his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Mueller. This smile showed up several times today--is this his "schoolboy look"?

Zoe and the wonderful Mrs. Vermeer. Can't wait to see if they are both smiling nine months from now!

Sierra and Miss. Hill. We are experimenting with nepotism this year. Miss. Hill is Grandpa Kents' cousins daughter---I'm not sure Sierra knows that though. Hope there isn't a family tree test soon.

Another popular photo op for the Noftle children--Grandma's desk. That cool schoolboy smile on Carter again.

Kindergarten orientation. Or, mini MTC, as Michael calls it. Cool smile still there?? Check.

After we parents were "oriented" we got to sneak into the Kindergarten classrooms to see they hadn't corrupted the offspring yet. Carter was cracking up at the book, "Don't eat the teacher". Words to live by--you see he is learning life skills already.

Let's end the day with some cutie wooties--Sierra and Abigail, and don't miss their flower headbands!

Everyone came home happy and excited. Mr. Kindergarten himself, Carter, is spending the night at Matt and Courtneys', the girls with Mom, and Michael and I are heading to Seattle with Mr. High school--tomorrow's big soiree is Jackson's port removal surgery, one party after another around here!

Houston trip, the unabreviated edition!

2010-08-21T23:06:00.000-07:00

We are so grateful for the prayers, good wishes, and genuine happiness over Jackson's latest news---Thank you. We are planning a big "Chemo done, time for fun" party and if you read the blog, or brought a meal, or watched a kid, or sent a happy thought, lit a candle, prayed and prayer, painted a house, gave a hug whatever, then you are invited!! (date and time pending upon Royal Football schedule!!)
We got to Houston Saturday night and the three of us stayed up until 2am Texas time, just too wound up to sleep I guess. The next day we slept in and looked forward to seeing Sister Katelyn Christensen and her companion. I used to babysit Katelyn and we are neighbors with her family so it was fun to kidnap her and her companion for a couple of hours. I've seen her, hugged her, and can honestly report she is doing great. She seems so happy and appears to be thriving and loving her mission. Sunday night Michael and Jax were snoring soundly and I was enjoying some understandable insomnia. We had to wait at Dr. McClain's office for almost an hour before he came in. However, when he is with us we feel like he is in no rush and can stay with us as long as we want---I don't know how he does it. I've already told you all that Jax is done with Chemo, just yearly MRI's, BAER's, and Spinal Tap's for now. In the last 12 months since we last saw him they have discovered that with active ND CNS LCH there is demylanazation of the mylan sheath that covers the nerves connections (I reserve the right to bad spelling and medical terminology) and that this in turn shows up as extra protein in the cerebrospinal fluid. The tricky part is at different ages of life the protein in the cerebrospinal fluid fluctuates so there has been some figuring out what the normal ranges are for the different ages. Potentially this could be very helpful in Jackson's future. A yearly spinal tap could possibly detect the disease is becoming active again before he becomes symptomatic and more damage is done. Already our Doctor in Seattle is warning us we will have a fight on our hands to get the spinal taps done---funsies. Dr. McClain and Dr. Allen have also published recently in the journal of immunology about all of this and I haven't taken the time to look up the article yet, but I doubt it will have cartoon drawings so I may just have to sleep with it under my pillow in order to gain a better understanding of what is happening! But for now Jackson is happily enjoying 2 a day football practice, has sore muscles and is anxiously awaiting the port removal next Friday (the 27th) so he can get in there and hit someone! He is tired from his Chemo last week, but so excited to be looking at a Chemo free 9th grade year that he doesn't even complain about the fatigue. He did mention tonight that he wished he could have his port out before school starts, but the Hospital couldn't squeeze him in before Friday.

Smiling and hoping this was the last Chemo

The 48th dose of Cytarabine---man that sounds like a lot.

Jackson in the Houston airport Aug. 2010

(if you like there is a picture of Jax from Aug. 2009 in front of the same cow it's in the Sept. 09 file I couldn't figure out how to paste it in here!)

With the wonderful Dr. McClain--by the time we got home we already had an e-mail from him saying how much he enjoyed seeing Jackson again and reminding us of how to contact him if we had further questions or concerns. It's the great customer service in Houston that keeps us coming back!!

I thought it was funny how both of them wandered over to Bessies behind to make their calls!

See--wrong end of the cow again, like father like son.

Here is something from the Texas Children's Cancer Center site that explains a little about Dr. McClain and Dr. Allens' research.

Principal Investigators

Kenneth McClain, M.D., Ph.D. and Carl E. Allen, M.D., Ph.D.

The Research Challenge

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease of white blood cells in which an overabundance of abnormal dendritic cells causes damage to the skin, bone and other organs. The disease affects both children and adults, with peak incidence occurring in children between 5 and 10 years old. The incidence in children is approximately five per million, and in adults, approximately half that. Because LCH is rare, few physicians have experience in evaluating and treating it; patients and their families must often see physicians who do not give timely or proper evaluations and treatment.

For those affected by it, LCH is an exceptionally frightening and sometimes disabling experience. It can manifest in an alarming variety of ways: as a scaly rash that does not respond to treatment; as bone pain, headaches and severe leg pain; as severe gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from the esophagus, weight loss and failure to thrive; as swelling and inflammation in the mouth, face, ears, scalp and lymph nodes; and even as mental deterioration. Although most patients with bone, skin or lymph node involvement survive, they can suffer multiple recurrences and face long-term disability.

Unlike other rare white blood cell disorders, such as acute myelogenous leukemia or lymphoma, the cell of origin and causes of LCH remain unknown. Despite clinical trials conducted by the Histiocyte Society, many fundamental questions remain unanswered regarding the biology and treatment of LCH. Few significant scientific studies have even attempted to identify basic biologic characteristics of LCH. Most importantly, there have been no systematic studies of LCH that provide the fundamental knowledge essential to developing effective targeted therapies. Additionally, we lack the knowledge necessary to identify patients who, at the time of diagnosis, might require more intensive treatments.

One of the most important challenges we face is identifying those genes responsible for the development, growth and dissemination of LCH. Over the past 20 years, only a limited number of genes have been studied for their role in LCH. Most of these studies used techniques that, in retrospect, could not have yielded accurate results.

Now, using newly available, advanced technologies, we have the capability of assessing gene expression in LCH in a highly sophisticated and comprehensive manner. Data, obtained over the past two years from ongoing studies of cell-specific expression of more than 45,000 genes, have significantly changed our view of the biology of LCH. We have identified new genes important to the pathogenesis of LCH that regulate lymphocyte movement and other molecular pathways not previously associated with LCH. We are poised to use this data to further understand the genetic abnormalities that cause LCH and thus to better identify effective targets for treatment.

Advances in our understanding of LCH will help us understand the biology and treatment of the other histiocytic diseases.

Top

The Histocytosis Research Program at TXCCC/HS

Despite decades of research, the origin of LCH remains speculative, and survival of patients with severe disease remains poor. The overall goal of the LCH Research Program at Texas Children’s Cancer Center is to comprehensively identify essential genes critical to the growth and development of LCH. By knowing the genes, we can understand the key proteins that regulate cell function and the pathways they control. This knowledge will lead to a complete understanding of how LCH lesions are formed and how they progress and, ultimately, to better treatments and a cure for this disease.

Our LCH Research Program has four main areas of endeavor:

Comprehensive Analysis of Cell-Specific Gene Expression in LCH Tumors:

This project is the core of our research program. It is based on the idea that we cannot improve treatment of patients with LCH until we understand the fundamental nature of the cells that comprise LCH lesions. These lesions can arise in almost any organ system, and their severity can range from a rash to systemic disease that obstinately resists chemotherapy.

Data from our cell-specific microarray experiments do not support the current concept that LCH arises from clonal proliferation of activated-immature Langerhans’ cells (LCs) from the skin. We propose an alternative hypothesis that LCH tumors arise from pathologic myeloid dendritic cells that affect lymphocyte activation, migration and accumulation.

Developing a Comprehensive Genomic Database:

We also plan to develop a comprehensive genomic database for LCH, JXG, RDD, ECD, and malignant histiocytosis that will be used by Texas Children’s investigators and also by collaborators from various institutions in the United States and around the world. This genomic database will help identify novel therapeutic targets based on the genetic changes unique to histiocytic diseases.

As the largest LCH clinic in the world, and as the tumor bank for a consortium of LCH clinics performing basic biologic studies in the histiocytic diseases, Texas Children’s Cancer Center is the logical choice to lead this project. We intend to recruit an additional investigator to help us more rapidly achieve our research goals.

Developing Unique Models for Preclinical Drug Screening:

A significant obstacle in developing novel therapies for LCH has been the lack of a preclinical model that accurately mimics LCH in humans to predict clinical response. The large number of samples acquired by our laboratory now makes it possible to attempt development cell culture and animal models that may be used to study disease progression and test therapies.

Implementing High Throughput Therapeutic Drug Validation Strategies:

Once we have identified potential drug targets using the gene profiling studies described above, we will perform high-throughput studies to validate these possible targets. For this crucial step, we have the special advantage of being able to use highly sophisticated technologies now available to us through the recent establishment of the John S. Dunn Gulf Coast Consortium for Chemical Genomics. Using this state-of-the-art facility, we propose to use siRNA approaches to independently validate the function of the candidate genes and pathways by either targeted inactivation or by using whole genome siRNA libraries.

We will also use the chemical genomics approach as part of the target validation process. The compounds identified at this stage could be used both as chemical probes to further dissect the pathways and as potential lead compounds in the subsequent drug development phase of the project.

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Participate in Histiocytosis Research

The TXCCC Histiocytosis Team is dedicated to studying Histiocytic Diseases in order to identify the causes and discover cures. If you or your child is undergoing procedures (surgical biopsy, blood draw, lumbar puncture) for clinical purposes, we invite you to participate in Histiocytosis Research. This research requires tissue samples from patients with Histiocytic Diseases including Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (sometimes called Eosinophilic Granuloma), Juvenile Xanthogranuloma, Rosai-Dorfman Disease, Erdheim-Chester Disease, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, and Malignant Histiocytosis. These tissue samples provide vital information that will assist the TXCCC Histiocytosis Team in understanding the basic causes of histiocytosis which hopefully will lead to more effective treatments.

What is needed for this research?

Surgical biopsies The current research is focusing on an effort to isolate pure populations of cells fresh or frozen biopsy specimens to discover which specific genes are causing Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and related diseases.

Blood samples White blood cells can be isolated and analyzed in order to determine which circulating cells and genes contribute to Histiocytic Diseases. The plasma fluid in blood can also be analyzed to determine which proteins are important in diagnosing and treating Histiocytic Diseases.

Cerebrospinal fluid CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The Histiocytosis Team studying proteins that are involved in Histiocytosis-related nerve problems.

Medical information Medical details associated with the biology samples will help determine the clinical significance the genes, proteins and cells identified in the Histiocytosis research studies.

Houston trip=No More Chemo!

2010-08-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

That's right after 48 Chemo treatments Jackson is done! Just like he wanted, starting High School with no monthly Chemo distractions. I am thrilled for him and will give a complete Houston/Doctor/Katelyn update soon. But right now I have some children who haven't seen me in 6 days, and I am demanding their attention. And big doings tomorrow---school clothes shopping with Sammi and some other brave souls! If I survive, then for sure this weekend will see me catching the blog up! Thanks for the good wishes and prayers.