Beer & Hymns

Yep, just like the title says. Last night the Coons family hosted Beer & Hymns night to celebrate the release of Tim's new album. 30-40 of us gathered in their backyard to enjoy a beautiful Greeley evening while drinking cold Sunshine Wheat and singing great classics of the Christian faith. It was really fun. We were also treated to some amazing Artisan tacos for dinner when the singing was done. I hope Big Andrew had as much fun as I did. By the way, please check out Tim's album Potomac on iTunes. It's a great one!

Friends

Nathanael was able to celebrate his birthday with a few of his friends last night! Jen picked the group up after school and took them to a movie. Then a dinner of Little Caesars! The evening finished with some present opening and video games before they finally crashed at about 11. Happy birthday once again Nathanael!

Penn Friend!

It has been a tough week for Campingdad. The side effects from the radiation have continued and even gotten worse in some cases. I have been on a strict schedule of pain killers since Tuesday to help with the pain and allow me to sleep. It's been very discouraging. Then, on Tuesday night, an angel appeared in the form of my friend Shawn. He had made a quick trip to Colorado from Pennsylvania and our family was the only one he made time to see. Even though it was only about a 15 minute visit, it was just what I needed at the time. After he left, I just cried and cried. I cried because I'm tired of being in pain. I cried because I'm scared of the impending surgery. I cried because I miss their family so much and the next time we see them, this whole stupid cancer thing will be over. I cried for my lost summer of camping and biking. I cried because living with cancer sucks. Shawn and I sure look middle aged now, don't we? Look at those bald heads.

School

Summer vacation finally ended for the last two members of the Roth family this morning at 7:55. They both agreed on the way to school that it was a great summer. I am so thankful they will remember it as a great summer with lots of fun instead of the summer that dad got sick. Can't wait to hear all the stories of their first day tonight!

Hot

So, our seats were pretty good except they were in the sun the entire game. So we spent quite a bit of time walking around and watching the game from different places. Ryan found his second funnel cake of the summer. Rockies hold on and win 3-2 in front of 43,000 fans. The grounds crew is now setting up the stage for Third Day!!

10

Well, Nathanael reached double digits today! We had a little family party tonight; the party with his friends will be on Friday. Thanks to the grandparents for the cool gifts! Happy birthday son. I love you.

Rockies

It's a beautiful 75 degrees today at Coors Field for Faith and Family day. I surprised Jen with tickets to the game. The big surprise is after the game when THIRD DAY plays a concert!!! Might be seeing a no hitter in progress, as the Rockies are down 2-0 to Miami in the bottom of the third.

Silly

Thankful the littles return home today. Our family will finally be a family of 6 again. Sister had a great night winning tickets the other night. This is what she picked out.

15

Happy anniversary to my beautiful blushing bride. We have been through a lot, experienced some crazy things, and seen many wonderful things. I am blessed to have you by my side through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. I love you Jennifer Sue.

Nathanael

My favorite soon to be 10 year old is also having an amazing summer vacation. By the time he gets home tomorrow, he will have spent a full month away from Greeley. I hope he remembers me. I really miss the kiddo. Here he is at a Grand Junction Rockies game over the weekend and playing on the bumper boats. Rumor has it that he enjoyed getting grandpa really wet!

Horses!

Sarabeth got to feed, water, and ride some very beautiful horses over the weekend. I hope she doesn't come home and ask for a new pony for the backyard.

School

Well, today was the second day of sixth grade for Little D, but the first as an 8th grader for Noah! They found their mom for a quick photo between classes. I think all three of them are going back tomorrow. Pretty good looking group!

Fishing!

Kids and Grandma and Grandpa spent part of Saturday at a near by lake trying to catch dinner. Only one person in the foursome managed to catch anything: grandpa Jim. Kids are still having fun exploring all the Grand Junction has to offer. Can't wait to make a family trip in September for the Wine Festival.

6th Grade

Andrew's summer came to a screeching halt early this morning as 6th grade has begun!! He had a good first day and I think he will be returning to school on Monday, when the rest of the 6-12 building starts. The littles still have 10 more days of summer!

Radiation

All done!! 28 days of radiation and chemo are now complete! Joy! Thanks to everyone around the world for your thoughts, prayers, encouragement, rides to treatment, beer, coffee and love. The waiting game begins now, with surgery already scheduled for 6 AM on Monday October 22 in Denver. The treatment team presented me with a celebratory cake today and big Andrew bought me a pint at Old Chicago. Thankful to be done and in relatively good shape physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Paint!

Yesterday the littles went with grandma to a local retirement home in Grand Junction. They spent the afternoon doing several small art projects, including the one seen here. They painted lady bugs on rocks! What a neat way to reach out and bless the community around them.

Swap

It's not really a swap when I get two kids back and don't send anything or anyone to Wyoming. Had a great lunch with the folks today at Smashburger after treatment. The bigs are officially back in Colorado and ready to start the school year on Friday (Andrew) and Monday (Noah). Thanks again for hosting the kids for Summer Camp 2012!

Sewing

Today in Junction, Sarabeth is busy learning to sew on Grandmas machine. It will be interesting to see what she makes! Thanks Grandma! That will hopefully turn into a lifelong skill and hobby she will always be able to use.

Camp

It's been a very busy day for all the kids in their various cities. Nathanael and Sarabeth got an early start today playing with some Aquasand. Janet also managed to get earrings back in sisters ears. North of the border, Noah killed some hay bales with his bow while Andrew made a chocolate-free dessert with Bonnie. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Busy

If there's one thing our family never seems to have, it's a dull moment. The bigs are now in Wyoming taking their turn at camp while the littles have gone west to Grand Junction for a fun filled two week adventure with Jim and Janet. The picture of the boys with grandpa Roth is the last known sighting of Noah's hair as you can see from the second photo of the boys on the Laramie railroad foot bridge. Grandpa Jim took the group out for a nice breakfast this morning while Ryan was working. Little Andrew REALLY enjoyed the shrimp scampi sauce at dinner tonight, hence the straw. Jen and I have even found some time to spend together, celebrating a friends 40th birthday and enjoying dessert and beer with some other special friends.

Me!

So here is where all the action has been happening the last month or so. This is the radiation treatment area for the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Ft. Collins. That's me on the table with the green laser beams lining up my treatment for the day. I am laying in a blue leg cast so that I am in the exact same position everyday of my 28 days. Down the hall and behind the lead lined walls is the shuttle control room. Yes, those are my hips that don't die. Haha. The ladies also have several cameras on me at all times during the 2 minute treatment. As of this morning, I only have 4 treatments left. The symptoms are catching up with me finally. There is lots of pain and nausea. Also the fatigue isn't helping. Hoping and praying Thursday gets here soon!