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Hans and the decorated tree today

Today, at the tree farm
Coach Dean with the "Sweet Feets in Cleats" Team: Camryn, Cassie, Elle and Kennedy Saturday at the tournament

Seeing Santa Friday

Chase and Hans showing off their scars Wednesday
Elle and Kevin at Band Concert Friday

Me and my Aunt Pati in Philly Thursday

Tom Hans and Pati Thursday

Grandma Stephanie and Elle in Old Town Spring Last Week

Hans and Dr. Maris - Dr. Maris was informing Hans that he'd lose his hair on his next med Wednesday

Hans, on the flight on the way up Last Monday

Hey - We are back in TX. It's been a whirwind, so I'm very behind on my emails/phone/and posting. Most importantly, Hans is doing well. We hope to get rid of this spot of disease in one to three rounds. Rounds of this new med are 21 days. No one told us the spot should go away in one to three rounds - that's just me and my wishful thinking. I like to have a tangible outcome to visualize. He still has hair, his counts haven't dropped yet. The main side effect that he experiences with the med is a "mild Euphoria". He's a bit loopy/drunk. Hans has appts twice this week, and we expect counts to fall between Tuesday and Thursday, so, we'll be cautious this go-round, and keep him out this week. Stinks to miss so much - but it's NO FUN being admitted to hospital for fever when you are just fighting off some bug, so we'll see how this round goes, and make some plans for getting him back to Glen Loch in January!

We made it home Thursday. It was cool - we flew Southwest for a change. They were VERY flexible and didn't charge any last minute change fees. I LUV that. We had a change of planes in Nashville and were the last to board. SW flight attendants are allowed to express their personalities more than on most airlines. The flight attendant asked Hans' name, and as we found our seats in the last row, he was commenting over the loud speaker on Hans and his gorgeous hair. He told everyone that it was Hans' real hair. All the way down the aisle, I was just thinking it was about to fall out:( Hans covered his head with both arms (he's shy about the comments he ALWAYS gets about his hair), like he was averting the paparazzi.

My Aunt Pati and Tom were vacationing in DC last week. They made their way to see us, pick us up from our last day at clinic, take us to lunch and get us to the airport. It was fun to have a ride from family! We loved seeing them!!! Thanks for making the day of it!

Since we got back (late Thursday) we have accomplished quite a bit -
- Totally missed a lanyard workshop at Tamiko's House on Thursday - but I'm sure Vickie and Tamiko had a great time.
- We made it back just in time for Elle's debut band concert with her clarinet!
We met her band teacher who seemed tres pleased with her musical beginnings. So are we:)
- We actually got Hans and Elle to see Santa. Hans is a little moody about certain outings - but, in the end, we somehow played our cards just right and Hans hopped up there. He brought a transformers brochure with him so Santa would be perfectly clear as to what Hans was thinking!
- Then, Friday night - Hans and I gave Kevin a big hair cut. We actually braided his hair in a dozen ten-inch braid. Hans chopped them off. We'll send them in to Locks of Love. Kevin didn't want Hans to be the only one to lose his locks!
- Yesterday we hit FIVE of Elle's games. I haven't mentioned that right now Volleyball and Soccer overlap (chaos!) so we had an AM volleyball game followed by the four soccer game that made up her 3 v 3 Tournament. It was quite a Mudfest - but her team - "Sweet Feets in Cleats" - took second place for best name. Fun, but cold day.
- Last night we partied in our neighborhood with a progressive dinner. I honestly wasn't sure I'd be up for it, but it was fun to be festive with the neighbors. We have a neat block!
Finally, - today we went out to The Red Caboose Farm to cut down our Christmas tree. Hans was on a mission to get it decorated. He got the job done. He was focused!

My mom is able to stick around for another week. Hans is doing well right now, but the chemo typically gets to you in days 7 - 10, so we are bracing to see how it will hit him. Hopefully it'll be OK!

Okay - not that I got all of that down, here are finally a few pics. Did I ever tell you that I actually did get Hans to the Liberty Bell this last time?? But, he wasn't in the mood for a pic, so you'll just have to trust me on that.

Lara