You're probably asking, "Why do the Coverstones have their Christmas-lit house on their
Thanksgiving posting?" It's because I am "thankful" that we got our lights up a week before Thanksgiving. In Oregon, you got to "work" with the weather. We had 2 non-rainy weekends and decided to "seize the moment".
The Santa on the porch, closest to the front door is one that my parents put on our front porch, when I was a little girl, many, many, many Christmases ago.
This is Jim at OHSU in Portland. Since he works in Salem, he will be going to Salem for his radiation treatments. He went to his first appointment that did a CT scan, an MRI and they made a mesh mask that fits his face. They put the mesh in warm water and then molded the mesh to make a mask for Jim. They will put markings on the mask that will allow the radiologist to pinpoint the location for the radiation. He will go 5 days a week for 5 1/2 weeks. We are glad the radiation didn't start before Thanksgiving. Also something to be grateful for.
Our girls and their families are with their in-laws for Thanksgiving and then we get them for Christmas. I'll miss them today, but I am excited to have them for Christmas. We had 2 Thanksgiving invitations to eat at friend's houses today, but we decided to go out to eat and then to the movies. We can't decide between "Blind side" or "Old Dogs". I do love movies that are based on a true story, which is the case with "Blind side". I did get up this morning and make a pumpkin pie for us to have for dessert upon our return this evening. Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with gratitude, family, friends, good health and of course tummies full of turkey and all the fixin's.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
We went with Ryan and Crystal's family and
McKenzie, Alex's aunt.
I'm not sure what Alex liked best--the Autobahn or throwing snowballs at unsuspecting family members.
Payton was just plain adorable in her purple snowsuit.
I personally think the Hoodoo autobahn brochure should have this on the front page.
Grandpa had a great time, but when we got home that afternoon, Jim slept from 4:30pm-5:30 the next morning, when he had to get up and go to radiation. We teased him just a little about his "13-hour afternoon nap".
This is what sold me on this place. You and your tube get pulled up the hill by a rope tow. This is Kevin getting a tow. NO walking up the giant hill. Crystal actually did walk up once and said, "Never Again!"
This is the top of the hill. That is 3 Finger Jack mountains to the left of Kevin's head.
There are both single and double-holed tubes. Payton rode behind Crystal.
Alex and Crystal.
Here's a video and photo finish of Jim and Kevin racing down the hill. 
Shared secrets.
Payton is taking ballet and showed grandpa a few of her moves.
Then she wanted grandpa to try a few ballet moves.
Grandpa LOVES to wrestle with the grandkids.
And we took a pose by the tree and then grandpa headed for bed.
On Tues. the Las Vegas Bowl was played. Jim was cheering for BYU. I was cheering for OSU. If you saw the game, you'll know why I'm refusing to tell you what the final score was. Here's a hint: Evidently Cougars like to eat Beaver or at least chew them up and spit them out.
Jim comes in and he settles in on the machine's table.
They put his mask on that was made and molded to his cute little face. The rectangle on the side of the mask has a horizontal and vertical line on it. When Jim is settled into position on the table, then a crosshair's lazer light lines up the the horizontal and vertical lines on the mask.
Jim is left alone in the room. The tech comes out and looks at this screen. He begins the CT-scan. The results are shown immediately. Then the tech begins his calculations on the exact location of where the tomo radiation is to be administered. After he has it set, a doctor comes and double checks and makes any changes that he thinks needs to be made. Then the treatment begins. It lasts about 4 minutes. The tomo radiation actually circles around the target area, but Jim doesn't move. So it is "zapping" the new tumor and the old tumor location from different angles. The red circle shows the target area..JPG)
There is also a camera in the room, so the tech can see Jim at all times. They also play Jim's requested music while he is being treated. He requested the Eagles, but he is thinking of changing it to The Mormom Tabernacle Choir. They tell Jim that his biggest job is to hold still.
Beaver fans -- like father, like son.
and family man..JPG)
He is a super dad!
He takes an interest in and spends lots of time with the kids.
He is loved by all his family members! His mom and Chris
His dad and Virginia
His brothers and sister
His brother-in-laws and sister-in-law
.JPG)
His nieces and nephew
Ryan takes his family to all sorts of fun places and they love him for it.
.JPG)