Great News!

So much to tell, but first off, we just got back from Craig's doctor for the six week post-op check. Everything looks great and the doc said he can start phasing out of wearing the brace. He'll start with an hour in, an hour out, then an hour in, two hours out, etc. until over a period of two weeks or so he's completely out. This was a huge surprise. He expected to wear the brace for a minimum of 3 months and more likely 6 months. He was overjoyed with the news. His doctor recommended he start walking in a swimming pool to build up his strength. Our only other issue is Craig's weight. He lost 10 pounds in the hospital. If anyone has ideas for how to make protein powder taste good please let me know. Craig has rejected protein smoothies and milk shakes. He tolerates protein pancakes and muffins.

We spent last week with most of my family at a lake house in Ohio. It was a great location, on a strip of land that cut through Lake Erie. We had water behind us and a private beach across the street in front of us. Because of his surgery Craig was limited in what he could do, but the other kids went tubing, jet skiing, and spent a day at Cedar Point. We all visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, which was really interesting, but crowded. Predictably, there was a Michael Jackson exhibit as you entered. The kids looked at a Rolling Stone cover from 1983 and didn't recognize MJ. They had never seen him before all the plastic surgery.

We also celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary. Each family member made a scrapbook page and since they met and were married in Hawaii we had a luau of sorts. They shared stories of how they met and how my dad ended up at Church College of Hawaii as a non-member.

The girls were way out numbered this year at the reunion. Abby wasn't there and Morgan's wife and oldest daughter (and husband) were also unable to be there. Craig thrived on the all the boy power. He is now the tallest grandchild, but his cousin Zach beat him out for the lightest.