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A trip to Richland, Oct. 14 & 15th to visit the Pattons and Hubert, Jean's father
First a visit with John & Jan, who we met on our Italy tour. We take a hike with them up Badger Mountain that overlooks the Tri-Cities
View East towards Kennewick and Pasco
Jan and Jean and the view North
Hikers below
Marker showing the level of prehistoric and temporary Lake Lewis, formed by the great floods.
Richland in the distance next to the Columbia River
At the top, Tom & Jean, Jan and John.
That evening we enjoyed dinner at their home.
Erratic and Tom: Rock from Montana that was carried in the ice during the flood
Next stop: Sprague, near Spokane
Grandchildren Adah, Eli and Sam at home.
Our visit includes going with Alane and Eli for his pre-op visit at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane
Eli checking out our GPS - he is to have surgery tomorrow for Chiari Malformation Type 1, a condition that forces cerebral spinal fluid into the spinal column.
October 18, Eli ready for this brain surgery
He is very brave while being prepped for surgery
Eli the next day, it was a three hour surgery
We bring his twin Adah and brother Sam to visit Eli after school on the 19th
His stiches
A new puzzle ball to explore
At the hospital on the 23rd, Adah Sam and Eli just before we leave for Sprague home on the 23rd
Monday Eli waves to Sam and Adah as they get on the bus for school
Smudge - a study in gray
Eli working with some of his new Legos
Clouds - view from their house.
Tom returns home on the 25th, having a cold.
Tom returns on the 29th to get Jean and take her back home. Eli a little lethargic, but we think he is OK.
Adah and her new lego set
Sam and helicopter
Before we get home we learn Eli is back in the hospital. So Jean drives back the next morning.
Eli goes home again on Oct. 2nd, was treated for dehydration, had flu symptoms.
Jean returned home on the 5th, but on the 7th returns because Eli is to have another surgery, this a 30 minute one to reattach an internal patch losened due to having those flu symptoms.
From that surgery he returns home on Nov. 11 and quickly recovers and starts going to school in a couple of weeks.
Photos of Mt. Rainier taken on the 29th trip home.
We are all very thankful for Eli's recovery.
He now (December) is full time in school but cannot be in PE, or out for recess in order for complete healing. Also wears a mask to avoid flu or colds that could stress his neck.
November 13
We visit Puget Sound University - Ann & Rachel under the tree.
We are there to visit with Grandson Matthew, Sophomore
Rachel, Anne, Jean, Nels, Laura, Margaret, and Matthew
It's cold but great fall color as Matthew leads us on a short tour of the campus
In the Logger's Gym
Matthew demonstrates his music creations at his apartment
Amanita muscaria or fly agaric in the neighborhood.
Considered poisonous but also hallucinogenic and consumed as food in some countries. No, we did not try it!
Thanksgiving
We have Margaret and Laura's family for dinner, the next day have Trevor's father and sister's families
Margaret and Brandon with their Settlers of Catan game.
Ready to eat - Thanksgiving Dinner
Some one brought a magazine 'Seattle Met'
In it is a photo of Jean's nephew Jeff, a chef in Seattle - center of photo
The next day we get a lesson in playing from our next door neighbor, Joost. He brings his 3D version of the game for us to borrow.
Close-ups of the game parts, the robbers below
Jean, Brandon, Levi and Margaret.
Holiday Gathering at the Matthews
Jean preparing seafood stew dinner - Nels observing
Elaine & Joe, Rachel & Anne, Herb, Laura & Margaret
Family portrait
Meanwhile, we have been working on preparing our new outside doors
Herb's 90th Birthday Activities - December
Family Dinner Night Out
Richland Baptist Church Reception
Dec. 17
Herb and the Great Grandkids!
Dinner At the Winery
Margaret & Laura's birthday
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Margaret & Thomas Jefferson at Jalopy in Brooklyn
