tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83342920082876082472024-02-19T18:04:37.526-08:00Trumbull FamilyTodd Trumbull and Karen Hale were married September 11, 1999 in Blackfoot, Idaho. This is a blogspot for the happenings around their family and for their family.Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-62894984916852576502010-07-23T11:45:00.000-07:002010-07-23T11:53:15.445-07:00Migraine Treatment OptionsI received this list from my neurologist. He set it up in categories.<br /><br />TRIPTANS<br />Sumatriptan (imitrex)<br />Zolmitriptan (zomig)<br />Rizatriptan (maxalt)<br />Eletriptan (relpax)<br />Frovatriptan (frova)<br />Naratriptan (amerge)<br />Almotriptan (axert)<br /><br />ERGOTS<br />Intravenous DHE<br />MIGRANAL nasal spray or tabs<br /><br />NSAIDS or pain pills<br />Ibuprofen (motrin)<br />Naproxen (aleve)<br />Tylenol<br />Exedrin<br />Midrin<br />Fioricet, Fiorinal<br /><br />ANTIEMETICS<br />Phenergan<br />Reglan<br />Ondansetron (zofran)<br /><br />NARCOTICS<br />Vicodin<br />Percocet<br />Dilaudid<br />Demerol<br /><br />OTHER<br />Prednisone<br />Decadron<br />Medrol Dose Pack<br /><br />BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS<br />Propranolol (inderol)<br />Timolol (blocadren)<br />Atenolol (tenormin)<br />Metoprolol (toprol XL)<br />Nadolo (corgard)<br />Verapamil (Calan)<br />Candesartan (Atacand)<br />Lisinopril (Zestril)<br /><br />ANTICONVULSANTS<br />Topiramate (topamax)<br />Gabapentin (neurontin)<br />Sodium Valproate<br />Valproic Acid<br />Divalproex (Depakote)<br />Lamotrigine (Lamictal)<br />Pregabaline (Lyrica)<br /><br />ANTIDEPRESSANTS<br />Amitriptyline (elavil)<br />Nortriptyline (pamelor)<br />Doxepin (Sinequan)<br />Protryptyline(vivactil)<br />Fluoxetine (Prozac)<br /><br />OTHER<br />Methysergide (methergine)<br />Magnesium<br />Vitamin B2<br />Coenzyme Q10<br />Hormone Therapy<br />Feverfew<br />Butterbur<br />BOTOX injectionsTrumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-34997779148575688782010-07-23T11:20:00.000-07:002010-07-23T11:44:48.705-07:00The Migraine Blog - Days 4-6 of diet, thru day 48 of MIGRAINE!Okay - I'm not so great at blogging daily!!!<br /><br />So, on day 4 of the Migraine Diet, the migraine was at a 1-2 on the pain scale. It was a pretty mellow day, and that afternoon I had an appointment with a Reflexologist. It was enlightening. She felt that there was a stress or emotional bond that was holding the migraine.<br /><br />Of course, can't remember what foods I ate - so lousy for the blog, but shortly you will see that the diet idea didn't pan out...<br /><br />Day 5 - Friday - again, day started out pretty well - pain between 1 and 3 - until that afternoon when I took my niece to Jujitsu with me. By then, I started feeling nauseous and the blurriness in my eyes was more pronounced. I did not participate in the class, but sat there with my sunglasses on because my eyes were very light sensitive. Made it home, took another Oxy. 4 down, only 6 left...<br /><br />Day 6 of diet, day 42 of MIGRAINE - Saturday - another 1-3 pain level day. Tired of this!!!! Very light sensitive, starting to cheat on diet more. Don't believe it is helping since still have migraine.<br /><br />Day 7 of diet, day 43 of MIGRAINE - Sunday - done with diet. What a joke! Migraine at a 3-4 level. Take Excedrin Migraine at church. Make it through church and then off to see BIL's new house for a BBQ. Pain maintained. Exhausted by the time we were headed home.<br /><br />Day 44 of MIGRAINE - go to see PCP again. He says he has tried all that he can do and he is turning me over to a Neurologist. His office makes an appointment for me the next morning first thing.<br /><br />Day 45 of MIGRAINE - go see Neurologist. He checked my reflexes, discussed my migraine history. I told him I was worried about vision loss, since my left eye is fuzzy. He checked it and said it looked okay and that once the migraine was under control, my vision would return. He said my migraine was not food-based, so I could abandon the diet. (Haha - already did) <br /><br />He says he thinks it is swelling in my brain stem. He gave me prescriptions for anti-nausea meds, steroids, and anti-seizure meds. Will include the list of the medical treatments available. It is quite a list! He also gave me samples for the next migraines I get to see if a more simple solution is out there. I sure hope we can get rid of this one!!!<br /><br />Day 46 of MIGRAINE - Wednesday - so I took my steroids Tuesday, and my first dose of the anti-seizure med. I was awakened Wednesday morning at 2:30am, and realized why he had prescribed the anit-nausea medicine! I took one at about 3:00am. I felt tired again and went to sleep.<br /><br />My alarm went off and I peeled the bed off my back and made it downstairs, cleared out the inbox (while propping my eyelids open) and then sat on the couch. The next thing I remember was my husband coming downstairs - and hour later - and he asked if I had a rough night. I said yes, and went to check the inbox again. I laid my head on my desk, and fell asleep again. It was like that until about 3pm that day!!! I looked up this 'anti-nausea' med, PROMETHEZINE, and here is what it is good for: sleep aid, antihistamine, nausea, pain after surgery, and motion sickness. YIKES!!! Anyway, I am not taking any more of those! It took my whole day!<br /><br />Oh - migraine pain 1-3 for the day.<br /><br />Day 47 of the MIGRAINE - started out the day at less than one! but moved up to a 3-4 pain level during the day. Still taking the steroids. Also took an Excedrin migraine and my nausea pill from the acupuncturist (herbal, not a multi-function, ruin-your-day kind of pill!!!) SOOO TIRED OF THIS MIGRAINE!!!<br /><br />Still light sensitive. Now keeping a migraine log for the neurologist.Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-28118765268625050472010-07-14T20:07:00.001-07:002010-07-14T20:09:36.764-07:00The Migraine Blog - Day 3Wow - yuck - what a day! The pain has been a steady 5/6 all day. Ready to quit. <br /><br />Today's menu consisted of:<br /><br />Whole grain cereal with milk<br /><br />spaghetti with alfredo sauce (very light cheese)<br />broccoli<br /><br />tortilla with taco meat, some mozzarella cheese<br /><br />Taking an Oxy and going to bed...Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-24918837412661099592010-07-13T23:14:00.000-07:002010-07-13T23:22:00.147-07:00The Migraine Blog - starting the dietThe piece of any good diet that you look forward to has to be the list of possible foods you can eat.<br /><br />My list is short.<br /><br />I bought tortillas and cottage cheese, along with a big bag of broccoli and green beans. I can have fresh cuts of meat. I am really sad about no onions or avocados or vinegar or cheese. Truly depressing!<br /><br />So I begin:<br /><br />Day 1<br />Whole grain cereal with milk<br /><br />cottage cheese with some strawberry jam on top<br /><br />salmon pressure cooked with seasonings<br />brown rice done in rice cooker<br /><br />salad with feta cheese and a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing (cheat)<br /><br />popcorn<br /><br />Day 2<br />scrambled eggs<br />crepes with lignonberry jam<br />creme fresh<br />(we went to IKEA for breakfast :-)<br /><br />boiled broccoli with butter and salt<br /><br />pork tenderloin<br />mashed potatoes<br />green beans<br />cornbread<br /><br />Migraine still alive and well. Took a hydrocodone to go to sleep...Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-22498344693657059602010-07-13T22:58:00.000-07:002010-07-13T23:13:41.333-07:00The Migraine Blog - food intakeDuring this time I keep hoping it will resolve and go away. To help myself, I found a book called <em>Joy Bauer's Food Cures</em>. I have decided to remove the 'trigger' foods from my diet for 30 days. This is a very long time to me, since the foods on the trigger list represent a large portion of my everyday diet. And part of me wonders if has anything to do with food. We will see.<br /><br />Here is the list of forbidden 'fruits', the 'Trigger Foods' list:<br /><br />Anything with tyramine or phenylethylamine. That includes but is not limited to:<br />chocolate<br />cheese (aged or fermented)<br />yogurt<br />sour cream<br />buttermilk<br />soy products (including soy sauce)<br />vinegar (anything pickled along with mixtures)<br />breads with yeast (!)<br />organ meats<br />all nuts<br />beans<br />processed meats and fish<br />eggplant<br />avocado<br />onions<br />citrus fruits<br />bananas<br />grapes<br />plums<br />papaya<br />raisins<br />raspberries<br />alcohol<br />left-overs<br /><br />Anything with tannins:<br />tea<br />red-skinned apples or pears<br />apple juice or cider<br />coffee<br /><br />Anything with nitrates:<br />deli meats<br />pepperoni<br />bacon<br />hot dogs<br />sausages<br />bologna<br />pastrami<br />jerky<br />corned beef<br />any meats that have been dried, cured, pickled, canned with nitrates<br /><br />Anything with sulfites:<br />canned vegetables (from the store)<br />dried fruits<br /><br />Anything with additives: (MSG or HVP)<br />Anything with Aspartame<br />Anything with caffeine<br /><br />*************<br /><br />Foods I should eat more of:<br /><br />Liquids<br />water<br />herbal tea<br />milk<br /><br />Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Olive Oil<br />wild salmon<br />rainbow trout<br />Pacific oysters<br />omega 3-fortified eggs<br />flaxseed (ground and oil)<br />seaweed<br />walnut oil<br />canola oil<br /><br />Riboflavin<br />fresh lean beef<br />whole grain fortified cereal<br />eggs<br />mushrooms<br />asparagus<br />kale<br />broccoli<br />spinach<br /><br />Magnesium<br />spinach<br />swiss chard<br />fresh amaranth<br />quinoa<br />sweet potatoes<br />white potatoes<br />millet<br />chickpeas<br />brown rice<br />whole wheat pasta<br />whole grains<br />wheat germTrumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-74467949413815062912010-07-13T22:42:00.000-07:002010-07-13T22:58:46.221-07:00The Migraine Blog - at the beginningSo it started on June 5th. I took my usual Excedrin Migraine medicine, and it dulled the pain. By the time Joan and Kelly wanted to leave (just after Sacrament), I was ready for a rest too. I sent the kids home with Todd and went to the rest of my meetings. I got home and rested. The migraine shifted up and down the scale throughout the week. On Monday it was horrible, but I was stressed out. I requested time off work to go help at the stables for a Home-School field trip. It was a last-minute request, but I felt I needed to be there because it was just the instructor and 20 kids.<br /><br />Wednesday I asked for Thursday off from work, and again felt terribly guilty that I was leaving my co-workers in a lurch. Our family left to go North that night to meet up with Kelly and Joan and his family in Bremerton, WA. Still medicating.<br /><br />Busy the rest of the week. Sunday morning, June 13th, I was in excruciating pain. I went to Urgent Care. They were irritated that 'I had waited soo long'. They gave me a shot of Toradol. It was supposed to relieve swelling. It did nothing. I made it home in time to prepare the kids for church. I wore my sunglasses the whole time. I have had quite a bit of light sensitivity, which is abnormal for my normal migraines. We left just before Sacrament got out. I went home and rested. I was supposed to feed the missionaries that night. KD was going to help, so we were making food for 12 of us. I took some more medicine and kept my sunglasses on.<br /><br />That Wednesday I went to my PCP. He was surprised that I made it to day 11 of my migraine. He gave me a shot of Imitrex. It made me sick. The kids were with me and they were worried for me. I was very nauseous and my arms were heavy. The Doctor apologized and was worried it might not be a migraine. He sent me down to radiology for an MRI. It was clear.<br /><br />The Doctor prescribed a daily drug to ward off migraines - Verapamil. It also lowers blood pressure. My blood pressure is pretty low now - usually around 115/68. He said to take it anyway, but to be aware that I might get light-headed or dizzy due to that.<br /><br />His nurse called me the next day to talk about drug interactions. She called me again on Friday about a few more, and I asked her what I should do about the current migraine. She was startled - thought it was resolved. She called back and said she had ordered a prescription for Oxycodone and if that did not resolve it, to go to the ER for an Oxycodone shot.<br /><br />The Oxy that night let me sleep. I woke up Saturday, June 19th envigorated. We cleaned up all of the bedrooms and went out and bought doughnuts for breakfast. We got a lot of things done that day. <br /><br />And my migraine was back on Sunday, the 20th. It has been fluctuating up and down the pain scale since, never completely going away. <br /><br />One sister said it may be a Vitamin A deficiency, so I have been taking plenty of that. Another said it could be dehydration, so I have been drinking plenty of water.<br /><br />I fluctuate between pain medications. Nothing makes it go away, but they all deaden it to certain degrees.Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-69712005001270674942010-07-13T22:37:00.000-07:002010-07-13T22:41:48.962-07:00The Migraine BlogSo I got a migraine on June 5th, 2010. It won't go away. I was busy preparing for Kelly, Joan, and their family to come visit. We had friends over for dinner - I made baby-back pork ribs and Ramen noodle cabbage salad. The kids had help me make ginger molasses cookies and banana bread. Everybody had a good time, but by the end of the evening, I had a deep pain through my right ear into my head. It was a strange beginning for a migraine, but by the morning, it had moved to it's usual place behind my left eye and along the left side of my head.<br /><br />This is going to be a blog about how I am going to get rid of this crazy migraine.Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-35050981600536515862008-12-20T07:15:00.000-08:002008-12-20T07:16:26.596-08:002008So another year is ending. How the times flies! This year has been pretty eventful. At the beginning, we had Karen’s nephew Ethan Cook living with us while he went to Clark College here in Vancouver. He left in June.<br /><br />Karen went to New York for her cousin Marjorie’s funeral in February, then came home with pneumonia. She was also in physical therapy for her weak ankles for a few months. J<br /><br />In March and April, Ethan and Todd took a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training course with the local firefighters.<br /><br />In May, Karen’s mom, Alice, died after suffering several strokes and 12 days later Todd’s dad, Don, died from liver and kidney failure. After making it through two quick funerals, a few days later Karen’s gall bladder was removed.<br /><br />Things seemed to even out a little in July. Karen’s father, Lowell, lived with us for a month. We went camping at our usual location up by Puget Sound with fun activities such as crabbing, clamming, and oyster harvesting. Fun was had by all!<br /><br />Eric started Kindergarten this year and Elizabeth started the 2nd Grade. Eric was so happy to get to ride the bus! Elizabeth likes being the older sister and we often hear how they get to play together at recess.<br /><br />Karen took a Food Preservation class offered through the Washington Extension Office during May and June. This has lead to many volunteer hours answering food preservation questions from people all over the Northwest. She has also spent many hours teaching others how to can and preserve food.<br /><br />Todd is happily working with U-Haul as the Regional Computer Support Specialist for the Pacific Northwest Region. He travels up and down the I-5 corridor. He loves to play World of Warcraft in his spare time.<br /><br />Karen works with U-Haul as a Customer Service Agent. She also spends her spare time volunteering in Eric’s classroom, taking local religion classes, and canning.<br /><br />We hope all is well with you and your family. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-22297359723939126122007-12-26T05:26:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:47:33.030-08:002006Since writing about 2007 seemed so easy, I thought I would try 2006.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRuIVMKIWyU2Ngpzc1Ccf7RMMeprBSTQ0SYLrV6kQKiTbxvW0mChHSllFhuYgxoD-Kq4RWL5UiuBm9JfNpgVbgYUWVGrCzsFXOVeR83m9COSXHqWq0Ef13j8Skz_v8PvK_jO_Q6BBqdU/s1600-h/family03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148308029054260130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRuIVMKIWyU2Ngpzc1Ccf7RMMeprBSTQ0SYLrV6kQKiTbxvW0mChHSllFhuYgxoD-Kq4RWL5UiuBm9JfNpgVbgYUWVGrCzsFXOVeR83m9COSXHqWq0Ef13j8Skz_v8PvK_jO_Q6BBqdU/s320/family03.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Karen was still on unemployment and Todd was/is working with U-Haul as a Computer Specialist. Elizabeth had just turned 5 and was in preschool 2 times a week and Eric was only 2 1/2 years old.<br /><br />In February, Karen started with Team In Training to train for a walking half marathon in Portland, Oregon. This was quite fun for her. She talked her friend, Kim Merow, into doing it with her, and they trained together. Karen and Kim completed the 1/2 Marathon in the April 2006 Race for the Roses.<br /><br />Karen received a voucher for voice lessons with an accomplished instructor, so she prepared for a solo for the Ward Talent Show in March. She chose 'Melody' from the movie Rigoletto. It was a lovely performance.<br /><br />In April, Alice Hale, Karen's mom, was admitted to a Boise hospital for infections and gangrene in her left leg. Karen was able to go and stay at the hospital with her for two days as they got her blood sugar under control along with the multiple infections. They amputated Alice's left leg just below the knee. She went home with Lowell to recuperate and to learn to walk with her prosthetic leg.<br /><br />At the same time in April, Karen was hired by U-Haul to work at home in their Customer Service department. This seems to be a good fit, since the kids can be home or sent off to school and Karen gets to wear her pajamas a lot.<br /><br />Kasia Cook and Jordyne Figg came to our house in May and prepared for their Road Trip. They borrowed our minivan, which we decked out with a sleeping area and a storage shelf/table in the back. They were gone for 10 days and had a lovely time. They made it to South Dakota to see the Black Hills. They got back in time to go crabbing and camping with us up at Kitsap Memorial State Park by Puget Sound. It was a great time!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh0u0-lPSXGooB5ZE43ACqRjzmvUCAkowSXpiTt4I66x0SwbenCT_kphVS9WBUsjzmS1aylN9fGhMCjIiacF-GrVFzMUv-IuCctrJORDBKvT-rSywYldgKBjrk09iS2hU3CwHqBQjkU4/s1600-h/HPIM0619.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148308449961055154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh0u0-lPSXGooB5ZE43ACqRjzmvUCAkowSXpiTt4I66x0SwbenCT_kphVS9WBUsjzmS1aylN9fGhMCjIiacF-GrVFzMUv-IuCctrJORDBKvT-rSywYldgKBjrk09iS2hU3CwHqBQjkU4/s320/HPIM0619.JPG" border="0" /></a> In September, Elizabeth started Kindergarten and Eric got to go to start Preschool. They were so excited, and so was Karen to get some free time!<br /><br />Kaley Cook came to live with us in 2006 and stayed until December. She was accepted into college in Idaho for January. Way to go Kaley!<br /><br /><div>In November, we heard that Adriane Graepel would like to meet us, so the Sunday before Thanksgiving we all met for dinner at Don and Fran's. It was great to see her again.</div><br /><div>Christmas that year was special. Adriane came for Christmas Eve, and Karen T found out 3 days before, so she speedily put together a scrapbook with old photos of Karen G and Adriane, Bryan, and other Trumbull's from the 60's and 70's. It was a big hit! Adriane hadn't remembered seeing any other pictures of her or her mother as a child.</div>Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334292008287608247.post-25110929515886824162007-12-25T22:31:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:47:33.542-08:002007So the year is nearly gone and I thought I would write down what I could remember, or the high points.<br /><br />In January, Karen had lasik eye surgery and was promoted to full time with her at-home-job with U-Haul.<br /><br />At the end of February, Lowell and Alice Hale, Karen's parents, came to stay for 3 weeks. Lowell needed the assistance with Alice, since she needs more care nowadays. While they were here, Ethan Cook, Becky's oldest son, came for a visit. Fun Times!<br /><br />In April, we got a dog. Elizabeth had been mentioning how we really needed to get a dog. This was a tough one, since Todd is allergic to dog dander. So, considerations began, but the list for the perfect dog was long and strict. We decided to find a Bichon Frise, since it was small and doesn't shed. So I watched the Humane Society's website until one day, there was Jazzpur. He was small, fluffy, white, neutered male, and grown up - (no puppies here, please!) - he was perfect. We drove right down and picked him up. Right away he knew who the alpha female was in the house (Karen) and he has stuck by her side since. He knows where she is at all times and sleeps in his bed beside her at night. (Yes - totally spoiled!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpKPPOgJGOfaJneigTlIMfPThaOYGfTaWOPcGyeAyQbvc8uUr0Pk7dhsC2gayG6-DAHR7o1qEcTpMSXAonDhM-1U2MptSAVnps9EMwDwO2qVGoA7sdZAE1TfeDcZ6Sdjyfmn8OvHEr_8/s1600-h/eric.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148296900793996146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpKPPOgJGOfaJneigTlIMfPThaOYGfTaWOPcGyeAyQbvc8uUr0Pk7dhsC2gayG6-DAHR7o1qEcTpMSXAonDhM-1U2MptSAVnps9EMwDwO2qVGoA7sdZAE1TfeDcZ6Sdjyfmn8OvHEr_8/s320/eric.jpg" border="0" /></a> Eric turned 4 in May. He really wants to be old enough to go to school on a bus. He goes to Kindergarten next year!<br /><br />Over Memorial Day weekend in May, Karen, Elizabeth, and Eric, with cousin Mary (Baird) Burris, drove over to Pocatello for a Whiting Reunion. It was nice to see Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Jim Baird, along with cousins Murray Baird and Dave & Diane Baird. We also got to visit Jim and JoAnn Barbre who live there in Pocatello. Good times were had! The Hale family (Rex & Kari + kids, Lance & Monique + kids, Becky + kids, and my group all stayed in the same motel... Talk about a slumber party! We even had Laween Billmire and her boy stay with us!<br /><br />In June, Karen was selected to assist in a Clark Regional Emergency Services Organization drill as a volunteer Logistics Coordinator. It was an all day event that dealt with how the city would respond to a Dirty Bomb. Later that month, Karen completed her first HAM radio class and passed the test for her Technician License - KE7NYH.<br /><br />We also got to take a vacation. Todd, Karen, Elizabeth, Eric, and Jazzpur drove to Folsom Lake, California for a small Trumbull reunion. Fran and Don met us there, and we had Adriane Graepel fly in to join us and drive back with us. We stayed with Stan and Donna Trumbull and we swam in their pool and took Jazzpur for walks with their dog Murphy around Folsom Lake. We had a few gatherings with Stan and Donna's kids and grandkids, and their son Craig even drove up from Lake Tahoe. We were able to visit the Jelly Belly Factory and we made it to the San Francisco Zoo. Bill Callahan met us there and spent the day wandering the zoo with us. It was great, except for getting lost in San Fran! Yuck!<br /><br />July was another great month. Todd's sister Karen joined us for our now (in)famous Fourth of July barbecue and fireworks. It was the first time that Don and Karen have seen each other in 15 years. We played games and had great food, started a small fire in the neighbors yard due to bad fireworks, but overall - good times! :-)<br /><br />Canning started earlier than ever this year - since my cucumber supplier called the 2nd week of July and told me my first 40 pounds were ready. So this year I started with hot dill pickles. Canning continued for 3 months, with many ladies from my Ward coming to learn new techniques and getting over their fear of the mighty Pressure Cooker. :-) I have done up many jams, jellies, juices, pie fillings, vegetable soup, chicken, tuna (first time this year!), beef stew meat, sauerkraut, coleslaw, peaches, pears, and relish over the past few years. I have fun learning new techniques and trying new canning recipes.<br /><br />In August, Karen got to attend the Community Emergency Response Team Rodeo with other teams from Oregon and Washington at the Tualatin Vally Fire Fighters Training Grounds. She was the Communications Expert for her team and used her HAM radio license to coordinate with the other teams.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF8cAwNC6VQBlxmN0GcN9RJnJEgC4V9GTvasam7E57v_-wg_e14a7JChofdWISvdGC3wbdz5PwQJuOxs3GeL_jo9buPG04RSZqK-9eigCuvQ3THG9817CsC5zgUeC4ig7eOF37b2Lmtg/s1600-h/liz+5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF8cAwNC6VQBlxmN0GcN9RJnJEgC4V9GTvasam7E57v_-wg_e14a7JChofdWISvdGC3wbdz5PwQJuOxs3GeL_jo9buPG04RSZqK-9eigCuvQ3THG9817CsC5zgUeC4ig7eOF37b2Lmtg/s320/liz+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148301895840961426" /></a> In September, Elizabeth started the First Grade. She was so excited! Her first piece of news is that they feed her lunch and she gets 2 recesses! Eric started at an all-day Daycare and Pre-school where he goes twice a week. This allows Karen to volunteer in Elizabeth's class every week, which her teacher truly appreciates!<br /><br />Alice and Lowell Hale came for another 3 week visit in September. It would have lasted longer, but Alice had the misfortune to lose her balance and fell. She couldn't get her confidence back enough to walk on her own again, and so wanted to go home.<br /><br />In September, Todd and Karen celebrated their 8th Wedding Anniversary on September 11th. Also, our Ward was rearranged, and we were transfered with about 125 other members to the Walnut Grove Ward. Now our Ward boundaries are only about 4 miles across, instead of the 15 miles across in our previous Ward. That does indicate that there are more apartments and new homes in our new Ward boundaries, so there are a lot of Primary children and younger couples. They gave me the calling of Emergency Preparedness Coordinator because I can food...<br /><br />November was eventful as well. Stan and Donna Trumbull came to visit Fran and Don Trumbull at Lincoln City, so Karen and Adriane Graepel, along with Karen, Elizabeth, and Eric Trumbull decided to run out to see them since they were so close. We had a great night in a rented condo and went swimming in an indoor heated pool. The Trumbull's took us all out for dinner and we played on the beach.<br /><br />Ethan Cook, Karen's nephew, came to live with us at the end of November, just in time to be of childcare assistance. Karen had pains in her abdomen and after bloodwork and a CT scan, her surgeon decided to hospitalize her and do emergency surgery. They found a small hernia, but not a more 'acute issue', so they sent her home again. The next week they performed an endoscopy, finding a superficial ulcer. Again, not the source of the pains, but something else they could fix. By then, her Primary Care Physician had read the lab results and asked her to make an appointment only to tell her that her red and white blood cell counts were too low and had been declining for the past 3 years, so off to blood therapy she goes! Her first round of IV iron and B12 shots begin this week!<br /><br />Elizabeth turned 7 on December 9th. She had a great time at Chuck E Cheese's with a few friends on the 7th, and then we went home and had pizza and ice cream. The next day, Saturday, we had a Trumbull Family dinner at our house, with Fran and Don Trumbull, Karen and Adriane Graepel, Kim Merow, Jimmy Lewis, Jennifer Wright, Ethan Cook, and of course, Todd, Karen, Eric and Elizabeth. Elizabeth got a fleece horse blanket, beads, and drawing supplies for her birthday. She spent an hour or so that night sorting her beads out and she drew a few pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUCY0wX4J5AoxwEo9p7Y4kvSu2s3fLq_CF8uymecSNjTIG4JuQdE32NKh_0xIQN_Hn7tcML_11M9t0rgVU_rVmEDxpQGxiaQqiZOo5xSlEIjum0YJsuX_8hAW2j-7dKap65zAHoOEOkc/s1600-h/all+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148300469911819138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUCY0wX4J5AoxwEo9p7Y4kvSu2s3fLq_CF8uymecSNjTIG4JuQdE32NKh_0xIQN_Hn7tcML_11M9t0rgVU_rVmEDxpQGxiaQqiZOo5xSlEIjum0YJsuX_8hAW2j-7dKap65zAHoOEOkc/s320/all+5.jpg" border="0" /></a> Christmas was a great time. For Christmas Eve, we gathered at Don and Fran's and ate finger foods and opened presents. The big present this year was a family portrait of the four children and the three grandchildren. Karen had arranged for all eight of us to get together and we did this two days before Thanksgiving on the down low - Don and Fran were totally surprised. Karen had them in frames and when the present was opened, both Don and Fran had tears in their eyes. The gift tag hint was 'Two Sticks of Judah'. We definitely stumped Don with that one.<br /><br />Christmas Day was great as well. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and the kids loved their gifts. Elizabeth received a handmade horse quilt and other stuff 'horse' and Eric got Transformers and some binoculars. They had a great time.Trumbull Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15499564752911351351noreply@blogger.com0