Hip replacements and recliner chairs...

Hey everyone I am writting you from the lovely state of CT where the weather is currently 55 degrees and there is not a sun in the ski. I headed back home to CT on Monday to help my dad out during his hip replacement surgery this week. The new parts were put in on Tuesday and although he is in alot of pain he managed to get out of the bed today and sit in a chair....which is something he hasn't comfortably been able to do in a very long time. The doctors told me going in that the the surgery would take about an hour....well three hours later I was a little nervous and needed to know where my daddy-o was...turns out he had grown so many extra bones in there that they needed to get rid of so that is what took so long. We have been hanging out in the hospital for what seems like forever but he finally gets to leave on Thursday and start his recovery process. We are both so happy that he finally had this all taken care of and I am pretty excited to maybe be able to get him back on the mountain to ski someday....ok maybe not, but I will settle for walking without a limp or any pain. There are pictures from the hospital but they don't need to be posted, just took them so I could remember this time because when all is said and done this is one of the most important things he has ever done for himself and I am happy to be here to see what he will do next. Gotta get back to the hospital now, the nurses have been great and rigged up a recliner chair for me in the room and let me stay through the night even though visiting hours end at 8. I think they feel bad that I had to leave sunny San Diego to come to CT, but its all worth it!

Nov 6th 2009...a day in history

Today ladies and gentlemen marks the end of an era...my "little" brother Jamie has turned 21 and can no longer be called my "little" brother. It seems like just yesterday I was chasing him around the house with the intent of beating the crap out of him JUST because he was my little brother. I can remember him always wearing brightly colored muscle pants and being a odd smelling kid in general. I will be the first to admit that when he was little he bugged the hell out of me and stole all of the attention that I naturally deserved (haha) But today he has grown up to be one of the most geniue and unique people I know. He has taught me alot about not caring what other people think and about just being the person that you are meant to be. I am proud of him everyday for the things he has accomplished, the man that he has grown up to be, and whatever it is he will do next. I am lucky to have him as my brother, my friend, and my gentle giant...and I am not just saying all of this because he could easily beat me up now. Love you little Broski!

And now for the photo montage:

A new Wheeler in town...

We are SOOOO happy to hear that Andrew and Allison Wheeler (Nicks brother and sister in law) welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world yesterday! We have been over here in Cali waiting patiently to hear the news and finally got the call yesterday to let us know that she had arrived....and we were sent this text message picture of her shortly after! We love the Wheeler clan and the newest addition Josie Sue Wheeler!!!