Happy New Year, friends and family! I share this update with a grateful heart. Marcus' December scan came back showing the cancer is still being held at bay, so we were able to enjoy Christmas and New Year's with calmer mind. Marcus parents came to visit and LOVED the bouts of warm weather. They sat on the porch basking in the sunlight like a cats in a sunny window. They also helped us make holiday treats and fix things around the house. We enjoyed outings like visiting the incredible Viktor & Rolf exhibit at the High with Marcus' mom and playing pool with Marcus' dad. Their visit was not only wonderful for everyone, it was a welcome distraction for me, as thoughts of no longer spending Christmas at my parents' house periodically crept in. We blended traditions from my family and Marcus', to create our own celebration at home.

Our whole crew escaped the flu... except Scott. The over achiever, he came down with flu A AND B shortly after Christmas. With Marcus' illness and his parents' age, I was super worried, but we were all careful. I was so proud of Scott washing his hands after every nose blow and there were SO MANY. And he didn't complain when we stuck him at a separate table at meal time. Marcus' parents left January 9 unscathed and happy with their visit. We look forward to hopefully visiting them this summer, when we will appreciate an escape from the heat!