We're home!

Leaving California on Sunday...Ashlyn gazes out at the view of the Sacramento Airport.
The pretty sunset as we head down the runway. We flew east so we missed the view of the sun setting from the air, but it was an easy flight. Thank goodness for the portable DVD player! :-)

Our trip was enjoyable getting to spend time with my mom, Tom's parents, and Ashlyn was able to see her 95 year old great grandmother! My mom's health is holding steady. She is trying to keep her leg strength up by walking "laps" around her pretty circular drive. There is a big fountain in the middle and pretty landscaping on her property so she has a great view while exercising. She takes her walker and caregiver, and is able to stay active in this way two times a day. She also is working with leg weights to keep the remaining leg strength that she has. She treated us to a delicious birthday dinner, and it was so nice to have that time together. We don't know how fast the tumor is growing or progressing at this point, and are hoping the oncologist will grant another MRI to follow it's growth. (Typically, once treatment is stopped, Hospice takes over and there are no more tests.) The tumor has affected various cognitive areas of thinking, and the steroids she is on for brain swelling have also brought side affects. All things considered though, my mom is doing as much as she is able and desiring to do, and we are so thankful for this quality time that we can have together!

Ashlyn and I made it safely home at midnight on Sunday evening. You can tell how busy, (or not busy) I am in my personal life, by how often I post on the blog. Since you haven't heard from me since Sat. you can guess which it is! You know how it is after a trip...lots of this...

And more of this...

We returned home to a spotless house thanks to Tom, but then... the dishes are back! :-)
The kids were anxious to start our fall/Halloween decorating, so the living room looked like this yesterday.
What a mess!

The window washer came...
And then we breathed a sigh of relief, and realized that the trees had started changing while we were gone!
After decorating, the porch looks so pretty with giant mums and pumpkins from our garden.
Our cat Rspberry gets in on the decorating wrapping himself in the fall garland.

Today I had my riding lesson, and my friend and instructor Kate, treated me to a birthday ride and lunch! This is Kate riding, "Ringo."
Pretty view of the lake from horseback.

Here is my horse, "Chummie" as seen from my perspective as a rider. It was much harder to take photos on horseback than I thought, thus the shaky shots!

Horses in a neighboring pasture while we were on the trail.
The changing fall colors along the trail at "Pella Crossing."

We stopped for lunch while the horses nibbled on weeds and whinnied at passing horses. Kate packed a lovely homemade lunch of pasta salad, fresh fruit, dessert, and a gift; all of which she carried in a small pack on the back of her horse. How enjoyable it was to ride for an hour out, and find a cool spot to have lunch and visit. It was a great way to end my birthday celebration, and start my 42nd year!

And that my friends, is a photo recap of the past few days! It's good to be home!