summer vacation

Velma was the oldest family member there and Judd was the youngest.

We (Bentley fam and G & G Brown went on a major road trip. The first stop was a way way extended family reunion in Kearney Nebraska. We met lots of family we didn't know we had. We had a great time getting to know them and learning more about our family history.

update

SORRY! I didn't manage to get any updates while we were at the hospital. We're home now and all is well-back to normal anyway, with the kids fighting. A ton of test later, they never did find Gage's infection. The infectious disease team decided the bumps were sterile absesses. So, Thursday morning they pulled one shunt completely out and internalized the other. We stayed the night, had more CT scans and x-rays and they sent us home with a much happier kiddo, with 62 stitches, covered in iodine which we can't wash completely for 2 weeks. Claire and Judd had their surgeries on Thursday also. Three kids in surgery in one day has got to be some kind of record. There's was so quick. They both came back screaming mad (they say the anesthesia messes them up), but they seem happy now.

Surgeries

Gage is in Primary Children's Hospital. We brought him up Monday evening. It's early for his shunt revision that was already scheduled for the middle of next week because the infected area started bleeding and we didn't want to take any chances. The surgery Late Monday night went well. They took out both shunts. They replaced them with external shunts-the spinal fluid drains into a bag instead of into his body. This is temporary while they do tests and fight the infection. Once the Dr.'s are satisfied that it's gone they will replace one shunt (the other is no longer needed-at least that's what we're all thinking). We don't know exactly how long this will all take. We're planning about a week.
Judd and Claire are still scheduled for Thursday morning surgery. They will both get tubes put in their eyes to fix the clogged tear duct issue. This is same day surgery, so we should be in and out in a few hours.
Thanks mom for staying with the kids. What a weight off our shoulders to know you're there taking good care of them. And thanks to all of you for your support and prayers.
I'll try to keep updates here so you know what's going on in our crazy life.

Spring break in Kanab

We (Amy and the kids) went to Kanab for spring break. I feel a new freedom now that I have been down there by myself (actually my mom helped for an hour on the way down and my parents hitched a ride up with me, then bought a car to drive back home). We went to Zions National Park with Grandma Brown and the Federkeil family. It was fun to do with the kids. My family practically lived growing up.

We enjoyed relaxing, visiting with family, and I watched a bunch of BYUTV with my dad. Now I see why he's addicted. :)

I look forward to doing that during the summer serveral times, well at least once.

March Madness

March Madness is over for our family. Levi took 2nd in the Brown family competition with 80 points. He was only behind Neal who obviously has too much time at work. This is Neals third win, but Levi is already plotting to beat him next year. What a fun family tradition this has become. Thanks mom.

Soccer!!!

Aaron has a media pass so he'll go to all (or most) of the games. He will be interviewing the Real team after the games this year.

This was the first game of the season and first at the new stadium for the rest of the family. Go Real. The players came up for pictures after the game. I don't know any of their names except Kyle Beckerman (he's easy to spot with dreds), but they're still fun pics.

Is it summer? Spring? No, it's still winter, but we had a few great days outside.
John, Gage, Ryan, Claire, Jaidance, Jacob, and Levi on the hammock.