Mia's 61st blood transfusion


Only these girls can cheer at 7:00 am bright and early in the morning. Here they are walking to POTC for Mia's 61st blood transfusion.


Mia picked out some sunglasses for her special toy after getting her IV poke - of course she was brave as always.




Different 'shades' of Mia...






Mia likes having her sister there...but today we got up so early, Madison was super tired so my mom ended up picking her up at noon and took her home, where she took a nice long nap.



Madison looks like she had some of Mia's medicine that makes her tired.



The art cart is so much fun...







The Pizza Party! Child life supplied all the staff and families who were there with pizza...just because.


Here's the thank you picture we sent for the pizza party.



Matt Leinart from the Arizona Cardinals Football Team donated $500,000.00 to Cardon Children's Hospital, so some of the kids made posters to say thank you. Mia was hoping he was going to swing by and say hi...uh, no. But maybe next time. Anyways, now she's a fan of Matt Leinart.











Mia literally took out her IV all by herself. I just had to hold the line so it wouldn't get in her way. Sigh...seriously, she is so brave. Mia, I'm so proud of you...




We made it through another long hospital day...but they happen to be so much fun.

A glimpse of a teenage scavengerhunt









Ashley had her 13th birthday party last night...a photo scavenger hunt at the mall. What teenage girl doesn't like the mall?! We started off the night at home with Pizza, cupcakes, and presents.



Happy birthday, to you!



Make a wish...


Little sisters LOVE to watch their big sisters friends...and join in on the fun.





After opening gifts, it was time to go!





Going over the rules...no running, screaming etc. OR going away with strangers. Hey, you never know. They split up into 2 teams...




Let the photo scavenger hunt begin!!!

Pic taken at the Apple store...


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Here's the list of what these girls had to take pictures of and bring back:








__Sign for a '2 for 1' sale
__Monogrammed underwear
__ Pink shoes
__ An unhappy child
__ An undressed mannequin
__Bouquet of flowers
__Luggage on wheels
__An off white coat (no other colors on coat)
__A volleyball
__Shampoo priced over $7.00
__ An order of fries
__ A video surveillance camera
__A comedy DVD or video tape
__ Perfume in a red bottle
__ Take a picture of the shortest person in your group going down the kids slide.
__A member of your group posing with a stranger who you’ve convinced to try on and model an outfit , several sizes too big or too small. (pic below)


__An undressed mannequin
__A big blue teddy bear (or other color)
__Take a picture of your group in a dressing room



__A salesman named Mike (from McDonald's)
__ Wearing two different shoes
__ Asking someone for the time
__ Shooing someone off a bench
__Sleeping on that bench
__Hiding behind a pillar, tree or bush
__Picture of group sitting in chairs at a make-up desk
__ Playing a video game
__ Waving out to someone on the first floor, while standing on the second
__The entire team doing the "wave"
__Giving kids under 6 years of age, a piggyback ride
__Opening the door for someone
__ Hugging a stranger - below


__ Standing outside the mall and pointing at it in astonishment
__ Wearing a lot of "bling" below


__ Holding a signboard
__ Wearing big sunglasses
__ riding the escalator
__wearing a tiara

Ashley's team motored through the list...and beat Matt & I back to the food court. Gotta love the toilet seat cover and the toilet paper! Way too funny!








After the scavenger hunt was over, the girls walked around and ahopped at the mall until it closed.




With a quick pit stop to DQ for a blizzard.




They had a great time!


Matt decided it would be fun to have all 11 girls pile in the car for the ride home. Ahem...I know I know, not a wise decision. But they had so much fun.


Especially when they had to do a chinese fire drill in front of a boy's house from their school. I think it will be a night to remember for the fun factor. After what seems like a week of celebrating Ashley's birthday, we can be done. Just in time to start planning Mia's 8th birthday!

They grow way too fast...




Ashley in Hawaii (2000) ...not even 3 years old yet. It seems like just yesterday she was the only child -thus far. Where has the time gone?



Ashley's 3rd birthday, with her 2 cousins Isaac & Brandon watching her blow out the candles.
















Ashley grew even more...she loved to play soccer. Then one day you turn around...and BAM!
The cute little kids turn into: TEENAGERS. Did I just say - teenager?! Then they become as tall as you are, and wear the same shoe size, and you hear foreign words like...'mom, can I borrow some of your make-up, oh and your clothes too?' What? How did we go from the first picture on the beach to this older...teenager? Sigh...



Happy 13th birthday Ashley.


We love you...and can't believe you are 13 now!






Ashley's friend Kayla celebrated with us as well. She fits right in as part of our family.

Hanging with Madison

This morning we had a little shopping trip...Madison is such a cute subject.
...but when I asked her if I could take some more pictures, this is the look I got.
Oh I just love this funny little girl.

Mia's 60th blood transfusion


Mia was SO excited that her dad was taking her to the hospital today. It was so cute. Madison and I came just after 10 am.


Mia was up and walking around all over the place today, toting around her IV pull with her.



Sigh...what a very brave girl.



It was Miss Nancy's birthday, (behind Mia) so we stopped by Starbucks to bring her and Miss Christine a special treat. Yum!



More crafts and painting with Miss Amanda...Alyssa where were you!?




Speaking of birthday's...it was also Chandler's 16th birthday, another fellow Hopekid who has leukemia. Thanks for letting us celebrate with you your special day. Everyone brought some yummy food, mexican...ahem, my favorite.



Us in our birthday hats...party time!



Cupcakes...ok, no more sugar girls.



Mia doing a few dances for the nurses.




Mia eating Miss Nancy's chocolate bar she got for her birthday. Sorry Miss Nancy...we will bring you one next time!