Friday, December 31, 2010

We'll Be Seeing You

Our sweet Steve returned home to his Father in Heaven yesterday morning, December 29th, after a valiant fight with cancer and the complications that came from his radiation treatments and 14 surgeries.  It was so wonderful to have the chance to tell him how much we loved him and to hear him tell us the things he wanted us to know before he passed on.  His earthly life was spent making others laugh and we know he is whooping it up in heaven with his jokes and humor.  One of our friends told us that Heaven just got a lot more fun with Steve there and we feel comforted and have peace in our hearts that he has no pain and can walk and breathe normal again.  He will be so missed by us on Earth but having the gospel in our lives with the Plan of Salvation and knowing we will see him again soon will help us to endure this void that is now in our hearts and lives.  We feel blessed that Deacon was able to spend time in his grandpa's arms on this earth and we know that Stevie will always be watching over him and all of us.  Deacon and all of our children will know this incredible man and will know what he believed in and what he taught and meant to everyone he came in contact with. 

We love you and miss you Stevie but know that you will always be with us!















Thank you for all of the prayers and thoughts offered on Steve's behalf 
these past 5 years as he bravely fought his battle.  

You will always be with us Steve and we'll be seeing you soon!!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Has it really been 2 months???

Since this blog thing is really like a journal for our family (and surprisingly I am better at blogging than I am at writing in my journal...2 months for the blog, I can't even count for my journal) I am going to post about the last 2 months of the life and times at the McDermott household, which is sadly 1/4 of Deacon's 6 month life so I really need to get better about doing this!!

October Happenings:

First Family Photos!!!

 I would have worn cuter shoes, if only I'd known!!!



 I love my handsome boys!!







Disney World!!!

 D is thrilled to be headed to our room at Saratoga Springs after a long ride in the airplane and on the Magical Express! Deacon did SO great on the plane, we were SO proud of him!!!

 Deacon got a "1st Visit" pin along with a balloon!  Ready to head off to the parks in his stroller!

 First a dip in the pool! Deacon loved playing in the fountain!!

Magic Kingdom

 D wasn't sure he loved dancing with Minnie!!

 But he put a BIG smile on his face for Goofy!!

Deacon's first ride on the Merry-go-Round! Deacon also went on Peter Pan, Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and Mickey's Philharmagic!  I can't wait until he can ride on the big rides with me!!!
 Deacon is tuckered out after a long day!  We are SO glad Nana came with us to Disney World! Not only is she the expert in all things Disney but it was wonderful to have someone to play with at the parks while Dad was in meetings!  Thanks Becky, you have no idea how incredibly nice you were to come with us - a slightly different trip than the ones before!!

Epcot

 Cogsworth & Lumiere, Chip & Mrs. Potts Topiaries, How cool are these??!!

 Deacon LOVED the Nemo ride... Couldn't get enough of Nemo!!
 Deacon went straight for the Nemo toy after the ride!  Look at those big eyes.... Nana couldn't resist them and bought him the Nemo!!
 Of course, Deacon did let her try on millions of hats and smile big for her pictures!! Fair trade!
Asleep after a long day!
Hollywood Studios
Nana trying another hat on Deacon while James and I went to ride Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror!  He is such a good sport!

Animal Kingdom

 This is the "tree of life" and there are hundreds of animals carved into its bark.... it is incredible to see!

African Safari!!



 It seriously felt like we were on a real safari! The animals are given a huge area to roam and there are no cheesy "play grounds" for them like at the zoo!  I was seriously blown away by all the cool animals...this is only a few of them, I was going camera crazy!  I loved it!  Deacon of course fell asleep with all the bumping and four-wheeling around but I am sure next time he will be able to really enjoy it!!
 This was Deacon the whole trip... We would get so excited about something and tell him to look at it and he would be looking everywhere except where we wanted him to!!  Like this cool duck 2 feet away from him and all he wants to do is play with his toes!!  It was still so fun to have him with us in Disney World and I am sure this is not his last trip there (if his Nana and Grandpa McDermott have anything to say about it!!!)

 On our way to ride "It's Tough to be a Bug" in the Tree of Life.  This is one of the carvings... Dang cool! I had never been to Animal Kingdom before this trip and I can't wait to take Deacon back when he is a little older... it is like the coolest glorified Zoo you will ever visit!!! 


The three of us on the Boardwalk after going to Epcot again so that James could ride Nemo with Deacon!  They had such a fun time looking at the fish in the aquarium just outside the Nemo ride!

Deacon was mesmerized by all the fishes, sharks and stingrays!!

 Riding the "Easy Riders" motorcycle at the Harley Davidson store in Downtown Disney!

We realized as we were getting ready to leave Disney World that we had a little pirate to take home with us!! The perfect Souvenir!!
My little pirate-without the patch this time!!


Halloween
I already did our Halloween post but since this was part of our last 2 months I thought I'd add it!! We got home from Florida 2 days before the party and it was a little crazy getting it pulled together but it turned out just fine!!


November Happenings:

Deacon started eating Solids!! We started him with Rice Cereal then went to Oatmeal and so far he has had Squash, Bananas, Apples with Blueberries, Peas & Pears!! Yummy!!
He is getting so big so fast!!

Deacon in his Bath Robe!! He still loves bathtime!!

Look at my boy! Sitting up SO big!
At the Hogle Zoo with his cousins Anna & James Fisher


Deacon loves his Uncle Dylan!

I don't have to go to a Zoo to see animals... I have one of my own, named Deacon!!!
Isn't this outfit the cutest??!!  His Aunt Melissa found this (and the hat!!!) for my little Giraffe!!



Deacon and his new baby cousin (technically second cousin, but who is keeping track??!!)
Chloe Isabel Cederholm
(the next shot would have been Deacon putting Chloe's blanket right into his mouth...
He is a fast little guy!!) Deacon's Great (and fabulous) Aunt Kathy is holding him while the soon-to-be mom to Londyn Jane (stay tuned) holds onto sweet Chloe giving mom, Katie, & dad, Wayne, a break!!

Introducing:  Londyn Jane McDermott
born November 15th, 2010
Happy Parents:  Thomas & Bree
The sweet babe at 3 hours old!!

 The delivery just wore her out!!! Big Yawn!!
 Another big yawn with her Uncle James!  Breezy looked so incredibly fabulous after a long difficult labor and delivery. I don't have a pic to document (I am sure to Bree's delight) but just take my word for it!  It is amazing what we are willing to go through for these sweet little humans!  It still brings me to tears to think back on my experience with Deacon and how amazing life is!


Deacon helping his Grandpa sort through the millions of baskets he brought  back from Africa!
 He is giving big smiles to his Grandpa Fisher!!


What would Thanksgiving at the McDermott's be without the annual
TURKEY BOWL?
Look at all these crazy guys who braved 7 degree temperatures to play a little flag football in the snow!! Deacon and I showed up 2 hours later (fully bundled) to document these mad men!! (by then it was a glorious 15 degrees!!)


Thanksgiving Dinner

Look at these Turkeys!!
My turkey is 5 1/2 months, sweet Londyn at a week and a half!

Bree & Londyn

Deacon loves his new baby cousin!  I love that they are touching each other... well, if one of us wasn't watching very closely, Deacon would probably maul Londyn... luckily James had his hand ready to grab Deacon's if he started batting!!!  It is hard to remember Deacon being so small and not moving around all the time... wait, did that ever happen???

Happy Thanksgiving!!

and finally.....
Utah vs. BYU
Enough said!

That has been our life the last 2 months... next time it won't be 2 months before I blog again.... hopefully!  If it is though, Merry Christmas from the McDermott's!!