Chris, I keep checking for more entries--keep on trying to get us all going! Eldie has a bone scan on May 5 and meets his surgeon--will have a nephrectomy (right kidney out and GONE) on May 13 (tentatively) by laparascopy ( small holes instead of a 12" incision, which sounded good to him!). The Dr was very positive about the outcome, apparently no spread, therefore no need for further intervention. Many people live with 1 kidney--will probably not be able to participate in contact sports, but golf will work!!! We are very relieved--10 days of having no idea what is ahead was frustrating--gave us an appreciation for those in the same or worse situations. We are thankful for the support we have received from everyone (maybe you all know the sisters called us up the first weekend and said "it's time to circle the wagons", came and brought food and games and we had a GREAT time together). We're glad to have Sheila close--helps with motel bills--until they kick us out anyway. We are trying to get odd jobs done around here, and would like to get some golf in next week. Take care, all

Springtime in Arizona

Things in Arizona are moving along as expected. The weather is turning warm, mid 80's which is perfect down here. We had a couple of mid 90's days last weekend, but hopefully no more for a while. The Parents and Carin and Dan were down for close to a week and played some golf, attended a conference and ate out for several great meals. The jobs are the same, Todd and I have been trying to get rid of some crud (bronchitis) for the past week or two, but nothing serious. I was just checking the blog and not seeing much activity, figured I would try to get it going.
Smitty

PS, Any news on Uncle Eldie yet?

Easter in Iowa

Greetings to all and happy spring.
We had a fun Easter day with Carin and family, U. Bob and A. Jan, Ranae, Nickolas, and Andrea. It took some "doing" to get Ranae and kids here, but they finally arrived at the Sioux Falls airport around 11:00 p.m. Sat. night. So after riding to S.C. it was around 1:00 a.m. before we all got together. But it was great to see them.

Had a delicious dinner thanks to A.Jan for noodles, (yum), two desserts - including fresh strawberry pie, and her homemade rye bread. Carin fixed two salads and lots of fresh fruits with dip. And of course our homegrown fantastic Iowa tenderloin beef filet. Now, don't you ALL wish you had joined us? Kids were able to hunt for Easter eggs thro'out the house -- Ranae kept hiding them after the kids found them, so it was a nice long hunt. U. Terry took the kids for a ride on the golf cart and ended up having to push the cart up some of the bigger hills, so he worked his dinner off.

Had a good visit with A. Jo last night -- sounds like she is starting to feel better. Monica's didn't make it to MN for the week-end -- too much snow. We actually had flurries here yesterday also.

Really hope that some of you will start using the blog. Ranae said she couldn't get logged on, so I suggested she call Todd.

Have a wonderful spring. SEE you BOYS (&Kerri) soon.

I'm gonna try this again. Chris and Todd, I really do like the idea, keep up the good work. I just got home from Sheila's last night--she had thyroid surgery on Wednesday for removal of multiple cysts from the left lobe, they were able to leave the right lobe intact (helpful with thyroid function in the future), the pathology report came back Monday with no sign of malignancy which is VERY good. She had a drain in until Monday--the kids though that was pretty ucky. Annika walked around holding her own neck for quite a while after seeing her mom. We were there for a week to help with kids, etc--you parents do a LOT of running around with kids (Maybe our memories fade with time!). Brenda and Anthony and kids left for Mexico today on spring break (a deer ran into the right side of their car about 2 miles from home, Payson felt it hit the car. Eldie was talking to Brenda and heard "oh no, oh shit, oh no"from Brenda and then a thud and Brenda disconnected. He was a little worried until she called him back to fill him in on details). Monica and Todd and the kids will be in Minnesota for Easter, spent a week in Orlando last of February. Sheila and Matt and kids will be here this weekend, all is well with them at present. Eldie and I had a great February in NMB--the weather was very good, and we got plenty of golfing in. Then, we spent 6 days with the Smith's in Montgomery, AL to golf of the RTJ Trail--we had an awesome time (You should all check with Uncle Terry about how to protect your car while you are in Arizona--or how to conserve gas) No other news.

March in Arizona

Well, I see that no one is using this website (blog) and so far it is a total failure. Hopefully time will help. The weather is perfect in Arizona, mid 70's to low 80's and spring training is in full swing. Kerri went to a game with some coworkers last week. We took the RV to out to Lake Pleasant for the weekend for relaxation and some fishing. I will let Todd post some pictures of our camping weekend soon. I am heading to Las Vegas to meet 10 friends from high school and college for our 10th annual March Madness weekend. The Parents and Carin and Dan are coming to visit at the end of the month, I am sure they are here to visit Todd and I, and not to play golf :) Hope all is well and I wish to see more post.

Smitty

More Christmas pictures

Since it didn't let me upload all eight pictures, here are the rest of them. Thanks - Carin

Pictures of the Grush Family

If I've done this correctly, there should be pictures of the Grush family attached to this. I took the Christmas cards I got from everyone and put them on my computer harddrive and I'm attempting to get them on our website.

Todd, if this doesn't work correctly, since you're the site adminstrator, perhaps you can fix it.

Thanks ! - Carin