June 23, 2014 – John’s total hip replacement

Today John goes into the hospital for a total hip replacement. I am staying up in Brentwood for the next few nights since Kaiser does all orthopedic surgery in Antioch. We arrive at the hotel on Sunday night and the next morning John is scheduled for 7:15 AM.

He is taken in and prepped for surgery. He is nervous but excited about a new life without constant hip pain.

John looking spiffy in his pre-surgery duds
John looking spiffy in his pre-surgery duds

The surgery goes smoothly and he is in his room by around 1 PM. He has some serious pain medication on board.

John in his room after surgery
John in his room after surgery

I am writing this almost three weeks after the surgery. The first two weeks of recovery were hard. John has been very good about doing his PT and keeping after the pain. The most difficult thing for us is sleeping. Starting after the first two weeks his stitches came out and he was given a cane. His mobility has increased rapidly and his pain level is low. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

June 21, 2014 – Summer solstice celebration

Since Sarah, John and I were not home at Christmas this year, we decided to have our celebration on summer solstice. Everyone bought into the idea and the kids got to have a second Christmas. All such celebrations must include hors d’ouevres (ala Pilat Eve), a tasty bread product (mimicing bagels and lox Christmas morning), gifts, and a festive dinner with a fancy dessert (Jon usually hosts Christmas dinner.)

I think we manage to hit all the high points. Jon brings chopped liver pate and pimento cheese for hors d’oeuvres, Sarah makes pretzel rolls for our tasty bread product, John and I grill a festive dinner, and Leigh makes a buche de Noel for dessert. And of course there are gifts.

Nathan and Sam are ready for some presents
Nathan and Sam are ready for some presents

Nathan is very excited to get a recycled iPad
Nathan is very excited to get a recycled iPad

Sarah's pretzel rolls
Sarah’s pretzel rolls

Our festive dinner - not sure whether Sam is in terrific pain or is smiling for the camera
Our festive dinner – not sure whether Sam is in terrific pain or is smiling for the camera

Our fabulous Buche de Noel by Leigh (with Sam)
Our fabulous Buche de Noel by Leigh (with Sam)

There is talk about making this a permanent holiday. We’ll see….

June 1- June 8, 2014 – Jonathan visits St. George

While Ryan, Leigh and their folks take the kids for an exciting week in SoCal, Jonathan joins us for a week in St. George.

We start early on June 1 and go Jon’s favorite way – through Yosemite NP, up and down roller coaster road, lunch in Tonopah, and a brief stop in Rachel, NV.

Jon at Olstead Point looking at...
Jon at Olstead Point looking at…

looking at Half-Dome in the distance
looking at Half-Dome in the distance

A stop at the Little Al-e-inn in Rachel, NV
A stop at the Little Al-e-inn in Rachel, NV

After reaching St. George we spend the week playing tennis, pingpong, swimming, hiking and playing golf (just Jonathan for golf.)

Jon on the tennis court
Jon on the tennis court
Jon and John at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead
Jon and John at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead
The guys taking a break
The guys taking a break
Jonathan enjoying the view at trail's end
Jonathan enjoying the view at trail’s end

The view
The view

We ended our trip to St. George with an overnight in Las Vegas and a special dinner at Alize. We all agreed that the dinner and the service were spectacular.

Jon and John before our dinner at Alize
Jon and John before our dinner at Alize

The three of us after dinner with Las Vegas lit up through the windows
The three of us after dinner with Las Vegas lit up through the windows

Every trip we have taken together has been really wonderful. I am looking forward to many more.