Beginning of autumn in Utah

Dew it for Diabetes!!

This year was our 4th year participating in the diabetes walk. We always have a lot of fun and the weather has been good 3 out of the 4 years we've done it!

Jon's mom made this sign for our team.

We got to see the baby elephant!


And the baby giraffe!!


Thank you to all of those who participated with us or supported us in other ways.

Time for the Utah State Fair!

Yesterday, we went to the Utah State Fair with Summer's brother Garrett and his girlfriend, Ashley. We saw lots of cool (and weird) animals, ate funnel cakes, and rode on the Ferris Wheel, among other fair activities. Always tons of fun at the fair!

Walk, Wag, & Swim

This past Saturday, the Draper pool was open for DOGS ONLY for a fundraiser for No More Homeless Pets. What a sight! Nike usually loves water (we can't keep her out of the water at Sugar House Park) but was being a wimp so she only swam when we pushed her in the pool. But then she was dramatic afterward trying to make us feel bad. However, she did like being off her leash and playing with the other dogs. Maybe she'll want to swim next year.



Summer's health update:
Everything seems to be under control. I am off the prednisone! Yay! Which means I was able to get rid of 3 other prescription medications that were treating some of the side effects of the prednisone. Some of the puffiness in my face is going down. I still notice a fullness in my face that wasn't there before so hopefully that will go back to normal too. I haven't been as lucky with the acne that started with the prednisone. It acts like it's going to clear up and then it comes back again and again. So I'm hoping that will improve as well. I am still having to be on a medication full time to keep my immune system suppressed to avoid another flare-up and I am having my blood drawn every month to evaluate for any adverse reactions (like increased liver enzymes- which I have.)
This has been a rough year, in more ways than one, and I'm glad to see that it is drawing to a close and things are continuing to go uphill.

A Fun Weekend

On Friday night, we went to the Midnight Drags to see Garrett race his orange 1969 Plymouth Satellite.


Then, On Saturday evening, we went to the Clark Planetarium to see a laser show. We also visited the moon and Mars.

More Olivia

Olivia loves the dogs but they usually don't let her get very close!
What a goofy little girl!

Olivia loves when the family gets together because then she has an audience! Listen to her "talk."

Summer's New Hair Cut

Summer's hair, unfortunately, was starting to fall out (no bald spots though, just thinning) because of the shock her body went through from being sick, rapid weight loss, and the wide variety of meds she's been on. The only real solution was to cut it so it didn't look so thin and to get rid of the weight of long hair. They ended up taking roughly 6-8 inches off!!
Also some other good news! Summer's primary care physician took her off 3 more of her meds. She discontinued the prednisone about 2 weeks ago and the extra meds were to control the side effects caused by the steroids. Her doctors are still closely monitoring her health and progress to ensure that everything will continue to improve.

Another Busy Weekend

Us after our nephew Connor's baptism. (Jon got to be one of the witnesses and in the circle for the confirmation. I am so proud of him for honoring his priesthood).

Us at our cousin Colton's wedding. (I think my face is starting to look less puffy! Or maybe I'm just hopeful!)

Jon is the life of the party. Especially when the DJ plays Michael Jackson!

The Diet Mountain Dew, of course!

Weekend Fun

Jon and I went to Midway with some friends this weekend to a friend's cabin. On Saturday we went to Jordanelle. We had so much fun!

4th of July

(Yup, Summer still has the stupid, puffy prednisone face)


Summer's brother Garrett and his girlfriend, Ashley

Olivia's first Independence Day

Happy Birthday Summer!

Today is Summer's 25th birthday! Happy Birthday!

Cute Little Olivia

Olivia can really move! Except she doesn't do a typical crawl, she does an army crawl. Whatever works!

Olivia has started saying "hi." She actually mimics the sound we make when we say it and waves her little hand around. It's cute but I wasn't able to get a good video of it! Oh, well. I tried!

Summer Buchanan, RN BSN!!

Friday, June 19, Summer took the NCLEX-RN, a national exam to test the competency of new nurse grads. Sunday, she found out her results: PASS!!! Now that that's out of the way, we can enjoy the summer!!

2 Year Anniversary!

Today is our 2 year anniversary from when we got married, which means it's been 1 year since we were sealed in the temple!

Air Show- June 6, 2009

Left to right: Amber & Brad Harris; Summer & Jon Buchanan; Julie & Andrew Buchanan; Mesha & Colin Buchanan



Saturday we went to the air show at Hill Air Force Base with Jon's brothers and sister-in-laws- Andrew & Julie; Colin & Mesha; and Julie's brother and sister-in-law- Brad & Amber.
I (Summer) am very sensitive to the sun right now, thanks to the prednisone, so I packed on the sunscreen, managing to get a little sun on my arms (farmer tan!) and cheeks (since they're still puffy from the pred- ha ha). Many of the other people we went with were pretty pink at the end of the day even though I offered my sunscreen!