Mooloolaba, baby!

We ventured out to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland a couple of weeks ago for some much needed family time. We met some friends from Tasmania and had a fabulous time. here's the pictures to prove it:
We spent a day at the Australia Zoo- Steve Irwin's, AKA the Crocodile Hunter, zoo. This was the nicest, cleanest zoo I have ever been to. you can tell he really loved animals by how his zoo is run- and you could just feel his presents everywhere. It was wonderful.
here's a Koala just lounging around- which is what they do about 20 hours a day

with a bronze statute of the Irwin Family

Cindi and I on the beach


Rowan, Chesney and Logan

Chesney trying boogieboarding for the first time
At the Australia Zoo

Logan with the most poisonous snake in all of australia- actually I really don't know what kind it is


Dinner on the beach- taco night.

Mira goes bowling!

Today Mira went bowling for the first time. She and Chris met Chris's brother and his family this afternoon. She was really excited about the special red and white shoes she got to wear. Her favorite part was when she bowled the ball herself. Mira bowled a 67. She loved that you get two turns in a row.

Here are a couple photos of her adventures!


An the love between sisters:

More photos of Anna

Welcome, Annabelle Jo! We all drove down to visit her today. She is so cute and such a peanut! Really adorable with a little head. Mira had the chance to hold her and looked so proud! Amelia kept saying "Baby Anna" all day at our house. I think she was excited to see a baby too. Anna slept the entire time we visited. It was so fun to see her. Her room is adorable. Justin and Mandy seem completely prepared for the journey ahead! Here are a few photos of the newest addition to our family:

Welcome, Annabelle Jo Norstad!

We would love to announce that Justin and Mandy had their baby tonight!

Welcome to the family, Annabelle Jo!

Born: Feb. 12 at 7:23 pm.
Weight: 7 lbs, 10 oz.
Height: 20"

She has a fair amount of blondish, reddish, brownish hair and is really cute! She has Mandy's nose and lips, and Justin's eyebrows (blonde and nonexistent!) and chin.

Mandy is staying at Methodist hospital and will be there until Saturday. They were just going to her room when I talked to Justin, so they didn't know the room number yet.

Congratulations, Justin and Mandy! We know you will be excellent parents. Anna will be so loved! Here is a photo Justin sent me from his phone:

Samantha

Hi all,
I know Kristi will post more on her blog but I wanted to let you know that today was a good day! Praise be to God!
She had a slight temp when we got there this morning -- 99.8, then it went up to over 100 so they put her on tylenol...it came down slightly. Then they felt they needed to do another CT scan because the tube in her side going to her lung was not drawing out the fluid much at all.
They said based on the CT, (to look for pockets of fluid in her lung) they would either move the tube around (maybe even use a bigger tube) or do surgery to make a 6inch incision and put their hand in and pull out the fluid pockets which are actually more like jelly sacs.
Glory to God....they only found one fluid pocket left in her lung and were able to move the tube up and around the back of her lung to drain that out.
The DR came out and said that procedure went well and the fluid is draining well and this will help to get her off the ventilator, hopefully, tomorrow.
Her temp is still about 99.6 so they took all her covers off and gave her more tylenol to cool her down.
Her blood pressure and pulse are still flucuating but can be expected from what she's been through.
We continue to pray for God's healing hands to take all this from her body and make her well and whole.
deb

Samantha

I have a blog set up for Sam to do updates. www.newsonsamantha.blogspot.com So all of you can check on that blog. She had her second round of Chemo on Sat. It is hard to tell if it is working. Yesterday she was still pretty sleepy but did manage to get a walk in. Today she was more alert and walked twice. When she walk's she seems to tire easy but atleast she is walking and working her lungs. Did not see Dr today so hopefully tomorrow. I will keep you posted on the new blog. Sam and I can't thank you all enough for the support, prayers and gifts. I know when she start's feeling better she will want to thank you all personally. Love to you all and make sure you check out the new blog

Kristi

Pics from NY Norstads

Hi All,
Michele sent some pictures of the family out snowmobiling and then back in the house warming up.
These were taken around Christmas time and I wanted to be sure to share them with you all.
Deb




Norstad's "Angels"?!?!?












Michele and Luke

Kyle, Faith and Luke

Michele and Faith

Jamie, Kyle and Faith...funny faces guys!

who could resist these cute faces?!

kids outside playing. Faith, Luke, Kyle and family pet!

Keep sending pics and I'll get them posted.

Many prayers to out to Samantha, Alyssa and Kristi for strength and comfort and most of all healing.

Auntie Deb

Samantha

The last couple of day's Samantha has been sleeping alot. I asked the Dr to cut back on her pain and nausea med's. I don't know if she is giving up but I tell you one thing I WON'T let her do that. Sat the 31st she had her second round of Chemo. The Dr's didn't on Fri if she would be able to start them since she was running a slight fever. They ran a bunch of blood test and found her red blood count and hemoglobin was low so they gave her two units of blood on Fri night. Her fever did go down. The nurses also want her more awake so she can do her breathing exercise's, they said the lower part of her lungs are not moving like they should, so yesterday Nick and I ever time she did wake up made sure she did them. It was to the point that Sam told me to leave because I was making her do them. I told the only way I would leave if the nurse's kicked me out. Thank you all again for the gifts, support and prayers. We don't know how to thank all of you. I will update in two day's to let you know how this second round went. May God take is healing hand on her and remove this tumor and the other cancer that is in her. Love to you all

Kristi