Juchau's Utah Visit, Part 2

One of the stops my kids have to make while visiting their home town is Dairy Keen or the Train as they call it.  As many of us as were available went to lunch, had ice cream and shakes, and sat on the train for awhile.

No pictures for this one, but we had quite a bit of drama with little Jonathan.  He was circumcised by Dr- Grandpa Juchau since he couldn't be cause he was a preemie.  In the evening when Mindy went to change his diaper, it was very bloody -- Christian was there and took over in crisis-mode.  Got Mindy and baby to the ER.  Later I joined them.  They cauterized and treated it.  They waited a day or two to go home, Kirk was able to get a free plane ticket for Ryan to fly down, so they could drive back together.

The Family Meets Jonathan

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Jarrett Kirk and Jonathan Kirk get acquainted.

Mindy and Ryan moved from Utah so that he could work for Rite-Aid Pharmacy in Yuba City, California.  They found a nice home to rent in Marysville.  After a a year, Ryan got a job in Klamath Falls, Oregon, but Jonathan was in the NICU in Sacramento,  and they weren't allowed to move after he was released until just before Christmas.  Due to some rough times for them -- problems with Ryan's license, pregnancy and little Jonathan's fragile health, they were unable to come home for a visit for a year and a half.  Ryan had used all his time off during Jonathan's stays in the NICU, so in March of 2014, the first school break with Jonathan able to travel, Mindy loaded them in the car by herself after school and began the drive over unknown roads from Oregon to Heber City, stopping along the way to nurse Jonathan and take care of the kids.  The road was isolated, not well traveled, and treacherous in spots. She arrived in Winnemucca, Nevada at 2:00 and dragged (her word) the four kids and luggage into the hotel, only to find that their reserved hotel room was not made up and was the only room available.  She loaded them up and found another hotel.  I could definitely write a whole blog on her experiences over the last few years, but her life is not boring.  We were very relieved when they arrived in Heber City safely. 

Christian, Kendrix Kirk, and Jonathan Kirk

We were delighted to see little Miss Brinlee, a very animated, rambunctious little red headed Mindy.
She loved her cousins, especially, Emily who painted her nails and did art projects with her.

Xadrian and Brinlee had some fun, and Miss
Brinlee being hyper and silly.