Kilimanjaro Summit

Tricia and I both made the summit of Kilimanjaro on Saturday AM after a 5:00 AM start from last base camp near the smaller glaciers. 15 degrees F with fairly strong winds but all went well. We are down and safe, will have lots of pics for those interested. Attached a few from the last day. Seven days in a tent with all but one night being below freezing. Still well worth it with all the views as you hike through 6 different climate zones from tropical forest to Arctic zone.

Love to all,
Pete

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

We Love You Very Much !!!!

Shannon's Apartment in Parma Heights Ohio

Shannon's new apartment In Parma Heights Ohio.
The weekend move went well. God bless you Shannon and your new home.

The 4th was fabulous!

Here are some of our favorite shots from last weekend.....and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Beno!

Finally...some great news for Karen!

Both tumors have shrunk…by how much, they didn’t say…..BUT both have shrunk. She'll continue with her chemo ( 3 more treatments) and reevaluate when the time comes. We're heading in the right directions THANK GOODNESS!

Theme Party!!!!!

Hello family!!! Just a quick note to let you know that we are introducing a theme to this particular fourth of July celebration. Find them, make them, pull them out of your attic we don't care, just bring your MOST! OUTRAGEOUS! SUNGLASSES! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with, it's shaping up to be a great holiday see you all there :) Love Katie&Maria

P.S. We expect everyone to bring their A-game because someone needs to beat Billy at this, love ya Bill!

Thanks goodness for family!

Hi All,

Thanks for all your well wishes on behalf of mom (Karen). Here’s an update: Most of you know that we received news of several small brain tumors two weeks ago. Monday, she had another MRI and we learned that these lesions have not grown at all : ) On top of that her doctor is very confident that laser radiation, which zaps just the lesions, will be quite effective. She is actually receiving this treatment tomorrow (prayers and positive thoughts please!).

Next week she’ll receive her regular chemotherapy and her doctor will check how her pancreas and lung are reacting to the treatment. The pain she was experiencing in relation to these tumors has gone down significantly so here’s to hoping they’ve shrunk!

Again, your support is invaluable.....love to you all!

So I know this has been on facebook and the news has gone around a little bit but I wanted to let everyone know. I have been offered and have accepted a job with the American Red Cross in Cleveland, Ohio. There I will be working in the Component Manufacturing and Quality Control Lab, taking donated units of blood and processing them into units that can be given to patients as well as performing the testing and record keeping required by the FDA.

I am SUPER excited. Honestly, a little nervous too.... it's a big move for me.

I will be up at camp for 4th of July weekend this year and I hope I can see as many people as possible then. Especially since I am moving just a few short days after that....

I don't have an address or anything yet.... I am heading out there again for a couple days at the end of this month and plan to finalize housing then. As soon as I have the details I will be sure to share them.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !!!!!!!!
To all the beautiful women in this great family.
And especially to the Gran-dame , We Love you !!!
Happy Mothers Day

More Red Wine, Please!!

Leslie and I enjoyed a few fabulous days in Sonoma and Napa. After drinking wine from 10am - 5 pm, I am now on the wagon! Until our first trip to Maidstone that is. Ironically, were in San Fran same time as Maria and Charlie and got to share a fabulous French/Vietnamese dinner together.

God bless you Sapphyre !!!!!!!
We Love You, Uncle Mike & Aunt Stef

Happy Birthday Derik !!!!
Hope you have a great day.
We love you

Good luck Karen,
Hope all goes well for you today.
We love you

HELLO !!!!!!!!
IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE ?
Or is everyone too busy on Facebook and all blogged out?

He has RISEN !!!!!!!
Happy Easter

Happy Birthday Kayla !!!!!!!
We Love You. Dad & Stef

Happy Easter everyone, and God Bless.

Sex-sational at 60...

We were up at Maidstone last weekend celebrating the big 6-0 for Karen, who is looking as fabulous as ever and I am sure will enjoy her actual birthday on Sunday as she cruises around the carribean...here are a few shots from the night


The birthday girl being toasted

and a crowd of friends only too happy to toast the birthday girl
Leslie, Maria and Paul discussing life...or something like it :)

A new addition to the Perro clan!

So as you may or may not know I shared some exciting news at Katie, Maria and Charlie's shindig last weekend... Chad and I are expecting! It was certainly a surprise but now that the initial shock has worn off we are happy. I posted a picture from my last ultrasound to share with everyone... It was from about a week ago. I will be 14 weeks on Monday.. So almost 3 1/2 months! I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on things... I am due on July 20th (Camp on the 4th could get interesting this year!!) and we find out the sex of the baby in a little less that 6 weeks!

So in the meantime... If I could please get everyone's help and cooperation in calling my father "Grandpa Pete" that would be much appreciated! Please and many thanks :)

Simply the Best

I am not sure how one determines something is "The Best."

I knew when Erik left on Thursday morning and it was finalized when Kate blasted off on Saturday that the emptiness signaled two thing; that I value family above all else and that when something great ends, there is a lot of emotion.

The Elmendorfs had the benefit of all their children being home from Christmas Eve until the following Thursday. Kate on the planned visit, Erik because of human error at his job site and Meg because she lives here. The meals together, great conversations and ability to share the joy of the season made it simply the best holiday I can remember.

I hope that all of the readers had a great holiday and the ability to enjoy family and friends in the tradition that this season celebrates. I also hope that all of you are able to realize your hopes and dreams in the coming year.