More of Michigan

Our trip to Michigan in August was so much fun!

WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES

A great way to end the trip was having Gabriella lose a shoe in the swamp. Yes, it was her only pair of shoes. And this was the nite before our early morning flight home - wonderful.

Rick tried, but couldn't find it - guess the Swamp Monster ate it.

Our last day there, we met up with this grat friend and her hubby and kiddos for a trip to the Toledo Zoo and some yummy lunch.

Thanks again, Rachel & Brandon, for meeting up with us!

Probably the highlight of the zoo, for the kids at least, was climbing on animal statues. It was hot and humid and they got tired and cranky really fast. It was rather frustrating for me, but we called it a day pretty early.

A few days were spent in Traverse City, at Rick's Uncle Pete & Aunt Lisa's home. They were such wonderful hosts!

The girls with Uncle Ross (Rick's brother) and cousin David.

Uncle Pete and son David - he was so good to play with the kids! They just loved him! Sadly, no picture of Aunt Lisa.

Proof that I WAS there!

Kari (Ross's girlfriend), Stefanie (Ryan's girlfriend), Gramps, Rick, Ryan (Rick's brother), and Great Aunt Ann (Grami's sister-in-law) -

Hanging out in the awesome addition Pete just built.

4 Generations of Meyer Men

Tabitha, Me, Gabriella, Nana (Rick's Mom), Grami (Rick's Dad's Mom), and Melissa (Rick's Sister)

The kids and Gramps making their silly faces!

Uncle Robi helping Tabitha with a puzzle

Caught a snake! and covered in Chocolate!

This boy was in HEAVEN!!

Rick and the kids on the raft in the swamp in Grami & Gramps backyard

Off on an adventure down the driveway - thru the woods!

Grami & Gramps meeting Jackson, their Great Grandson, for the 1st time

Gabriella playing at a science museum

The Beach! (Lake Michigan)

Outside our hotel room in Traverse City

Someday I dream of owning a beach house!

Goodbye Tonsils!

Monday morning, my little boy had his tonsils out! Or, as he was telling people, "Monday morning I am getting my tonsils cut out so I can sleep better!"

A few months ago, when I'd taken him in for his 5 year old/pre-K doctor check-up, our doctor was shocked at how big this healthy little boy's tonsils were. He suggested we see an ENT and think about having them taken out. So finally a couple of weeks ago we were able to meet with the specialist. He scheduled William for surgery for the next week.

Here is my BRAVE BOY just before they wheeled him away - all smiles (we only talked about the good, fun stuff - eating ice cream and popsicles, etc. - not the pain!) So he was excited!

Shortly after they brought him into the recovery room - AFTER he had gotten some pain meds and interested in the Disney Channel. Why, oh WHY, did they not give him pain meds while he was still out?! Instead it was 20 minutes of crying in pain, waiting for the meds and then waiting for the meds to kick in. He had his bunny buddy, Blueberry Blue, (who used to be mine!) with him the whole time - I thot it was so cute that they even put a big blue car bandaid on Blueberry's arm, just like William had on his (where the IV was). Poor kid - he was pretty miserable!

A few hours later, on the way home - calmed and relaxed (Drugged!) and hugging his new friend The Cat in the Hat that the sweet nurse gave him for being so very brave!

So, that all happened Monday. He is doing pretty good for the most part now. He HATES the nasty tasting pain meds and will NOT take it unless he is really hurting. So, sadly, there have been a few times of him being in pain, crying, and me just holding him until the meds kick in. He's starting to get a good appetite back and eating popsicles and ice cream. His teacher gave me some "homework" he could do and he has LOVED that - he loves coloring and practicing his letters, so that has been really fun for him to keep him busy. Hopefully Monday he will be able to go back to school.

I really hope none of my other kids have to go thru this!! He really needed them out, though! They were HUGE!! The doctor was so excited, almost like a little kid on Christmas morning, after taking them out - they were so big, they just made his day! But now, hopefully William will no longer snore, thus he will sleep better, and therefore he will not be tired and whiny all the time - an overall happier kid!