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!

Randomness

I know I am behind - WAY behind - on blogging. Sorry.

Life's been a bit crazy the last few months.

And I blame it all on one sweet little guy.

But instead of playing catch up right now,

I am just going to post some random pictures

that pretty much summarizes what's been going on.

And one of these days, I will catch up. Promise.

I had my FIRST EVER Pedicure! And it was WONDERFUL!

I've never allowed myself that luxury, feeling it too frivolous a thing to spend money on.

But after a friend invited me and I turned her down and Rick encouraged me to go,

I jumped at the chance the next time she called! And my hubby even thinks it is a

pampering well worth it! So there will DEFINITELY be more of this in the future!

Thanks to Taryn and Rick, the best husband I'll ever have!

Here is that sweet little guy that has turned our world crazy!

We can't get enuf of little Jackson - who really isn't so little now - he is chunking up good!

Almost 3 months old now!
He takes great naps - as long as he's on his tummy!

This was Rick's little project a couple days ago.

I decided the microwave took up too much counter space so he took out the worthless fan that was above the stove and put in a little shelf -perfect! It does stick out a bit, but for now it works.


How does our Garden grow? Well, see for yourself!
This was our pickings from Sunday.
We had mashed potatoes and steamed carrots for dinner.
Also this week we've had stuffed peppers, Greek salad with zuchinni, tomatoes, and onions from the garden, and tonite's pasta will have fresh tomatoes and onions
and some zuchinni and squash on the side - yummy!
We have WAY too many tomatoes to keep up with - anybody want some?


We spent a wonderful week in Michigan, visiting the Meyer family - Grami & Gramps,
Uncle Pete & Aunt Lisa and son David, Great Aunt Ann - and all Rick's siblings
were there and his parents as well. It was a great vacation!

We spent 3 nites at a hotel on the beach - this is Lake Michigan.
And yes, my kids are in the PJs - it was our last nite and I had to get a family picture!
I have to say - I absolutely LOVED the beach! Jackson and I enjoyed a few romantic
late nite and early morning walks while everyone else was in bed. So peaceful!
Someday I dream of having my own beach house. Someday . . .


We went out for brunch with all the family one day while on our vacation.
Such YUMMY food that included a chocolate fountain!
This boy really enjoyed the chocolate dipped marshmallows!

6 Weeks

Yesterday was Jackson's 6 week birthday! Rick got these adorable smiles, and many more, out of him!

He has learned to love sleeping in his swing during the day and will normally sleep a 4-5 hour stretch at nite.

Gabriella is such a good helper with him - she loves that I will sometimes let her pick him up. Today she got him out of his swing after a nap and sat down with him. Within a few minutes he was asleep on her. We teased her that she couldn't move until he woke up. They stayed there, him sleeping peacefully on her, for about 25 minutes.

Other news - anyone know how to get an awesome deal on a rental vehicle?! We need one next month when we fly to MI for a week to visit family.

Anyone know of a great engineering job anywhere? Unfortunately, the great temp job that Rick had, that we all were so hopeful would end up permanent, didn't. So we are on the look out again!

Um . . What?!

While browsing thru pictures today, I came across this photo:

and this:

Guess that's what happens when daddy and Papa take the kids out fishing for the afternoon!

And just for fun, here's William, making faces and hiding behind his marble tower.

Blessing Day!

Today was Jackson and Rick's big day! Rick did a wonderful job on blessing Jackson in church. I am so thankful for a husband who is worthy to hold the priesthood and the blessings we receive from it.

Rick's dad Bill (Papa), Jackson, & Rick

Our first new family picture

(gotta love William's little hands!)

My blue-eyed boy!

All decked out in his tux!

The picture cut off the bottom of his blanket - it was from our RS Presidency - it has his full name and birthdate embroidered on - love it! Such a sweet gift!

So I was REALLY worried that Jackson would scream during his blessing - lately he is just such a momma's boy - only wants mom to hold him and cries and screams for anyone else. But I was wrong! He did a great job - didn't make a sound, even when he started slipping from the strong hands of his daddy and the other men helping.

We enjoyed a yummy BBQ lunch afterwards with family and a few close friends. Such a great day! Thanks again to everyone who came for this special day!

JUNE - Part Uno

June was a Busy, BUSY month! I can't believe it is gone already and baby Jackson is already a month old! We had a LOT of visitors this month.

Rick's parents visited in the hospital and at other times
(and I still have not gotten a pictureof Papa and the boy!)

and sweet Donna (whom Rozie cares for) came too.

Rick's wondeful Aunt Leesa and Aunt Jenny

My 2 BFFs from Roberts/high school -

Rachel was visiting from Ohio and Jen came from SLC

for visiting and yummy Mexican food.

My mom and grandma came -

it was SO nice to have mom here for a few days!

Our first at home visitor's were my brother James,

his son Jayden, and his cute wife Michelle.

This man is a BABY HOG!!