Myrtle Beach Vacation - July 2009

View from our hotel room
Makayla lived in the water ~ loved the water park!

Family picture in the ocean!

Layla and Makayla enjoying the swing ride at the amusement park

Ocean/Beach Fun!

Tuesday, July 7 - Friday, July 10 we spent our vacation in Myrtle Beach with the Mowery family! This was a great vacation that we will do again but stay longer next time. The guys (Brian and Kerry) drove to Myrtle Beach late Sunday night and played golf that next morning when they arrived. Us girls (Myself, Makayla, Rachel, and Layla) went to Detroit, MI to stay the night on Monday evening. This was the best things we did since us girls took a flight out of Detroit on Tuesday at 6:15a.m. getting us into Myrtle Beach at 7:45a.m. The guys came and picked us up at the airport and we were off to our hotel. Hanging out at the hotel mini water park for most of that afternoon. That evening we went to dinner at Key West Bar and Grill - YUMMY and watched fireworks. Next day we went to a large water park and the beach were everyone enjoyed themselves - it was beautiful this day! That evening we went out to eat at T-Bonz (not so good) and went to see tigers. Thursday the guys golfed and we took the girls the smaller pool/water parks near the hotel. That evening we had a few drinks along the ocean and headed to the hotels Pirate dinner (BBQ and entertainment for the kids) then we headed to the amusement park - the young girls road all the rides and had a blast (it was a mini cedar point). The final day we spent the morning on the ocean and then the guys got on the road and headed home. Us girls went to an aquarium and then took a taxi to the airport - our plane took off at 9p.m.

Nice and enjoyable vacation but so much to do in the short amount of time we were there. Next time we will stay more days and enjoy everything and much more.

4th of July

4th of July Weekend!

Friday, July 3rd ~ We went to Amy and Tim Zirkle's for fireworks and smore's ~ the kids had a blast with sparklers and watching fireworks!

Saturday, July 4th ~ That morning we watched Kelley and my Dad participate in Napoleon's 1st triathlon! Kelley swam, Dad did the bike, and Jimmy (someone my dad coached in track from LC) did the run. They ended up placing at the top and earning a prize!

That afternoon we went out to my Grandma Atkinson's for a family BBQ! We, have been having this wonderful gathering on the forth for many years. It was great to see people we don't see on a regular basis. Lots of food and family fun!

Finally that evening we made it out to Kim and Kirk Woods (sister and brother-in-law) house for another load of family fun! The men put off fireworks and nearly blew themselves up - that was scary. Kids ran around and played with sparklers!

What a wonderful but full weekend of fun! Hope everyone enjoyed the 4th of July!

Father's Day Weekend!

Happy Father's Day Brian!

Family Picture before the Red's game!
Makayla and Brian clapping for the Red's

Swimming at Aunt Jane's

Family Picture before entering the ball park - great time but it was HOT!

Summer Fun!

June 2009

Makayla and Mom hanging out at Mowery's pool!
Jack and Layla Mowery and Makayla - these kids love to swim!

Makayla got a new "Big Girl" bike!

Lake Fun! ~ Makayla, Kelley, and Dan

Can't get this little girl out of the water ~ she loves the lake!

Birthday weekend!

What a great weekend! Thank you for all the wonderful Birthday wishes!

Friday ~ Brian, Makayla, and I ordered Mexican and enjoyed hanging out.

Saturday ~ I did some house cleaning and then friends called to take me shopping! Rachel, Rosey, and Amy D. took me to Toledo to do some shopping and had a wonderful lunch. We, were "old ladies" that day. You will never believe this but we chose to eat at Bob Evens - we, all love there salads! Thank you girls for a great day! Later that evening we went to my parents where we continued to visit with Katherina and Christian (from Germany) and celebrated my birthday. Great time hanging out with Mom, Dad, Makayla, Brian, Kelley, Dan, Katherina, and Christian.

Sunday ~ Brian, Makayla, and I went to Lowe's to look at some landscaping ideas and then headed to the park. We, had a family birthday party gathering for Grandma/ Great Grandma Kruse's 95th birthday! Happy Birthday on Wednesday Grandma - Love you! The kids ran around, played at the park, and us adults got to visit! That afternoon, Brian went to the lake to help put the boats in! Makayla, Kelley, and I hung out that evening.

Thank you for a busy/fun weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend ~ Zirkle's House

Sunday ~ Holiday Party at Zirkle's!

Avery, Layla, Aubry, Emma, and Makayla

(not sure where Jack, Karlee, and Ethan were)
Game of Kickball

Rosey playing Kickball - she is going to hurt tomorrow!

Layla Mowery and Makayla - Best Friends!

S'mores!

(Rachel and Layla Mowery and Makayla)

Memorial Day Weekend ~ Grandpa's 80th Birthday!

Sunday ~ Brunch for Grandpa Hougland's Birthday!

(Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa - Love you!)

Grandpa with his cake!

(casino cake)

Grandpa and Kelley
(celebrated Kelley's graduation from nursing school)

Family Picture!

Grandpa, Grandma, Karen, Brenda, Jane, and Marsha

Grandpa, Katharina, and Christian

(Katharina and Christian came to Napoleon for a visit - they are from Germany)

Makayla playing on a trampoline - could not get her off!

Memorial Day Weekend ~ Nick's 30th Birthday Party

Saturday ~ Nick's Surprise 30th Birthday Party!

Yajaira and Nick ~ Cute Couple!
Parker, Carlie, and Makayla

Makayla and Brian

Yajaira and Me

Sister-in-laws ~ Kim, Yajaira, Me, Kathy, and Ami

(we are a good looking bunch of ladies)

Makayla update

Makayla went through some rough stages during recovery. At on point we thought she was going to have to go back into the hospital to have IV fluids - thank goodness she ended up drinking a little. Makayla has some really rough nights (up all hours of the night at times) of her throat hurting to her ears killing. Lots and lots of restless days and sleepless nights. Makayla was a champ making it though the rough times and resting during the good times!

Now I ask myself - Would I put another child through this? Right now I am going to say, "Never". Ask me next winter and hopefully my answer will have changed. Brian and I hope this was the answer to a few of her health problems. We have prayed every day that she gets healthier and stronger and our prayers have been answered!

We, are at day 12 and she is doing MUCH better! Tonight she is going to sleep in her own bed! I can only hope this will help give her a good nights rest. Today was the first day she has not taken anything for pain! We, will still give her some Motrin at night before bed so she is comfortable during the night but hopefully that will only be for a few more days.

Wednesday, May 20th she will see the ENT for a check up. At this point she will be able to go back to the sitters and hopefully be able to have the diet she was on before. With all of this Makayla lost 4 pounds putting her at 29 pounds. We, look for her to gain that back fast when she can eat chips and goodies again! She is still wearing her bracelet they put on her in the hospital - I think she still wants people to know she had surgery - LOL

Brian and I can't thank all of you for being so kind in asking about Makayla, coming over and visiting, and calling to check up on her. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! We, hope this is the answer to our prayers in giving us a more healthy child!

May 6th ~ Makayla's Surgery

May 6, 2009 Makayla had surgery at Fulton County Healthy Center. Dr. Weir (ENT) removed her adenoids and tonsils and put a set of T-tubes in each ear. Last year this time Makayla had tubes put in and they did not last even a year and she was having problems. This spring the ENT suggested doing this surgery to eliminate all the nasty colds she has in the winter months. Makayla has allergies and asthma which means she has been on medicine all the time. Our goal with this surgery is to only use medication if needed (hope never).
Brian and I warned Makayla 2 weeks before the surgery she would have another set of tubes in her ears and they were going to do something in her throat that would cause her to have sore throat for a few days. Makayla was saying "No, I am not going". This was not easy. I of course was a very emotional wreck for 2 weeks straight and was not much help. Brian was a great supporter for both Makayla and myself. He was very strong in making sure she was comfortable with what was going to be happening.
Makayla had to be at the hospital that morning at 8:30 with no eating or drink after midnight - hours before. Her surgery was 9:30 that morning. Makayla did a wonderful job with the nurses and the Dr. She was very cooperative and listened to what they had to say. The nurses were wonderful to all of us - especially to Makayla!
Once they wheeled her back the actual surgery took 35 minutes and the Dr. was out telling us she did a great job!

Pre-Surgery Pictures

Makayla waiting to go into surgery - what a brave little girl!
Family picture before surgery

Makayla is ready

The nurses were wonderful - Makayla getting her blood pressure taken.

Makayla with her Daddy - glad he was strong b/c Mom was a cry baby the whole time.

After surgery Brian and I were able to be with her in recovery. Wow, what a strong girl. It was tough trying to get her to wake up after - I guess that is normal for children. They gave her a dose of strong medicine for pain - this knocked her out and helped her relax. When waking up Makayla had to have a Popsicle and some ice chips before she could leave.

Once we were home she was ready for a nap - Brian and I were ready for a nap ourselves.

Now, Makayla has a very sore throat and ears are tender. She is very uncomfortable at night but is playing a little more each day. Hope she recovers quickly. Makayla will need to see the ENT for a check up in 2 weeks.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

Zoo

Family Fun at the Zoo

4/26/2009

Makayla and Cohen Stevens

(ran into the Stevens family and had to get a picture of the kids)

Makayla and Dad

Makayla and Mom

Makayla loved the elephants (the baby had a 6th birthday this weekend)

Makayla

Family Photo at the Zoo