Summer Pictures

I thought I would post some of our summer pictures up to this point.

The other day I went out side and could not find our little kittens. I could hear a faint meow but could not find them anywhere. Finally after much looking I came across these little eyes looking up at me after I pulled all the golf club out of the golf bag.

Stuck and I mean STUCK!

Pascal looking up at me.

Oreo, was really in there. ha ha, if you look really close

you can see them both wedged in there. 

Pascal is on the left, Oreo is on the right.

Kort trying to figure out how to get them out,

with lots of shaking the bag upside down, gloves and 

patients she finally freed them.

I found them asleep in the camp chairs. 

The kids are loving their kittens.

Kids at the pool!

loving the pool time.

We have been trying to get Whitnee and ipad to help her with 

her OT, and to have before she has her spinal sugery, so she has something to do in the hospital.

 I was contacted by a friend of mine to see if Whitnee would be interested

in getting her daughters ipad, since they had just received another one.

Whitnee getting her ipad!

opening the box

She was so excited.

trying to play with it.

checking out the games.

Whitnee and Presley

They had so much fun chasing each other around

BFF'S are they not the cutest cuties!

THANK YOU PRESLEY!

So we try to do at least one cabin trip a year. With Whitnee getting older it is becoming much easier

for us to do so. She communicates so much better now.

This year we went up the 4th of July weekend. With such a wet winter the pass had just barely been opened

up over Baldy Mountain. This is driving past Pass Lake.

I don't EVER remember seeing the lakes frozen over while coming up 

to the cabin. Seeing lots of snow yes, but never a frozen lake.

(I have video of our drive, with all the snow, I just need to figure out how

to post it).

We have also started doing service projects up there, to try and help

my mom with the up keep of the cabin. This trip we redid some of the benches

I think they turned out GREAT!

My dad's famous fire pit!

July has been an interesting one so far, at least the first of it.

We normally don't get Monsoon season or weather till the END of July and the first part of August.

This one was so pretty as it came through

I LOVE thunder storms!!!

Whitnee helping out in the Garden can be hard, 

she can't weed or water 

but she sure can help with the pea pods!

She really liked them too!

So far that has been our summer. I am pretty sure Nate took a lot more 

pictures of the cabin and I will try to post video later.

Shriners

We had yet another appointment at Shriners this week.

Out of all of our appointmenst with Dr.'s. Shriners is the most

exhausting on both Whitnee and I.

It NEVER fails that on her ride home from there she falls asleep

I believe it is the stress that comes from the visit.

At these appointments I actually get to see how Whitnee's body 

is growing through x-rays.

With the help of Shriners Whitnee has had 2 seperate surgerys 

for her achillies. The Last and most recent being the worst one yet.

Dr. Marcy has been the BEST Dr. She is so loving and sure makes

Whitnee feel comfortable while she is there.

Last time we were there, I was feeding her lunch during our visit.

She came in and took the food right out of my hands and started feeding

Whitnee and talking to her. She is VERY personable.

This week we went to find out how bad her Scoliosis is.

Dr. Marcy tried to "beat around the bush" so to say about options for Whitnee.

She asked about the chest support, if I had heard about it.

Which I had, but they are not very good with SMA kiddo's because

they are Belly Breathers.

So after her trying to find a kind way to tell me Whitnee needed surgery.

I came right out and said.

"Look I know she needs surgery, we have a few friends who are the same type of SMA

as Whitnee and both have been Very successful with the Veptur Surgery."

The re leaf on her face spoke volumes.

She turned to me and said "ok, I will be right back I need to make a phone call"

Which I have learned is a good and bad thing.

In our case it was good. We were able to meet with the Surgeon right then and there, to discuss the risks.

He also mentioned that the SMA kiddos do really well with the Veptur, and explained how it works.

They go in and attach 2 titanium rods, one for each side of her ribs. They attach at the top of her ribs and then 

secure in her hip bone. Then every 6 months she goes in and has them extended, so they grow with her.

I am SOOOO glad she made that phone call, it would have taken MONTHS to get in and see him.

We are looking to do the surgery in the next few months. 

Still waiting for them to call and give me the date.

I told them asap, we can't do it during respiratory season. 

Here is her x-ray

The picture on the right was taken back in 2008

the one on the left was taken last week.

They never did tell me the percentage of curve, 

but the surgeon said that surgery needs to be done with in the year.

I will be calling the Dr. to get the percentage of curve, I am curious as to what it is.

Also while there, we asked to have her right arm x-rayed too. She had hurt it a week before

and was still complaining about it, so as a precaution to make sure it was not broken.

It came back looking good or so we thought till I got a phone call a few days later from Dr. Marcy

Who said that the Radiologist and her sat and looked at the x-ray for quite some time trying to figure out what was not looking right. They could not put their finger on it but they knew something was not right.

So they called me and told me to wrap her arm to her chest with an ace bandage for 5-6 days and see if that helps. They said the bone did not look right. They could not see a break but that did not mean there was not one. Sometimes they don't show up for a while or ever.

So we put a bandage on her, which she HATES! Later the first day, she looked and me and said, 

"mom, my arm does not hurt any more"

Not sure if that was true or her way of saying TAKE IT OFF!

If it is still hurting next week, we have to go back up and have both arms x-rayed so they have something to compare it too. Heck for all they know it is just how Whitnee bones truly are. 

Still does not make it easy for her to get around, she can't drive her Walle because she is right handed.

So it has been a rough few days.

I will post later what we find out.

Cinderella's Grand Ball

Whitnee had the opportunity to attend 

Cinderella's Grand Ball.

She was soooo excited when I read her the invite. The first thing out of her mouth the morning of the ball was "I get to go to a Princess Party"

HopeKids did an amazing sponsoring this event for all the little Princess who deserve to have one day where they don't have to worry about treatments, therapies, etc.... they can have the spotlight on them and help them celebrate who they really are. PRINCESSES or Princes for that matter 

(yes there were a few of them there too). 

When we walked in the doors, they asked for Whitnee's name

and then announced her as 

Princess Whitnee from the Kingdom of Saratoga Springs

and then everyone applauded her arrival.

(it was really cute)

She was also given a beautiful necklace with her name on it.

We quickly went back outside to ride in the Carriage 

(the line was REALLY short-I don't think anyone really knew it had arrived yet).

 This amazing Carriage pulled up right behind me when we got there.

(Whitnee was more excited about the horses then anything else, she LOVES horses)!

Here we are in the Carriage, she thought it was pretty neat!

Next we were seated for dinner,

(she was so tired, I was not really thinking

when I took her to the pool early that morning for

a few hours-she fatigues really fast).

Our yummy dinner, she even got her OWN plate.

(it was really good)

Yummy cupcakes for dessert!

Whitnee really liked these 

(they were strawberry).

After we ate, Whitnee got to go get her picture taken Professionally

in her Princess attire.

Can't wait to see how they turn out.

While getting her pictures taken they announced the

DISNEY PRINCESSES

 then they came out to the courtyard where we were.

Whitnee with Belle, Jazel, and Pocahontas

(these 3 actually came over and found Whitnee rather 

then us finding them).

Whitnee and Tinker Bell

(I love how she watches them) 

Jasmine and Whitnee

Mulan, Whitnee, and Rapunzel

Sleeping Beauty (Arora) and Whitnee

(her favorite, but I think Arora now has

some competition with Rapunzel)

Cinderella, Whitnee, and the Fairy God Mother

(I love how excited she is here)

Whitnee and Cinderella

It was an amazing night! 

Whitnee's clock struck 12 early,

when she started having a melt down waiting for the Princess

class (how to curtsy, etc...) and the dance with the Princesses.

she left with all of their autographs and great memories to tell 

Daddy, Kort and Nic. 

Whitnee sound asleep on the way home.

time 6:30 p.m.

Thank you HopeKids for a wonderful evening!

Nic was one of the winners at his School Science Fair this year. He got the opportunity to attend District.

He was really excited and nervous too.

Here he is waiting for the judging.

Our cute friend Maddy made it too 

Her's was on finger printing and how similar they are 

with family members.

It was a lot of fun for them!

Nic also got his Weblows and Arrow of Light Award in Scouts.

Nic putting my pin on me.

I love the painted face, it represents his journey through 

cub scouts.

His Arrow of Light Award

He was really excited for this!

So proud of you Nic!

Nate and I got the opportunity to go and meet the 

Pioneer Woman at her book signing.

Meeting Ree Drummond

(I must say we love cooking out of her cookbook)

Wow, this year has flown by, I have been awful at posting on our blog this year.

We have had a busy, fun and healthy year. As it comes to a close I thought I should sit down and update our blog.

(I must confess up front, I was horrible taking pictures this year, we did go on a few trips, one to Idaho and the other to our Cabin. I know we took pictures but I can't find ANY of them, I need to check Nate's computer to see if they are there)

Our summer and fall were busy with FOOTBALL. 

Nic started his first year with the Thunder Football being in 5th grade we thought it would be a good experience for him. He was old enough to understand the positions, the game and the rules. He got the BEST Coach out of the three 5th grade teams.

With Conditioning every night for a month and then practice 5 nights a week till school started then it dropped to 3 nights a week, we were busy. He started out as the left lineman where he learned how to hit, block, etc... He really liked his position until one game, things did not go so well with our Center and the Quarterback. Nate asked Nic to hick him the ball after the game just to see how he did. And to his fathers amazement Nic had his fathers talent! 

Nic approached his Coach and asked to try the Center position. Both the Quarterback and Coach were amazed at how well Nic did in snapping the ball.

From that moment on Nic was the NEW Center.

Then ended up going all the way to the Championship game and winning 2nd place in the league!!!!

What an awesome season.

(we have been approached by a few coaches about recruiting Nic for next year as the Center too).

Pictures will follow.


This is Whitnee's first day of school 2010

She was so ready for school to start this year!
She attends Achiever Preschool by Skype and loves every minute of it

Kortnee and I got to attend a Bridal Shower of one of our dear friends, our evening started out at PF Changs for dinner

We then went to a Black Tie event that Dillards was putting on. 
We got our make up and hair done and then had the chance to go watch 
some Dancers from Dancing with the Stars perform.

Kortnee getting her make up done

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!

Me getting my make up done.
It was a very fun night out with the girls!
I loved spending time with Kort!


We made yet another trip to Shriner's this year, I am really bad at getting Whitnee's Wheelchairs looked at so I FINALLY got Walle in after 3 years.
um they are supposed to be looked at every 6 months. But who's counting right.

Here are the girls waiting for Walle to show up!
(I can't find the one of Nic)


Whitnee turned 5!!!!

She actually blew the candles out by her self!!!

Opening presents
(the license plate there on her table is 
Tinkerbell saying
"Catch You LATER"
it is attached to the back of her Wheelchair 
VERY appropriate for Whitnee)


Halloween was fun this year

Kortnee and Nic cleaning out their Pumpkins

Whitnee cleaning out her's

This year I bought books with patterns
oh it was FUN!!!!

Whitnee's

Nic's

Kortnee's


A few things I worked on this year in my home

I painted and decorated my Bedroom

and my Bathroom!
I love how they turned out!


Nate stayed busy with work, 4 wheeling trips, etc.


Wishing you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS
and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(I hope to be better at taking pictures and blogging next year)