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July 18, 2014July 18, 2014

Michelle Meets Dani

The second day of Michelle’s visit was the 4th of July and we had big plans. We started the day by meeting some of our friends from church for the Arlington 4th parade. Mike stayed back home with Dani so she wouldn’t sweat for hours. It was our 3rd year to attend and we got the same great spot as the last 2 years – yippie! We had a great time as always and look forward to going again next year.

With friends at the Arlington 4th parade. — Yeah for friends, family and parades!

Arlington 4th parade — The girls got a big kick out of this!

Michelle meets Dani

We let Michelle give Dani her candy during cast cooler time so they could bond. I thought this was a cute little photo of Amelie and Michelle talking. The rest of our day was nice and the girls played a lot and visited with Aunt Michelle. When the girls had a nap we ran over for some shopping at Target and then home for dinner. Then we packed everyone up (included ice packs to put under Dani) and headed to find a good spot for fireworks. We went to the same location as the last two years, but this year we found THE SPOT!!! I told Mike and Michelle that I was going to be like Sheldon from Big Bang Theory from now on for this spot! We had a blast 😉

On Saturday we headed over to see my friends Laura’s new cell phone accessory shop, Cases Galore, so Michelle could get a new case for her phone. After that we went to lunch with Laura and had a great time. Dani went crazy for the fried pickles and rolls, which made me laugh.

Michelle meets Dani

Once we got home it was time for the girls to take a nap. Michelle and I headed out to get our nails done. Michelle was so sweet to treat me to my first set of gel nails.

Michelle meets Dani

Later we surprised the girls and took them to get shakes at Sonic in their jammies. I think that Amelie and Dani enjoyed it a lot more than Nadia because she always thinks the shakes are too sweet at Sonic. Next time we need to just get her a plain soft serve cone. On Sunday we had homemade waffles and I got Michelle addicted to Trader Joe’s cookie butter. Michelle and I ran over to Central Market and Trader Joe’s for goodies that she could take back to California.

Michelle meets Dani

We were sad when it was time to go and as we left the airport Dani said, “Shell? Shell? Shell?” and the big girls tried to be tough and not cry. Thanks for coming to see us Michelle! We love you!

*On a side note: A great thing about Michelle’s trip was that it made the last 4 days of Dani’s cast fly by. After dropped her off we picked up burgers for dinner and got the girls in bed because we had to be up early to head for the hospital.

July 16, 2014July 17, 2014

Michelle’s Surprise

July 3, 2014 — Gift boxes stained by Michelle (click to see album)

My sister Michelle flew out from California to meet Dani and spend the 4th of July weekend with us. Not only were we thrilled to see her, but we knew that she would help the last 4 days of Dani’s cast fly by. We picked her up at the airport and then headed over to Grammie’s house and then we all went for lunch at Fuzzy’s. We started the trip out right and Michelle was able to re-stock Jared’s Fuzzy Dust supply. Once home we put the girls down for a nap/quiet time and Michelle gave me a giant surprise. She asked me to be one of her bridesmaids and I was so excited. Inside my box was a pendant with the girls’ Gotcha Day dates plus a shirt to wear for the wedding. On the back of my shirt is her nickname for me, ‘Loua’, and the number 30 which represents the number of years Michelle will have known me on the wedding day. So cute and special! Once the girls were awake, Michelle gave each of the girls their boxes.

Michelle and Nadia — Michelle asked Nadia to be her junior bridesmaid.

Amelie and Michelle — Michelle asked Amelie to be a flower girl.

July 3, 2014

I love how excited they are about the gifts in their boxes.

Michelle, Louanne, and Dani — She also asked Dani to be a flower girl.

Michelle's Surprises

Here is a photo of the inside of the boxes with all our special gifts. The detail Michelle went through to stain/paint/decorate them turned out beautiful. She also gave us sweet notes asking us to be a part of her and Jared’s big day. We are blessed to be so involved especially since Jared proposed at our house last year. We love you Michelle and Jared!!!

July 5, 2014July 5, 2014

Week 8 in “The Cast”

The end is in sight!!!! The big girls finished up VBS and loved everything about their week with friends. I took Dani back to the dentist so they could seal her bottom molars and she did an awesome job. She cried a little on the last one, but they said they expected her to cry through the entire thing so they were impressed. This week Dani was also moving and climbing and trying to follow the girls every chance she had. She was spending far more time out of her TARDIS chair than in and we were happy to see that. Her upper body must be getting so strong from dragging that cast around. As you can see from the photo above the cast isn’t really slowing her down. On Sunday of this week Dani had a pretty tough day. She was clearly frustrated with the cast and ready to be done. She pounded on the cast quite a bit and even said, “Dooon wan it!!!”

Amelie, Grammie and Nadia playing Operation (with Dani in the back)

Grammie "playing" a Hello Kitty themed version of Trouble with Dani.

Grammie came over for her weekly play date with the girls and as always they had fun. It was really cute that Dani was pretending to play this game with Grammie because she has seen us play it so much with the big girls. Dani is always watching us and this was adorable proof of it.

Nadia playing with Dani — Nadia came up with a fun game for her and Dani to play. I have no idea what the rules were, but they were giggling a lot.

Stuff removed from Dani's cast. — I check the front of Dani's cast at almost every diaper change just in case. I recently found these.

Nadia's science experiment — Nadia's Human Lung Model

We just started a Magic School Bus study of the human body and the first experiment was to make a model of a human lung. Nadia thought it was great.

Amelie being silly in her Panda vest from China. — Amelie said, "Hey Mom! Take a picture of me like this!"

July 4, 2014July 5, 2014

Week 7 in “The Cast”

This week started much like the rest – we were rejoicing that another week had past and gearing up for the big girls to go to VBS. It was going to be the first year in 8 that I hadn’t volunteered, but I needed to be home with Dani. Dani was continuing to spend more time on the floor exercising and giggling with her sisters while trying to join in their fun.

Dani playing on a new play mat. — We got a new play mat which Dani loves to scoot around on.

Amelie at her check up. — Amelie had her 5 year check up and everything was wonderful.

Dani had her first visit to the dentist and as we suspected she needed some work done. All four molars on the bottom of her mouth had the start of a cavity so the dentist wanted to give them a super fluoride treatment and seal the teeth with cement as soon as we could come in again. Nadia and Amelie also had their teeth checked and everything was good.

The week took a turn when I received a call from my step-dad on Saturday night telling me that my Grandpa was gravely ill and not expected to live long. Mike and I talked about it and decided it would be good for me to go as soon as I could. I checked all the flights and on Sunday I purchased a ticket to fly to California on Monday morning and return on Tuesday night. When I arrived on Monday morning my Grandpa was up and I could hold his hand and talk to him. It was a great blessing to spend time with him over the two days and I am grateful I got to see him before he died.

When my Grandpa was too tired for any more visiting on Monday, my aunt Polly came and picked me up for lunch. It was a bright spot in the day to sit and visit with her outside on the patio at South Coast Deli. Later that night I went to see my brother who I missed seeing on our 2012 trip. On my second day there I went to see Grandpa in the morning, but he was very tired but I still talked with him for a little while and held his hand. When it was time for the nurses to help him I left and went to have lunch with my mom at her office. After that my step dad and I went to see my Grandpa one more time so I could say goodbye and hug my Grandma one more time. Then I started my journey home after a whirlwind, emotional trip. I was very worried that Dani wasn’t going to do well with me being gone, but she did great and I am thankful for everyone who prayed for her while I was gone.

Nadia at VBS Amelie at VBS

Week 7 in "The Cast"

The big girls had a great time at VBS while I was gone and during the rest of the week once I was home. The theme was Space and the Bible passage that it focused on was Genesis 1. Nadia told me over and over that even though she loved the skit, she missed me being one of the characters. I told her that maybe next year I would return to all my VBS activities of the past. I am thankful for all the members of our church who give their time and energy to make VBS happen each year.

Dani crawling under the TARDIS

This was one of the many places I found Dani exploring over the course of the week. The end is almost here!! WOO HOO!!!

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