April 27, 2012

He Plans to Watch it ALL

Mackay came home from school yesterday Anxious and Giddy!!!  
He watched the clock until it was finally 6:00 PM.
The NFL Draft has begun!!!
He couldn't wait!!
He has talked about it for days!!
He didn't move from this seat for 3 hours, 
except to jump around and shout for Joy or occasionally BOO...
 

He was up this morning at 6:15 AM all dressed and ready for school.  
He came downstairs to check if he had missed anything ~ which he hadn't...

The NFL Draft goes on until Saturday.  
I don't see him moving off this chair any time soon... at least until Saturday afternoon.
He plans to watch it all!!
 He is such a funny kid!!


April 21, 2012

Kenzie's Surgery

Kenzie has never liked her ears.
I listen to her complain but figure she's just being a teenagers ... So she decided to talk to her dad. We all know her dad has a big heart. He listened and they decided to look into having her ears "fixed". I struggled with this decision. I never wanted Kenzie to think we felt something was "wrong" with her. She is absolutely gorgeous on the inside and out.
I finally began to understand her frustrations.
It was a process for her each morning to fix her hair "just right" to "hide" her ears.
She couldn't just throw her hair up when she was running late.
A ponytail was completely out of the question and headbands only accentuated the problem.
Wet hair after swimming with friends it would reveal her hidden ears.
Etc Etc Etc ...
I felt sad, that I hadn't "listened" to her earlier.
I take for granted "pony tails". I live with my hair up.
I never realized the effort my little girl had to put in to hiding her ears everyday.

After visiting with several doctors we learned that not only would they pin Kenzie ears, but she also had "undeveloped cartilage" in her right ear. Her left ear would be an easy fix but her right ear would need a little more work. But... she was thrilled. She could see the "light at the end of the tunnel" and couldn't wait to get started.

She didn't tell many people about the surgery. I wish she had told more of her friends. She could have used a few visits while she laid around trying to recover and heal.
She is a brave little lady and I am so proud of her.

Friday morning, April 20th, 6:30 am, we arrived at Dr. Jed Bindrup's office.
She was excited but had lots of nervous jitters under that smile.
We took one last picture of her "Before" Ears and she was off for surgery.
After feeling a little "barfy", she was ready to head home at 10:30 am.
Aaron was out of town for a Dental Course.
Kenzie adores her dad and he wasn't too thrilled to be gone for her surgery day.
Kenzie really wanted to talk to her dad.
She doesn't remember me taking this picture.
She was talking to Aaron on the speaker phone.
She doesn't remember having that conversation either.
Once she got home, she fell asleep for most of the day.
Aunt Jenn came by to see how she was doing and her friend Maddie Granger dropped off a cute balloon with a box of treats. These made her feel special and put a half-way smile on her face. Grandpa Earl called to check up on her too. Thank heavens for speaker phones - she couldn't put anything close to her ears...
She can't lay on her sides (of course) or lay all the way back. We propped her up with lots of pillows and gave her pain medication, but she wasn't very comfortable. It made for a long night. I was impressed at how tough my little girl is.
Day 1 was over.

Day 2: We were back at Dr. Bindrup's office Saturday morning at 7:30 am for a bandage change. He had told her "if she likes what she sees when the bandages come off, then we're in trouble." He expected swelling and squished ears. They would be really close to her head at first, but in a few weeks they will start to bounce back.
Right Ear
Left Ear
After relaxing the rest of the morning, her dad surprised us and came home EARLY from his trip. She was so happy to see him and fill him in.
By the end of Day 2 she had removed her bandages and had put her hair "UP".
Best Moment: when Kenz came downstairs and said;
"Look Mom, I'm wearing a pony tail."
My heart melted.
She knows the next few days and weeks will be a little hard. She is still in pain. She's nervous her ears may get bumped at school and she is still having a hard time moving her mouth and head around...lots of pressure. But... she has been such a sweetheart.
She has been SO thankful and is SO happy.

As I said before - I think Kenzie is gorgeous, but teenagers can be hard on themselves and hard on each other. If this eliminates a little bit of that, then it is totally worth it.

Kenz,
I am so impressed with your strength.
I am also so impressed with how you have handled everything about this.
You are so brave and I think you are beautiful, I always have.
I love you so much, Kenzer Loo :)

One more BEFORE and AFTER

April 12, 2012

St. George Favorites


Here is another look at some of our
St. George Favorites...

Swimming:
Sand Hollow Aquatic Center ~ 1144 Lava Flow Drive, St. George Ut 435-627-4585.
This indoor facility offers year-round fun. This unique design makes for great swimming year-round. The center offers two pools, a competition/diving pool and a leisure pool, which is a zero-depth children’s pool. It features water walks, slides, sprays and moving water devices. Hours are scheduled for open swimming as well as family and lap swimming.

Visiting the Grandma & Grandpa

Hiking, Biking, and Climbing

Zion’s National Park (1-435-772-3256)
Designated in 1919, Zion is Utah's oldest national park. The park is known for its incredible canyons and spectacular views. Famous hikes including The Narrows, Subway, and Angels Landing attract adventure enthusiasts from around the world. Hiking possibilities are endless. With nearly three million visitors per year, Zion is Utah's most heavily used park. Most park facilities are located in the Zion Canyon area, and it attracts the most visitors. There are four main sections in Zion National Park.


The Dixie Rock
Take St. George Blvd, turn north on 200 east. Drive to top, which is Dixie rock. Parking lots on left and right. If you go right, just past the parking lot is a turn to the left. This will take you back to the narrows, and a handful of climbing and bouldering.
Poppy Trail?? or Fat Man's Crack??
and Dining!!!
The Bear Paw Cafe 75 NorthMain Street 435-634-0126
Cafe Rio 471 East St. George Boulevard, 435-656-0200
Eureka Casino Resort Friday Night Seafood Buffet
275 Mesa Blvd. Mesquite , NV 89027 702.346.4600 1-800-346.4611
Gun Barrel Steak & Game House1091 N. Bluff Street, 435-652-0550
Nielsons Frozen Custard 445 E Saint George Blvd 435-628-5579
Pancho & Lefty’s 1050 S. Bluff Street 435-628-4772
Paula’s Cazuela 745 Ridgeview Dr, 435-673-6568
Pizza/Pasta Factory 2W Saint George Blvd Ste 8 435-628-1234
Pizza Factory (Express) 1930 W Sunset Blvd St. George 435-634-1234
Rickshaw (Chinese Cuisine) 1973 W. Sunset Blvd, Suite F 435-688-1208
Iceberg
222 E. St. George Blvd. 435-656-3625


We also "love to see the temple..."
St. George LDS Temple (250 East 400 South, St George, 435-673-5181) ~
Mormon pioneers began building this temple in 1871, soon after arriving in the area. The building was completed and dedicated in 1877, making it the first LDS temple to be completed in Utah. The temple is a majestic white structure that serves as an important area landmark. Visitors are invited to tour the grounds and view informational displays at an adjacent visitors center.
St. George LDS Tabernacle ~ Built of native red sandstone by struggling pioneers, the tabernacle was dedicated in 1876 and stands as a monument to their faith and determination. Today, the tabernacle is home to church services, daily music recitals, and the weekly Dixie History and Music Series.

Main Street Fountains (Main Street, St. George Ut) ~
Family friendly outdoor waterfalls and fountains. A little relief from the hot St. George sun. Great for even the littlest person in your group. ~ & it’s Free!!
A few others....

Theaters:
St. Geroge Cinema 6 ~ 905 S. Main , St. George Ut 435-673-1994
St. George Stadium 8 ~ 1091 N. Bluff Street , St. George Ut 435-673-1994
Shopping:
The Outlets at Zion (250 N Red Cliffs Drive Ste. 5, 435-674-9800)
Center Hours: Monday-Saturday - 10am to 9pm Sunday - 11am to 6pm
Christensen’s
(435-628-4213)

Tuachan ~ 2012 Schedule
April 28 @ 8 pm: Martina McBride
May 10,11,& 12 @ 8 pm: Brian Regan
June - October : Aladdin & Hairspray
July & August: Spelling Bee
August 27 @8:30 pm: Huey Lewis & the News
October 25 @ 7:30 pm: Thriller
November 3 @ 7:30 pm: Staying Alive - One Night of the Bee Gees
November 9 @ 7:30 pm: The Nashville Tribute Band
November 10 @ 7:30 pm: BYU Mens Chorus
November - December: White Christmas the Musical

Come Visit St. George!!!
Call us if you need a place to stay!!