Halloween

Here we are as the SCOOBY DOO GANG! We had a blast shopping for the costumes and then dressing up in them! We went to our Elders Quorum Fall Festival all dressed up as a family. We had fun seeing the other families there all dressed in their costumes--we have such a fun ward!

I don't know why I think it is so fun to have a theme for our family costumes...maybe one of these years I will let the kids be what they will want to be for Halloween! But as for this year, here is the lowdown on who's who:

Mike=Shaggy

Kerry=Velma

Allison=Daphne

McKay=Fred

Grant=Scooby Doo

Disneyland!

We recently spent several wonderful days in DISNEYLAND! We were able to meet the Andrus Family (Optometry school friends) there as well as take our staff there. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable trip. The kids had so much fun on most all of the rides (I can't say that Grant enjoyed very many--he was scared for most of them!) Our little family supporting Hurricane Valley Eye Care!

This is the only way that you can get me and Mike to go on the Teacup ride--it must be a stationary teacup for picture taking!

Mike and Kerry in front of "It's a Small World." Don't forget to notice Mike's beard! I can't say that I loved it--but he was sure proud of it!

Our family waiting to go into "Bugs Life." Don't we make cute bugs?

Mom and Allison

Grant--As cute as a BUG in a RUG! (How did that saying ever start?)

The HVEC Staff after Splash Mountain!

Allison took the brunt of the water!

McKay gives Splash Moutain 2 thumbs up!

Even the benches have Mickey Mouse faces!

Dorius Family poses for another picture!

Disneyland was all decorated for Halloween!

Heather Andrus and Kerry Dorius

The Dorius and Andrus Families--we had so much fun together!

Visit with Great Grandpa Blad

We made a trip to Kanosh and decided to pay a visit to my Grandpa Blad. He hasn't been feeling very well lately, so we wanted to see him and take some pictures with him.

Here are the kiddos with their Great Grandpa Blad or as he calls it: "Grandpa Great"

Here we all are with my wonderful Grandpa Blad!

FOUR GENERATIONS!

I love my Grandpa...he has always been so caring and genuine. If I were to choose something that I will always remember my Grandpa teaching me it would be to LOVE YOUR FAMILY! He has always been so proud of his children and grandchildren. I couldn't help but feel loved (sometimes even if it meant being smothered with hugs & kisses)when I was around him. I am so glad to call him Grandpa!

First Day of School

Here are the kids on their first day of school. Allison (9 1/2 years old) is starting 4th grade. Mr. Porter is her teacher. McKay (5 1/2 years old) is starting Kindergarten with Mrs. Reid. They switched schools this year, due to new boundary lines, and are attending Three Falls Elementary. Don't they look great? I have to thank my friend, Kara, for taking the picture since I was flat in bed (recovery from my knee surgery) and unable to fully get them ready for school on their first day of school. Mike and I are so proud of our kids! We just love them!

Oh the fun of surgery!

On August 7th, I went in for surgery to have my torn ACL and Meniscus repaired on my left knee. Dr. Scott Smith was my surgeon and he did a great job! He was so nice to let me WATCH the surgery. Instead of having general anesthesia, I opted for a Spinal with a Femoral Nerve Block so that I could be awake and remember the surgery. I loved it and I know that makes me sound so crazy! I wouldn't have changed a single thing in reguards to watching it. I must admit that it was a little weird feeling the bones in my pelvis vibrate when they were sawing the bone in my knee! The Spinal turned out to be a great thing because my legs were numb, so I didn't feel any pain for at least 10 hours! I have to admit that it was really good for me to be the PATIENT instead of the surgical NURSE--it gave me such a great perspective into how my patients must feel. I hope to be a better nurse as a result of my surgery.

This is me, looking my loveliest, right before they wheeled me back for surgery.

This is me right after surgery with my full-leg knee immobilizer which is locked at zero degrees. Let the fun begin!

After surgery, I was supposed to stay in bed for 2 weeks with my leg propped and iced. Laying in bed got extremely boring. However, I did enjoy reading books and watching approximately 250 decorating shows! Thank goodness for HGTV! Grant was my little buddy while I was home recovering. We spent a lot of time reading books in bed.

The incisions with all the brusing! It actually looks pretty good considering what some look like!

Yippee...I can get out of bed finally with the use of 2 crutches!

Here I am transitioning to 1 crutch and then...

...to NO crutches! Oh, what a wonderful feeling to finally be able to put weight on my foot.

It has been a couple of weeks since this picture, but I am now happy to report that I no longer have to wear my brace! I wore it for one month and it was a VERY HAPPY day when the doctor told me I could take it off! The progress is slow, but steady. I finally started Physical Therapy last week and my range of motion has improved, so I am excited. I do realize that I have about 3 1/2 more months until I am fully better! I hope when everything is all said and done, that I am glad that I chose to have this surgery done because I am dying to get back on the Basketball court!

And now for the Blad Reunion...

The Blad Reunion started off in Kanosh for the big Pioneer Day parade and celebration! We watched Grandma and Grandpa go by in the parade. They were so nice and even gave us a few extra pieces of candy! After the festivities at the park (most of the Blad grandkids won the races), we all caravaned to the Albrecht Lodge (yep--we were just there for the Dorius Reunion). We had a great time hanging out, making watch bands out of beads, swimming, dancing, horseback riding, 4-wheeling, celebrating birthdays, eating yummy meals from Throw-down Food competitions, and listening to Mom & Dad's life stories.


Pioneer Woman: Grandma Blad in the Parade

All the Blad Sisters

The Minivan Caravan of cars to the Lodge (I think there were 11 cars)

Making watch bands & bracelets & necklaces (Colleen was the Queen Jewelry Maker)

Grant having fun!

The other kids had fun too!

The Birthday people (Kerry, Grant & Cami)

All the sisters dancing with DAD!

Stephen & Kenneth dancing with MOM! (We missed you Kirk!)

We love you Mom & Dad!

Dorius Reunion at the Lodge

We had a wonderful time at the Albrecht Lodge outside of Minersville, UT. It is a very large cabin that can accomodate a large family so it worked out perfectly! Each family had their own room with a queen bed! We rode horses, went 4-wheeling, played tennis, shot clay-pigeons, played games (mostly Wackee Six), and ate a lot of food!

After the time at the lodge, we all came back to St. George/Hurricane and had fun at the lake! Some of the family didn't have as much fun after the lake since they got swimmers itch, but oh well--it is the price you pay for summer fun!

The small picture is of me attempting to skimboard. I guess I should have known better, but I ended up falling right after the picture was taken and injured my knee again! This injury has put me over the edge in my decision to get surgery or not. I am scheduled to have my ACL repaired in August! Yuck! Overall, it was a great weekend with the one exception of injuring my knee again!

Optometry conference in Midway

While Mike attended his Optometry conference in Midway, the kids and I had a great time around the resort. We stayed at the Zermatt Resort and they had quite a few things for the kids to do. My niece, Ashley, came with us and played with us too! The kids went on a carousel ride, swimming, got their face painted, fed goats, minature golfed and then we went over to Mike's brother's house in Heber. We had a wonderful time. Allison

McKay


Grant and Ashley

Hanging out in the Master bedroom of the suite! It was quite fancy!

Grant feeding the goats

Grant's favorite: TRAINS!

McKay had a really neat FLAME painted on his arm!

Allison had a gorgeous flower painted on her face!