Finally On Our Way to Florida!

We all planned to leave Houston on December 29th - Kyle, Heather and the girls to Disney World for a week, Judy to Dallas and we were heading to Florida. Unfortunately, Roger woke up with another episode of atrial fibrillation . So we ended up staying in Houston until January 2 when we went back to San Antonio to visit his cardiologist. A long, cold week-end of "binging" on Netflix! It took a while to get an appointment with who Roger calls "the electrician" in the cardiology group but new medications converted him back to a normal rhythm over night. The moral of the story is not to get "kind of sick" on a holiday!

Roger was scheduled to attend Omega's annual business conference on January 9th and 10th in San Antonio so we just stayed there until it was over. Heather's birthday (hers age us more than our own!) was yesterday so we spent the night in Houston to celebrate and hear all about their trip to Disney. It was really cold but they had a fun time. Universal Studios is truly amazing with all the new technology and the Harry Potter theme!

Today we are finally heading the correct way on IH-10 toward Clermont, Florida! Turn the heat up, please!

Katy Perry

Roger and I bought Samantha and Emily tickets to Katy Perry's concert in Houston on January 7th for Christmas. Megan made it especially fun by bringing wigs and Heather had glittering eyelashes. The show was an amazing production with fantastic special effects and they had a wonderful "first concert" experience. How are we going to "top" this next year?!!!

Megan,Samantha, Heather and Emily

The Lasich Family

We did not get together with Ray and Mel's family over the holidays but Judy sent pictures to update my photo album. Miss them all but will see them this summer in Colorado. Their grand daughters are adorable!

Rachel, Caroline, Joel and Charlotte

Rachel, Avery and Kyle

Kirt and Nicole

Mel and Ray

Christmas 2017

We had a great time over the holidays with the kids, grand kids and Judy at Kyle and Heather's in Houston. The weather turned cold and windy but not nearly as cold as Michigan! Can't believe we did not get a family picture during the whole time we were together - just this one of the pajama family!

The girls broken bones are healed and they are off to Disney World tomorrow morning.  Samantha has a "knee scooter" so she can keep up in the park. Judy left for Dallas this morning to spend New Year's with Mel and Ray and their family - then she is off to Arizona. We heading to Florida and hopefully, warmer weather!

Newman's Castle

I enjoyed "The Nutcracker Ballet" with Emily's Girl Scout troop - all the girls dressed up in their cute Christmas dresses. They earn a special badge by learning "theater etiquette." Unfortunately, the rules book made no mention of not giggling at the male dancers "bum" in his tight leotards!

Judy and Marilou arrived in Houston Thursday night and this is what they brought with them.....

Heather took Samantha to school and several kids, teachers and even the principal were out front having a snowball fight. Poor Samantha with her crutches was a non-threatening target!

We had a fun family day yesterday at Newman's Castle, in Bellville. It was built by a rather eccentric man that owns the local bakery. You make a reservation for the tour but have to stop at the bakery in town to get the directions to its secret location. Brilliant marketing! The tour includes his story telling, lunch and time to wander around and explore the castle and grounds. There is a drawbridge, a courtyard, a dungeon, a great hall and of course a bell tower. He actually lives there. The kids were all given swords to slay the dragons and he gets some of the tourists to participate in the stories. It was a pretty day to be out and about.

Kyle helping to raise the drawbridge!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Emily's 9th birthday turned into a 3 day celebration over the week-end. Family dinner, friend party and cupcakes for her class on Monday - she'd make it a national holiday if she could!

Her birthday party was at an art studio where all the guests got to paint a picture. Emily chose a jellyfish - a fun project!

The Liskow Orthopedic Clinic

It has been an eventful October for Kyle and Heather. Emily fell off the monkey bars at school and broke her leg - up by her knee - and was in a full leg cast for 6 weeks. The day after she got her cast off and a knee brace applied, Samantha fell at gymnastics and broke her ankle! Heather said she felt like they passed the crutches like a baton in a relay race! Unfortunately, Samantha's injury required day surgery to place 2 pins to stabilize her ankle. Her surgery was on Halloween - she recovered well and went back to school today. It won't be easy - 8 weeks of non-weight bearing and then a boot. But, she is resilient and will manage OK. Long rehabs before they get to resume swimming and gymnastics!

Emily getting her cast off

Samantha had ankle surgery on Halloween

We were planning to leave Michigan on Halloween and were beginning to pack the motor home but, when we heard about Samantha's surgery we rushed to leave early and be there to help. On Saturday, right before we left, I went out on the deck and commented "the leaves are really slippery" - before the words were out of my mouth I had fallen on my butt! Ortho injury #3! But, nothing broke thank goodness - just bruised and sore!

Between the pouring down rain and Samantha's surgery Halloween wasn't as fun as usual. Emily said "first my sister has surgery and then it rains on my second most favorite holiday! Ugghh!"