Maddy's Toe Surgery

When Maddy was 20 months old, she slid a 25 lb weight (the one that goes on a bar) towards her and it dropped on her precious little toe! It sliced it open and fractured her toe. We had it taken care of then, but when the bone healed, a bone spur grew at the fracture site... just under her toe nail! So for quite awhile she has been dealing with a toenail that doesn't grow normal and pain that comes and goes. This was a perfect year to go figure out what was going on (insurance-wise), so we took her into the Podiatrist and he said surgery would be the way to go!

Maddy's toe before

Side view

Hair in braids ready for surgery! It's still dark outside!

The nurses were loving having a pediatric patient!

She even got a new friend... she named him "Spur"

(like her bone spur)

Making sure to do surgery on the right toe!

All ready!

Except daddy needs to give her a kiss :)

The surgery only took about an hour. When she was all done, they called us back to come see our little girlie.

Coming out of dreamland

She looks so lost and confused here. She didn't remember any of the pre-op stuff. She had no clue where she was!

A little more awake... and thirsty, so they gave her a juice box!

She was playing around with her pulse-ox monitor on her finger and making the pulse line go crazy!

Watching the screen pictured above :)

Maddy's IV

All dressed and ready to go home! She will sport this shoe for a few weeks.

I just loved this picture :)

Her Post-Op Nurse was named Kara... we liked her!

Excited to ride in a wheelchair!!!

Thanks dad for hefting her into the Suburban!

As soon as Maddy was settled, Toothless made himself comfy on her! That's his favorite spot... anywhere near Maddy!

Mrs R (Maddy's school teacher) put caution tape on her shoe to warn others to stay clear :)

Our first look at what was done. No toenail and stitches in the tip. No sign of infection and everything looks good!

Another view

Stitches out and now we wait for the toenail to grow back... oh, and treat the fungus that was among us (on Maddy's toenail bed)! The Dr says it was a nasty one, luckily it wasn't in her bloodstream! Other than that everything was just as expected.

Rim to Rim 2011

While this crazy guy...

Hiked this crazy hike...

... I drove from the North Rim to the South Rim in Bertha (our big red van) to meet the group. When I got to the South Rim, I had time to spare, so I walked the trail skirting the rim and had a fabulous visit with an old friend via the phone. Then my parents showed up, so I took my dads awesome camera (I now own one just like his) and started taking pictures.

Like of the Grand Canyon!!!

And beautiful cloud formations!

Then out came Chuck with Tyler at his side. Tyler came with Karen, Dallin and my parents. He started down when Chuck gave him the OK to meet up with him. He was so excited!

I'm so lucky to have these 2 great guys in my life! Next year Tyler is signed up to hike with Chuck! It will be such a neat experience for these 2 boys!!!

Most of "The Group". We are grateful to be numbered among these wonderful people!

Billy, Karynn and Chuck... all Rim to Rimers!

And last, but not least, our good friends, the DeSpains, who hiked in the group. It was super fun to have them along in the group with us! Good job guys! I was impressed! Chuck and Duane are already planning a Rim to Rim to Rim trek... Royann and I are planning a nice hotel stay ;)

And good job to all Rim to Rim hikers... you are all AMAZING in my book!

Back to School

Traditional "Back to School" picture of all 3 kids

Tyler is in 7th grade this year!!! I cannot believe I have a Jr high kid!!!

Maddy is in 4th grade!

Macee is in 1st grade!

And I'm doing my CNA this semester... so if I don't seem super social, please understand :)

What do you get when...

... you cross a newly sharpened knife and a finger???

A trip to the Payson ER!!!

Macee came with us (not happily, but I used bribery). She thought it was fun to try on a kid-sized mask.

I made sure the staff knew we were camping... she looks a little homeless right now!

Watching some TV

The wrapped up finger. When we got into Payson's ER Chuck removed his rag and it was still bleeding! He said a band aid would fix it right up... whatever!!!

You can't really tell where the cut is. It was a nice clean (deep) cut!

They said because it was a nice clean cut that they could "super glue" it back together. That will make for a smaller, not as noticeable scar!

Some added Steri-strips to hold it together.

A Tetanus shot... it's been awhile since the last one.

Splinted up for the weekend. He was told to not bend it and try to keep it clean. Good luck with that when camping!!! After we left we had to get some Dairy Queen (the bribery... sorry, no pics)

Here is the knife that gave us a trip into town and the rope that caused the whole thing!

Happy Father's Day

Since we had the Annual Melser Family Campout this year on Father's Day weekend, we celebrated Chuck's Father's Day the weekend before.

We took him out Saturday evening to Outback Steakhouse where he enjoyed steak and lobster tails!

After dinner we took him goofy-golfing! I think we yelled "FORE!" a few times when the kiddos took their turns.

On Sunday we enjoyed giving Chuck some gifts... the flippers and snorkeling gear was a big surprise (and something he has wanted since he lost his last set at the lake). For anybody who has seen Mama Mia... can't you picture Chuck (with his personality) being one of the "flipper boys"? Maddy said that from the beginning when she saw that part in the movie.

And then our family campout on the real Father's Day weekend! We enjoyed cooler temps and even a trip to DQ in Payson (by way of Payson ER... look for another post!).

I'm grateful for Chuck and the great dad he is to his kids. I'm grateful that they have such a wonderful example for their lives and that they can always rely on him for anything they need. I'm grateful for the Priesthood he holds, honors and blesses our home with.

I'm also grateful for my dad and the example he has been to me in my life. He has always had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is also the kindest man I have ever met. He is mindful of others and wants to help where he can.

Newest Family Member

We have been thinking about getting a kitten for our family for awhile. But I was very picky about what I wanted. I wanted a black kitten (as new as can be) and it had to be a girl. So when my friend called asking if I was interested in exactly what i was looking for the answer was a quick YES!!! She was 7 weeks old when we got her and now is 9 weeks old.

So meet She-Ra (princess of power!!!)

She is a super fun kitty with a lot of energy. She loves to play (with Bowzer... a little 'kinz pug... webkinz for those who have no clue what a little 'kinz is) and she runs around and jumps to attack anything moving (including our poor feet) or not moving (like an innocent piece of paper). She is really a joy for our family. She cuddles in my bed at night and loves to sit on my lap when I'm at the computer... like right now she is attacking my hands as I type! The kids like her too... so much I have to remind them to just let her run and play. The first day we had her, Macee freaked out (as if we had just gotten a tiger that would devour her), but she has warmed up a bit to her. She will hold her now, but still gets nervous when she pounces at her.

Maddy's Teeth

Maddy has been complaining that her canine tooth has been hurting and she showed us a lump in the top where it looked like it wasn't going to grow in right. So we took her to the orthodontist and he recommended braces now so that her teeth will have room to grow in. We were shown the x-ray of her mouth and we saw how much room she doesn't have for the rest of her permanent teeth to grow in. So we set up an appointment for her to get braces. So, on June 30th, she became the proud owner of metal in her mouth.

Prebraces

The funny device that keeps her teeth from getting saliva on them. The blue stuff is a cleaning gel that makes the cement adhere to the teeth.

Putting the brackets on.

Checking out her new look!

So very patriotic!!! I love her smile!

(((oh... and I got a free iPod touch out of the deal! We'll just say it was an expensive iPod...)))

Some More "Locks of Love"

My sweet little Rapunzel girl decided (after realizing her hair wouldn't turn brown when she cuts it) that it was time to give her hair to a little girl who needed it. She remembers Maddy donating her hair in the past and she was finally ready (and had hair long enough) to donate. So, after a week of making sure this was a good choice and it was what she really wanted to do, we went to get her hair done!

These are her before shots!

... her hair was down to her waist!!!

Making sure the ponytails are long enough!

Going...

Going...

Gone!

Now to even it all out and make a cute hairdo!

And cute it is!!! I love her hair this way! I love how it frames her cute little face.

Super cute side view!

Got to have a sassy look!

With her cut-off piggy tails!

Being silly with her piggy tails!

12 full inches cut off!!! WOW!

I'm proud of her decision to help a little girl who doesn't have hair because of medical/genetic issues. I'm grateful to have girls who think about others. What a fun way to serve another person!