Our New Dog

Last week, we got this beautiful yellow lab from Danny's dad, Mark. The dog has been very well trained and is well mannered. He is 4 years old and his name is Rex, although Melia demanded that we name him "Steve" (--I know! We'll see how that shakes out!).
Things are going pretty well as we get used to each other, so far. He likes to come inside and hang out for a little bit each day, but then is happiest outside laying on the grass and chewing on his bone.
He has made one whole in the grass and chewed on one shoe, but he is very sweet, calm, quiet, and friendly to all of us as well as the neighbor dogs. He listens really well and now that he has been bathed, he smells alright, too.
I think he is a keeper! Overall, he seems to add peace to our family, me included, and I like him a lot.

Sophie's Surgery

Sophie had her surgery last Tuesday. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed, got a nasal endoscopy, and had tubes put in her ears. We have been worried about her for a long time. She has always snored and struggled for air while asleep, and while awake breathed loudly and always through her mouth. She hasn't gained weight for a year, and she is sick or like 11 months out 12.
My little nephew, Dawson got the surgery at the same age and my sister, Shannon, said he has been a different kid since. We have really been wanting to do it.
Two specialists said to wait until she was older, but at her 18 month check-up, her doctor said they must come out as soon as possible and referred me to a different ENT. He got us an appointment that day.

On a scale of 1-4, her doctors both looked at me and told me her tonsils were a 5. The picture above is not her mouth and tonsils, but they are similar to what hers looked like.
He said that the risk of waiting to remove her tonsils later was that she could develop hypertension in her heart, which would be a much more serious and lifelong problem.

Above is a picture of her adenoids that they took during her surgery. As you can see, there is a lot of extra tissue there that is blocking her airways. Can you imagine what it looks like when she has a cold, which she has commonly had since birth?
On top of that, the doctor removed 1/2 tsp. of "glue," as he called it, from each ear. He said her balance and speaking would improve now, as most of her life her hearing has been as though she were under an inch of water all of the time!

Melia spent the night at Karen's and we took Sophie in at 5:3o am.

She was oblivious to her impending doom... she kept wanting to hang from the crib and play peekaboo.

She even took a walk with one of the nurses.

Then it was time for surgery and we nervously waited outside. The doctor came out after an hour and 15 minutes and told us everything went fine.

She was very miserable all that day. Thank HEAVENS for her bear! It made her feel so much better (actually, thanks, Shelly!)

I just had to put this picture in...only in NEVADA would the hospital use a casino poker cup for a breathing mask!

She was very miserable, but conceded to eating a ginger cookie and a cup of water for dinner. With her new found ability to hear, she was very interested in TV, which she has never been before. So we watched some shows together. Danny went home that night to work and take care of Melia, and I stayed. Hospitals are just the worst places for people who need to rest! I didn't sleep much, but she did off and on. At 5 a.m., she was a new girl! She awoke and immediately wished to pace the halls of the hospital with me, dragging her IV behind her and smiling at everyone. When Danny and Melia came to pick us up, Sophie was delighted to see them!

She hugged Melia over and over again! It was one of the most precious things I have ever seen!

It has been a week now and she is a very happy little girl. She eats and drinks and sleeps just fine. Oh, sure, things are a little off and she has had some pain, but she has been a real trooper, thanks to tylenol!
The best part of it all is that she breathes well! It is steady, quiet, and deep.
Ahhhh. How wonderfully blessed we have been! Thanks to our friends and family for your concern and love for her.

Weekend in Utah

From left: Kim Bayne, Michelle Misener, Kristen Mendenhall, Kim Gardner, and Me.

Friday night we went to a baby shower for Kim Gardner, by best friend from college days. We had a terrific time! Not only were we great friends in college, but somehow we all chose husbands that get along well, too.

And then Saturday we spent a half day at dear old Solitude!!!

Here we are driving up, with HIGH anticipation for the trip!

And my sweet sister, Beth watched ALL our kids! 7 kids age 8 and under!

At 12:30 p.m. we arrive, our snot already frozen in our noses.

After the trip... "Oh Danny, I had SUCH a good time!"


My smiling sister, Shannon, and her husband, Jeff.

What a fun group! All those smiles in 1 degree weather!
I miss skiing so much. I wish I could do it all the time. I can't believe how free and challenging it felt. Thanks again, Dad and Beth.

Christmas Morning

Christmas was good.

Really, really good.


All that Melia asked for was a mirror like Belle's.
She was confused that Santa brought her a barbie, too.
She actually asked me, "Mama, why did Santa bring barbies, too?"

Christmas Party with Friends in Fernley

A bunch of us got together to celebrate Candy and Ryan being in town.

I didn't get a picture of everyone, but I did get the cute kiddos...

Particularly these young ward girl friends, doing what they do best!

From me, going clockwise: Janie, Karen, Cylee, Summer, Tressa, and Candy

(When we were taking these pictures, we knew what we were doing was pretty embarrassing, but we just couldn't stop ourselves!)

Christmas Eve Dinner

We had a lovely dinner on Christmas Eve!
The Hydes have a strong tradition of dining together often, with all the fine china and the rest of the works! We are lucky to eat with them each Sunday and many holidays, as they live just 25 minutes away.

Danny's mom, Anne

Danny's dad, Mark

Danny's brother (no. 6 of 7), David. He is single!

Mark's uncle, John.
He was kind enough to put up with a very loud and chaotic dinner! During this short 30 minutes, the kids' table fell over when a wobbly leg collapsed, I spilled Sophie's food tray all over the rug, one of the brothers spilled their water on the table, and I dropped and broke the glass salmon serving dish, also all over the rug!

Danny's brother, Scott (no. 2 of 7) and his pretty wife, Karen

Come on, Danny! Be a good sport and SMILE!

Sophie and the cheeser

Other big cheesers: Melia, Lulu, Jackson, and Ellie

Danny and I got to be Mary and Joseph this year. Mark made the barn look and smell really nice and Anne took care of the planning. Unfortunately, the chickens and rooster were even more irreverant during our nativity than the kids and I had been at Christmas dinner! They had to be held first, then taken out.


Melia was the angel, Lulu and Ellie were the wisemen, and Jackson was the shepherd.

Kauai, Hawaii

It was overcast and rainy for all but a few hours the entire week, but we had SUCH a great time! Thanks Adam and Melissa for the fun stay, and thanks to all the Hydes, especially you Anne, for the long and loving hours you gave to our kids. What a great time together!

December 2008

December Update:

• Sophie is getting surgery on January 13 to have her tonsils and adenoids removed...at last!
• Danny and his brother Scott landed a new deal this month.
• Danny printed many Reno Temple prints, which will be in Reno Deseret Book by the end of January.
• Danny and Annie loved Hawaii with the Marquis.
• Melia attended her first show, The Nutcracker, with Ellie and Nicole, us moms, and Grammy Anne.
• We had a great Christmas and enjoyed seeing so many loved friends and family this month.