Cast #2

Today we took Abby back to the doctor for her 3rd visit and 2nd cast.  They removed the blue & orange mid-thigh cast and put on a new knee-to-toe cast.  The doctor is pleased with her progress.  He thought he might see a little more bone growth but the healing is going well.  She will have this new cast on for 1 more month and then she might get a walking cast next.  She picked a lime green cast with glow-in-the-dark stripes!!

They used a "vacuum" to remove the cast.

The machine sucks away most of the fiberglass dust from the cast.

This is the padding under the cast.

This is the "tights" under the padding.

Our first glimpse at her leg since October 31st.

Pulling the cast away from the leg.

Her knee.  Her knee is a little stiff since she hasn't moved it in a month!!

The leg doesn't look too bad.  We were a little worried when we saw the ankle but it looked better when the doctor moved it.

She made us keep the cast!

Putting the cast on.

Thanksgiving

  While I didn't take a single picture (I even brought my camera!), I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.  Here are some of the highlights of the day:

• Playing football in the front yard
• Being greeted by Bec's filming us for our happy moments (To be featured later on her blog!)
• Andy's cheerful mood despite not feeling well
• Seeing Uncle Mark and Janet
• WONDERFUL food prepared by my mom with help from my dad
• TERRIFIC dessert made by O (Magic Bars)
• Pecan pie brought by Jim
• Abby's clarinet concert
• Sully's play-by-play of the football games
• O and Charlie's game of flashlight seeking
• Trevor providing scary noises for O and Charlie
• The after dinner walk with the 2 tricycles, 1 wheelchair, 1 unhappy Alex, and 3 sisters trying to have a normal conversation!!
• Great wine, good appetizers, and tomato soup
• Matt's technology advice for me (I bought 2 versions of Angry Birds today!!)
• Everyone pitching in and buying raffle tickets from Abby
• Abby's fashion show of how to wear a dress with a cast

Overall, it is always a treat to be with family and enjoy a great meal!!  I am truly blessed with everything that I have and I am hoping for another wonderful year ahead!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!!

The New Do!!

We went to get Abby's hair washed and cut.  It is nice to go to the beauty shop to get it washed in the bowl because it is much easier than doing it at home while trying to balance the cast and not get it wet!!  She also had 3 inches cut off because it will be easier to wash while she is in the cast.  I absolutely love it!!

Abby's Broken Leg

Abby was climbing the pine trees in front of our house on Friday and on the way down, a branch broke and she thinks she fell 10-15 feet.  Luckily, she had her cell phone in her pocket and called us for help.  We took her to the ER on Friday (about 4 p.m.) and as soon as they took the first x-ray, we knew it was broken.  She has a spiral fracture in her lower left leg.  The doctor says it will heal up great and in the future, you won't even be able to tell where she broke it.

Abby's famous quote, "Now I know I can't fly!"  (I didn't realize that was a question in her mind!!)

This is Abby's leg in the splint.  They don't put a cast on right away in case the leg swells.

This is the wrapping under the cast.

This is Jim consoling Abby.  It was pretty painful when they took off the splint and were putting the cast on.

This is the base layer of the cast.

This is the nurse putting on the orange stripes.

This is Abby's "Bears" cast.  Her softball coach referred to it as "Softball blue and orange colors!!"

The Scene of the Accident

This is the area where Abby had her accident and broke her leg. 

This is the area in the pine trees where she landed.  Abby calls it her clubhouse.

This is inside the pine trees looking up.  It is definitely a long fall down.

We're FALLing behind!!

WOW!!  When I saw that my last blog post was on July 22nd, I began thinking that you might think we have FALLen off the face of this earth!!  Have no fear...we are still here!!  Here are some highlights since July....

Went up to the Michigan Dunes for a quick trip to the lake and running up the dunes
Saw Sarah and Andy's new house

Abby tried out (and made!) a traveling softball team

Abby went to Girl Scout Camp

Trevor played Junior High Baseball for the 1st time

Trevor really IMPROVED at baseball

Both kids started school....Abby in 5th grade & Trevor in 7th grade
Had a great birthday celebration with my sisters...lunch in Chicago and manicures & pedicures
Yes, I did turn a year older!
Missed my 25 year reunion from grade school (we were gone over Labor Day)

Went to the southern Indiana caves over Labor Day & explored college campuses (my FAV thing to do!)

Abby started playing the clarinet

Abby started playing basketball (WOW!! She is AMAZING!!)

Trevor completed a cell project in Science

Both kids got all As and Bs on Progress Reports

Abby won 1st place in a softball tournament

Jim has started harvesting...corn is taking a hit and beans are looking average

The new barn is completed....Jim can drive the combine in without taking off the hopper (that is a big deal!!)

Trevor had his first band concert of the year

We visited Aunt Kitty & Uncle Bill from Arizona

Trevor has taken over mowing the lawn

&

I don't have a single moment to blog these moments!!

  I have a long weekend coming up....I will really try to blog some pictures.  If not, I will try to post blog updates.  If I could only install a computer and a bed in my van.......

Mr. Sully visits the Farm

  Sully came to the farm to visit us for a few days.  We did get some fishing in, but, unfortunately, he didn't catch any fish.  When it is 90 degrees at 9 a.m. in the morning, fish don't usually bite!!  We played a lot of Wii, played basketball in Abby's room, went swimming at CAPS, and ate a treat at Dairy Queen.

Even Maggie comes to the creek with us.  (Not a lot of water in the creek right now!)

Dropping Trev off at Band Camp

Today we dropped Trev off at Illinois State University for their Junior High Band Camp.  He plays percussion and is very excited about becoming better.  He stays on the 3rd floor of Whitten with his roommate Jeffery (that he doesn't know!).  He just wandered off and did his thing!!  It was harder for me and Jim to drop him off!!

Trev sitting in the dorm room

Trevor standing in front of Cook Hall (the castle) -- the music building on campus.

Abby (like her mom!) is excited to be walking around campus!

This is the dorm Trev stayed in -- Hamilton/Whitten.  Whitten is on the right.  Actually, Jim lived on Whitten 2 for 1 year also!!

Sibling love!!

Miss O on the Farm -- Day 2

Today was O's full day on the farm.  Despite the rainy weather, we did have a good time.  Here is a recap of the day...

The 3 of them singing and doing the hand motions to the Little Einsteins.

Craft Time

Making smoothies using the Vita Mix!!

They were yummy!

Abby & O watching the 12 Dancing Princesses

Playing beauty shop -- Aunt Laura & Uncle Jim tried to get appointments but O was full!!

Eating ice cream at Dairy Queen

O played for a long time while Abby was at baseball practice.

Miss O comes to the Farm

O came home with us on Father's Day for her first sleepover at the farm.  She was very excited.  She loves that Abby has a pink room and she couldn't wait to see the cats. 

She loved the pink room and the pink rocking chair.

With Leo, the cat

She loved running with Abby in the big yard!!

Brushing our teeth and getting ready for bed

Abby got out some of her old stuffed animals.

Sleeping in the fort in Abby's room!!