California made us Crazy!

Amelleah made her first trip to California at the end of May. All the other kids stayed home with Salyna's parents! Then Davis went home to South Dakota with them for a few weeks! He was VERY excited to get away. I don't blame him!
The California trip started off with LOTS of rain and a delay leaving Wichita. But we made up time with our 4 minute layover. First time we have ever got off one plane, nearly ran 4 gates away, and boarded the next flight.... not our ideal day of flying!

She was a great flyer!

We were greeted by some very excited grandparents! And we headed straight for some good mexican food!

Amelleah also met her only Great-Grandma for the first time!
(Salyna's Grandma)

We had a very short but sweet visit!

Miles' good friend Todd is a new, first-time Daddy! It was so fun to see his family! Although the quality isn't very good, I love this pic!

Another short visit... but what a wonderful time we had with
The Powers Family... aren't they cute?!

We spent some time at Pt. Loma where we put my mom's ashes over 2 years ago.
It was a BEAUTIFUL morning!

We had some great family time with Miles' Dad & Grandpa.
We took flowers to Grandma's grave and Grandpa cleaned up her headstone like he usually does.

Great-Grandpa!

And we spent some time ALONE!!!
Amazing!
And because I get complaints about not posting pics of us ...
here are 2!

Our favorite tattoo artist, next to cousin Joe that is,
is in San Diego!
We finally paid him a visit after several years!
Here is the proof that is on Miles' forearm.
So this is where you learn about the title of this post,
"California made us Crazy"
The morning of our return Miles woke up and could hardly walk. He was in a lot of pain from his back and down his leg, all the way to his foot. So I was able to drug him up and get him home, but he was in very bad shape. After xrays, an MRI, and an epidural steroid injection he is doing much better. He is not 100% but he is functioning much better although still on pain meds.
He has 2 herniated discs, one of which he has already had surgery on 8 years ago.
So, in two weeks he goes back for a 2nd epidural injection.
We are hoping this works well enough and long enough for Miles (and myself) to lose some weight and be able to strengthen his core and AVOID surgery. If not, surgery will be the ultimate outcome.
So as if that were not enough....
we adopted a dog!

Meet Windee!
She was in a shelter in Oklahoma that was damaged by a tornado then she was moved to our shelter here.... hence the name... Wind-ee :)
She is 1 yrs old, housebroken, sweet, and a great addition to our family!
So why not just ONE MORE thing.....
notice anything odd, other than the obvious, about this pic??
Lincoln is wearing underwear!!!!! I finally gave in to potty training! *sigh*
I still am not totally thrilled about it, but I decided I shouldn't pass up the opportunity with him so interested. So....

Ok. That's it!!!
OH WAIT...
It's 100 degrees and my kids won't play outside!!!
OH AND...
My video camera and computer are still not communicating and I can't figure it out!