July Road Trip

Over the course of 10 days Annika, Lauren, and I flew to Chicago, drove to West Michigan to spend time with family and friends, drove to NW Iowa (a 14 hour car drive!) for Great-Grandma's 90th birthday party, drove to Minneapolis for follow-up procedures for Annika, and then drove back home to St. Louis. Grandpa and Grandma Blankespoor were very patient to have us in their van for all of those miles. We had a good time (aside from having to go through the procedures), but it was also very good to be home again, sleeping in our own beds and spending time with Daddy. April 5, 2005 This was Annika's first trip out of the hospital - to see Ronald at the Ronald McDonald House - our home away from home for 3 months.

July, 2008. Thanks be to God! In the radiology area with Grandma and JoAnne Tobak. JoAnne lives in Minneapolis and had never met us before we came up with Annika 3 years ago. She has blessed us in so many ways.
Dr. Foker - the man who connected Annika's esophagus. He has retired and the esophageal atresia "team" is breaking up. We came up for one last check-up.
The gastric emptying study. Over the course of 90 minutes Annika had to lay on this table 9 times for one minute each time. The machine was recording how quickly the radiation-laced oatmeal Annika had eaten was breaking down in her stomach. This picture was taken towards the end (notice she is not screaming in protest).

Post-op. On the first day Annika had her esophagus and airway looked at and a biopsy taken of her esophagus. She was a real trooper. Thankfully, she woke up quite a bit more content than she has in the past. We received a good report!
A popsicle helped soothe her sore throat.
Playing indoors at the Ronald McDonald House.
Surgery in the morning - wading pool at night. Vroom Vroom!

Pre-op (This picture is out of order). Pre-op on the first day was definitely the worst part of the 2 days. Annika started crying and went running down the hall away from the nurse when they called her name. I had to get her and drag her kicking and screaming into the pre-op area.
Reading with Grandma. Annika is very excited about her new school backpack (notice how she is wearing it while in her pj's).
Helping Grandpa with the gardening.
Checking out the farm with Uncle Harv.

Pigs!

Lunch with buddy Liesl.
Riding bikes with buddy Garrison.
Fun at the Inwood Hotel with Grandpa.
Happy Birthday Grandma!
A new scrabble board for Great-Grandma.

The girls loved swinging in the swings Grandpa hung up for them.
Playing with the boats in "Lake Michigan" at the Meijer Gardens.
Giant Horse!
Pure joy!
Annika LOVES the beach.

Pollack Family Reunion

For the Pollack Family Reunion we all met at Uncle Eric and Aunt Lesley's house near Tacoma, WA. We had a great time!
Those black things are all sand dollars. I've never seen so many!
" That is the funniest thing I've ever heard!"
Aunt Lesley hanging out with the girls.
On our last morning we were able to see Mount Rainier (look beyond Annika's shoulder) over the bay. Absolutely beautiful!

A fun visit from Uncle Steve, Auntie Cathy, Sarah, and Will.
Safeco Field. The M's defeated the Tigers!
Yummy chocolate chip pancakes. It's going to be hard to go back to cereal for breakfast.
Fun on the playground.
Picnic lunch.

Walking the streets of Tacoma.
Checking out the view from the ferry.
Looking for seals with Daddy while onboard the ferry.
The tall ships were in town.
Lauren was fully entertained by Aunt Lesley - especially her fish face.

Grass sledding at the "big hill" with Cousin Daniel.
Watching the Tacoma air show from the side yard.
Having fun with Daddy at the Ruston Way Fair.
Taking a break for some kettle corn.
Watching the dogs with Grandma and Grandpa.

It's an Annika roll-up courtesy of Uncle Eric.
Grandma brought fun toys for the 4th.
Hanging out with Uncle Eric in the hammock.
Big tree!
Annika was pretty excited to see a fox in the park.

We lugged Karl's golf clubs across the country so that he could play at Chambers Bay - site of the 2015 US Open. I walked with him. It was pretty impressive. (Sorry, Karl, that I posted a sand shot.)
Karl finished his round at 9:00 - just as the sun was setting over the Bay.
Our family was very nice to watch the kids for a day so Karl, myself, and Dad could drive the 2.5 hours to Olympic National Park. It felt like a scene from the Sound of Music.
That's me on the rock.
The wildflowers were amazing.

The bus ride from the parking lot to the airport (a highlight for the girls). Karl has his arm over Annika b/c she just recovered from flying all the way to the front when the driver braked suddenly.
The Rose Garden at Point Defiance Park - within walking distance of Uncle Eric and Aunt Lesley's house.
Grass sledding with Uncle Eric is loads of fun!
An unconventional method of grass sledding.