Brave little girl

Maddy before surgery with Abby

Just wanted to update you all on Madison. She had her surgery yesterday morning, and she was very brave! She had tubes in her ears and they took her adenoids out, they also drew some blood to do allergy tests. They gave her some medicine and she was pretty out of it, she was acting drunk and saying off the wall things. We had her lay down in the bed, it was hard for her to sit up. She kept telling me I had 2 eyes and was pointing at something on the wall. Her doctor came in and she got to pick out a animal, she got a hippo (she calls it a pig), she named it Abby. They took her back to the OR, and I went to see her in recovery when she was done. She was crying and really upset. Maddy complained about her IV in her foot more then her ears or throat. We took her back to her room in day surgery and daddy and Nana were waiting for her. She was still crying, but then they came in and offered her some pop. After a little longer they gave her a popsicle, then some pudding. She was very brave yesterday! We hung out all afternoon watching movies and cartoons, she is feeling better today. Her throat is still sore, but it will be for a few days. She has been up playing, and fighting with Tanner. We follow up with the doctor in 2 weeks, hopefully this will help her with all her ear infections.

Outdoor Adventures

Those are are planning something!

Maddy on her bike.

Tanner "driving" the car.

Hello Everyone. Hope all is well with you. The Klein Family is doing well. Chad is still working 4 10s in Cedar Rapids, so we get to be with him Friday and then all weekend. It has been nice and the kids love having him home. I was able to take the kids outside Tuesday, and they had a blast! Maddy learned how to ride her trike, so now when it gets nice out, we will be buying her a big kid bike! Tanner really enjoyed being outside...he got mad when I brought him in. I have a feeling we will be spending lots of time outside when it warms up. Tanner sat in the Little Tikes car, he couldn't move it by himself and couldn't get out of it, so I didn't have to worry much about him falling in the wet muddy grass! The weather was raining and cold all day, so we were back inside today. Tomorrow night Tanner is spending the night with Kasi and Dan, I am hoping that he is good for them! We have to have Madison at the hospital at 6 am Friday for her surgery. She is getting another set of tubes and her adenoides out. So we will be hanging around the house most of the weekend. I will let you all know how she does. Enjoy the pics of the kids and their adventures outside!

Tanner after his haircut!

Helping himself to a snack.

I got our his bouncy seat for a 2 mo old that I am starting to watch and I picked her up and Tanner climbed in.

Playing with the tire on the fire truck.

Andrew with his new cutting board and pizza pan.

Busy Busy

Tanner and Madison sitting on the fire truck.

Maddy wearing Andrew's helmet

Tanner sitting on the fire truck.

Hello everyone! Hope all of you are well and staying warm! We are really ready for Spring. Tanner loves to look out the front door, I think he will have fun outside when it gets warmer out. Madison is ready to get outside to play with some of the kids that live around here. Chad is still working in Cedar Rapids, he is back to 40 hours for now. It will be nice to have him home some, they are working 4 10s, so we get to spend 3 days with him! Madison has been keeping us busy with dance, she has her recital in May. I can't wait to watch her, she loves to dance. She has been having problems with her ears again. I took her to her ear doctor yesterday, & she is having more tubes put in and her adenoids out next Friday. She has had 4 ear infections recently. Tanner is also keeping us busy, since he gets into everything. He likes to throw his toys. He had his first haircut yesterday! My mom had trimmed the back of his hair once before (he had a rat tail), so I took him yesterday to the lady that does my hair. He sat on my lap, he did really well, and know he really looks like a little man. Madison had her hair cut also, we took about 2 inches off the back, it looks really cute, and I can still put it up. She loves getting her hair cut!

Last Sunday, we had a house warming party for Andrew at the West Burlington Fire Station. Madison was so excited to get to see the fire trucks! Tanner had fun, he was playing with the tires of the trucks. Andrew got lots of nice things for his new house. Madison likes going to his house, but says he needs some toys for them to play with! I am hoping to have a quiet weekend with the kids and Chad this weekend. Take care everyone!

Time to migrate south!

Tanner riding on his Tonka truck.












He thought he was sooo funny.









On the coffee table.










In her old car seat that Tanner uses in Chad's truck, she couldn't get out.

Madison and I.

Hello Everyone! Hope all of you are staying warm! We are trying too! I am ready to migrate south if it is going to stay this cold. Today was the first time since Tuesday that Maddy and Tanner left the house. I love being able to work from home, it is very nice in the winter months when it is really cold. Chad didn't work on Thursday, it has been colder in Cedar Rapids than here, they also have more snow. He got to spend the day with his family and 4 daycare kiddos. They liked him being here, one of the little girls was looking for him this morning, it was very cute. The kids didn't have school again today, so we got to play all day. It is nice having the "big" kids here, everyone played well together, and the day went fast! I am looking forward to a quite weekend. Chad is working tomorrow, Saturday, then we might to Alexa's basketball game when he gets home, then we have our neices birthday on Sunday. Maddy is spending the night with Katelyn tonight, they were having a slumber party (there are 2 other girls staying). I hope that she is being good, she has been having a hard time sleeping lately. She was up with me at 6:30 and I couldn't get her to take a nap, then she had dance, then off to the party. She keeps getting up in the night and coming into our bed, I usually take her back to her bed, she gets into bed with us later. I have even tried to reward her in the morning for sleeping all night in her bed. I am hoping that when she starts preschool in the fall, that maybe she will take a little nap everyday again, she can get crabby is she doesn't! Tanner, Chad, & I went out for dinner tonight, it was strange not having Madison with us, & not running her to the bathroom. Tanner has been into everything lately! He likes to take all the sippy cups out of the cabinet and try to drink out of every cup, Maddy never messed with the cabinets. I think I am going to have to keep the baby gate up all the time. He also climbed onto the coffee table a few days ago, he thought he was funny. He loves to dance and mess with his sister's toys, he seems to be a busy little boy. Well I should get a few things done while Maddy is gone and Tanner is sleeping. Stay warm!!

Saying goodbye

I just wanted to let everyone know how greatful we are for all the kind words, thoughts of our family, and prayers. This week has been very rough for our family. I lost one of my closest family members, my Grandma. She passed away on Tuesday morning at the Great River Hospice House. She was very special to me, I spent many days and nights with her when I was little, and talked to her everyday on the phone. I caught myself dialing her number the other day, because I am in the habit of calling her. Madison doesn't completely understand what is going on, Chad, & I read a couple books about death to her, we told her that Grandma went to heaven and is our special angel, & she will be in our hearts forever. Tonight we have the visitation and tomorrow is the funeral. I am very thankful for the love and support that I have received from all of my family and friends. The next few days are not going to be easy, but we will make it through. I have very special memories of my Grandma and it has been nice visiting with family at the hospice house and in the last few days. We got bears from the hospice house that they gave to all the patients and then my mom bought all the grand kids one. My cousin bought a red bird to be buried with my Grandma, and I bought one for Maddy and Tanner, Maddy has been carrying it around and she slept with it last night. She loved to go and visit Grandma & talk to her on the phone. I am going to miss my Grandma dearly, but she will never be forgotten.
On a happier note, Tanner has really started walking this week! He also likes to try and climb on stuff. He is always busy doing something. Madison has dance tomorrow, finally after being off for three weeks. I am ready for things to get back to normal. Since the holidays, I have only worked 1 or 2 days for the last 3 weeks. I am grateful to all my daycare parents for working with me the last few weeks, from the kids being sick and now with the passing of my Grandma, I am ready to get back all the kids back into our narmal routine. I spend a lot of time with my daycare kids and I miss seeing them all, most of them I have been their childcare provider since they were babies. Thanks again to all of you for your love and support, Krystal

What a week...

My Grandma Hopson, Tanner, Alexa, Zach, and Madison Christmas Eve


I hope that all of you had a safe and happy New Year. This week has been a long one, I have spent many days and nights at the hospice house with my family. The decision was made on Monday to move my Grandma to the hospice house, she has been sleeping and resting a lot. Yesterday she seemed to be having a "good day", she was awake on and off, and talking a bit (mostly answering our questions...yes and no). For those of you that have not been to the hospice house, it is a very nice place, it feels like home, and the staff is wonderful. Thanks to everyone that has helped my family in one way or another. I am very grateful to have friends who have offered to watch my kids and cook my family food. We really appreciate everything that you have done. Please keep my Grandma and family in your prayers, love, Krystal