Friday-Saturday - Magnuson Day at RMH!!!

On Friday I only had 2 appointments and I got to go back to Ronald McDonald House in the morning. I got visitors in the afternoon and that's always cool cause they bring messages and sometimes packages from friends back home. Aunt Jackie came with a great scrapbook with pictures for me to see. There is room in the scrapbook for more pictures. My favorite picture was JJ, me and Kaitlyn. We dressed up in Mom's OLD prom dresses. It was really fun!
I wanted to go to the Olive Garden for dinner but there was too much traffic and I was starving so we got burgers instead.
On Saturday the most amazing thing happened. Christine Magnuson came to see me at RMH! She won a Silver medal in the Olympics in swimming and I can't believe she came all the way to Memphis to see me! She gave me an Olympic jacket and even let me take pictures with her silver medal! Then she gave me an autographed book and swimcap and a picture of her. I guess she stayed for almost and hour and told funny stories and answered lots of questions. It was REALLY COOL! We found out that sometimes she practices at Lincoln-Way North and she is from Tinley Park. That's real close to where I live. Her father is the director of the Sharks swim program. I couldn't stop smiling it was soooo exciting!
Love,
Bree

Note from Parents:
Thank you to everyone who sent pictures for Brianna to see how much she is loved and missed!! We are going to keep adding to the scrapbook so feel free to send your pictures if you missed the previous deadline. The book is great....I can't stop looking through it! The best picture was J.J., Brianna, and Kaitlyn all wearing my old prom and homecoming dresses! Priceless...I can't believe J.J. agreed to let Jackie include that picture! I would also like to thank our friends at Hallmark Services Corporation for their very thoughtful, caring gifts.
I took Aunt Jackie and Grandma Close to the giftshop and on a tour of the hospital where we ran into Dr. Baker. They were able to see for themselves what a wonderful, caring man he is and what a "magical," inspirational place St. Jude is...
Cousin Dan, J.J., Brianna, and Kaitlyn enjoyed the gameroom at RMH until we returned. Matt and I took everyone to the Marriott to check in before heading to dinner. Brianna wanted Olive Garden so we decided to trek to Germantown (about 16 miles down the interstate) however, Friday night traffic and a major accident tied up traffic and forced us to venture into the unknown. Dan and Brianna were both past their feeding times and were beginning to get impatient. We had dinner at a Backyard Burger joint then traveled back to turn in for the night.

Saturday was Brianna's big visit with Olympic swimmer Christine Magnuson!!! We were eager with anticipation and so excited to have her personally visit Brianna at the RMH. After the visit, the remaining part of the day we spent at the mall (back to Germantown) shopping for the holiday and spending giftcards. Tonight we found Olive Garden just around the corner. We returned to the hotel after dinner and the night swimming at the hotel.
We are having a blast this weekend. Brianna is laughing and showing so much more energy...able to go all day and night without feeling/appearing tired. She is thoroughly enjoying time spent with the family. J.J. especially as the two of them have been best buddies forever! Kaitlyn is exhausting everyone with her level of energy....way too much for anyone to handle!! I believe I said it before and I'll remind everyone again. She will wear you out physically, mentally, and emotionally as she is constantly talking, bouncing, spinning, etc. "Spunky" just doesn't seem adequate...she is much more!! The next 2-3 weeks should be VERY interesting!!!
God Bless!!
Bree's Family