Grandma and her 75th Birthday!

We celebrated Grandma today at Positanos!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

 

Andrew and Amelia are the first ones off in the morning.  Andrew's teacher is Mr. Peter again for "11th grade" and Amelia started Middle School this morning -entering 6th grade!

 

Ava and Jenna headed out the door for their 8:30am bus pick up.  Ava has Mrs. Baer for 4th grade and Jenna has Mrs. Weihler for 1st.  Everyone was happy to start their school year!

Family Adventure! - Bonclarken II, Flat Rock, NC

 

Happy Drew - On the road to Kingsport, TN.

 

Jenna resting in the car.

 

We stopped in Kingsport, TN for the night at our favorite hotel.  We visited this park in Kingsport the next morning.  THE BEST Playground we have seen!  This picture shows a really cool rocking boat that Drew's wheelchair fits into.  Next stop - Joni & Friends Family Retreat in Flat Rock, TN.  This will be our 3rd year!

 

Date Night for us.  Kids with their helpers for dinner.  We enjoyed a Christmas dinner and a walk around campus with our friends.

 Here is our group.  We are on the way to party.

 

This is actually the last night.  The girls all had to share their friend Meredith this year.

 

This was the tough part of being Jenna's helper.  Getting her to eat.

 

Here is Drew petting the mini horse.  He actually enjoys it and is a willing participant.

 

Here are Drew and his STM, Lori.  Turns out Lori was a private nurse for Ronald Reagan in his final years.  I guess that means Drew was in good hands for the week!

 

We had many, many snow cones.

 Dad and Drew resting. Both are happy!

 Here are Amelia and Dave after their rock wall climb.  Unfortunately, I missed it!  No pictures...

 I was there for this though...

 and this....

 and this....

 I did get pictures of Amelia on the horse.

 Here are my girls helping their new friend out with his dance for the talent show.

 A very, very tired and wiped out Jenna on the last morning.  She was the last one up and it was very hard to wake her!

Our 3rd year at Joni & Friends family retreat was just as fun as all the others!  We are wiped out!  We have a week off to recoup and them SCHOOL!

My Sunflower Story

We planted sunflower seeds for the first time this year.  Here is one!

Bitty Baby

Jenna's favorite toy by far is Meredith (her Bitty Baby).  Jenna wakes up with her Bitty Baby story and follows her story all day - from waking me up to dressing in the same clothes to eating meals together.  Here they are still going sttrong at dinner time enjoying spaghetti!

WERTH - Chia

When you get to the game when the gates open at 4:30.  You get 7 Werth Chias.  Then you have to wait  3 hours until the game starts.

At least we have a seat, and it is cool!

This is cool!  Mister fans!

Presidents Pics

Happy Dave at the game.

(Out of order).  Jenna with her Chia.

 

Happy Drew in First Aid getting a stretch!

COUSIN DAY

 We had two visits today from our "older" cousins!  Here is cousin Collin with the kids and their messy pool hair!

 

                                                                 Good Looking teenager cousins!

 

Cousin Tim is visiting from AR with his dad!  What a fun day!

MRI

This is Andrew mad that he is at Children's National Medical Center this morning for his MRI with sedation.  His sister looks pretty good though there in the background with her own personal chair and attached tv. 

And afterward in recovery!  A sleepy Drew.  Glad that is behind us.  This was Andrew's first MRI since February of 2000.

OUR Sunflowers

Our first sunflower of the season from our yard!!

SWEET 16 PARTY

 

Swimming while the rest of us party prep!

 

Drew's Chocolate Swamp!

 

Three Sisters party planners!

 

Happy Boy eating birthday dinner with Grandpa and Grandma!  Crabcakes!

 

Mustache brownies

 Drew's party room.

Presents!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!