Buddy Walk

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and that means it is BUDDY WALK time! The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk which was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. This year we attended the Sioux Falls, SD walk. With Charlie out of town I got a friend Eileen to help me with the kids. Here are just a couple photos of us getting ready to go. I will post more photos on the walk later this week.

I made this shirt for Caleb -- We love seeing Sarah Palin's son Trig on the national stage!

2 Months & Lots of Love

It is hard to believe that Emily is two months old.

She is full of smiles and just loves her brothers and sister!

At her two month exam:
Weight - 12lbs, 1 oz. (75%)
Height - 23 inches (50%)

She is starting to sleep a little better -- we are down to just one feeding (around 3-4 am), but I am still hoping she will sleep through the night sometime soon! As you can see below her big brother Brandon just loves her to pieces. He is always talking, singing or kissing her. Caleb has also come to enjoy Emily more. He too loves to kiss her on the head and even likes to hold her from time to time.

Brandon Starts School

Brandon’s big day finally arrived – 4 year old Preschool! Since Taylor started school a few weeks ago, Brandon has been eagerly awaiting this day. He attended a 3 year old preschool last year in the same building so he was full of excitement and ran right into class with no worries. His class runs 3 days a week in the mornings.

Labor Day Fun with Mom

Since Charlie had to work on Monday Sept. 1st I met up with a couple of my girlfriends and we took our kids (11 kids-3moms) to Paulina, IA to a park with a small lake for some fun in the sun, swimming, playing in the sand and a picnic lunch.

Caleb loved playing in the sand and sitting in the water!

Taylor was the last one out of the water!

The boys enjoyed digging water cannals . . .

and throwing water on each other and the girls of course!

most of the gang minus Caleb, Emily and David.

Growing Fast

The kids are growing fast!

Emily Ann

6 Weeks Old

As you can see, she is getting bigger and starting to show her personality!

The girls!

Caleb -- loving the Iowa corn!

The boys!

1st Day of FIRST GRADE

Boy due they grow fast! Taylor started school today -- 1st Grade! She wanted the whole family to come so we all packed into the van and walked her into her class. With Kindergarten under her belt she seemed to be filled with excitement rather than fear or anxiety. She was also very excited to get a locker this year!

The Gang!

Everyone is adjusting well with Emily. Mom and Dad are little sleep deprived, but that should only last a couple more weeks once Emily gets her nights and days figured out.

Taylor is doing well. She passed level III of swim lessons this week. She'll be able to move on to level IV next summer. She loves diving off the side of the pool now and can just about swim the length of the pool. She's getting excited about starting 1st grade. Registration is on the 6th of August and we'll get to meet her teacher for next year. She starts vacation Bible school this week with all of her friends from church.

Brandon is doing great. He passed level I of swim lessons this week. He loves doing the cannonball into dad's arms; yeah it hurts a little. He enjoys playing with his best friend David. They get together every other day to play or go to the pool. He starts pre-school again this fall.

Caleb is doing well also. Bev, his physical therapist, told us this week we can cut down to just once a month visits versus every week given his quick development! His occupational and speech therapists continue to come every other week. We are working on his fine motor skills and attempting to get him to use fork/spoon when he eats. He loves wrestling with dad and Brandon and is getting better at holding his own.

Emily; well what can I say. She's an angel.

Lori is recovering well from the C-section. She'll be on maternity leave for 12 weeks; oh the life! She will be doing a little work on the side as she is helping with the inauguration committee for our new president. She is a great mom and continues to amaze me how well she handles all the kids. She's an amazing woman! Her Bible study ladies (16 I think) have been providing meals the last couple of weeks-gotta love that! So, we're being well taken care of.

Charlie; I'm doing well. I'm in my 2nd to last quarter of classes for the PhD in Higher Education Administration program at Capella University in MN. I hope to complete my comps in January 2009 and begin my dissertation soon after-Lord willing.

It's a busy life right now, but we wouldn't have it any other way-I think.