Ohio Trip

Our family made a trip out to Ohio to see Dan’s cousin, John, get married. We hadn’t been out to Ohio since Christmas of 2006, so it had been quite a while! The kids were so excited to fly-I don’t think Ava had been on a plane that she could remember. We got up so EARLY-4 am- to get to the airport for our 6:30 am flight. Both kids did great on the planes and even though it was a long day of travelling, everyone was in pretty good spirits when we arrived around dinner time that night. We stayed in a hotel near Connie & Bill’s house (Dan’s aunt and uncle) and spent the days with them and all the cousins.
Drew and Ava loved playing with their cousins! There were 8 kids between the ages of 2 and 9 and they all played really well together. We had a big family bbq one night, complete with volleyball, cornhole (more fun than it sounds!), and catching fireflies! Another day we visited a sprayground, and then of course, there was the rehearsal and the wedding!

John and Katie had a beautiful ceremony at a church in Cleveland with the reception at Progressive Field. All the little cousins danced the night away! It was so special to be able to be with family. What better reason to get the whole family together than to celebrate love!

Daddy and Drew on the plane

Ava on the plane

Drew playing volleyball with some cousins

Aunt Jennifer and me playing cornhole

Ava catching fireflies

Drew and his fireflies-they slept next to them in the hotel!

Katie and John toasting with mead at the rehearsal dinner

Drew and cousin Ron

My handsome son and beautiful daughter all dressed up for the wedding

Our family

Dandrea

Himmelbergers

It's hard to get a picture of 8 kids all looking at the camera!

Happy 4th of July!

Our fourth of July celebration started on the 2nd, when our family got to visit the TNT warehouse and take home A LOT of fireworks! Two years ago when Drew was finally discharged from the hospital after six weeks we came home on July 3rd to a very large variety of fireworks thanks to the very generous Cathy C. who works there. She offered to provide fireworks for our family every year, and so far she has! The kids enjoyed walking through the warehouse with her this year as she picked up various fireworks and loaded them into our box. They also really like their fireworks playing cards!

Drew and Ava selecting some fireworks

Our family with The Big Timer!

Drew and Cathy from TNT

On the actual 4th of July the kids got dressed in the American Flag t-shirts and we all went to church. Then we had a wonderful day on the river with our friends the Parks, who took us out on their boat. I did a little wakeboarding and Drew even got to try some tubing. We cruised up and down the river and had a great time! We headed home around 7:30 to get ready for our own personal fireworks show!

The kids eating snacks at church

The Parks' Party Boat!

Me and Dan cruising

Me and Ava cooling off in the river

Drew's first time tubing-with buddies Tristan and Eben

Once we got home, we got the kids into their jammies and our friend Kate came over to enjoy the show. Drew helped Dan unpack the fireworks and choose which order to do them. Then we sat in our lawnchairs with blankets and earplugs (for the kids) and enjoyed the show!

Getting the fireworks assembled

Watching the show

My attempt at taking a picture of a firework

We hope you had a fun and safe 4th of July too!

Basketball Camp

This week, Drew attended First Covenant’s Sports Camp for the first time. It is a summer program for kids ages 6-12 and they offer programs in soccer, volleyball or basketball. We thought Drew would enjoy basketball, since he played his first season of basketball this year. Some of his best buddies signed up to play too, including Jacob, Eben and Tommy. They had fun playing each night and it gave Dan and me a chance to spend some time alone with Ava. On the last night of camp they had a tournament and the kids got to play a game before getting their medals at the awards ceremony. A fun week for all!

Drew during the game

Taking a shot

 Drew with his medal

Tommy, Brandon (a new friend), Jacob, Drew and Eben

The girls wanted to have a picture taken together too!

Sleep Over!

This week the kids got a special treat: Ava got to have her friend Keilani come over and spend the night, while Drew got to go sleep over at his buddy Eben’s house with a couple other boys who were attending basketball camp.

As soon as Keilani arrived the girls went straight to the dress up closet and got dressed in their princess attire. They played so nicely together! They had a tea party and ate dinner as princesses. Then they helped me bake cookies for dessert. Yummy!

They went to bed easily, although I had to make a few visits back to Ava’s room to remind them that it was time to go to sleep! In the morning, they enjoyed chocolate chip pancakes. They are the sweetest little friends!