Saturday, July 18, 2015

Lots of Fun in Ohio (and Pennsylvania Too!)

With everything that's so quickly happening with Little Buddy's diagnosis, we are trying our best to focus on making memories together as a family.  So, we are keeping the traveling train going!  Minnesota for inaugural clinical trial treatment last month and the Make-A-Wish trip next month means that we might as well head into Ohio (and Pennsylvania) this month!

I've already mentioned the amazing response we had for the 7/11 to Cure Sanfilippo campaign, but I wanted to touch on our other adventures as well.  We started off the visit with lots of fun at Mimi and Pop-Pop's house and in Marietta overall.  The kids got to help outside, play on the castle, take rides in the Shriner car, and even take a ride on their first sternwheeler, the Valley Gem!  


Mr. World Traveler is ready to go...again!



     


We made it!  Hanging out in Marietta, sliding down the castle slide and playing with Daisy Dog!








These two were big helpers!  They helped Mimi water the flowers...











...and then helped Pop-Pop put the new play workbench together!  Little Sister needed wear a cape to do the job correctly, of course!  ;)







Little Sister loved playing dolls with Mimi!





Definitely had some super tired kids each night, though!




We got to celebrate Little Buddy's 5th birthday again!




     

Little Sister couldn't get enough of sorting Daddy's old color bears!




Time for a sternwheeler ride!



     

Little Sister was excited for a peanut butter and jelly picnic on the boat!




Marietta College Boathouse...Momma's old stomping grounds!



     

A big treat for out little guy...he got to "drive" the boat!



I think he definitely enjoyed himself being an honorary river boat pilot!





     

And no Marietta visit is ever complete without a ride in the old car!




But we have to say that, without a doubt, the best part of this trip was receiving the news that out Little Sweetie is definitely NOT afflicted with Sanfilippo Syndrome!   WOOHOO!  She is, however, a carrier, but now she will have that knowledge and be able to make educated decisions about life when she grows up.  We could not be more thankful for this news!


The next stop on our trek was up to Canton to visit Mamaw and Papaw!  This visit was full of fun, including a nature walk at the local library with the kids' great Aunt P, playing outside, a visit from great Aunt K, and a trip to Cedar Point!


Loved the beanstalk Aunt P had decorated in the library!




Nature walk around Sippo Lake!



     

     

Thank you to my parents' neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. F, for letting the kids use your playhouse!




Little Buddy enjoying a story from Aunt K!







The many faces of Little Sister as she plays with her new favorite toy...a suitcase!




Daddy and I were so excited to share one of our favorites places with the kiddos...Cedar Point, America's roller coast!


Ready for adventure!






The kids did great with the rides!





Little Buddy was so excited to meet Charlie Brown and Snoopy!






The Peanuts gang show was a big hit with Little Sister as well!


The third leg of our trip was to Pennsylvania to see our friends, the M family!  We were so excited to play and swim, check out the zoo, and meet DANIEL TIGER!!!

     

Little Sweetie is so excited to drive to Ms. L and Mr. B's house!




     





Lots of fun swimming and playing with R and C!



     


Our best attempts at a group picture with 4 wiggle worms!



We continued the fun at Idlewild Park!  Mimi and Pop-Pop came to join us.  While all of Idlewild was fun, the best part by far was the Daniel Tiger section!

     

     

Loved watching the Daniel Tiger show and then meeting Daniel and Katerina!




Ready to ride the trolley into...




...The Land of Make Believe!!!






     

They loved seeing all of their favorite characters!


And then off to the rides!


Brother and Sister pilots!





Mr. B was very brave and did the teacups with R and Little Buddy!




     

The big kids had a great time on the Ferris Wheel with the Daddies!




Big slide time!



     


Momma realized she wasn't as young as she used to be on the Black Widow with Little Buddy!



     

     

After the park, Little Sister once again showed all her faces during a delicious dinner!




The kids had a great day and slept well, but sleeping in a hotel that means that Momma and Daddy are regulated to the bathroom to do work!


We finished our last day with a very hot, but also very fun, day at the Pittsburgh Zoo! 

     

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...



     

"It looks like Chesney-dog!"




Little Sister really liked the giraffes...






...but I'd have to say that the polar bear was the highlight of the trip!






And the aquarium was a huge hit too!





Thanks to the M family and Mimi and Pop-Pop for such a fun day!


Until next time, 

LSM

Little Sweetie's Momma

Saturday, July 4, 2015

4th of July!

Happy Fourth of July!  We had a wonderful weekend of swimming, parade viewing, and fireworks!


Big Brother lunching with Little E and J while on a swim break at the pool.  So much fun, but a little bittersweet since we just found out that E and J and the rest of their family will be moving to California next month.  We will miss them so much!




Little Sweetie chowing down her PB&J while taking a break from swimming!




Little E swapped out with our other friend, E.  E, J, and Big Brother will always be fast friends, regardless of where we all live!





Our wonderful group of friends!  Happy to celebrate Independence Day with them!


We started the next morning off with our neighborhood's parade.  The kids are always a fan of it because of all the candy they get!


"Do you see any candy yet, sister?"




Excited for the flags!



     

And the candy has arrived!




Thanks for taking us to the parade, Daddy!


    

Cool kids enjoying the parade!


And we headed out that evening for the fireworks!  We were excited to take them.  They were Little Sweetie's first and many times Little Buddy doesn't stay awake to see them.  We were hoping for a good show!


Waiting in the back of the truck for the fireworks to start!



Snacks with Little Sweetie while we wait!



      

 "There they are, Momma!"



     

"Oooohhh!!!  Ahhhhh!!!"




Little Buddy was enthralled....




...Little Sweetie, not so much.  It wasn't loud at all where we were, so hopefully she'll grow and enjoy them more next year!



Hope all of you had a wonderful 4th!

LSM

Little Sweetie's Momma

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Happy Father's Day!

What a wonderful day it was to celebrate our Daddy, a man whose patience and strength is the guiding force of our family!

We were lucky enough to start our day with church with Uncle M, Aunt S, and Baby L.  This was especially fun because Uncle M is Little Sweetie's Godfather and Daddy is Baby L's Godfather.  Happy to celebrate so these awesome men together!  And certainly happy to have a Chuy's lunch together with them afterward!


This family loves this guy!



Best Daddy ever!



And Godfather!



Godfather and Daddy M, on duty!



Grateful to have such wonderful role modals in our children's lives!



After Chuy's, then it was time to head home so Momma could make Daddy his favorite treat:  peach pie!

     

     

Yay for pie!


While the pie baked, these ones had fun out in the backyard.  What a beautiful scene to come upon.  No matter all the trials we face, we have a strong bond of love to hold us all together.



Hammock time with Daddy!


After dinner and pie, it was time for presents (and baths...hence the kids in their undies)!  Even though Daddy's furry kid didn't cooperate with the picture, we think Daddy liked his new shirt and the Batman pajama pants that Momma made him!  


     

Who has two thumbs and is an awesome dad?  This guy!


Happy Father's Day Sweetheart, there's no one else I'd rather have by my side for this wild journey of parenting!  Our kids are lucky to have you!

Hope all the other Dads out there enjoyed their day, 

LSM

Little Sweetie's Momma