Autumn Leaf Festival

Leavenworth

Saturday, we drove to our favorite American-Bavarian village to enjoy their Fall Festival. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain the entire time. Fortunately, that doesn't stop things like parades and pie eating contests.

It might have rained on the parade, but we didn't let that rain on our parade...if you know what I mean!

 

Pretzel Toss

Alexandra:

Lorelai:

 

Donald:

 

(I played too, but nobody photographs the photographer!)

Pie Eating Contest

She didn't win, but still earned a $5.00 prize!

Note: Elisabeth was in fact with us! (Though the photographs may suggest otherwise) She was just in her jogger bundled under a gazillion blankets.

Also note: Elisabeth has surgery today at 7:30 a.m. in Spokane. So wear your sock monkey's and keep her close in your thoughts!

The Giver on the Big Screen!

I have news. Huge news!

My brother Marc informed me yesterday that a movie of The Giver is being made!

Anyone who knows me knows that this my all-time favorite book. This is a book that I can read over and over again and have new thoughts and ideas each time. This is a book that speaks to me. This is a book that I am passionate about.

So...you can imagine how excited I am to see it come to life on the big screen!!

News around the campfire is that they start filming October 7th in South Africa and it is set to release August 15th, 2014.

Here's the cast (in part):

Jonas - Brenton Thwaites (Funny that he is 24 and Jonas is supposed to be 12!)

The Giver - Jeff Bridges

Chief Elder - Meryl Streep

Rosemary - Taylor Swift

Jonas' Mother - Katie Holmes

Oh, I can't wait!!!!

(And I thought I was excited about Saving Mr. Banks!)

And if you haven't read The Giver yet, then please, oh, please....hop to it!

It's My Two Year Spinal-versary!

Two years post spinal surgery:

- No pain

- No numbness

- No limitations

I am one lucky gal. From what I have read, most people don't experience a full and complete recovery.

Having my spine in tip-top shape means that I can be the best mother and caretaker possible for Elisabeth. Lifting/carrying her is easy and effortless. Well, maybe not effortless...but lightyears from where I was a few years ago (and she's a lot bigger now!)

That surgery was one of the best experiences of my life. To experience such a transformation is not something I will ever forget, nor is it something I will ever take for granted. 

Speaking of surgery...Elisabeth is going in on Monday to have a vagus nerve stimulator placed in her chest. Oh, how I hope this surgery changes her life! Elisabeth experiences seizures by the hour and is in desperate need of relief. Here's hoping that the VNS can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of her seizures. 

Surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM on the 30th. Send a thought or two her way!

 

- My experiences before and after surgery.

- Surgery Day

- One Year Spinal-versary

Somersaultin'

Lorelai is happiest when she is rolling, turning, flipping, or bouncing. 

 

Like that.

The Party

Queen Elisabeth  

turned six,

 and it looked like this:

  

A crown fit for a queen.

   

When you have a forever baby, birthday parties tend to look like baby showers. Lorelai thought elephants and binkies would be the perfect way to decorate. I think she was right.

   

The girls dolled Brigitta up for the party. Doesn't she look ladylike?

And Brigitta wasn't the only one to get dressed up for the occasion...

 

And that's how a queen turns 6!


Elisabeth's 1st birthday
Elisabeth's 2nd Birthday
Elisabeth's 3rd Birthday
Elisabeth's 4th Birthday
Elisabeth's 5th Birthday

Elisabeth's 1st Birthday Party
Elisabeth's 2nd Birthday Party
Elisabeth's 3rd Birthday Party
Elisabeth's 4th Birthday Party 
Elisabeth's 5th Birthday Party
 

It's Elisabeth's Birthday!

I tell no tales, 

I play no tricks,

Truth be told, 

 Elisabeth is six!

 

Photographs by Photography by Lee Ann.

Six years 
of pure joy!

Welcome, Fall!

It's here! It's here! My favorite time of the year! 

I can think of a million things I love about Fall: my children's birthdays, cool weather, school buses, football games, sweaters, and on and on and on... 

Alexandra, Lorelai, and I welcomed the new season by whipping up a batch of pumpkin cookies, topped with white chocolate m&m's.

 

 They tasted like Autumn in a cookie.

Take note:

Gymnasts wear chalk.

 

Back-to-School Night

 

 Lorelai had a little booklet on her desk. Inside, I found these pages:

 

Notice the family portrait - Elsa's there!

And look at that - I'm one of Lorelai's hero's!!!!

 

Hawthorne  

Bears! 

Alexandra, showing off her water cup:

 

She tells me this little water cup is supposed to last her the entire year!
I said..."that's it, you're getting a plastic cup for your birthday."

 (I'm serious.)

  

 Back-to-School night, the perfect time to take over the white board: