Catching Up

Well hello there! We've been so busy that I really haven't been on the computer very much. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. August 31 was Isabella's first day of preschool. She couldn't wait to leave. "I don't want to be late Mommy!" I heard that about 100 times. When I dropped her off she went in like a big girl and I knew she was going to have a blast. The next day when I dropped Isabella off she ran in the room without even saying goodbye to me! She was ready! I'm so glad she's enjoying it. This is what she wanted to wear on her first day.

Last Saturday we went to the Hamburg Hamburger Festival with Grammy. This was the first time we've ever gone and we enjoyed ourselves. All three of us tried different burgers which allowed the other two to taste. Yum! There were a lot of children's games and performers. We walked past a woman singing who thought she was Reba McEntire...too bad she didn't sound like her! We read online the next day that 20,000 people attended this year. I don't really know how they figure that since you don't have to pay to get in. It was crowded but not overwhelmingly so. Five streets were shut down so people could walk freely.

Isabella and Grammy went through a small petting zoo at the Hamburger Festival.

Then last Sunday we got a little painting dome outside. Isabella and Daddy made a birdhouse a few weeks back at the fair so I asked Isabella if she wanted to paint it. Now we just have to find a good place to hang it.

Raymond has been such a rollie-pollie. I've been letting him lay on the floor more then normal during the day because he's so close to crawling. He's all over the place! Take a look...

Oops...chair!Back the other way.

Give me that camera Mommy!!!!!I needed to get red cupcake liners for a special treat I am making for Isabella's snack day at school, so we decided to go to A.C. Moore to see if they had anything. While we were there Isabella asked if we could get something to make a craft. So this is what we decided on.

And this is what we made! : )

This is what Isabella and I do to Raymond when Daddy isn't home. Poor kid.

Speaking of Raymond, he really loves to look through books. It's almost impossible to actually read him a book because he ripes it out of my hands. However, if I give him a book (board book or cloth - all others are a goner) he will look at it for a long time. Raymond picked this one out at the library.

On Friday night we went to a football game at Fleetwood High School. My cousin Stephanie's school was playing them so we went to watch her and the other cheerleaders. This was Chris' 1st ever high school football game. It only took 34 years! Isabella really liked watching them do their cheers. Stephanie is in the first row, second girl in.

We sat with Aunt Jeannie, Uncle Chuck and Mom-mom.

Raymond was a total chick magnet!

I wasn't sure how long Isabella would stay interested. She actually did really well. When there was about 10 minuted left in the game she said she was "just so sick of these men!" I asked her what men she was talking about and she pointed to the field and said "Those men!"

On Saturday we went to the annual Chili Pepper Festival. It was a nice day and we had a good time sampling everything. My uncle was supposed to come with us but at the last minute he had to work. When we got there we ran into Chris' cousin, wife and kids and ended up walking around with them. We bought a jar of stuffed peppers and they are so good!!!

The 11th annual Buddy Walk is in two weeks. I can't believe it's so close already. If you would like to walk on our team you still can but online registration is closed. You will have to register at the walk. Chris and I were so flattered when we were told that our family had been one of three selected to be honored at this years walk. We will also be leading off the walk by helping to carry the Buddy Walk banner. If you need a reminder why the walk and other Down Syndrome Awareness events are so important to our family and other DS families, watch the following link.

Dreams - A message from the National Down Syndrome Society

I also want to send out a BIG congratulations to our friends Sean and Sarah who were recently married in a beach ceremony in California. We are so thrilled and wish them a happy and blessed life together.

On a side note - Chloe, stay out of the bassinet!

Until next time!

Lots of Love,

Erica