even more portraits!!

more portraits...

Ok, Where to start?!?!?

It has been so long since I've updated the blog I'm embarassed!! I'm going to spend some time each weekend making an effort to get us all caught up on the new and exciting news and all the fun we're having!! In the mean time- I'm going to share some of the pictures from when we came back to Michigan for a visit and had an Anderson Family portrait session, ENJOY!!

Lazy Day, heading into a very busy summer!!

Caught my "Sleepy Bears" snuggled up and taking a mid-Saturday nap. Tired out from hours of driving like maniac's on MarioKart Wii.

First off- WOW, it's been almost a year since I posted anything and I can't believe it's been that long. Time has flown by and there's been a MILLION things going on. I'm going to try and get you all caught up and hopefully get back into the regular habit of posting on here!!

Gabe is growing like a weed and is doing really well. He loves his new class and his new teachers this year- He's in a spit program between the LSS (Life Skills Support) and the MDS (Multi-Disabled Support) each class provides him with something essential to his social or educational day. I'll post additional information about this soon!!

Also, Gabe got a new chair!! We're very excited it has a dynamic back and is so much better for him both as far as positioning and long term comfortability. Plus now we don't have to worry about him getting the rub marks from the lap belt!! Yay!! Post and Pictures to follow I promise!!

Let's see what else?? I hurt my back over Thanksgiving and had an emergency L4-L5 microdiscecotomy surgery in December- spend until the middle of February home recovering, after many weeks of working my way back up I am now totally off restrictions and back to my normal activities!! Yay!! I've recently gotten back to running a bit (I'm still taking it easy there) but I'm looking forward to getting rid of the roughly 8 pounds that I picked up while not being able to stay as active. I'm still on that mission as well... While I made it down to a size 10, I'm right on the border between a 10 and 12 right now since I picked up the 8 pounds :(

I'm getting back on the wagon now that I am physically able and hoping to end the summer somewhere around a size 6!! (I'll be happy with a size 8, but I like to set big goals!!)

Jeremy is doing well and loves working closer to home. He is still taking two classes every semester and is consistently on the Dean's List for maintaining a GPA above 3.5 (GO BABY!!)

He just started an Earth Science class so the pressure is on to see if I remember all that stuff- since I have a bachelors in Earth Science... well, hopefully I can be a little help if he needs it! HAHAHA!!

That's it for now, I'll try to make it on again soon and fill you all in on more of what we've been up to!!

Thank you Grandma for all the fun!!

Gabe giving Grandma big "HUGS" for all the bubble and "pop it" fun
"OOOOO- HOOOO" Grandma, Gabe hugging Grandma and saying "Love you"

Quick Pic's from our Michigan Visit

We'll post more later!!

Pictures from Gabe's first boat ride...

Family Time...(Part One)

Enjoying some coloring time before the food comes!!I wanted them to pose for a picture... Gabriel had other plans!Not sure if it hurts or tickles but Gabe sure likes messing with Daddy's ear!I said something to Jeremy along the lines of... "I think I was sticking my tongue out on that one" I have a tendency when I'm happy to do that and I don't like it for pictures so I wanted him to take another one... Well, our son heard me say- sticking out my tongue.....So a little bit there and then by the next picture....yep, that's my kiddo alright! What a stinker!My cute guys!!

Race Day (Rain or Shine!)

This weeks race was the Easter Seals "Walk with Me" 5k race (and 1mile & 2 mile walks) in Philadelphia. This race was down at the Art Museum again- the course was along MLK/West River Drive. Thanks so much to those who donated, it was a really great experience for Gabriel and he was very proud to have raised money. (Mostly I think he was proud of his T-Shirt!)

Gabriel was so proud of his T-Shirt, posing with it (before the race)

Gabriel and Mommy getting ready for the race to start! (no rain yet)

Gabe was getting excited as they started announcing that the race would start soon!!

Another one of Gabe and Mommy (with her race day pig-tails; LOL!)

Our kiddo

Ok, Last one before the race starts- by the way, no sooner did they say "GO!" it started to rain!!

This actually looks much worse than it is, it's all crinkled up because we were in the process of taking it off when I thought to get a picture of it. It lays flat and Gabe can see out of it pretty well actually- He was really excited to have it and the only places where water got on him is where the air holes were!

Right after we finished the race- See only his lap and pillows got a bit wet, the rain accessory was well worth the investment! (Note: Mommy and Daddy are completely soaked to the bone!!) We finished this one just as the clock hit 41 minutes so we were over a minute faster than last week!! ( I think the rain may have helped with that!)

Gabriel in the van just after we loaded up- his hair is a bit wet from getting into the van. The rain never really let up once it got started!! Gabe with his SB cup- gotta replenish those fluids after a big race! :)

Rainy!!A soaking wet Jeremy!A soaking wet Kari!

It really was a great event and a wonderful outing and honestly it wasn't that bad running in the rain. The temperature stayed pretty warm right up until we were loading in the van. The wind picked up a bit then and it felt a little chilly but it was a really fun morning and another 5k on our "accomplished" list.

The entire event; the tents, both walks and the 5k race- raised $60,436.00 for Easter Seals!

Next week is the "Running for Cover" 5k for melanoma research down by the sports stadiums. Another race for a good cause-

That should be fun!

My handsome lunch date...

Went out for a little Mom & Son time, had a great lunch at Ruby Tuesday's.

Thanks for a wonderful lunch date Gabe!! Let's do it again soon!!

Family visit and cooking on the grill..

My adorable sister in-law CassieJeremy prepin' for the grill

My father in-law on grill duty

Family Visit and new Wall-E toys...

As you heard in an earlier post my mom got Gabriel an interactive Wall-E toy. It's voice activated so as Gabriel says "Hi Wall-E" Wall-E responds with various answers and noises, if you get too loud then he makes all the scared sounds from the movie, it's really cute!! Well, when Jeremy's family came to visit they got Gabe the counterpart "Eve" toy and they are really neat to watch together. They are smart toys are made to recognize and respond to each other!! Gabe LOVES IT!!

Wall-E's eyes light up and his arms move, Eve's gun shoots if you move her gun arm at things!!

E-vaaaaaaaaa- (he he!!)

If you yell at Eve too loud she "shoots" at you with her gun sounds!! LOL!!

If you tip her to the side like she's flying she makes all the flying sounds from the movie too!! Gabe is just having a ball playing with both Eve and Wall-E!!