The busiest weekend ever!!

Sorry, it's taken me so long to blog. We've had an incredibly busy past couple weeks. My parents arrived on June 20th for the weekend. They came down for Travis' graduation and Henry's birthday. The boys were SO excited for Gramma and Grampa they could hardly settle down. Of course we kept them busy. Travis and my dad started putting a pergola over our deck. We have a lot of trees in the backyard, but have so much afternoon sun on the deck that it's hard to be out there. We have some adjustments to make, but it went really well. My dad was very brave. He took the big boys to lunch at McDonalds one day, and made a trip to the grocery store for treats on another....yes, he was alone. Of course, the boys LOVED it and told how grampa let them buy whatever they wanted : )

On Saturday, we attend the benefit for Baby James. It was a huge success raising $25,605 dollars and some odd cents. We couldn't believe it!! There were some Korean delegates visiting Rochester from our sister city in South Korea, Siheung City. They attended as well with their host who we know from Camp Moon-hwa.

On Sunday, we packed the boys up and headed to Minneapolis for Travis' graduation. The school reserved a coach bus for us to take. What a great way to travel. When we arrived and boared the bus at 8:00 a.m., they served brunch complete with juice, coffee, champange, and wine. We made mimosa's!! The boys loved the trip!! We took the last 3 rows on the busy...right next to the bathroom. What a delight!! The boys, of course....including Trav, had to try out the bathroom multiple times on the way there and on the way back. Henry eating breakfast on the bus. He claimed a seat with grampa. Charles insisted he sit with gramma. What a relief that they didn't need to fight over anyone.
Dad after the graduation was over. We were at the reception waiting for him and took this picture out the window. It must have been quite a sight for him. There were floor to ceiling windows and all 3 boys were standing right up to it waving at him.
Charles at the reception.
I don't even know what to say about this picture. I think it speaks for itself.
Min on the way home. I just LOVE that gummy smile!!

I'll include pictures of Henry's birthday in the next couple days. We've now been immersed in Camp Moon-hwa for the past 4 days. It is the busiest, most exciting, and the most incredibly exhausting week of the summer. The boys have been sound asleep by 7:30 every single night. We wouldn't miss it for anything!! The boys absolutely love it!! Henry was already sad on Wednesday because on Friday it would be over. Every year they say...'We want to go every day!!' And, it is really great. Tomorrow is the last day, and the program is in the afternoon. I'll fill you in and post pictures this weekend!!

It HAS been a long time....

Yikes!! I didn't realize it had been SO long since I last posted... but I guess it has been. We've been pretty busy around here, and it will likely stay this way for at least the next couple weeks. I've been helping plan the benefit for Baby James which is June 23rd. People are so very generous. We've been having a great time planning. One thing I've learned...it pays to have connections...and some of the gals on the committe have good connections.

Speaking of Baby James, he had surgery again on Tuesday. I don't feel comfortable giving any details since I don't want to give anyone incorrect information, but they titled the blog,'Finally, some good news.' I'll let you look for yourself by using this link...http://jrjschrandt.blogspot.com
The weather is finally hot enough for us to fill the pool and the boys are loving it. We had to get a little pool today for Andrew because the water in the big pool is too deep for him to sit down. Just haven't gotten any pictures of them yet. On Saturday, we went out for supper downtown and then went for a little walk. The next pictures are of the boys playing in the fountain by the Mayo Building. No, Henry!! You can't swim in the fountain!!
The boys testing out their balance skills. Yes, we were surprised that nobody came home soaking wet.
Charles thought he'd walk down the steps. He didn't make it any further than this though. I think he was a little afraid.
Dad and Andrew
I have to explain...when Henry was just walking, Travis had given him a bath. He sent him out with a little towel wrapped around him like a big boy. We thought it was so cute so we've taken a picture of each them like that. Here's Andrew after his bath with his big boy towel. Of course, it's really just a hand towel.

Andrew has been changing so much lately. He likes to stand BESIDE the exersaucer and play with the toys. He's been letting go with one hand, and yesterday let go with both to inspect some small toy he had. I was there making sure he didn't fall, but didn't touch him at first. He stood for about 5 seconds before realizing he wasn't holding onto anything. I held onto him but he turned and looked at me with an expression that said, 'What in the world did I just do?' THis is the same child who really does not like to be on the floor rolling or crawling like other babies his age. He's been jabbering for a couple months but has been saying 'mama' for about 2 weeks. Of course, we didn't believe it at first, but he distinctly uses it for....his bottle, his pacifier, more of anything, and me!! Finally!! Mama was NOT the first word of either Henry or Charles. In fact, it wasn't even the 2nd or 3rd.

T-ball starts for the big boys on Friday and they're very excited!! My mom and dad are coming down the next week. If any one from Powers Lake would like to send a donation for Baby James silent or live auction, you can just call my mom and dad!!! Then, it's the benefit on the 23rd, move into Korea Camp on the 23rd, take my 3 children, husband, and parents on a bus to the Cities for Travis' graduation on the 24th, and Henry's birthday on the 24th. Camp starts on the 25th.... Oh boy! I'm already tired. Bear with me if my updates continue at a slower pace for a couple weeks. Now you know why!!

The link

Yes, the link works. Just put your mouse over the link information and it will turn orange. Click on it and you will get to the article.

Here's James!!

I'm not sure if I was actually supposed to put a picture from the newspaper on my blog, but...oh well. Hopefully no one will report me : ) Anyway, they ran a story about James in the paper today and this was the picture they used. He's so handsome!!

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=296548

I'm not very good at including links and such, but this is the link to his story.

Keep them in your prayers!! They will be travelling to the East Coast tomorrow to consult with a Wilm's specialist. We are praying that they will hear something good.

A camping weekend

Not too much news to share from the weekend...just a lot of photos. I had a hard time choosing which ones to post. We camped at a nearby county park that we particularly like. It's quiet, small, has hiking trails that are appropriate for a family with small children, and a swimming beach. We drove the 7 miles through a torrential downpour wondering if we were foolish to even consider camping. We set up in pouring rain and spent the first couple hours in the camper. Dad and Andrew have some Father-Son laughs. He LOVES to be tickled and, apparently, Travis is a very good at it because he always gets great laughs.
Andrew's very favorite activity--standing. This was perfect for him because it was just the right height.
Henry as Mary Poppins.
I particularly liked this pictures of Charles. They had a great time playing in the water. Yes, it was cold but they didn't actually swim. They just managed to get so wet you would think they had been. I didn't feel too much like a terrible mother because there were about 3 other families swimming that day.
Andrew had moments of fun, but all in all did not enjoy camping as much as we did. He had a hard time sleeping--but who wouldn't when you're camping with two wild older brothers. Thank goodness he really loves the carrier and if he's tired will easily fall asleep in it. I spent a little time walking the trails with Andrew like this. Talk about multi-tasking... exercise, and helping the little guy get some rest.

I did have Andrew in to the again for a cough that has persisted for over 10 days. We were worried about his lungs and found out that he actually has a bilateral ear infection. We were surprised since he's had no fever and hasn't even been rubbing his ears. We were told that it wasn't acute...thus, no pain or fever...but could quickly become so. He's on antibiotics.

Tomorrow we're off the Charter House for the boys program. Ja Neal takes them a few times a year to perform for the residents. This time they are doing nursery rhymes. Apparently, they are even dressing up. I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow.