School Finally Began!

Because of the Seattle Public School strike Luca began 1st grade just last Thursday. He has a great teacher, support in the classroom and many friends from his class last year along with new friends are in his classroom this year. He also gets to see his buddies from last year's class on the playground that aren't in his classroom. Luca's teacher is kind, open to Luca doing things as he needs to, and serious about learning. I think he going to learn a lot this year. We did a talk about AMC (arthrogryposis) with Luca and his class again this last Monday. It went really well and I think it was a good space for the kids to ask questions.

Juliette started preschool at the PlayGarden again two days a week and then at Luca's old preschool with Teacher Jennifer through Seattle Public Schools three afternoons a week.

I am glad to get into the fall routine!

Happy 35th birthday trip to Alaska!

The second weekend in September I got to go Alaska to visit Chris who was up there for a rotation in a children's clinic! We had a ton of fun running, fishing, seeing a bear, eagles, whales and the northern lights! I had always wanted to go to Alaska and it felt like a big gift to celebrate my 35th birthday there! John and I will have to go back because it is an amazingly beautiful place. I also got to celebrate with a potluck at the Beverage Place and a delicious dinner at Peter and Kara's house!

 We saw a bear!

Fall has begun!

We had a very fun filled summer. Lots of adventures, sunshine, friends, family and shared meals.
August held a great week on Orcas Island camping and connecting with some old friends.
Then a wonderful trip to Chicago where the whole Walker clan got together! The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and we had a great time reconnecting with everyone. We went swimming and played a sports game together almost every day. With 10 adults and 14 kids (plus two more on the way) we had a full team for all the sports and a fun time all around!

After getting to see all of the Adams and Walker cousins this summer we have had a lot of sad conversations that begin with...I miss my cousins in Chicago and North Caroline, France and Germany. Such a gift to have some many cousins who are so close in age with each other!


Here are some pictures from our time in Chicago:

summer so far!

We are having a great summer 2015! The highlights have included but not limited to Adams Family Reunion, AMC conference in Jacksonville, FL, Peter and Kara moving to Seattle, Popeye and Cozy visit during the month on July.
Lots of trips to Alki beach, cooking, friends, meals, VBS for Luca, West Seattle Parade, Beth's wedding, and a day trip to Vashon Island. John went on an exciting canoe trip to Ross Lake with a friend from work.
If you were in Seattle today you would wonder if fall was about to begin with cool temperatures of 60s and light rain...don't worry it will be in the high 80s by the middle of the week. This was just a day to feel cool and wear a sweatshirt!
I have been completely unsuccessful to have Luca read 20 mins. a day as I desire him to. I am going to be more than ready to start back at school on Sept. 8th but here to 6 more weeks of summer break! (the AMC requires a blog post all on its own which I will try complete before summer is over)
Here are a few pictures.