Tysuchia send off

We had to say good-bye to our dear friends, Kimi, Jess, Layna and Jonah, on July 20th. They are off on an adventure to Kigali, Rwanda, where Kimi and Jess will be working at an international school. I miss them already and feel the weight of their absence. Here are a few pictures of some of our last time hanging out together.
I know that I will see Jess again, we have been friends since we were 11 years old. After high school, we went to different colleges and vowed to never be roomates for the sake of our friendship:) I could never have imagined that we would spend the year before and then the first four years of motherhood within a 2 mile radias of eachother. I had no clue that our husbands would become good friends and our families would spend much time together. I guess I am hoping that just like I couldn't have forseen that, I am now not able to see into our lives overlapping again. Who knows what city or country it will be in but I am sure we will see each other again. And I am looking forward to that family reunion already! Love you Jess, Kimi, Layna and Jonah!

Luca's first kayaking trip

I took the opportunity to go kayaking with Luca while Juliette could hang out with my parents a few weeks ago. Luca really enjoyed being out on the Sound and kayaking! It was special to get to do this together. As I was paddling back to the shore, I told Luca that my arms were so sore. Luca said, "do worry mom, we can get you a cast for your arm when we get to the shore." made me laugh.

Orcas Island

John and I had a great time on our 4 day trip to Orcas Island two weeks ago! My parents graciously watched the kids and we had an excellent time relaxing, running, swimming in the lake, watching the sunsets and eat long delious meals.
ahhh, such a wonderful and needed break as well as time together. Just writing this makes me feel relaxed:)

Mountain Lake where we went running

Tracey, John, Luca and Sadie

Tracey and I have been facebook friends and met on-line shorthly after Luca's birth. It was truly a pleasure to get to meet her in person! She is quite a gift to the whole AMC community. Thanks for all your encouragement Tracey, we look forward to seeing you next year!

AMC conference 2013

It is hard to sum up in words the AMCSI (arthrogryoposis) conference. We left this last Tues and got back last night from Las Vegas, where the conference was held. The hotel was 20 mins outside of the strip near the Red Rock Canyon which was very beuatiful and hot!
A few of my highlights were:

Meeting several adults with AMC that we only knew virtually throught corespondance, facebook or through books read but had never met in real life. A few where, Tracey, Ward Foley "Scarman" and Luca lazy legs.These adults and others with AMC are really inspirational and down to earth. They live indepdant, full, rich lives that gives me great hope and encouragment for our Luca's bright future.

Watching Luca play tag with Sadie (a three year old with AMC), they play the same way.

Playing in the pool as a family and meetting new friends like Graci (a 7 year old with AMC that Luca loved playing with all weekend!)

Talking with parents and watching all the kids play togehter and dance!

I come away grateful for what Luca can do and the LITTLE amount of surgery he has needed.

Talking to a suregeon about a possible muscle transfer for Luca whe he is seven.

Listening to Scarman's inspirational talk.

Straws were everywhere.

AMC talent show.

Luca said, "I use to think there were only a few people with arthrogryposis, now I know there are A LOT of people with arthrogryposis!"

Looking forward to next year in the Twin Cities, MN!

 The bathtub in our hotel room, a big hit

 The pool

 Luca in the desert 110 degrees

 John and Luca jumping into the waterfall at the pool

 Luca and Graci

 Luca found springers

 Luca and Sadie at the talent show

 Luca and John traded hats on their hike

 Luca and Graci

 Luca and Luca

 Ward Foley and Katie

 Sadie and Luca

 Luca and Sadie coloring

Juliette ready to hit the pool

camping

 Luca looking like a teenager to me on the drive there (he only listened for five mins.)

 The crew

 Beautiful!

 Fun around the campfire (where is Kimi)

Monica and I

Upcoming trip

Hi Blog readers....sorry I haven't posted in a while. Life has been busy with the kids, work- VBS (KSA) coming up next week and 100 preschoolers signed up, and my parents being here! It has been wonderful to have Popeye and Cozy Nana here! Luca is grinning from ear to ear all day long and Juliette keeps us all on our toes with her energy and love for adventure!
John, Luca, Juliette and I are going to Las Vegas on Tues. to the Arthrogryposis Annual Conference. We are staying (and the conference) is at a hotel about 20 mins outside of the city surrounded by a golf course. We are really looking forward to our time there.

Luca had a great preschool end of the year celebration. We are missing that yellow school bus and his class but he has gotten to do some other fun things with my parents and attended another church VBS last week.

We went camping at Lake Chelan last weekend with a few friends. I will post pictures soon! This was also a bit of a last hurrah with Jess and Kimi as they will be moving to Rwanda at the end of July. We miss them already:) and don't want to say good-bye, but their time in Seattle is quickly ending. It has been so special to live close by to them for the last 5 years!

Luca and Layna

Luca at School with his friend Sabine and other classmates!

 Juliette LOVES dogs, and all animals but esp. dogs. She tries to pet every dog she sees! I think she got that from Aunt Betsy!

 The lastest Jamie, Alicia, Katie, Jessica children picture

 Luca and his wonderful Teacher Jennifer at his preschool celebration!

Luca on the last day of school!