Girls' Night

My girlfriend, Crystal and her family come back to St. Louis once a year to visit and you better believe that we all get together just us girls while she is here :)  We had such a great visit and it was fantastic to have a reservation for 6 again!!

My closest girlfriends - I am very blessed!!

Variety Summer Camp - Week 2

The boys had such a great time their first week of Variety Summer Camp and were eager for another week :)  This week's theme is Decades and they have another round of fun activities planned - swimming, art, gym, music and dance at the Richmond Heights Community Center and ice skating and the Bubble Bus at St. Peters Rec Plex :)  The boys had another fun week!!

Andrew with his counselor, August.

Nathan with his counselor, Caroline.

Vacation Bible School

Andrew attended VBS at Trinity this week and loved the theme - Kingdom Chronicles!!  Every day they learned something special about the TRUTH - Truth or Error; Choose Truth; Obey Truth; Think Truth and Speak Truth.  Andrew had a great week and learned several lessons :)  This was Andrew's last activity at Trinity - very bittersweet, but we will for sure keep in touch!!

Initial Cardiology Evaluation

This morning we headed to Children's Hospital for Andrew's first visit with his Cardiologist.  He had a lot of questions on the way there and was just content learning there would be no shots :)  We didn't really know what to expect and were just praying his echocardiogram didn't show anything alarming.  We actually snapped a couple of pics while we were there (kind of weird, I guess), but this is our normal and something to capture.

Getting a pulse read.

And, blood pressure.

Listening to Andrew's heart.

Laying so very still for his echo.

 

Andrew could not have been a better boy.  He sat patiently in the waiting room for his turn, listened and did everything the doctors, nurses and techs asked of him and then continued to sit still while we actually talked to the Cardiologist about Andrew and his echo results. 

 

Everything looks just fine and Andrew's echocardiogram didn't show any abnormalities!!  We are however going to start Andrew on an ace inhibitor.  This will help to decrease any tension of blood vessels and blood volume which ultimately lowers blood pressure.  Studies have shown positive results in using ace inhibitors for children with Duchenne - I basically think it just helps his heart not to have to work so hard.  Another pill to add to our daily intake, but Andrew's a champ now at swallowing pills, so no worries there :)  We will continue to see the Cardiologist for follow-ups, but not for another two years.  We continue to pray for a cure and hope that these meds keep our little guy strong!! 

Cards vs. Cubs in CHICAGO!!

Steve and I headed to Chicago for the weekend for the Cards vs. Cubs series.  We were able to spend the weekend with Todd, Laura and Mary, too :)  It was great to get to see their new digs and experience Wrigley Field (my first time)!!

The four of us in front of Wrigley.

 

Why not?

Enjoying some beach time with our niece, Mary :)

Searching for shells.

I think we found a good one :)

Game 2.

Another pic of Steve & I :)

Me & Laura.

A special THANKS to Gigi & PaPa for watching the boys for us!!  We had a great time and a fun quick weekend away from home :)

Horsing Around :)

Just some fun pics to share...

Nathan trying to climb on the window sill.

Looking outside.

Andrew holding the door open for Nathan.

Crawled in very slowly...

Did not like being enclosed very much.

Largest beach ball ever - thanks, library summer reading club!!

Variety Summer Camp - Week 1

The boys were eager to go to camp this week :)  Andrew had a blast at Variety camp last year and was so excited to have his little brother join him this year!!  This week's theme is Science and they have a ton of activities planned - swimming at the Richmond Heights Community Center, ice skating and bike riding at St. Peters Rec Plex, playground at McDonnell Park, rock climbing at Upper Limits, t-ball at Catch 22 Miracle Field, movie at Chesterfield Galaxy and a Mad Science Show :)  Talk about a fun-filled week!!  Variety's "I CAN" camp philosophy is just fantastic!!

The HAPPIEST rock climber!!

Andrew all geared up (in the middle).

Best smile :)

Downtown Airport Air Show

Today we headed to the downtown airport for an air show for special needs.  This was our first time experiencing the air show and it was fantastic!!  It was extremely hot outside and volunteers were walking around with bottle water and popsicles to keep everyone cool and hydrated.  The boys loved watching all of the action!!

All set up and ready for the show to start.

Parachuters.

After our experience with the fireworks, we got Andrew some ear protection :)

Louie from the St. Louis Blues made an appearance - high five.

And, Rampage from the St. Louis Rams!!

Right next to the tarmac.

Leaving some trails.

Nathan all hot and sweaty :)

Leisure Activities

Steve's present to himself for Father's Day was making his own Cornhole set.  It turned out great and Andrew couldn't wait to play with Daddy :)

Andrew's got a great arm :)

 

Go team Red!!

Helping put the set away.

Later that evening we met up with the Teepe's to enjoy a concert at the Zoo.  I am dancing with my niece, Caroline who absolutely loves music along with Andrew and my other niece, Kathryn :)

Happy Birthday, America!!

We were able to see two sets of firework displays this year :)  One with Andrew at Twin Oaks and then one put on by my nephews at Grandma & Pops' house.  The boys really enjoyed them, but Andrew didn't care for the loud noise :)

All ready for some fireworks at Twin Oaks.

Loved the display as long as he covered his ears :)

More fireworks with most of the Vehige's.

Nathan was so mesmerized :)

Andrew & Henry watching from inside with Grandma.