Emory's Walk

This morning we headed to Tilles Park for a walk to help support our friend and raise awareness for AHC - Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood.  It was a fantastic turnout and perfect day for such an important mission!!

The walk is along the one mile fitness trail.  One mile doesn't seem like a lot, but for Andrew and Nathan it's definitely a challenge.  These days we ask ourselves, "is it too strenuous for Andrew's muscles?" as well as "can Nathan be successful in his walker or should we bring his adaptive stroller?"  Well, today I decided we are going to go for it!!  I had my parents with me so if all else failed one of us could run ahead and get the car :) 

My boys amaze me each and every single day.  I will never fully understand the amount of work it takes Andrew and Nathan to keep up with every day tasks, but they constantly strive to reach their potential and I am one proud Mom!!  They continue to work so very hard and just do everything that is asked of them. 

Andrew was off and keeping pace with the group the ENTIRE walk.  Yes, he was tired after the full mile, but so proud of his accomplishment!!  Nathan made it about 3/4 of the way more so because he kept stopping to check everything out - and I mean everything :)  He is doing so well in his walker and we love his independence in it!!

After such a great time at Tilles, we decided to treat the boys with lunch and the rest of the afternoon at the Zoo.  At this point, we definitely had Nathan in his stroller and Andrew hitching a ride on his buggy board behind Nathan's stroller - it's quite the load these days :)  We had a great day and lots of fun with Gigi and PaPa!!

Andrew posing with the elephant before heading into the Zoo.

PaPa and Andrew getting a good look at the giraffes.

Patiently waiting for the train :)

Nathan riding the train in his stroller - I love his little arm holding on :)

Jumped on this tiger of some sort before leaving!!

Germany - here come the Vehige Boys!!

Today we said goodbye to Daddy, Pops, Uncle Mike, Uncle Ed and Uncle Tom as they headed to Germany for a week.  Steve, his Dad and brothers were taking a guys' trip to visit the Vehige Family Farm in Westenholz along with going to Oktoberfest in Munich.  We sure are going to miss Daddy, but are so excited for this once in a lifetime trip!!

Kindergarten Circus

This afternoon we were invited to a circus put on by the Kindergarten class and their Fourth Grade buddies.  This circus was completely up to the students and they did a fantastic job!!  The ring leaders introduced each act and I don't think they missed anything - they had seals, horses, lions, clowns, tigers, bears, acrobats, leopards and gymnasts :)  They really worked hard and the circus was a hit!!

The Ring Leaders. 

The three horses - Maura, Andrew and Lily :)

In action.

Setting up for the next trick.

Through the hoops :)

The whole group singing a song for the finale.

Andrew with his fourth grade buddy, Caroline :)

 

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Happy Birthday to the best Daddy and husband in the world!!  We had an evening full of celebrating Daddy and enjoying a few of his favorite things :)  We love you to the moon and back!!

Helping Daddy blow out the candles on his cherry pie!!

Delivering all of the presents :)

Helping with the cards.

Nathan putting on a show for the camera :)

What's in there??

Nathan helping empty the bag.

Daddy and Nathan :)

Having fun with all of the tissue paper.

The Birthday Boy and his boys :)



Our Little Leonardo

Andrew was invited to a birthday party for one of his classmates with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme.  They had all of the boys paint their own turtle shells and made each of them their own mask.  Andrew chose blue for Leonardo, the leader of the pack :)

All ready to go.

Showing off his turtle shell :)

Our Boys

These are just some random pics from the month of our boys :)

Andrew taking over the grocery shopping :)

Nathan dipping his toasted ravs in marinara :)  This is PROGRESS for a little boy who hates to get anything on his hands!!

Being silly with stickers.

Marble Maze fun!!

Nathan LOVES following the marbles through the maze :)

Andrew working hard in the yard - he would do yard work all of the time!!

Finished - time to retire the work gloves :)

Tribute to Mike Bush

Tonight after dinner we headed to the MDA office to help put together a tribute for Mike Bush.  Mike was at our house just a year ago right after we received Andrew's diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  He interviewed our family for a piece that was part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon.  The 2012 telethon ended up being the last year for News Channel 5's broadcast :(

Several families and people living with muscular dystrophy gathered together to say thanks to Mike for ALL that he has done throughout the years to raise awareness and help the MDA.  We have only been a part of the MDA family for a short time, but have been overwhelmed by the amount of support.  Mike Bush is a HUGE ambassador for the MDA and will be greatly missed as the face of St. Louis helping to bring the much-needed awareness to the community for these deadly diseases.  It was great to have the chance to meet Mike and work one-on-one with him.  Andrew talks about Mike still and can't believe that someone we see on TV all of the time was at our house!!

Planes

This afternoon we decided to go to the movies and see Planes.  This is the first time our whole family has been to the movie theater together :)  It was a really cute movie and the boys didn't take their eyes off the screen for even a second!!

Nathan did awesome and put all of our worries to rest.  It was a great family outing and one to add to the list for successes!!

Heading home

This morning was time to say good-bye and pack up for home.  Andrew had to get one last swim in Lake Michigan with Uncle Todd before we left :)

Andrew couldn't believe his flag stayed buried through the storm last night.

And look what washed up on shore!!

Checking out the other side of the beach with Daddy.

Heading in with Uncle Todd - the storm cooled the lake a bit.

 

We had an amazing weekend and can't believe everything we were able to fit in!!  THANKS, Uncle Todd, Aunt Laura and Mary!!  And, a very special thank you to PaPa and Gigi for watching Nathan all weekend and keeping him busy.  We are all so blessed for our family!!

Shedd Aquarium & Lake Michigan

This morning we headed to check out Shedd Aquarium - it was fantastic!!  This place is huge and we got to see some amazing exhibits!!

Pointing out some of his favorites.

Beluga whale.

Mommy & Baby.

My little penguin :)

Sliding down the ice.

Andrew's doing a little dance here.  The exhibit was showing how a wave crashes into the rocks and he just couldn't get enough!!

Another awesome fish.

Shark!!

Cousins on their Daddys' shoulders.

Can't remember the name of this kind of shark.

 

After the aquarium we headed to lunch at a rooftop bar and grill.  Andrew thought it was great to eat on top of a building :)  Then we headed back to the house to enjoy some beach time!!

Walking down the path to the beach area.

Approaching Lake Michigan.

It's not too cold :)

Uncle Todd diving right in!!

Andrew & Daddy.

Andrew was a fish in the water and loved the waves.

Enjoying some chocolate malts before bedtime :)