Beach pics

I have finally uploaded some of the photos from our trip to the beach.  As you will see, we truly had an amazing time!  I literally have hundreds more, but these were a few of the best.  I will keep working on this, trying to catch up.  Please enjoy!

First day of school

 OMGoodness, I can't believe how much they have grown!  I compared these to the photos from last year on the first day.  It's just amazing!  Can you see their excitement?  They all picked out their clothes for the first day of school.  Check out our other site to read about their first week of school and Erin's trip to the hospital (again).  O.k., I know I have also promised pictures of our trip to the beach as well as from our last trip to Kennedy Krieger, and I promise that I haven't forgotten, I just truly haven't had time.  I will get to it eventually, but I had to post these first.

We got Taylor's hair cut a few days before school started.  She looks beautiful and so grown up!

Erin's backpack is still almost as big as she is, but it's definitely not as cute.  She was so proud of her new outfit.

Jade (and Nellie) were ready for their first day.  She has overcome (for the most part) her separation anxiety and has been such a brave girl.  We're so proud of her!

Erin's Independent Wheelchair Transfer

Please watch Erin as she shows off how she can transfer from her wheelchair all by herself. This is HUGE and gives her one more way in which to be independent (very important to a 5 year old little girl). She can't wait to show her therapists, both at Kennedy Krieger and at school. She is so proud, and so are we! Here is the video.

Let us know what you think, so we can share it with Erin.

The Great Green (Cold) North

Here are a few of our photos from our trip to Minnesota. Most of these are from our stay at the cabin and some of our fun at the family reunion. I have many more to load, but I thought I would start with these.


Our beautiful niece/Goddaughter, Elizabeth having fun with her cousins. She had surgery on her jaw while we were in MN, but we were still able to see her a few times.


Here is the wonderful ramp that my brother built for Erin. They will actually be able to move it to the garage until the next time we visit. Thanks Mike!


This was right after we got to the cabin. It was probably in the 60's, but Jade insisted on going in the water.


The day after we arrived, the temperatures reached a high of 58 degrees. As you can see, the girls didn't let that stop them from going in the lake. I wouldn't call it swimming, because they never went in deeper than their waists, but they certainly went in much farther than I did (which was not at all).


Doesn't this just look cold? My sister took the girls out onto the dock to enjoy the wind and frigid temperatures! I stayed back to take the photos. :0)


Not to be outdone by her sisters, Erin took the plunge for about two minutes. That was enough for her to know that her sisters were a little crazy. But at least she can say she went in too.


Yes, that is Erin standing in front of the ladder. We were able to find the right position where she could support herself standing for short periods of time. Very exciting to see!!


Taylor riding the innertube for the first time. She LOVED it!!


Erin and Aunt Dee Dee riding the tube. I had some serious tears watching them!


Jade rode on the tube for the first time with her cousin Mitch, who was very protective of her. They had a great time! However, Jade did ride by herself later.

Erin's Helicopter Ride

Here are the rest of the photos from Erin's hospital stay. It was a tough one, but she is completely recovered now. I literally have hundreds of photos to go through before I can post more from our visit to KKI and our trip to MN, so hopefully I can have some up in the next few weeks.


Erin being taken out and loaded into the helicopter.


Watching our little girl being taken by helicopter to Children's National Medical Center (without us).


One of our toughest moments


After being admitted, Taylor and Jade quickly found things to do in their sister's room.


One of her many breathing treatments. This is when her respiratory rate was 60-70 breaths per minute. Try that and see if you don't pass out.


Dr. Buckles


A visit from her boy, SOLOMON. It was so wonderful to see his reaction to Erin, and he definitely cheered her up!


Lots of love between these two!


SOLOMON is not sure if he should protect Erin from this thing on her face.


Erin tired out quickly, but SOLOMON was up for some snuggle time.


So sweet!


Can you tell that Taylor loves him too?!


A visit from Katelyn for more cheering up. A spirited game of CandyLand

Junky Pneumonia

Here are a few photos from when Erin was in the hospital. I have many more to load, but I thought I would put these up for now. I probably won't have time to load the rest until this weekend. These ones are actually from when she was feeling a little bit better; I will post the photos of her helicopter ride and first few days in the hospital later. Sorry it's kind of backwards!

Please pray for baby Stellan. His heart is not doing well right now, and he is being airlifted to Boston. As parents who have been at the bedsides of critically ill children, we know how much support this family needs.