Angie's 15th Birthday

Angie celebrated her 15th birthday on November 10th!!!  It is hard to believe that this is the fifth birthday we have celebrated with her!  She is growing up so fast and becoming a beautiful young lady.

Lori's Therapy

Prior to becoming a Mom, Lori's main job was on therapy and getting better.  Over the past few years, the focus has turned to the family.  As the kids are getting older and our health insurance allows more benefits for therapy, Lori started back at SWAN Rehab located in downtown Phoenix.  SWAN is an excellent therapy clinic that focuses on people who have suffered a stroke or brain injury.  Lori was one of the clinic's first patients and has been going there for twelve years now.  She would never be where she is today if it wasn't for this clinic and great therapists.  Along with working hard with the therapists and trying out the newest therapy equipment that is out there, the therapists have decided to try and do something new with her.  It is called serial casting.  Due to the stroke and limited movement Lori has in her left ankle, it won't lift as much as we would like to get a good heel strike when she walks.  The idea of casting is similar to concept of braces. They will place her foot at the correct angle over the next four weeks by putting on a new cast every week. The goal is that at the end of the month her ankle is in a better position to have a better walk.  We hope it works! So for now, Lori gets to see what it feels like to have a walking cast for a month.  She will have to be very careful of balance and although it will prose challenges, if it works it will be worth it.

A Halloween Party!

We decided to plan our first Halloween party for the kids. The kids like to go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood for candy, but we wanted them to have time to enjoy being with their friends.  So we decided to have a party with games, a pinata, and pizza before going around the neighborhood for candy.  We ended up having 13 kids and everyone had a good time!  Juan dressed-up as Spiderman, Ingrid dressed-up like Cleopatra, and Angie dressed up as a cat.

Getting Ready for Halloween

It is hard to believe it is October already and time to get ready for Halloween again!  For the first few years, we took the kids to a pumpkin farm to pick out their own pumpkins.  Now we have resorted to Sam's or Walmart due to the busyness of other activities.  Here is a picture of carving pumpkins our first Halloween together in October 2011 and then this year.  The kids have grown up and have changed so much!

October 2011

                                              October 2015

                                                                      

Ingrid Goes To CA

All of the kids have had the opportunity to go on a class trip with their school each year.  Their school feels strongly about teaching the kids beyond what is just in the classroom.  It has been a great experience for them all! Earlier this Fall, Juan had the chance to go to Catalina Island in CA.  Ingrid has now had the opportunity to go to Astro Camp in CA.  She learned all about space and had a great time.  We are very thankful that they are having these opportunities, and they do so well away from home.

A Field Trip to CA!

One of the things we love about the kids' school is their emphasis on learning outside of the classroom.  Juan had the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon last year and traveled to Catalina Island this Fall.  The kids spent time at the marina learning about biology.  One of many activities they had the opportunity to do was to go snorkeling.  He had a great time!

The Girls Play Volleyball

The girls played volleyball for the first time this Fall with their school's team.  They had practice every week and then had the opportunity to play in one big game called a Jamboree.  They had a great time and learned a lot.

Basketball Time for Ingrid

We have tried to give the kids different activities to try over the past four years.  It is hard to believe we have had the kids for four years now!  Ingrid has enjoyed ballet, soccer, swim team, and basketball.  Basketball is definitely her favorite so far.  We found a special league for her to play on through a local church, and we all love it!  She has practice once a week and a game on Saturday.  In the middle of each practice, they stop and do a small devotional with the kids.  Ingrid is the only girl on this team but doesn't mind it.  She is very fast and loves it. Like Juan's baseball team, the focus is on learning to work as a team and improving their skills rather than just winning or losing the game.

Ingrid Rides Her First Horse

For Ingrid's birthday, one of her special presents was to go on a trail ride with Dainis.  We were a little nervous, but she loves horses.  This was her first time on a horse, and she did great.  They went on a two hour sunset trail ride through one of the small nearby mountains.  She had a blast and would definitely do it again!

Baseball Time for Juan

Juan has participated in soccer and swim team in the past.  His older brother is very talented in soccer, but Juan is now getting excited about baseball.  He will be playing Little League for a city league for the first time this Fall and is so excited.  We love his coach!  He is very focused on helping the kids improve their skills, having everyone try every position, encouraging outside practice, and concentrating on becoming a better team throughout the season rather than how many games the kids win or lose.  We are excited to see Juan play, and it is great to have him find something he likes!

Dainis took Juan to a Diamondbacks game as part of his birthday gift from us last month.  They had great seats, and Juan got the autograph from one of the catchers.  On top of it all, he made the highlights on the sports portions of one of the local news stations!