Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We have had an eventful past 2 months and I am finally getting a chance to catch up and blog. November was filled with a trip to Disney World and Thanksgiving. December brought one party after the other. Celebrating LIDS style is exhausting. With two parties every weekend and a trip to Nashville, TN. I suppose life could be worse. Christmas was celebrated with Grandma and Papa Trapp coming a few days before Christmas and Gran Johnson coming Christmas Day and staying after. We then hosted a friend of the Thomson's for 5 days. All in all we were busy, happy and loved. Pretty successful.

Cole has had another change in his schedule. We were not happy with just doing two days a week at the Jackson Center. It was just not enough time. So we decided to try an intensive 3 weeks where Cole would go everyday. He started Nov. 28. Mon., Wed., and Fri he went 9-12 and Tues., Thurs. 9-3. We weren't sure how this change would effect him or us, but we were pleasantly surprised at the way Cole adapted to the new schedule. He was happier and more alert. Less sleepy. More talkative. Stood up straighter. Used his hands more purposefully. He was really amazing. And in anything in life we know that the more you practice, the better you get at something. No surprise there. So we have decided to continue with this schedule. It has given a new meaning to Mom's Taxi. I average around 100 miles a day in the car. I know this commitment right now will allow Cole to have a more fulfilling, independent life in the future. It is a small price to pay.

Christmas Eve with Grandma and Papa.

Sudden snow storm on Dec. 27.

The boys have outgrown their bathtub and would like to stay together. Hello Johnson Spa. They love the jets.

Amazing 50 degree weather in January. Cole was able to practice a little in his Choo-Choo chair.

Gavin drawing chalk with Caroline.

Walt Disney World 2011

In November, we made the pilgrimage to Walt Disney World. With Julie's parents in tow, we embarked on a 5 day journey. We were not quite sure how the boys would do with travel and hotels and being out of their routine. But they both surprised us every step of the way. The memories we have from this trip are priceless. We all can't wait to go back.

Arriving at Orlando International Airport.

Two mouseketeers having lunch at Beaches and Cream.

Beautiful, cool day at the Magic Kingdom.

Our first ride. Aladdin's Flying Carpet.

Meeting Donald Duck in Frontier Land.

Gavin and Daddy watching the parade.

Special character dinner with Pluto (and Goofy). It was love at first sight for Cole.

Happy Halloween, Fireman style!

Trip to the pumpkin patch

Gavin's trip to the pumpkin patch.

Today Gavin's preschool class went to Beasley Orchard to pick pumpkins and go on a hay ride. I got to chaperone and it was really special to be able to spend some one-on-one time with Gavin. Two classes went. Gavin only has 8 kids in his class. 7 boys and 1 girl!

Group shot of class. Notice Gavin is not there.

He refused to be in the picture and held tightly to my leg... eyeroll!

Riding on hay wagon.



Pumpkin picking and trying not to get dirty.

Climbing Hay Mountain.

Girls weekend, Waupaca Style

What a weekend. I just got back from a wonderful girls weekend in Wisconsin with my best friends from growing up. It has been 9 years since I've been "home" and I enjoyed every minute of it. Brief visit in Stevens Point to have dinner with Crescent's parents and tour my old stomping grounds. Then off to Waupaca and a beautiful cottage on Columbia Lake. We spent the weekend reminiscing, gossiping, crying, comforting, laughing and relaxing. We are hoping to make it an annual event. Same time, next year.

Deanna, Julie, Crescent, Lorelei, and Kristina.

At the Wheelhouse Restaurant.

Karaoke at the Paca Pub.

Columbia Lake

Last morning before heartfelt goodbyes.

Fall came with a vengeance

One day we were swimming in the pool, 100 degrees outside. The next day it was 60 and rainy and hasn't let up since. Fall comes with mixed feelings. I love the cooler temps and busting out my fall wardrobe. Picking apples and carving pumpkins. But it also means that winter and sickness are right around the corner. And memories of the boys first year and being quarantined from Oct. to April. Talk about cabin fever. We have just endured our first round of flu/fever. Luckily it didn't last long, but I know more is coming. The lasting effects of prematurity. Poor immune systems and a small cold turning into something much worse. We pray for good health in the coming months.

Gavin sporting his "new" rain gear, thanks to cousins Henry and Artie.

Jackson Center field trip to the Anderson Apple Orchard.

OK, so Cole was not loving it at first, but once he stopped walking he really enjoyed his day.

Gavin and Stephanie

Cole in class reading a story about bees and ladybugs.