Madi's 8th Birthday Party

Today Madi had her 8th birthday party and couldn't have loved it more.  She requested a party at the park with a super hero theme and a piñata, so of course that's what she got.  She wanted to wear a wonder woman costume and was very insistent that I match her costume as well, so I dressed up too.  Oh the things we do for our kiddos... 

On our way home to Tucson I asked Madi if she enjoyed her party and she said it was "totally awesome and perfect".  That makes all the work worth while! 

Our Walk and Roll for Spina Bifida

We had a lot of fun at this year's Walk-and-Roll for Spina Bifida with the Arizona Spina Bifida Association.  A big "thank you" to everyone who donated to our team and/or came out and walked with us.  It was a really fun and special day! 

Our Last Few Days on Vacation

We really enjoyed our last few days of vacation and wish we had longer!  We found the beach again before leaving and also spent some time with my birth dad, Mark, and his wife, Michelle, at the Burch Aquarium.  It was great to see them and we had a lot of fun hanging out with them.  

My birth dad was diagnosed with cancer right about the same time we had to find a rental in Tucson, start moving, go to India, and all the other craziness that happened in our life. It was really hard not being able to see them sooner and we are so glad he is feeling better!

Fun at the San Diego Zoo

In October, kids go free to a bunch of attractions in San Diego.  Of course we had to take advantage of that and head over to the San Diego Zoo.  We all really enjoyed ourselves, though we could have used more time in the park to see more of it.  The zoo is huge with lots of ups and downs, so a bit slower for us to travel safely with all three wheelchairs.  Thankfully we had a few extra sets of hands since my parents were with us so that helped a lot.  We also saw the firefly attachment in use there and one day, when we can afford to get 3, I think that would be an awesome option to give the girls more stamina and independence at places where they are going to be on the go all day, especially up lots of hills. 

The Sky Tram was the kiddos favorite part, though they loved the animals too. Here are some photos of our time there...

We Made it to the Beach

Conner perked up this afternoon so we decided to pack up and head to the beach.  He said he would take it easy and not go belly boarding, but that didn't last too long.  Of course he made it in the water pretty quickly.  He had a blast, though, and is feeling much better.  The girls still only want their toes in the water, but they all enjoyed the ocean as well.  Deena took to playing in the sand right away and really enjoyed her first big beach trip.  I'm glad we were able to go! 

In the future, we need to look in to sand wheelchairs, but for now we are able to carry them to our spot, so that's what we do.  It'll keep us strong :). 

(See the little boy in the waves back there?)

She covered me with mud; thanks kid....

My feet are always happiest in the sand!

Another One Bites the Dust

I'm happy to report that Madi woke up feeling better and we were able to see my birth mom, Deana, and my half-sister, Lindsay.  We went out to lunch with them and enjoyed spending time with them. 

Monday everyone felt great so we took the ferry to Coronado Island, ate, walked around, and got our feet in the sand.  The kids loved it!  This was Deena's first time at the beach and she was in Heaven.  Wait until we get her to the "big" beach!

Yesterday I woke up feeling yucky, probably from what Madi had.  I didn't throw up at all, though, so that's good.  By the time the afternoon came, I felt good enough to get out, but still wanted to take it easy, so we took a trip to see the seals.  The kiddos thought they were hilarious and loved sitting and watching them. 

(she found a seed pod, put flowers in it, and wanted to give it to the seals)

(these are Conner's ocean photos that he took)

Poor Conner woke up around 12:30 am throwing up and threw up a few more times last night.  He is feeling better this morning but we are taking it easy until we know how he's really doing.  He ate a banana and is about to drink a smoothie and we will see how it goes.  He wants to go sit on the beach, but I don't want him to push it, so we shall see!

I'm so thankful we were able to get out and spend some down-time as a family.  It's so important for any family, but a break from our super crazy schedule is very, very welcomed.