Might as well give it a shot:)

I figured this was more enjoyable than a picture of Steve and I, so instead I give you - Zeus and Ollie at their finest!

Hello All!

Sheri has inspired me with her new blog! I love hearing/seeing what's going on with her with detail we never seem to be able to manage in our all too infrequent phone calls! I've known about blogging, but was too lazy to try to make it a habit. It is easy, and with the way everyone gets so busy - it seems like a really good method to keep up with everyone. I encourage anyone who has the same problem to give it a shot. So here goes.....

We will start with this past weekend. We had a busy Saturday of errands and made a quick trip to Cedar Rapids - or rather Springville to go to my niece Leah's birthday party. This was also going to be our first time to meet our new niece that just recently arrived home from China. Her name is now Jenna. She is 3 years old and just joined my brother Brett, his wife Cheryl and their children Leah, Alex and Ben's family. The kids had a great time playing on one of Leah's presents - an inflatable waterslide. Jenna is a very sweet, beautiful, docile little girl. A little timid and shy still around us "new" people, but seems to have a wonderful nature and we were so happy to finally get to meet her!

Jenna

Birthday Girl Leah and her new sister!

As most of you know, I have been working for several months with the Up With Down Family Support Group here in Des Moines to plan this year's Buddy Walk which is an awareness and advocacy event for Down Syndrome. I have been in charge of putting together the Silent Auction, and picture slideshow that will play at the event. It has been a lot more work than I had anticipated and took a lot more effort than I had planned for, but has really also been a really good experience for me and one I am glad that I have had. My friend Beth was kind enough to help with the walk and is in charge of Volunteers for the event. If anyone who likes in the Des Moines area would like to help on the 25th of August she is still looking for volunteers and can be contacted at buddywalkia@gmail.com. Some of my friends have been kind enough to donate items- thanks Cathy G. and Sandy! I also have some friends that have already agreed to help with the Silent Auction that day including Myra, Adam, Amy and Nicolle - Thanks guys! I really appreciate the help!

I have invited my family to come and join me in doing the walk in honor of my niece Samantha that is Downs - so Steve and I, my Mom and Dad, sister Julie and niece Samantha, sister Cathy and niece Zoey and nephew Kobe have all formed Team Samantha! Below is the design for the 3x5 banner we will carry at the walk. I am really excited - I think Sam will really have a lot of fun with this!