Dashing

Hello!  I hope everybody had a wonderful weekend! Right after Liam was born, I was asked to contribute a post to the What To Expect website.  I immediately chose a topic, and began writing while the memories were still fresh. You can read it here!  

On Saturday we participated in our very first Dash for Down Syndrome, held at nearby Hartwood Acres. 

We were told about it after I announced the news about Liam.  We were not going to attend this year, but at the last minute, I felt the overwhelming need to go.  We rearranged plans so we could make it.

It ended up being a perfect day!  The weather was perfect, the trees were beautiful, and it was a wonderful experience!

I can not say enough great things about this event! As soon as we arrived, I was overcome with emotion.  Everything was perfectly coordinated and we were overwhelmed by the amount of people that were there and the sense of community that surrounded us.



As soon as we registered and met a few new people, we headed over to the petting zoo.  It was Dylan, Lexie, and Lily's favorite part of the day!  They were so excited to feed all the baby animals with bottles!




 






The kids reluctantly agreed to leave the petting zoo, but some of my extended family had arrived, and we had planned to meet up with them.

Two of my dad's cousins, Rita and Ruth Ann, came to the Dash. Rita's daughter, Alex, and her boyfriend, Zack, came along, too. They are a wonderful family! Rita has done an amazing job raising her 4 kids.  They are the sweetest, most polite teenagers/young adults that I've ever met. My dad's cousin, Ruth Ann, lost her son, Joey, when he was 11 years old. I was really young when he passed away, and now that I understand what she went through, I have so much respect for her. He had Down Syndrome, so they were walking in honor of him.

It was their first time meeting Liam!



My kids adore Alex, and she had the same effect on Liam!



We had some time before the dash began, so the kids had cookies, got balloons, got tattoos, got their faces painted, met the mounted police and their horses, and played a game.  Liam was obviously too young to enjoy any of it, but he was perfectly content in the carrier.







Finally it was time for the Dash to begin! We were in the middle of the pack, and the line of supporters stretched as far as the eye could see.  Our family walked for Liam and in remembrance of Joey. 



It was an amazing experience walking with people who all had the same goal.  It was so wonderful that we could walk with family members we only see a few times a year.  I was so proud to walk for our sweet Liam.



I am so thankful we attended the Dash.  I know Grant feels the same way.  Our family had a great time, and it was an incredible experience for the kids!  We left the event feeling hopeful about Liam's future and inspired to rally our family and friends to join us next year!

Liam slept through the entire event, but I know he's going to enjoy it for years to come!



Team Liam!!!

Christmas Time Is Here!

I'm in astonishment over the fact that Christmas Eve is tomorrow! When you're a child, it seems like it takes forever for Christmas to get here, but as an adult, time flies!

We've been participating in last minute Christmas activities over the last few days!

On Wednesday, we made our gingerbread house. We made one for the first time last year, and it went so well, that Grant opted out this year. ;) Lexie really wanted to make one, so my mom bought her a kit. Since Grant had enough fun last year, I got to be the builder this year. Let's just say that I'm passing on that tradition to my parents next year. OR buying a pre-assembled one!




Sweet Lily laughed at the chaos.



After multiple house collapses, and icing getting everywhere, our house was complete!



Yesterday, Dylan had his last day of school before Christmas break. He had such a fun day complete with a Christmas party and a Christmas program. Right after he got home from school and Grant got home from work, we ate a quick dinner, and loaded into the car.

Our destination? Hartwood Acres Celebration of Lights!

We go every year, and it is gorgeous! Christmas wouldn't be the same without seeing the lights first!

Here's the description:

Enjoy a spectacular 3.2 mile stretch of twinkling holiday displays through Hartwoood Acres Park in the North Hills, all leading up to the beautifully illuminated Hartwood Mansion. More than 2 million lights and over 400 displays ranging from 3 to 40 feet tall are used to create this dazzling spectacle. The Hartwood Celebration of Lights helps raise money for WTAE's Project Bundle-Up benefiting the Salvation Army, which provides new coats, gloves and other cold-weather clothing to children and senior citizens. Suggested contributions by visitors also help to support the Woodlands Foundation which serves children and young people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Dylan and Lexie were so excited to see the lights! They look forward to it every year!

We always try to get there before the gates open, because if you don't, you end up waiting in traffic for hours to drive through the light displays. This year, we got there ten minutes before it opened, and drove right in!



Dylan and Lexie loved it! Dylan's favorite display was the man shooting a bow and arrow, and Lexie's favorite display was the big snowman blowing air out of his mouth!




Baby girl slept through it, though. I was SO tempted to wake her!



The lights were just as beautiful as ever, and there were even a few new displays to enjoy!













After we left the park, we surprised the kids with a tasty treat! We got ice cream cones and milkshakes at McDonalds!





Once we got home, the big kids had a sleepover, and my jolly baby watched me wrap a tower of presents. I think she was surprised by just how much there was!



The excitement level in this house is high! We can't wait for Christmas!