Colorado Vacation Part 1

I took so many pictures during our trip to Colorado, but wanted to share a few with all of you.
-beautiful big storm clouds; yet they seemed to avoid us.
-family: Aunt Stacy, Gma Laurie and Papa, and cousins
-Chrsysler's and Herrman's: kids and moms just like always!! (not pictured- Andy was working and Craig was taking the photo)
-Toy Story 3: Pam and Rachel were Craig's babysitters when the first Toy Story was created!!!

Colorado Vacation Part 2

Here are a few more photos from the trip:
-Vail Pass - chilly, windy and perfect!
-took the boys to see our first apartment in Arvada (sure was cuter back in 1991!)
-stopped by our old house in Denver
-Denver skyline and Blake standing under his street!
-playing cards and dinner at Beau Jo's (favorite pizza place, ever!!)

All At Once

So... we have much to share! There are at least 8+ new posts for you to look at! I went a little crazy with all the things that we wanted to update you with. Some are from the end of the school year (yes, I know school ended in May), some are of the boys and the games they play, there are a few summer activities and our vacation. Enjoy! :)

American Pastime

Baseball continues to run deep in our house. Craig II was able to play in a summer league for Red Mountain High School. He was on the JV team. It was a very short season ( June only), and a very hot season (110' at the last game), but a season that Craig grew from and will take what he learned with him for the next adventure

Lest We Forget

Blake's spring flag football team, the Dolphins, won their age division...again! This team is amazing! They work so hard together and it shows. They encourage and support each other no matter what. Their coach is a quiet force behind it all. It has been a fun experience for Blake. We look forward to the team playing again in the fall (we take the summer off becasue of the heat...it's still 105'+ for the first game!)

Estes Park

As part of our vacation to Colorado, we visited Estes Park. I have always loved this little town. It has become quite the spot for visitors, so it wasn't as small as I remembered. We had fun, non the less. My mom-in-law's (Laurie)parents live in Estes, so it was good to see them too. We made a trek up into Rocky Mountain National Park to see the waterfall and rocks (one of my favorite stops). It was so green and the air was fresh! The boys even made sure to get in some fishing; both Papa and Great-Papa Duff made sure we had fun (thanks Chris for the numerous tangle rescues). Craig II's first catch was....a pine cone! The boys thought it was fun even if the fish really weren't biting.

Colorado Nature

Our "home state" of Colorado has been blessed by God's creation! There were beautiful things to look at all around us. Animals, flowers, rocks, mountains, water, trees and sky. "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:31a

Civil War

This past school year (5th grade), Blake's class did a research project on the Civil War, and the Underground Railroad. Each student was given the opportunity to learn about the routes the slaves took when they were escaping north. The large photo of the quilt was made by his entire class. Blake is standing by the square he created. Blake's patch was the symbol for the slaves that it was safe to cross the Cincinnati River. Once across the river, a slave was free! The class even presented a small historical play. It was a real treat to see so many students in costume, having fun and learning at the same time! Thanks Ms. G. for a great year!

Hoops Camp II

Once again this summer, Craig II and Blake participated in Champion Hoops Camp (a basketball camp our church hosts; about 150 kids attended this year!) Craig II was able to be one of the coaches for the younger elementary kids, and Blake played on a team in his grade division. Both boys experienced some good life lessons through this camp; win or lose. Melvin Adams, a former Harlem Globetrotter was a huge part of the camp again. All the kids love him; he is great with them and even the grown ups that are in charge try to learn a few things too-even though I still can't play the game - sorry Dad :)

Coors Field!

While on vacation this past week in Colorado, our family went to Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies!!! This was such a great time for our family. We saw so much, and learned a lot too (did you know they mow the grass twice on game days, and that the the Denver police have a holding cell under the field for unruly guests?) Both the boys were thoroughly intrigued with all the information and sights. I think Craig II can see himself being a player one day, and so can we!

Toot His Own Horn

This past school year, Blake participated in band. He played the trumpet. He did really well, even though he ended up not being as excited about it at the end. When asked why it wasn't fun anymore, he said "Mom, it's just not as fun as the drums!!" So, we shall see what the new school year brings. We are proud that he hung in there and was able to perform at a few activities and events at school.

Just Another Baseball Game

This would be the result of a line drive down the 3rd base line, right to the left hand.  The initial x-ray doesn't show that anything is broken, but there is to much swelling to confirm that.  So we will get another x-ray later this week to see what the thumb and wrist really look like.   Pain medication at the ER worked well for Craig - what a funny guy! :)

Another Flag, Another Season

Blake has been playing flag football now for 2 years, and loves it! He plays both offense and defense. He was part of the Raiders team this winter (much to the 49'er fan of the family's horror). On March 6th, they won the championship for their age bracket! Score of 60-6 was pretty amazing! Here are a few pictures of the big day, and the big trophy too!

Play Ball!

Craig II has begun his freshman year of baseball at Fremont. He made it through the week of tryouts, being called up to the team on the last day. I can't tell you who was more nervous; parents or player!   Lots of people were praying that day - for however the outcome would unfold. Craig has been playing right field and also as a pinch runner, wearing #5.   We love going to all the games, and seeing the guys work so well together. It is showing, as the team is undefeated! Craig II loves this game, and we are so proud of the player that he is, and the dedication and determination he shows as he pushes forward to be a better player in the years to come.  

Here's A Little Re-Cap!

So, apparently I can't keep up on this blog like I know I should. So, here is a recap for each member of our family:

Craig-
-Kenz & Leslie and BG Products keep him busy
-as a football and baseball dad, nights and weekends are active
-back to playing in a men's softball league; lots of fun!
-still working as the sound tech at our church; has it really been over 20 years since he started that "hobby"? He is too young for that :)

Sarah-
-RMCC Children's Department is the best place to work; it's busy, challenging and there is always humor to make the day
-still have opportunities to sing; I can say it has been way over 20 years for me as I have grown in this part of my life
-as a football and baseball mom, nights and weekends are active
- designed to be thankful and blessed even when it is not so easy

Craig II

-9th grade and working on registering for all high school classes

-baseball is the format he follows

-involved in his youth group at RMCC and led by a great team; combined with great friends makes us very proud

-taller than mom, almost tops dad

-we are loving this boy so much!

Blake

-5th grade and advanced math

-flag football; season after season, after season.....

-great friends makes growing up fun

-living with Wilson's Disease the best he can; slowly responding to treatment and a highlight to PCH and GH every time we have an appointment

-we are loving this boy so much too!

Hope to publish some new photos soon; have a few to share since it has been so long since the last photo we posted :)

"Praise the LORD, all nations!

   Extol him, all peoples!

For great is his steadfast love toward us,

   and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the LORD!"

Psalm 117

Boy oh Boy...SOY!

As our family adjusts to the changes in Blake's diet, one of our biggest tackles is the fact that he can not have an legumes - which includes SOY. It is in everything! A couple of weeks ago, I had a great appointment with a nutritionist at Phoenix Children's Hospital. She was able to break down the properties of soy for me, and what parts are worse than others. As we grocery shop and look at packaged and processed foods, we have really noticed that soy is an ingredient in 80% of all products. So I have begun the process of making many things from scratch. I haven't done that in a long while, and I am actually enjoying it. Does it take a little longer - yes, but it is so worth it. We are all benefiting from it. It seems something is always going on the stove and the house always smells yummy - reminds me of my Mom and Nonna when they were in the kitchen all the time. I am thankful that I love to cook and that I was blessed to have great teachers along the way :)

Shop and It Helps!

In March of this year, Blake was diagnosed with a rare form of liver disease, called Wilson's Disease. His body is unable to process the mineral copper (who knew?) He is currently undergoing treatment at Phoenix Children's Hospital-we see the doctors about every 4-6 weeks. The disease is not curable, but can be treatable if caught early. As the Christmas season approaches (or is already here...), many of you might be doing some of your shopping online. I'd like for you to consider something as you shop. As you spend your money, I have a neat way that you can help Blake at the same time. If you go to www.goodshop.com you are able to search/shop from a list of 100's of stores. When you are done your shopping, and are at the checkout for that website, these stores will then make a donation to the Wilson Disease Association- the group that is researching for a cure and better treatment for Blake and other patients with this disease. When you are asked "who do you support" from the website, type in "WDA". Thank you in advance for thinking of Blake, and for helping out the team that works so hard to see him get better!

Merry Christmas!

PS- you can shop from this site all year long - not just at Christmas!

Just in Case

Just in case you think we might have forgotten about this blog, trust us when I tell you we haven't. Our main computer at the house is down and dead. That is where the computer softeware is for the camera. So instead of photos, stories, and info, we are only going to be able to share stories and info for a while. As soon as we get the computer thing taken care of, I will have lots to share with you.

We are all keeping busy; school, church, work, sports...all the things we love and enjoy!

Rockies Come To The Desert!

(trying something new and fun with photos)

Our family was able to go to some baseball games a couple of weekends ago; Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies. Our Rockies won 2 of the 3 games. It's really amazing to walk Chase Field and see so many Colorado fans. We had a lot of fun. The boys were able to get close and see some of their favorite players, as well as get some baseballs signed. It was another fantastic time to be together as a family!

Wilson

We haven't updated on Blake's health in a while. In a nutshell, Blake's progress is slow and isn't really where the doctor wants it to be. We all know that it is a long process to get him to a stable point; Dr. Mc Omber (pictured here with Blake) thinks it will be at least a year before we can look at maintenance medication. So until that point, Blake is now taking 6 pills a day. At our last appointment, Dr. Mc Omber told us that he feels that Blake's liver is swollen as it is trying to clear all the copper out, and he is concerned that some of the other filter organs may be working harder to compensate. We have another appointment in 6 weeks, and lab work to complete before that. When you see Blake, you would never know that he had a sick liver, as the boy eats non stop and is pretty active. He is a very good patient, and the team at Phoenix Children's Hospital loves it when he comes in. We ask that you continue to pray with us that we can get him leveled out on his medication schedule and that the medicine will continue to do its job.