Charlie cannot resist snuggling a pile of folded clothes or towels.
Here begins pictures from our summer road trip to WI and St. Louis. Half-way through the trip and they still look happy!
We went to the dairy breakfast in WI, and Lucy got to milk a (fake) cow.
This is a giant sandbox filled with dried corn (and children). Charlie and Peter were a little overwhelmed, but Lucy could have swam in there all day.
Taking a hike in Natureland.
On a particularly hot day, we went to a new splash park in the area.
Sometimes we have to help Charlie get a little more adventurous!
Peter is trying to stomp the sprayers.
Grandma's beautiful peonies!
One last picture as a one-year-old!
Taking a hike in the corn field,
and then heading to the beach.
I love this picture. Peter was so excited about his birthday cupcakes. He just kept laughing hilariously.
I know the quality of these pictures are horrible, but I wanted to capture what a good sport Grandpa was!
Then off to St. Louis.
Charlie's teachers told me that spraying the windows is one of his favorite activities, and I was happy to get to see it in action at the Magic House.
Magic House design flaw: Peter found the hole in this fountain completely irresistible, and sprayed quite a few people.
Taylor has a little brother too, so she could handle Peter's rough-housing!
Uncle Jeremy and the boys.
Taking a break from our hike to throw some rocks in the water.
The nature center by Grandma's house is way better than any of our nature centers in DC!
I caught this picture while the kids were watching a movie. It must have been a scary moment!
The penguins at the zoo. We got a very memorable splash!
Peter and I on the zoo train.
Charlie enjoying some ice cream.
A bald eagle at Grant's Farm! Lucy, the bird lover, was pretty thrilled.
Whenever Peter sees these pictures, he says, "Ohhh, Grandma, tickle!"
The day after we drove home, James found this on his desk. In case you can't read it, it's an invitation saying, "The Dance of Lucy tonight." Also, some piles of coins, corn kernels, and a sea shell. When questioned, Lucy said she was just so thankful to Daddy for driving all the way home that she wanted to do something nice for him.
The 4th of July!
Peter and Charlie helping Mommy clean the table.
Picking blackberries.
The Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a favorite place of ours to stop by (it's near James's school and work). We were walking through this summer and the kids all just congregated at this kneeler and started praying-- a cute moment!
Peter found Daddy's boots and told me he was going to do work.
Our beautiful sunflowers.
We went to pioneer days event, where Lucy was in Laura Ingalls Wilder heaven.
This is Laura and Almanzo.
Though we've received a lot of support for the challenges of Charlie's syndrome online, we've never been able to meet another person with Smith-Magenis Syndrome, until this summer! We had to make a bit of a drive, but were able to attend a picnic with six other families. It was great to meet other parents and the kids all had a great time. The bubble blower was a great attraction!
We spent a day at the local county fair and Lucy was REALLY impressed with the prize winning pumpkin.
Wading at Indian Creek.
Having a great time in the fort!
