Sweets..

My brothers would be the first to tell you how much I like sweets.  Tonight however I can not eat another piece!  Gum drops, gummi bears, peppermints, red hots, M & Ms all decorate our gingerbread house.  The kids are great little decorators/tasters.

 

Merry Christmas

Carriers of the Light

Accomplishments

Julianne is one determined little girl.  She gets an idea in her head and she is close to impossible to persuade.  Convinced that her new bike was unsafe she was not going to ride it.  Matt and I trying to be patient marched the bike to the neighborhood basketball courts thinking she might just need some more room... nope.  She would sit on the bike, strap on the helmet and then immediate she was off only to stomp her feet again.  It was frustrating and puzzling.  Knowing that she gets these lovely traits from somewhere we tried again and again with little success.  Finally we added a basket and adjusted the training wheels to run as close as possible to the pavement and finally she decided it was OK to ride.  She loves it.  First thing she says when she wakes up is that she wants to go for a bike ride and tells us what a fantastic rider she is!  We are lucky to have her!

On a separate note, we are also very proud of Claudia and her bravery with horse back riding.  She has been working with a team at Camelot all Fall and is doing quite well.  There was a hint that she might be getting close to riding with only one side walker.  Slow and steady, we celebrate these accomplishments.

Thanksgiving

Just about to feast... and remember all that we have to be thankful about.

Disney Cast

Costumes and Halloween 2012

With much delay, I present you with our costumed children.  Fortune teller, Snow Fairy, Police Officer, and Merida from Brave (minus the red hair).  The kids really enjoyed hunting for treats this year.  All of them were able to access the doors and candy.  There were no stairs to work around and the temperatures made it easy to hold a bucket full of candy minus the mittens.  Hope your Halloween was just as delightful.

Halloween Parade

Jack-O-Laterns

Eloise's Gymnastics

It is a desert after all...

Vincent, Julianne, and I had a blast discovering the Phoenix Zoo.  Amazingly both Vincent and Julianne braved a ride on a camel.  Camels "Dan" and "Isaac" were very calm and gracious to give such a nice ride.  The zoo will certainly be a favorite outing this winter.

Sharing a birthday

I had a very special 30-something birthday.  I can't think of a much better way to celebrate than sharing something I love to do with people I love.  So here are some photos for you to enjoy of our adventures.

Eleven

We married on 9-1-1 just before 9-11.  Right from the start the union has been full of surprises.  Honestly one set of twins was a big surprise, I never thought it would happen again.  Now, I would not have it any other way.  Surprises keep us on our toes, and though I feel in many ways better prepared now than ever.. I know I'm not.  What I know for sure is that I'm right where I should be with exactly the person I should be.  Happy Anniversary sweetie.

Amazing Physical Therapists...

I have much gratitude in my heart for physical therapists.  Almost from day one of Claudia's life there has been a physical therapist involved.  Doctors have the pleasure of seeing Claudia once in awhile, but our physical therapist becomes more of a fixture in our lives.  They don't have all the answers but their advice is unmatched.  

They have helped us negotiate walkers, seats, ramps, wheelchairs, school desks, toilet seats, braces, etc. etc.  When the insurance gives us grief they have helped with letters, alternatives and sympathetic ears.  Claudia has become a wonderful self advocate with their encouragement.  They have reinforced acceptance of herself and her abilities.  I consider them all best friends!!

So today I thank all our physical therapists: 

Helen, Vicki, Erin, Lindsey, Ann, Stephanie, and new to the list: Megan.  

Smiles, are a great way to start!

Leaping Lizard

For the most part we are really enjoying our move here to Arizona.  Sure, there is much to be missed about Minnesota.  Especially friends and family that we really miss.  The climate has been an adjustment too and I would be remiss not to mention all the paperwork that we have had to complete related to Claudia's needs.  However for the most part people have been friendly, the kids are all thriving at school, and enjoying the climate.
The kids have made remarkable progress in the pool.  Eloise is doing backstroke and rotary breathing, Claudia has worked hard to be able to turn herself and take a breath in the water all by herself.  Vincent, our little fish, is swimming independently all over the pool and loves to dive (with help) underwater.  Julianne, my slightly anxious baby, has just learned to swim to the side and back independently.  It's fun... and easy to step outside and enjoy the pool.
But today held an excitement of a different sort.  See, Eloise is my true animal lover.  As an eight year old that means that she likes to catch the animals.  As a former pet keeper I admit that I encourage the interest.  So today I wasn't surprised to see her with a net in hand the minute Dad spied a lizard in the garage.  Much to our naive Midwestern minds the first thing that you should do when trying to catch a lizard in the garage is to shut your house door.  So enjoy these little videos of our friend visiting inside the house!!  Julianne was cooped up in Vincent's top bunk.

First Day

We made it!  The first day was especially hot here in Arizona (120 degrees hot).  It was a little difficult to watch all the already-formed friends be reunited and miss our friends back in Minnesota.  I told Eloise that I think she made it through the toughest day so hopefully I'm correct!  Claudia was a semi-rockstar training everyone on her care.  This is a brave step for the girls and a growing experience for all of us.  The teachers and staff all seem to be knowledgable, kind and most importantly flexible.  Onward we go to the second day!!

Meet our Teachers

Starting over

Little by little we are plugging the kids back into activities.  Eloise was the first to try back at gymnastics.  My heart ached for her when she came running out of class with tears because she wasn't sure how to do a new skill.  With a little reassurance, she very bravely tried again and is getting more and more confident by the day.  I'm very proud of her for getting back out there and giving it her best effort.  She is working so hard that her new coach recognized her at the end of the week for her efforts!!  Way to go Eloise!

Miss these mugs??

We have arrived in Arizona!  Slowly but surely we are getting settled and comfortable in our new home.  The temperatures have been pretty typical for this time of year in Arizona 100-107 degrees.  It feels perfect in the pool but really hot in the van.  Matt has been at work for a week plus now.  Certainly there are some differences from the Rochester system but he seems to be adapting well.  The girls are excited to start school next week and are anxious to make some new friends.  People have been friendly and welcoming but outside its quiet here.  Much like the winter in Rochester, when people hibernate, people in Arizona are inside enjoying the air-conditioning.

I'll try to post some photos next week of back-to-school!

Stop-over in Omaha

The big Davidson gang at our stop-over in Omaha.  Thanks Pak and Paul for hosting us and cooking up a delicious meal!

Hiding away

 We have been packed up and out of the house since the end of June!  The boxes and beds have already been unloaded in Arizona.  We have moved the stuff...

 While the kids have been hiding away at Grandma and Grandpa's.  They have been enjoying the cool Wisconsin temperatures and fresh air.  

And a few fish along the way!

See you later...

My little Eloise keeps repeating these wise words: "It's not good-bye it's see you later.."  For all of our dear friends in Rochester I hope we do see you again soon.

We miss you already!

 

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

Mom, I'm grateful to have shared 34 of your 70 years with you.  I'm grateful for all that you have taught me.  I'm thankful that you prepared me to be the mother I am.  I feel blessed that my children have the opportunity to know who you are.

I'm grateful for your efforts to keep our family together even when events feel like we are pulling apart. I'm thankful for all those extremely long car trips we made to see family and to see where you were raised.  (can't believe I'm typing this) I'm grateful for those two pesky brothers who taught me more about life than any other two people.  Our stories prove to be the best entertainment for the "can't get to sleep" nights.  I love you for putting up with all the shenanigans that Paul and Mark conducted.  :) 

I am still learning to love in spite of imperfections and to love because of imperfections because of you. I love this photo of you and dad.  So young and so happy!  I have learned how to stick together and forge on, no matter what forks lie in the road ahead.

I hope you will have a few moments today to reflect on your accomplishments and place in life.  The world has been blessed to have you for 70 years and one can only guess what the next years will bring.  Love you mom!

"A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."

Eleanor Roosevelt