Pumpkin Patch....Again

Blake's class took a field trip to the pumpkin patch yesterday and we even managed to stay dry. We went to Oxbow Farms which was great. They are an organic farm and the kids got to try eating a flower, picking apples and purple carrots, and feeding the worms. Here are a few pictures of Blake and his classmates. This is Ella. We just had Blake's conference last week and we were told they were going to have a little chat with Ella about not kissing Blake so much! Don't get me wrong, he's loving every second of it :)

Coco

Cade

Blake and farmer Sarah picking apples

Talia

Cate

Pretty Fall Day

I took Lauren out to get a few fall photos while Blake was at school last week.

Yellow Belt

Blake earned his yellow belt in Karate! Yes, after only four lessons you can get a yellow belt if you have shown focus, dedication, improvement and your mom will pay the 35 bucks! Blake was awesome, he was the first one to go through the belt ceremony. I love that nothing seems to make him nervous, he was just up there having fun. As a part of the demonstration of their skills each child got to chop a "board". (Styrofoam board...)

The Big Slide

Lauren has decided she is all done with the playground for toddlers. She loves going on the slide Blake goes on. I usually accompany her up the stairs, then race back down so I can help her on the slide. Well, I guess I am no longer needed. She pushed my hand away when I attempted to help on the stairs and she slid down before I got back down to help her. If you can't tell from the video, Lauren is pretty happy with herself :)

As a side note, Blake really loves to stand at the little "booth" below the slide and "take my order". Normally he shouts out "hey Mom, do you want coffee or wine". Today he asked if I wanted an iced americano, pumpkin latte or a "Bud White". Bud White? I never drink beer? Seriously, it's getting a little embarrassing at the playground!

Another Husky...

Lauren is really into hats lately as well as saying "hat". Today she seemed extra proud of her choice, a Husky hat. (She took a header yesterday and scraped her eye, it's been a really great week here.)

I don't know why she thought she needed a hat :) PS - I didn't realize my flowers were purple and gold until just now....

Sickies

We've been home most of the week, Lauren had a cold and cut two teeth, Blake hasn't been feeling well either. Don't let them fool you, they are on an ibuprofen high...

Cute huh. I'm actually screaming "don't kiss her, you have GERMS!!"

17 Months Old Today

Lauren is 17 months old today, although she thinks she is a four year old boy :) She has started to "pee" like a boy. She'll run to the bathroom, open up the toilet and seat, lift her shirt and stick out her belly. Lauren is enrolled in a couple different classes and most times she seems to think she's the star of the class - happy to be in the middle of the circle, first in line for an activity, etc. Her independence amazes me. She is also very physical, she climbs everything . She loves moving our "kid chairs" around the kitchen so she can stand at the sink and "do the dishes". She has also discovered a love of coloring....mostly herself.

Pumpkin Patch

We headed out to Remlinger Farms today for Lilah's birthday party. It was the perfect day for a party at the pumpkin patch. The kids had a blast, Blake and Laurel went on almost every ride. Lauren and I joined the big kids on the tea cup ride, she loved every second (no surprise!). Blake in the party room - I didn't even get a pic of the birthday girl!
silly mirror

Laurel

The Zoo...with Georgia!

For those of you that follow Alison's blog you may have seen the beautiful video she put together chronicling the past year of their lives. Blake and I have watched the video a dozen times and each time I'm left in tears. The past year has been incredibly scary. Since Alison posted the video I've been itching to see Georgia and give her a big squeeze. So, this morning when Alison texted me asking if we'd be up for a trip to the zoo I cleared our calendar and tried to ignore the rain outside my window. As promised, the weather cleared up and we had a really great morning.
Alison was trying coordinate the kids for a picture....hey kids lets all wave, clap, etc. Blake was happy to play along, what a good sport.

I'm pretty sure Georgia and Lauren are making fun of Blake...

$20 to get in the zoo and she's excited about crows.

ready to head home

One Year

For awhile I've thought about what I wanted to post about the one year marker of the nightmare the Handsakers have endured. I keep coming back to my sister. Although the doctors are the ones who cured Georgia's body, Alison is the reason she is thriving.

To my sister, I have always admired my you. You have a heart of gold, compassion for others and a great sense of fashion. This year I also learned what an amazing mother you are. Whenever I tell you that you say "any mom would do the same thing" but I don't know if that is true. For 365 days you have been an advocate for Georgia. Each morning in the hospital a team of 10 doctors would wake you after a couple hours of sleep. While still in your pajamas, glasses and no morning coffee, you would take in the day's information and were prepared with questions. You showed no intimidation (much to some of the doctors' chagrin). You aren't afraid to ask questions, even when you know you'll be met with resistance from the doctors who are curing your daughter. You have been an advocate, cheerleader, nurse, short order cook and mother. You've kept the world a happy place for Georgia even though her world has been anything but happy this past year. You were successful, just look at Georgia. Mom would be so proud of your hard work, heart and determination.

After watching the video produced for 2011 Ben Town Foundation BENefit there was a statement that stood out to me. A mother who lost her child to cancer said "I want people to know the current treatment methods aren't acceptable". I could not agree more. There is no way to share all that I have learned and all that I have seen over the last year but it is very clear, the current treatment methods are not acceptable. It is Alison's hope that the more people are aware of Georgia's story the more they will become involved in supporting pediatric cancer research. If you aren't in a position to donate, tell someone who is. Keep the ball moving forward in your own way.

http://www.bentownefoundation.org/