The gift of a getaway...

Last year, right before we traveled to China, my amazing friends at work surprised me with a gift certificate for Great Wolf Lodge.  So that we could spend a little time away as a family once we brought Audra home. 

Well, we all know what happened once Audra got home...
and then summer was over before we knew it,
and the rush of back to school and the holidays kept us busy,
and then spring was here! 

Finally, in March, I chose a date and made a reservation...May 18th-20th.
And the timing couldn't have been more perfect! 
After Sean's big diagnosis earlier this month, we all needed to get away. 

I'll let the pictures tell the story...

 wearing their wolf ears

so many activities...what to do first?...

...the waterpark, of course!

the wave pool

the lazy river

the obstacle course

the slides

the famous 1000 gallon bucket dump

Once we were water logged for the day,

there was endless fun to be had throughout the rest of the resort...

a buffet breakfast

 with characters!

 

Magiquest and Shadow quest

the arcade

mini bowling



(not to be confused with mini golf...they have that too! 

actually mini-glow-in-the-dark golf)

more character sightings

bedtime stories by the huge fireplace

the kids cabin inside of our room,

with a set of bunk beds and a single bed

We packed more fun into 2.5 days than we have had in a while :)

Spring activities

Time to catch up this blog!
Here's a little update on what's been keeping the kiddos busy lately...

Riley: swimming

Riley is just finishing up his swim season with Special Olympics.  He participated in a few meets this year and has improved his times quite nicely.  He says he doesn't like it (of course!)...

but then again he doesn't prefer much of anything outside of the comfort of his game room at home.  I am so proud of him for trying, and staying with it all season long.

Audra doesn't think 6 hours in a natatorium for a swim meet is very exciting!

Aidan: lacrosse

This was Aidan's first year playing lacrosse...

and he loved it, of course!

I don't thing there's a sport this kid wouldn't love :)

He had a mini coach on the sidelines...



 always cheering him on and telling him what to do...

and she took her tiny lacrosse stick everywhere!

Maura: equestrian

Maura participated in her first horse show earlier this month.  She wore Riley's old riding jacket, but it was huge on her!  She came home with two ribbons and a smile from ear to ear.

Audra: soccer

Audra is participating in the same special needs soccer program that Riley has done for many years.  I wasn't sure how she would do...

but she really surprised me!

She kicks the ball, runs after it, and even trys to get it into the goal.

It's a great program which has grown a lot over the years.  The kids are grouped by age and they have enough volunteers for each kiddo to have a buddy.

Audra's adoption video

I am so excited to share Audra's adoption video,

a collection of pictures from our adoption journey...

from the moment we first saw her face,

 through our travel to China,

and

her first year at home!

Update:  it seems the video can't be viewed on mobile devices but works fine on a computer/laptop.  I'm working on it. Check back in a bit :)

seeing doubles

So much has happened over the past week...I'll try to sum it up.

 

Aidan turned 10 on the 30th.  TEN years old...double digits! 

 He was so excited about this, but mommy...not so much.

 

Audra has caught on to the birthday routine...

now, when she sees a cake with candles on it she starts "singing"

Happy Birthday, in her own, simply adorable way!

We had family over to celebrate I and captured pics of the two littlest girl cousins in matching dresses:

Last weekend Riley participated in the Special Olympics Track and Field meet for our county.  

 At the starting line of the 100 meter...

and the 200 meter...

 

Riley had never competed in the 200m meter before this meet.  He much prefers the 50m!  Short and sweet.  I was so proud of him...he powered through and didn't give up...all the way to the end.  He pulled himself from 3rd and passed the two runners in front of him landing him the gold!  I never would have imagined it :)  When I met up with him at the finish line he was on the ground catching his breath.  He was exhausted...and I was thrilled!  I have never seen him put so much effort into something and push himself so hard, to the point of exhaustion.  My heart was bursting with pride.  He went home with 4 gold medals that day.  One for each event he participated in.  Always a favorite of mine...the 4x100m relay.  He ran the last leg this year (he is usually the second leg) and again he pulled himself from 3rd to 1st...and I even caught a smile on his face.

 

Today, Riley is competing in the Special Olympics Sectional Qualifier for swimming at Kutztown University.  And Maura has her first ever horse show.  Aidan will be busy with 2 ice hockey games and 1 lacrosse game today.  Audra will join Riley this year for a special needs soccer program that begins on Monday.  I should have lots of pics/updates coming soon.

 

And lastly, Sean made his way to the cardiologist on Thursday due to some nagging chest pain.  Turns out his symptoms were very concerning to the doctor and his EKG was not normal.  Yesterday he had a cardiac cath done which showed aggressive coronary artery disease of almost all vessels.  They were able to stent his entire right coronary artery (as the doctor said...he has a 'full metal jacket' on his right coronary artery!).  He should feel better right away.  He still has a long way to go, but he is so very lucky nothing worse happened before we found out about all this!