We're In Tahoe... and it's SOOOOO beautiful!! :)

Well I'm still gonna be a bunch of posts behind but had to post a couple of really gorgeous photos -NOT my photography.. but the scenery. We're at Harveys on South Shore and due to some of George's ongoing business this past year were fortunate enough to get a comped room. The kids have had a great time at the beach just down the road. Lake Tahoe (I'm assuming this is pretty warm for Tahoe) is 68 degrees and while we havent had full blown swimming, lets just say it's been hard getting the kids away. The hard thing with 3 children (HOW do you do it if you have nore than 2/3 kids?) is that each seems to have their own agenda.. Ellie would have gladly stayed at the Lake all day.. Alex wanted to come back to the hotel for the arcade and pool and Andrew wanted to play with the faucet by the road, where you wash your feet off. Needless to say, this hasnt been the most relaxing trip for me, but having a great time. We met several children while at the beach and yesterday a sweet boy about Alex's age (I think prob about a year older) asked if he could play with us (we were making a big dam by the shore).. And of course we said "yes".. He proceeds to tell us he's from London! Wow.. I knew folks came from everywhere to visit, but guess I was just surprised (translated to: I shouldnt take such a gorgeous place for granted!).

Soooo.. many pics to follow.. apologize as I'm not gonna take the time to put in order. It's been interesting. Andrew is soooo freaked all the time by adults (this is yet another of those posts I need to do) and for whatever reason, this past few days (strange place and strange folks).. he's sooo wanting to walk independently and waving at everyone. Sooo hoping we're turning a corner. He's always been great with other kids but has literally been a welcoming committee to any adult this weekend (of course I've been closeby.. but still - yay)...

Tonight.... and I wont date myself but I havent been to a concert in a million years.. Harveys is having one of their summer concert series and it's Sheryl Crow and James Blunt. We're on the 9th floor and with our eensie little air window open, we can hear everything perfectly. Of course we're really high up and it was so hard to imagine how big the place is based on that (I thought like 1000 seats, dh thought 5k.. I called the conceriege.. more like 8K +.. with tix going for 49.99 - 125.99).. Sooo yep.. you got it, gonna sit by that little wind hole in our room tonight and use the binoculars we just got and soak it up!.. LOVE Sheryl! Just got done listening to their warm up session - she's so awesome... Will try to take some pics but yes.. as I've said a million times I need a better zoom.... can't really tell what's what even on my highest zoom now..

OK here are pics:

Alex and new friend build dam

The Lake is sooo clear

The Lake is soooo clear

Andrew let us bury his feet! Miracles of Miracles.. Mr. sensitivity was being pretty mellow this weekend!

There was a nice jungle gym right on the beach! Can't beat that.. Today was a volleyball tourney on the beach, several weddings the concert at the hotel.. THUS my being on the computer as we veg out right now....

I think this is called "conspicuous consumption".. this Cigarette boat probably burns more gas in a minute of running than any of us know what to do with!

I'm Still Here!

and so sorry for the lapse. I feel like I've got about 8 posts in the works but will try to touch briefly on a few things here. First, after many months of working with our local school/district, all has been worked out and Alex and Ellie begin school on the 27th. We're all thrilled and I do truly feel this is going to be a great match. It's funny how full circle things have come. 2 years ago when we needed to make a decision for Alex our local school tried something different by taking a lot of out of district children and enrollment for that year was huge (thus the 3 grade mix was also huge). This is what led us to choose another school. Things are different now and I understand more about mixed grade classes. The small groups each grade will be in when taught academic material will actually be beneficial to both my kids and I'm really looking forward to things. I hope to be active in the class as much as I can, if possible with Andrew.. AND on that front.. our sweet boy.. He is coming along but still has a hard time. He saw the doc today and had labs done last week. All looks good altho the labs arent back. The doc feels he's making progress, but is just as many of us suspect "highly sensitive" combined with a lot of loss/trauma from his early separations in life. But more and more we see his incredibly sweet personality come out and he's a hoot. I can't imagine life without him. My shoulders are anxiously awaiting a break but think they can make it a tad longer :) Actually had a date with a wonderful masseuse last weekend and felt like a new person - til this weekend!! :) Not sure I can afford a weekly trip, altho do feel I need to get to the chiro.... Masseuse says my back is pretty far out of alignment at the moment. Ordered a Chunei (Korean, torso carrier) which will hopefully take some of the pressure off my shoulders and hips and looking forward to getting it as he still loves to be carried. And in spite of my physical complaints, he's more on the small side (size chart wise) but was not happy with folks messing with him today so the measurements may not have been super accurate.

Will attach a pic of Andrew, with just the cutest smile. He loves crawling under covers and pretending to get ready for bed! AS much as I LOVE co-sleeping I'm looking forward to the day when he's ready to do this for real - like for all night :) We recently had gifted to us a trundle bed and think it's gonna be perfect for that transition.

And finally on another note... please keep a SUPER sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers. His name is Ben. He has a rare form of brain cancer and is participating in a clinical trial to attempt to eradicate this horrible disease from his body. He's 5! A few days ago, his mom Amy posted incredible... I mean INCREDIBLE news as his cancer is so aggressive - the MRI showed NO cancer.. nothing they could see. He's been doing hard core chemo which involves long hospitalizations at UCLA since March. He's never complained and is the strongest, most amazing little boy! SUCH an inspiration! In spite of the great news, he's currently just beginning the most difficult portion of his chemo.. the hardest core chemo, which will lower his immune status to nothing, so he can accept a stem cell transplant. Well Amy posted a few hours ago and he's struggling significantly and will be headed to ICU tonight with GI, Cardiac specialties being called in. Hurts my head. If you get a chance, go over to their blog (public but if you're not on "care pages" you may have to register at no cost) and give them some love an inspiration:

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/BentheBrave/updates/1671177

I dont know this little boy or family personally but wish I did! They are amazing and I'm praying for a complete recovery for this special little boy! Take care everyone!

Pic of Andrew : 20 months!!