Busy Late Summer and Fall

 We're normally pretty serious home-bodies, but we've been on the go lately.  Here's proof.

Six Flags

He is such a happy boy.

We went lots, but I only took the camera one day, so..... same clothes.

Hiking

Kennesaw Mtn, with the cousins.

Oh my gosh, a family picture! 

Beach trip

St. George Island

Ethan looks goofy, but look how clear the water is!

Our nanny came with us.  I'm not sure we'll be able to vacation without one again. 

Birthday Parties

Notice how everyone is looking the same way except Zoe.  

Visits with Friends

Travel mates and dear friends.  

New Toys

Look what the motorcycle was traded in for.  Zoe LOVES it!!  Ethan is cranky he has to ride with slow-poke Mom.

Turns out I like camping after all.

Because the minivan wasn't up to the task of pulling the other things, and our neighbor was selling it at a garage sale.

All the outdoorsy stuff came about while we were on our beach trip.  We kept thinking how hard it is to go places with Zoe.  Vacationing just isn't fun when you're constantly on Autism Management Detail.  So we started searching for ideas and Voila...camping.  Zoe loves to be outdoors and she always has a sense of the familiar because we have our own stuff with us.  Its not without challenges, but the camping crowd seems to be an accepting sort, so its working for us.  And then Ethan's happy no matter what we do.

Big Day Out

Back in June we went to "Big Day Out".  Its a festival for families with special kids, and it was great! In all honesty, Zoe was a bit overwhelmed the whole time, but Ethan LOVED it, and the siblings of special kids deserve a treat, too.

I love how he tends her.

Ethan posed with everyone!

Everyone.

Yes,  everyone.

Even this guy.

I let Ethan ride this alone, but before it started, these safety dudes came to stand around him.   Love that!

Zoe was bit dazed, but beautiful!

When it was over, she wouldn't get off,  so Ethan came to help.  

A Great Day at the Lake

Getting suited up

Ethan got a tow from Dad in his own kayak.  Zoe got a ride from Uncle Brian

The Queen enjoyed the ride.  Whenever Brain stopped paddling, she demanded, "More."

Bossy Miss giving directions.

Beautiful cousin S

Always ready to pose.

Flips are fun!

Funny Cousin E.

She had a blast!  Can't wait for upcoming beach trip!

"Its so awesome, I must bite something!  ...like Daddy!"

Who needs pants?

Ethan Yuyu!!

Ethan deserves a big shout out from time to time.  He constantly takes a backseat to Zoe and her needs, but he doesn't complain (much) and he's such a wonderful brother.  He has an incredibly kind nature, loves to share, wants to please, and he just jumps in to help whenever he can.  He is a sweet, sweet boy!

We are getting close to his 2 year anniversary of being in our family.   I was working on a photo book to send to his foster mother, and I came across these pictures I don't think I've shared before.  While we were waiting for Ethan we sent his foster family disposable cameras and asked them to pictures and here are some.  I like how obvious it is he was loved by a bunch of people.  I also like seeing that he actually HAS grown.  He still has those Mario pajamas, and still wears them.

This is one we found on the internet posted by Peace Corps volunteers that worked with his orphange.  I'm not sure, but I think Ethan is one in the right arm of the bearded man.  

And this is one his foster mother handed us when we met Ethan.  It's a set of 3 glamor shots-style pictures of the two of them.  Ethan gets them out from time to time and talks about "China Mama"  

First and Last days of Kindergarten

First day 

Last day

Hey!  Zoe's in the same shirt!  She looks about the same, but it looks like Ethan grew a bit, doesn't it?  Or maybe its just the giraffe neck he's working in the second.  You can tell in the pictures just what a sweet brother he is to Zoe.  Love them. 

Zoe's First Dance!

Yesterday was such a great day!  Jeff and I took off from work to meet Zoe at her first dance!  Sprayberry high school hosted it for special needs kids.  I didn't know what to expect, but it was so much fun, and Zoe had a blast!  Forgive the blurry pictures, but you'll get the idea.

As the kids got off the bus, they were greeted by cheering students.

This was our view when we first walked in.  Do you see a little blue and purple dressed girl looking at us?

Here.  I'll crop it for you. 

When she realized it was us!

The family pic.

Zoe's first dance partner.

Zoe's first group.

Taking a break.

Dance partner #2.

This guy was so sweet with her.

More dancing.

Patty Cake counts as dancing.

And then this group found her and this they were so fantastic!

What?  Time to Go?

There are precious few places where Zoe is allowed to be completely herself in a safe and fun environment.  We spend so much time saying, "Stay here."  "Don't touch", etc.  This was awesome for her, and I'm grateful to the students and staff of Sprayberry.