Autism Walk and Family in KC

We made a trip back to Kansas City in the fall to be with my sister and my niece for the Autism walk.  I feel guilty about not being around more often to help my sister and we wanted her to know that we will be there for her anytime that she needs us. 

 

 

It was impossible to get a photo of Savannah and Avery...

 

My mom and dad both mad the trip also so it was awesome to have our entire family in the same place for a few days. 

 

Avery's team had a great turn out at the walk! Max's family came and one of my closest friends from college also came with her two girls.

 

The kids loved playing on all of the obstacle courses and being together. 

 

We had lots of cousin time after the walk and spent the afternoon at the KC Pumpkin Patch. 

 

The kids had an absolute ball.  It was so fun to watch them play all together. 

 

Weekends like this make me really miss Kansas and my family. 

There's no place like home. 

Tele

Max and I had been kicking around the idea of getting a puppy for about a year now.  Savannah is a TOTAL animal lover and started talking non-stop about wanting a dog. 

 

We'd been looking on rescue websites and at different dog breeds and decided to go to an adoption fair to look at some Australian Shepherd puppies that reminded us of Marti. 

 

My plans changed instantly after arriving at the adoption center and seeing this sad little girl lying in her cage.  She was not in the puppy section.  She was a "teen" dog they said.  Very shy, hesitant of people, but gentle and from what they could tell very patient with children. 

 

"She's crate trained, house trained, and sleeps through the night," her foster mother said. 

We never even held a puppy...... my mind was made up. 

 

I wanted this dog. 

 

There were only two things

1.) We needed to be sure that she was gentle with the kids

2.) Her name was Chell and they had nicknamed her Shelly Girl

 

 

 

We took Shelly Girl for a walk and determined that she was very patient with the kids and that she had a great demeanor about her.  I loved her gentle spirit.  Max was still unsure, but said that he trusted my judgment and that I could make the call. 

 

And just like that Shelly Girl became TELE and a part of our family! 

 

She instantly warmed up to us.  She must have liked her new name and having a back yard to play fetch in. 

Savannah still reads to Tele every day!

Tele loves to lay in the back room and be wherever the kids are. 

 

It's so amazing to have the love and energy of a dog in our home again. 

Welcome home Tele! We love you. 

SCKCEE Scamper

Chance started pre-school at Stephen Knight Center for Early Education this year. 

One of their annual fundraisers is called the SKCEE Scamper.  

 

 

 

They did a health and wellness unit and then challenged all of the kids to raise money for school programs from their friends and family.  The kids had a goal of running/walking one mile. 

 

I'm not surprised that our little man ran the entire thing!

 

What a champ!

 

 

Well done Ms. Gayla's class.  You made us all proud.