fun in the sun

Guess where we are...

Friends and family -
One of my best friends Erika, Gabriel and Erika's son will

My friend Michelle's son Samuel and Isabella

Michelle's Daughter Adri and Gabriel

Grandma and Gabriel

Grandma and Isabella


Gabriel's photo taking skills -



Meijer Garden - 





The kids - 





The best picture of the day, Thank you Grandma!

cops and robbers

"Mom, you have got to be kidding me, cops are robbers...Get me out of this ridiculous outfit!"

"Don't you dare put him beside me!"

"Will somebody PLEASE save me from this craziness!"

"New Sheriff, more like always a pain in my backside!"

"Jail?  Mom, you have to be kidding me.  Get me out of this stupid car seat, get that camera out of my face NOW!"


OUTTAKES

"Outtakes, what the heck is an outtake?"

"Haha, the kid is picking on Kitten now, lucky it isn't me!"

"Sometimes, he almost looks cute... if you squint you eyes up really good."

"OH, YA suck up to daddy.  I so have him wrapped around my finger.  You better watch out kid, I have plans!  BIG PLANS!"

"No, No, No, that is not a hint of a smile you see.  It is a smirk because I added some gas to the ozone!"

"Mom, you can't post pictures like that.  What will it do to my evil plans?  No more camera for you, one year!"

sunglasses

 






Target is my hero!  They had kids sunglasses for $1 each.  Both kids have yet to break through their first pair.  I bought each kid three pairs so they can play with them and I don't have to worry!

I always knew

I always knew

I always knew I wanted to help others. Throughout elementary school I saw my brother struggle with dyslexia. He was an outcast; he did not fit in because he was different. Teachers did not like him because he acted out due to not being able to understand what was going on in the classroom. Instead of helping him out some teachers would let him struggle to the point of frustration and acting out.

I always knew I was going to work with people who have special needs. In sixth grade, I would walk to the elementary school after I got out of school and assist in the SXI (Severely mentally impaired) classroom. I knew by the time I was in sixth grade that I wanted to grow up and be a special education teacher.

I always knew that the Special Olympics would play an important role in my life. When I was a freshman in high school I started helping out with the local Special Olympic Track and Field day. I looked forward to that day each and every year through high school. When I was in college I went back to coach several kids from the local middle school prepare for the Special Olympics.

I always knew I was going to be a special education teacher. From the time I was in sixth grade I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. While in high school, I would go to the special education math classroom when I was done with my work in my classes to help other students. When I was in college I got a job assisting a student in a TMI (Trainable Mentally Impaired) classroom.

I always knew I would make it. My junior year of high school I crashed while skiing and ended up with a Traumatic Brain Injury. I am not the same person I was before the accident; I will never be that person again. It took me a long time to accept that fact. This experience taught me several things. It gave me an inside look at what special education is. It taught me to be a stronger person. Things happen for a reason. I may not know the reason today but tomorrow it may make sense. I just have to take things one day at a time.

I always knew individuals with Down syndrome had a special place in my heart. From the first young girl I met with Down syndrome to today I have always enjoyed individuals with Down syndrome. While in college I became a part of a program called Best Buddies and it opened my eyes to Michigan’s educating its students with special needs until they are 25 years old. Best Buddies paired up college students with students in the post high school program. We took our buddy out on outings at least once a month though the school year. What an amazing experience!

I always knew I would love Gabriel no matter what. My son has designer genes. They will help to mold him into the little man he is but they do not restrict him from becoming an amazing young man and adult. Everything in my life up to this point has helped shape me into the person I am today and help prepare me for an amazing little boy!

I always knew everything happens for a reason!

family and the beach

Gabriel, Ashley and Alyssa


Gabe, Gabriel, Ashley and Alyssa

AJ, Gabriel and Ashley

Gabe and Isabella

Aunt Andrea and Gabe

Ashley and Gabriel

Ashley, Gabriel, Gabe and Isabella

Ashley and Gabriel


Gabe and Gabriel

Avery


Aunt Andrea and Gabriel (AJ in the hole)

AJ, Gabriel and Aunt Andrea

Isabella


Gabe and Gabriel

Gabriel