Today is Ashley's 10th Birthday! DOUBLE DIGITS - Can you even believe it?!
We're recovering from a tornado of activity since just before Thanksgiving.
Our whole family visited China for THREE WEEKS to bring home Ashley's new little brother Zachary. She's taken a lead role in being the ONLY Big Sister and has really bonded with Zachary. The trip was exciting and exhausting, and was a wonderful experience that we shared with Aunt Meg and Uncle Curt.
Then, just after we returned it seemed like everyone took turns getting sick! Dad was in the ER for about 5 hours, due to dehydration and lower lobe right side Pneumonia! Then, it was Mom's turn... What a week and a half!
Just as Zachary was getting used to being home, we traveled to Michigan to visit Grandma and Poppa Wedder for our traditional Christmas in Grand Rapids. The trip was smooth but, again this year, there was no snow! The kids were getting a touch of cabin fever, so we tried to get out and be active as much as we could.
We drove home on Sunday, and recovered yesterday. The we had some New Year's Eve fun at the Marshall's annual NYE party. We had to bail before the turn of Midnight though because the little ones were winding down.
Today, the Birthday Girl had a very good day. She was cheerful and pleasant and really wanted to savor every moment as the center of attention! For Breakfast, we made Belgian Waffles on her new waffle maker that Santa brought. We visited Grandmom and Pop-Pop in Philadelphia so they could meet Zachary. And Ashley picked out an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, and everyone enjoyed a big piece after we sang Happy Birthday. All in all, a good day.
As she heads back to school tomorrow, Ashley starts her second half of 4th Grade. She enjoys her teacher Mrs. Irish, and she's made new friends this year, too. Her health has been great ever since her reversal surgery, and she's managing herself well. She's getting to know her body and how to understand what it's telling her.
Zachary's Travel Blog has a ton of Photos and Stories of our trip.
Here are a few additional photos...
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| It's a LONG way to Michigan!! |
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| Christmas Morning |
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| At the Lake at Grandma's House - not quite Frozen! |
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| One of our Cabin-Fever reducing walks around the neighborhood! |
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| Cousin Logan and his new workout! |
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| Ashley's FAVORITE Cousin, Paityn. |
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| With all of the MI Cousins |
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| Downing our Hot Chocolates at Biggby's |
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| Zachary's First Visit to Grandmom and Pop-Pop's in Philadelphia |
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| 10 Candles!! |
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| Zachary LOVED singing Happy Birthday! |
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| QUICK, before the Smoke Alarm goes off!!! |
Happy Birthday, Ashley!! From all of us...
We Love You Very Much!
