Fathers Day

                                                          

                           

               
                        For Fathers day we went to Yogi Bears Jellystone. It was so fun!
                                                                   -Molly

First Lost

I looked at my baby smile one last time. I started to pull it out and it got bloody then I took a drink. Then I pulled it out. And I surprised my mom and dad. 

Rare

Meet Noah - he's all sorts of awesome. 

Click Here

Today, on World Rare Disease Day, Noah Coughlan set off from New York City on a cross country run to bring awareness to the 7,000 known rare diseases that are stealing the lives of children. 

While most of can't imagine running across the country to raise awareness of these diseases there is something that each of us can do. If moved, you can always donate especially to research as these rare diseases do not get the pharmaceutical backing that other wide-spread diseases do because it is not a profitable investment. If your budget doesn't allow for donations please, at least, share Noah's journey.

Note: I thought I posted this yesterday (on the actual World Rare Disease Day) but it seems we experiences some technical difficulties. Oh well a day late is better than never. 

Winter Blahs - Not Here

Many people were hopeful that the groundhog did not see his shadow and this season that chilled their bones would retreat. I, on the other hand, love winter. Yep I said it. I love winter.

I love that there's new things to play outside - why not turn the swing set slide into a snow hill? I love that the evenings get dark sooner which usually means an earlier bedtime and quite possibly more hours reading for Mom. Winter also means less pressure to DO; many winter evenings in the Wendel house are spent around the kitchen table playing games.

I love winter.

Christmas Morning by Molly

presents!

the girl of  the year from American girl!

and now it is Alec's turn

 s

he is not exsidid (excited)

mommy got wipes for Christmas

my dad and his dad

the end!!!!!

Living, laughing, and loving

I've been negligent on posting because we've been having so much fun living! Hopefully a few pictures will make up for our absence.

School Has Started

My mom always drew a smiley face on the first day of school on the calendar that hung in our kitchen. And maybe if I had 8 kids I would also be excited for them to head back to school but as an educator their return also means my return and this summer was so awesome I dreaded this day. 

In addition to starting new schools, this year has brought about new experiences for both Alec and Molly. Alec has learned to drive a zero-turn mower, resigned from his first job, and finally found something he liked in the cafeteria! Molly has tumbled out of the bus seat, made lots of new friends, and is slowly adjusting to waking up at 6:30am! 

If the first week of school is any indication of how this year is going to go we are in for lots of smiles and many proud moments.