Rome

Ellie wins "Tourist of the Year" award!  She did great (as long as we kept moving) during the hours and hours and hours and hours of walking we did in Rome last week.  Tim and Rachel (and Joy) showed us a fabulous time.  Even Vicki being laid up in bed with a bad back for two days was not able to steal the wonder  of experiencing this amazing city!  And as content as Ellie was to be pushed in the stroller that the Uthmanns loaned us, she always expressed great delight when we returned to the hotel.

Ellie, Matthew, and Daddy

Matthew Cami is the 6-month-old son of our dear friends and co-workers Kate and Ilir. Many prayed for a very long time for Matthew's arrival on our planet, so we are thrilled he is here and happy that he and Ellie seem to be getting along so well...

Miscellaneous from Last 3 months

Kendra's Wedding





















Kendra's Wedding

Happy with Gram and Grandad!
















Happy with Grandma and Grandpa!

Grandparents Together!




















I'm THREE! (April 10, 2009)

















Fun with with family!
















Birthdays can make me tired!





















It looks like she's happy to "flip us a bird"

















"Susie Sunshine"


















Ellie the Snake Killer

Wedding Day--June 13, 2009

Uncle Mark loves Ellie!













Our oldest daughter Kendra was married on June 13, 2009. Our youngest daughter Ellie was the flower girl. Although Ellie had a mostly good day, she wasn't terribly cooperative for the photos. We are still waiting for the professional pics, but here a few amateur shots until we get some better ones.

















Mommy gives the flower girl a pep talk

Aunt Dana and Gram love Ellie too!

Flower Girl(s)

Ellie Update Feb. 2009

Sorry for the delayed update!

* The results of Ellie's blood tests in Nov. (which we learned in late January)showed no problems to worry about

* Her head size seems to be within the range of "normal" on the Asian charts

* We are currently taking her to a Christian reflexologist who has helped several of our friends, and is teaching us how to do the therapy ourselves at home

* Between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and reflexology therapy we are currently taking her to 6 therapy sessions a week (outside the home)

* Everyone comments these days on how much she is growing

* Her sleep habits are goofy again. Some of these pictures show her falling asleep while eating or watching videos.

* We also continue to do therapy in the home, scheduled and spontaneous. The last photo here shows her in part of her exerise routine on the gym ball, resting her head on the dog who loves to be nearby at exercise time. I hope in the near future to post photos/video of parts of her exercise routine.

Christmas Sunshine!

I know that 3 of these photos are almost the same, but I just could not choose the best one so I added them all!

Movement and Light

Last month our dear friend Cyndi Karnoscak visited us and took some pics of Ellie. In some ways they captured the "essence of Ellie"--especially in the areas of her constant movement and the light she radiates with her smile.