Andrew's Fourth Birthday

 Check out the very hungry caterpillar Daddy made for Dizzy!

 Four years old, not even awake yet

 Awake four year old

 Sweet new ride from Daddy & Mommy

 Monkey cupcakes Aunt Katie & Aunt Molly decorated for the boy.

 Shaving cream mountain fun

 Andrew had fun on the play set

 Tagye girls

 birthday monkey

birthday monkey

Family Photos

Our friend, Brandy, who took these photos for us knows about Steve's ice cream 'habit' & got him to pose for this picture.  Classic.

Black & White

Almost Four!

 I'm just learning how to use Steve's MacBook, since our Lenovo will no longer play nice.  Sorry it's been so long since the last update.  A few weeks ago, Steve brought home some sparklers & Andrew realy enjoyed them.  Hard to believe our boy is going to be four next week!  We're having the standard Shaving Cream Mountain party for any locals who are available 3pm on the 23rd.

In more good news, we just had family photos done (Thanks Brandy).  I'll upload some soon.

Pumpkin Fun

 Steve & I were just saying how these pictures make Andrew look so much older.  I guess he's growing up faster in real life than he does in our minds.

 The story is he got his shirt wet (spilling someone's drink) & I didn't have a spare.

 And then I just thought he looked so cute & the lighting was nice.

 Plus, chicks dig scars ; )

Today we went over to my sister's house for Isaiah's Pumpkin party & had lots of fun!

 Two-headed scarecrow

 Scarecrow Dizzy

There were too many scarecrow pictures to put them all on the blog.

Pretty much one of everyone.  Such a cute idea.

 Andrew will always go to Steven, no matter how long it's been since they've seen each other.

 thinking...

 Emma & Molly as twins.

 The pumpkin decorating table

 Hannah & Andrew out in the back room with the Just Dance Wii party.

 Mia's ladybug face

 Andrew didn't bob for apples, but had plenty of fun playing with them.

Katie's niece making her cute entry way even cutier.

Our Sweet Boy

Helping Daddy study
Helping Mommy with the dishes

Sierra & Andrew

Yesterday we went up to Daytona beach to visit Mimi & Poppy (or Popeye as Andrew calls him : ) on their vacation. We had fun at the beach & in the pool. Andrew really enjoyed the view & the company behind the curtains.

Savannah & Andrew

Today @ Machie & Papa's house Andrew climbed right up on Uncle Mike's lap to chill.

Andrew in his survivor's red cap from the Heart Walk last weekend.

Upcoming Events

Andrew in his survivor's red cap after last year's Heart Walk.

This will be our fourth year participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk with APH CHD support group, Precious Little Hearts of Central Florida. It's coming up soon, on September 17th. It's always great to see Andrew's Heart friends while raising awareness for the #1 birth defect (congenital heart defects). As a survivor of both heart disease & stroke, Andrew feels it's important to stay involved in supporting care of others who face the challenges of heart disease & stroke.

Andrew is also passionate about supporting Children's Miracle Network as Greater Orlando CMN supports his first home, Arnold Palmer Hospital as well as Shands Hospital for Children. Last year CMN gave the APH Cardiovascular Pediatric ICU an awesome makeover. Of course, if you just keep your eyes open & walk through APH you will see the evidence of CMN's support all over! Like last year, we have started our own team - Miracle Heart - & would love as many locals to join as are able. The Troch Relay in Orlando includes a 5K walk (we will be doing), a 15 mile walk, an 80 mile cycle & a 220 mile motorcycle run. All happen on November 12th.

If you would like to make a donation or join our team, please click on the respective link to the left under the heading upcoming events. Thanks for the ongoing love & support!

Changes

The front of Steve's new school, Reformed Theological Seminary

(Steve & Andrew are standing in the shadow)

It's actually right across the street from Tommy & Molly's neighborhood. Steve started in the beginning of August with a 3 week course & is now 2 weeks into the regular fall semester. We are really excited about this opportunity & eager to see what the Lord makes of it all : )

Steve making a beeline to show us the library - no surprise.
Andrew snuggled up with Aunt Stacie for fight night.

Daddy's big helper

Not a baby anymore, but still super cute in his sleep.

Andrew is doing very well. Healthy & learning all kinds of new things. He knows his numbers to 10, knows most of his shapes & colors, learning letters & animals. We recently discovered he hums twinkle twinkle little star. He is saying more words & just last night he asked for the iPad by looking at me & saying iPad. Usually he would let us know nonverbally that he wanted something & then we would make him say the word (or at least try to say it). So it was a big deal that he used his word to communicate what he wanted without prompting - all very exciting! He is still the sweetest boy ever & we are still crazy about him. We are very blessed to have Mimi (Aunt Sue), Machie (my mom) & now Aunt Jessica helping us take care of him the 3 days Steve is in school. God takes such good care of us!