Abracadabra!

Retta has cast a spell on us....We can't help but LOVE this CUTIE!

 

The friendliest witch you'll ever meet!

 

"Get in my Belly!"

We thought we'd let Retta hand out candy...until she started throwing it!

Dad had to rescue the chocolate from the bushes!

 

"Who needs a broom stick when you have a Dad?"

 

AMAZED at what a difference a year (and a heart surgery) can make!

 

 

 

Branford, Connecticut

"You dragged me all the way to Connecticut and all I get is a few pictures with a bunch of pumpkins!?!"

 

Our four day trip to Connecticut to attend Cousin Carolina's wedding was a whirlwind! After weeks of planning and packing - it flew by in a heartbeat! So fast, we didn't even have time to properly capture the amazing weekend.  We stayed in a 7 bedroom house that was over a hundred years old right on the water.  It had THE MOST breathtaking view of the ocean that I had ever seen!!! You could see on FOREVER!  We forgot Retta's sleep sheep; but not to worry...we opened the windows and listened to the natural music of waves rolling in and rain falling at night! I could have slept in 'till noon...but Va-cay with a baby means everyone is up at 6:00 AM!

 

There was LOTS of partying and celebrating...but I rounded up the troops and talked everyone into an orchard excursion that was taking place the town over.

Bishop's Orchard, Connecticut!

"Hey, don't I have a wedding to be at in two hours!"

"...But the pumpkins are so pretty!"

...And they taste good too!

Retta,  practicing her pageant waive!

The tree's were AMAZING in Connecticut!!! Neon green, bright orange, fuchsia, lipstick red and canary yellow (Dad's favorite Party City color)! We thought there were flowers in the trees!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Russell, Cousin Noah and Aunt Julia joined us on the last minute pumpkin adventure!

 

Our soon to come cousin was there with us too!

 

 

"Next year I want to play in the Hay Pin, make a scarecrow and ride the donkey!"

 

....We'll capture Retta in her fancy wedding attire this holiday season!

We had too much fun to pick up the camera!

 

Rainbow Birthday Party!

  

    It was truly a celebration as we reflected back on all the last year has brought us.  I couldn't help myself and had to create a little video to allow everyone a little peek into the roller coaster of emotions Retta has brought us.  It is just so amazing how God can heal a broken heart (literally) that was so full of anger and despair and fill it completely with joy and love!

I bored everyone at the party with this video...but I like it!

 

Retta fell asleep in all of the birthday commotion! 

So we went ahead and cut the big Rainbow Cake without her.  

When she woke up, she was well rested and ready to eat her personal, extra-large birthday cupcake!

 

"Where is my cake?"

Waaaaaa-la!

Cousins watching closely.

 

 

"YUM!!!!!!"

 

"Can I just enjoy myself Mom?"

 

 

We waited until Sunday morning to open presents...Retta was EXHAUSTED after the walk and party (so were we)!

And there were A LOT of presents!

 

Retta enjoyed the tissue paper the most!

 

Buzi was all about the wrapping paper action.

 

Look at these two hams...

Best Friends!

12 MONTHS OLD!!!!!!

Birthday dinner...on the 6th!

"I'M ONE!!!!"

Our Rainbow after the Storm!

Heavy rain and storms couldn't keep
Retta's Rainbow from shinning through!!!

 

 

Retta's First Buddy Walk was a success! We are BEYOND BLESSED to have the outreach and support from all of our faithful friends and family who traveled from far and far to spend the day with us and to kindly raise awareness about Down Syndrome in our society.

 

 Everyone who walked and/or donated made the day REALLY SPECIAL!

 

 

Thanks to everyones support....out of 240 teams registered for the walk...

Retta's Rainbow came in 5th!!! Which makes me feel VERY PROUD!!!
Retta is definitely ACCEPTED & LOVED!

Retta's Rainbow surpassed our first goal as well as our second goal - raising a total of $2,850.00 for the Down Syndrome association of South Texas!

The entire Buddy Walk raised a total of $169,950 which will fund the DSAST for its next year!
Which means Retta will have many more Kindermusic and Baby Sign classes, holiday parties and much more to look forward to!
 

And to top things off...Retta won a 3 night trip to Port Aransas!!!

( I'm glad Szymon was paying attention and ran up to the stage with Retta when they called her name. I just let out a big cheer and went on socializing; completely oblivious to what was going on!)
 The beach house looks AMAZING! We can't wait!

 

Retta's Boyfriend "Burke" along with parents and our good friends Olivia & Kieth

(whose team came in 3rd! - Go Burke's Best Buddies)!

 

Baby Persayus from pediatric heart surgeon - Dr. Kupferschmid's office!

 

Our friend Lindsey from HEB!  I think she is just beautiful!

 

Retta loves a Jaja with a mustache!

 

Cousin Noah getting into the rainbow spirit!

Grandpa, Uncle Brian and Grandma leading the Rainbow!

 

 

Even the babies came out in the rain sport'n rainbow and tie-dye! 

(Angie, Resse, Me, Retta, Austin and Nicole!)

 

...And, next year I will paint with water-proof paint!

Needless to say, we learned a lot from the whole experience...we already have big plans for next year!

Think - breakfast tailgate!!!