Winter Storm

Here are some pictures from the recent blizzard that hit Grand Rapids. Calvin closed, so we had Adam home for a day during the week, which made us all happy. The boys have enjoyed making tunnels and forts in the big drifts.

Feeling Better

Ellie has been sick for over 2 weeks, starting the week before Christmas. It was just a cold, but a long illness nonetheless. So you can imagine or relief and happiness that she is finally better. I think she is really happy about that too!

New Family Pictures

This fall, our dear friend Kristin took some family photos for us. They turned out great :) Thanks Kristin!

more pics here

Hearing Therapy

Ellie has failed every hearing test and is labelled "legally deaf". She is on the registry of blind and deaf children in Michigan. We, of course, never bought that. We know that her brain does not always process stimuli correctly or quickly, but she can definitely see and hear.

In this video, Ellie surprises the audiologist. When she hears the noise she breaks into a huge smile. Who you calling legally deaf?

Winter is here

The boys are thoroughly enjoying it.

All dressed up...

For the church Christmas party. Her first princess dress, and she rocked it!

Ellie's Therapy

Ellie has been making "great" steps in therapy this fall. I put great in quotes because they are huge to us, but to the outside world may seem like nothing.

One thing that we are working on with her is using her hands to play and also to communicate. She has a "switch toy" that is a light-up toy operated by a switch that she touches. She is getting really good at it and also shows her joy and pride in her accomplishment.

This is important because if she can use a switch to play, it could move into using a switch to communicate and do even more sophisticated things. She could push a button for yes or no or even play computer games.

Here is the video: