Golf Outing

While I was in Boston for work, Nick took the boys (and Will) up to Modesto to spend time with the grandparents. While they were there, they hit the Golf course with Jack. Good job, Nick, for getting Jack a big hat to block the sun!

Not sure about his form here...looks like he's raking the grass, rather than golfing...

Definitely an underage driver!!

Summer Update

It's been a fun summer, and the boys are doing great!

Here's Jack enjoying a lazy Sunday in his pajamas. He's found a nice little perch on top of the couch- perfect for lounging!
Luke has figured out the "army crawl," and we've come to terms that our little man is now mobile. He's scooting pretty well, and can go from room to room. He's gotten up on all fours a couple of times, but hasn't figured out what to do from there. He loves his new freedom and independence, and is causing Jack all sorts of angst since he can now get to Jack's toys. Jack is learning to share with his little brother, and does try to find a toy for Luke to play with (always one Jack does NOT want to play with!). His plot is working for now, but it won't be long before Luke won't be so easily distracted from getting to Jack's animals or cars.

Here's Luke playing on the floor. The ball in the background is great- it rolls on its own, has flashing lights and sings to Luke (thanks Aunt Tammy and Uncle David!) Luke loves to chase it around, and that keeps us entertained, as well!

Luke is also sitting up! Here are Jack and Luke playing together. Such big boys!

Luke started swim lessons! Babies have natural swimming ability, and it's been fun to watch him. He's does great, as long as he's not hungry (I had to apologize to Scott for giving him a hungry baby one week- Luke was NOT happy and basically screamed the entire time. Oops!)

Here's our little fish! Jack is doing GREAT with his swimming!!! He's started to use "big arms" to swim!

Here's Luke on the move!

Here are the boys sharing a bath. It's so much fun now that Luke can sit up, although he is a BIG splasher. He cracks himself up every night!

Update on prayer list

Many of you have asked for an update on our friends for whom we've been praying. Thank you to everyone who has been praying along with us.

No update on Tom DuBransky. Please just keep the prayers coming.

Reese Stewart has finished his chemo. Unfortunately, one of the chemo meds started to damage his lung function, so the doctors stopped that treatment. They have assured the family that his prognosis is still good, even without this part of the chemo. Understandably, Reese is pretty beat right now and is not feeling his best. Please pray that his strength returns soon, that the pain subsides and that the cancer is gone for good!

We've had a lot of inquiries about little Luke Massey. Rather than try to paraphrase, here's an update right from the family:

"Luke was in PICU for 2 weeks and (now 2 weeks ago!) was transferred to the rehab unit to begin working with Physical and Occupational therapy. He has been doing very well in recovering his basic functions, he is breathing, eating, smiling, holding his own head, using his left side very well, and starting to utilize his right a bit, and learning to sit on his own again. He did go back into surgery tonight to have a shunt put in to drain some excess fluid that he had accumulated. He did great with that and so we will continue with inpatient rehab here in Fresno for probably another week or so before going home if all goes well. We won't quite know the extent of his injury for a while yet, as he is so young and in the scheme of things hasn't learn much as he had just mastered crawling, so it will be quite a while before we know where he may have challenges. He is already surpassing what Doctors expected of him, so we will keep pushing him to continue exceeding expectations! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, and as we have more updates we will try to get them out in a timely manner!"

Here's Luke Massey after emergency surgery

4 weeks and another surgery later. What a miracle!

Please join us in our continued prayers that Luke has a full and complete recovery!

Thank you, friends! We feel your love and support as you pray alongside us. God bless you all!

Bike Ride

It was such a nice day today, so we decided to take the boys on a bike ride...

Who's in that trailer?
Jack to Luke: "I've ridden with Daddy before. You'd better hold on!"

"Where are you taking us?"

Wedding Weekend

Nick's sister, Tiffany, and Will were married this weekend. We had a great time with family and friends all weekend long. It was a beautiful wedding and we are so happy for Tiff and Will. Jack was in the wedding and after some coaching, coaxing, and bribing, he made it down the aisle on his second attempt (had a false start after making it halfway on his first attempt. As expected, when he looked up and realized all eyes were on him, he turned right around and ran back to Nick. On try number two, he ran to me. It was very cute, and he was so proud of himself (and excited that he would get the promised prize of Spiderman!)

Me and Nick at the reception.
Nick's Godmother, Terri, Tiffany, and Uncle David

Nick with his Godparents, Uncle David and Terri

Steve and Shawn busting some fine moves!!! This is a rare sighting of Shawn on the dance floor. We had to capture it on film to prove that it occured!

Father/Daughter dance

Julie and Shawn sharing a sweet moment.

First Dance for the newlyweds!

What a beautiful cake!

How cute! Jack, Nathan and Olivia

Me and Jack

Nick and Jack

Uncle Will (the Groom) and Jack

Practicing for the ceremony

Uncle David and Luke

The Gisler Family- Nick, Luke, Jack and Mona

Aunt Leah and Jack

Aunt Leah, Jack and Nana

Cool Gift!

Jack got a great present from Auntie Tiffany and Uncle Will for being in their wedding. He is so excited about his new backpack for school, and he fills it up with all sorts of goodies!

What a big boy!

Here he is stuffing his backpack with all sorts of explorer tools- magnifying glass, shovel, bug collector, flashlight, and binoculars!

Little Luke

Here's a video of Luke having some "tummy time." He's pushing up really well- it won't be long until he's scooting around. He's not sitting up yet...he can do it for a few seconds, but he likes to lean back which doesn't make it easy to sit. He loves to babble- he has a lot to say!!