Photos

Here are the pictures that wouldn't fit with my wordy post:

Chapter Next

Even with the temp in the high 90s, it feels like summer is coming to an end. We did as much back-to-school shopping as Hannah could tolerate ( three t-shirts and a whole lot of binders and college-ruled notebook paper) today. We had a great, rowdy dinner with the whole gang last night. Ashlie was a trooper even though she feared that smelling Dave's spicy jambalaya would not sit well with the all-day morning sickness she hopes will go away soon. For those of you who haven't heard, they are expecting another baby in April. To keep tabs on them, check out their very cute family blog at http://midgetfamily.blogspot.com. They have moved into their first home in a great, family friendly community called Daybreak. Benj told us that the other day he was out walking and a neighbor stopped him and said, "Oh, I know you, you are our new neighbors...the Munchkins, isn't it?" Bet none of you Midgets have ever heard that before. Ha!

We want to thank all of you who hosted Hannah on her Midwest journey this summer. She had a great time and it was such a boost to her independence. Thank you Laurie, Leslie, Chris, Eric, Tony, MacKenzie, Brady, Sherry, Dale, Grandma, Grandpa for showing her such a great time. She would like all of you, especially Laurie, to plan a trip out soon so she can return the

favor.

I also want to thank you for your support during my dad's crisis. Turns out he had pneumonia and a huge infection between his lung and chest wall. My older sister and I were there as the doctors tried to treat it with antibiotics. They finally decided surgery was the only option, and by that time he was so weak, it really scared us. They took him to surgery with a crash cart on the bed, just in case. And true to Stew Rose form, he was sitting up eating scrambled eggs and drinking coffee in the ICU the next morning. He spent another week and a half in the hospital but is now home and pretty stable, considering.

David survived the ribbon-cutting ceremony and related activities for the new Park City hospital. Yeah! It was a big deal. And in case any of you are wondering, the Model Healthcare System President Barack Obama has been praising ALOT lately, is indeed, David's healthcare system, Intermountain Healthcare. Obama mentioned the system by name in a recent address and just sent the Office of Management and Budget to town to learn how they do what they do so well. Woo-hoo!

Happy Boy!

As you can see-Skyler is doing great these days!!! He started daycare this week, they lost the neighbor who had been babysitting due to illness requiring her to take some time off ,and one week before school! Sara and Chris are not convinced that a daycare is a great option-they think he will not get all of the attention he needs....I keep assuring them that he will be OK, but I don't think they believe me!! How could anyone not pay attention to such a sweet boy???

This will be Sara's senior year, on schedule to graduate in May with her Marketing degree. Who knows where they will go from there? I am enjoying spending as much time with them as I can!

First Day of School

Not sure who was more excited today, the kids or their Dad. Both report their day was GREAT! We are old enough to be the parents of Kenzie's teacher (which she thinks is extraordinarily cool.) Brady's room is chock full of boys who love sports. Luckily, his teacher is the mom of three boys and can talk trash with the best of them. You can't see the back of his new Hawkeye shirt but it is shamefully disrespectful to the Illini. He was placed in the Talented & Gifted program this year and once again is in class with the cute little blonde who gives him his competition in math. Gotta love Kenzie's style, huh? Makes her father quake with fear.

Football Sundays here we come!

Here is our new little Packer!

Tomorrow e Begin Again....

Dale and I begin another school year bright and early tomorrow morning as we face those sweet adorable faces to start a brand new school year (they're always adorable and sweet at the beginning of the year!!). I have sixteen younguns to teach and he has a full bus comin and agoin...he'll also teach 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade computer classes (WOW!!!)
It was a fast summer for us, too. Big trips to Memphis and Chicago and short ones to KC and Des Moines. We really enjoyed seeing Hannah and eating all that scrumptious food--the genes really showed up with her cooking abilities.
We're on a wait list now to hear when Dale is having his surgery....we're suppose to find out on the 15th unless there is a cancellation and we can see the surgeon earlier. We'll certainly be glad when this is over....hopefully, the numbness in his arms and hands will disappear!!!
Keep those pictures coming....Grandma and Grandpa REALLY, REALLY enjoy looking at them.
Congrats to Ben and family....hopefully, you'll be able to introduce everyone to Grandma and Grandpa soon.
Have a great school year everyone.
Love, Sherry and Dale

Where did it go?

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Wow! The summer was a blur of activity for the Held's. Tomorrow we pay our annual homage to the butter cow at the Iowa State Fair marking the last of our summer events before school starts. Here are some highlights:
JUNE- Brady turned 9 with his first sleepover. Then he got MVP of his team at the Drake University basketball camp. His Memorial Day broken nose didn't stop him from pitching his way onto the All-County Team. Meanwhile, mom hosted 400 for Alumni Weekend. JULY- Mom welcomed 30,000 for RAGBRAI (HUGE bike ride that sayed overnight in Indy & many at the college.) Thanks to Sherry, Dale & Laurie for volunteering & kid patrol! Then mom rounded up 35 TriDelta friends for a sleepover reunion at the house. AUGUST- brought the balloons and a visit from Hannah Rose, mom & dad & Sherry & Dale. By day 2 of 5am balloon crewing, Hannah was falling asleep at the kitchen counter. But she caught a ride! AUGUST 8th- Eric gets the long awaited SBA approval to purchase Bob's Custom Trophies! WOO HOOO!! He met the staff today and it's a 2-4 of weeks of paperwork before we change hands. And Kenzie? She took a well-deserved break from tumbling & tried Tae Kwon Do with Laurie. She went back to the gym today for a clinic & starts up at the end of August. The new coach is big on skills- she had to do back handsprings over a barrel. The back to school shopping is D-O-N-E & we are ready!! FALL? School starts for three of us. Brady starts his first tackle football team. Kenzie gears up at the gym. Eric plans to resign as Mr. Mom. Dang. Guess I had better re-discover the laundry room. Love to all of you!