Camping in November too?!

Ok, you got me, it was actually the first week of September! :)

We had so much fun camping earlier in the summer, that we went again and stayed for a few days longer during the week this time. This time, we chos Hospitality Creek and loved it!!

Emily was able to stay with us in the afternoons, evenings, and overnights, but got to go home and relax with her nurses during the day. This also kept her away from the mosquitoes and bees!

Our set-up: the pop-up camper, the corral (playyard with extra panels to enclose a play area for the little ones), and the picnic table with canopy. Looks good, eh?

Cozying up by the fire - Drew and Daddy

Mommy and Drew

(more pics of the campfire below - issues moving pics.)

The campground had a very large lake area with a shallow spot perfect for the kids. They loved the low dock, the climbing turtle, and tunnel slide. Maybe next year Drew will attempt the BIG tunnel slide and rope swing!

(more pics of the lake below - I couldn't get these in order and I've run out of time!!!!!)

They also had an amazing activity pool that we enjoyed everyday. It had zero entry all around one end where Carter and Brenna spent most of their time playing with the sprayers. The deeper area had some water guns and a lily pad course that Drew got to play on. So fun!!!!

More from the lake

Campfire pics of Drew and his cool clip on hat light and sweet little camper Em :)

Having some relaxing playtime at the campsite with Play-Doh (and we didn't have to worry about cleaning up the crumbs!!) We also brought that picnic table from home, it collapses and we strapped it to the roof of the VUE!!

There were several playgrounds to choose from, this one in the back of the campground was perfect for our gang.

We really had a great time!

The Boardwalk in November?!

Actually, we went to the boardwalk in August, but I'm just that far behind with posting the pictures!

Before school started, Gee and I decided to take Carter, Brenna, and Drew to the boardwalk to use up some amusement park tickets. Emily stayed at home with her nurse since we were going to be so active that day.

First, we stopped to enjoy some apple cider donuts. YUM!

I HAD to step on the beach, and Drew didn't mind posing for me. :)

Bumper Cars were the first choice for Drew.


Brenna was so thrilled with this race car ride, it was hysterical watching her! I posted a video of them on Facebook back in August, you really have to see and hear them in action to appreciate the full experience!



They had an "Emily" boat, but we couldn't get it fast enough! :(

Enjoying some lunch after all the fun - Carter

Brenna

Drew

We're the featured blogger!!!!

I'm so excited to say that We Could Not Ask for More is the feature Blog today at Multiples and More!

You can check out the interview I gave at the link above. :)

Steps for Seizures - Team Emily!!

It was a beautiful day for a walk on Saturday. Our friends and one of Emily's nurses walked with us. We were so happy to see so many people there to support the cause. We got to meet Shelby, Clayton's Mom as we started the walk too.

We would like to thank everyone who donated again for all of your generosity with donations. We ended up giving over $1400.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Emily

Drew, sporting his Steps 4 Seizures t shirt!

Team Emily in action :)


Go Team Emily!

Mr. and Mrs. G. times 2!

In My Daughter's Eyes

It's been a long while since I've sung publicly, but I felt it was a worthwhile time to share... I recorded In My Daughter's Eyes with some new lyrics in my brother's studio(Thanks, Mark) and created a slideshow of Emily in honor of our Steps For Seizures Walk tomorrow. We raised $1,375 for Clayton's Hope (Thanks, Everyone) and are endlessly proud of our little girl and how she has changed our lives.

I hope you'll take 3 minutes to watch and listen to this tribute.

2009 Steps for Seizures - Team Emily

**We have received more than $700.00 so far! We'll be accepting donations until the day before the walk. Thank you again to everyone for your kindness and generosity!**

As many of you are aware, Emily began having seizures, known as infantile spasms, when she was just four months old. Her spasms were uncontrolled except for short periods of time with various medications for nearly fifteen months. During that time, Emily made progress, but it was very limited. Emily is now on the ketogenic diet, which is keeping her seizures under the best control they have ever been. She has had long periods of seizure freedom, going for weeks and even months without a spasm. Since starting the diet, she has also been progressing with her physical development, and is now rolling, holding her head up, smiling and laughing, and even eating some by mouth again at 2 years old.

But Emily’s battle with epilepsy is not over. She has had some breakthrough spasms on and off and will most likely suffer from some type of seizure for the rest of her life. After speaking with Clayton’s mother, we were encouraged to learn that the money raised by Clayton’s Hope (a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization) will be used towards funding a study at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as to how the adrenal gland plays a role in seizure management and control and, in turn, what medications will break the brain barrier and work on the adrenal gland's mechanisms.

We believe in the incredible doctors and researchers at Children’s Hospital and look forward to walking with Emily in the 2009 Steps for Seizures Walk on November 7, 2009, at Washington Lake Park.

We are hoping our friends and family both near and far are willing to help us raise money for the walk by donating to this cause. We also would like to invite anyone else who wants to walk with us on the 7th. If you are able, please let us know as soon as possible.

With our sincere thanks,
Geoff and Aimee Gollihur

You can email me for our address to send your donation.

Please make checks payable to: Clayton's Hope

http://www.claytonshope.org/

Intimidation

Manwich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hofH02FKunc



Drew is a bit picky when it comes to trying new foods, so we gave this 20 year old slogan and his love for the media attention a try. He did indeed enjoy his first Manwich.

"One Short Day in the Emerald City"

On August 21st, Gee-off and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! With the help of some friends who were kind enough to watch the kids all day and into the evening, we spent our special day in New York City and got to see Wicked! We had been trying to see the show for years but it never worked out. While waiting, I read the book and memorized the soundtrack. In fact, I listen to it so much in the car that even Drew frequently requests it. :)

We drove up early and had time to walk around and have some lunch. We shared a HUGE sandwich at a deli for lunch and then it was showtime! We got yelled at for taking this picture in the theater. Ooops.

Or maybe she yelled at us for this one. ;)

A nice family took our picture in front of the dragon clock.

Times Square

This our traditional "take our own picture" shot.

We're still smiling after 10 years! I'm so happy to have such a great hubby. Thanks for asking me to marry you so so long ago! I love you!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Carter, Brenna, and Emily!!!

I realize that everyone says this, but how did this happen?? 2 YEARS have gone by since the day I gave birth to these three amazing babies. We welcomed them into the world at 8:44, 8:45, and 8:46 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2007. It's a day we'll never forget. Drew officially became a big brother, and we became the proud parents of four. :)

Now they are 2!

When we came home from Maine, we had a party in their honor with the Gollihur side of the family.

The big two year olds with Mommy

Sweet little cupcake, Emily

Fun with tissue paper and a picnic table ;)

Brothers coloring - awwww!

"Bday" girl Brenna

(who loved the balloon so much that she ran back and forth at least 20 times saying

"Mommy, buh-fly, bayoon, WOW!")