Holland Beach

Today we drove to the beach in Holland, MI. The water in lake Michigan was freezing but that didn't stop Emma and Joe from swimming for about an hour.

NEW DATE FOR BUDDY WALK!

The annual CADSA (capitol area Down syndrome association) Buddy Walk will be SUNDAY afternoon September 27 at Potter Park Zoo. Sorry about the confusion we had to change the day and location. Everyone is invited to be on Team Joe. I'll post more information as we get closer to the event. Please plan to join us!

Blueberry Picking

Joe on the move

Joe's big milestone this summer is riding a bike with training wheels. He loves his red bike and is very motivated to ride it around the neighborhood and especially to the playground.

Last T-ball Game of the Season

Emma reaching for the polar bear

Joe cracking us up on the train.

Detroit Zoo

We went to the Detroit Zoo with the Dickert-Conlin family today.
Charlie, Daniel, Molly, Joe & Emma on the train to the other end of the zoo.

Sticking tongues out (except Joe) like giraffes.

Joe feeding a baby giraffe apple slices. He took a bit after the giraffe.

Emma feeding the baby giraffe.

Emma and Daniel watching polar bears swim over their heads.

Prairie dog exhibit. Behind this dog is a place where kids can look up and see the world like a prairie dog.

Prairie dog Emma. Joe did this but he was too short to pop up and see.

4th of July Weekend

Cousins visit

Amy, David, Emma & Joe

Last week David and Kamila visited from NYC while Chris was in Rome. While they were here we took a day trip to Saugatuck. This photo was taken at the top of a very high hill overlooking the lake harbor.

Kennedy-Brownbeck Bill

NDSS and NDSC Applaud Funding for Kennedy-Brownback Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) commend the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for providing funding to implement the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act (also known as the Kennedy-Brownback bill in honor of the two Senators who originally championed it).The passage of this important legislation was an extremely high priority for NDSS and NDSC, the original sponsors of the bill in the Senate and the leadership of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus. After an extensive advocacy effort, including visits to Capitol Hill by individuals with Down syndrome and their families, the bill was signed into law by former President Bush on October 8, 2008. However, it did not come with any Congressional appropriations to enact the recommendations. Now, MCHB has dedicated $820,000 in funding for each of the next four years. The funding will be awarded through a federal grant process. Eligible groups--which include hospitals, disability groups, governmental agencies, etc.--are encouraged to apply for the funding in a competitive application. One "applicant" will receive the funding. Although according to the terms of the grant, single disability organizations cannot be the "lead" grantee in the proposal, NDSS and NDSC are partnering with other disability organizations to submit one proposal as a combined "applicant." By the end of the year, an announcement will be made on which applicant wins the competition and receives the funding.