Sledding!

The Mighty Quinn

Brothers

Neighborhood sledding hill

Mommy and Quinn

Quinn and Sierra

We FINALLY got enough snow to go sledding in the empty lot next to our house! The neighbors kids were all out and the boys loved being able to get outside to play in the snow. It is supposed to be in the upper 40's/lower 50's next week, better enjoy the snow while you can!

Disney World 2012

The boys getting some face paint at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Meeting Minnie Mouse at Hollywood Studios

Waiting to meet Buzz and Woody

Meeting Mickey!

Quinn LOVED meeting Mickey Mouse!

We invaded Disney World at the end of January for our first "official" family vacation. The weather was wonderful and our 5 days went by way too fast. We can't wait to go back again!

Winter has come....I think

We actually had a chance to experience winter for a few days and the boys got get all their winter gear on. It takes about 20 minutes to get them all dressed, they stay outside for about 20 minutes, then it takes another 20 minutes to get them undressed and warmed up again!

Our "puppy" Quinn

Quinn likes to pretend that he is either a puppy or kitty usually at least one time a time. He likes to think that he can take over Bella's bed when he is in "puppy" mode. She doesn't think this is too cool....

WInter in MN???

Laura came out to have some fun with the boys one afternoon.

The weather has been absolutely AMAZING so far this January. We have been in the 40's and 50's consistently for the last few weeks and have almost NO SNOW on the ground. We purchased a Rainbow Play System and they were able to install in during the 1st week of January. The boys have been able to get plenty of outside playtime with the weather being so beautiful lately. We know this probably won't continue, but we will enjoy it while it does!

Making Progress - Quinn at PT

Quinn attends physical therapy 2 days a week at Gillette Childrens. We have been recently working on his gait (walking) pattern. He uses a walker to help him get around when he gets fatigued and works out on the treadmill to help him gain some strength. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful physical therapist!!

Merry Christmas

Bella got a new winter jacket - she loved it!

Santa came!

Happy boys!

We wish all our family and friends a Merry Christmas. May you find peace and joy!

Benjamin is 4!

The Big Birthday Boy!

Benjamin turned 4 on December 18! He had a baseball-themed birthday party and LOVED every minute of it. We had lots of family and some friends come to celebrate. I can't believe he is already 4, everyone told me how fast time would pass. He is becoming a sweet, loving, active little boy and there are still times that I wish I could freeze time and never let him grow-up. We love you Ben!!!

A Beatty Family Christmas

All the kids getting ready for Santa!

Ben isn't so afraid of Santa anymore, I think he realizes that the man bears gifts!

The best present I could ask for!

We had our annual Beatty Family Christmas party the weekend before Christmas. A big thanks to Chad and Cyndi for hosting it again this year. Great food, a visit from Santa, and all our favorite relatives makes for a great night!

Ben's Pre-school Christmas Program

We attended Ben's Pre-school Christmas program on December 15 at Word of Peace. He was so proud to stand up there and sing his songs. It was adorable and all the little ones sounded wonderful!

Santa!

The boys got to visit Santa on Sunday at Rosedale Mall. They were very excited while we were waiting in line but Quinn wasn't too sure once had to actually go sit with Santa. Thankfully we had his blankie with and that makes everything better! Ben asked for Mack from Cars and Quinn wanted another McQueen. They got to leave with candy canes and coloring books and they both told Santa Ho Ho Ho!

Family Game Time!

The boys had their first experience playing a board game with Mama and Daddy. It was a fierce competition but Daddy was the winner at the end. Everyone was happy - Quinn liked just moving his game piece anywhere on the board!

We're back!!

Go Wild!

The past year and a half have been beyond crazy and I had let the blog go for a little bit. I've decided it's time to come back - not everyone is on Facebook that we want to keep in touch with too!

Here is a quick recap of the past 18 months since my last post:

Ben will be 4 in December and started pre-school this September at our church. He LOVES it and likes his friends that he has made. He will be having a baseball-themed birthday party this December and CANNOT wait. Chris told him a few weeks ago that his birthday will be after the snow comes and now he gets excited EVERYTIME it snows. He is such a sweet boy and had a really tight bond with his Mama (Grandma Sharon). Just to clarify, he calls me Mommy and my mom is Mama. We got the boys John Deere 12 volt tractors this past summer and Ben has become a pretty good driver! Quinn, not so much...

Speaking of Quinn: he will turn 3 in April 2012. He continues his journey with Transverse Myelitis but does NOT let that slow him down. He is amazing to watch, he can figure out a way to do things that we never thought he would be able to do. We are about to start PT again, Gillette Children's has been amazing and we are excited to work with our favorite PT, Melissa, again! Quinn is always on the go, it tires me out just to watch him! Quinn is now a part of HopeKids which is a program for kids with serious illnesses that provides fun activities and outings. So far we have been to the circus and a Wild hockey game. The boys are going to the MN Children's Museum with my parents on Thursday night. It will be only open to HoepKids and their families. It is a very wonderful program to be a part of, it gives us something to look forward to instead of hospital visits and doctor appointments!

Bella (the dog) just had her 2nd ACL surgery and is currently recuperating at home. She is now 5 years old - time flies.

Gaby (the cat) is still holding his own with the boys - he likes to remind them that he has claws and teeth every now and then.

We are very excited to be taking our first "real" vacation this winter. We are heading to Orlando to Disney World for 5 days! Cannot wait!!

I am making a pledge to keep this updated, I am starting my New Years Resolutions early!

Take care everyone!

Happy Guys!

A rare picture of the boys smiling together!

Giddy-Up!

Ben and Papa going for a ride.

Quinn and Dad having a good time!

Big smiles!

The boys waiting in line.

Quinn dancing with Mama.

We went to the Crow Wing Power Company picnic while we were up visiting my parents last weekend. They had free horse rides and the boys loved it. Ben went twice - smiling the whole time. Quinn looked like such a little man - so cute!

Summer's Here - Out Comes the Pool!

Going down the elephant slide.

Quinn taking in the action from his chair.

Running through the sprinkler with Dad.

Quinn kept getting closer and closer to the water but never actually got wet - maybe next time!

All done - time for a nap!

I bought a pool on clearance last fall with the hopes that we would be able to use it this summer now that Quinn is a bit older. Thankfully we have had nice weather and decided to try it out one Sunday afternoon. Ben had a blast - running through the sprinklers and sliding down the slide. Quinn took a while to warm up to it, but eventually had some fun once he got used to the water. Hopefully we will be able to use it a lot more!!