Issac really tired

These pictures were taken on the ride home from the Buffalo River. Isaac had fallen asleep with a pretzel in his mouth. He had a great time, but the sun and long day caught up with him.

Eric and Isaac

Isaac loves to be with Eric. He loves when Eric comes over once a week to do therapy. He was especially happy to have him along for the trip.

Our campsite on the river. Perfect weather. No bugs are out yet. The leaves were not all out, so I imagine it gets even more spectacular in May.

Isaac, Eric, and me near the falls.

The Falls

Buffalo River

We had heard about a nice waterfall off the river 3/4 of a mile. We made the hike up and again I was shocked that I was still in the Midwest. The waterfall was at least 100 feet high. There were some smaller cascading falls as we hiked up the river. Reminded me of the west.

Buffalo River

I have been wanting to float the Buffalo river for several years now. I heard about it from my cousin Zach, who took a trip to the Buffalo river while attending law school in Kansas. It is the country's only National River. Located in Northern Arkansas made it a 6-7 hour drive from Wichita. The weather in Wichita two weeks prior to the trip had been in the 80s, but of course the week of the trip was snowing.

Eric has done behavioral therapy with Isaac for 3 years now and he wanted to do the trip with us. Isaac doesn't know how to swim yet, so I really needed another adult. My original plan was to float 3 days and two nights, camping along the river. Due to the bad weather we ended up two days and one night.

I was shocked at how beautiful the river and surroundings were. I could not believe I was still in the Midwest. The weather was 60-70s for the trip and no rain in sight.

The night did get cold and my new sleeping bag(10 degrees) did not keep me warm. Cheap bag!!

It's time for an update on the Larsen Family. We are in our final months in Wichita. The only person that won't miss Kansas is Nick, he's ready to move on. Me and the kids, on the other hand like it here and are feeling a little apprehensive about the move. We have made lots of friends here and are very involved. I just hope that Cheyenne will be a good move for us. I do wish we were moving closer to home, but we're getting a little further West with each move.
Isaac is so smart. I just had a meeting with his school teacher and principal, they informed me that he is above grade level in reading and math. The only area he is below average in is social and verbal skills. He is improving, but still has a long way to go. Isaac's teacher thinks he's ready to go to a regular ed kindergarten classroom. He's been in a communications disorder classroom. We'll see how it works out, he does need to continue to be challenged. We are grateful for all of the people that have worked with him to make as much progress as he has. It will be hard for him to leave people that he's worked with for over 3 years here.
The girls are doing great! Sophia is turning into a little spunky, sassy girl. She is starting to put two words together which is so exciting! She'll say Mommy's bike, or Daddy's elbow. Her personality changed a few months ago, and she is so assertive. Nick started calling her squirt months ago, and it really fits her, she's just a "little squirt"! Savannah used to be the outgoing one, and now she's shy and intraverted. Savannah is talking a little, but not nearly as much as Sophia. They both use sign language very well. Sophia's favorite sign is "candy" and Savannah's favorite thing to ask for in sign language is "cheese". They are darling little girls, but are getting harder to take places. They don't like to sit in a stroller or shopping cart anymore, they'd rather run free and touch everything they possibly can. They love being outside, but when it's time to go back inside they throw big fits and kick and scream all the way in. They are starting to know what they want and when they want it. Savannah is still sweet enough to give kisses, Sophia is too cool. We love our 3 children very much and feel blessed to have a happy family.

Savannah

WINTER IN WICHITA!!! Some of the worst weather in the country is found here.

i sat on daddy's bench
the rock is singing

she is at owens house go trick or treating its serteley night fun i love you

she has a bowl on her head its sure a hat

i am not a monster

i was putting my hands on my head

Isaac

no stamping on your eyes

i dint mean to

Isaac's turn

i made a gingerbread school

Isaac

Halloween 2006

We had a spooktacular Halloween this year! The kids were all into it, which made it fun. Isaac was a dog,(of course) Sophia was a ladybug, and Savannah was a bumble bee. It was a chilly night here, but the costumes kept the kids nice and toasty. Isaac wanted Sophia to be a woodchuck, but I knew it would be a longshot to find a costume. We looked all over town for a dog costume for Isaac, we found was a scooby doo costume for $65.oo, which we couldn't justify spending, and a size 2T dog costume, which I forced him to try on. He got it on but couldn't breathe and we almost couldn't squeeze him out of it. After that we went to the fabric store and I let him pick out some fake fur. I managed to sew up a cute little puppy costume in just an hour or two. He liked it so much he wore it every morning for a week. We took the kids trick-or-treating, Isaac was a pro, he looks forward to the candy frenzie all year. Sophia and Savannah caught on quickly and earned themselves a nice little bucket of treats. Savannah wanted to walk right into peoples houses when they opened their doors. She did it at least 5 times, she's so cute nobody cared. We had a fun night, it was great to see the kids so happy.
I got to go to Isaac's school and help with their Halloween party. His teacher is so wonderful, he has learned a lot in just a few months.

Swing Built for Two

Been very busy lately. Not much time for anything. I cannot remember the last day I had off.
This is a park a few miles from our house. The girls fit nicely into the swing. Emily put them in there when they were smaller, but now they barely fit together. They are at a cute age now.