A Little of This & A Little of That

As summer is coming to a close, I thought I would update my blog again. As always, my sister and I have been keeping very busy. My final tumbling class and speech session was on August 17th. I enjoyed the tumbling so much that Mommy signed me up for the fall/winter session that runs until December. After that, Mommy says I have to take swimming lessons. Here are a few pictures of me at my last class. I am attempting the unthinkable; a somersault.On August 20th, Uncle Josh, Aunt Maria and cousin Marlee traveled from Philadelphia to spend a few days with us. Saturday was a rainy day so we went to Jungle Java. It is an indoor play place and cafe.Saturday evening Brynn had her first taste of baby food. Mommy gave her green beans. I don't think she really liked them. She had a few bites and that was it. Since then, she has eaten a whole jar each day at lunch. She really liked the squash, sweet peas and carrots.Sunday, we went to the Toledo Zoo. It was the perfect day to see the animals. Here I am with Daddy.We got really close to the gorillas.I also took a walk through a beautiful garden.Later in the day when it got hot, I took a refreshing dip in the stream at Nature's Neighborhood.Marlee and I took turns hatching from an egg.I also got a chance to pet and chase a goat.Mommy and I were truly impressed with the hippos this year. They came really close and opened their huge mouths to eat. We spent a lot of time watching them as I kept asking for more.Of course a trip to the zoo means a visit to see the polar bears. Here we are being silly next to the giant stuffed polar bear.Uncle Josh spent some quality time with Brynn.On Tuesday morning, Mommy lined us up for a photo. This is the first photo of the cousins together. Aunt Maria and Uncle Josh will be adding another cousin in December!We also got a picture with Uncle Josh and Aunt Maria before they left.Brynn just celebrated her 6 month birthday on August 25th. She will be seeing Dr. Weinberg for her check-up next week.We also wanted to let you know that Brynn will be baptized on Saturday September 4th at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. We will also be having a little celebration party at Grandma an Grandpa Otteman's house afterward. All are welcome to attend.
Last but not least, I will be going back to school soon. I found out that I will be attending the same school but will have a different teacher and I will also be going in the afternoon.
My treatments have been going well and I have been staying healthy. They did have to change my enzymes due to the FDA pulling my Ultrase off the shelf. They were not FDA approved and so they are hoping to have them approved soon. In the meantime, I was changed to Creon capsules but they did not agree with me. I have had some stomach issues for a while now and therefore not absorbing my food. I was recently switched to another medication called Zenpep. We are hoping that this medication will work. So far my absorption is getting better but not quite there yet. I will keep you posted. Looking forward to our trip to Iowa Labor Day weekend. I will leave you with a picture of Daddy reading my favorite book by Dr. Seuss and sissy and I playing the piano.
Hugs and kisses to all,

Luke William and Brynn Elyse

Minnesota, airplanes, and visitors

Hello to all my readers. This summer has been very exciting for my little sister Brynn and I. We recently took a trip to Minnesota to see Grandpa Larson. It was a 12 hour drive and I don't mean to brag, but Brynn and I handled it perfectly. We had a lot of fun playing outside on the swing, 4-wheeler, and 3-wheel bike.



We also picked corn and potatoes from the garden for dinner. I learned how to shuck corn and throw out the bad potatoes.

After a couple days at Grandpa's house we headed down to Mankato for the Minnesota Vikings training camp, GO PURPLE!! We had fun watching practice and swimming in the pool at the hotel. We also had a chance to catch up with one of the Vikings Quarterbacks Sage Rosenfels. He went to high school with Mommy and Daddy. While in Minnesota I also picked up Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin jerseys so I am prepared for football season.

After training camp we headed to Bloomington. We had dinner at Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Lynn's house and I played with my cousins Miles, Nick, Alex, and Elaina all afternoon and evening. It was great to see them since they used to live here in MI and moved to MN when I was a baby.



The next day we headed to the Mall of America. We took a trip through the aquarium to see all the fish, turtles, and other sea animals, it was really cool. I even touched a starfish!!




After the aquarium it was on to the Nickelodeon theme park in the mall. We went on a really cool roller coaster a bunch of times and a few other rides.


We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and then I met Spongebob and Patrick.

After the mall we spent a few more days at Grandpa's house. We had a couple campfires and saw a bunch of Daddy's extended family. I had fun playing with all the other kids.

When we made it home from Minnesota we only had a few hours to prepare for our next adventure. Mommy's friend (and my Godmother) Jessica and her daughter Kenley came to visit us for the weekend. We had a lot of fun playing together. On Friday, Daddy worked from home and took care of Brynn while the rest of us spent the day at Rolling Hills water park. It was a great day and we were exhausted. I showed Kenley my nightly snack routine and she even got to hold Brynn.
On Saturday we went to Willow Run Airport for the Thunder in the Air show. We saw a lot of fast and loud planes. I was in heaven watching the planes fly in formations and do rolls, turns, and dives. We are definitely going to make this an annual event!




On July 12th I finished my potty chart. Mommy gave me my certificate and took my picture. We then had fun making a new chart with paper and markers. I continue to do well going on the potty but I am not fully there yet.
I will leave you with a picture of me sitting in Brynn's glider playing the Wii, Brynn's 5 month old picture and a silly photo of Brynn playing in her toy bin.
That's all for now, I'm looking forward to a visit from my cousin Marlee in a couple of weeks. Take care everyone.

Love Luke William and Brynn Elyse