This year our family gathering was at the home of Jim and Kendra Landis. They have a beautiful home site nestled on the edge of Shenandoah Mountain with National Forest all around. Jim is very creative and their place was better than a park with a zip line, playground, walking trails and picnic area. The pictures and video clips will tell the story.
My parents, siblings and spouses started Saturday morning with a delicious breakfast at the home of Rich and Marj.
Back: Ed & Eileen Heatwole, Marj & Rich Heatwole, Gene & Pat Hertzler
Front: Mother (Fannie Heatwole), Phil & Ev Borntrager and Daddy (Dwight Heatwole)
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Midmorning we begin to gather at the Landis home. The kids had a blast climbing on the monkey bars, swinging and sliding on the play set, and riding their bikes.
The zip line was a favorite for kids and a few brave adults. The “take off” perch was on a cliff behind the house. There was an adult at the station to ensure all safety precautions were followed and the harnesses properly hooked to the cable.
After putting on the harness, you had the thrill of a 500 ft. zip across the lawn to the “landing station”. Two adults were there to receive/catch the “zippers” and help them unhook.
Some of the smaller kids rode tango with another but each had their own harness
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Spectators!
Jase
I think most of us were anxious and excited to see little Jase. It has been awhile since we had an update on him. He is now 14 months old, cute as a button and a specimen of health.
He had a heart warming smile that made you just want to snatch him up and cuddle on him. He had a strong preference for this parents and preferred you visit from a distance!
No SMA baby ever dreamed of standing like this. What does the future hold? No one knows. He is on an experimental drug for two years. Because he has participated in the program and shown huge results, he will be able to continue the drug. Other kids his age have crawled and are toddling around. So far he has not achieved that feat. He wants to crawl and rocks himself forward but can’t quite get his body into the right position. Is he just slow? We hope so. But standing on his mom’s lap he definitely has strength in his legs. The movement in his arms is strong and there is nothing floppy about him. It is truly a miracle and gift from God that modern medicine has gotten this far.
I had the privilege of holding him while his mom worked with lunch. Let’s say “he tolerated” me with a whine! But whenever I got too close after that he would watch me with those huge brown eyes and get that worried look on his face with a hint of a twinkle in his eyes. What a charmer!!
I could hardly get enough of the little fella! He has no idea how unique and special he is.
The Lazy Boy Chair
Gene has had a rough summer with four surgeries (one on his shoulder and three for a kidney stone). He is still trying to get his strength and energy back. He was struggling this weekend with extreme muscle soreness.
He started out in his lawn chair but behind the scenes Jake and Jim were busy carrying a recliner from the house and up the hill to the picnic area. When the time came to move to the area for lunch, Jim offered to carry our chairs and walked with him.
This video clip tells the story!
This was really, really a very thoughtful and much appreciated prank!
A while later the sun popped through the leafy overhang and the guys immediately pulled out a patio umbrella for shade!!! How much more loved and special can you get? Jim and Jake’s mother-in-law wondered aloud if she would be this special and cared for when she was old! (The answer is on the video clip!)
The Picnic Area
A funny adornment-I guess just in case you are brave enough!!!
The Faces of Us!
The youngest of the clan.
It was a fun, relaxing and absolutely perfect day with good food, fellowship and weather.
P.S. We missed the families of Keith, Jill, Brian, Jeannette, Aaron and Karmen. One of these couples was in Ireland on vacation and another is expecting their baby any day, any hour!