Stampin' Up! for Down syndrome

This is the flier I made for our second Stamp-A-Stack fundraiser (click to enlarge). ALSO this year, Stampin' Up! has generously donated approximately $500 in product for a raffle! Woo-hoo!

details:

Stamp-A-Stack

"For Love of Leah" Buddy Walk team

Come stamp a stack of 12 cards (4 designs, 3 of each design). All material is pre-cut and we'll be using stamps and product from the new Idea Book & Catalog (envelopes included; bring your own adhesive)!

Saturday, August 1, 2009
8am-4pm in Dublin, OH
Come at your convenience. Allow 2 hours to complete all 12 cards.
RSVP by Monday, July 13

• Light refreshments will be provided.
• Door prizes!
  

Class fee: $20
50% of the class fee will be donated to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio in Leah Elliott's name.

Contact Mary: (614) 801-1621 or maryloves2stamp@yahoo.com

Yard Sale

The third annual multi-family For Love of Leah yard sale fundraiser will be this Friday and Saturday in Peebles from 8a-4p. For those family members coming over to lend a hand, don't forget to wear your For Love of Leah Buddy Walk shirts! I'll be wearing our 2007 short sleeve shirt.

For Love of Leah 2009

photo taken by Melissa Jones Photography

It's that time of year again! The For Love of Leah team will make our third appearance at the 8th annual DSACO Buddy Walk on September 13, 2009 at Crew Stadium.

2007 For Love of Leah 20072008 For Love of Leah 2008

Our team grew from 63 walkers in 2007 to 86 walkers in 2008! We think there is still room to grow and would love to have you join us! If you would like to join our 2009 team, click here to register (There is also a link to the right).

Family registration is $25 and includes 2 t-shirts. Additional t-shirts are available for $10 each. The last day to register to guarantee you receive a Buddy Walk shirt is August 29. We have three fundraisers scheduled for the summer - a yard sale in Eric's hometown this Friday and Saturday, a bake sale in my hometown, and a Stamp-A-Stack in Columbus. Watch for fundraising posts this week.

ABOUT THE BUDDY WALKS

The Buddy Walk^® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk^® program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals.

Over the past fourteen years, the Buddy Walk^® program has grown from 17 walks to more than 280 expected in 2009 across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 250,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk^®! They raised $10.5 million to benefit national education, research and advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs. These funds enable NDSS and local groups to offer services that support and enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Friends

Summer is so bittersweet. The weather is beautiful and we get to spend much of it with friends, but it marks the end of a resident year and means we have to say goodbye to friends as well. This year we celebrated with the Fincks and Vicenas, but bid farewell to six wonderful families (read Ashli's post here).

At the beginning of the month, the CWG met at Carrabba's for a ladies night out (read Laura's post here). Thanks for the picture Keren!A couple of weekends ago, several members of the Advocates group gathered for one last cookout. We will miss you Lisa and Julie!
Although each summer we must say goodbye, it also brings new friends into our lives. The spouse group gathered to package welcome bags for the incoming residents and their families.We've had the honor of spending time with Jessica's daughter, Eva Genelle. Eva is a fighter but they still need our prayers. Feel free to visit their CaringBridge site to read Eva's story.

Big Machines

I took the kids to see The Science of Big Machines exhibit at COSI a couple of weeks ago. It was really awesome. The kids could climb into all of the equipment as well as operate a couple of them too! This little clip of Greg being lifted by the crane is hilarious! I was trying to video and spot him simultaneously. Clearly, I cannot do them both!

Leah's teeth were bothering her but she tried her best to have a good time. The water fountains helped her forget the pain for a bit.

Woo-hoo!

Leah won the second annual Fresh Face Contest with a record breaking 300 votes! Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit Melissa's sites and vote!

Summer Birthdays

We had an awesome time at Jacy and Drake's birthday party. Well, everyone except Leah. She's getting her second set of molars and doesn't feel that well. Grandma Janie rocked her to sleep after the boys blew out their candles and she slept until we left.
The kids were super excited from the start of the party, knowing that after cake and presents, they were heading outside to play on the water slide! It was a great way to cool down!
Our niece and nephews - Taylor, Jacy and DrakeGreg loved it and wasn't thrilled when I told him we had to leave to go to another party. He would have been happy to play all day! Summer birthdays are so fun!

Happy birthday Jacy and Drake!