Kick up ‘yer heels and join Elly’s Extras!

familysnows — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:14:08 +0000

This year the annual St. Paul Walk has a new name: Step Up For Down Syndrome (formerly Buddy Walk) and we want ya’ll to put on your boots and join us for a hootin’ good time!! The walk is September 20 and we are getting so very excited for another fun afternoon of music, food, and exercise. The walk will once again be held at Como Park-Midway Picnic Pavilion in St. Paul with check in beginning at 10:30 and the walk starting at noon.

This year we will have team bandanas and the Down syndrome association will once again have tee-shirts and lunches for everyone registered. The deadline for shirts has been placed early this year so I am asking your assistance in replying ASAP if you are planning to attend so that I can reserve a shirt for you. The following link will take you to my Google Spreadsheet where I am collecting the registration data: REGISTER HERE. I need to order the shirts next week (August 21).

We have also set up a First Giving page to offer further support for the Down Syndrome Association of MN. Their work is essential in providing awareness, advocacy, and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families in Minnesota. Our page can be viewed HERE.

We hope to see you on September 20th and have you join us in showing support and advocacy for Elly and other individuals with Down syndrome. We will share more details as the walk approaches. Thank you for your support!!

We love advocates in the medical community!

familysnows — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:24:38 +0000

This story by Fox News features our perinatologist and friend, Dr. Steve Calvin. Thanks Steve!!

New, Safer Test for Down’s Pregnancies

Created On: Tuesday, 24 Feb 2009, 4:28 PM CST

Scott Wasserman
Maggie Habashy

MINNEAPOLIS - A new test for Down syndrome coming out soon promises to have more definitive results without being as invasive. But some think the advance in technology is not a good idea.

With three children at home Cindy Bayer has her hands full. But four years ago, when she had twins, Adrienne and Kaley, the future was unknown.

“It was hard because we realized that things weren’t going to be what we thought they were going to be,” Bayer.

At 26 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound showed signs that Adrienne had Down syndrome. The only way to find out was an invasive and potentially life-threatening test to the fetus call amniocentesis. But now there is hope for mothers to go through safer, less invasive testing for Down syndrome.

Doctor Steve Calvin treats woman with high risk pregnancies.

He recently attended a conference in San Diego where a company unveiled a maternal blood test that can determine Down’s with high accuracy.

“My biggest hope for the test is that people have a conversation about what Down syndrome really means.”

But he’s fearful the easier test will lead to more parents terminating pregnancies.

“My concern is that people will feel that people with Down syndrome are not valuable and I think that would be a big mistake.”

For Bayer, she hopes the new tests arm families with information about Down syndrome and allows them to make an educated decision on what to do.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

familysnows — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:53:43 +0000

Whose the best?

familysnows — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:22:23 +0000

Southwest!! Congratulations Girls on First Place at the Armstrong Competition today!!

The picture is not from today, but it’s from this season!! We are preparing for the state competition back at the U of MN next weekend!

The Live Performance!

familysnows — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:11:38 +0000

We promised a “Live Performance” of our Christmas letter/song this year and here it is! It was a challenge to get us all together but when we finally did we had a blast. For anyone who is wondering, none of us have quit our day jobs and don’t plan to! Merry Christmas and God’s Blessings to you all from the Snow House.

The 12 Days of Christmas

Snow Family Style

Traditional English Christmas Carol - Lyrics by Connie, Greg & Isaac

On the first day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

A nephew in our basement.

Our nephew Dean graduated from Concordia Mequon last December and was hired at the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, MN. He resides in our basement, a.k.a. The Man Cave and we enjoy his theatrical presence in our lives!

On the second day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Two puppy dogs,

We still have Filson, our Vizsla but he spends most of his time with Jacob at the house he is renting near Concordia, St. Paul where he is a junior. Jacob is doing well and dating a nice young girl named Kiah. We have added Duncan, a Standard Poodle, to our family and our hope is for Elly and he to become best pals. Both dogs love to antagonize Stella, our plump kitty!

On the third day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Three pre-schools,

Elly turned 4 this month, my how time flies! She is such a joy with her love for life and for people. She attends St. John’s Preschool, Step By Step Montessori and a District Preschool where she amazes her teachers. Her gift is her ability to remember and know everyone’s names.

On the fourth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Fourth grade for Clara,

Clara is in 4^th grade at St. John’s this year. She is a social butterfly who loves hanging out with friends, 4-H and cheerleading. She is a flyer for the Southwest All Stars cheer team and is excited to have just mastered her round off backhandspring this season.

On the fifth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Five report cards,

Jacob, Isaac, Clara and Elly are obviously in this category. The fifth report card in our house belongs to Greg who has started taking classes at Bethel Seminary in pastoral counseling. These classes add craziness to our lives, but are a blessing to his ministry at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

On the sixth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Six summers camping,

We are excited to still be camping at Timberwood’s Resort near Annandale, MN. This past summer marked our sixth year there and we enjoyed a new park model trailer with a loft. It’s a wonderful getaway about an hour from our home – please come and visit us there sometime.

On the seventh day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Seven days of Snow week,

In the end of June we enjoyed a week with Greg’s family in South Dakota. It is a summer tradition and a highlight for us all, but the 19 cousins especially love it.

On the eighth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Eight golden decades,

My mom is 82 and is such a blessing to us. In January she had a shoulder replacement surgery and was a great patient. She spent a few months at home in Fertile this year, but was mostly here helping us with the kids and Uncle Jay. Jay turned 89 this year. He got new teeth this fall (which was tough on him) and he sold his house in Fertile this summer (also hard) but is presently doing well. He has been with us full time for the past year and a half. Life is precious.

On the ninth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Ninth grade at Mayer,

Isaac had a year of change. He was confirmed in May, graduated from St. John’s in June and started Mayer Lutheran High School in August. He is a great student who enjoys school, band (our drummer boy) and social events; even if they are online or texting!

On the tenth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Ten miles a driving,

Connie is still a speech therapist at Chanhassen Elementary and at Ridgeview Hospital, both of which are approximately 10 miles from our home. She enjoys her time at work (2-3 days per week) but her biggest challenge is managing everyone’s busy schedules.

On the eleventh day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Eleven days a hunting,

OK, maybe this verse is a stretch but this is the amount of time that Greg, Jacob and Isaac wish they were hunting! They did get some time together at Traxler’s Hunting Preserve and in South Dakota Pheasant Hunting. Greg also enjoyed a couple of days deer hunting with friends.

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Twelve months of blessing,

Eleven days a hunting,

Ten miles a driving,

Ninth grade at Mayer,

Eight golden decades,

Seven days of Snow week,

Six summers camping,

Five report cards,

Fourth grade for Clara,

Three Pre-Schools,

Two puppy dogs, and

A nephew in our basement!

We have a busy, crazy house for sure, but we have a houseful of blessings that we are thankful for. We pray you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year filled with the love of the Christ child. Alleluia and Amen!

If you have time, scroll down for several new pictures of the last few months.

Christmas Greetings 2008!

familysnows — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:06:57 +0000

Here are the cards I had fun designing this year! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Cheer Girl

familysnows — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:04:07 +0000

Clara is in the midst of another cheer season with the Southwest All Stars competitive cheer team. They had a competition mid-December at the U of MN. She enjoys tumbling and cheering lots.

Clara is the “flyer” in this picture.

Angel Girl

familysnows — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:59:19 +0000

Elly and all her little friends in preschool did an awesome job in their Christmas program. They sang songs, rang bells and shared verses. What an adorable program!

Drummer Boy

familysnows — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:52:06 +0000

Our drummer boy, Isaac, is enjoying band at Mayer Lutheran High. He was all decked out for the Christmas concert and Grandma Harriet thought so too!

Guess who’s 4?

familysnows — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:48:20 +0000

I can’t believe that Elly turned 4 on December 3rd. She is getting so big and growing into such a sweet young girl. We dined at McDonalds (Donald’s) and she enjoyed chicken nuggets, french fries and chocolate milk, her all time favorites. She also got to play in the play-place with Isaac, Clara and Dean and went home for cake and presents.

Elmo Live was a big hit!