Hello to All,

First to update on Brett~

Big news-Brett is able to take off the neck brace, and for the first time in months, we can see his whole face smile! His neck muscles are getting stronger, and each day he is wearing the brace less and less! His skin issue has worked the course of poor, bad, good, better. Fortunately he is back to great, and finally on a normal schedule of classes. He continues to work hard each day to improve strength, flexibility, and ability. We are all preparing for his discharge from the hospital in September and as a result, there are many family updates.

We have welcomed a wonderful cast of characters in the last two weeks. After Uncle Rod and Kayo left, Brother Wayne, Connie, Cierra and Alisha came to town for a few days. Brett was so happy to see Connie and the girls, and the kids and I loved having them around and part of the action. We hope we worked enough fun and amusement into the trip to ensure the girls want to come back again soon.

The same day they left, Cousin Doug and his wife Janelle flew in. Fortunately for us (and Cousin Keith) Doug and Janelle are GREAT workers. We had so much to do to clean out the garage and office for the move from our Stapleton home. We made the very most of every minute of the weekend. Of course there was time for fun and games with the cousin sleepover in Brett's hospital room. Pictures available by request only, as Doug was able to "out-do" his older brother Mac and the blue toe nail polish episode. Ray Biggs was in town during the weekend and we welcomed and enjoyed his visit with the whole crew in Brett's room on Saturday night.

While Wayne and Connie were here, Caroline had her very first day of kindergarten. We found a wonderful school in our new neighborhood and she loves her teacher and meeting new friends. Cole started preschool at the same campus a few days later. He isn't so excited about the new class of kids and teachers. We are all working to adjust to our entire lives changing in the past couple of months. Brett is excited for the day that he can wheel the several blocks and pick up the kids from school.

With the help of family (my Mom flew into town Thursday night with one of her sisters, high energy Loretta in tow), friends and neighbors, we were able to move from our home in Stapleton to a house in Wash Park. It's a long story, but we are so fortunate to rent this house for the next year. The owner is in a wheelchair and the house is tricked out with ramps, wide doorways and an elevator to take Brett to the second floor. We will have our house in Stapleton on the market before Labor Day weekend, and hope someone loves it as much as we did and swoops in to buy in soon!

I can't thank people enough for all the sweat hours to make the move possible. If any of you know Scott Richmond, suffice it to say, he had the entire move orchestrated and executed without a hitch. His wife Tamara kept the kids for the better part of the day. Caroline had their boys enjoying a raspberry tea party in the backyard within an hour and as I understand "guided" their every activity and upcoming plans for the day. John Radliff moved more heavy, heavy furniture than I think he had planned on, but we made it through with no casualties of limb or material possession. A swarm of YaYa's were busy unpacking as quickly as new boxes were delivered. Cousin Keith exceeded his "body bug" goal by about 10am on moving day and we were all exhausted by sunset. The kids and I slept in our beds in the "new house" and are counting the days until Brett joins us under the same roof.

I have added a few new pictures as well. For those of you that I didn't mention by name, you know who you are, and without you, the kids and I would be in sleeping bags, eating Chipolte. Instead, we were so comfortable and settled that Chan Mayber assembled a new grill for us (something about the old one didn't make the cut, but I wonder if Brett didn't want an upgrade...). We "broke bread" around the table on the patio tonight, with a beautiful family and welcoming home surrounding us.

Much love~Kelly