I love my family!

Sweet and very talented Anjuli did a fun photo shoot for us and here a few of my favorites.

Ice Skating Fun!

Over Christmas break we went ice skating with Auntie Hannah. The boys love flying around the rink with their little walkers. It was a fun day!

Window Models

Before Christmas while I was shopping at American Eagle for about 10minutes guess where I found the boys? In the window display posing as manikins. They said everyone who passed by tried to get them to laugh or move but they stayed still the whole time. I think they loved the instant audience they got. Hey, if they got someone to smile during the craziest and most stressful shopping time of the year then awesome.

Disneyland for Grandma's Birthday

My mom wanted to go to Disneyland (free) for her birthday a few weeks ago so up the 5 we all went. Oma and Opa joined us as usual and we had a great, full day. It was the first time she or my dad had been there in over 20 years!

Ohio Trip

So it's been a while. Well, we wanted to update you on Ethan's latest. About 2 months ago Ethan's orthopedic doctor suggested that we consider amputating his foot and fusing the knee on his little leg. This way he would have a stub that would go into a permanent prosthesis with a prosthetic knee. He seemed to think this would be the best time to have this done based on his leg being the same length as his big femur would be when fully grown. We of course did not want to loose his little foot. We love that special foot. It was hard to take this news but we knew it was something we had to consider so that is why we flew to Ohio this past weekend for a second opinion with a doctor that came highly recommended to us.

After a 3 hour long appointment we came out a bit disappointed. Dr. Crawford was very nice but after telling us about the 7 options we had with Ethan's condition (most of which we already knew about and some of which he is not even a canidate for), he told us that it was up to us to decide what to do. After he left the room his nurse told us that he never likes to "give his opinion" but rather let the family decide. This was frustrating for us although we did learn some things that we did not know before. We wondered why we had spent all that money to fly out there if he wouldn't even give us his opinion.

As of right now we have decided to not do anything and just let his little leg be. We still need to spend more time in prayer about it and though we feel not qualified to make this serious medical decision, we know that ultimately it is up to God and what He wants for our Ethan. We are instead going to really focus on making his current prosthesis as comfortable as possible. There are some things that can be done and hopefully that will ease his pain and fatigue at the top of his calf.

Thank you all so much for praying for us. Ohio was so beautiful and we really enjoyed all the leaves turning colors on the trees. The boys of course loved staying in the hotel and watching all the cartoon channels on cable that we don't get at home. We love you all and will keep you posted on anything new.
M, S, A & E

Ethan Writes

Some of you wanted to see Ethan's letter that he had to write to apply for the hand bike. So here it is (I typed out what he wrote and these were his words, not ours.) We are so excited! He gets it on July 31st! Check out the invitation below that Roadrunner sent out to all it's employees. We would love it if you could come! There will even be media there!

Dear A.H.A.,
I would like a hand bike because I would never give up. I can't ride a regular bike. It is to hard for me. I also want to ride with my broder (brother) but I can't. When I tried the hand bike I went so fast and it was fun! I would love to have a hand bike!
Ethan de Neve


Subject: Ethan's getting a handcycle

Ethan is getting his handcycle!!!
Thursday, July 31st
2:00pm
RRS San Diego Retail


Hard work really does pay off, and now FEEL GREAT Paying it Forward!!!!

Join Mike as we give Ethan John de Neve his very own handcycle on behalf of the Road Runner Sports Family.
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Be there to see the smiles on Ethan & his Family's Faces as he rides around the parking lot.

This will definitely be a moment you don't want to miss!!!!!




Erin Campbell| Executive Assistant|San Diego\ roadrunnersports.com

Family Traditions

I love these pictures cause my sisters and brothers and I grew up reading the comics at the kitchen table over food and the Sunday colored ones were the most fought over. Well, the same is now true in our house. The boys love eating breakfast Sunday mornings while reading the comics.