Our special friend Walter.

We have a special nephew in our family named Maddox.  Maddox was born with HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome), basically he was born with half a heart and at the tender age of almost 4 he has already had something like 4 open heart surgeries.  Later down the road he will eventually need a heart transplant.  Maddox LOVES the muppets and the muppet Walter has become his special buddy.  This is what Maddox's mom says

 

"Maddox loved it (the muppet movie), and Walter was his favorite. He called himself 'Walter muppet' for awhile. When the Disney store finally had a Walter and Maddox saw it, he loved it. It was one of those things I couldn't say no to. Walter has been his buddy since, and has gone to many appointments and hospital procedures. He even has his own hospital bracelet on his ankle (so he doesn't get lost)."

 

Here is Maddox with Walter at one of Maddox's many hospital visits, they are so cute together!

 

We don't get to see these guys all the time though cause we live about 4 hours away from Maddox and his family. My husband Jason, however, gets to go up and see them about once a month. He is a Chief Warrent Officer in the Army National Guard and he has been doing some special training near where they live. Each time Jason goes up Maddox has been so nice as to let Jason "hang out" with Walter. Jason and Walter have become fast friends, buds through and through, Walter even went with Jason to guard one day

 
Well, it has been a few weeks since Jason has "hung out" with Walter. You just can't keep good friends apart so Walter ended up flying down this last weekend to come on a quick camping trip with the fam. Here is Jason greeting Walter at the airport Walter was such a great helper setting up camp. The kids loved having him around, Canyon may have been exhibiting a little bit of jealousy (pitching the tent poles is usually his job) but he got over it quick enough. After Camp was all set up we headed down to the Virgin River to have a little fun playing around. Walter had a great time getting his toes wet. We were so excited he could come down and visit and we look forward to his next visit. I think there was even some fun plans in the works for this upcoming weekend!