Relay for Life walk 2009

Relay for Life walk finally here. I know it was a short year of planning and fundraising, but it seemed to far away. In Feb, I went to a Tastefully Simple Conference where they talked about how much money TS consultants had raised for this great cause. I thought it was a great idea and since grandma was just diagnosed in Jan what better time to start a team. With just over 3 months till the walk I had to get a team together and get started.

I asked some close friends and family of course. And from there people just volunteered, which was great. Our team soon hit 11 people and just kinda stayed there. I would send out inspirational emails trying to get them in the mood to raise money. It seemed like most everyone got a slow start. There is nothing wrong with that. Terri Chico was in the lead for the longest time and Rhonda caught up fast. April 4th grandma passed and our hearts were all breaking. It seemed like the world stopped. Then we took time to reflect on how much more this cause meant to us. Then right towards the end the donations started flowing in. I had set a team goal of $800. and we more than doubled it. We are probably close to $1800. I am so proud of everyone who supported us and was on our team as well as all the people who were out there fighting for this cause. Thank you everyone.

Thursday night before the relay i found someone who would reserve us a spot. So Fri lunch Wayne and I went out and set up tent and table so we would know what was going on. After work I went and got Branden from daycare and headed out to Hayden. Him and I unloaded all but the cooler of water. We left that for Wayne. Then slowly the team started to arrive. Friends and family and our supporters. They were all there by our sides. The night started with the survivor lap. WOW the number of survivors was phenominal,including our very own TERRI CHICO. Then the teams started walking one by one as they were called. From there members of the team took turns throughout the night.

I probably walked the least 3 miles(better than nothing). Rhonda and Angie walked all night. WOW. AWESOME job ladies. 12 1/2 miles, 11 miles, Anna 7 miles, Wayne 6 miles....... just lots of hard work all around.

Branden stole Terri's Burrito

Shelby and Branden saying hello

Our crazy camp site

Bag pipes lead the survivor lap

The survivors

The release of tons of purple balloons

Branden watching all the excitement

Here comes our team, Terri, Rhonda, Me Branden and stragglers and more

I see Andy and Angie

Angie showing off :)

Anna came to help out walking and to support, Thanks.

Uncle Fritz and Aunt Barb made it out and Sarah my angel.

The luminary lighting. WOW, emotional.

Here she is again, helping herself to my food :)

Shelby and Branden giving lots of love

Our kid supporters, Jeremy, Greg, Branden and Shelby. What troopers!!!

Our teams luminaries, grandma we love you!!!

Morning came, Wayne Branden and I went to sleep in the Suburban about 330 or so cause the wind got so cold. I woke up at 6 am made Wayne get up. Branden slept a little longer. With an hour left, we walked a couple more laps and then started to straighten up and pack up.

It was a great night, LONG but great. I had so much fun with everyone and look forward to next year. Good Luck Angie.

Sunday night family dinner

Mom and dad invited us over for dinner Sunday night. That sounded fun. US not having to cook. :) They grilled out and we sat around the backyard visiting and goofing off. Branden played ball and on the hammock. It was fun.
Branden squishing his daddy

Sideways cheeto boy!! Those cheetos were huge.

Branden would push her back to rock the hammock and try to tip them over backwards, then pull her up and push her again. They finally did slide right off. It was so funny. He loved it.

Wayne looking all studly. Love you hubby!!!

Daniel making his funny face as usual.

Side view of my old man. Not my hubby. MY DADDY!!!

Mom and oh, that is me not being nice. OOPS!!!

Cheese, Self portrait

Well, you might be asking why Branden is naked. It might be because something exploded in his underwear. Underwear not diaper. So no sort of support to keep the mess contained. YEAH!!! no joke. It was loud, messy, stinky. All over the patio, down his legs and into his shoes. WHAT A MESS!!!! Fun stuff. I stripped him down and hosed him off. I thought it was fun and I thought it was the easiest way to get the mess gone.

He loves running around with no clothes so it didn't bother him a bit once the poo was gone. What a fun family evening.

He is showing off his butt. NICE BUTT!!!

Relay for Life poker game fun 5-23-09

After we got home from the lake, Wayne had to set up for the poker game he had arranged for a fundraiser for our Relay for Life team. We got ahold of most everyone and told them to bring swim wear for the kids. I hooked up the cool sprinkler Branden got for his birthday. I figured it would be a great way to keep the kids cooled off and have a little water fun.

Branden would charge the sprinkler and try to attach the spouts of water that were spraying out. He never won. The sprinkler got him every time, but he kept trying.

Raegan knew how to take charge. Should would walk up grab the spouts of water and shoot at whoever she wanted OR give herself a drink.

The kids also enjoyed jumping on the trampoline and riding on the gator. They all played well together and took turns great.

Then dinner. Everyone brought a side and Wayne grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. After everyone had a full belly it was time for the BIG game to start. The kids ran around and played while most of the adults played the game. Tasha, Sarah and I went inside and visited and the kids came in and out. They would play outside for awhile then in the toy room. Back and forth. The game went on for hours. I went out to check a couple times and see how it was going. Wayne, Tisha and Aaron were still in. After the played for quite a while more Wayne was out and then Aaron lost to Tisha. Tisha was the BIG winner and Aaron took 2nd place. I think everyone had fun playing and we really appreciated all the support from our friends.

It was another funfilled LONG day. I am so thankful for having such a great and blessed life.

A Mini Family reunion- Banner Creek 5-23-09

Well Wayne, Branden and I made it to Banner Creek in Holton about an hour later than we were supposed to be there. Which should not have been a surprise to anyone, but it was actually perfect timing. The food was just being finished. Branden stayed sleeping in the running vehicle so he was be well rested for a day of fun. The nap didn't last much longer after we arrived. Everyone ate and visited.

Then Wayne, Angie and I decided to walk Branden and Jeremy down to the lake. We hadn't brought our swim clothes cause we weren't planning on being at the lake very long. But once we walked down the boat ramp the boys really wanted to walk in the water. So we took stripped them down. Branden was the first to get completely wet. He lost his balance and toppled head first and loved it. It took awhile for Jeremy to warm up to the idea of playing in the water but once he did, he loved it too.

Ang and I always take a self portrait.

And here I am about to take Wayne down cause he was not being very nice to me. But neither of us went in.

Ang trying to get Jeremy to dunk his head.

Papa brought the camera down for us and watched us play.

Wayne was about ready to head back to the rest of the group and needed a hand getting up so Branden came to the rescue. Branden on the other hand wanted to go back in the water. We convinced the boys we would come back later. Which won't be for another 3 weeks but they might not remember that. We went back to the shelter and hung out for a little while and visited and then had to head home for the rest of our fun day. It was a fun day at the lake and great to see everyone who made it. The only request was for a bit more of a breeze. It was 88 degrees when we left the lake. It's gonna be a hot summer.

The Putt Putt adventure

We went to the driving range and putt putt course last night. Cheap Fun. $1. There we met Sarah and Jared, and a couple of their other friends. When we got their I took Branden potty to be sure he wouldn't have any accidents. Then we got our clubs and golf balls. And off we went.

Branden was so excited to play. He went to the practice area and played there for a while. He would hit the ball a little ways then run and grab the ball and says " I get it" and the drop it in the hole. What a cheater!!!

So with 7 adults and Branden trying to play at the same time it became a HUGE challenge. Branden would want to run up and get everyone's ball and try to help or kick it went he walked by. I didn't even finish the 1st hole. I moved ahead to the next one and played with Branden. TRYING to keep him occupied. Man that was a chore. THEN Jared showed him the hole where you could drop the ball in the water and the ball would roll down the hill and back on the course, he would run down and grab it run back up the hill drop it again and race it to the bottom. OVER and OVER and OVER. He tripped so many times. But he is ALL boy and didn't even care.

He got bored with that after he worked up a big sweat. We met back with the group for a while then we took a break to get a water. We walked back to the building and got a drink. I figured we were already there so we went to the bathroom again even though it hadn't been that long. And he had peed his pants. ERRR. Back to the car to get a change of underwear. Once that was all taken care of back to golfing we went.

By then the group was about 1/2 way through the course. Wayne was doing great. WAY better than I would have and he was enjoying it so I just did the mommy thing and chased the wild man around. He found a hole where you could roll the ball through a tunnel built into the rocks and it would roll out at the bottom. So here he went again. He would roll it and run to the other side. Then he told me he pooped, which means peed. He started to walk wide legged. which meant the pee was about to roll down his leg. Back to the bathroom.

We got a change of underwear and shorts this time. What a mess!! As he sat on the toilet peeing before we redressed, he figured out the bathroom echoed. Talk about annoying. The whole rest of the time we were in there. I would screech just to hear it. Again and again. I tried to make that a fast trip but it seemed like we would never get out of the bathroom.

Walking back out to the course I was so tired. This little man had wore me out. So ran back and was playing with Jared again dropping the ball in the water and chasing it downhill. Jared hurt his foot on the rock wall and had to go get a bandaid. Branden was so concerned. "Where'd Jared go?" I said " he's got an ouchy, he'll be right back." Branden looked so worried. "He ok?" Then when Jared returned he ran up to him to make sure he was ok.

Just a little longer and the game was FINALLY over. That was the LONGEST putt putt game ever. I was just ready to crash right then and there. We sat around and visited for just a little while. Then headed to get Wayne's truck from Capital Plaza where he had picked me up from the Relay for Life meeting.

BED TIME!!! Branden wore himself out too. Glad it wasn't just me. He was out before we got half way home.

It was a great night out with great friends. Maybe next time Branden will have to stay at home or we can only do 1/2 the course.

Prego shopping

The fountain at Legends- It was our last stop of the day.

Branden so happy the water was coming out. He was getting ready to touch it.

He got it. Then he got wetter and wetter every time he touched it. It went from one finger to whole hand to arm. What a mess.

Now he is showing Wayne how it's done.

The water stopped and he was looking for it. I was waiting for it to shoot in his face. :) I know that's not nice, but it would have been funny.

I knew the day would come. It showed up way sooner than I had hoped for. I am proud of myself, I haven't gained any weight YET and my clothes still fit. The problem is sitting all day the pressure my pants put on my belly is starting to get uncomfortable.

So yesterday Wayne, Branden and I loaded up and headed to Legends mall. It was such a beautiful day to walk around outside and enjoy the day. First stop when we got there was Motherhood Maternity. I sent the boys to go somewhere more fun than watching me try on clothes. The lady working the store was SO helpful. She picked out tons for me to try on. She just knew what would work. And most of it did. I bought work clothes and non work clothes. I spent way more than I should have, but I needed clothes and we aren't gonna want to make trips down there all the time.

After my very long visit to Motherhood, we just strolled along. We found the ice cream shop. I had a mini bowl of cookies and cream and Wayne and Branden shared a waffle cone of "graduation day" ice cream. We found an open seat and sat back and enjoyed the weather and company and of course the ice cream.

Then we were on our way again. We went and sat at the fountain. Branden loved to play in the stream that kept shooting up. He got nice and wet, but loved every minute of it.

Time to head home. On the way, Wayne and I decided we wanted to go to dinner for a little quiet time. So we dropped Branden off to spend time with papa Jared and grandma Linda. We went to Red Lobster and then back to pick Branden up. He had a blast at papa and grandma's. He got a new stuffed horsy from them. They brought it back from Branson and he slept with it last night and everything. Noisy sleeper it was. Everytime Branden rolled over on it, it would make noises.

What a fun day. I loved spending time with my boys.

The 3 boys- Growing, growing, growing

Just 2 years ago, Marcia, Teresa and I waited for the day our babies would arrive. The boys were just a few months apart. Dallen was born Jan 15th, Branden Apr 4th, and Aidan May 15th 2007. This picture was exactly 2 years ago today, the day Aidan was brought home from the hospital when we went to meet him in Derby.

Now today, 2 years later we celebrated Aidan turning 2. We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do we like to see how much the boys have changed. WOW look at them now. The drive to Derby with Branden was a long drive, but the party was fun and well worth it. The visit was very nice too. I am glad we made it. And all the kids loved playing on the new playground the Stouts just finished putting up.

How much trouble do you think these three could get into? I'm guessing A LOT!!!!! Just look at those faces. Time has flown. They are getting so big, so fast.