Pumpkin Pacer Deer Park 2012

Pumpkin Pacer again this year.  5k costume event!  It is always fun to check out the costumes and take pictures.  This one below is a little creepy actually.  Clever but creepy.  

This group wins the prize for the best posing every year!  John, Cheryl and group!

Sheila and I!  I can always count on Sheila to tough out the weather or whatever!  Thanks Sheila!

Oh beautiful for spacious skies for amber...

I walked up to this group to ask if I could take their picture.  The teeth came out and Jen said I know you!!!  I didn't even recognize them.  Jennifer and my daughter went to school together.  They are still great friends. Good costume if I didn't recognize this family!

Another clever but a bit creepy costume.  They are really standing normally on their feet.  The costume makes it look like they are walking on their hands.

I have a new friend.  Dominic!  He was there when I picked up my packet and had my number out before I told him my name.  Wasn't sure how he knew who I was.  Turns out he and his brother are friends with Kyle and Steve.  His brother hung out with Mark, my son in law.  Did I get that right Dominic?  I could tell right off the bat that he was/is a very nice man!  Thanks for supporting Team Gleason Dominic and it was a pleasure to meet you!

Grandmas dress up too!

One mile down!

I just love this church!  So I snapped a picture.

Mile two down!

Love the pose!  Father ?

Almost done!

I usually walk between a 14 and 15 minute mile.  Sometimes even in the 13 minute mile area. Since my aneurysm I have lost some of that fast walking skill.  I was happy with this time because it is better than it has been.  I am coming back! I always ask if I won when I cross the finish line.  It's fun!  I get funny responses usually.  This year I thought there should be an aneurysm survivor category and then I could actually win!  I have already one for sure.  I am alive and well and I have survived cancer and the brain aneurysm.  I give the  glory to God and to the fabulous support I have from all!  

Santa!

Now are official coffee stop after the race.  Not a race it is an event.  Love doing this.  Gives us time to talk about the event and life.

After the Pumpkin Pacer I went to Kristin's to visit.  I had to take Sammie for dog training not far from Kristin's so I hung out there and Mike brought Sammie to me.  Layne was Ranger of the Month at her school.  Great academics and citizenship.  Proud of you Layne.

Lucy with "pink" her blanket. She calls it pink.  Where is pink?

The girls surprised Grandpa Mike and got dressed up in their Halloween costumes.

Sammie was fascinated by the cats.  They were separated by the glass!

Kristin said I had to put this picture on the blog.  Yes, Sammie has a seat in the car.  If I leave her loose she wants to climb up on my shoulder and look out the window.  A bit distracting while driving! I have now become one of those people with a little dog that has a sweater and a car seat.

This is a little concert given by out granddaughters.  Love these precious little ones.  

Sunday morning and a 5k in Deer Park for us!  Kristin, Layne and Lucy joined Patti and me.  A photo of Mandi with one of her sons and Patti.  Mandi's other son was boycotting pictures.  Mandi did a lot of the organizing for this run/walk.

 Here is the other organizer with her family.  The Larson family!  Good lookin' group isn't it?

 Kristin and her two cherubs!

 Walking to raise money for leukemia.

 Here are Layne and Lucy with their running shirts that were straight from California at Jack's Surf Shop. So cute! A gift from Patti.

 Nothing better than riding in the stroller eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!  I would be smiling too.

 Here are the finishers of the 5k that turned out to 4.5 miles instead of 3.1.  Not sure what happened but all the walkers took the long scenic route.  Some of the runners went a bit too far too.  High school students were telling us where to turn.  They wouldn't have moved to make it longer would they???  Hmmmmm!

What a fun morning.  Layne walked the whole thing and Lucy strolled part of the time and walked others.  Another great family day!  Inspire!

Mother's Day 2012

My Mother's Day started early this year.  Katie organized a "what have you learned from MOM" activity.  The girls each wrote things that they learned from me and Katie hid the comments in my lounge(office).  Each day I got an email that told me where to look for the comments.  Here is a few of the things they wrote...

Obstacles make you stronger

Live life to the fullest

I now realize all the days and weekends she sacrificed for us to play sports.

You are never too old to start anything

Laugh

Prayer works

How to survive being a new mom

I get teary just typing these.  Great Mother's Day present.  I got some signs and one of my missing Bloomsday shirts too.  Thanks to the best daughters ever.  

Kristin and the girls met me at Bear Lake for a little bike riding and hanging out after church on Mother's Day.  This was the first time the girls got to play with Sammie our new puppy.  

Lucy was a little nervous at first.  Probably because I told her puppies like to chew on hands so be careful.

 Precious!

 Layne and Sammie got along great!

 Lucy warmed up to her too but if Sammie got too close I heard GRANDMA!

 Kids and dogs.  Perfect combination!

 Layne and the bars.  She loves them

Lucy thought she should be able to do what her sister did. Kristin helped her and pretty soon she decided she could do it on her own.  More than once Kristin sprinted to her on the bars as she hung there.  She never asked for help and couldn't go from bar to bar.  She did hang on the bar and then would swing backwards to get back up on the platform.  Gotta watch that Lucy.  She is fearless!

 Layne is patiently waiting for her mom!

 I was trying to get a picture of Lucy's helmet but she didn't want to cooperate.

 This is a little extreme to avoid a picture Lucy!  :)

 Don't pull on the leash Lucy.

 They are buddies now.

 Bear Lake! I love where I live!

Taking off back to the car.  There is a water road block.  The lake has covered the path.

 Didn't stop Layne or Lucy but...

Lucy's little legs weren't quite strong enough and she took a spill. She was a trooper and it didn't slow her down much after the initial shock.

Another obstacle along the pathway.  Too deep to ride so Layne and I just walked through it tennis shoes and all.  The people on the left side of the picture had a different approach.

We had such a fun afternoon.  Thanks for a great Mother's Day.  You girls are the best!  I love you a ton and I am so proud of you all.  Love you, THE MOM