St. Patty's Day Parade

Since Mike participated in St. Baldrick's this year we got to be a part of the St. Patrick's Day parade.  After getting decked out in a bunch of green stuff, we sprayed Connor's Mohawk and Mike's "Warrior Dash Beard" in a nice sparkly green. The beard was a HUGE hit! Connor rode his bike as the rest of us walked through downtown Raleigh spreading joy and awareness. It was so much fun. Mike made TV because people were so impressed with his beard. People were taking pictures, shouting at him how much they liked his beard and a few asked if he would pose with them for pictures.  I thought the beard was cool, but never would have guessed that it would be such a crowd pleaser!

Irish Vikings. Two of our favorites! 

Not a big fan of clowns but the chair they had on top of their ride was funny.

Our friends Chris, Julie and their little girl joined us in the parade.
I'm sure you remember Chris from the St. Baldrick's Post. He participated as well.
It was a really fun day all around!

Spring in March

It was such a beautiful day and we HAD to take advantage. Drove to my parents' house, parked the car and went for a walk to their neighborhood park.

 

St. Baldrick's Event

 Something I am so sad to say is that Cancer has burdened our life in too many ways, and for far too long. Mike and I have both lost friends to Brain Cancer, both of our mothers have had Breast Cancer, my brother had a rare form of Cancer, I lost a cousin to Leukemia, we both know many who have had Skin Cancer and several other different types of Cancer too. It is almost unbelievable. On top of it all... this year we had a scare with Connor. I thank God every day that it was not. I don't know if I could even bare that. It makes my heart break and litterally ache to even write any of this, but want you to know where we are coming from. I know you can relate in some way.

Each year, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada. Research saves lives.

Whether Cancer has struck a child you know, or and adult... we are all in the same fight. We HAVE to get more answers. We HAVE to save more lives. We HAVE to win this battle. We HAVE to do more research... and it takes money and awareness to do so.

This year one of Mike's long-time friends, Chris... came to him and suggested they try to raise money for the St. Baldrick's foundation. Without any hesitaton, he joined him and they formed a three-man team with another friend/co-worker of Mike's. Their initial goal was to raise $250, turn it in and get their heads shaved to stand with those who have lost their hair during Cancer treatment. It seamed like such a big goal, but with the help of so many of our friends and family...they reached their goal within a couple of days. They increased it to $500, then $1,000, $1,200, $1,500 to their final goal of $3,000. I am so proud to say that their final amount raised was $3,263! AMAAAAAAAAZING!!!!!! The entire event raised $45,165.00, exceeding last year's amount by thousands!

Mike and I want to thank all of you who donated to this.

YOU have helped get the world that much closer to victory in the battle of Cancer.

Below are pictures from the Shaving Event!

 

Shavee, Mike

Shavee, Chris

Shavee, Scot

Shavee,  random guy...but look how much hair he is sacrificing! Way to go random guy!

My three heros!

Some guy made his "hair happy"... as Sam said. The kids loved this!

 Um...EEEEEW, but so cool at the same time!

Hurricanes Game

As a BIG thanks to all of the people who took part in the St. Baldrick's Event at the RBC Center, we received tickets to the Hurricanes game that night. We had SUCH a great time. This was Sam's first hockey game and he did very well. The loud noises got to him in the beginning but he was sound asleep towards the end, and slept right through all of the excitement. INCLUDING... a tie breaking shoot-out! Connor is a more experienced fan and had a ball the entire time.

Foam puck hats! Fun for the whole family!

Sam let Daddy borrow his hat to keep his bald head warm.  It looks GREAT on him! Don't ya think?

 Game time!

Daddy and Connor

Daddy and Sam

 

The fam!

Stormy the Ice Hog!

Gator Grace

If you need a reminder, Gator Grace is Connor's Class Mascot. They are the InvestiGATORS. The first half of the year, each child in his class was assigned a week to bring Grace home to spend time with them and their family. Beginning in February, each child in the class has the "opportunity" to bring her home for the day. The day they get her, she is a reward to them for having had a GREAT DAY at school. Today was the day for Connor! Good job buddy! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you.

 

Party Weekend!

We had a couple of birthday parties this weekend. The first was our neighbor and good friend Ryan. Unfortunately I left my camera at home. Very sad considering they are moving, and that will be the last party they will have there. I will try to get pics from someone who got some good shots but until then...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RYAN MICHAEL BRIDGES!

The 2nd party was for one of Connor's classmates. They went to ChuckEcheeeeeeeese!
I can't tell you how excited Connor was to go to this place. He was on cloud nine. See for yourself.

One of Connor's buddies. He is SUCH the ladie's man.

THIS ONE is for you Daddy!

"We get tickets for prizes too! It's like we win twice Mommy!"

Getting Real

Well... it was brought to my attention that my facebook picture is WAAAAAAAY out of date. I guess after thinking about it, the photo I had as my profile pic was about 10 years old and MANY pounds ago. I am now 33 years old, a bit heavier, married, a mother of two boys, child care provider and officially starting to gray. I still feel young though! How can this be?

Anyway... I thought I would get real today and take a picture of myself. This is HUGE! I NEVER want my picture taken. I would much rather be the one taking the pictures. Here it is. This is me. 33 and loving life. I know I should be smiling, but it just looked way too posed. Here is me looking um... I don't know.

Connor wanted his picture taken with me, when he saw I was taking pictures of myself. Love my little buddy!  WHO does he look like!? Not me.... that is for sure!