HUTCHis Life

Durham Bulls

Today was the Durham Bulls' Season Opener.
Mike and his dad (Pappy) went to show our team some support and hope to make this a new family tradition.
As most of you know...this is where the move, "Bull Durahm" was filmed. It's really cool and Downtown Durham has become very nice. If you are from out of town and are reading this...it's a great place to go if you are visiting during baseball season.

Mardi Gras Fest

Well, we worked at Mardi Gras Fest at church and didn't get a chance to take pictures. Connor DID get a chance to have a Dragon face, painted on him. Last year the line was too long and it just didn't happen. He was so sad. Glad he got painted this year!

Germish Day 2011

Every year Mike and his buddy take each of their family backgrounds and allow them to join forces.

It's what we call Germish Day. Not a day of germs. A day where Hutch (my Mike) and Melissa's (Murph's wife) German bloodline meets Murph's and my Irish bloodline. Good food, Spirits and lots of fun!

Murph and Hutch

Melissa and Murph

Connor swinging on Annaka's really cool horse swing made from tires.

Annaka (our Goddaughter) and her big beautiful eyes!

Sammy playing ball.

Annaka and Sam checking out bugs.

Look at these cute baby squirrels. They fell from a reeeeeeeally tall tree. We decided that we'd go to lunch and hopefully while we were gone, their mama would come get them. When we got back, they were gone. We are HOPING mama got them and put them back in their nest.

They fell from one of these really tall trees. Poor little guys. It's amazing they survived.

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.