Buddy Walk 2011

Buddy Walk 2011 was this past weekend.  We have walked the past 5 years with the Krause family.  We met them in 2007 through our church.  They have been such great friends to us over these years and have an awesome family!  They have 6 kids and their son Peter has Down Syndrome.  Peter is one of the most loving kids I know.  He doesn't know a stranger and is always so ready to give you a hug or knuckles.  If you are having a bad day all you would need to do is spend one second with Peter and he would cheer you up.  I am so glad we met this family!  Thad loves Peter too.  The first thing he asks when we are going to church is "Can I play with Peter outside after church?"  And if he sees Peter in the pews ahead of us, he always shouts out his name!

Catherine and Peter

Thad had fun seeing all the characters.  His favorite one is Sox the Fox and he was so excited when he saw him.

He also loves white powder donuts and ate a whole pack before the walk!  He had powder all over his face.  Last year he was afraid of the Armadillo but this year he wanted his picture with him.

The Krause family had these shirts made for us this year.  They are so neat and have our names spelled out with sign language.  Little Ollie's was a little big but we will be ready for next year's walk!

Thad walked most of the time but rode on Daddy's shoulders some too.  He held his sign proud and shouted "Peter, Peter, Peter!"  It was a 3 mile walk in Manitou Springs.  Some of it was up hill and it was a workout- but well worth the cause!

Peter crossing the finish line.  So proud of you Peter!

Peter has been through a lot in this past year.  He was diagnosed with leukemia and is currently going through treatments.  Peter, we are so thankful for you and can't wait to walk with the Peter Warriors next year!

Loves of my life

I can't stop taking pictures of my boys! They probably think a camera is attached to my face.  Every time I take a picture I think it's my favorite one and then I take another one and think the same thing.  

These next few might just be my favorite.....

Look at those eyes!

Tummy time

I LOVE my boys

This one is DEFINITELY my FAVORITE.  I can't get over this picture.....this boy melts my heart.  He can be the orneriest little boy and I might get frustrated with him at times but at the end of the day he is the sweetest!

Fun with Cousins

Shayna, Hannah and Macie have been here since last Friday.  Thad loves when his cousins come to visit and likes to wrestle and rough them up a bit!  My parents brought them out and then they took a little trip to Nevada to gamble for a few days and left them here with us.

Shayna LOVES baby Oliver and was a big helper.  She would hold him while I was doing other things (like blogging).  

They went swimming a few times even though the water was a little chilly!  

Thad kept right up with them and went under water when they did.

The girl's brought this baby doll with them and we would see it laying face down on the couch and your heart would drop for just a minute.  All of us at one time saw this baby laying around glancing at it real fast and thinking it was Oliver.  I had to take a picture of them together.  I would have to say Ollie is much cuter!

Thad adores the girls.  He is rough with them and picks on them all the time but he really does love having them here.  He likes to do the things they do.  I would have to say he wrestles Hannah the most.  She is the closest thing to his size and he just likes to pick on her.

Papa makes for a good horsey.  They all like to ride Papa around until he can't go anymore!

Then they just wrestle him.

Nana and Papa with their boys.

It was fun having them all out here.  Thad was sad when they left today and asked when they were coming back.  We will see them and the rest of the family in just a week for some lake time during Labor day weekend.


Silly face!

Macie, Thad, Hannah, Shayna and Ollie

Photo Friday

Sky Sox game

Ready for some baseball!!!!!

At the AHA heart ball in February Front Range Orthopaedics was the winning bidder on a Mended Little Hearts activity.  They planned a wonderful night of baseball, food and special surprises!  The CHD kids got to walk around the field and one boy from our group got to throw out the first pitch.  They also got to sing "Take me out to the ballgame" into the microphone.

  

The Sky Sox played the Salt Lake Bee's.  We had good seats in the picnic terrace and had a nice buffet dinner.  They also handed out goodie bags with a blow up bat and baseball, hats, and other fun things.

Ollie had fun hanging out in the baby Bjorn.  

Family fun!  Thad wouldn't put down his whistle for a good picture.  

Sox the Fox came by for a visit and all the kids loved it!  Thad is usually afraid of people in costumes but he LOVES Sox the Fox!

Big hugs!

Watching baseball with Papa

It was such a fun night.  My parents and nieces were able to come to the game with us.  There were 3D fireworks at the end but it got so cold and windy we had to leave a little early so we missed the fireworks.  Maybe next time.

Garden of the Gods

My parents and nieces came out for the weekend and we went to Garden of the Gods.  We had a fun time walking around and of course taking pictures with my new camera :)

The kids had fun holding up balancing rock.  They think that's pretty neat they can go under the rock and act like they are holding it up.  Thad had a great time.  Papa gave him shoulder rides and helped him climb up rocks!  

Great view!

Thad's excited fists.  He always had to be in the pictures.  I tried taking a few of just the girls and had to sneak the pictures when he wasn't looking.

Shayna, Hannah and Macie

They are getting so BIG and growing up too fast.  I remember holding Shayna when she was just months old and now she is 10 years old!

Nana and Papa with the grandkids

Our family photo.  We had to pry Thad away from climbing to take a quick picture.....as you can see he doesn't look too happy!

We always have a fun time when my parents come out.  It's fun to live in a place where we can do fun things when company comes to visit!

7 Year Anniversary

Today is our 7 year wedding Anniversary.  7 years! oh how time flies when you are having fun.  Our wedding was such a good time.  Small town weddings are the best! We got married in Russell, KS on August 21, 2004.  It will be a day we never forget!

Adam and I met in college the summer of 2001.  He moved into the apartments below me.  My roommate Shiloh saw 4 guys moving into the apartment and said to me "there is one that I think you are going to like"  I told her that I had already saw them and didn't think any were my type.  Little did I know that wasn't true!  Adam and I started dating July 19, 2001.

Here is the first time we saw each other on our wedding day.  I was so nervous and when I opened my eyes seeing Adam standing there made it all go away.  He looked so handsome (and young!)

This picture has always amazed me.  You notice the light shining on my face like there is a window there right?????  If you look at the picture above you will see there is no window there.  

Adam and I have been through so much in our marriage.  We have 3 beautiful children who are all so special. We have gone through something that no parent should ever have to experience.  Through all of the laughter, tears and heartache we are a stronger couple.  I couldn't imagine going through life with anyone other than Adam.  He is so kind, gentle and loving.  He has always been there for me and tells me like it is!  He has a different way of looking at things and keeps me in my place when I need it.  He is a great father and isn't afraid to show his emotions.  He is my best friend.

Pictures from the past!  This is at my 21st birthday party- August 2002.

  We traveled half way around the world together in 2003 when we went to Paris.  This is us getting ready to go to Moulin Rouge.

June 2002

Oh to be young again! I know we aren't old but looking back at some of these pictures we look so young.  I have to say I miss my long blonde hair!

Hawaii - November 2005

July 2007
We went on a cruise with my family.  I was pregnant with Thad in this picture.

February 2011- Heart Ball

Love you Adam! I look forward to celebrating many more years with you.