Weekend in Pictures: Birthdays, Breast Cancer Walks & Bonfires

We very rarely have a dull weekend and honestly I really like staying busy. This weekend was exceptionally busy but Sawyer got to do so many new things, he seemed tor really enjoy himself. We started out Saturday morning with the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk to celebrate our friend Mel's fight against the disease. We also walked for my Grandma (my dad's mom) who lost her hard battle 2 years ago. After the walk, my parents, Sawyer and me tried out the new breakfast at Springfield Brewing Company (so yum!), we definitely recommend it. 

Saturday night Trina & Darlene hosted an Appelquist Foundation Bonfire at their house to celebrate the success of this year's tournament. We raised a whopping $8500!!!!  

We finished the weekend Sunday, with 2 birthday parties. Gavin (my coworker and friend Karen's grandson) turned 1 and celebrated at the Fire House by MSU. He had a costume party so we dressed Sawyer up like a Tiger (of course). Cruze (our friend Susan & Dustin's son) turned 2 and had his party at Nathaniel Greene Park in the new Botanical Garden Center. 

Here are the pictures....

My dad, Sawyer and me at the MSABC Walk

Very clever way to drink a bottle, he must have been pooped from the walk

Hanging with Grandma at the Bonfire

The boys had a strobe light fight

First time on a slide and he is in love. Thanks Grandpa

Eyeing Grandpa's beer at the bofire. 21 years bud!

This picture cracks me up, Megan...great face!

The crew at the bonfire.

I love these girls!

Megan and me by the fire

Happy 2nd Birthday Cruze!!

Gavin's costume birthday party. The cutest Hulk I've ever seen!

Yummy Pumpkin

Do many cute costumes!

Impossible to get a shot of all the kids paying attention. The photos crack me up!

And the tiger is off.....

Me and my little tiger

Gavin's party was at the Fire House, lots of fun stuff to play with!

Cute little driver

Owen

Parker

Gavin enjoying his cake.

Making Strides

The Second Annual Making Strides Walk was a success! The weather was beautiful, the turnout was amazing and the funds raised were incredible.

Here are the stats:
Walkers: 4,500
Money raised: $115,000

I want to personally thank all my friends & family members who donated to team Marching for Marilyn, it means so much!
lots of hugs
j+k

Our family

Remembering Grandma

Saturday October 2 at 6:30 pm the world lost one of the kindest, most genuine women I have had the pleasure of calling grandma. Never in my life have I known someone to care so much for every person she met. She had a general interest in people and no one was insignificant. Marilyn Frances Engel battled cancer for more than 10 years and when we got the diagnosis in December that she had 4-6 months left with us we knew we needed show her just how important and special she was to all of us. In true Marilyn fashion she didn't say goodbye until she was ready and made it 4 months past her diagnosis. Every extra moment we had with her will stay with me for the rest of my life. From raising 2 sons that could both win "man of the year" awards to making us grand kids each feel so special (I will miss her 4 page handwritten letters), her leaving this earth makes us all want to be better people. Finally she is without pain and cancer free and that gives us all a little peace.

My family and I are walking in the Making Strides walk on Oct. 16 to help create a world with more birthdays. Please visit my participation page to help us reach our goal in finding a cure for this terrible disease.
thanks for all the love and support!
j+k


Christmas time 2009 with Grandma shown with me, rachel, erin and meghan (amie is there is spirit)




The awesome Memory Board that we put on display for the visitation (thanks Aunt Julie)



The prayer card that my dad and uncle scott picked out, so perfect!