Relay for Life part 2

This year for relay was really rainy! We got to the school track around 12 and not even kidding as soon as we had our canopy's up it started to rain. We lucked out that we got there when we did. It rained non stop up until midnight and then we had a few hours that is was just a mist. Talk about being cold and wet but it didn't dampen our spirits! We still had a great time and cried and laughed together. The next morning after we had our closing ceremony the sun came out!! It was really hot and muggy after that. I was just glad I was going home to go to bed and didn't have to walk in that weather. I am looking forward to next year already!

This is our team minus a couple of people that hadn't got there yet. The girl with the dark hair on the end and I were co team captains. It was a lot of work for me this year because she ended up moving 45 minutes away. I went to all the meetings for us but she helped in other ways. She isn't going to be on the team next year and I am going to really miss her!

These 2 are such an inspiration! This little boy was diagnosed with bone cancer and not even 2 weeks later his mom found out she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They were both out walking the track in the rain.

This is an emotional part of the event. All of the survivors line up and walk around the track and we cheer for them. Some of them have no hair, some are in wheelchairs, some are missing limbs.

Some of them cry the whole time around the track its emotional for them too.

This is our tent site with all the stuff we have for sale. We had a mini bake sale, recipe books, shirts, wooden signs and massages. Our theme for Relay was the magic of Relay dream it hope it cure it. We went with a Disney twist and found some cute decorations.

This is Trish helping put up a tarp to keep the rain out. This is the food booth I did for my fundraiser. I was worried nobody would buy anything since it was really rainy. I had some pretty cute signs that said Mickey's diner. I served Chicken salad crossiants,chips, lemonade and homemade oreo's in the shape of Mickey's head. I sold more then I thought I would and the Mickey oreo's were a big hit!

Trish decided to cut her hair off! All of the sudden she said I am going to cut my hair. They cut 8 inches off and she had 4 ponytails because her hair is so thick! It looks really cute short. I cut mine last year so by next year it will be ready to go!

This is Satina the one I am co captains with. Our team did so awesome this year! WE are at the gold level which means we raised more then 5,000! As of today we are close to 8,000 with what we made at Relay. We also did all of the requirements to be a team pacesetter.

This is another emotional part of relay the luminaria bags. In a couple of pictures back you can see all of our bags stuffed under the table waiting to go out. We sold over 250 bags! We line them up around the track and put sand and a candle in them. They all look so awesome and make you cry when you read some of them.

This is our ceremony we had. They have someone come up and tell their story then we all walk around the track together. They play some pretty emotional songs like wind beneath my wings, hero, survivor. It is very cool to have a chance to remember so many and hope for the best for others.

This is me trying to get warm around 2am. It was so cold and rainy and I was just freezing! It was actually better to be walking around the track cuz at least that got the blood pumping!

This was our last lap around the track. We are suppose to carry our team sign and walk together. We were missing a few people but it was fun to be with those still there. It was an awesome event and I am truly blessed to be apart of it!

Relay for Life 2012 part one

I have a new passion in life and that is to raise as much money as I can to fight cancer. As you know I have lost way too many people to this horrible disease. Just as awful I have watched family and friends struggle through and survive. I got involved with a program called Relay for life.I thought I would tell you a little bit about it since sometimes people don't really know what it is.The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Cancer never sleeps so neither do we. Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. One person can make a difference and one person did his name is Gordy Klatt. Relay For Life started in the mid-1980s in Tacoma, Washington when Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed — running marathons. In the spring of 1985, Klatt spent 24 hours going around a local track –more than 83 miles – and throughout the night, nearly 300 people paid money to run or walk at intervals with him. He raised $27,000, and the experience led to his vision of 24-hour relay teams that raise money for cancer research. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield. Klatt’s vision turned into an annual program which has raised more than $4.8 billion, and has been an inspiration for millions of cancer survivors, caregivers and communities across the globe. Just a few weeks ago Dr. Klatt was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He has stayed so positive telling everyone to work their hardest at this years events. I hope we will be able to pull in more money then ever to honor him. I know as our team we did the best we ever thought we could. I will tell more about it in the next post.

Walking with Angels 5k

I know its been a long time since I blogged but I have good reason. I have been really busy with Relay for life. Its an event for the American Cancer Society. I will explain more about that in the next post. Basically we have to do fundraisers and raise money for Cancer. Our team decided to do a 5k for our big fundraiser. It was such a big undertaking and at some points it was a huge headache. After all the stress and craziness the event turned out so great! We had 140 people sign up to do it and it ended up being a big family event. I put together goodie bags to give all the participants and was in charge of doing a bake sale. I thought it turned out pretty nice looking.I wanted it set up like an old fashioned bakery where everything is on nice platters. Some of the members of the team helped me by making things for the sale and I think we did great.The picture of the little boy is Casey and he is the son of a mom on our team. His mom has just hit her 1 year mark of being cancer free. She battled breast cancer and it sure took a toll on her. A couple of weeks ago they received horrible news that he has cancer. He had his tumor taken out and just started his chemo this last week. I feel so sad for them what a horrible thing to have 2 family members deal with cancer. It makes me work even harder to make more money to fight Cancer!

Early Memorial day

Since I wasn't going to be in Utah for memorial day I thought it would be nice to go visit the graves. So on Sunday afternoon my parents,Denise and I went to a few cemeteries. We went down to the Brigham city one and its really nice but sure is crowded. I love that they planted lilac bushes all around the outside kind of like a gate.

I didn't get a picture of my grandpa Keith's headstone but here is my cousin Shawna's.

I love the picture her husband chose for her it fits perfect. Its a praying woman from Nauvoo. That is her to a tea she was always so spiritual and just loved everything to do with Nauvoo. I sure do miss her and being able to call and just talk. I feel so sad for her kids it can't be easy being without a mom. Thank goodness for our beliefs or it sure would be a sad life for them. I was so glad I was able to go on this road trip. It sure was a long 13 hours of straight driving back home but my car was amazing! I can't wait to go back hopefully for the temple open house!

Baptism and graduation

My niece Maya was baptized on Saturday morning by her dad. It was a tough thing because Denise was also graduating from college the same time. Neither of the events could be moved so we had to split up. We wanted an equal amount to each event. It was really hard to choose which to go to but we finally made our choices. Lisa,Phil and Stacie went to the baptism. My parents and grandma and I went to Denise's graduation. After everything was over we met at my parent's house for a big celebration for them both. I think everyone that partcipated had a good time. The kids were really hyper so we took them on a few walks to try and settle them down.

I was happy to see Denise finally graduate from college. It has been a rough road and she has been back and forth whether to finish or not. I know my parents were really pleased with her. It was a great day just really long it didn't take long to fall asleep!

Road trip to Utah

We had quite a few things going on with my family this weekend and flights were way too much so I drove. My roommate came with me which was good because she kept me awake! The drive wasn't too bad especially with this as the scenery!

I always get choked up when I get closer to home and see those beautiful mountains surrounding me. There is just something about them they are quite a comfort.

We decided we were going to surprise a few people before meeting up with our families. My old roommate Sue is getting married so we called and had her meet us. It was great to catch up with her and see how truly happy she is now. So glad she found someone to treat her good. Then I dropped Trish off at her brother's and it was quite a surprise for them to see her! I went to my friend Julie's work and really gave her a good surprise she yelled and scared everyone in her office! I never seem to have enough time with all my dear friends. I made one more stop to see another sweet friend then I made it home. It was so nice to be home and in the quiet of my parent's home. We just relaxed the rest of the day and I rode the new 4 wheeler that was fun. Then my sister Lisa got there she flew in since she had to work more days then I did. My mom got out her famous list of things that had to be done for the weekend and we planned. Since my grandma Jean passed away and everything had been divided we had to load up the stuff my mom got and that was no easy thing. My grandma has a really nice dresser set with a big mirror that ways 2 tons. It was basically my dad and I carrying it all out with a bit of help from my mom and sisters. I was so glad to have it done and we went for Chinese food afterward. We had to go back and load up one more load then my dad headed for home. My sister's and I wanted to roam the property and take a million pictures. This has been a really hard thing for us to adjust to. Growing up we didn't really have a home we could call ours since my parents moved around a lot. My grandma's house was always our roots and we spent so much time there. I am so glad for the thousand memories I can think of when I go over every inch of her property. My mom and sister and I stopped to see my aunt Kim on our way home. She is always in such good spirits and so positive. She was telling us how she can do her hair and sew one handed. She continues to amaze me with all she can do. We came home and relaxed for our big day in the morning.

Tulips everywhere!

I love going to the Wooden Shoe tulip festival every year. Its so breath taking to be there and see the rows of tulips. It didn't disappoint this year either it was a beautiful sunny day. There were so many people thank goodness there were lots of rows of tulips. It seemed like every time I wanted a picture somebody was walking in front of me. Finally at one end of the field I was able to get some good shots.