Mother's Day Run 2013

We continue each year to fundraise for and run in the Mother's Day 5km Run.  I had a pile a amazing donations to a cause that is so dear to our family.  I always take a look back at this time of year... I look back at my first days as a mom.  My sweetest little peanut in the incubator.  I think of all the hard conversations, scary sounding treatments, tiny little fingers.  I remember the incredibly caring and passionate people that work in the NICUs at the Foothills and PLC... I have no words for how important those doctors and nurse are.
I also think back to the first year I ran this event.  With the handsomest 1 year old, just fresh on his walking legs, pacing the street down town ssssuuuuper early before the race.  I think about how I wondered if I would be able to walk for 5 kms and I think about how one year earlier I was facing my own medical mysteries and struggles.
This year - we arrived and parked in our regular race day parking spot.  We loaded up the stroller with goodies, water, entertainment for Sammy and my camera.  We went to the start line.  Sam and I ran a couple little warm up races... Sam tripped and I got to wipe the rocks from his hands and tears from his eyes.  We talked with Sam about what we could see, I could see his smile catching peoples' eyes and the smile he always received in return.  And when the warm up music came on and everyone starting moving, I felt happy to be there and excited to run and proud of the smart/beautiful/hilarious little boy in the stroller and crazy about the man at my side.  Life is good.

Our yearly startline photo together

We found Ronald McDonald wandering around after the race.   We scored a picture AND a sticker!

Sam getting ready for his race (unfortunately he got stuck behind some kids, couldn't get to me, felt like he lost the whole race and then they didn't even hand out medals this year... so we aren't going to talk about it!)

Two best guys.

We went for lunch at one of my favourite restaurant, Big T's, had deep fried pickles and a beautiful BBQ meal.  Spent the afternoon in the yard.  Perfect day.  To top it off, got my fastest time in the 5km to date... nothing to brag about in front of an avid runner, but a personal best.

A Spring Visit!

We headed homeward last weekend to see our Moms and spend some time in the country.  We had an awesome visit with my family and celebrated Maeg's 11th birthday.  We also spent some great quality time with my in-laws on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Mom's turn to come play soccer!  Love this little man!

Out at my Grandparents' farm at the world's most efficient wiener cook out!  Even Sammy got to roast a couple.

Perfect day

Happy kite kid!

Helpin' out.

Three generations of kite fliers!  Pretty neat to fly kites at the top of the hill!

Helping hand from sweet cousin Kaili!

So excited for a tractor ride!

Farm boy!

Sam's First Day of Soccer

I was super bummed two weeks ago when Sam had his first day of soccer and I wouldn't be able to be there.  Shaun took on the task (little did we know that 250 3 and 4 year olds also were having their first day of soccer) and had a Dad and Sam day.  Fortunately our good friends the Gordays came to be Sam's biggest fans and snap a couple shots of the man in action.