Easter, Mother's Day Run, Tball, Kite Flying and Other Springy Things!

Spring came in like a WHIRLWIND... I realize it's either supposed to be lamb or lion but neither fit the description!  We've had some really awesome family moments this spring.

We purchased zoo passes for this year and made it just in time to say good bye to the elephants.  They are heading to Washington to a beautiful elephant sanctuary... Sam and I agreed that just might mean we have to go there to visit them instead!

Love this boy!

Sammy woke up on Easter morning to discover a trail to his easter surprise.

We also went for our third year in a row to the Airdrie easter egg hunt.  It's such a cool event with more chocolate than a herd of kids could ever want!

This year we completed our 5th Mother's Day Run.  Shaun and I were up just past midnight the night before making shirts for our team.  Each year the run becomes a little easier to physically run and little more meaningful to our family.

This year we entered a team called 'For the Love of Sam'.  

Another awesome thing happened and my parents decided to come down and complete the run with us.  Thanks Mom and Trev!  We love you so!

Apparently my OCD about being incredibly early for everything combined with our really well made team shirts attracted a bit of attention.  As we finished taking our family photos, we got a pic taken by CityTV.  Then Global TV interviewed Sam and I.  It brought out a ton of emotion in me and when I pulled myself together, I found them interviewing Shaun.  Before we had even completed the race I got a text from a friend saying we were on the morning news!!!  I included the link to it at the bottom.  At the finish line we got a family photo taken by the Calgary Sun which apparently was on the front page.  What can I say... they were really great shirts!

Funny... Jen pointing out the 'Walker' sign!!!

Sam and the girl of his dreams having a post race snack.  He probably ran 2.5km out of the 5km.  At one point he was even hassling me that my run wasn't fast enough and probably not even a run at all!!!  Tough love.  I got my best person time and felt amazing at the end.  Well done team, well done!

I'm so grateful that I signed Sam up for T-ball this spring.  It's been so cute to watch and he really loves it.  It's been so much more successful than soccer was last spring.  Here's Sam having some batting practice (little tongue sticking out reminds me of my cousin Anthony!)

Juice break!

Handsomest third baseman in the league!

Sam received this airplane for his 4th birthday and we never really tried it too much.  We brought it out to the acreage this weekend and found out it is SOOOO much fun.  Sam chased it around the yard for hours!

If you ever need a little pick me up, let me know.  I'll share some sideline time with you watching Sam and his cousin Kaili together.  They are two peas in a pod.  She is patient with him and he absolutely adores her!

Not even I can deny that this little relationship isn't just the greatest ever.  Dang big dog winning me over... but seriously look at that face!!!

Hey Grandpa, who's your friend there!?!?1

YES!!!  Our baby tree survived the winter!  YIPPEE!!

http://globalnews.ca/video/1324496/news-hour-may-11-5/

Hopefully you can click this link and it will take you to our minute on the news.  Skip to minute 5:28.  Though VERY overwhelming, I'm so grateful that after all these years we finally got the opportunity to say how much the NICU and the staff there meant to us and I'm sure 1000s of families.

Happy spring everyone.  Summer will be here in a flash!

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.