JDRF One Walk 2015

You're looking Team Hank 2015!  This crew right here, along with many others not pictured made it possible for Team Hank to have it's best fundraising year so far.  We were able to raise $9,230 for JDRF!  I'm blown away by the generosity of our friends and family year after year.  I never thought we'd top our $7,400 we raised last year.  Our team truly is unstoppable.  I'm so proud and lucky to call these fabulous people my friends and family.  Now, getting them to all look at the camera, that's the real challenge!

I was once again the walk chairman and it was an extra challenging job this year.  Thankfully I have the greatest walk committee ever.  Working with these women is both inspiring and fun.  We were able to pull off one of the best walks yet, even though our food vendor bailed on us 3 days before!  All the stress and months of planning were worth it when I saw the joy on Hank's face.  Get ready for some serious picture overload.  My phone decided to die that morning.  Good thing I have such awesome photographers in my crew.  Scott and Jeri provided most of these pictures.

Jones Family

Roysters

Ross Family

Grandma Jackie and Grandpa Curt

Scott and Grandma Jeri

Missie and Chris

It was fun to have my friend Hannah and her boys join us this  year.  She also has type 1.

The Yates family--(Luke and Jason were there too)

Scott and Jaden

Cutest cousins

The Roberts Family

Those coffee's were for me and much needed after our 4 am wake up call.  It doesn't matter how much we plan, the hours before everyone shows up are chaotic. My sweet dad showed up an hour early with beverages and a helping hand.  He was especially helpful locating a maintenance worker to get the power turned on.

I have to acknowledge this sexy beast.  There is no way I could have pulled off this event without him.  No one worked harder than Randy that day.  He was so helpful, and his positive energy was contagious.  No one wants me to succeed more than him.  He provided a listening ear for the 6 months prior to this event as well.  What would I do without him?

Of course Griffy had to join us for the walk.  He didn't leave my side the entire morning.

Walk day is always a little rough for Max.  There is so much attention focused on his big bro.

One of my favorite moments before we started walking was when they asked all the kids with type 1 to come to the stage and be honored.  It was extremely emotional for me.  These kids deserve an incredible event.

Hank got to cut the ribbon to start the walk.  One of the perks of having your mom in charge.

The weather this year was perfection. Not a cloud in sight.

Poor Randy had to deal with Max and Sam during the walk.  I managed to escape that madness!

This is the best picture I have of the food tent.  We were able to round up pancake mix, sausage, and ham from Village Inn.  Our fabulous UVU volunteers had a perfect system in place so no one had to wait long in line.  It turned out better than I ever imagined it would.  However, our food quantity estimations were WAY off.  We had enough pancakes and syrup to feed the entire city of Provo.  And don't even talk to me about our insane yogurt overage.  

We had live music provided by Fyre and Reign.  It added such a cool element. 

We did it Griffers!

My beautiful mom was my right hand man on the committee again this year.  

The food was a hit!  Everyone agreed breakfast at 10 am is way better than hot dogs.  In retrospect switching up the food was a bit more ambitious than I thought it would be.  If I'm in charge next year, my motto will be simplify, simplify, simplify.

The entertainment area was enjoyed by everyone.

How official do I look? Ha ha.

Hank is loved and adored by his cousins.  I noticed Hank really enjoying himself this year more than any other.  He's old enough to really grasp the magnitude of support around him.

The face painters nailed Sam's tiger look.

This trio!

What an emotionally exhausting day. I went from frantically stressed out to overwhemingly joyful and happy, to sad and depressed, and back to hopeful and grateful.  This disease is 24/7 worry and maintenence.  There is no way I'd be able to be as successful without Hank's help.  He is such a strong, responsible, independant kid.  I'm so proud of him and so proud I was able to give him and all the other kids a wonderful day of celebration.  Over the past 3 years, Team Hank has been able to raise over $20,000 for JDRF.  We are most certainly doing our part to further type 1 diabetes research.  One day, Hank will be able to go from Type 1 to Type none.  I just know it.

Preschool...Finally!

I can hardly believe it.  My baby is a Bear Hollow Preschool student.  I was just here with Hank on his first day.  It's surreal to think this is our last two years with Miss Molly.  I can't think about it too hard.  The fact that Sam is so ready for school makes this transistion easier though.  Molly has upped her game since Max was there.  She went all out for the open house and made all the kids feel like Kings and Queens.

Sam has been waiting for this day since his welcome packet came in the mail in August.  He wasn't nervous, sad or hesitant.

Having his best buddy Tucker in his class certainly didn't hurt.  It does my heart good to see our kids in the same class.  It's a dream come true for Sarah and I.

Miss Molly makes them wear their Bear Hollow shirt on the first day so we saved this amazing outfit for his 2nd day.  Molly told me he was perfect and following in his amazing brothers footsteps. 

What a stud!  I can't get over how old he looks.

Good thing he's not to old to cuddle up to mom for a nap after school. 

Sam Turns 4

My angel baby is 4!  So much to say about Sam.  Over the past few months he has really grown up.  He is so independent, loves to play with his friends, and is so pumped about being a big boy.  Next week preschool finally starts as well as his first soccer season.  It can't come fast enough.  His athletic ability is pretty impressive for how young he is.  He is fiercly competitive and can't handle losing.  He is deeply sensitive and always worried about me if I'm not feeling well.  He's a very good eater but sugar is his favorite and being the baby of the family, he gets away with eating more than the other boys ever did.  He never hesitates to tell me he loves me.  His brothers and cousins are his best friends but he has lots of friends in the neighborhood.  They are all at least 2 years older than him so it's been rough having them all at school.  Kennedy, Leah, Jake, Tristen, Adam, Taven, and Beckett are his favorite friends at the moment.  Sam loves music and has a set playlist in my car.  Froggy Fresh tops that list but he also loves Fall Out Boy (Centuries), Ed Sheeran (Photograph), Shawn Mendes (Stitches), and fun (We Are Young), to name a few.  I love to hear him singing in the back seat.  He has the sweetest little voice. 

He has been counting down the days to his birthday and it finally came.

Hank had to model Sam's new sweatshirt, and Sam was over the moon about his shin guards.

Sam and I did something I haven't done with my other boys.  I took him shopping for clothes and he actually went into the dressing room and tried on every outfit to make sure he liked it.  Who needs a girl?  

Our family certainly wouldn't be the same without our sweet Sammy-Boy.

Apparently the volatile moods didn't magically go away when he turned 4.  He really was pumped about his new Lego's and Lego table.  Perhaps all the time he spends with Sarah's boys has turned him into my only Lego loving kid.  Since Sam's birthday fell on a Sunday, we were able to have a nice relaxing morning and breakfast at his favorite spot, IHOP.

I mean does it get any better than that?

Although he got this scooter last year for his birthday, I had to capture just how much his scooter skills have improved over the past year.

His personality really shines through in these pictures. 

Love this one!  He is so easy to photograph.

Sam had time to play with all his toys, exchange his shoes, and pick up his birthday cake before his party.  He looked so handsome in his new duds.

He loves his bros so much and they love him.

He might love me more though.

The Griffers goes from loving Sam to being utterly terrified of him all day long.  Sam treats him like the little brother he never had.

Although Sam has always been a mamas boy, I noticed lately he prefers Randy much more.

Super Sam!

He requested a soccer themed party in honor of his upcoming soccer debut.

After every present he opened, he followed up with a hug.

He always has a special spot in his heart for Lennon.

I told you this kid is the easiest to photograph!  I love this picture of him with Sarah's family.  Tucker and Jack are his brothers from another mother.

I hope all your wishes come true this year buddy.  Being your mom is a true joy.  You make me feel loved every single day and I love you right back with my whole heart.