The Blood Brothers Walked!

Walk Day came and boy oh boy did the Blood Brothers represent.  After over 6 months of planning, fundraising, and stressing I believe we pulled off the best walk yet.  The women on my committee are simply incredible.  I trusted them to take over their particular areas of the event and they came through 100%.  Other than the last minute vinyl letter cutting I had to figure out for the signs, everything went smoothly.  The weather was perfection.  Team Blood Brothers got some last minute donations to put our fundraising total to $9,200!  We also had over 50 people come and walk with our team.  I've never been so proud.  We are surrounded by the best people on the planet.

As you will see in this post, there are many pictures to capture the day.  However this picture is my favorite one.  Seeing my adorable grandparents show up in their Blood Brothers shirts was the highlight of the day.  They've never missed an important day in my life.  I couldn't love them more.

As our friends and family started to show up, Max was bummed his friends didn't come and Hank's did.  Luckily they showed up right before we started walking.

Even our friends and family who couldn't be there represented!

Finally, let's walk!

Look at that Blood Brothers Team! 

Once Max spotted Co-diggety and Shep-dawg on the trail, his mood automatically improved.

This friendship between Cohen and Max is one I hope lasts forever.  Cohen is the yin to Max's yang.

My world in one picture.  I can't thank Randy enough.  There's no way I could do all I do for JDRF without him.  He was up late hours, moving yogurt at the crack of dawn and one of the last ones to leave the event.  I'm so grateful for him.

Not to mention he carried Sam most of the way.

I was so pumped to see the Crotts family at the finish line.

Hank was totally into this hug.

A diabetes miracle!

By the end of the event, exhaustion set in and I became a little slap happy.  The kids thought I'd lost my mind.  Maybe I did.  It's so emotional seeing all those people there for my kids and my family.  It's emotional to see all these kids living with this horrible disease.  Looking around I feel hopeful, blessed, and extremely grateful for my people and my life.  It feels good to know we're making a difference.  I can't wait until the day I can say my kids HAD diabetes.

Sammy is 5!!

Before I begin documenting Sam's birthday activities, I have to start with our memorial golf date to honor Grandma Joanne.  She passed just two short days before Sam came to the world.  I've always said she hand picked him just for me.  We played yellow balls in her honor.  Man I miss her.

Sam woke up to a yard filled with flamingo's  Thanks Flamingo Boys!  He got lots of cool posters for his new room and the punching bag he wanted.  

I picked up his cousins and we headed to his favorite place, Hogle Zoo!

Sam was in charge leading the way.  Good thing he had his map.

Grandma Jackie couldn't miss out on a zoo trip.

We had perfect weather and managed to see all the animals.

We made it back just in time for Sam's preschool open house.  There's no way he was missing that.

Back home without a second to spare before the family party.  Sam requested a pirate birthday party, and a pirate birthday party he had.

The cake turned out so cute!

My little lover, glad his boxing glove made the pic.

Tucker gave him the poo emoji pillow, can't think of a more appropriate gift from him.

My picture taking was lacking towards the end of the night.  It was a fun but exhausting day!

Sam was the Star of the Day at Bear Hollow the following day.  Of course he had to bring his best buddy Griffy and his favorite treats, square donuts.  He quickly became the most popular kid at Bear Hollow.

I'm grateful for Sam every single day.  He's the sweetest boy, always kind, and extremely sensitive to my needs and feelings.  His snuggles are the absolute best.  I'm so lucky to be his mom.  

First Day of School!

Listen bus driver, you can't come 5 minutes early on the first day of school.  Don't you know I have pictures to take?  This is the best I got of my handsome 6th and 3rd graders.  Their little brother is devastated.  Mostly because he didn't get in this picture with them. 

He had planned it all out.  This guitar was supposed to be his prop.  Don't worry Sam, they have school tomorrow.

Since Bear Hollow doesn't start until after Labor Day, Sam has a couple weeks of bonding with Griffy.  Man he loves his bros.

Finally his turn!

One more year with his best bud Tuck and one more year at Bear Hollow.  I can hardly stand it!