Strides for Epilepsy 5K Run/Walk

   Saturday was a very busy day for us.  We started the day bright and early with a photo session with our favorite photographer.  We had let way too much time pass since our last session.  She is truly a amazing photographer and she got some great shots.  I will post a bunch once I finish sorting through them and posting my favorites. 
   After our session, we hopped in the car and headed to the park by our house.  I had a very special race to run. I quickly changed on the way into my running clothes.  My brother-in-law, Bryan, suffered another seizure this summer.  He was ultimately diagnosed with Epilepsy.  I had of course heard of Epilepsy, I just never knew of anyone who had it.  After doing some reading about it, I discovered that a lot of people have this disease.  It's such a horrible disease, but luckily many can control it somewhat with medication. 
   My sister found out that they were having a 5k run/walk at the park by our house for epilepsy.  We immediately decided that we had to do it.  It was such a nice event.  Unlike most races I do, it wasn't even timed.  It was kind of nice just running to run and have fun and not worry about my time.  They had a good turnout and lots of people ran and walked.  Along the course, they had lots of signs with facts about epilepsy and different reasons why people were running.  As I came near the finish line, I saw that one of the boys who was running it had had a seizure while he was running.  It absolutely broke my heart and really made me realize what a serious disease epilepsy is.  I hope and pray that they continue to come up with medical advances that allow epileptic people to live normal lives. 
   After the race, they had great freebies for participants.  They had a table with all sorts of energy bars and snacks.  Chick Fil A was there giving out breakfast biscuits which totally hit the spot after a run.  They also had Blue Bell ice cream there too.  The kids had fun running around and I know I had fun running.  We all decided that it will definitely be a race we do each year. 

Ella and Bryan

Katy and I before the race

Ella got some running in too!

The girls

Pretty picture of my sweet niece

There goes Katy

There I am running by

The chute was flamingos, which was fun.  Ella really liked them. 

The girls

Bryan nearing the finish

Coming across the finish line

Katy coming down the finish line

It was very hot, so that's why I look like death warmed over!

The girls enjoying some Popsicles. 

Cross Country and School Update

     I was absolutely ecstatic when I learned that Ashlyn's school offers a cross country team! The team is open to all students from kindergarten to 5th grade.  I have always wanted to run a program like this at my school, but since I am only there part time, I could never get it to work.  The P.E. teacher at Ashlyn's school is a big runner and he does an awesome job with cross country.  It is a very popular team to be on.  I think about 180 kids do it.  That is more than a third of the school!  It makes me smile to see so many kids out there running and doing something active. 
   We asked Ashlyn if she wanted to do it, and she decided that it sounded like fun to her.  The team practices two times a week before school.  I work one of the days, but I love getting to run with her one day a week.  They practice running by running laps.  He even has them doing intervals and strides.  He does a great job of teaching them fundamentals of running like pacing, good sportsmanship, etc. Ashlyn averages about 2 miles per practice.  They hand out sticks at each lap and then at the end they tall up the sticks to figure out how far they run.  Ashlyn has already almost ran 10 miles in the course of about 3 weeks!  We are very proud of her for her dedication and determination to running.
   Another part of cross country is that they have 3 different cross country meets during the season.  The first one was on Friday at Ashlyn's school.  The race was about a mile long and they did three different races based on grade level.  Ashlyn ran in the race with kindergartners and first graders.  I asked her if she was nervous before, and she said she wasn't.  She had quite the cheering section to cheer her on.  Her Uncle Steven, Uncle Bryan, Auntie, Ella, Jameson, Gram, Dad, and Mom were all there to cheer for her.  It was fun to watch her run all by herself. I reminded her that it didn't matter how fast she ran, as long as she gave it her all.  She did an awesome job.  She was running her little heart out.  As she came through the chute, she had a huge smile on her face.  I loved knowing that she had a fun time. 
   I also wanted to give a quick update about Ashlyn and school.  She has now been in school more than a month and she is doing better than I ever expected.  She is excited to go to school each day.  She loves getting in the car and telling me all about her day.  She is making lots of friends and getting to know her classmates.  She is doing really well academically as well.  The work is often very easy for her, but I keep reminding her its going to get a lot harder.  She had her first reading test last week, and came home with a 100%.  Joey and I are trying to get involved as much as we can at her school.  We both will be volunteering in her classroom.  Ashlyn's school also teaches Chinese to every student.  Ashlyn loves Chinese class and is teaching me a lot of the words and phrases.  I am eager to see how much Chinese she will know by the time she is in 5th grade.  Ashlyn also really likes music class.  She says the teacher is so funny and she is constantly singing new songs to us.
    I still miss Ashlyn a lot during the day.  However, I don't think I could have wished for a better school experience for Ashlyn.  I love knowing that she is doing so well and learning lots each day!

Before the race started

Ashlyn decided to do some quick hopscotch to warmup.

This was the starting line. 

All the kindergartners and first graders ready to run. 

And their off!!!

There she goes!

She was having such a good time.

Love that smile! At the finish line. 

Going through the chute.

After the race.  She definitely deserved a huge hug!

Thomas the Train and Top Tiger

   Last weekend was a big one for us!  It started on Friday afternoon when I picked Ashlyn up from school.  She came out with a huge smile on her face and she was carrying a box.  I immediately asked her what was in the box.  She explained to me that she had been picked as "Top Tiger" for the week.  She was very excited because she was only the second student to be picked.  As "Top Tiger" she got to take home a stuffed tiger, "LT" for the weekend.  Part of the project was that we were to take pictures of our weekend and document it in a journal.  We had a great time doing things with "LT".  Her journal entry definitely exhibited all the fun we had over the weekend.  The rest of the week Ashlyn got to do things in her class for Top Tiger. One day, the class got to interview her about her favorite things.  Ashlyn loved it and said it was so much fun being interviewed.  She was very sad when her week was over and when she had to bring "LT" back. 

    On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early and headed up to Golden for a very special event.  It's no secret how much Dawson just adores Thomas the Train.  He plays with his trains all day and doesn't really play with much else. He is just into everything Thomas.  A few months ago, my mom discovered that Thomas the Train would be coming to Colorado.  She immediately bought tickets for all the kids to go.  We had been looking forward to this day for some time.  We just knew how much Dawson was going to love it.

    The event was held at a train museum.  We couldn't believe how many people were there when we pulled up.  We had to park in a lot far away and take buses in. As soon as we walked in, it was like being at Sodor Island. There were trains everywhere.  They had all sorts of neat activities for train lovers.  Dawson was in heaven!  We wandered around for a bit and took in all the sights and the different exhibits.  Before we knew it, it was time for our train ride. They design the train to look just like Thomas.  Before we boarded, we got a group shot with Thomas.  The kids were so excited.  The train ride was very cool.  We rode around the train yard three times.  I think it was the highlight of Dawson's life. 

     We had a great time, and it started to get very hot and we were all getting a bit hungry.  In order to leave, you have to walk through an enormous tent with all things Thomas.  I have never seen so much Thomas stuff.  I think they had just about an object you could think of in Thomas the Train.  We let all the kids pick out a souvenir.  Dawson picked out a Thomas and his passenger trains.  He has literally not stopped playing with it since. 

    As we were boarding the buses, Dawson looked out the window and waved to Thomas and said, "Goodbye Thomas." It was too sweet.  We have definitely decided to go back next year because the kids enjoyed it so much.  It was such a perfect way for Thomas fans to enjoy Thomas. 

Dawson and Thomas

Walking the rails

Thomas in action.

Ashlyn and "LT"in front of a train.

They had a really neat train to look at.

Jameson and Ella looking at the train.

The train village

They really liked the train

They added Thomas trains which was very neat

Our group photo in front of Thomas

Time to board

Waiting for the train ride to start

They got suckers for the train ride which was a big treat. 

The girls

Dawson couldn't get enough of Thomas

Saying goodbye

"LT" watching The Croods with Ashlyn.  He thought it was a very funny movie.

"LT" mini golfing with Ashlyn.

Sunday was Joey's birthday, so "LT" got to be part of the festivities.  He loved the cake.

Singing Happy Birthday

The kids enjoying some cake

"LT" decided to become a Broncos fan.  He even put on a jersey. 

Football and Family Picnic

   Two weekends ago, we had a very fun filled weekend.  On Saturday morning, Joey and Ashlyn headed to the Air Force Falcon football game.  It was very hot that day, so I decided to stay at home with Dawson.  We had a big night that night, so I really didn't want him to miss his nap.  Ashlyn was so excited to go spend some time with just her dad.  They had a great time at the game.  Joey said that there was lots for Ashlyn to see and do.  She also said the ice cream was really good!
   When they got home from the game, it was time to head to our next fun activity of the day. Joey's work hosted their annual family picnic at the Sky Sox stadium.  They did a fantastic job of putting on a great family picnic.  The baseball season is over, so we had the stadium to ourselves.  They had bounce houses, face painting, sand art, kickball, volleyball, etc to entertain everyone.  The kids had a blast trying everything.  They also had a catered dinner which was very good.
   The coolest part was that we were allowed down on the field.  I couldn't get over how soft the grass was.  They had some neat inflatable huge balls that kids could get in and run around in.  Ashlyn waited in line for a very long time to do it.  Afterwards, we stayed on the field and the kids just ran around and had so much fun.  Their friends Caitlyn and Connor were there and they had a lot of fun playing together.
    Around 6:30, the started showing the movie "The Sandlot".  The kids were too busy running around playing to really watch it.  It's one of my all time favorite movies so I had a great time sitting on the grass and watching it.  The weather was just perfect.  It was a beautiful night.  After the movie, we all cleared off the field.  They did a bunch of drawings for really nice prizes like $100 gift cards to the Melting Pot.  Of course, Joey and I aren't the luckiest, and we won nothing.
    When it was dark, the best part of the evening began.  They had a private fireworks show just for TRP employees.  They did it to a Star Wars theme so they played Star Wars music throughout.  It was a really nice show and I had forgotten how neat the fireworks are from the stadium.  The kids really, really loved the fireworks.  After the show, it was time to head home.  We were all ready for bed by that point.  We had such a nice time and have some great memories to cherish!

Ashlyn and Joey with The Bird

Going down the big slide

Enjoying Dip n Dots

The Bird parachuting in.

Air Force Falcons coming out of the tunnel.

Kickoff

Ashlyn passed out.

Making a sand art necklace

We love crafts!!!

Dawson checking it out

Dawson showing off his dinosaur tattoo

Ashlyn's rose

He loved the slide!

Look at that crazy girl go!

What a great place to run around.

Ashlyn getting in the ball

Running around in the ball

Dawson decided he wanted to try out the ball too.

He liked it, but didn't stay in very long.

The huge balls looked like a lot of fun.

Sox the Fox even made an appearance.

Chasing after Sox

Where the movie played

The kids and their friends watching the movie.

They even had volleyball to play.  Ashlyn really got into volleyball. 

Running through an inflatable house.

The little monkeys climbing

Watching the fireworks.  The perfect ending to a perfect day!