Brienna's Camping Party 2010

What a great weekend and to be doubly blessed with wonderful weather was the icing on the cake! What an amazing kick off to our camping season!

The Race For the Cure!!!!

Our journey began 11 weeks ago, after having a close co-worker become diagnosed with breast cancer and watching a cousin lose her battle (leaving behind two young children and a husband), I thought this is it. The perfect way to honor all those who battle this disease, whether won or lost, this could be an amazing experience for Brie and I. After following the coolest training program, Brie and I were ready. Novices to running, we were down to just over a 9 minute mile for me and about an 8.5 minute mile for Brie. The laughs, frustrations, perseverance, and sore muscles we've shared up to this day will be some of my most cherished memories. All the training physically however could not come close to preparing us for what was in store this morning.

We left at 5:30 with only 31 degrees registering on the thermometer. 90% of the other racers were bundled in wool hats, scarves, mittens, coats etc... Brie and I were standing there shivering in just our standard issued t's from the race organization and running pants/tennis shoes and Ipods. With face paint on our arms they looked at us like we were heading for a polar plunge somewhere. We were shocked by this because there were very experienced racers among them. By mile 1, we were racing past everyone very comfortably, no one was laughing now as they had to stop and shed all those layers.

After hearing and seeing over 15,000 people participate in this 5k race (the 2nd largest in their history); seeing the families touched and torn apart, young and old; cheerleaders performing all along the path (MN Vikings cheerleaders too); the drum role from a high school band; the rock n roll band at the fire station; community members lining the streets; it was just one of the most beautiful things I could ever be a part of. I cried during some lovely young lady's performance of the national anthem at the starting line, then again at mile 2 when we caught up to a Daddy with his two little girls running for their Mommy who went home just shy of a year ago, and buckets came out when Brie and I, hand in hand, crossed that finish line. This was so much more than a race, it was something amazing that I did with my little girl and a celebration for a tremendous cause. One of the best Mother's Day's ever! Seeing Conner & Steve at the finish line was the icing on the cake. We'll be back in 2011, hopefully with as many family and friends we can round up!

Hope everyone had an amazing day, we love you!

Conner playing hide and seek with Daddy on their way to the finish line after seeing us start!

Just after crossing the finish line!

We ran in honor of Kris Wesley (home going 8/20/08 @ 3pm), Sherri Lemanczyk (her last treatment is tomorrow & she walked today!!!!), Gma Reese, and Gma Grochow!

Brienna, your Mommy, Daddy, and little brother are sooo proud of you!

Thanks for such a wonderful Mother's Day gift!





Some of our cheering section (the other is behind the camera!)

Team Reese! With so many runners it was like dodge ball more than anything and extremely difficult to keep any kind of pace. We finished in just under 29 minutes with very muddy shoes from running on peoples wet lawns (yep, that was the only place you wouldn't run into people walking). Brie was an expert at weaving through the crowd, Mommy just had to keep up!

We'll be back in 2011 - anyone wanna join us?

What a fun filled April!

It's hard to know where to start, April marked the end of tax season (whohoo!), Easter celebrations, the Reese's 40th wedding anniversary, our little girl turning 10, Grandpa turning 60, and Mike celebrating 30, just to name a few of the big events. What a blast it was, sad to see it end but look forward to May with Seth's and Andrew's birthdays and maybe our first official camping trip!

Here are some shots from Brie's celebratory dinner out, she chose Space Aliens and was doubly blessed when the Schueler's were able to join us. Other than Auntie Klair spilling a whole glass of lemonade on poor Uncle Mitch, the evening was awesome! Thanks Schueler's for the fun!

The next shots are from our stay at the Bastin's, it was Noah's First Communion and I wish I had photos of that to share, but here is a couple from our play time with Keegan & Kyla! Thank you Liv & Jason for such a wonderful visit!

Lastly, just a few glimpses of the fun we had at the cabin celebrating all the April & May birthday's the weather cooperated and the trees blocked out all that gusty wind making it just a fantastic spring day. Some fish were caught (and released), marshmallows roasted, kids ran and ran, and the adults actually were able to converse, it's magical up there for sure!

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Wow, was it really 13 years ago I walked down that isle seeing you at the front of the church standing there so handsome, smiling at me? Likely you were thinking, man I hope she doesn't trip, but with my Mom on one side and Dad on the other, I made it without a problem! I'm a lucky gal to have such a fun, loving, adventurous husband, it's been such a blast living out all our dreams with you. Happy Anniversary to the man who occupies all my thoughts, I love you!

Happy 60th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa! Amazing birthday wishes to someone who quoted us this morning after being asked how it feels to be 60, "I feel like I'm 13!" Lots of birthday kisses are being blown your way today, so don't forget to catch them when you step outside, we love you and adore you!

Happy Birthday Brienna!

It's amazing to think that our adventure started a mere ten years ago. We held you in our arms for the very first time, you were so tiny. We snuggled you close, and spent hours staring at your perfection. The joy we experienced that day was unmeasurable. Man has not, and never will, created a device that can capture the magnitude of you! That was the start of our beautiful Brienna, we've made so many incredible memories since then and look to the future with insane joy at what's to come. Our only wish was that we had one of those darn digital cameras instead of 35mm film back then, oh well, here's more recent glimpses of what makes you so precious! We love you so much pumpkin!

Be sure to crank the volume, audio came through pretty quiet!

Grillin' with the Grochow's

Steak, Shrimp & Chicken Kabobs!

Silly kids

Awesome Host & Hostess

Yesterday was a beautiful day to sit back, relax, enjoy some great company, amazing food and that perfect glass of wine. The kids ran amok and the adults actually held conversations for extended periods of time, truly priceless. It's so awesome how spring, the start of the grilling season, and time spent in great company can bring about such fun. The best way to end a weekend for sure - thank you Erick, Carrie & Liv for such a great time!