Honoring our Family and Strengthening Bonds

Road Trip

Two of my cute, macho, fun nephews, Mike and Mark Brooks, with some other guys went on a road trip to Alaska. I couldn't help posting this beautiful shot.  (May 2011)

Hayden James St. John: He's a Keeper!

Hayden has played soccer for several years, including a couple of years on the Olympic Development Team.  He loves it, he is very good at his goal keeper position and he is fun to watch.  Cherie loves being a soccer mom.

Paige also plays soccer, double the fun for Cherie.

I am slowly, very slowly catching up.  These are from 21 May 2011.

Mother's Day

Well here we are, three generations of mothers. 

I have learned to love Mother's Day.
Every year Wayne prepares a nice dinner for us and cleans up afterwards.
What's not to like!

Race for the Cure 2011

It means so much to have so much family love and caring.

They are such great people and we have such a jolly good time together.

Let's see, we have Austin, Steven, Tom, Hayley, Kim, Spencer, Cherie, Claudine (me), Wayne, Kari, Katelyn, Melissa, Jordan, Jeff, Ellie, Lyndsey, Julie, Lauren, Paige, Hayden.  Jacob was here, but not in the group photo. 

Ahhh, the perfect way to end a race.  A walk around the Church Plaza to see

the amazing tulips and other spring flowers, all topped off with

a breakfast/brunch at Village Inn.  Good times.

Race for the Cure 2010

Kari's office sponsored a team for Cherie

and paid the admission fees for all of her family.

You've got to love that kind of support.

This was Cherie's year.  It has been tough, but she has been a trooper.

Kim gets high marks for being her "nurse" through so much of this experience.

Race for the Cure 2007

The support and love of my family means everything to me. 

 I love what this year's survivor's shirt said: 

"I walk for those who have walked before me and for those who walk beside me."  

 They didn't send me my Survivor's Shirt until after the race.  Oh well. 

Every time I do one of these races it is a very emotional experience for me.  It is humbling to see so many strong women, made stronger through adversity, and so many beautiful YOUNG women who have had to deal with cancer at an age when it seems especially traumatic.  There is a common bond felt when with these survivors in the parade after the race.