Great RAAM finish!

TEAM DONATE LIFE - GIVE HOPE - CONGRATULATIONS

Team Donate Life – Give Hope crossed the finish line at 10:20pm. They rode for 6 days, 4 hours and 48 minutes and averaged a whopping 20.3mph over the 3021 mile journey.

Riders, Jason Weckworth, Dave Stoker, Elliot Block, Jared Ellison, Tad Rogers, Brodie Pollard, Robert Carbonneau, Ryan Robinson all inspired each other and worked well together.

They exist to promote organ donation and transplantation. They have a few members who are organ donors and a transplant surgeon. They had some recipients with them. Jason Weckworth’s wife gave a kidney to Stacy, a crew member. They’re all about promoting organ donation.
Mostly throughout, they felt awesome and enjoyed themselves.

Tad Rogers was sick for two days. But other riders picked up the slack. Sleep deprivation is what affected them most. Communicating and Everyone being Team Players can be challenging aspects, but weren’t because they talked through everything. Every single one of their crew and members did their job. Something that specifically happened was when they were riding through Ohio. From their blog.

“When we weren’t riding, we talked and laughed and took pictures of Kermit the Frog and said silly things that only sleep-deprived people could possibly think of. But it’s what makes RAAM so great… having relationships that help you meet great challenges. These aren’t just RAAM team members. These are my dear friends who are creating memories that will last a lifetime. Isn’t that what we all want to experience in life? “

Well done! That is an example of solid team-work.

Race Across America

Yes he is doing it again, last time he said never again, but he is. RAAM started yesterday. Bobby and his team "Team Donate Life- Give Hope" left Oceanside CA around 2:30. Today Derek and I headed up to Congress, through Skull Valley into Prescott, to meet up with them and take a few pics.
Coming up the hill from Skull Valley into Prescott, Bobby in the rear transitioning to another team member. They did 1 mile leapfrog up the hill to keep their speed up.
Bobby and Derek in the Prescott Wal-Mart parking lot at the end of Bobbys (and 3 other team members) 12 hour race rotation.

www.raceacrossamerica.org look for 8 man "Team Donate Life- Give Hope"

www.teamdonatelife.com click on "Track me- 360" then "adventure hq" for "real life" updates as to their position.

At the Kayenta time station they had avg 24+ mph.

Macy tries fruit

This week Bobby and Derek have been up north with the young men from church. Tuesday I followed Alli and Kyle home. Alli and I painted Macy's room, watched movies and started Macy on fruit LOL! Too cute!! You could tell when she got cereal, which she is used too. and when she got the fruit ... can you tell? :)

Brelee's blessing

Sunday was Miss Brelee's blessing day. It was a lot of fun. Isn't she so cute!?

Next to impossible getting 4 kids, 4 and under to look at the camera at the same time. But soooo dang cute!

Kari Pike (Kati's Mom), Kati and Breelee. Kari made Brelee's dress, it just turned out beautiful! Its so much fun having your daughter-by-marriage's mom for your friend :)

The nest is empty

Well the nest is empty. The birds are all grown up and on their own. Wow, that happened fast! Just weeks ago I discovered eggs in my front door wreath, and now the nest is empty. However I can still hear the beautiful music they sing from the trees.
It feels like my kids grew up that quickly also. It sure didn't feel that way when it was happening. I never thought I could love them more than I did when they were little, but I do. Never thought I could be more pleased than when they each started to walk, but I am. I love it when they all come home and the house is busy, with noise, cooking, kids visiting, grandkids playing ... the best song is the song of a family. I love the music my family makes, it fills my heart and spirit to overflowing. We have the best family in the world!

Quilting update

This week we had Derek's car in the shop :( That means *Mom* is car-less.  Humm.
Consequently I got a lot of sewing done! So, all in all, it turned into a good thing.This is the "Chocolat" quilt with the pinwheels on the outside edge. One more round to go.
Quilters Bee Free Batik block of the month. Next week I'll go in and choose the sashing colors, with my "Color girl", Kellie. The geometric is the focus fabric and will be the outside border.

Charleston Harbor BOM through Homestead Hearth. I was waayy behind on this one, it feels good to be caught up! 

Amazing how much a person can get done at home when there is nowhere to go :)

Monday at the Aquarium

Monday Kyle, Alli, Macy and I went to see the Aquarium at the Wildlife Zoo. It was a bit pricey, so if you go look for coupons (NO they are NOT on the Hickmans egg cartons). But we heard they are in the Dex pages. When the sharks and other big fish grow some it will be really cool! The penguins were fun.
Macy loved watching the fish!

Growing up!

The baby birds are growing up! It seems so crazy for them to be this big so fast! There are only 3 of them. I don't know what happened to the 4th. We have searched the porch and the wreath and its just gone. "Momma" bird didn't think it was healthy enough? :(


So much so, that I don't know if this picture is the Mom or one of the babies! If it is a baby, they will be gone in no time. Then I can clean the poop off my wreath...yuck ... I'll miss them though.

The "baby" turns 18!

Sunday was Derek's 18th birthday. Meghan and her Mom , Robin, made "Fenn Tacos" for dinner at Derek's request. Chris & Kati's family came up and went to church with us. Steven & Meghan (and Robin) , and Alli & Kyle & Macy were here when we got home from church. We had NO idea all the kids would be here! It was soo fun! Dereks friend, Kirk, and his girlfriend Britt's family - Kellie, Dale and Courtney all came over too.
Brittany's gift was the most creative with 18 things Derek liked. The little boys liked the mustang matchbox car the best :)



Nathan decided it was a fun game to get his head stuck going in and out of the bench arm :)