On Saturday September 27th I participated in the Susan G. Komen race for the cure. The race in Grand Rapids, starts at Rivertown Crossings Mall and goes up Wilson to 52nd st. and then to Canal and through the high school parking lot and then back to the mall. It is about 3.1 miles.
I think I have done about 5 or 6 times, I have lost count. It originally started with Amy and I only, well with the thousands of others. We missed the year that Amy and Josh got married, due to the fact that our hair appointments were at the same time as the race and we couldn't figure out how to do both.
Every year we invite our friends and family to join us and every year we end up with different people to walk with. Last year Kylie was able to make her debut walk, she was dressed head to toe in Pink and rode in her stroller, she slept the whole time. This year she also came along and was dressed in pink....I can't imagine her walking in it, there are just too many people, plus three miles is a long time for those little legs, she loved being in her stroller this year and stayed awake the whole time, she kept clapping and cheering and talking, she loved it and was entertained by the huge crowd of people.
This year we did things a little differently, we actually walked on a team captained by the wonderful Breast Cancer survivor, Kelly Anglim. Our team name was Hakuna Ma Ta Ta's and we plan on walking or running again next year. If there is anyone out there who would like to join us you are more than welcome, the race will be on Saturday September 26, 2009. This year our team raised about $1800 and we would like to double that amount next year.
We all need to be reminded that Breast Cancer is just not about the women, men are affected to. We all know at least one person that has been affected, whether it be a mom, aunt, grandma, friend, sister, or cousin. I hope you enjoy the pictures, sorry there are so many in this one post.
Hillary, Kylie, and me getting ready to start the walk. It was a little chilly, but we all warmed up quickly, it was a beautiful day!
My mom, Kylie, and I before the race. Some how I did not get the picture of Amy and I that I always get. She was there and so was my mother-in-law, what a better support group than my closest family and friends....I love them all!
Team Hakuna Ma Ta Ta's
Paul and Kelly Anglim and the back of our wonderful shirts, "Faith, Strength, Hope"
Jason O'Callaghan and Paul Anglim getting ready for the race!
Paul and Kelly just before the gun went off....
The back of our team shirts again.....Paul has been Kelly's Strength and she has been his, through the battle against Breast Cancer.
The next photos are just to show the sea of people....I believe it was something like 56,000 people...every year more and more people walk or run....just look at the sea of white and pink! It is an amazingly breath taking sight! Come check it out next year ;)
Kelly finishing the race.....it is amazing, all of the survivors wear pink numbers and the announcers call off their names as they cross the finish line, it was very emotional.
The survivors also get pink roses after they cross the finish line...also very emotional, but an amazing thing to experience!
When we were at the mall after the Race for the Cure Nana bought Kylie a new back-pack, she loved wearing it around the house. She actually was going to spend the night at Nana and Papa's again and we actually used her back-pack for her clothes. 
I know this picture is a little dark, but this is to show the new back-pack, and yes it is full of clothes, for her over night trip.
Kylie was wandering all over the house, blowing kisses and playing with Mia before she left, then she found my scarf again and decided to put it on. She is so goofy and fun!
