Blogging Again!

Canoeing on the Pere Marquette River

Yes, I know it's been awhile. My sister told me she updated her blog...so it was my turn.

Ok, so what did you miss? We went canoeing in Baldwin at the beginning of Sept. - It was a lot of fun and I hope we do it again but on a much ~ much warmer day next year! It was in the 50's the day we went. The river was freezing and since I've never tipped a canoe before - I never thought of bringing a change of clothes (just in case). I had a short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt and a sweatshirt on with capri's. It was pretty chilly! When we stopped for lunch we went up from the river banks to a picnic area and froze because it was really windy. It was a lot better being down on the water. There was less wind at the water level. Well, as it turns out We didn't need a change of clothes but Craig & Missy did! (Thankfully, they packed extra's) Seems Missy saw the tree branch but Craig didn't and when he looked up - instead of ducking...he grabbed it and the boat tipped. Missy went completely under and it was really cold! Thankfully she had a windbreaker on so that helped to keep some of her heat in. We were near a canoe pick-up area when that happened. So, we cut our trip a little short. We went a total of about 4 hours or so and it was about a 7 mile stretch of river. That was a real work out - let me tell ya! That river has a lot of twists and turns. Lots of tree limbs and large rocks to look our for. You have to be on guard the whole time. Not a lay back and relax kind of ride. My arms were pretty sore the next day!!

We also went with 2 other couples that did stay dry ;o) Ben & Martha and Troy & Kim.

Ben says "XL Life Jacket - Ya Right!"

Bad picture but here we have: Matt in the front, then Craig & Missy and then way in the back is Kim & Troy.

Ben & Martha shove off first and Matt supervises.

Yes, I really was there...Bringing up the rear & passing the Beer ;o)

Our Lady of the Lake Carnival

Then we went to the church carnival at the end of Sept. I use the term we loosely because it was just me. Matt went on a guys weekend up north to his friends cabin. So it was just me and the kids. We had tickets for the rides and then the kids talked me into buying 6 raffle tickets for $5. I wrote my name on them and then we walked around and put them in buckets of products that we hoped to win. Well believe it or not...I/We won 2 things!! The first item was a set of Pampered Chef mugs ~ I love these!!! Nothing like a big mug of Chai on a cold day. Then...the big prize - No not the $10,000 - I Wish! But it was a gift certificate to The Lost City worth $115 for Laser Tag, Mini Golf and Pop for 6 people. So this works out perfect for us to give Mackenzie a fun 10th birthday party. It couldn't have happened at a better time!

Caleb & Mackenzie bonding on a ride together

Mackenzie the dare-devil on this ride

Mack & Caleb in the petting zoo area ~ the poor little bunnies couldn't run fast enough ;o)

Caleb and one cute Chick!

Caleb and a Little Ass ;0) ~ Ok it's a Donkey

Mackenzie just couldn't leave those bunnies alone!

Ok, this is it for now. I'll share my sewing projects in the next segment. I've been doing some embroidery projects and Halloween costumes. So the pictures will be coming.

Race For The Cure This Weekend

Grand Rapids 9th Annual

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Me, Mackenzie, Mom (Karen) and Sean

(before the rain started)

The Bag Pipes played Taps in tribute to those who lost their fight.

Saturday's rainy weather didn't stop the 9th annual GR Race For The Cure. In fact the race nearly doubled its earnings from last year, raising nearly $350,000. The 5K run/walk raises money for breast cancer research, screening, treatment, and education. All of the proceeds go to the Grand Rapids Susan G. Komen foundation.The race took place at Rivertown Crossings mall and around Grandville High School with nearly 4,500 people participating in the race. Of those runners/walkers 400 were breast cancer survivors.

Picture of the Survivors ~ Mom's in the center

I'm proud to say that with everyone's help, I was able to raise $650!! And my donation web site is open until Nov. 30th and still able to take donations if anyone still wants to send a tax deductable donation ;o) http://www.firstgiving.com/dontbaboob

Sean, Beth, Mom, Me, Julie & Mackenzie

Mackenzie and I walked with my mom, my youngest brother Sean, a Bunco friend Heather, and cousins Beth & Julie.

Mackenzie, Me & Heather

We walked in Celebration of my grandma (Grace Elderkin) and my mom (Karen Baragar/Ryan) who recently has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time. She won the first fight against breast cancer, and now we're putting on the gloves for the next big fight against bone cancer.

Also, Heather and I walked in Celebration of our Bunco friend Kim Koele in her fight and

In Memory Of (another Bunco friend) Heidi's mother Theresa White who lost her fight this past spring.

You are both in our thoughts and prayers and thought of often.

At the beginning of the walk my daughter couldn't believe how many people were there for the 5K. Then, we were no more then 10 minutes into the walk and she wanted to know how long it was going to take. This was of course, when it really started to rain. We all just laughed because we were going up hill and it was pretty big. The rest was down hill ;o)

The great men, women and children in Brown from UPS were cheering us on through out the race. They also had some band members playing under a tent along with some cheerleaders here and there. By the end of the race Mackenzie was saying..."When we do this next year". So I'm really glad she had a good time and wants to do it again.

I hope everyone can join us again next year!

Thanks for everyone's Support!!