Bend

With work, house hold chores and everyday tasks, it is easy to get caught up in the stress of it all. Wouldn't it be great if we could always get caught up in the moments that make memories. It is times like this that remind me to live in the moment and appreciate what I have because I have it REAL good.
While raising money for Special Olympics, we got to have a lot of fun over in Bend. My parents went with us which made it that much more fun. We stayed at the Seventh Mountain Resort. After the plunge in the icy cold water we came back to our room, got our suits on and went to the outdoor Hot Tub! The kids loved it when my dad started throwing snowballs at them in the warm water. Brian talked both Brianna and Bricen into getting out of the hot tub and making snow angels in thier swim suites. They would squeal with delight and giggle the cutest giggles.

We went to Mt. Bachelor and had fun watching the Special Olympians. While Brice napped in the car with my mom, pampa, Brianna and I got passes to go down the inner tube slopes. This was SOOOO much fun. We each got a tube, drug it over to the tow rope and rode up the hill. There were six lanes to go down. Brianna couldn't get enough & even went down the slopes a few times by herself. Then it was off to the ice skating rink. They even had skates small enough to fit Brice. Brianna was nervous but did amazing. She started off hanging on to the side of the rink, then held on to Brian or I and by the end was doing it by herself a little or just holding one of Brian's hands. She kept going and going after everyone else was tired, hot and hurt. Yes I said hurt... I suppose after so many trips without any injuries it was just too good to be true. Brian was the only one who didn't fall, but I was the only one who got hurt. I was concentrating so hard on Brianna staying up and keeping her balance that I lost mine and fell hard without catching myself. Needless to say I wasn't able to continue and will probably be feeling the fall for several weeks. Brice kept saying are you going to put medicine in your butt. My response... "No medicine goes in my mouth to help my butt feel better."

Pampa was smart and sat this one out to watch and take pictures. Here we all are injury free and having fun.

Brice got tired of skating and decided to lay down and make snow angels on the ice.

Sunday was my dad's birthday and I think we celebrated it well. What a perfect weekend, from helping out a great organization to making memories as a family. Oh, and this was Brice's first long trip since wearing underware and not one accident the whole time! Yes I do have it REAL good.

Polar Plunge

Brian works hard all year every year to raise money for Special Olympics and help organize events to benefit this great cause. I work every week with athletes who participate in all the different seasons of Special Olympic Sports. I hear them talk with anticipation about the Regional and State Games, I see them come back from competition with medals which get displayed and become a huge topic of conversation. There is a sense of belonging, a reason to work hard, something to be proud of. We all want the best for ourselves and those around us and for many with special needs, Special Olympics is what enhances the athletes quality of life. I am proud to say that we (mostly Brian) raised a significant amount of money for Special Olympics. Thank You to all of you who donated and helped out this wonderful organization. Every penny you donated will not be taken for granted and is very much appreciated.

The Portland Polar Plunge and the Bend Polar Plunge combined, raised around $200,000.00

Here we are getting ready to jump into the Deschutes River, the water temperature was 37 degrees!

I'm right next to Brian. OSP guy in red is blocking me :) It was VERY cold, but worth it!

Saturday we went to the Mountain to cheer on the athletes. The winter sport athletes participated in snow shoeing, down-hill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and other nordic events.

The moment that every Athlete anticipates is awards. Getting their name called, standing up in front of everyone and receiving a medal from a Law Enforcement Officer. This is a proud time for all. When you hear the screams, arms up in the air and the joy on each athletes face, it makes it worth every effort we put in.

Events in February

I can not believe that February is gone already! We did lots of fun things so here goes...

We had family from Washington down to visit and got to spend some time with Uncle Lee and Aunt Sue. Brianna and Brice always have lots of fun at Aunt Sue's house & with cousins down from Washington, it just made it that much better. As you can see they had fun dressing up among many other things.

Brian got Brianna a softball mit for her birthday. Isn't it every father's dream to play catch with their child?? We had several beautiful days and actually went outside and played quite a bit. Brian and Brianna oiled her mit and wraped it up with the ball inside, just the way he did when he was a little boy. I snuck in and captured the moment with my camera :)

We went to a Beaver's Basketball game & had a blast! The Beav's won their last home game and the players were on fire. Both kids really enjoyed watching the game & so did Brian and I. Brianna liked the cheerleaders & dancers of course and Brice kept looking for Benny the Beaver.