March of Dimes - Walk for Babies

On April 24th, 2010, we participated in the March for Babies-a fundraiser for the March of Dimes. It is Team Albright’s 6th annual walk. We really owe so much to the research that the March of Dimes has done to save the lives of premature babies. Without their research, our boys would not be alive.

We started participating after we lost our first twins, Kenny and Katie, as they were born far too soon at 21 weeks. We really wanted to help prevent families from ever feeling that horrible grief of losing a child to prematurity.

This year was particularly busy on March day. Our cousin was getting married in the afternoon in Albany and Konnie was one of the flower girls. So most of the family couldn’t be at the March this year as they were down at the wedding site getting ready for the wonderful celebration. Kraig and I took Kaden and Kory and walked as fast as we could so we could get to the wedding on time. We had a great team of friends join us again and we were so happy to have them all with us.

Every year before the walk, I had always intended to get team t-shirts...and I finally did it. It is really cool, when you are among a hundred walkers to see your team all together in one color, showing your unity, and telling everyone who you are walking for. They turned out pretty good, but we will definitely make some improvements for next years design.



Warming up before the March...





Kory fell asleep after the first mile...poor guy wasn't feeling great that day. He is slumped over on the left side of the picture. Kaden was ready to hop out of the stroller and walk himself.



Muscle man walking for the babies!!!







The CPA firm that I work for, again participated as a checkpoint at the March, and again won the award for the best checkpoint!!!!! They have won each year that they have participated.







They made up great snack bags stuffed full goodies. They had granola bars, crackers with either peanut butter or cheese, candies, little toys for the kids, etc. They had tons of water bottles ready to pass out to keep all the walkers hydrated.







Their theme this year was "super heroes." My co-workers really outdid themselves again! THANK YOU!!

Here I am driving the Batmobile!!




This sign reads...

"Wonder Woman's invisible jet is here on a temporary loan. Please do not touch, sit or climb on. Thank you!"

They had a big area marked off with fence posts and caution tape...absolutely hilarious!!!



A few years ago, unbeknownst to our family, they created poster boards in honor of Kaden and Kory, and in memory of Kenny and Katie. It really touched me so deeply, I can't even put it into words.










My great friend Kristi - has walked with us every year since we started. In fact, she took charge of the team, when the boys were still in the NICU and we didn't walk. Simply amazing!!!



My great friend Valerie!!



The reasons we March...







2010 Team Albright



All told...our team raised $2,000!!!!! Our best year yet!!!!

Weekend at the beach

We had such an amazing time at the beach. The weather was phenomenal on Friday and Sunday. It only sprinkled a little bit on Saturday. What more can you ask for?

Poor little Kory was a little overwhelmed by the sounds of the ocean waves pounding and he didn't like the texture of the sand on his little hands and feet. This surprised me a little bit as he did so well last year at the beach. I know he was probably over tired...we will have to work on those sensory issues.

Konnie and Kaden had an absolute blast digging in the sand and playing in the water. It was so cute seeing Kaden walking around with his shovel and bucket. Konnie had a lot of opportunities to practice her bike riding skills and could ride endlessly if we would let her. Beverly Beach also has a great playground in the middle of the campground and all the kids loved that too.

We are looking forward to another camping trip to the Oregon Coast in the middle of May.

Spotlight - Konnie!

I am so thankful that tax season is officially over for me!! I am so happy!! Now I will have more time with my wonderful family and more time for blogging! I hope to post at least weekly...but we will have to wait and see. :)

So today, we will spotlight our little ballerina...Konnie.



Getting ready to warm up



Stretching









Isn't she lovely?! We sure think so...but I suppose that we may be biased. It really is such a true joy to watch her dance. I look forward to many years of watching Konnie dance.



We are so excited...we are heading to the beach in just 36 hours and WE CAN'T WAIT!!! This will be our first true camping trip with the boys. Konnie and I both absolutely adore the beach. We are really looking forward to getting away from it all. It will be a great weekend with our family and with great friends!! Stay tuned for some more pictures!!!

Easter

So very thankful for Jesus today, especially today...

Here are some cute pictures of this morning!!!

Tax season is sure busy...

Sorry that I haven't posted for so long...beyond busy lately. Well, here are a few recent pictures.











Guess who learned to ride her bike this weekend, without training wheels!! Yahoo!!!! We are so proud of Konnie!!!









I hope to be back to more blogging after April 15th!!

Wonderful Day at the Playground

The weather was pretty nice here today, so we decided to go to the playground at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Which happens to only be about 7 minutes away from our house. We all had such a great time playing and are looking so forward to spring.

Kory enjoying the tunnel



Konnie climbing just like a monkey



Kaden enjoying being chased after



Kory having a blast on the climbing structure



Brotherly love





Such a wonderful day!!!

I couldn't help but share this cute picture of Konnie from the other day...can you tell she misses the beach? She came up with this idea all on her own and got the scene all set up. She sure makes us smile. Kids are absolutely THE BEST!!!

We have a ballerina in our house!

One of Konnie's dreams has come true...she is now a ballerina!!

She had her first lesson last week and absolutely loved it. It was so sweet seeing these little 4 and 5 year olds all decked out in pink - pink tights, pink leotards, pink ballet slippes, and pink chiffon skirts - with their hair in cute little buns, learning to little graceful, elegant ladies. It brought back a lot of great memories of my early childhood when I spent several years taking ballet.

I think Konnie is going to be so much more elegant and graceful than I ever was.















We sure hope that we will have many more years to watch Konnie blossom as a ballerina and that she will continue to love ballet!!