MS Walk 2015

On Sunday May 24th, Kevin's Heroes participated in the TriCities Walk for MS for our 11th time.  11 years!  Crazy.   

The weather was overcast on Sunday morning, but it never did rain so I was pretty happy.  It was even actually a big muggy during the second half of the walk but believe me, I did not complain.  After all the soggy years we've had, this was a good one.

We had 22 friends and family members join us for the walk this year (+ 5 that joined us after the walk had officially started).  Just like last year, Bradyn and her friend Alexander took off running as soon as they announced ‘Go!’.  Unlike the last 2 years, I just let her go and didn't chase after her.  It was so nice to be out in the fresh air, chatting with friends, smiling and saying hello to fellow walkers and teams.  I'd walk with some of our team for a bit then run to catch up with the next group.  I gave Bradyn a High 5 as I met her and Alexander heading back to the start area, and just kept going.  It was a great day.  

As I'm sure you already know from my post-walk email, we had another record-breaking year with our fundraising.  At the walk site on Sunday morning, they announced that Kevin’s Heroes raised $11,330 and was awarded the #1 Fundraising team in the Tri Cities walk.  My goal for the team this year was $9,000 and we blew that out of the water.  The Tri Cities walk raised $52,776 this year and I am so proud that we were part of the success.  

Dallas kicked some serious fund-raising butt this year and raised $7,768, earning him #1 Individual Fundraiser in the Tri Cities Walk.  I can’t even tell you how proud I am of him. 

I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for coming out today - either in person to walk with us, in spirit to cheer us on but especially for sending us your pledges.  Without your help, we would not be able to help fund MS Research and help all those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

Here is my photo dump from the day - enjoy!

Kevin's Heroes 2015

Swinging with Ana and Amaya before the walk.

My favourite DAC ladies: Cassidy, Brittany and Claudia.

Warming up to "Uptown Funk" with Alexander.  (Notice Bradyn's purse - this was actually a first aid kit that she put together for the walk.  Thought of it all on her own and decided what needed to be in it.  Luckily, we didn't need to use it - but I love that she thought of it.)

Off we go!  Dallas & Ita, Jane & Glenn.

Amaya, getting hydrated at the half-way point.

By the time I got back to the start line, Bradyn & Alexander had already helped themselves to hot dogs and juice, and were just chilling at the finish line, watching everybody come in.

I love that there were volunteer 'cheerleaders' at the finish line - it made it so much fun to know you were done.

Grandpa and Dallas re-doing their finish for me so I could get a picture.

Apparently wanting a change of scenery, Bradyn & Alexander went up on the hill for a different view of the finish line.

Don't know what it is, but I love, Love, LOVE this picture.  So beautiful.

I wanted our 'standard' picture with Bradyn at the walk so I crouched down as I always do.  I quickly realized that I don't need to crouch anymore because Bradyn has really grown .....

... and my aging knees are grateful.

2015 TriCities Walk Top Fundraising Team - yeah Kevin's Heroes!

2015 TriCities Top Individual Fundraiser - yeah Dallas!

My hairdresser, Trina, is captain of The Optimistics, another team that participates in the TriCities walk.  They all dress up like superheroes and have loads of fun.  

After the walk we headed back to Chez Reeves for lots of good food and conversation.  I didn't get any pictures of the brunch, but was sure to get a good shot of Bradyn's T-shirt for this year.

Kevin wasn't feeling well on Sunday, but he did indulge me later that afternoon for a family photo.

Thank you again to everyone for your love and support.

Track & Field

Just over a month ago, Bradyn came home on a Thursday night with a Track & Field practice schedule.  She was VERY excited, and told me that she was going to try out for the high jump team.  Cool!  Practices were Monday, Wednesday and Friday at lunch hour, so I was all over that.  On the following Monday, Bradyn enthusiastically told me that she was also going to try out for the long jump team.  I was all over that too...... right up until the point where she told me that practices for long jump were Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:15 am.  Problem.  In the end I decided to suck it up for a month, be late for work and indulge my girl.  After all, this was 'real' sports (not baseball, mind you, but I remember loving Track & Field in school, so I absolutely wanted to encourage her).  

About a week and a half ago, Bradyn decided that she didn't really like high jump (I'm thinking maybe she realized she wasn't very good at it?) but we agreed that she would stick it out until the end of tryouts.  Last week Bradyn gleefully announced that she was going to the Coquitlam Track & Field meet to represent Panorama Heights in the Grade 3 Girls Long Jump event.  Yeah B!!!

This morning at 8 am we headed down to the Stadium at Town Centre Park where kids from 8 different Coquitlam Elementary schools were arriving to compete for the day.  I left Bradyn with her friends and promised to be back for her event at 10:45 am.  The place was electric - yelling and cheering, kids running everywhere, events going on, announcements over the loud speaker.... so much fun.  It was finally time to head to the long jump pits for her big event.

Hanging out with her team mates, waiting their turn.

So serious.

Wee bit nervous at this point.

"Can I go?"

And she's off for attempt #1.

I got a video of jump #2, but it will only play on my camera, not the computer.  Not cool!

Jump #3, and Bradyn is clearly not happy with Mammarazzi.  Can you feel those daggers shooting from her eyes? (click on the photo and get a close-up.... I can't help but giggle)

Go B, Go!

So how did she do?  No idea.  The running events were  happening all day and kids were coming and going from events so by the time Bradyn finished jump #3, there were only 6 of what seemed like 25 girls in her event left.  The others had to go run the 100 m sprint and would be back later to finish their jumps.  I'm pretty confident that Bradyn didn't place in the top 3 but she did awesome.  (there were some VERY good jumpers, with VERY long legs!)  Apparently there is going to be an assembly on Friday at school where they'll let all the kids know the final results.

No matter what, I can't even tell you how proud I was of Bradyn today.  She was nervous but confident, and an amazing team player - she was screaming everybody's names when they ran by in the running events and insisted on staying until the very last event was over (although I'm certain that's because Joshua was in the final relay race.... but that's a story for another day).  Just like the Grinch, my heart grew 3 sizes today.