3 Days of laughter, tears, pain, and a huge accomlishment of my life.

My new best friends - the Medical Team. They tended to my blisters (along with half of of the walkers - they are my angels)
Here I am at Southdale as we were getting ready to begin our big venture.
I was nervous and really had no idea how my feet would hold up. As I was training I developed Capsulitis of the 2nd toe and my feet were quite painful at times. I really hoped they would hold up.

One last hug from the love of my life!

Carrie at Opening Ceremonies.

By lunchtime on Friday we had made our way to downtown Minneapolis.
We were still all smiles and were doing great!
Our team was the "Yes we Cans". We had so much fun together. We all supported each other and giggled ourselves silly. It was a really fun group to be a part of.

Falls girls! It was so fun to spend a whole weekend with my best friends and sister. Had it not been for them I think I would have been super homesick.

Finishing up Day one on Summit Avenue near Macalaster College.
We are sitting on Jody's couch, a Twin Cities 3 Day icon. A man who lost his wife to breast cancer carries their couch (where she spend most of her last days) all over the 3 Day route for walkers to rest on. It is a very powerful reminder and has become an icon of the 3 Day walk in Twin Cities.

Lake Harriett day 1

Back on the trail after visiting with our cheerers!

I'm a mess after day 1 - OUCH
I had no idea that I would get blisters so bad.

Mary, Christine and Sophia came to cheer me on Sunday morning. Christine brought me a cold Snickers bar - YUM.

We always knew where to find my Dad because he carried this ginormous flag pole with the Finnish and Norwegian flags. He attracted LOTS of attention, of course.

Leah came out to cheer us on.

Mom, Carol, Dad and Corey at Lake Harriett

Laughing hysterically at one of our nightly "Tent Parties" in Sara and Karyn's tent. We were quite goofy and delusional by the end of each evening and giggled ourselves to sleep.

After walking 20 miles each day people even had energy to DANCE.

Britta getting a foot massage and me getting a back massage.
Ahhhhhhh

Britta and Nissa found some of the only shade available in a very interesting spot.

We showered in these Semi-Truck showers - crazy!

A picture of part of camp. A sea of pink tents.

Sara hung her credentials on her tent with a picture of dear Colleen who passed away last year from Breast Cancer - a reminder of why we did the 3 Day.

The start of day 3. I had planned to bus to lunch because my feet were in such agony, but at the last second I decided to KEEP WALKING. I figured that my feet would hurt whether I walked or not so I walked out of camp. And and I kept walking and walking and walking. Besides a short van ride between a pit stop and lunch, I walked all Sunday. I have no idea how I did it but I think I was more proud of myself than I've ever been in my life. My arches hurt, my blisters were popping in my shoes and I was dripping sweat, but I kept going. The cheerers and my team kept me going.

Closing Ceremonies at the Capital

"We walk because we must. We are strong because the journey demands it. Together in body and united in spirit, we lay down our footsteps for this generation and the next. This is our promise: A world without breast cancer."

_____________________

Thanks to those who came out to cheer me on:

Damon, David Mikko

Mom, Dad

Charles, Bobby, Greta, Keith, Anne

Carol, Mandy, Corey, Leah

Christine, Sophia, Mary

Amy, Amy's Mom, Libby, Shelby

April, Adeline

Erin, Mike and Erin's Mom

Carol S.

Sheryl, Dick

Mike, Win, Viv, Brady, Lucia

Bria, Andrew and the twins

_____________________

Favorite Cheer Stations:

The Judges

2 girls set up a table with a big sign that said "Parade Judges". As you would walk by they would hold up signs like "You are so HOT", "Looking Fabulous", "Nice Legs" etc. It was so funny and so creative.

The motorcyle guys

A motorcycle pack rode around ALL 3 days following us wearing bras on their heads and revving their engines. LOVE THEM.

The "Pit Stop"

Two people held out spray deodorant cans and had you hold your arms up while they sprayed your pits with deodorant. A good laugh and day 3, mile 14

Water and Ice

ANYONE who provided water, ice, freezies or sprayed water. Saviours - especially on Day 3 after walking up the big hill after Highway 61.

_________________

THANK YOU

Thank you for everyone who donated to Susan G Komen 3 day for the cure on my behalf. Each participant was required to raise a minimum of $2300 to participate. I couldn't have done it without your very generous support.

The Twin Cities 3-Day raised 6.2 MILLION dollars this year - so impressive

Twins Game with Mom and Dad

Despite a horrible Twins game last Thursday, we enjoyed taking my Mom and Dad to Target Field for the first time. Here is $21 worth of beer!

Cheeseburger Store Birthday Party

David asked Auntie Carrie to make him a Silly Monster Cake.

Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes have NOTHING on her. She is so amazing.

Every year she surprises me with her amazing creations.

If anyone wants a super special cake, let me get you in touch with her because she LOVES to make cakes and would love to get in the business.

Damon, Mikko and Dusty

The girls!

Sophia enjoying her Happy Meal.

Grandpa Dave and Grandma Mary gave David his first bike!

Mandy enjoying the loud noise that the horn they gave David makes.

Yummy!

Say "Cheeseburger"

Mikko walking between his Grandmas.

Playtime

_________________

David LOVES the Cheeseburger Store (McDonalds) so we had his birthday party there. It was super fun and easy. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate!

4 Years Old

David showing off how old he is, it is hard to get his thumb down though.

We went to the Twins Game. Here we are at the light rail station.

David attracted lots of attention with his Happy Birthday hat. Everyone at the stadium was wishing him a Happy Birthday and asking how old he was. Pretty cute.

The lady at the ice cream stand gave him sprinkles because it was his birthday.

At home we celebrated with a special cupcake.

It did look much better but mommy dropped it.

Happy Birthday!

David REALLY wanted a dump truck so that is what he got from Mommy and Daddy.

He was SO excited opening it.

Our fun David is 4 now. You've brought so many smiles to your Mommy and Daddy the past 4 years. You are funny and sweet. You are determined. You love to come and sleep with mommy and daddy in the middle of the night, though always on Mommy's side. In the morning you love having hot chocolate. You call juice pouches "juice pies". I haven't had the heart to correct you because I think it is so cute. You've grown in so many ways the last year. You love to make up silly stories. One of my favorite things is when you listen to music with daddy. You still suck your thumb and demand having "Mikko's KiKi". You are loved, my sweet David. Your smile brings joy to me. Thank you for that.

Questions for David on his 4th Birthday:

What is your favorite color?

Pink

What do you like to watch on TV?

Queen (Lightning McQueen from Cars), Chuggington, Wipes (I had to probe him a little more on that and he means he likes to wipe the TV clean)

What music do you like?

Jimi Hendrix - has daddy influenced him, or what?

What things do you like to eat?

Bananas, Chicken, Peanut Butter, Cheeseburgers

Where do you want to go on vacation?

The Cheeseburger Store

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A Painter

What is your favorite toy?

Memory Game (Cars version)

What is your favorite place?

The Shack

Who is your best friend?

Greta

Who is you favorite dog?

Jimmy AND Foxy

What else do you want to say on your 4th Birthday?

I want a dump truck

Fun Day at Cedar Lake

All the Kids on the boat. I think Mikko wanted to jump overboard.

David, Josie, Mikko, John

Steve let David drive the boat. He was also the first person to ever let David drive a car, at the Westfork last Fall.

David relaxing with Lola on the pontoon boat.

David jumping into the lake.

Steve delivering "Bloodies" and beer.

Josie LOVED LOVED LOVED taking care of Mikko.

She wanted to keep picking him up. She was such a good helper.

Wheeee, jumping into the lake into Amanda's arms.

Swimming with Amanda

I took Mikko for a little swim and we floated on some water noodles.

Today we were invited to the Holland's lake place down by Faribault.

We swam, had hotdogs on the deck, went for a pontoon boat and swam some more.

I think David learned how to swim more today than he did in all of the swim classes that we've ever taken. He was so proud of himself, jumping off the dock and floating around by himself.
A great Saturday with friends!

The next time we're all together will be our annual October Shack trip!