My coworkers had a "PINK" foodday when I returned to work after the 3-Day. They all wore pink too! Love them all. Here is a picture of some of them that day.
My boys out to watch.
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Here are a couple more pictures from the 3Day I got from Amy. I didn't have any pictures of the boys out to see me so I was so glad she could give me some!
I've decided to do it again next year, I can't imagine not doing it. It was such an amazing experience.
And, the best news is...
Damon is going to do it with me.
We have a lot of work and a lot of money to raise!

Happy Birthday (Aug 23 Damon, Sept 4 Carol)!

Grandma reading David a book

David playing w/ Uncle Bob

Of course, there are a zillion toys, but the most fun was playing IN the toy bin.

Uncle Corey and David wrestling

Wheeee

Happy Birthday Grandma Carol

David wanted to play Memory with Grandma Carol but he kept getting mad when Mikko would grab the cards, so they went into David's room to play so Mikko couldn't get the cards.
Poor little Mikkers followed them and wanted to get in the room so badly.

Here he is, playing Go Fish with them!

Hugs and cake for Grandma on her birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday Winnie and Vivi

Winnie and Vivi went to Wild Child hair and got crazy hairdos for their birthdays.
There was also a facepainter who was busy with all the kids.

Mikko didn't really care for the slide that Britta brought him down.

Wheeee

David got his face painted like a pirate.

The boys.

All the boy coussins playing.

Lark Toy Store

David rode on the Loon, for Grandma Marlene - she loves Loons!
In front of the carousel. David his hiding behind the sign

Too cute!

Mikko went for a ride too!

It was the most amazing toy store, right in the middle of nowhere - can you tell David loved it!

On our way to Winona we stopped at Lark Toys. The only reason we stopped was because there was a big sign that said "Ice Cream" and we had promised David a treat. Well, we were surprised to walk into the most amazing, unique toy store. It truly had everything. It kinda reminded me of Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium. We spent a good hour of fun. We bought David a toy "Robot arm", rode the Carousel twice, had cheesecurds, ice cream and pretzles and had our picture taken in a Photo Booth. We are considering this our trip to the State Fair because we are not going this year. What fun - check it out if you are ever going down Hwy. 61!

Heaven's Valley Lodge - Winona, MN

Chickens were running everywhere and David got a big kick out of it.

The adorable kitchen area

Dining Room

Quaint bedroom.

David loved the chickens, but Mikko HATED them and screamed anytime we set him on the ground near them.

Exploring the property

A good old swing, David could barely hold on.

Checking out the cattle

Beautiful view of the bluffs from our deck

In the morning we went to the Chicken coop to collect eggs for breakfast

Finding eggs. David called them Easter eggs because they were "colored" and not white.

A good breakfast.

Yummy and delicious.

Mikko was having a rough morning so I gave up on him and fed him cookies for breakfast. Parenting at its best.

Where we stayed.
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We spent a night near Winona at the most delightful place, Heaven's Valley Lodge. It is on a hobby farm owned by a couple. It was such a fun, unique experience for our family, even if the weather wasn't the best. David was sad to leave and wanted to stay on "Cation", so we knew it was a hit. They have cattle, chickens etc. on a hobby farm nestled in the bluffs. It was one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Minnesota. This might be our new "camping"!! Loved it.

On the way back home

We stopped at Bueno Vista Park in Alma, Wisconsin and drove up to the most scenic overlook. Thanks for the suggestion Joy Sperger!

Mommy was nervous as there was no barrier.


Lunch in Stockholm, Wisconsin
Mikko was finally in a good mood.

David picked out a lollypop at a candy store.

Kindergarten Screening and a Big Head Bump

Today I took David to his "Kindergarten" screening! I don't think he'll start next year but the school district wants to screen all kids around age 3-4.

I was completely blown away by David. He had to do a series of activities, sentence completion, copying drawing shapes etc. for a Child Development Specialist. He did things I didn't know he could do, and was super sweet doing it.

He flew through it with absolutely no concerns from the nurse. He got a way higher score that even a 6 year old would need to pass it.

And, what blew me away, is that David is now the 50th Percentile for Height and Weight. What a difference, if you remember at age 1 1/2 they were so concerned about his growth. I KNEW they were being crazy when I stopped having him go to those Endocrinologist appointments.

I was so proud of David I was almost tearing up.

OUCH

Mikko fell off the backyard play piece head first- or the "Clubhouse" as David calls it.

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."

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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

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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.

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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