Owen is 1

His birthday is October 17th, but since all the family was going to be here visiting last weekend we decided to celebrate a week later. He' 1, he has not idea.

Happy Birthday dear Owen

Luke blew out the candle for Owen - Then I had to re light it for Roger to blow it out too.

Roger was standing by to help with Owen. His present was pretty big.

 Turned on it's side it was a bit more manageable for him.

Owen and his foot locker. I had given one to Roger and Luke on their 1st birthdays also. Now Mary has a place to put away all their childhood memories.
He wasn't interested in having his picture taken. He wanted to check out how the hinges worked.
I couldn't pass up the giraffe. Mary had told me that lately Owen likes to hug the full garbage bags that have to go out. So I thought this giraffe would be a good replacement.

Happy Birthday, Dear Owen - Happy Birthday to You...

5000

Two months ago Sharen and I were doing our morning walk around the neighborhood and noticed that Jill, one of our neighbors, was having a garage sale.
Sharen spotted some puzzles so we walk up the driveway to get a closer look.

Then I saw it!
A 5000 piece puzzle.
Aaaahh,  The clouds parted and the sun shone down right on it - I had to have it.

Jill was busy selling one of her quilts. (Yup, she's a quilter too, and her kids informed her they did not want them and suggested she sell some. I feel bad for her. HER KIDS DON'T WANT HER QUILTS??)

I took the puzzle (along with a few others) up to her husband and he was ready to do a little jig. He and Jill have tried to fix it and gave up on it. He was glad to see it go.

I took it home and got started sorting pieces right away. 4 large zip lock bags stuffed.
I sorted pieces from the box about 7 times before I got smart and got out extra work space..

The puzzle is 5'3" X 3'4" so I knew it wasn't going to fit on just one card table. It took 3 and some extra pieces of wood for more pieces. AND most of the living room.

3 card tables

added work space with pieces on top of pieces

Jill would stop by to keep up with my progress and was surprised that I stuck with it.
What she didn't know was I had help...

Roger found a piece 

Luke tried one too

 I ended taking out all the pieces they put in, but I applaud their efforts. Mike would just walk by shaking his head. The pieces were so similar in shape and had muted colors. It was Hard... I took a few of my pieces out too.

 Sharen would have to put a piece in every time she stopped by and also spent a few mornings with me  toward the end.

After 2 month I got it done. I never gave up and never wanted to quit. I really enjoyed fixing it.

Me crossing the finish line

4998 pieces later - 2 were missing.
I invited Jill down to see it. I put the pieces in baggies by section so she and her husband could fix it if they wanted too. She laughed at me and told me her husband does NOT want it back in the house, but was proud of me for finishing. I am pretty proud of myself.

Lets Go Hawks

As soon as our friend Charlie got some tickets to the Hawks game he called Mike. He asked
"You and Karen want to go to a Hawks game?"
It took us all of 5 seconds to say Hell Yes!
You weren't the first person I called, you are the ONLY person I called. See, Charlie understands that Mike and I love the Hawks too.
He provides the 4 awesome seats in the 200 level with a parking pass and Mike and I provide the ride in and his beer for the night.
Last year he got the tickets I got sick and stayed home. I swore that was not going to happen this year. Though I did spend the afternoon at Urgent Care getting exrays on my foot. Don't ask how it happened I ain't gonna tell. Way too embarrassing.
Nothing broke - just give me some Meds I got a hockey game to get to.

There is nothing like watching hockey Live!
The seats were $145 a ticket and Mike and I were so grateful, and gladly bought Charlie all the beer he wanted.

View from our seats

 I thought I would miss the old guys - but watching these young kids speeding down the ice. Man it's exciting to watch. I think it's going to be a good year.

2 happy Hawks fans.

Hawks WIN!!!!!!

Here is a suggestion to all the ladies out there - For you to spend a little less time prancing in line at the potties - how about leaving a little tail on the end of the toilet paper roll. There is nothing more frustrating than having to search for the end of the roll. Just Saying!

Race for the Kids

What do you do when your child is born with a health problem?
You research doctors, hospitals, treatments, and hopefully some day find a cure.

Bryan and Mary did just that when Luke was born. They found a Doctor who not only has Luke headed in the right direction to a (fingers crossed) healthy life, but genuinely cares about his little patients.

Luke and his Doctor

Mike and I joining the Flory family on Sunday to "Race for the Kids" at the University of Chicago, was a no brainer. We both would walk a hundred miles for Luke, if it meant he could get off all his medicines and Bryan and Mary could spend just one day without looking at the clock checking if it's time for his next dosage.

It' was 5k run/walk around the University campus.

We joined Luke's doctors Team "Robo Kids"  - so named because he does a good amount of surgery with a robot.

We started out strong, but just pass the 2 mile marker there was a short cut to the finish line. We were steadily falling into the back of the pack. The boys would want to walk a ways and Luke had to stop to pet every dog he saw, so we took the path,  just in time to witness the Kids Dash. Ok, I admit I was ready to cut it short too.

Roger saw all the kids running and insisted on running the rest of the way pushing the stroller. Papa, of course, helped him.

Mike and Roger running it out

Luke had no choice but to walk the rest of the way too (no stroller). He sprinted to the Finish Line with his Mommy and Daddy with the crowd cheering.

Bryan, Luke and Mary crossing the Finish Line

I was tailing behind to capture a picture and got a lump in my throat watching Luke waving at the people cheering for him.
He is why we walked, but there were so many other parents there with stories about Comer and the great work being done there. I am glad Mary fought and didn't give up until she found this place.
Luke is a bright, funny boy who knows that his smile will get him anything he wants.
Sign me up for next year!