Relay for Life and an up-date

My Grandmother is a 31 year cancer survivor! When I was just a toddler she battled cervical cancer - she had a hysterectomy and everything was good. Then my senior year of high school she had a battle with breast cancer - after a lumpectomy and 8 weeks of radiation she beat cancer again! She is an amazing and strong woman that I look up to and love very much! 

 

Every year we do our best to make it back "home" to Iowa to show her our love and support by walking with her in the Relay for Life. Just over a week ago we made that trip again but this time it was very different and even more emotional than in the past- I was also a survivor!  I never thought that I would ever be walking the "Survivor Lap" with my Grandmother!

 

 

Walking from the car to the park I was more nervous than I have ever been for a race. I don't know why but my stomach was doing flips! I got registered and was given my purple t-shirt to indicate that I was a survivor. I headed to the bathroom to change and then quickly found my Grandmother as they were gathering the survivors for the opening ceremony. I gave her a big hug and we joined the group of survivors. Listening to the opening ceremony was super emotional for me! I think reality hit me- this wasn't some kind of horrible dream that I had back in December/January- it was real and there I was standing in this group of people that all knew exactly how I had felt and what I went through. I saw them nodding in response to feeling just as the speaker said he felt during his diagnoses and battle with cancer. You know what?  I was nodding too! I know I have had so much wonderful support but it was one of only a few times that I felt like I wasn't alone and that those around me "got it" and understood the crazy mix of emotions that I had. At one point I made eye contact with Tim and I could see how emotional he was feeling as well. I knew I couldn't look at him again or I would lose it!

 

After the speakers were done we got a group picture and then it was time to walk the "survivor lap". Like I said earlier I never thought I would be walking THIS lap with my grandmother but I was proud to share this with her. She has been such a wonderful example of strength and I hope to one day be the strong woman that she is! As we were walking this lap I think I got my biggest dose of reality- seeing my survivor luminary! Even though I was wearing the purple survivor shirt and was walking the survivor lap- seeing that luminary that said:

Heather Wellendorf

Survivor

made it all feel so very real. It was the first time I had seen it and I have to admit that it was hard to see at first! It brought tears to my eyes and really made me think about the past several months!

 

We walked lots of laps with our family, enjoyed a picnic dinner, celebrated Aidan's 4th birthday, and helped with the lighting of the luminaries. I finished the night off by getting a quick massage. It really was a night to celebrate, remember and help raise money to fight back!!

 

It has been a while since I have done a melanoma update. After sharing about Relay for Life and visiting my dermatologist for a follow-up this morning I guess it is most appropriate for me to do one today.

 

My appointment this morning went great- everything looks good - I go back again in 6 months. Between now and then you can bet I will continue to analyze every spot, freckle, and mole! I am covered in them so I can't help but look at my skin and worry! It really isn't a fun to have someone look you over from head to toe examining your skin but it is my only reassurance now so I will gladly do it!

 

 My next appointment with my surgeon is in July. I think everything is looking pretty good. I still have a small area of numbness but that continues to get better. I can finally sleep on my stomach and right side with my ear on my pillow. There are times that it still gets "tweaked" and I just have to position my head in the crook of my arm. There are still a couple of times that I still struggle with it bothering me:  talking on the phone (still can't put the phone up to that ear) and when people hug me. It seems everyone hugs to my right side and then their shoulder or head hits my ear just right that it "tweaks" it. It isn't super painful but it makes me aware of it again.

 

I am feeling less self-conscious of my ear but there are situations that I still leave my hair down or that I worry if people will notice. I have gotten a ton better and for the most part don't worry about what people think about it. I say that but in the few situations where people have said something it has really bothered me! The few times that I can think of it was more their approach than their response though! All in all- things are looking good. I will wrap it up with some updated pictures that Tim took recently of my ear/neck.

 

The Weekly Chase!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a better weekend than I did! I had to work all weekend (Fri, Sat, and Sun, 2:30-11:00 PM). Saturday night I ended up having to stay due to a sick call and no coverage. I finally was able to leave about 4:30 Sunday morning only to have to return at 2:30 PM and cover multiple units. Add in that Riley had a three day baseball tournament, which I missed all but one game of, and it was a crazy weekend that kicked my butt!

 

Riley's team played great in the game that I was able to see and it sounds like they played well in their other games too. They played well enough that they placed second in the tournament! We are proud of you Onalaska 11U!

 

Onalaska 11U- Way to go on 2nd Place!

Another highlight from my weekend was being the Runner Spotlight over at Road Runner Girl! I have been following Mindy for a while now and can really relate to her as a runner and as a mom of boys. She has been such an inspiration and motivation to me to keep working hard and working towards my goals in fitness and in life. In a way she has become a friend- I often talk about her to my husband like she is someone that I see or get together with often- I guess in a way I do when I read her posts! I look forward to following her journey and maybe one day I will be able to meet up with her in real life!

 

Now it is time to take a look at my goals and see how things have gone over the past week! Remember it is not about perfection- it is about progress! 

 

 

Let's take a look back at what my goals were for last week:

 

Run 3 times- Didn't happen! I only got in one slow run

Bike 3 times- Done! 6/17- 6 miles, 6/19- 5 miles, and 6/20- 8 miles

2 strength training sessions- Nope:( I need to work on this and continue to have it as a goal.

2 core workouts- Nope:( Once again I need to work on this and continue to have it as a goal

Try one new healthy recipe- Success! We got a new sandwich "grill" and made paninni's that were wonderful. They have become a new "go to" recipe when we are in a hurry.

Do something each day to be active WITH my boys- Success during the week, fail for the weekend. Monday we biked. Tuesday we went hiking at Hixon Forest. Then later in the evening they biked while Tim and I ran 2 miles. Wednesday we biked together and then in the afternoon we walked my Dad's dogs and Aidan rode his bike. Thursday we hiked at Perrot State Park. Once Friday hit Riley had baseball games and life got crazy. It was a lot of fun to spend time biking, hiking, and running with the boys!

3 blog posts- Only got two posts done even though I have several more planned in my head! Too bad my computer can't read my mind!!

Report back on The Weekly Chase on MONDAY! DONE! It is Monday and I am back to report to you despite not quite meeting my goals. That is what it is all about though- having something to work towards and doing the best we can! There are times that I am successful and there are times, more than I would like lately, that I have to be humble and report that I didn't succeed. Sometimes it is hard to come back and tell you that I didn't meet my goals but it also gives me something to strive for next week!

 

With that being said  I think my goals are mostly the same for this week. Here are my goals for this week:

Run at least 3 times (I am starting to look at a few half marathons for fall and it is time to get back at it!)

Bike 3 times

2 strength training sessions

2 core workouts

Try one new healthy recipe

Do something active with my boys each day

3 blog posts (with one being an update on my ear/neck)

Report back on The Weekly Chase on MONDAY!

 

What were you up to over the weekend?

 

Who is someone that helps inspire/motivate you?

 

What are your goals for the week?

 

Interview with Aidan at Age 4

 What a week! We haven't done much running lately but we have been doing a lot of "running around"! Saxophone lessons, baseball practice, baseball games, team pictures, work meetings along with getting some hiking and biking in has kept us more than busy this week. It can be tough to fit it all in but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love that my kids want to be active in sports and music and it is so much fun watching them interact with their teammates and work to improve in everything that they do.

We also celebrated Aidan's 4th birthday this week! Yesterday after returning from hiking in a local State park I sat down with him to do his first interview! It was interesting trying to get answers from a four year old but it was also a lot of fun to see what he had to say!  Here is my interview with Aidan:

1. Name: Aidan Everett
2. How old are you? 4 years old
3. What is your favorite thing to do? play in the sandbox or the dirt
4. Who is your best friend? Sophia and Abby
5. What is your favorite color? Lello (aka- yellow)
6. What is your favorite food? Mac and Cheese and chicken nuggets
7. What do you like to do with your family? go hiking and go fishing
8. What is your favorite toy? Matchbox cars and trucks (I would have to add "Snuggle Bear" - he goes just about everywhere with us)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? a fireman
10. What makes you happy? a tractor ride
11. What makes you sad? no tractor rides, not seeing my boys or my dad (he always says he misses them when they are at school and work during the day)
12. What is your favorite show? Doc McStuffins (I would have to add Max & Ruby as a close second)
13. What is your favorite book? The Lion King
14. What do you love to learn about? animals (My take on this is EVERYTHING!!! He asks questions non-stop all day long!!!)
15. What was the best part of your birthday? going hiking at Hixon Forest and playing in the dirt at Riley's baseball game
16. Where do you like to go? to a store to get a new toy
17. Who is your teacher? N/A
18. What is your favorite treat? push-ups (ice cream pop)
19. What do you think about before you fall asleep? I think about eating mac and cheese
20. What was your favorite birthday present? SmartCycle (game system) and my new bike
21. What sport do you like best? baseball
22. What are you really good at? playing games
23. What would you buy if you had $1000? a remote control car, monster truck or motorcycle
24. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? chocolate with brownie pieces
25. Who is your biggest hero?  Riley
26. What do you hope you'll get to do before your next birthday? go to a park
27. What do you like to do best with your friends? play in the dirt
28. What is your favorite song? Sexy and I Know It
29. I am very proud because.... I have a cute dog named Mollie
30. I am afraid to.... see snakes, ghosts, and the big bad wolf.
31. Imagine that you can become invisible whenever you wanted to. What are some of the things that you would do? I would scare people and rob a bank.
32. Pretend that you can fly whenever you wanted. Where would you go? I would go to Mt. Olympus
33. Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney World and Washington DC
34. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom or Dad? snuggle and read books

I can't wait to do this again next year to see how it all changes! It is so hard to believe that my "baby" is already four years old and that he will be going to 4K next year. He is growing up so fast :)

Another Birthday Boy & The Weekly Chase

Four years ago at 9:47 PM this special little boy entered our lives! He is full of energy and loves life! He is my "special little buddy" and I love him more than words can say! He is such a sweet boy and he brings so much joy into our world! I am excited to watch him as he continues to grow and develop into his own person!

Aidan- through the years!

Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet Aidan Everett!

6/18/13- Aidan's birthday hike at Hixon Forest

It is so hard for me to believe that my baby will be going off to 4K this fall! I am going to be lost without my little helper and "buddy" by my side everyday! At the same time it is so much fun to see him ready to enter a whole new world and learn new things!

Now that I am feeling sad about this fall lets get back to focusing on the present! It is once again time for The Weekly Chase!

My goals for last week:

Run 3 times (Challenge Goal) I got in two solid runs last week and Tim and I hiked on Sunday.

Bike 2 times (Challenge Goal) I got in one bike ride. Getting the boys where they need to be is taking up a lot of my time this summer:(

Get in at least 2 strength training sessions (Challenge Goal) Done!

Stretch and foam roll at least 3 times. Done!

Make healthy choices when it comes to meals and snacks. I think I did pretty good on this! We have been going through a lot of apples in our house lately for snacks. Other than over the weekend while we were visiting family and friends I did pretty good!

Try one new healthy recipe. Done! I tried a new chicken salad recipe and Tim and I loved it! We also tried some new recipes with our friends over the weekend- the salads were great but the turkey burgers were a big fail!

 

Here are my goals for this week:

 

Run 3 times

Bike 3 times

2 strength training sessions

2 core workouts

Try one new healthy recipe

Do something each day to be active WITH my boys

3 blog posts

Report back on The Weekly Chase on MONDAY!

 

The Weekly Chase

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. I know I did! I spent the weekend juggling work and Riley's local baseball tournament. Tim and the younger two boys went back to help Grandma with a garage sale so that left me with just one child for the weekend. I have to admit it was kind of nice to only be responsible for one other life for a few days.

 

I was lucky enough that someone was willing to come in early for me on Friday night so I could leave early and get to Riley's first game of the tournament. It was a beautiful night for baseball and they played great and won! Riley and I hardly knew what to do with ourselves once the game was done. It was weird being just the two of us. We took Mollie (our Teddy Bear- bichon/shi tzu mix) for a two mile walk and Riley talked my ear off. Once we got home we made  baked cheese balls that I found on Pinterest. Riley loved them and said that we needed to make them again.

 

Saturday turned out to be another beautiful day for baseball. Riley's team did great and won both their 9 and 12 o'clock games putting them into the championship game at 6 PM. It was a lot of fun watching them play and do so well. The boys were pumped that they made it into the championship game!  I was excited for them but also bummed because I had to go into work and would have to miss it!

 

We have been so blessed that Riley is on this team this year- the other families have been wonderful and have been so willing to help us out to get him to and from games when we haven't been able to. He was able to hang out with one of his teammates until the game since I had to go to work. Then after the game they got him home for me! That mom was also texting me updates throughout the game so I knew what was happening! They ended up losing to a tough team! Second place is still very respectable and they were pleased with that!

 

Photo of the boys sent by text from another team mom :)

Sunday we took advantage of the chance to sleep in a little and then headed to the Y to get a workout in together. I ran 3 miles while Riley biked and did the rowing machine. Then we hit the Cybex weight machines together and did a quick leg workout. We finished up with some crunches on the Bosu with a weighted ball, planks, and stretching. It was a lot of fun to workout with Riley and he told me that we need to keep doing that this summer.

 

Being that it is Monday it is once again time for The Weekly chase!

 

These were my goals for the past week:

 

• Run at least one mile each day to keep my Runner's World Run Streak going. (Challenge Goal) This goal was modified on 6/4- 
  My new goal for this week, to replace my run a mile a day, is to stretch and foam roll daily and do what is needed to get my leg feeling better! 
• Plank every day. (Challenge Goal) See above! I was not successful on this goal! I planked yesterday with Riley at the Y.
• Spend time with each of my boys individually. 100% successful :) I got lots of time with Aidan during the day before the boy were out of school. We spent time hitting the baseball in the backyard for a while after our run last Monday and had lots of fun with that. Tuesday I helped out on Isaac's field trip to the local Children's Museum- I wasn't one-on-one with him but he was excited to have that time with me without his brothers so I think that counts:) Then over the weekend I got in lots of time with Riley. It was really fun to have that time with him and it made me realize that we need to try to make that happen with each of the boys more often.
• Try a new healthy recipe. It wasn't the healthiest recipe but Riley and I tried the baked cheese balls and loved them. We used lowfat string cheese, skim milk, and we baked them so at least they were a healthier alternative to fried cheese curds!
• Report back on The Weekly Chase next Monday :) You are reading this and it is Monday:) DONE!

My goals for this week are:

 

Run 3 times (Challenge Goal)

Bike 2 times (Challenge Goal)

Get in at least 2 strength training sessions (Challenge Goal)

Stretch and foam roll at least 3 times.

Make healthy choices when it comes to meals and snacks.

Try one new healthy recipe.

 

What were you up to over the weekend?

 

How did you do on your goals last week?

 

What are your goals for this week?

 

What is your "go-to" healthy recipe? Please share- I NEED new ideas!

National Running Day

Happy National Running Day!

Held annually on the first Wednesday in June - National Running Day is a day to get inspired and motivated, to celebrate the reasons and people that make running a special part of their lives. National Running Day is for everyone! It is a way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a life changing commitment.

A free bib that you can grab from runningday.org

 National Running Day is a day where runners everywhere declare their passion for running. I have to say that I run for so many reasons!

 

I run...

 

to feel free

 

to feel alive

 

for my sanity

 

for those who can't

 

for good health

 

to feel the rush of endorphins

 

to help control my weight

 

to eat

 

to be an example for my family & friends

 

because my boys are watching

 

to be apart of such a supportive community

 

because it makes me feel strong

 

to honor myself and how far I have come

 

to feel awesome

 

to learn to love my body

 

to see what I am capable of

 

to find myself

 

to inspire others

 

to be a better me

 

because I AM WORTH IT!

 

 

 

 Those are just some of the reasons why I love running! If you are a runner I am sure that some of them may be the same for you but you probably have other reasons why you run as well.
Why do you run?

 

How are you planning to celebrate National Running Day? I am trying to take it easy so my leg starts to feel better-  but I may just have to get out there for an easy run to celebrate! 



 

 

Pardon My Streaking

I have been streaking in the past and surprisingly I really enjoyed it! Actually my husband and I went streaking together for the first time a year ago. NO, NO, NO.... I am not referring to "that" kind of streaking- this is a fitness/running/family blog! 

 

I am talking about a run streak where you run at least one mile every day. I am always up for a good challenge so when I came across the Runner's World Summer Run Streak last year I knew that we had to go for it. We did great and managed to do the whole streak from Memorial Day until the Fourth of July. There were a few times that we had to get creative but in the end- WE DID IT!

 

In November we started streaking together again when the 2012 Holiday Run Streak began (Thanksgiving through New Years). We did great up until a big snow storm hit closing the Y and making it unsafe to run outside.

 

Once again, it is time for the Runner's World Summer Run Streak and of course we had to take the challenge! Tim and I have been streaking since May 27th!

 

 

Yesterday I made running daily one of my goals for The Weekly Chase this week. At this point I need to adjust that goal... the streak just isn't going to happen for me this time around! As much as I love a challenge and it is so hard for me to not finish something I have started- I NEED to be done with the run streak! I have been dealing with some nagging pains in my right leg and right foot and I don't think it is in my best interest to continue with the streak. I am afraid to say that the streak came too soon after finishing the marathon and I don't think I gave my body enough rest.

 

My new goal for this week, to replace my run a mile a day, is to stretch and foam roll daily and do what is needed to get my leg feeling better!

 

 

 

 I can't even begin to explain how true this statement is for me! Just over three years ago it was so hard to START but now I find myself in the position that I can't STOP! I think I jumped into the run streak because over the past several months training for the marathon was my habit and once it was over I didn't know what to do with myself- I was lost without it!

 

 

Have you streaked before? Are you currently streaking?

 

Do you struggle with rest/recovery like I do? Any tips to make it easier?

 

The Weekly Chase

We had a crazy, but very fun, weekend! We were suppose to meet some friends to go camping but at the last minute they had a family commitment that needed to be their priority so we decided to postpone our camping trip to this fall. In the end it worked out well for us too! We started our weekend off by meeting my mom to help her celebrate her birthday from earlier in the week.

Grandma and her boys!

There is a restaurant along the Mississippi River that is about half-way for both of us that we all really like. Because of that, the "Roadhouse" tends to be our celebrating spot! It was such a nice night that we were finally able to sit on their patio to enjoy our meal and time together.

 

The rest of our weekend was spent watching Riley play baseball in a local tournament that he was going to have to miss if we would have gone camping. It was a crazy weather weekend: Saturday was sunny and warm for the first game and then chilly and rainy for the second. Sunday brought out the winter coats and blankets for the first game and then the second game the sun came out and it got warm. I guess you just never know what Wisconsin weather is going to bring. I never expected to need my winter coat and multiple layers in June!

 

He played his first tournament when we were gone for the marathon so this was our first time watching him play this year. It was also our first time to get to know some of the kids and their parents. I think we are in for a great summer with him playing on this team!

 

Riley with some of his teammates and friends!

Once again it has been a few weeks since I participated in the Weekly Chase! Maybe participating each week needs to be a goal!

 

Here were my previous goals:

• Hydrate properly each day this week in preparation for the marathon. Done! We did a great job even with traveling and being tourist the couple of days leading up to the race.
• Eat right- make good choices, watch portion sizes, and skip seconds. 75% done. With the marathon and recovery we started to slack. I did better on portion sizes and skipped seconds most of the time but this is still an area that I need to improve on.
• Sleep- start getting a good nights sleep each night this week. We did the best we could- I had to work a couple of nights leading up to us leaving for the race but we did get to bed "early" the Friday and Saturday nights before the race.
• Taper- continue to follow the training plan and do the miles it tells us- no more than what it says because they don't feel like enough! 100% success! It was tough but we stuck with the plan. I wanted to add in biking but didn't!
• Enjoy the weekend in Green Bay with my best friend, her husband and my wonderful hubby! We had an amazing weekend in Green Bay. Check out my posts about our weekend and the race.
• Enjoy our first full marathon! 100% DONE!!!!

From Mindy @ Road Runner Girl's Weekly Chase Post:

It's June...and that means a new challenge for the month! This month's challenge is called "Move Your Body!" It's summertime and I don't want us to forget about our fitness goals. This month I want you to be specific and make one of your goals a fitness goal. Your goal could be to run 3 times a week, strength or weight train twice a week, go for a walk everyday, or do at least 15 minutes of exercise each day. Whatever you want...just make it all about moving your body!

 

Here are my goals for this week:

•  Run at least one mile each day to keep my Runner's World Run Streak going. (Challenge Goal)
• Plank every day. (Challenge Goal)
• Spend time with each of my boys individually.
• Try a new healthy recipe.
• Report back on The Weekly Chase next Monday :)

Did you have a good weekend? What were you up to?

 

What are your goals for this week?

 

Interview with Riley at Age 11

This post is dedicated to my oldest- RILEY! He turned 11 a couple of weeks ago and I interviewed him on his birthday- staying true to his personality and wasn't able to answer all of the questions right away- he needed to think about some of them and get back to me. After much thought we finally have his interview! 
 

1. Name: Riley Owen
2. How old are you?  11 years old
3. What is your favorite thing to do? play baseball outside with my friends
4. Who is your best friend? Zak Turner
5. What is your favorite color? blue
6. What is your favorite food? pizza- Dad's pizza- pepperoni supreme
7. What do you like to do with your family? go hiking
8. What is your favorite toy? X-box
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? a teacher or an architect
10. What makes you happy? getting to see my friends
11. What makes you sad? when I found out I fractured my elbow or when I get bad news
12. What is your favorite show? American Pickers
13. What is your favorite book? The Missing- Book 2 Sent by Haddix
14. What do you love to learn about? Math
15. What was the best part of your birthday? Getting to go pick out my present.
16. Where do you like to go? I like to go to Grandma's house and "the Lake"
17. Who is your teacher? Ms. Estell
18. What is your favorite treat? Scotcharoos- peanut butter rice krispies with chocolate on top
19. What do you think about before you fall asleep? I think about what the next day is going to be like- what I am going to have or do. Do I have baseball practice or something like that.
20. What was your favorite birthday present? My new bike
21. What sport do you like best? baseball
22. What are you really good at? baseball- catcher, math
23. What would you buy if you had $1000? a new phone and a new bike
24. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? chocolate
25. Who is your biggest hero? Ryan Braun- because he is really good at baseball and he can hit really good.
26. What do you hope you'll get to do before your next birthday? go snowboarding
27. What do you like to do best with your friends? play football, baseball, or soccer
28. What is your favorite song? Can't Hold Us by Maclamore and Ryan Lewis
29. I am very proud because.... I will be playing tournaments for baseball this year. (I would have to add that he was very proud of his mile run time this year- 6:52- Way to go Riley!)
30. I am afraid to.... do things up high like a ropes challenge course.
31. Imagine that you can become invisible whenever you wanted to. What are some of the things that you would do? I would trick my brothers and friends
32. Pretend that you can fly whenever you wanted. Where would you go? I would go to Mexico again.
33. Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney World
34. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom or Dad? play catch in the backyard and run

Riley loves learning- especially math!

 

From the time he was very little, Riley has always loved to learn new things- writing, math, reading, any kind of sport- you name it- he wants all of the details and wants to know all he can about it! He has always been a "sponge" trying to soak it all in. In preschool and kindergarten he would doodle math facts. He is very detailed and is very much a perfectionist. He is one of those kids that seems like a "natural" at a lot of things. In that way he has been a challenge for us! We are always trying to find ways to challenge him so that he knows what it is like to "work hard" for things.We don't want him to always expect everything to come easy. As a fifth grader this school year it was fun to watch him challenge himself with sixth grade math and to see him have to work at it to figure it out. It was also exciting to see him excited for the challenge. Recently, he was super excited to find out he has been placed in the seventh grade accelerated math for next year.

 

As much as Riley loves school and learning he also loves sports! It is so much fun to watch him play sports and see him work to improve himself on the field (both as a player and as a teammate to his fellow players). As you can see from his interview he loves baseball- maybe that is because we are just getting into the baseball season and it is fresh in his mind, but I would have to agree that baseball is where I see his true passion in sports! From the time he was big enough to hold the bat we have been out in the yard hitting balls and playing catch because that is what he wanted to do. 

 

He is so excited to be on the tournament team this year for baseball! This past weekend was spent watching four games in a local tournament- it takes time and makes for a crazy, busy life but it is so worth it! It is so much fun to see him developing his skills and to watch him interact with all of the kids on the team and making new friends. I also have to say that I am a pretty proud mom because he is taking after me and enjoys playing catcher! I can't even explain the feeling I get when I see him in that catcher's gear and I can't wait to work with him this summer and give him tips that I learned over my years as catcher!  

Some of my favorite shots from the La Crosse Boys & Girls Club Tournament
June 1-2, 2013

It has been so much fun to watch Riley grow and change. He is really starting to develop into a responsible young man. I am really looking forward to him moving into middle school next year and to watch him continue to change and grow into the person he is destined to be!