Party in Pink

It has been an annual tradition for my mom's family to gather in late October in remembrance of my grandmother...to celebrate her life, and to give back to those who are fighting the same battle that she lost.  Grandma Gushee died in 1995 from breast cancer.   Last Saturday, we walked for her, for each other, and for the women (and men) who will live with breast cancer and survive it, and for those that won't.

We gathered on October 22 for the Des Moines Race for the Cure.  It was a chilly morning, but with the sun shining among a sea of pink, it was a beautiful day for a walk!

Papa was the main attraction for the littles as the rest of the gang headed to the booths to gather all the freebies they could get.

Seven of Grandma's great-grandchildren.

I think she would be proud.

Our posse seems to grow bigger each year.  This year, 19 walked - or strolled.

Reed was tuckered out before the walk even began!

But he perked up when we got started!

Let's race!  Errr... walk! 

And we're off!

It literally was a sea of pink.  

I tried to get a photo of all of the people - thousands upon thousands upon thousands.  It's crazy...but so so cool.

My phantom baby. :)

But really, the backup stroller should one of the kids need to ride.  Or bag holder.  Whatever.

We finished together, 3.2 miles later.

We gathered at my aunt and uncle's house to eat (because that's what the Gushee's do) and chat and just be together.  

Pink is a great color, no?

{Our day in Des Moines was actually day 4 of a little vacation time for us to spend with Brad's family.  Drew didn't have school on Friday due to MEA break, so we took off for Pella after school on Wednesday to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa.  Of course the boys had a blast.  There were no special trips or visits, but there never has to be.  Just being with their grandparents is enough for the boys.  The highlights were doing puzzles, playing PacMan and Mappy, feeding the squirrels, and spending a little time with Great-Grandma Vander Waal.  After the race, the fun continued the remainder of the weekend with Brad's sister and brother and their families.  The boys got doted on by their aunts, uncles and cousins, and were exhausted be weekend's end!  All in all, a really great *extended* weekend.}