Gutsy walk

Last weekend we did the Gutsy Walk to support Crohn's and Colitis Canada.  For those of you that don't know, James was diagnosed with Crohn's the year after we got married, literally less than 6 weeks after we said our vows.  I guess we passed our 'in sickness and health' part of  the vows test....

James has been very fortunate and with the right medication you would never know that he had it.  We've been lucky.  This is not the case for everyone.

We started doing the walk in 2006 and have done it almost every year since then.  We did a big fundraising blitz the first year, and were quite successful, but now we hit up the family and make a donation ourselves.

It is a good reason to talk about it with the kids and the fact that their Dad has Crohn's.  Every year they have forgotten what we talked about the year before.

This year the kids barely complained.  When we first started walking with them we never made it to the 5km turnaround point.  Have I mentioned our kids hated the stroller?

Here we all are at the turnaround point on the river on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. 

Maybe next year the kids will run with me...... then again, maybe not?


Let's flash back and take a peak at photos from previous years.

2008 - The year that James was working and I was 9 months pregnant.

2010 - The year that Grady hated the stroller and I was pregnant with Cooper.

2013 - Another year James is missing and Bo and Marla joined us.  What I do remember about this year is that we walked across a bridge at Sandy beach that was wiped out a few weeks later in the flood.

2015 - The year they had a dress up station. 

Until next year....

Gutsy Walk - 2015

This year we participated in our 10th annual Gusty Walk for Crohn's and Colitis.  Well, actually it is the 9th time we've done it as we were away one weekend so we had to miss it, but we still got our donation in.  As many of you know, less than 6 weeks after we got married, James was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.  James is very lucky and his case is quite mild.  For the past 5 years he has had zero symptoms.  We do not take this for granted.

We started doing the walk the spring after he was diagnosed and make it a yearly priority to participate every year.  They do a great job of making it a family event so it was easy to incorporate the kids into it.  This year, all 4 of us walked 2km which is probably the furthest Cooper has walked without the stroller.  Ever.

It was a bright and sunny spring morning and perfect weather to be outside.  For the first time, we registered the kids as participants so they got the matching shirts.

Cooper was not excited about getting his picture taken.  Can you tell?

When the walk started we were all in a clump which is to be expected.  James and Grady took of ahead and both kids insisted on holding our hands. Probably scared of the crowd.

Cooper and I trailed behind playing eye spy and any other game I could think of to pass the time.  We were walking beyond slow and that was totally fine, at least he was walking!

Post walk, they have lunch and festivities.  While Grady waiting in line for his balloon animal....

Cooper took a bounce in the bouncy castle.

My favorite part is dressing up. This was new last year and the kids weren't as willing to try.  This year they were all over it.

We decided that next year we are going to make our own shirts since James and I learned how to do iron on shirts this year.  We just have to come of with a good name.....  

The Gutsy walk is a family tradition I don't see ending soon.  It is really easy to support a great cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Maybe next year we'll try to do the 3km walk!

Geocashing

Where to begin this adventure the call geocashing.....  Until about 2 weeks ago, I had no idea what geocashing was.  I got a random email from James that said 'geocashing for the kids' and that was it.  Later that night when I asked James what his random email was about he told me his boss had done it, yadda yadda yadda, I lost interest.

 

Last weekend, a friend was talking about it and that there was one at park where the Gutsy Walk was taking place, and I became a little more interested.  With our hour to kill on Sunday it seemed like the perfect time to let James explore the whole idea of this real life treasure hunt.

 

On the website, it explains geocashing as a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

 

In my words, that means you put the app on your phone and use it as a compass to get you super close to where the treasure is and you read the hints of where you may find it.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

 

So off we went.  Cooper is not fond of bugs and was a little more hesitant than the 2 little boys.

 

 

The ones we did at the park were perfect for kids, especially this first one.  It was about 5 meters off the path.  James said the GPS seemed to be accurate to about 5 meters.  So once we arrived at the spot we had a bit of a radius to cover to actually find it.  

 

The first one was also interesting because you don't know exactly what you are looking for.  This one said it was a box about the size of a sandwich container. 

 

As we were looking, Cooper had to pee.  We found a perfect tree to water, I started to pull Coopers pants down and noticed there was something under the leaves at the stump of the tree.  Me being a little bit of a scaredy cat called James over he moved the leaves, and sure enough, Cooper and I had found the treasure!

 

 

 

Considering I initially wasn't that into it, it was very exciting to find the treasure and to open it up.  I of course let James do it!

 

I guess you can bring something to put in the box but we were not prepared so I searched my purse for the only think that seemed appropriate, a tattoo from the Gutsy Walk we had done that morning.  We had 2, so we put one in each of the boxes.

 

 

 

This first box was very kid friendly and had lots of knick knacks in it.  Because the first one didn't take us that long, we decided to do another one at the park before departing.  This one was a bit more of a hike and hidden deeper into the forest. 

 

 

This one was so deep in the forest that it wasn't even hidden, it was just sitting there out in the open.  There was the original box and then an extra sandwich box someone has left behind.

 

 

Each of the boxes we looked in had a log so you could sign it.  We let Grady sign his name in this one.

 

Beleive it or not we did a third geocash that day between skating and hockey.  James was on a roll!

 

 

This one was less child friendly as we walked through parking lots and along the side of a busy street leading into the rink.  We'd come that far so we decided to keep going and make it an adventure.

 

This one took a while to find and it was actually Grady that found it.  Cooper and I had already gotten out of the bush that was full of mosquitoes and ants when we heard Grady yell that there was something under the brick.  They found it!

 

 

James was busy looking around where he discovered this ant hill.  Grady said he wanted to see the ants and James said I'll show you the video.  One look at the video and Grady had changed his mind. 

 

Password: ants

Ants from Christy R on Vimeo.

 

Overall, it was a great experience. There is just something about looking for a treasure.... You should try one in your area. For fun, I popped in my mom's address to see if there were any in my hometown and there is one 280 feet from my mom's house. So if you think there won't be one by you, you arr probably wrong!

Gutsy Walk 2014

This year marked the 9th year that we have participated in the Gutsy Walk for Crohn's and Colitis.  We were out of town one year and missed it, but other than that we've done everyone.  We've done it in the rain, I've done it pregnant, we done it before kids, we've done it with only Grady, then with Cooper to..... Over the years lots has changed, but we've always made our best attempt to participate.

Taken after the walk

What I love about this walk in particular is that they make it a family event.  They had a big bouncy castle, face paining, and a balloon guy.  We had excellent timing and we happened to be standing there when he opened so we got the first 2 balloons, a race car and an airplane.

 

 

 

I was so proud of Grady for walking the entire 2km. He didn't even complain.  Our younger son on the other hand rode in the stroller the entire way.  He got out long enough to take the above picture, but other than that wanted nothing to do with walking.

 



This walk was on a Sunday morning, and like every other Sunday this spring, we have skating and hockey starting at 1:45 so we decided to spend an hour at the park playing and then go directly to the rink.  It always makes me feel better spending the afternoon in the rink if we spend the morning outside. 

 

James has been obsessing over geocashing lately and with over an hour to kill before our departure for the rink we decided to give it a try.  My original plan was to post the entire day in one post but I had to many pictures of our adventure that I decided to split it.  If I perked your interest go and check out the site and I'll tell you all about geocashing tomorrow!

Gutsy Walk 2013

I have been doing this walk for 8 years.  I really enjoy it.  It is a great way to raise money for a cause that is dear to our heart while spending a great day with our family.  This year, James was out of town so I asked Marla and Bo is they wanted to join me and the boys and they were happy to join the festivities.

The weather was questionable right until the moment of the walk.  It has been raining for weeks this only a few days where the sun peaked through.  Although Saturday was a gorgeous day, we woke up Sunday to overcast and a threat of showers.  That has never stopped me.  I would have walked even if it was raining. I just would have left the kids at home!  In the end, the rain didn't come until after and we enjoyed a nice morning in the fresh air.

This year the walk was at new venue and it was very pretty running along the river, across a suspension bridge (which by the way sways pretty good when it is full of people!), and through a very nice rich area.

Bo got stuck with the stroller for most of the way home as I chased the boys and raised them from flag to flag.  The stroller always comes in handy even when we aren't using it for kids.  We quickly fill it up with jackets, camera, and umbrellas!

The walk is set up great for families.  This year, they had a man dressed as a bear.  Cooper hated him and cried for the entire time that he could see him.  They had a bouncy house set up for the kids.  And since we didn't do the whole walk, Grady had it all to himself.  Cooper refused to go in as he started down the bear across the field waiting for him to pounce!

Last but not least, they had a face painter.  They have one every year but this year was the first year that Grady showed any interest. I suggested he get a balloon on his cheek and he agreed.  When we sat on the chair the woman suggested a spider.  Grady being the shy guy that he is just agreed and I told her he didn't want any on his eyes.  In the end, he was thrilled!

 

He even said he wanted more.  I was so proud of him for stepping outside of his comfort zone.

We waited in the long line for lunch and headed home missing the rain by less than an hour.

Thank you Auntie Bo and Nana for joining us and making my day a whole bunch easier! Already looking forward to next year!

Happy Father's Day

For various reasons, we decided to celebrate Father's Day a week early this year. The kids picked out a very special shirt for their Daddy this year....

This is the best picture I have of James in the Mator shirt.

After we bought it I told Grady it was a secret and that we were going to give it to Dad on Father's day.  That night, I went out and when I came home, James already knew about the shirt.  He laughed as he told me and that he hesitated telling me that Grady told him.  Cooper also got a new Mator shirt and when James saw it he asked Grady if it was Cooper's.  Grady told him yes and that we also bought one for Dad.  I should have known better than to tell my three old that it was a 'surprise'. It means nothing to him!

On Saturday afternoon I pulled the shirt out again to wrap it and get it ready for James the next day.

Grady: Look at the Mator shirt!

Me: Dad is going to love it!  Don't forget that it is a secret!

Grady:  I already told Dad about the shirt lots of sleeps ago.

Mom:  Well let's pretend that he forgot about it and try and keep it a surprise for tomorrow!

I had a pretty good internal laugh while Grady and i talked about the surprise shirt that James already knew about... priceless!

On fake Father's Day, we participated in the annual Gutsy Walk put on by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada.  We started doing the walk every year in 2006 and only missed one last year when we were in NYC.

If you remember last weekend in Calgary you will remember that it was very very wet.  We thought we may miss this year due to weather but only a few drops fell on us.

We have had some interesting walks over the years...

2008 was the year I was 9 months pregnant.  Grady was born exactly 2 weeks later.  It threatened rain on us the whole time, but again we only got a few drops

2009 was the year that Grady cried through the entire walk and we turned around early.

2010 was the year we finished the entire walk.

2012 will be known as the year that both kids decided they would walk themselves.  Needless to say, it will also be another year that we did NOT finish the walk.

Here is a photo as we arrived at the park.  It is June and the kids have winter jackets and tuques on.  The wind was vicious!

My 3 boys!!

 We started out the morning right by grabbing a bag of cotton candy they were giving out.  Grady wasn't a big fan and Cooper wanted nothing to do with it.

Cooper was all about walking and not going in the stroller.  He was busy chasing his older brother who was more than likely trying to run away from his little brother!

 

How could I not post this next picture.  Grady loved running through the long grass and Cooper loved to follow. 

 

 We really tried to start the race in the stroller and the kids wanted nothing to do with it.  So we let them run free on the grass besides the path.  Grady did so much running that he eventually took his jacket off because he was hot.  Cooper tried his best to keep up.

We managed to get them in the stroller at one point but didn't want to venture to far as it was only a matter of time before they insisted on walking again.  We turned around and started our walk back to the meeting area after walking (very slowly) for about 10 minutes.

There are some advantages to getting back early.  Grady didn't have to wait in line for his balloon car.

 

I am so happy to participate in this walk each year and really hope that it is something the boys will remember doing as a family as they get older.

For supper, we had James' family over for Salmon (James' choice), double stuffed potatoes, asparagus, and homemade banana cream pie (James' favorite) for dessert.  All in all it was a great day celebrating fatherhood.

James - I hope you had a great fake father's day!  We are so lucky to have you in our lives!

Happy Father's Day!

Heels 'n Wheel 2010

Our family (including Nana and a friend) participated in the Heel 'n Wheel a-thon this past Sunday to raise money for Crohn's disease and Colitis. It was our 5th year of participating and this year had the best weather by far.


The year that I was 37 weeks pregnant with Grady it rained. My mom and I bundled up and did it anyway. Don't believe me - read about it here!

The best part about this year's walk is that we actually walked the full 5km! Last year we had an unhappy almost 1 year old who wasn't really into the stroller.

We took this picture as proof that we finished! (From James' blackberry, so not the greatest quality)


Notice the marker says 2.5kms.... well that means that we made it to the half way mark at which point you turn around and walk the 2.5 kms back to the starting point.

Want to know our secret of how we kept a 2 -year old in the stroller for nearly an hour with little to no complaining? Lots of Cheerios and little cars!

Heel n Wheel a-thon 2009

Grady, James, Marla, and I headed over to Fish Creek park this morning for the 2009 Heel n Wheel a-thon! Grady came in like a lion and left like a lamb..... I find with a little one you never know until you get there how the day was going to play out. Keep in mind that Grady got up at 6:15 and the walk was at 10:00. Nap time should have been at 10:00. See progression of pictures below.

This is just before the walk. Mom and Dad are happy and smiling. Grady is already showing signs of what is to come. Time - 9:55am.



Grady, Dad, and Nana. And the decline continues.... Time - 10:05.



This is the view of the walk from the end of the line. We were nearly last in departing as we try to give Grady a bottle and settle him down before we even crossed the start line... Time - 10:15.



Grady screamed for the first 20 minutes of the walk at which point we made the executive decision to turn around before the half way marker. Time - 10:35.




I carried my 25 pound sack of potatoes all the way back to the finish line. When the end was in sight, Grady put his head down on my shoulder and closed his eyes. Finally he fell asleep. We laid him in the stroller and he slept for nearly an hour. Time - 10:55.



The adults enjoyed their burgers and pop and admired the sleeping angel we like to call Grady. Despite the rough start with our little 'lion' we had a great time and will attempt the whole thing again next year....

Thanks for your support!

Heel 'n Wheel 2009

This is our fourth consecutive year of partaking in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada's Heel 'n Wheel event. Essentially is it a 5k run/walk/ride/rollarblade event to raise funds for a cure. I have really enjoyed doing this and am very excited to make it a family event this year. See here for pictures of 9 month pregnant Christy and Grandma pre-walk.

If you are interested in pledging me, just go here and search for my name. Make sure it is the 'Christy' in Calgary!!

Let's hope for some sunshine this year! I'll post some pics after the event on Sunday June 14, 2009.

Heel 'n' Wheel-a-Thon

Sunday morning mom and I took part in the annual Heel 'n' Wheel-a-Thon to raise money for IBD (Inflamatory Bowel Disease) which includes both Crohn's and Colitis. This is the 3rd year that I have taken part and the first year for my Mom. James was off the hook as he spent the day at the office :(

Essentially it is a 5km walk/run/rollar blade/bike followed by a BBQ and entertainment. This year the location moved from the U of C to Fish Creek park. The location was great except instead of being in a loop, it was 2.5 km down a path and then turn around and walk back. Much nicer location than walking on the road and through the university...

After the walk, mom and I checked the prize board and were surprised to see that we both won! She won a very nice sleeveless pink golf shirt (it was even ladies) and I won a very ugly blue rain jacket that said 'BITE' accross the back. I figure since I won't be golfing this year that mom would get more use than me so I didn't even try to trade!

The weather held out nicely for us considering the amount of rain Calgary saw this weekend. We each brought an umbrella but thankfully neither of us needed to use it - instead we had to carry them around. Both of us were thankful to have hoods to protect us from the little bits of rain that fell here and there. Overall it was a great morning spent supporting a good cause.

I hope to make this a yearly event as it is encouraged to bring your kids and even your dogs and make it a family event.