Yesterday morning was our 2nd Annual trip to the JDRF Walk in Schaumburg, Illinois. The weather this year was absolute perfection! It started off cool (low 50s), but by the time we left, it was a sunny 63 degrees.
We got there a little earlier this year, which was nice. We didn't feel like we were rushing to get there. Walking from the parking lot to the starting line is quite a trek in and of itself! Kendalyn and Livie held hands most of the way. They're such buddies. :-)
We paused for a quick picture of our walking kids. Avery was in her stroller most of the time.
When you enter the park, there is a band playing - I'm guessing a local high school band. And, there are cheerleaders lining the road as well. You can see behind us how many people are there. That's only about half of them. Jeff and I were talking and we guesstimated there was probably 10-12,000 people that attended this - all in support of someone they know and love that has Type 1!
Em and her family joined us again this year. I'm so glad they did. It's really nice having their support. :-)
The balloon archway was our starting line. Though, no one really lines up. They blow a whistle and everyone starts heading that way. There are people all over the place, playing at the bouncy houses or dancing to the DJ that is playing music, or loading up on lots of free snacks that are at the snack pavilion.
Sweet little Avery was just chill the entire time we were on the walk. She just took in the sights and had a great time!
We saw this shoe mascot and everyone wanted a picture with him. :-)
The band and cheerleaders that greeted us as we entered the park were now lined up at the starting line and played and cheered us all on as we began walking. I can't begin to tell you how amazing the energy is there!
My superstar!!!
Kendalyn and Avery took turns riding on their dad's shoulders or Uncle Pete's shoulders. Livie did too. :-)
When we were walking, I saw this group ahead of us and laughed. If you can't read their shirts, they say "Watch out for Presbyterians". I had to send that to Pastor John - especially since we missed church that day.
The walk is really pretty. Weaving through the woods and out into the open plains. Really beautiful scenery.
I think these were the shirts that made us laugh the most. :-)
This was the halfway point. At each section there is a team of people cheering you on and a snack tent with people passing out apples, orange, bananas, water, pop, popcorn, and more. There are kids of all ages, parents, grandparents, friends, dogs, and I even saw someone carrying a bunny on a leash! JDRF Walks are 5 kilometers of fun, let me tell ya!
This was the finish line! The kids started running for it, so we adults did too. Last year some of the kids struggled to make it the whole way. Noah was one of them. He didn't slow down once. He kept at it and was still full of energy when it was over. He wanted to finish the race, so we could go to Barnes and Noble. A boy after my own heart!
Here's another picture to show you a bit more of the activity. That big tent was where the DJ was and all the dancers.
Aren't these girls adorable?
We were able to visit some of the tents. They had a place where you could draw a picture and they were going to make it into a mural.
Madie put Minecraft characters on hers. :-)
I drew Phineaus and Ferb and Kendalyn helped color it for me. We finished up our time by checking out of our hotel and hitting Portillos for lunch. We decided, after last year, that this should always be our lunch after the big walk. It was delicious! We said our goodbyes, went to Barnes and Nobel for a little while (I LOVE that store!!!), before heading over to Jill's for a couple hours.
These cousins never have any fun together, do they? ;-)
It was a short visit, but we were so glad to see those sweet boys! Trevor is a 6th grader and will be turning 12 this week. He's gotten so tall and his voice is changing. Ty is getting really tall too. He's a 3rd grader and just got a chinchilla named Skip. They are both fantastic kids and these cousins always have a ball when they are together. It was a great weekend all around and we're so thankful to everyone for their support!
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