OHSCU PICNIC

Last night we attended the OHSCU (Oncology Hematology Special Care Unit) Picnic at Elmwood Park.  The PACT (Positive Actions Create Teamwork) committee that I am a part of hosted this picnic for staff.  I was a little worried that the weather wouldn't cooperate for us, but it ended up being a beautiful night.  We grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and had lots of other yummy foods!  Of course the girls didn't eat any of their meat and snacked on nothing but sugar...fruit, chips, cookies, smores, dirt cake and more cookies and more smores and more dirt cake.  Oh well, at least they had fun running around and playing with the other little kiddos. 

 It is fun being able to get together outside of the work environment and just being able to let loose and let go of the stress that comes along with the job.  The kids played at the playground and got their faces painted and some of the adults and older kids played a game of kickball.  I have to mention that Jason was the LAST one picked for a kickball team...he said to me "I have never been picked last for anything!"  I guess this is what happens when a 4 year old and a 7 year old are the team captains....maybe his tallness was intimidating to them?!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the picnic!

 My baby's first piggy tails!

 Feeding Avery some dirt cake.

 PIGGY'S!

 She was not into giving any kisses away!

 Eating SMORES with dad.

 My little piggy's eating SMORES.

 These 2 were cracking me up all night!

 The talented Miss Emily

 She wanted HELLO KITTY and she got HELLO KITTY!

Avery and Jax once again :)

Sissys!

 She is every bit as ornery as this picture says!

 I am the mom who would dress my kids alike everyday if I could...but they don't have a lot of matching outfits and Avery is always in hand-me-downs so I can't...they are so cute when the match!

 So excited the GaGa and PaPa came to visit!

They truly are little buddies...they fight like sisters and they love like sisters.  They always want to do what the other one is doing.  I love, love, love my little girls!

The Zoo

I was off last weekend so we made another trip to the zoo.  We have a season pass so we might as well get our moneys worth!  The last time we were there the Aquarium renovations weren't done yet, so we were sure to hit up the new aquarium this time.  That is what Lily wanted to see the most and Avery loves fishies, so it was perfect!  I was surprised because Lily was scared of some of the fish??  She has a fish of her own, so I don't know what she was so scared of.  The line to the petting part of the aquarium was out the door and it was hot and CROWDED so we opted not to wait. 

We packed up a picnic lunch with good ole PB&J sandwiches and enjoyed lunch outside.  Our next stop was the butterfly pavilion...I thought Avery would like this and she did.  It is kind of boring, but still a success with the kiddos.  We then ventured up the giant hill to see the rhinos and we were excited to see that the elephants will be coming back in the next 3-5 years in a new exhibit!  Our final stop was the carousel.  We told Lily last time that she could go on a ride the next time we were there.  Her and Avery, of course, had a ball.  Little Avers was smiling and laughing the whole time!

Cousin Miles Turns 3!

On May 5th, Lily and Avery's cousin Miles turned 3 years old!  We made a day trip to Des Moines and celebrated with him at his house.  He had a big party with lots of friends and family.  The girls had a blast seeing all of their Kneifl side cousins. 

 Little Buddies...Miles and Avery

 Grandma Romaine chillin in the hammock!

 Miles and his Mickey Mouse Cake

 Miles and his mommy and daddy

 Pinata time!

Relay For Life 2012

Lights, Camera, Cure!  That is this year's Relay theme!  I have participated in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event for the past 5 years.  It is a great time and for a great cause.  All monies earned go towards patient aid, cancer research and resources for family members who have loved ones going through cancer treatment.  This year's Relay is on Saturday June 9th at Elkhorn South High School.  Even if you aren't able to donate I encourage you to come out and see what it is all about.  It is a family friendly event and anyone and everyone is welcome!  There are tons of kid activities (face painting, games, treats, dress up, etc.)  There is live music and some very touching ceremonies.  The night begins with a SURVIVOR lap.  The survivors wear a different colored shirt from everyone else so they can be easily recognized and honored.  All of the survivors tell what cancer they have beat or are currently fighting, how long in remission, etc.  They walk the first lap around the track...pretty impressive.  Later on in the night is the HOPE (or remembrance ceremony).  This is very touching and very emotional.  All of the luminary bags are lit in honor of or in memory of those who fought the battle and for those who lost the battle.  The word HOPE is lit up across the stadium bleachers, and then the track and stadium become quiet as this is a time to REMEMBER those we have lost. 

I have never lost a family member to cancer, but I have seen many families lose their loved ones over the past 7 years.  While working as a nurse in Oncology, I have seen parents lose their children, children lose their parents, husbands lose their wives, wives lose their husbands, grandchildren lose their grandparents, grandparents lose their grandchildren, kids lose their best friends...it goes on and on. 

 I have witnessed too many final goodbyes...click on the link below if you are able to help out.  Any amount goes a long way. 

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12PL?px=26456245&pg=personal&fr_id=40266

Thank you.