BUDDY WALK 2009

Today was the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk!!!! This is an annual event to recognize people with Down Syndrome, to show them support, and to raise community awareness of the love and respect that so many have for people like Seth. Today, I think there were 28 of us who took time out of the busy-ness of life to show that WE LOVE OUR BUDDY SETH :-)

I got up super early and made the kids all get up early to be able to help with the set-up. Anyone who knows me knows that this was quite an accomplishment -- I'm usually either late or running in at the last minute. Before anyone gets too impressed, we were too late to help with any real setting up; but we did help with a few little things. And being early, we were one of the first to get our new Buddy Walk shirts :-)


We had about an hour to play and run around before anyone else would get there.


Makenzie is SUCH a good big sister!


There was a bouncy blow-up thing for the kids.


Nearby was a beautiful maze-like garden.


The Szepanskis were the first to arrive. Daniel and Luke were in the same kindergarten class last year, and Elijah and Seth are close in age.


Matt and Tonya were Makenzie's and Joel's teachers last year.


Next came the rest of the family crew. Darryl's parents are up here visiting (getting to meet their new granddaughter :-) and were so nice to take part of their vacation to support Seth.


Jason's parents and brother came again this year, of course :-)

Aimee, Lauren, and Melissa came last year and this year brought Eric, too :-)


Seth had never met Eric, but was glad to see a guy among all the girls :-)


We were so glad to see some more students and another teacher from ACS came out: Jenny, Jennifer, Jimmy, Jay, and Steve. Jennifer gave Seth her door prize tickets, and we won a huge outdoor clock (which I've been wanting for a long time, so thank you, Jennifer!!)!


Robin and Laura know Seth from church and sometimes take care of Seth in the nursery. Laura also came last year :-)


Cindy, Tyler, and Alana are friends of the family, church friends, and almost neighbors :-) Cindy and I were shooing bees away from each other most of the time after the walk. Seth decided to do his elephant impersonation for this picture :-)


Here's the whole supporting crew for our Sweet Seth. Seth is up on top of Darryl's shoulders right in the middle.


After the walk, we enjoyed some pizza, chili, rolls, and fruit. Free food and the free t-shirt might be my favorite parts of the whole deal :-)

I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate all these people taking the time to come show their love and support for Seth! It's so very nice to know that people care!!