2011 Autism Puzzle Walk

Thank you to everyone who supported us this year in the Autism Puzzle Walk. With your financial help, our team came in either 5th or 6th. I can't tell you how much that means to each and everyone of us in our family. Additionally, your words of support and encouragement lifted my spirits during the down times when I thought I was doing this for nothing. And to my extra-special friends who helped me shuttle children and care for them when I was in meeting central and for those who came out to help stuff 750 resource bags, your help and commitment meant more than words can express to our entire community.

As a member of the Walk Committee (like us with the Storm Troopers?) and in charge of 'printed materials', I am thrilled to say that while the numbers are not yet final, we have raised over $45,000 so far this year. Money raised stays here in our state and is used to help fund events, outings, scholarships and helps put on the annual Autism Conference. I was blessed to attend that conference this year and the knowledge I gained in just two short days put me years ahead of where I was before I went.

 

Sean & I were hard at work starting at 6 am. We met the U-haul (yup, it took a U-haul to get all the stuff to the walk this year) and helped unload---with help from MANY other dedicated individuals. The kids were brought by a friend at the start of the walk. They had a ball. More bounce houses this year, face painting, carnival games, parachute fun, more Star Wars Characters (including R2D2), a stage show and DJ kept the party rolling all morning long.

Rebekah LOVES the bouncy slide--and--

She loves the Star Wars Characters (even though she's never seen the movie). 

I have very few photos of Andrew. He was mainly on his own. But he liked our walkie talkies with headsets and got one of the spares working. Here he is fiddling with it while Rebekah gets her face painted. He had a great time 'helping' us out.

Here's Nathan on the walk...

Rebekah the Dalmatian.

My friend's kids with Nathan & Rebekah. She and her husband came to the walk to help 'watch over' my children. Then they took all five kids to a playplace for lunch and brought them home for me. Following that huge energy drain, their family went to the zoo with relatives. UGH! I don't know how she kept going--but I am eternally grateful for her help so I didn't have to worry about the kids while I was working.

Another shot of the committee (or those left at the end of cleanup).

Another fantastic year and we're looking forward to next year already. Thank you again to all of our friends and family who supported is in so many ways. Without you, Sean & I couldn't have been a part of the magic of the day.