Monkeys and pizza and Relay, Oh My!

This young man creates works of art with balloons. He does so at Washington Square Mall, and I've seen him there several times. Last year at Relay me made a penguin for me: it was amazing and I still have a picture of it up in my cubical at work.

Da dah! This year a monkey! He too is amazing. Guess I'll have to put a picture of monkey in my cube as well.

A wonderful part of Relay is having Big Philly come on out all the way from Texas. He worked with us for years, retired, and is now living in Texas, but he always comes out for Relay. He is a cancer Survivor and he was our guest speaker at our opening ceremony. He is sweet, funny, and very off beat. I miss seeing him at work. You don't meet folks like him as often as you should.

One of our favorite activities at Relay is to view the many items at the silent auction and see what you'd like to bid on. Mark, Krystal, and Doug take a look.

Wonder what they think of everything? I have to admit there wasn't much I was interested in, but I did bid on a Seattle Seahawks decorative rock (for the garden) and I won! Go Hawks!

Karrisa showed us her new car. I love the color and I love how roomy and comfortable it is. Maybe this will spur Mark on to buy his wife a new car (okay, doesn't need to be new, just new to me!).

Look at the weather behind us. The entire Relay it would go back and forth, wet and cold, and then a bit of sun and rather warm. Everyone just went with the flow and it all seemed to work out.

Mary hung out with her grandchildren. I love how she has a great relationship with them: reminds me of the fact that my kids have great relationships with their grandmothers. It's a special bond and I wish every child in the world had this in their lives. I'm so glad my children do.

Mark hanging out.

Dinner time! Our campsite was right across from the Costco campsite and we were ready for them when the pizzas we ordered arrived.

Here we are, waiting. Can you tell we're hungry?

I'm explaining to them how hungry I am. And knowing me, I'm probably whining as well.

I'm just that way.

Right after having a slice of Costco pizza (pepperoni for me: so good) Mark and I headed over to the Hillsboro Stadium to watch the Les Swab Bowl. Football players are chosen from the different high schools in Oregon to play one last game of HS football.

Here they are, getting ready to play. I have to admit it was strange to be at the stadium and not be at Relay. We've always had our Relay here, but this year the Les Swab Bowl beat us out. Oh well, that's the way it goes.

Number 40 is Tim Beckman, one of our Tigard players. He is really good and some of my favorite plays last year involved Tim. He played quite well and it was a kick to watch him be a part of the event. He played quite a bit and I'm so glad he got the chance to do this. I've heard nothing but good about Tim and sounds like a young man that Tigard can be proud of.

At halftime they had some fun contests and this little guy was in the obstacle course. Everyone was cheering him on and he did require some assistance to get through the tires, but no once cared: it was funny!!

We left at halftime: it was COLD and with the wind whipping through the stands we decided to get our butts back to Realy.

The luminaia ceremony was very special. Since every bag represents a life touched by cancer, it was too many bags.

Very touching.

Many of the bags that touched my heart the most were ones by children. Lots of bags for a mother or father. I know how that goes.

Relay For LIfe of Hillsboro, come on down!

It's Relay # 2 for me and I'm ready to rumble! Sheila and I had the first lap and we were off and 'running'.

We call our team the 'Intel Originals' since we have been at this Relay every year: I believe only the city team has been a part of the effort as long as we have. 8 years ago at our first Relay we had 7 teams: this year I believe we had nearly 100. Wow.

Ronda, our hard working, always thinking, do anything for you team captain is ready to rumble as well! She's got Joanne and Sheila jazzed up as well.

Rhonda is holding our torch: we went with a roman theme and whoever was slated to walk the track was considered 'the holder of the flame'.

Sheila and I walked from 11 to noon, so after we did our time we walked on over to where our fire department was cooking up some burgers and dogs. Here's Angie, she works for the city, serving up some food. She and I became friends at the first Relay and we try to have lunch once a month, but lately it's not been happening. Need to get back to that: I miss talking to her. She's a doll, and keeps those firemen in line.

Trust me, I've seen it for myself.

Speak of the devil, here are some of the firemen putting in their time. Angie at work. Good job!

What a cute couple! I love how her tennis shoes go with her outfit.

I'm telling you, we had some of the best looking folks around the joint.

Okay, I have to admit it: this is one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken!! You go girls!


Mother and daughter: I called them the goddesses of Relay.

"Hey, tell me the truth: does this robe make my butt look big?"

Preparing for our team pictures.

Amber, please get my good side!

Ellie, my little friend I babysit at times (get to do so next weekend, yea!).

Hip hop lessons. Notice that MARY is not out there? It was a kindness I did for others. Spare them the heartache.

Ilyn and Noah came to the Relay. He's too darn cute, and was good as gold. While waiting for Karissa to arrive we went over to watch a martial arts demonstration.

Brightly colored uniforms looked great, and the kids did a wonderful job. Very enjoyable to watch.

The Intel Orig group decided to give them a look.

I noticed this young lady hanging on to daddy during the display. I loved how sweet she looked.

Noah got a monkey balloon (he called it the banana monkey-cracked me up) and right before he left he made sure they got one for his brother. Have you ever seen a cuter monkey or little boy before?

Karissa arrived, we hung out, and a good time was had by all.

Okay Mary Jo and Mom: this is for you. One of the fundraisers was to choose a number and wait for the chicken to poop on it. Yes, believe it or not.

Bet none of the rest of you out there spent time on Saturday waiting for a chicken to poop. Time to expand your horizons my friend!

What a way to start the day.

As I walked out this morning I couldn't believe how beautiful the sky looked.

I love the way the trees look against the sky: I love living in the Great Northwest at a time like this. Just love it.

I also love it when my husband takes care of the recycling and such: that means I don't have to do it.

Isn't he the best? I just adore him.

Relay comes to a close

I went home last night, got some sleep, and then got up bright and early. I drove to McDonalds to pick up breakfast for everyone and got myself back over to Relay. There was some drizzle and such, and breakfast we warmly welcomed!!!

Later that morning the closing ceremony took place. Everyone was tired and a bit cold, so I think they were all very happy to wrap the event up.

Even though it drizzled on and off, quite a few hardy folks remained.

Ah, welcome to Relay in Oregon! Even the speakers wear raincoats.

I grabbed myself a cup of coffee at the snack shack. A big shout of thanks to the Tualatin Youth Football folks for letting us use their snack shack. It was great and we appreciated it.

Ah, Dana, you are working too hard!

Okay, back to the closing ceremony and Dana working hard. We have three 1000 dollar members! Amazing!! They all raised over a thousand dollars a piece.

We raised over twenty nine thousand dollars!!! Almost double of last year's event. Well done everyone. Well done.

One of the team captains come over to tell me how much one of her team mates had enjoyed the Survivor Celebration. She said I made her feel special: that made me feel great. Survivors are what this is all about.


After the ceremony it was time to clean up. Most of the committee members stayed to help, and some wonderful folks from the Forest Grove Relay came to help. You're the best.

I hope they got some of the lovely baked goods from Paradise Bakery, like this big ole cookie shaped like a purple Relay ribbon.

Or some of my new favorite thing in the world: a big ole chocolate chip cookie frosted like a CAKE. Oh yes, this is my new favorite thing in the world. A new weakness: just what I needed. Oh well, life is too short to worry about it. Just enjoy.

Mmmm...wonder what these guys are running for?


Towards the end of the Relay Paradise Bakery put together an event where teams walked so many laps and at the end they got cookies! I was across from the check in station and the kids were LOVING it! What a great idea: made the morning special.

Paradise Bakery: you all rock.

So Relay ends for Tigard/Tualatin. Time to begin planning for next year!!!

Why I Relay

A wonderful company, Portland Badge, created a banner for our Relay folks to sign. I watched folks walk up to the banner, think before they would write, and add their story to the banner.

Andy was one of our youths, giving a lot of time and effort into team recruitment, fund raising, and much more. Susan Morelli died recently from cancer and I know it touched many of the young people who attended our Relay.

Jordon is Susan's daughter.

Ashley should have had the chance to know her Grandmother better.

Malory knows what's important.

Another young life touched.

And yet again.

Why do I Relay? I Relay not only for my mom and dad (I LOVE YOU), but for others as well.

I have to admit as I wrote this on the banner I felt a bit like crying. I wanted my mom and dad there. I wanted to be with them at that very moment.

I Relay for love.