Sunday, September 5, 2010

Chicago Fire Game

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend a Chicago Fire Game.  As I have mentioned before, my family is going to be participating in the American Heart Association's Start! Heartwalk on September 25th (which thanks to my AMAZING friends I have raised $500!!!  Whooo hooo!!).  We are walking as part of Good Samaritan's Heart of the Image team and our team leaders Dina and Lee set up an amazing event which was the game at Toyota Park. 

Dina and Lee were coworkers of my dad and have been so wonderful in keeping my dad's memory alive between the beautiful memorial plaque and bench on the grounds of Good Sam, to walking in his memory in past years for the heartwalk, to this wonderful event yesterday.  This event also was honoring 2 young boys who have had heart problems and heart surgeries in the past, but are thriving now.  We had an opportunity to talk with their families as well, which was really cool.  Ironically enough, the one boy's cardiologist was the same one who did Mia's very 1st echo right after she was born and detected her pulmonary stenosis.

For the game, we spent our time up in the party deck, which was great with the kids.  I was hesitant about bringing them since it was right during nap time and I was worried about them sitting for an extended period of time, but none of that mattered!  The novelty of the experience, plus the opportunity to run around the party deck made things easy.  Plus there was great food, drink, prizes, bags, etc.!

The weather was beautiful, the game was fun, and I am thankful for days like this where my kids can see the impact their "Grampy" had on other's lives, how loved and respected he was, and how his memory is now helping to raise money to help others with heart problems.  Thank you so much to Dina and Lee for their organization of this event and their generosity in having our families!

And now the pictures...

They were giving free scarves out and Mia always loves her accessories!
Our view of the field
Claire bear
Noah enjoying the popcorn
Cole going to town on an apple
My aunt and mom
Cole checking out the view-it was great!
Players warming up
The kids enjoying the food
A view of the party deck all set up
One of the displays with a short story about each person

These were on each of the tables too-lots of nice touches!
Me and Mia
The kids playing bags-this provided endless entertainment!
When they would play music the kids would go crazy dancing-I love this picture!
Doesn't Cole look so grown-up???
Breaking it down
Cort and Cole
Mia and Aidan watching the game
 All the kids watching
 Attempt at a group picture with all the kids :)
The kids with Lee and Dina 
 Having fun!
 Party deck
 Our family

Dina even made party bags for the kids-here's Cole checking out Aidan's 
 Aidan taking it all in
 Mia
 Cort and Ian watching the game.  This was the last minute or so of the game.  There was literally no scoring until then and then both teams scored and the game ended in a tie.
 Our Family

 My aunt and Cole-love his little smile!
 And a quick story to end this post.  They wheeled the dessert cart through the party deck (it was coming from another suite and not meant for us).  Aidan and Mia went up (with some encouragement-ha, ha) to ask them where it was going and Aidan managed to score a giant cookie (which he very nicely shared with Mia).  So funny!

1 comment:

Dina said...

Hi Becky,

This event was special because of you and the families ! I am so glad to be able to bring people together, share helping stories, and be gracious of the world around us !

Life can be short it can be long but mostly life is what you let in and the more people, friends and lives we interact with makes it worth living !

I am honored to have you all part of my life ! Jerry your dad was the man ! AND oh my he was rightfully most proud of you all !

See you very soon !