Special Olympics in Conway

What a big day Canyon is going to have today!

First up, bright and early in the morning, we headed to Conway for the Area 17 Special Olympics.  I was aware that he was chosen to be a torch runner this year, but it had slipped my mind by that morning.  Since it was really cold and rainy today, we arrived late so standing in line for 45 minutes before it began could be avoided.  As soon as we got out of the truck in the parking lot, we heard the announcement for all the torch runners to be on the field.  OH YEAH!  Sahara darted off with Canyon in tow to get him there.  

Well it turned out that not only was he a torch runner, he was the one that would bring it in! :)

This is Tamera handing it off to Canyon.  She is a local girl who he plays baseball with.

And off he goes!

Right up to the 50 yard line....and then past the 50 yard line.  Who knows how far he would have continued to run!

Really fun once in a lifetime experience!

I have a video, but Blogger isn't allowing it to load. :(

Again he was in the shot put.

Here you can see the ball in the line of people on the field.

He got 2nd place!

And the standing long jump.

1st place!

Of course he needed a picture with Kelli Collins, Miss UCA.

A 1st place usually means State bound.  This may possibly be our last State because he will no longer be an athlete of Pottsville Schools. Next year we will have to find a new organization to play with.  We will find out for sure about this years State within a week.  Even though the weather was not ideal, he had a great time today!

Easter- pre and day of

We tried to decorate the eggs with the shaving cream method this time.  Very messy but fun.

Don't hi-five Canyon while in the process!

They came out ok, but pale.  Maybe if we used more color and less shaving cream or let them sit longer than 10 minutes they would be darker.

Good Easter Morning!

Everyone got a morning Easter picture.

Off to family for dinner and an egg hunt.  Most of the kids are too old now, but we all hunted anyway.

Even Malaki found an egg!

Raising the Roof

The Equestrian Zone has a Boots and Benefactors party every year to raise money to keep the hippo-therapy going.  This year they are raising money to put a roof over the arena so it can be used in the heat of summer and in the rain.  We had gone to one of these several years ago, but they are a bit fancier now.  They should be at $50 a ticket.  Luckily, Sahara and I were gifted tickets this year and Canyon got in free because his is a rider.

The Barn at Twin Oaks is a popular wedding venue.  It's not far away, but it's spendy.  We took pictures around the grounds.

Sahara is really thinking of doing succulents as a wedding theme at some point in her life.  She got some cute ideas with their succulent theme.

Dinner was buffet / cowboy style with pulled pork, BBQed chicken, beans, coleslaw, and bread.  Plus lots of edible succulent cupcakes.

Our favorite photographer friend, Melanie, was there to document the event and we got a shot with her.

I was a fun evening and perfect weather.  I hope we get to go again!

Celebration Time

Sahara's friend since kindergarten, Carlee, got excepted in the graduate program. We took her out for dinner and drinks to celebrate.

Eagle Tour

Canyon's class went out on the lake to eagle watch again.

They saw 2 eagles and a nest.

Body Bling

Ohhh, I forgot to add to the Spring Break post that Sahara decided to add another hole to her body. Hopefully it won't get infected like her earring always do!

Spring Break

We didn't go anywhere or doing anything that was too much fun.  Just a typical Spring Break at home.

I colored my hair.  Adding some highlights.

Canyon had a physical and we found out his has now developed Hypothyroidism.  He will have to take meds for this for the rest of his life.  It was also recommended that he go see a cardiologist to check on the development of his heart.  The last time they tried to check his heart, when he was about 12, he would not co-operate.  Hopefully we can get a good reading this time.  He is also to see an orthodontist regarding his canine teeth that have not come down.  It was recommended that he start yearly visits at the DS clinic in Little Rock.  He also has an appointment scheduled for the ENT which will most likely lead to another sleep study and possible CPAP.  We are going to be busy.

We found out at the last minute that our town was holding a World Down Syndrome balloon release at the train depot.  Even though I came up with 23 individuals in this town that should have been there, only 4 or 5 showed up (along with 50-60 friends and family).  Hoping to improve those numbers for next year and a few of us are getting together to make another Buddy Walk in October.

This is a very rare occasion.  A no occasion cake!  Yum!

Sahara got busy with an Easter box for Jared.  We have to plan a month in advance since delivery takes 20 days.

It was cold and windy and rainy, but we went to a neighboring town for Munchin' On Main Street.  Different food trucks were battling out for #1.  I loved the gumbo truck but I ate at Hogg BBQ, which won.

On the way home we pulled over for the Annual Run For The Fallen.

Looks like Jared got a little Spring Break too.  He and his buds were allowed off the camp base for fun on the beach on the Gulf of Tadjoura. Along the way they saw camels, donkeys, and gazelle.  He got to snorkel and swim. 

Back to school tomorrow.

A Little Djibouti Softball

Jared's team played a Japanese team. He said the USA team won and he got a couple of homers!