What a Wonderful Weekend!
I know, I know I have about 6 months worth of updates to post but this past weekend was just the thing to get me motivated again.
Eileen received her First Holy Communion on Saturday April 24th but the day also included Eileen and Bryan's first 5K of the season.
It was cold and rainy but Eileen said she wanted to run since she had worked so hard to prepare for the race, and really wanted to see if she could break 28 minutes. She and Bryan left early to register and warm up, Olivia, Joseph and I joined them right as the race was about to begin.
And the runners are off!
During the race the kids and I moved over to the finish line to wait for the runners to come in. While we were waiting we found out that the timer display was not working, trust me these guys tried everything, so since the timer was working just not the display for the runners they decided the best option would be to call out the times to the runners as they approached and crossed the finish line. We cheered for the first runners coming in and Olivia and Joseph were getting antsy waiting for Eileen and Bryan at this time they called out the time of 23+ minutes for one of the runners so I told the kids we still had a few minutes before we would see Eileen and Bryan. As I looked up for the next runners coming around the corner I saw Eileen in her little blue warm up coming up the hill and I just stared yelling!
She looked great coming in to the shoot!
She finished in 25:36 and was the second female to cross the finish line!
She was so proud of herself and excited for what she had been able to do.
We were (are) very proud of her too.
Bryan went to ask about the awards since we thought Eileen would receive one, the guy looked at her and back at Bryan and said "We didn't do age groups.", Bryan said "OK, but she was the second female over all." "Oh, then yea she'll get something."
Eileen with her award
Since they didn't have age groups and I don't think they expected a little kid to win, when she opened her award she had won a $50 gift card to the local sports bar!
After the race it was time to go home and get ready for the evening events. She took a quick shower I went and picked up her flowers and then we were off to the hair salon. Eileen seemed to really be enjoying herself, sitting and watching a movie while someone worked on her hair. The woman did a great job and Eileen's hair looked beautiful, I was a bit nervous that it would be "big pageant" hair but it was lovely. The Madison crew (Nana, Papa, Uncle Benjamin and Rachel) arrived shortly after we finished up at the salon and they were kind enough to help out with the finishing details before we headed off for church. Grandma and Grandpa were there waiting for us when we arrived and everyone else came shortly after while we were taking pictures.
She was so happy all day and looked beautiful. The cross she is wearing is from Grandma who wore it for her First Holy Communion.
Eileen's hair and flowers.
The (mostly) happy family, Joseph had to be woken from his nap and was a bit crabby.
All of the children walking in with the candles.
Eileen receiving the Blood of Christ
Post mass, the banner had all of the names of all of the children receiving their First Communion.
After mass and all of the pictures were taken we went back to our house for a little celebration. Eileen honestly had no clue there would be gifts and was shocked to find out she would get presents on top off all she had already received.
Opening a very special gift from Great Nana and Great Papa. Before Great-Nana died she had a cross for Eileen to received on the day of her First Holy Communion and put a note with it to make sure to got to her.
Being silly with a generational picture of Nana, Mom and (to be placed) Eileen on the day of our First Holy Communion.
The cake Nana and Papa brought in, it was from the same baker who did our wedding cake.
Cutting the cake.
One last picture before everyone left...
Eileen with her Godparents, Auntie Krista and Uncle Benjamin.
I know, I know I have about 6 months worth of updates to post but this past weekend was just the thing to get me motivated again.
Eileen received her First Holy Communion on Saturday April 24th but the day also included Eileen and Bryan's first 5K of the season.
It was cold and rainy but Eileen said she wanted to run since she had worked so hard to prepare for the race, and really wanted to see if she could break 28 minutes. She and Bryan left early to register and warm up, Olivia, Joseph and I joined them right as the race was about to begin.

During the race the kids and I moved over to the finish line to wait for the runners to come in. While we were waiting we found out that the timer display was not working, trust me these guys tried everything, so since the timer was working just not the display for the runners they decided the best option would be to call out the times to the runners as they approached and crossed the finish line. We cheered for the first runners coming in and Olivia and Joseph were getting antsy waiting for Eileen and Bryan at this time they called out the time of 23+ minutes for one of the runners so I told the kids we still had a few minutes before we would see Eileen and Bryan. As I looked up for the next runners coming around the corner I saw Eileen in her little blue warm up coming up the hill and I just stared yelling!

She finished in 25:36 and was the second female to cross the finish line!


Bryan went to ask about the awards since we thought Eileen would receive one, the guy looked at her and back at Bryan and said "We didn't do age groups.", Bryan said "OK, but she was the second female over all." "Oh, then yea she'll get something."

Since they didn't have age groups and I don't think they expected a little kid to win, when she opened her award she had won a $50 gift card to the local sports bar!
After the race it was time to go home and get ready for the evening events. She took a quick shower I went and picked up her flowers and then we were off to the hair salon. Eileen seemed to really be enjoying herself, sitting and watching a movie while someone worked on her hair. The woman did a great job and Eileen's hair looked beautiful, I was a bit nervous that it would be "big pageant" hair but it was lovely. The Madison crew (Nana, Papa, Uncle Benjamin and Rachel) arrived shortly after we finished up at the salon and they were kind enough to help out with the finishing details before we headed off for church. Grandma and Grandpa were there waiting for us when we arrived and everyone else came shortly after while we were taking pictures.






After mass and all of the pictures were taken we went back to our house for a little celebration. Eileen honestly had no clue there would be gifts and was shocked to find out she would get presents on top off all she had already received.




One last picture before everyone left...
