RIDE FOR THE ROSES

Last winter I posted about my son's battle with testicular cancer.  Andy is an avid cyclist and so he focused on raising money for the Livestrong Foundation as he went through chemotherapy.  In the end, he raised almost $34,000 for cancer research! 

Well, last weekend was the culmination of all his efforts.  First and foremost, he is now cancer-free!  To celebrate that fact we traveled to Austin, Texas to watch him take part in the Ride For The Roses with Lance Armstrong.  Andy had the second highest fund-raising total, and this earned him a private ride with Lance, along with dinner at Lance Armstrong's home in Austin where Andy was a guest speaker. Here are some photos from that inspiring - and emotional - weekend!

 Andy, ready to ride.

His hard-earned yellow jersey.

Lance Armstrong, ready to ride with the participants.

 It was pretty emotional, seeing Andy "move to the right" 

as he came in to the finish line.

 Andy and his good friend Ryan, after 90 miles 

on the road, greeting his wife, Kate.

These two have endured quite a bit for a young, married couple - so happy for them to be at this side of the battle!

And THAT is our happy ending!

CELEBRATION!

The last two weeks have been busy around my house - getting ready for almost 70 friends and family to help us celebrate my son's great health.  Almost eight months ago, my oldest son was diagnosed with stage two testicular cancer.  Since then he has undergone surgery and four rounds of chemotherapy.  The great news is, being a very curable cancer when caught early, he is doing great!  So the last few weeks have been all about planning, setting up, celebrating, and cleaning up.  Here are just a couple pictures from our 

CELEBRATION BARBECUE!

My daughter-in-law, and her artistic flair, getting the menu board ready.(thank you Karen, from the Graphics Fairy, for the great "MENU" graphic) I just painted a piece of plywood with chalkboard paint and then used white acrylic paint and my overhead projector to get the graphic blown-up to the right size.  The menu itself can be washed right off and used over and over.  

Tables were set with burlap cloths . . .

and centerpieces complete with LIVESTRONG clay tags.

 Even Harley and Harriet (my son's dogs) came all the way from Minnesota to celebrate with us!

Great music provided by good friends Tom and Evan, from Leahy's Luck.
And . . . just a few of the friends and family who were here -

 

     

 

  

  

The guest of honor, Andy, with me.  Doesn't he look great!!??!!

Now.

What to do with all that burlap????

Hmmmm . . .

Sharing on The Graphics Fairy's "Brag Monday"