PanCAN Walk 2023

It's that time of year when we all finally emerge after the cold dark winter and all the stuff starts to happen!  Last weekend kicks off a full month (or should I say summer) weekends packed with family, fun and activities.  We had nearly 30 people join us for the Pancreatic Walk and the team raised just over $3k.  The weather held out and we ended up with better weather than any of us expected.  The rain came later in the day, but we were already tucked into our lunch spot by then and it sure didn't slow us down from having a good time.  

We had a ton of kids in tow - but everyone did great.  Both Abby and Hazel walked the entire way - which sure did make me proud!  Ryan ran the course and then came back and finished out the walk with us. 

Easter

 

Easter weekend was such a success that I didn't manage to get ONE photo of the family together for the Easter meal.  I'm kicking myself for not making everyone sit down to get one photo of the group, but sometimes it's more fun to live IN the moment, than to be in the picture.  So, I guess I'll just have to tell you about it instead.

We hosted Easter dinner here at our house on Saturday because it's easier for everyone who is driving, and because Erin and I had a Broadway in Chicago show on Sunday to see.  Saturday the weather was beautiful - I'm talking 65 degrees and sunny.  We packed the day full of probably too many projects, ate way too much food, burned the prairies, chopped some wood, and Hazel had a roller skating birthday party to go to on top of it all.  But, like Ryan always says, "We're the McGrath's and we do all the things".  

Mom and Dad, Dan, Erin and Nate all came out for the day.  We smoked a ham, made boxed au gratin potatoes, homemade carrot cake cupcakes, a key lime moose, seven layer salad, a few bottles of wine and all in all, how could you go wrong with a meal like that?

Sunday we were up before anyone was really ready (thanks to that Easter bunny and some very excited egg hunters).  Everyone was sugared up and excited about their new toys - isn't that what Easter is all about?  Well, that and Jesus.  Him too :)

1 Family x 12 (April)

 

Since I cheated a little bit for my March photo, I knew I couldn't pass up the change to grab a real April family photo on Easter morning.  The Easter bunny was very good to us this year.

This is 40

I love this candid photo so much because I can see how much these people love me.  It's the perfect way to start sharing about my big 40th birthday bash.  It seems so hard to believe that I've been on this planet for 40 years.  That's a LONG time....but also such a short time.  I don't feel old, I feel blessed for the life I've lived so far and for the people who love me that surround my days.  

There are way too many photos in this blog post but I just couldn't leave anyone out!  I was so flattered when over 70 people showed up to help celebrate my birthday.  I have never felt so love, so seen, so appreciated and so special.  I guess that's what a birthday should really be about though.  

It really was a great day.  We hosted people at one of our favorite local breweries, Sew Hop'd (name because it's the old factory where Singer sewing machines were made).  There was a food truck, we catered in a nacho bar, live music, beers, and most importantly, all of my favorite people in the whole wide world.  

Liz and Bobby came all the way from Seymore, Indiana.  Mr and Mrs. Ware ended their vacation a day early to get home in time to come.  Joey and Andy came from Iowa....so many people took so much effort to come - it was hard to not feel blessed.  

Ryan and Erin handled most of the logistics (Thanks for nixing the "Lordy lordy, look whose 40 decorations, Erin), Jamie took photos, Dan got decorations and the last minute "can you get this at the store" stuff.  Mom and Dad helped entertain when I didn't feel like I could be in enough places at once.  

Oh, and the cake!  Keep scrolling to see it.  Erin nailed it with the cake.  A custom "is it cake" knitting themed birthday cake, made with funfetti.  I mean...if that doesn't say "Sadie" I don't know what does!?  

And, on my actual 40th...we went to a brewery and played Yahtzee.  Guys, I don't think I could have planned a more perfect birthday weekend if I tried.  

 

1 Family x 12 (March-ish)

 

I slacked in March, but technically this photo was taken on April 1st, so I'm going to call it our March family photo.  Can you believe it?  40?!