A Big Girl Party

Last week we went to a big girl celebration of Allie's friend Maya who is fully potty trained. Her mom threw her a Panty Party, which I hear is great incentive for a child to become potty trained. I've tried the same incentive for Allie, but so far it isn't working. Allie tells me she's still a little girl and will wear underwear when she is "bigger, and bigger, and bigger".  We are getting there, but very slowly!

The big girl Maya!

Neala guarding all the food. Neala is one of Allie's American friends and is almost exactly a year younger than Allie.  Neala has a very similar personality to Allie (always on the move, always getting into something, and laughing and talking), so I get a real kick out of her!

Maya's big sister Anna who also had a hand in getting Maya potty trained. I hear an older sibling is very helpful when potty training! :)

Some of the kids at the party. I'm not sure what Allie is doing with her nose.

Allie got Maya Dora underwear (and some for herself too!), and Maya was so excited she had to give Allie a big hug. These two hug all the time and it couldn't be cuter!

The food.  My friend Jodi went all out!

On a different day Allie and the girls went to jump in huge bounce houses. This photo was taken that day and I just love it because you can tell how much these girls love each other. They are definitely Allie's best girl friends and I'm so glad they haven't moved to Zimbabwe yet!

Cousins

We recently got back from being away almost three weeks.  We spent a week in Colorado Springs with my entire family and then almost two weeks in Minnesota.  I was terrible at taking pictures on this vacation, so I'll refer you to my sister-in-law's blog to read about our Colorado vacation: March Family Blog. (Thanks Sarah!)

I did take a few pictures, mostly of Allie and her cousins because they are just so darn cute.  It is an adjustment to be back in Canada with no cousins.  

Allie, Mercy, Josiah, Daniel, and Mary on the cog railway up to the top of Pikes Peak.

Bath time!

Allie's first experience with cotton candy at the Rockies game in Denver.

The flight back to Minnesota.

It was a great trip and it is always nice to be back in Minnesota, but we are ready to be home for awhile.  We were out of town more than we were in town this summer and that takes its toll after awhile. Today was the first day of BSF, which always signifies the return to the routine of fall and I am excited to have a routine again!

Shower the People You Love with Love

Very early in the morning on Sunday, August 19th the world lost one of the best men that I will ever know.  My uncle Art passed away from Gioblastoma, stage IV brain cancer. Always a fighter, he beat all the odds and lived 2 years, 8 months while he courageously fought this disease.   

To me, my uncle was always larger than life.  When he walked into the room, the room would light up with his energy. I knew it as a small child, but really appreciated as I grew older.  I loved that uncle Art always seemed to be laughing the loudest and having the most fun, and it was always contagious.  What a wonderful example he set for all of us.  He truly loved his family, his friends, and his life.  I will forever be thankful that he showed me what fun it is to be FULLY engaged with everyone around him and I will strive to live my life fully engaged.

Throughout his battle he shared his feelings on the importance of telling the people you love that you love them EVERY day and, as the lyrics from the James Taylor song say, to make sure to Shower the People You Love with Love.  My uncle was a master at living out these lyrics and it was evident in the way he loved "his girls", my aunt, his two daughters, his mother-in-law, and his puppy Elmo.  I will never forget the example uncle Art set and I will put into practice what I learned from him, especially as I parent Allie.

It is difficult for me to put into words all that my uncle meant to me, or how much he will be missed. His obituary really captures who he was and the legacy he leaves.  

Saunders, Arthur William III died peacefully at home early Sunday morning, August 19th, 2012. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was 61 years young. Art was born April 5, 1951 to Lois Duxbury Saunders and Walter Barnwell Saunders, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by the love of his life, Robbie (Roberta) Ewing Saunders; daughters, Christina Ewing Saunders and Alyssa Mellum Saunders (fiancé, Eric Bigham); and his favorite mother-in-law, Mildred Lorraine Ewing (Meme). He is also survived by siblings, Sallie S. March (John), John D. Saunders (Mary) and Susan S. Zoidis (Greg), his 6 nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, Elmo.

Relationships were of paramount importance to Art. He was a great friend to many, making and keeping lifelong friendships. This includes The Blake School (1969), The University of Denver (1973), The Scramblers for 25 years (golf group, founding member), The Blake alumni hockey teams, all the youth he coached and families whom he touched on innumerable hockey teams. He indelibly marked each friendship with his personality.

Art enjoyed an enormously successful career as a healthcare consultant for more than 25 years. He worked primarily with physician groups and networks in areas including management information systems, physician compensation design and practice operations. In 1992, he became the managing partner of Partners Consulting Group Ltd which was acquired by Towers Perrin in 1987. In 2001, he was one of 6 Principals who spun off from Towers to form Partners Heathcare Consulting which was merged with Wipfli LLP in 2005.As a partner with Wipfli's healthcare practice he helped lead its significant growth until his retirement in December 2011. Throughout his career he was sought after as a speaker, authored numerous articles and was loved and respected by clients and colleagues alike.

Art approached every day with a smile and he particularly enjoyed being with his family at Love Lake, sailing with his two girls and spending time on the dock or on boat rides. Generations of Saunders family members and friends attest to the magic of Love Lake. Art made it his priority to maintain and share it.

Robbie and Art have celebrated 35 years of a beautiful marriage. Together, as best friends, they have been an unstoppable team, especially fighting Art's Glioblastoma, stage-four brain cancer. Throughout this 2 year, 8-month battle, Art showed all of us how strength, grace, humor and love can prevail in the face of great adversity. We thank all the members of Artie's Army, our incredible team at the Mayo Clinic, Park Nicollet, and our amazing assembly of nurses. The world lost an epic husband, father, brother, and friend. The upside is that Heaven just got a lot more fun!

Uncle Art with Elmo at his favorite place, Love Lake.

With his daughters, Alyssa and Christina

Uncle Art and Christina, Thanksgiving 2011.

My mom and Uncle Art, Thanksgiving 2011

4th of July 2012.

Artie's Army!