727 DAV Poker Run 2013

For the second year (I think) my parents have participated in the 727 DAV Poker Run. A friend of mine and her brother (who was deployed with the 727th) have been involved with this organization for years.

 

A little bit about the poker run...

 

The 727 DAV Poker Run is a charitable organization founded to support South Dakota Disabled American Veteran's Transportation Network. 

 

The 727 DAV Poker Run was originally founded by members of the 727 Transportation Company located out of Brookings, Elk Point, and Watertown, SD. Upon return from deployment in 2004, the members of the 727 Transportation Company (now deactivated) and their families wanted to do something to give back to their fellow veterans. Therefore, they decided to hold an annual poker run, held on Labor Day weekend of each year, and give all proceeds to the DAV Transportation Network.

Since the very first poker run in 2005, the 727 DAV Poker Run has raised nearly 40 thousand dollars and afforded the Brookings local DAV Chapter to purchase a new vehicle to transport veterans back and forth to the Veteran's Hospital in Sioux Falls for appointments.

 

The poker run was right after the Color Dash, so mom suggested that I take the kids out to see all the bikes. We went to The Pheasant to watch, giving us a fantastic view of all the bikes coming up the hill on South Main. It was pretty awesome!

 

Waiting for the bikes to come, wearing her Harley Davidson shirt!

{My parents are cooler than your parents}

The first bikers

The kids loved seeing all the bikers and LOVED that they were all waving to us!

Most of them revved their engines as they passed us, which was very cool and very loud!

Waving to all the bikers as they passed.

I think they waved to every single one. And there were a lot!

Here comes Grandma & Grandpa!

Blowing kisses and waving to us!

I love this picture!!

 

I'm so glad that mom suggested we go out and watch. The kids thought it was pretty cool and we all loved it. We will definitely be out again next year (the 10th anniversary of the poker run) to watch all the bikers again and support this wonderful cause!

Color Dash 2013

The Color Dash 5k came to Brookings this Labor Day weekend and my parents were among the many participants.

 

It was a fundraiser for a local gal that has Myasthenia Gravis and proceeds from the run, over $5,000, will go to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

 

{Myasthenia Gravis is an auto-immune disease which affects the neuromuscular system.}

 

Before the run

So clean and white.

Adding some color before the start.

Grandpa got Preston's face.

Samantha's ready to rock the run!

Grandma got Lilli Jo's cheeks!

And they're off!

High-fives waiting for our runners

Runners in training

Here they come!

So colorful!

Jack even came out to support the runners!

 

The run started at the soccer complex and went along the bike path, so we weren't able to see the color stations along the way.

But even has spectators, we were covered in color!! It was showers all around when we got home!

Big Girl Bed for a Big Girl

 

Lilli Jo upgraded to a big girl bed about a week ago.

The transition has been excellent!

She doesn't get up when we put her to bed or when she goes down for a nap.

Now she just needs to figure out that she can get out of bed on her own when she wakes up.  :)