We Stepped Up!

Last weekend, Denver had their annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk.

We organized a group of about 60 walkers- our community group walked together; it was really fun to celebrate all the little munchkins who we love so much!

Before the walk started, they took a big picture of all the kiddos together.  Chaos?  Um, yes.  Piper was a little late getting up there; they were practicing getting everyone to wave at the camera, so when Piper walked up, she thought- no, she knew- that they were all waving at her.  Goof ball.  She made friends with a nice lady and sat in her lap for the picture.  How cute are they???

Once that was done, the walk started so we headed to the start line.  It’s a two-mile loop around Central Park here in town.  The weather was gorgeous (I was ROASTING in the long sleeved shirt I thought I’d need at 8am) and it was a perfect day for a lot of fun!

She’s READY!

Piper and her best buddy, Cadence- how awesome that even at two years old, you get support like this from friends???

A two-mile walk requires multiple means of transport.  Despite her early wake-up call, she did a decent job walking on her own.

Dad’s shoulders were mode number two…

And a (padded) wagon was number three.  The girl knows how to ride in style.

It was a great day to, literally, stop and smell the flowers! 

The poor little munchkin was ready to fall asleep by the end of the walk, but I really wanted her to cross the finish line by herself this year.  So we really upped her when we were getting close.  There was a young man, in his twenties, that joined our “upping” and got so excited that the walk was almost over.  I’m not sure, though, if he was excited that it was almost done so he could stop walking, or if he was excited to celebrate with the end.  Whatever it was, his enthusiasm was excellent, and it was a real kick getting to share high fives at the end. 

We got back to the tent and enjoyed a barbeque lunch with the family and a concert in the park.  Piper also enjoyed changing out of her pants and into shorts.  I, on the other hand, was still in long blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt.  I’m still not sure who’s dumb idea that was.

Piper RAN.  All afternoon.  She even had her great grandma chasing her.  She, of course, thought everyone she saw was there to see her, and we ALL got our exercise.  After lunch, we got cleaned up and packed away and headed back to the cars.  Poor, poor Piper.

Going…

…Going…

GONE.

Big, HUGE THANKS to all the families that were able to join us!  And MEGA thanks to my mom and dad for helping with tents for shade and barbecue and…  well…  EVERYTHING!!! 

What a great way to gear up for October!!!