because...it's Natalie!

It has been nearly 2 years since Natalie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

No, she was not an overweight child.

No, we did not give her too much juice as a baby.

No, she cannot be cured with diet, exercise, medication or anything else.

THERE IS NO CURE.

Therefore we walk.

This was our second year doing a Walk for a Cure for diabetes. Last year we walked with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), this year with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). We go to many functions throughout the year with JDRF and were excited to give back and contribute to the ongoing research to find a cure.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to those who donated. We raised over $500!!!

This morning we arrived at historic Wheeler Farm for the walk. There were literally THOUSANDS of people.

As we waited for the walk to begin, there were several Star Wars characters roaming around, which thrilled my nerdy kids!

I must not be as big a Star Wars buff as I thought. I don't recall which episode has red storm troopers!?

For those of us who considered ourselves too old to take pictures with grown men in costume, there was always Natty to help make us look good!

This year I made matching shirts for all the family that walked with us.

Here's who joined us this year, from left to right:

Steve, Riley, Natalie, Devany, Emma, Stevie, Sara Jane, Grandpa, Clark, Emilie, Sam.

We were missing Grandma, who decided Atlanta would be more fun : (, and Alan, who decided Ohio would be more fun : (. Seriously, we missed you both.

Everyone had loads of energy until the walk started. We started out walking...

Then strolling...

Some went on shoulders...

And some even got carried by back.

Then they got a second wind. Left to right: Sam, Stevie, Steve, Natalie, Riley

Along the way there were posters with the name, age, date of diagnosis, and picture of children with type 1 diabetes. Here was Natalie's!

At the end of the walk, Stevie did a little dance.

The girls then played in the bouncy house.

And then Stevie got to climb (halfway up) the climbing wall.

All in all, it was a fun day and a great cause. Thanks again to everyone who participated and/or donated to helping us find a cure.

We Love You Natalie!!!