bald for bucks

Often, family and friends of people fighting cancer will shave their heads in solidarity.

Recognizing that, Roswell Park decided to step it up a notch.They started an event called 

Goin' Bald for Bucks, in which participants raise money for shaving their heads.

This year, they had over 50 participants and raised over $50,000 - 

all of which goes to patient care and cancer research.

On March 3rd, my sisters shaved their heads at Goin' Bald for Bucks.

They did this in honor of my father's successful battle,

our grandparents and family friends who have had cancer.

(The quality of these is horrible... there was a lot of neon, a lot of fluorescent lighting

& a lot of inexperienced photography on my part.)

The girls' hair was long enough that they were able to donate it to Locks of Love.

I love Bo's face in this picture: who are these crazy girls?!

I'm so proud of my sisters & 

so grateful for Roswell and all they do in the effort to erase cancer!

siblings.

I got to hang out with all of my siblings for a fleeting moment this past week.

A little back story about how that miracle occurred...

On the way back to Rochester from the Adirondacks, our car decided to die. 

We were about 20 minutes from Jer & V's house. 

Jeremy had been driving & all the sudden he couldn't accelerate anymore. 

We coasted off the next exit and into the parking lot of a Catholic school.

Well, we almost made the driveway. We had to push a little ways .

(As half a dozen vehicles just cruised by - thanks guys.)

Jeremy's brother came & took them home, while Doug & I waited for AAA to arrive "in 45 minutes". 

Well, 45 minutes came & went. 

AAA called to say that they had no idea when the tow truck could get there. 

Jer came and picked us up 

and we had amazing Mark's pizza at their house while we waited for another call from AAA. 

After awhile, Doug ended up calling AAA to tell them to just pick up the car whenever they could.

He had a meeting the next morning that he had to get back for.

So Ethan picked us up from Victoria & Jeremy's.

Then we borrowed Gram's car to get back to Michigan (at 4 in the morning).

Long story short - transmission's dead.

Our car was scarcely worth more than the cost of the transmission.

Thankfully, Doug was able to find someone to buy our crappy vehicle.

And I drove back to NY to return Gram's car.

It just so happened to be Fair Week, and Robert & Bailey were in NY for a few days. 

So we had one night at the Orleans County Fair to hang out and spend a little time together. 

It's been almost a year since we've all been together &
It makes my heart hurt to think about how long it might be until this happens again.

Ethan drove me back to Michigan (&borrowed my sunglasses) & stayed overnight with us.

So blessed to have such an incredible family.

salutatorian

My little sister graduated at the end of June, and that smarty pants ended up being salutatorian. Way to represent the Bannister Babes - brains, brawn & beauty! Hehe!

Unfortunately, Robert wasn't able to come home from North Dakota (oh, did I mention on my blog that he's back out there indefinitely?), but he was with us in spirit!

The best sisters anyone could ever ask for.

Congrats, you little warmint. We are so proud of you. We can't wait to see the ways God continues to work in and through you! Um, and after this picture, we're praying for a mighty work indeed...

I LOVE YOU!

to the niagara-orleans dairy princess

the warmint

Happy sweet 17th birthday to my darling sister, Emily.

Amazing how some things never change!

You have grown into such a godly, beautiful young woman, and I'm so excited to see what God has in store for you this next year.

I love you so much, little warmint!

(& a very happy 30th birthday to Marla!!)

sweet sixteen!

Em,

It doesn't seem like you should be old enough to drive - I feel like you should still be about 10 years old! A sweet, tiny little girl with huge blue eyes.

Well, you're still sweet & tiny & have gorgeous blue eyes, but you've grown into a beautiful young woman.

It might be corny to say, but I know that beauty comes from within. God has given you such a tender, loving heart.

I am so proud to be your big sis & I love you so much.

But seriously, don't get any ideas about dating - I will break boys' legs if they come near you.

Happy sweet 16th birthday, little warmint.

***

Happy birthday to Marla as well! Love you too, Mar! :)

new kids in the barn

Somebody would LOVE to be left alone with the piglets for a few minutes...

~

Had a wonderful Easter at home. Now we're back in Michigan, and look who came with us!

Sista sista! Updates on Girls' Week 2009 to come!

update on emily!

Just a quick post to thank everyone for your prayers & encouragement - Emily's surgery went perfectly! Surgery was at 1:00 on Friday afternoon, and she was home the following afternoon! Thanks again for all the prayers.

~
In other news, we're almost completely moved in to the new apartment. We're getting internet on Weds. (hopefully), so I'll post pictures from our amazing weekend in Mackinac Island!

prayer request.

My little sister Emily found out today that she has a benign tumor on one of her ovaries. She will have surgery within the next week. She's not in pain, but I think she's just emotionally overwhelmed. She's a real trooper.

Please pray for her and for my family during this time. 

mom & emily's day

We went home for Mother's Day and Emily's birthday - both on Sunday. I took a lot of pictures.

Doug & I went for a walk and fed the horses.

Robert's dirtbike provided a little excitement on Saturday afternoon. Ethan's driving in this pic.

We all took turns jumping on the rope swing - here's Jayne.

Dad ups the ante...

Jayne riding "Sugar"...

The birthday girl takes a turn.

Mom arranging flowers for Emily's birthday dinner...

Robert.

Delicious birthday/Mother's Day meal, prepared by Dad - steak kabobs!

A glorious weekend at the Bannister homestead!