Yesterday and today is the 2009 Special Olympics State Games for Colorado.  I again had the privilege and honor of attending this marvelous event.  My role in all this is to ensure my athlete gets where they need to be on the mountain at the right time, to provide moral support, tons of enthusiasm and and to offer any kind of coaching advice that might be needed. The last part was a bit tough for me since I was assigned a knuckle dragger snow boarder to spend the day with.....and I only ski.  

It really was awesome.  I know my athlete from ESRP.  She's a super fun 26 year old lady, who was thrilled to be paired with me (I was thrilled as well)....we yak'd and yak'd and yak'd on the lift, about all kinds of girl stuff, our sports training and just life.  She faces challenges that I don't on a daily basis with such energy, joy and a sense of humor.  Here's a picture of us waiting for her run...and just for the record she does wear a helmet, it's just off for the picture!

After the races we all got cleaned up for the evenings fun....which starts off with an athlete's banquet (Here's Jacquie, Pete and Me after desert).

Next is the athlete parade!  With all the flashbulbs going off you'd think Angela Jolie was on the red carpet!  But no, it's just our Athletes!!!  

Here's some of our crew waiting to be called....

After some brief ceremonies (after all we are outside and it was snowing!) the Copper Ski Instructors form a torch light parade down the slope...It's the coolest thing to watch....next year I need to find out how I can do this!  Surely they need one more person to carry torches down?  

And after that a great fireworks show....(doesn't my iPhone take surprisingly good pictures??)

Last but not least is a big dance!  This is the high point of the evening for many of the athletes.  I hung out for a bit and then let the younger generation carry on into the night...well, at least until 10 pm when it's over.  I don't know how they all do it!  What a great day...