Liz leads the official warm up

Liz is serious, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Jazzercise instructor Liz was chosen to lead the official Walk to Cure Diabetes warm up this year! She picked a routine to Britney Spears' "Toxic" because the kids like that song and the routine was fun. Everybody joined in and loved the fun-filled warm up. Hopefully, they'll have her back again in 2005!

They couldn't help themselves

More warmth, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

It was tough for the walkers from all the teams not to join in Liz's inspirational warm up.

Getting warm

Getting warm, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

The crowd joined in Liz's "Toxic" warm-up.

Alex & Shelby on their way

Alex & Shelby on their way, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

With some help holding their signs, Alex and Shelby start out on the 5K Walk to Cure Diabetes at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. Their classmates made the signs with each child signing his or her name on the back. A tremendous inspiration!

Heading out

Heading out, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Team Shelby joins the crowd heading out at Heather Farm.

At the start

At the start, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

All the walkers head out about 9 a.m. from Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. It's a 5K trip that is mostly flat and shady, except for The Hill near the end. Ask anyone who joined us and they'll surely remember that steep incline.

Shelby with sign

Shelby with sign, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Shelby hams it up with a sign her kindergarten classmates made for her.

Alex on the trail

Alex on the trail, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Alex hoisted his sign for most of the walk, though various family and friends helped too from time to time

Shelby finishes

Shelby finishes, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Even after walking the entire 5K, Shelby still looks cute with her Auntie Marianne.

Everyone loves cake!

Everyone loves cake!, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Before we dug into Stacey's wonderful cake, Alex, Shelby and the baker herself pose for some last minute pictures.

Cake closeup

Cake closeup, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

Official Team Shelby baker Stacey rendered out T-shirt design in frosting atop the double-layer fudge cake she made for the post-walk BBQ. It was a MAJOR hit!

Team sign at post-walk BBQ

Team sign at post-walk BBQ, originally uploaded by teamshelby.

About 35 people came to our house after the walk for the traditional thank-you barbecue. We proudly displayed the sign the kids and teachers at Shelby and Alex's school signed to root Team Shelby on. We posed with the sign for our official team photo at the walk, too.