Trail Run & Lake Mead

My friend Rachelle and I traveled to Flagstaff last night so we could run a 10k trail run with Diane. I was kind of nervous because I never run on trails, because the elevation is 7000 feet, and the trail is very rocky and I'm not very coordinated. But I am happy to say that it was a great run and we had a super time! It was such a nice change of scenery to be running in the Flagstaff trees and to actually feel great while doing it. I admit, sometimes when running it's tempting to lay down in a ball and start crying. I'm happy to say that for today's 6 miles I felt great! Thanks for inviting us Diane! And to make the day even better, we went to lunch and a movie to celebrate Rachelle's b-day tomorrow. FUN DAY!

Last week we took the girls to Lake Mead to feed the fish. These are some seriously huge, aggressive fish and I thought you needed to see them in action to appreciate the sound effects that go along with them :).

Shout Hooray...Birthday!

The first week of May is one big party around our house! Kallie's bday is on the 3rd and Dan's is close behind on the 6th. Do any of you remember Kallie still being in the hospital on Dan's bday back in 2000? Time flies!

I'm starting with Dan (even though his bday is 2nd) because I have 2 pictures of his celebration and...well...a few more than that for Kallie :).

Dan and I deserted the office right in the middle of the day to go see one of the last showings of Avatar in 3D in the Las Vegas Valley. We had a great time! We need to schedule more "meetings" like that...staff development right?!?

Dan (cracking me up) blowing out the candles on his Eclair Cake. For his bday we got him new pajama bottoms (we're tired of looking at the hole in the bum of his other pjs) and some fancy Egyptian Cotton pillowcases. In case you didn't know, Dan is pillowcase crazy. He changes his (and mine) about every other day. Then he complains because we never have enough. I only bought 4 so I'm sure this won't eliminate the complaints all together but it will buy me a few extra days at least :). Happy 36th babe!

I cut my morning run short just to make this little girl breakfast in bed (of course)!

She picked IHOP for her bday dinner. Somehow I forgot to get a photo of the new bike she picked out, she's ridden it to school every day since.

Today (Saturday) we held her party with her friends. She chose to have a "Craft Project Extravaganza". Everything (except one project) was straight out of a Family Fun craft book my parents gave Kallie a few years ago. Even this sunshine cake was featured in the book. Kallie had so much fun frosting it!

Finished product (with a little help from mom)...

Still waiting for a few guests to arrive, but if you can believe it, she had 100% attendance. Fourteen kids in all! Very fun! The first "project" we started with was painting flower pots, which they later planted seeds in. We'll see if Kallie & Syd's actually sprout...I did buy the seeds at Walmart after all :).

Next up they were decorating notebook journals that I found HERE . I found that blog through Amanda...I think?!? I thought this picture might cause a few of you anxiety, look at that messy table! But did you notice I have my BIG table home again...we love having her back!!!

Next we made bead/macaroni jewelry. Kallie invited three boys to her party, two from her school class and our friend Ethan. I must say I was very impressed by the two cute boys she invited from school. Very positive and polite...keep up the good taste Kallie. They even made necklaces without a word of complaint!

Last project...Bean Scenes.

Courtney H. making an owl.

Kallie making a scene that says "The Big 10".

Making a wish...

Present time...shall we say that Zhu Zhu Pets were on her list and she got a few. Don't you love her 'birthday hat'?

This party was smooth sailing if I do say so myself. Ten year olds are fun to entertain! No crazy running around screaming...they were all so cooperative and pleasant. We had a great week...but I admit I'm glad it's over. Onto the next thing (Activity Days).