MWC Swimming Championships

Last weekend I was able to drive down to Oklahoma City to attend the Mountain West Conference Swimming Championships.  My niece Annie swims for the University of Utah and I have lived away from the family for so long that I have never been able to see her swim.  I took a much needed break from our kids (thanks to Rachel) and took my friend Kari along for the ride.  We had a great time watching the events, shopping, eating, staying up way too late, playing cards, and even seeing a movie (a rare occurance for me).  Annie did great coming in 3rd in the 100 breast, and 2nd in the medley and freestyle relays.  All in all the weekend was a great success.

Kari and I pose in the stands between events.

Annie gets ready for the women's freestyle.

Annie soars into the pool during the women's freestyle relay.

The U of U swim team sings the fight song at the end of every evening.

Annie and I after the meet ends Saturday night.

Joe (my brother), Julie (his wife), Jane, and Annie at the team dinner at Earl's BarBQue after the meet ended.  The team rented out the whole restaurant and we filled it.  Yummy!

Reili Turns 7!

Happy Birthday to....Reili!  She turned seven today and was so happy it was her birthday.  She has been counting down for months and days.  Before she fell asleep tonight I asked her if she had a fun birthday and she said, Yes!  It all started with....

The new Hannah Montana cereal she chose to get for her special birthday breakfast.  (You just can't get away from Hannah Montana anymore...she is even taking over the cereal isle).

Reili and Amberly were both excited for this breakfast.

Then we got all ready and took donuts with chocolate icing and sprinkles to Reili's first grade class.  Here she is at her desk with her teacher Mrs. Yoakum.

Thanks for having a birthday Reili...this donut rocks!

Somewhere in between the morning and evening Reili learned something at school and got to go on a field trip to the Zone (the local skating rink) and was able to skate with all the first graders.  They planned that just special for her birthday I am sure.  The day was sunny and beautiful so after she got off the school bus, she got to play with friends outside.  Then there was the 45 minute nit removal (yes I found them again...yesterday)....but not to fear we ended the day with a wonderful waffle dinner with her friend Luke....then....

Here she is with her pile of gifts.

Reili opens her favorite present...a digital camera (she didn't know it yet here).  Luke watches and Amberly plays a chicken.

Colgate smile!  She has been wanting colgate total for a while (don't know what is wrong with aquafresh?) so when we were at the store the other day I told her I would buy it for her birthday (being the thrifty mother I am).  She thought it was great that I wrapped it and everything (who knew toothpaste could be a great gift).  This was something she probably really needed after all the sugar we ate today.

Somehow I didn't get any still pictures of her cake...only a video with me in it that I don't want to post.  Her pick for cake this year was actually Pumpkin Bars.  While it was delicious it really wasn't anything gorgeous to look at, so no need for a picture.  Reili loves things made from pumpkin and this is the second year in a row she has asked for a pumpkin desert.  I can't believe my little baby girl is already 7!  What a great birthday.  The only thing missing was...

Her Daddy!  We miss you and love you, Tom!

Valentines Party

Amberly had her Valentines party today at preschool.  Wesley and I took her and joined in the festivities (which mainly consisted of eating treats).

Amberly pauses while putting together puzzles before the food is served.

Cheese!

Hmmm...when are they going to get me my food?

I thought these bug cupcakes that one of the moms made were really cute (she bought the cupcake pan at Williams-Sonoma).  Too bad I am not that fun of a mom.

Yummy!

Snow Day(s)

Last week we had the biggest sleet/snow storm we've ever had since we moved here.  The kids were so excited about having snow.  Reili always wishes we would move somewhere with snow.  Unfortunately we don't have much in the way of snow clothes, so it makes playing outside a short interval.  School was cancelled for three days, so all the kids here were in heaven.  Spending some time over at Rachel's with all her kids saved us from feeling too much cabin fever.

Random Pictures

January is finally over!  I had forgotten to post some of the pictures from the fun things that happened (and some not so fun).  So without further suspense:

Wesley loves Sponge Bob for some reason and he loves the hat my friend Rachel gave him.

Lisa and Chris invited us over for dinner a couple times in January.  Reili had lice and this is Lisa checking her hair for nits.  Those weeks with lice were the worst!  Thank goodness for good friends who saved me from insanity.  I don't know what I would have done without them.

Bridger is Chris and Lisa's little boy.  Isn't he cute?!

Wesley loved the pumpkin cupcakes we had for desert.

But Mom, I want more...!