Las Vegas Black Light Run

My friends talked me into signing up to run the Black Light run here in Vegas. I have never done a race before and had no idea what to expect. I was also nervous to run even though it was only a 5k because I am not a runner. As it turned out, I didn't need to be nervous about running because there were so many people there that it was nearly impossible to run. Instead we all just walked and talked together. It ended up being so much fun. It was fun to be splashed in color and even more fun to have spent a fun night out with the girls.

 (Left to Right: Mindy, Ashleigh, Michelle, Nicole and Me)

Riley is 2

Riley girl is 2! I can't believe it. I feel like I blinked and she just grew up. Riley's birthday was pretty low key. I took her out to lunch to get her favorite, a "rito." Then it was home for a nap and playing with brothers once they got home from school. Dad got off early so we opened presents and then headed out to eat. I didn't get to celebrate my birthday with the kids or with Kam so we decided to go out to celebrate both my and Riley's birthdays. We went to one of my favorites, Macaroni Grill. The food was yummy and the best part of the night was being serenaded by one of the servers. She sang a Frozen Medley.

Riley is super spunky. She loves her brothers and does what she can to let them know she's the boss. She is stubborn, affectionate, moody and tender. I guess the saying is true that little girls are sugar and spice. She has the cutest smile. She loves Woody, Buzz, Minnie and Mickey Mouse. She is obsessed with Frozen and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She will only watch those two shows. Although  she is starting to favor the Goofy Movie now too. Riley is a good napper and her favorite thing to eat is cereal.

I love that Riley's hair is finally starting to grown in. I took her to get it trimmed to even out the back and will probably have to do that one or two more times. Her hair is just like mine and is wavy and goes all over the place because of crazy cowlicks but it is getting just long enough to put in little piggies and to braid the one side.

A Birthday Award

My boys have really pleased me in how well they are doing in school. I am always amazed at how much they know and how quickly they learn new things. Their school held an awards assembly on my birthday where each of them were recognized with others from their classes who made the honor roll during the first semester of school this year. Carter was on the AB Honor Roll and Braden was on the Principal's list for getting straight A's.

Birthday Trip to Utah

This year for my birthday Kam got me the best present! A plane ticket to Utah. I was so excited! I boarded the plane on Friday evening and was picked up by Heidi and Abi. We went to get ice cream and then back to their house to catch up. Later, I headed to Megan's new house to spend the weekend with her and new baby Jensen.

I seriously spent my whole time snuggling this cute baby boy. I just love newborns. There is just something so very special about them. My favorite night was when I rocked him to sleep in Megan's rocker and just stared at his cute face remembering each of my kids when they were tiny babies.

My mom and Megan surprised me one night with my favorite cake to celebrate my birthday.

Also during my stay up north I went to the temple with my mom. We got up early to do baptisms for the dead using family names from a couple in my ward. When we got to the temple my mom realized her recommend had expired so she ended up waiting in the lobby while I did the work downstairs in the baptistry. After the temple, we went to Savers for some shopping and then I met up with my sister Abi for lunch. Then it was time to head back home and Krista was nice enough to take me to the airport. It was a very relaxing trip and I didn't do much, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I miss these cuties!

Choose to Ride

The boys and their friends have decided to form a bike club (they call it "Choose to Ride" or CTR). Almost every Wednesday and Friday after school they get on their bikes and ride around the neighborhood together. In the planning phase, the kids made flyers and passed them out to their friends in the neighborhood. It was pretty funny how serious they were in their planning. Sometimes to break up fun I'll take the kids over to the skate park to ride scooters.