Ryann's birthday

It's been a few weeks, but I wanted to post some pics from Ryann's birthday.  We had such a great day.  It started out with presents!!!

We went for a family swim after lunch...sorry.  Forgot the camera.

Then we came home for a BBQ with some of the neighbors and Grandma, Grandpa too.

Like any girlie girl Ryann wore all of her new outfits that day.  A cute purple top and shorts from Grandma and Grandpa in Colorado and a new pink dress from Grandma and Grandpa in Utah.

More presents and then a special tea party with Grandma Kathleen (nevermind the rest of us!)

One last outfit change!  A new cheerleading outfit from the Satake's. Yeah!  Thank you everyone for all the special goodies.  I still can't believe she is three.  Where does the time go?

A quick getaway...

Here we are!  Las Vegas.  Jolie and I made a last minute decision to hop in the car for a girls weekend.  I was deserving of a break.  All the training from my running did me in a little.  Jolie is also a hard working mommy and agreed we need a litte break!

When we got there Thursday night. We freshened up from the car ride and headout to see if we could win a little money...or drink a cold beer.  

Let the relaxing begin!  We had a great night poeple watching.  Vegas is good for that.  We also had a great time dancing and look who Jolie ran into!  Yes, it is Toby Keith!  He didn't seem to mind a kiss on the cheek and a little groping from all the girls, but we found him to be kinda quiet...so, we moved on to dance amoungst ourselves.

(random girl jumped in my pic)

The next day we slept in and went down to the casino for some coffee and gambling in our PJ's.  This has become one of my traditions in Vegas with the girls.  Jolie was the lucky winner that morning on a penny machine.

Then it was off to the pool for a little sun.

  

I felt guilty for about a minute thinking of my family back home where winter is still making an appearence.

After a little pool time we headed out to stretch our legs walking the strip and gazing at all the interesting folks around us.  We stopped in at the Belagio to see their garden.  Always amazing...

Time to get cleaned up again....

We went out that night for some beer and more dancing with Toby....

The next day we decided to treat ourselves to the spa and a facial....better then any show!  We TRUELY relaxed in our comfy robes, sat in the steam room and pampered ourselves silly.  I don't think either one of us really wanted to leave, but they would have kicked us out eventually and we had one more night to win big!

I guess because we were in Vegas I decided to do something a little crazy...our first stop that night was Club Tattoo.

I picked a design.....

And my new friend, I think his name was Johnny, describe the process.  I was already to go until he gave me the price tag.  I chickened out!  No tattoo.  SO...it was off to dinner.

 Margaritaville.  Our walk down the strip was entertaining, more so then usual, because Jolie and I were both wearing khaki jackets.  Everyone thought we were twins.  People kept stopping us and wanting to take our picture.  I felt like celebrities...kinda funny.

We tried to venture out to a couple of clubs that night.  After walking about and finding lines that wouldn't get us in until the sun came up...we headed back to our favorite spots!

Leave it to Jolie to start causing trouble....

NO!!!!  She is a good kid!  This is our fav secrutiy guard, Kennedy.  He does a great job of keeping us safe from all the creepos!  We like to think of him us our personal body guard.

I always get a kick out of cleaning out my purse after Vegas.

Here you can see the VIP passes we didn't get to use at the clubs and all of my winnings...about $6.50 in change they don't accept anymore because it is all paper money now.

Since it is a girls trip, all we do is talk and giggle.  It is fun to keep track of ramdom quotes from the weekend.  Here are just a few:

Jolie,  "Is it the crows that are making you sweat?"

Lisa,  "You never know when you might need a whisk!"

Lisa,  "It makes me feel like I am at a party."

Waiter,  "Are you a star HOT or a starwood?"

Thanks for the fun weekend and all the laughs my friend!

Things they say....

This morning Grace woke up and looked out the window.  She came running to me and said, "This is a fabulous day!"

I asked why and she said, "Because the sun is shining!"  Everyone loves a little sunshine!

Ryann is turning into a little comedian.  On the way to dinner the other night she asked us, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" 

We all asked, "Why?"

Ryann replied, "I don't know...."

A few minutes later she as asked us, "Why did the bumble bee cross the road?"

We asked, "Why?

With a big grin and giggle in her voice Ryann said, "To sting the chicken!"  HAHA!

A little behind on Ryann's birthday post, but I will get there.  Finally recovered from my running.  Now I am just trying to keep up with these darn kids!

(Thanks Jolie for this wonderful pic!)

26.2!!!!

Amazing!  Scary!  Beautiful!  Accomplished.....

I did IT!  I ran a marathon.  Probably the hardest thing I have ever done.  4 hours 57 min.  I had to battle a low sugar at mile 24.  Slowed me down by about 15 minutes, but I finished the race!!!

The race was in Ogden, UT.  The course was so beautiful, running us around Pine View Resevoir and down Ogden canyon.  I have to say it.... is the hardest thing I have ever done!!!!

Other then having to meet the shuttle bus at 4:45 am, it was a beautiful morning.  The first half of the marathon was great.  When I hit 13.1 miles I heard an announcment for the shuttle bus, anyone needing a ride down the canyon, it was the last chance.  I just kept on running!

At about mile 14 there was a hill.  Oh boy!  Up the hill I went...running all the way.

At about mile 16, we began the decend down the mountain.  That is when a little pain started to set in.

Derek finally caught up with me here...almost 18 miles.  I was hurting in my knees, but new I was getting closer to the end.  It was so nice outside, so I was trying to concentrate on the scenary and not my screaming muscles.

Off I go....oooch.  Down the hill.  It was getting hard.  Up to this point most of the run was flat, but my muscles were very tired and uneven ground was not friendly!  

Mile 23....only 3.2 to go.  I was feeling a little disoriented by this time.  I had been crying for the last 3 miles.  I really wanted to be done running!!!   But, I am not a quiter.

So, I am off...looking at the pretty trees and running by a beautiful river.  I was really sweating and my muscles were so achy, it was then I realized my sugar might be low.  So...I had some juice, taffy and a mini cliff bar to refuel.  (I had been drinking and eating little bits along the way to keep my sugar levels steady.)

Mile 25!

Mile 26!!!!  Almost there!!!!  I can see the fisnish at this point so my pain went away and I ran a little faster.  Tears!!!  Tears!!!  I wanted this to be over!!!

Derek missed the money shot of me crossing the finish, but I made it.  

This was the most amazing thing (next to the birth of my children) I have ever done.  It was a test of my inner strenth.  I wanted to quit.  I wanted to quit soooo bad!  But, I knew I would be so disappointed in myself if I quit.   I have been working so hard to run this race I couldn't stop.  

I realize now... I can do anything!!!  

I am strong!  I am an athlete!  (and I have worked so hard that I had to show you my muscles)!!!

Our little star

Grace and her buddy Jax (Randy and Jolie's son) had their big performance on Friday night!  The play was a take off of the broadway show Wicked.  "The Witches of OZ" features scenes from Cindrella, The Wild Things, Harry Potter, and the Wizard of OZ.  Although the plot was a little confusing the kids were great and it was so much fun to see their little personalities blossom in character. They did great!  Each actor received an academy award for a job well done.

Grace was Doddie Dimples munchkin.  Her age group of 3-6 year olds stole the show with little goofs that kept the audience laughing.

Jax played a tree in the scary forest, along the yellow brick road.  

The finale was awesome with all the cast members on stage performing a song in sign language.  Promise I will load it on another post, but it takes time.  The song is guarenteed to bring tears to your eye!!! It was great to see them all together!

Ryann was a little stinker during the show.  She wouldn't sit still for me and I kept having to chase her out to the hallway.  Love 3 year olds!!!!

Grace is a natural performer.  I hope to see her on stage again some day!  Job well done kids!!!

Happy Birthday Ryann!

From here to...

Look at you grow!!!

Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet girl!!!!

No Phone Zone

I took the pledge!!!  I took 30 seconds and signed Oprah's No Phone Zone Pledge.  Although we have no personal tradgedy, thank God, that has caused me to do this, we live in a state that has only banned texting while driving.  I checked the box that says "I will not text or use my phone while I am driving.  If I need to use the phone, I will pull over to a secure location." 

I believe the car is no place for a phone.  With kids, radio and other crazys on the road, there are enough distractions.  While running the other day I looked up to see a car headed for me.  The guy was texting!!!!!  He looked up from the phone, yanked on the wheel and almost rolled his car to get straight back on the road.  We all know how that could have ended.

It is your choice if you want to pledge, but at least think about the use of the phone in your car.  Isn't your safety more important then the person on the other end of that phone?  We all have voicemail:-).

Armed and ready to run!

A few days ago I asked you to contain your dogs!  As a runner I fear for my safety against these sometimes unruley animals.  Jolie decided she feared enough for me to buy my some protection.  Now I am ready for any dog, cat, bird, or squirrel that may charge.  And, I am not afraid to spray you, if you try and attack me!  

Thank you Jolie.

Proud mama

I am a very blessed mother who gets to stay home and raise my babies!  I give kudos to all you working mothers who have to leave your little ones everyday and go to work.  All of our jobs are challenging, but the rewards are priceless....

I received this early mother's day gift today from Ryann.  She made me a beautiful little card and door hanging at school.  She will be 3 in a few days.  If you are the mom of a 3 year old or have had a 3 year old, perhaps you are aware of the challenges and joys they bring....all in the same day!!! After reading this little poem, with tears, I am reminded how lucky I am to have this little angel in my life!

Sometimes you get discouraged,
Because I am so small.
And always leave my fingerprints,
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I'm growing,
And soon I'll be so tall.
That all those little hand prints,
Will be so hard to recall.
So here's a special hand print,
Just so you can say,
This is how my fingers looked,
When I placed them here today.

Sneak preview...

Today I had was so pleased to sit in the audience with all the proud moms and dads and watch our hard working little actors in a dress rehersal for their play.  Grace has been taking theatre since October.  I haven't seen much of the rehersal so this was a surprise for me.  They were fabulous.  I am so proud of Grace and can't wait to see the "real" production of  on Friday night...  

No balance...

Sorry for the lack of good blogs and updates from the Sims mom.  I guess because of the training, change of seasons, end of school year wrap up....there is just not enough hours in the day to get it all done and I am feeling overwhelmed.  Love to blog, so don't give up on me.  This is a crazy, busy week.  Should have some good stuff for you....Grace is in a play and Ryann's big 3rd birthday coming up.  Stay tuned....