Fun and Run ???

A few years ago Darin decided he was a runner. Don't get me wrong, I am very proud of his achievements; he finished the Seattle Marathon, the Moses Lake Triathalon, ran several 10K runs and was on a twelve man team that ran from Blaine to Langley in the Ragnar Relay.

On the flip side I have never, I mean never put those two words together. Darin is slowly sucking our whole family into this idea of running for fun in public places. Lane thinks this is a great idea and was very excited for community days. Dani, Carley, Gracie, Lane & Justin all "Ran for President" this year.

On Saturday, July 26, Aunt Dawn somehow convinced me to have the whole family do the "Dam Run". Darin got to run across Wanapum, but the rest of stayed dry and on land. Everyone came home with a trophy and Darin is now googling "family fun runs".

Idaho

For the first time ever, the Smith family ventured to Idaho. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but I have five car sick kids. There was a time when Gracie couldn't even make it to Moses Lake without throwing up. Several people have noticed the emergency kit I have carried around in my van for years, plastic bags, water, paper towels, air freshner. After a complete round of Dramamine we were on the road. The week was filled with nothing spectacular and again the kids amazed me at how much fun they were having. We had a wonderful stay in Boise where Dani attended softball camp at BSU,

while we got to spend the day at the zoo. The next day while Dani was at camp, we went on the wildlife walk, pretty interesting until we were getting ready to leave and there was a deer laying in the shade behind the information center!

In Meridian, they have a great Glow in the Dark Mini Golf place. It is so awesome, everything is in black lights and they have all these great themes with dinosaurs, monkeys and it was air conditioned.

We stayed an extra day with Uncle Donald and Aunt Carol so we could float the Boise River. Andy & Jennifer let us use their raft so as soon as we rented life jackets we set sail! The first hour was a little rough, not with rapids but being stuck in the raft with four hysterical "I hate this, we are going to drown" kids. And let's not forget that somehow Lane's flipflop got tossed overboard only to torment us by floating by just out of reach. About midway we were treated to being bombed by a three hundred pound college kid jumping in the river about two feet from our raft, we were soaked. In the end I think the kids had fun, I know I did.

More Birthdays !

Carley was lucky enough to turn 11 while we were in Idaho. She was so excited to go to Olive Garden for dinner. I can't believe she is going into middle school, this summer she started babysitting also.

We got to spend the day at the zoo, with Carley's new camera she took a ton of animal pictures. Thank goodness for digital.

Who would believe the buddies are 5 !!

The day started with a stack of five pancakes!

Lots of friends over for the party, Elliot DeLay, Trent Freeman, Zek Naylor, Justin, Lane, Ellie Fanning, Zoe & Carter Noftle.

The girls getting a turn on the slide.

What a pair, a football cake and a motorcycle cake.

The big present this year, a 4-wheeler! Justin ended the day with "Mom this is the best day of my life!"

40.........

Really, what else can one say about being 40. I entered into fortyness with a bang, atleast as big as a bang as AARP would allow. We had a great party, with good food, wonderful family and friends (around 100 in all) and an "epic" dance floor (it's a teenage word I borrowed). It was so fun to have so many people in one place at one time, it made me really thankful to live in a community that we can be friends with so many. Of course the big birthday surprise happened on the Wednesday before my birthday, Dani and Katrina organized an extreme bedroom makeover. The results are amazing, for the first time ever I have a real grown up bedroom, they organized the expenses, cleaned out everything, painted, bought new artwork, bedding, and made beautiful handprints of all the kids. I can't thank everyone enough for everything they did to make turning forty a great experience. My family for all their hard work, the moms for all the extras, great friends that made salads, everyone that took the time to come to the party, my kids, mom, mother in law, and best friend Sue for the bedroom and of course my husband (even if he is still offering to trade two twenties for one forty!)

The decorators painted one wall a beautiful teal color and then used that paint to make handprints of all the kids, so cute!

A few of the partygoers....don't worry I won't put up any of the dance pics (Tom, Ryan, Wiley...)