Rooster Tail

Blake took us on a surprise drive and we ended up at Lucky Peak to see the Rooster Tail.  I have lived in Boise my entire life and don't ever recall witnessing a visit to the Rooster Tail.   

The route down to the Rooster Tail

The impressive release of water creating the "tail"

One more shot

The family shot; minus Sophie who was asleep in the car

Allie posing for a quick picture while she was getting sprayed from the mist

Tub Time with Cousins

Nothing like trying to squish 4 kids in the tub especially with a baby who still lays out in the tub.  The kids were freezing cold in the 1" of water. We quickly scrubbed Sophie down, got her out of the tub and then quickly filled the tub with hot water to warm everyone up.

Rollin'

Mom has been trying to work with you to get you to roll from your back to your stomach.  I can't remember what way you are supposed to roll first, it seemed that's the way Allie rolled first so I've been pushing you to get moving.  Well after time and time with no avail we tried you out for some tummy time.  You usually just fuss during this time and lay there helpless not even fighting to get out of it.  Well, you finally proved me wrong



First on your belly

Then, you started to lean

Ah, made it back to the toys

Once again, mom wanted to see this great accomplishment

Getting a little frustrated the second go around....head down for a rest

Back up to fight and let me know you aren't to happy....eventually you made it to your back again

About to roll....had to get a quick picture of those elbow dimples

You absolutely love to be upside down.  Wherever we go and if you are in my lap you flip upside down.  Don't know if the world looks different this way or you love the rush of blood to the head but you love it

Easter Festivities

The Easter festivities started on Friday with a party at preschool



Allie and her "egg-tails"

After the school party we had some friends over to celebrate a birthday, dye eggs, and frost sugar cookies.

Dying eggs

Enjoying the sunshine and lunch out on the tramp

Frosting sugar cookies after lunch

The adults had more fun than the kids

Traci and Jabyn's "hairy monster" egg.  Best egg of the day!

There was quite a competition for decorating sugar cookies as well.

Saturday our morning started out bright and early with our favorite Easter egg hunt at Bear Creak Park.  We enjoyed hot cocoa, Krispy Kreme's, bounce houses, face painting, and of course the egg hunt

Allie enjoyed getting a "butterfly" painted onto her face

I love the faces on the kids.....Allie and her buddies (Cam, Owen, and Taysha) counting down till they could run onto the field

Allie really loved the egg hunt this year.  Allie added speed to her race this year, which she has never had before.  She was running quickly to fill up her basket.

Every kid got 10 eggs and then they raised there hand to make sure that everyone got eggs.  After that it's free rain for all the rest

A happy girl with a basket full of eggs

We finished off the morning snapping a picture with the Easter bunny

The Easter bunny made it to our house

Matching dresses from Grandma

The girls outside-Sophie was so tired; not falling asleep at all during church

Family pic outside our new flower bed

Robie Creek

The day had finally arrived and Blake was going into his first 1/2 marathon with very little training and badly beat up feet from soccer.  I questioned whether or not he should go into the race due to the risk of injuring himself more, but my risk taker of a husband was going for it.



At the finish line of this gruesome race, I got to be a spectator ready to cheer my hubby on

People lined the hillside and side lines to cheer the racers on.  There is something magical about being at the finish line of a race and especially this one.  I love cheering for all the runners and giving everyone a big clap for a job well done.  I had butterfly's in my stomach as I waited for Blake to come around the final corner and across that finish line.  

I got all excited inside when I finally saw him, knowing that Blake had accomplished something great  

Blake's time for the 13.1 miles was 1 hour 50 minutes...averaging 8 minutes miles.  Pretty impressive considering the first 8 miles are up hill reaching the 4,700 foot Aldape Summit.  Blake was a little hard on himself due to the fact that he wanted to get in at 1 hour 45 minutes.  He already has plans to beat every girl in the race for Robie 2012.

Crossing that finish line as runner number 121 of 2500 people.  I'd say job well done!!!  

5 months

WOW how time flies...I can't believe that today is your 5 month birthday.  You aren't feeling well today, under the weather with a 103 fever and runny nose.  You have been such a great baby since 3 months, just like my Allie girl.  You look so much like your sissy it's crazy (with hair of course).  

We have started just "playing" with baby food this last month, only when it's convenient for mom. :)  You love everything so far.  You have had rice cereal, peaches, pears, bananas, and avocados.  You are constantly reaching for everything that I eat and drink trying to get a bite.   

You just starting sleeping through the night since we have returned from Seattle one week ago.  I feel like a whole new woman.  It's crazy what getting up once through the night does to your body.  You still aren't rolling over but are so so close.  You are so so close to sitting too.  You sat the other day for 5 minutes, but then other times just don't want to stay sitting for a minute. 

 You are getting to know Max our cat and are constantly grabbing at him when he comes to cozy up next to you.  One of these days I'm going to hear the cat screech out at you.  You absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Allie.  You light up when you see her.  I can't even express how much it melts my heart to see the sweat connection the two of you have already.  Allie is one of the only ones who can make you laugh.  Daddy and me have to try really hard to get you to laugh.  Allie will say one word and you will just crack up.  In fact we went and got pictures the other day and you just stared at the lady.  She was really frustrated that you wouldn't smile and just said, "what a serious baby."  You sure are quite serious and that's why I love when Allie girl gets you laughing.

Hanging out in the bouncy

Really mad that I am making you try and sit for a picture, especially since you aren't feeling good.  All you want is for mama to hold you today

Looking at your rattle for just a second

And starting to fall over. HAPPY 5 months baby girl

Happy Birthday Babe!!!

It's here 2011.....the year Blake and I both enter into the 30's.  I was actually gone for Blake's official day this year and I think he was a little bummed, but he didn't known what I had planned for him when I returned home.  I arrived home on the 9th only to surprise him with a few things that evening.  We first stopped off at Barbacoa for dinner.  I have heard many great things about this restaurant and so for the 30th I decided we could splurge on some yummy food, a fun atmosphere, and great friends.  We give this place ***** and Blake says that he will be returning soon.

Table side guacamole....a must to start out with 

Blake showing off his " hot rock" steak.  The steak literally came out on a rock that was on fire and stayed hot the entire meal.  Fancy breadstick things were coming out of his garlic mashed potatoes.  I wish I could have snapped a photo of my meal.  I had skewers hanging down off of some arch.  The portion sizes for the meals are pretty large too so you don't feel like you are getting robbed of your money

Group photo with the Givens.  If you can see the fun Fried Ice scream Lollipop tree in the middle of the table; that was our dessert.  It was perfect and so yummy drizzled with a little honey

Such a fun and crazy atmosphere in here.  I got a picture of the crazy chandelier hanging in the room we dined in.  Also, I am noticing the giant pepper shakers, the tall red skinny things....so fun!  I told Blake I wanted to go back for my 30th :)   

After dinner I took Blake to Elton John. It was an amazing concert!!!  Elton sat at the piano through the entire concert although there were a few times he actually got up on the piano.  Elton would play long stretches, 10 minutes long, on the piano and it was AMAZING!  The big screens would show his hands through the piece and I can't imagine moving my hands that fast on the piano.

Don't think I was supposed to have my camera in there, but with all of the phones snapping pictures I thought what the heck.  Our seats were dead center right up off of the floor.  Happy Birthday Babe!!!  Here's to the next decade of our lives.