08-08-08

What a great Birthday I had. In case you missed KNDU local news at 6:45 am (I about missed it all myself), Brad sent in a birthday greeting for me and all the early risers to enjoy. You can view it here:

http://tinyurl.com/5dpjdr

Just after breakfast, Rachel, Lisa and I climbed up Badger Mountain. It was a longer and slightly harder hike than I thought, but very rewarding. We had a lot of fun sweating together! It was getting quite warm. Luckily we had popsicles waiting for us at the bottom of the Mt. **Thanks to Lisa's nieces who watched all the kids at the bottom of the trail at a nice park they have there.

After lunch we headed out to float the Yakima River. After another round of sweating while filling up our tubes in the hot sun, we tied all 10 tubes/boats together and headed in to the murky river water. Rachel, Lisa, Becky and I strapped some life jackets on the kids and headed down the river (with snacks of course). My sister Jody (taking the photo) also came. The float took longer than anticipated - just over 2 hours...but we had so much fun!! I totally recommend it. There were a few "wild rapids" that gave us a little excitement and some tears, but it kept it lively. We got out just as the dark clouds rolled in with a lightening display. But we weren't worried, because Brad had shared one of his little known facts with us that lightening would just flow through us while on the river and we wouldn't be electrocuted. Also, if you were on a rubber tube - you had no need to worry. Luckily we didn't have to try out these unfactual claims. **Thanks to my mother for watching Macey and not calling Emergency Services when we didn't show up on time, even when I didn't wear a life jacket myself as she suggested. And thanks to Vernon for getting all our tubes loaded up and a ride back up to the parking lot.

Brad arranged for my sister-in-law Angela to watch the baby for us while we went to Cedars for dinner. It was so so good. I had only been there once before, and the salmon was divine. He chose well. Thanks also for my good friends who sacrificed to join me in my festivities, and we missed those who couldn't make it.

I can't say that my passed birthdays have always been the best day of the year, but this Olympic event we held on 08/08/08 was certainly worth Gold!

Olympic Birthday

This is a one and only birthday for me this year - 08/08/08. This date won't come again. And the television has helped me in the countdown for my birthday and the Olympics. So instead of sitting back and hoping that Brad plans something phenomenal on my big day (fat chance), I decided to plan my own. So here is my invitation to all those who would like to join me in the festivities.

• 9 am: Climb Badger Mountain
• 1 pm: Float the Yakima River

That really is all I have planned at this point, but I am excited. Yes, kids are welcome to join in. Please post, call or email to let me know to count you in and give you the details. I think it will be a lot of fun and even funner with good friends. So come along!!

Family Update

Summer is flying by: We just celebrated our 8th Anniversary on Sat with a romantic movie (Batman) and an intimate dinner (at Casa Mexicana in O-town so my Mom could watch all my kids). We had Macey blessed on Sunday with a picnic at the park afterward (that for some reason caused me a lot of stress to think about but turned out just fine, except that Macey had a blow out after Church on her custom-made beautiful blessing dress). Monday was my last softball game of the season (none of the games were even remotely close in competition and all ended with the 15- or 10 -run rule, but it was still fun to play). Then last night we threw a bridal shower for my niece Kendra (I was in charge of the invitations of course, punch and games). Everything turned out good and today is a slow day, which I appreciate. So I thought I would update my blog and post a video of Macey in the bath - her happy place.