Bear Lake Half Marathon

Chanelle and I ran the Bear Lake Marathon together. It started out being Chanelle, Katie and I but Katie got 2 stress fractures so she couldn't run anymore! After that I was really glad I had wrangled Chanelle into training with us! Having her to train with was such a life saver; I couldn't have done it without her.

I also couldn't have done it without a supportive family. The girls were always so happy and excited for me to run, and Kevin. Kevin spent a lot of Saturdays getting the girls breakfast and getting them ready. He also went to work late a few times when some long runs went, well long. He was so supportive; I really appreciated him. Then they woke up early and came out in the cold rain and wind to cheer me on. They're the best!

The finish line! It's a beautiful sight. The course was a good course but it was so cold and windy and rainy that it was kind of hard. One part of the race was on a dirt road but it had turned into muddy soup by the time we got there. It was so fun to do it with Chanelle! Poor Chanelle didn't sleep at all the night before and she ran it anyway. It was really fun and it was even more fun when we finished!

The finish line was at a park so the kids got to play a little. I just loved this picture of Lillian after she climbed the rock wall with the light shining behind her. She looks so proud of her accomplishment in climbing the mountain.

Fishing in Island Park

Kevin took the girls fishing up in Island Park while I went down to Salt Lake to help my soon to be sister in law with her bridals and help them move. The girls loved last year when we went fishing on Henry's Lake and they couldn't wait to go again. They left with Kevin at 4 AM poor things. Kevin thought they would fall asleep in the car but they talked to him a lot of the way. What can we say? Their girls with a captive audience. What a good Dad.

On the way up they were driving through Richmond, which has a lot of bright street lights. Lillian said that the lights were like Jesus. The lights showed the way on the road, like Jesus shows us the way in our lives. We just love that little girl.Here are the girls with Grandpa Jim and Lillian's fish.

Here is Isabelle with her fish. Very close to the edge of the boat. I'm glad she has on her life jacket!

Isabelle and I have super sensitive noses, it's one of our many gifts. She had to use the outhouse and apparently it was pretty smelly. So as Kevin is holding on to her he snapped this picture of her plugging her nose.

The girls with their catch. Pretty impressive. Kevin said they had to find a stick to put them on because they didn't want to touch them. I don't blame them.

Here are the girls with Jim and Mary. The great thing about having Jim and Mary live in Island Park is that there are so many things to do when we visit them! The girls had such a good time with Kevin and Grandma and Grandpa. They talked about all the next day!

Lillian's Birthday, The Big 5

Lillian loves her birthday more than just about anyone I know, even me. She starts planning the theme of her birthday party about 11 months in advance; no joking. For the rest of the year she comes up with ideas for food, games, and presents. She's obsessed. She is birthday crazy. Thankfully Lillian's birthday is only 4 days after Isabelle's because she went through a little birthday envy. So just a few days after Isabelle's bash we got geared up for birthday round 2.

Lillian's birthday was on a Sunday so we did presents early before 9 o'clock church. She got the sandals she is wearing and the leapster she is playing. They were both big hits with Lillian.

Lillian didn't want a cake, she doesn't like frosting. But she loves key lime pie so that's what we had instead.

The next day was Memorial Day and we had a birthday party for both of the girls with our families. Here are Michael and Sarah learning about Lillian's leapster.

Here is Lillian with Grandma Sherri and Grandma Forbes opening presents.

Everyone was really nice to come up, especially since when they got here we put them to work. Michael helped Kevin put up lights outside and my Dad helped me plant my enormous flower bed that we created. It was so nice to have their help, we got a lot done!

Lillian and Isabelle both decided that for their second birthday cakes they both wanted key lime pie. I didn't argue, I love it too. Here they are sitting side by side one with 5 candles, one with 3. I love that they have their birthdays close together. Even though it is a crazy birthday month, it's one big celebration!

Lillian's French Birthday Party

Lillian couldn't decide this year on what she wanted her party's theme to be. Lillian loves France and anything French, so there came our theme. We decorated in black, white, and pink.

We painted our own masterpieces on real canvas just like the masters in Paris. The kids actually did really well, I was impressed. While we painted we learned French words, from my own limited vocabulary.

Then we had a crepe bar with crepes and caramel syrup, bananas, strawberries, and chocolate. Delicious. Then we played pin the drapeau (flag) on the Eiffel Tower.

Don't worry I didn't get a picture of anything because I was putting on the party solo. So just imagine how awesome it was, because it was pretty awesome.
I grabbed the camera for present time, which was super fun, but a little crazy. Lillian and Isabelle wore their French shirts for the party.
Here is a shot of the decorations after the party so there are no table cloths, again, use your imagination.
Here are the goody bags. We put in a mug with their initial on it with a packet of hot cocoa, a silly straw, and some marshmallows. We put on the bag that the French love hot chocolate so now they can enjoy some in their own cup! It was really fun to put on a French party. I loved putting it on and I love having girls who love having parties. I know it is a lot of work but you only get one party of year, why not celebrate it?

As soon as the party was over Isabelle was ready for her hot cocoa in her special cup.

Isabelle's Birthday

Isabelle turned 3 years old. I still can't believe she is 3! She was so excited about her birthday. We love birthdays around here. Lillian gave her some Dora flip flops that she is showing off.

We stayed at my parents the night before because Kevin was in San Diego and we had to pick him up from the airport the next day. He was supposed to get home the evening of her birthday but something was wrong with the plane so he didn't get in until after midnight. I felt bad for him but we still celebrated our hearts out!

Whenever Isabelle plays pretend she says she is going to Park City, or she is wearing her 'Park City clothes'. Since I like Park City as well I thought it would be fun to take her to Park City for her birthday. When I told her she was excited so we headed for Park City. We shopped and had lunch in Park City. The highlight were the coin toys at the outlets; they loved them.

Outside my parents house the girls love to play on the rocks.
Isabelle's favorite restaurant is Firehouse! I put the exclamation point because that is how the girls say it, Firehouse! We went with Daniel, Bertha, and Violet, and Grandma Sherri, and Grandma and Grandpa Forbes. We had such a fun time and we ate so much good food. They had all the noodles they could fit into their little bellies.

After dinner was the cake. Isabelle's favorite color is yellow. After much questioning she told me she wanted a yellow lemon cake, so here it is.

After I dished it up she didn't eat any of it. I asked her why. She said, "I don't like cake." I said, "Well I would have made you whatever you wanted. So she ended up not eating any of her cake just her ice cream.
The next day we had her "Yellow" birthday party. Her friends came dressed in their favorite yellow clothes. We made some yellow butterfly masks while everyone came in.

We had everyone sit in this cute yellow chair and we took their picture. They turned out really cute.

Group shot. How cute are they? It took some major effort to get them to stay this way long enough to take a picture.

Presents! Another interesting feat. Everyone wanted to open the presents they had brought. It was quite interesting.

Here is one of the party favors, a a yellow bucket, with a pin wheel, and some treats. We also make marshmallow pictures, and pinned the smile on the sun. It was quite the fun party. All in one hour.

I had to show off the decorations because they were cute. Thank you Chanelle!

For her birthday Isabelle got a new Hello Kitty bike. She loved it because it has a seat on the back for her babies. The bike was a big hit.

Happy Birthday Isabelle! We sure love ya sweetie. Isabelle is our little firecracker. There is never a dull moment when she is around!

Lillian's Dance Recital 2010

Lillian had her dance recital at Logan High. She danced so well! Plus she looked just adorable.

Isabelle couldn't help but get her grove on also. It was a very lengthy recital but we were so happy to see Lillian. My parents came up to cheer her on, which was so nice of them; we sure appreciate it. Good job Lillian!

Lillian's Preschool Graduation

Lillian finished her second and last year of preschool. She learned a lot this year about letters, numbers, seasons, and animals. She even learned how to read! We're so proud of her!

Here's Lillian telling everyone spilt milk looked like a flower.

Have you seen a cuter graduate. We sure love her. She is so excited to learn.
Lillian loves Billye Sue her teacher. Isabelle is excited to have her next year.