Middleton good neighbor festival 5k

Saturday morning Kris and Alyson ran in the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival 5k. This was an extra special race because it started in the heart of Middleton and wound it's way up and around Teidemen Pond next to our subdivision. Basically, Aly and Kris got to run a 5K race in our backyard! Alyson did well, coming in second in the 12 and under girls division. Kris ran with Alyson and came in 5th in his age division. Just imagine how he would have done if he had ran it alone!

After the race we went to the festival. There was a huge craft show, lots of treats, and showcased dancing. Alyson Kourtney and I liked looking at all the crafts while Ellary, Keegan, and Joel played at the playground with Kris. Ellary also couldn't keep her eyes off the dancers from a local studio. She really wants to start dancing again. All around we had a great Saturday morning!

Kourtney's 9th birthday party with friends

We had 8 preteen girls here Friday night to help us celebrate Kourtney's 9th birthday. Kourtney chose to have a movie and game night theme sleepover. Some of the highlights included making little pizzas, playing truth or dare using a beach ball with all the truth and dares on it , watching Yogi Bear, and of course the sleepover itself. We also hung lights in the basement and provided the girls with tickets to use at our candy and popcorn concessions to give it that added theater feel. The next morning the girls woke up to pancakes, bacon, and grapes. What a special treat! Kourtney had a great time and we think her friends did too.

Ellary is Cast Free!

Ellary had her cast taken off and the pins removed Tuesday morning. She cried a little when the doctor took out the pins but it didn't take long for her to calm down. She was shown some exercises to do so she can get full range of motion back. Then she made a wish and threw a penny in the fountain and we went home.  Ellary has been such a trooper through it all and has been faithfully doing her exercises.  She has an appointment with a physical therapist next week to see how she is doing. One week until she can swim. Two weeks before she can attend gym.  She can't wait until she can do these things again.

Funfilled Saturday

We had so much fun yesterday. It started out early in the morning for the Madison 5k. Kris, Alyson and I ran in it. Kris and Alyon were running buddies and I did it on my own. Alyson posted a time 25:25 and although she ran it one minute slower than her previous best record she still came in first for her age bracket of 10 to 14 year old. She did a great job!
I was scared that I would post a very poor time because I haven't ran very much in the past two weeks. I did better than I expected averaging 10:06 per mile. Still pretty slow but above average for my age bracket of 30 to 34 year olds. It was the best I could expect.
Later that morning Kourtney went to a birthday party at Scoops while the rest of us went back to school shopping. Can't believe summer is almost over!
Then we picked up Kourtney and went to the Sun Prairie Corn Festival. The corn was great, and we had a lot of fun letting the kids play at the carnival. They each got to go on two rides. It reminded Kris and I of our childhood days when we went to Fun Junction back in Colorado. Aly and Kourtney nearly lost their lunch on the first ride. I rode a kiddie ride with Ellary and Keegan. While Ellary raised her arms and squealed, Keegan proceeded to whine and cry. Poor boy! It was only a little boat that swung from side to side and occasionally in circles. They also road some high flying swings. Keegan smiled and waved the whole ride.
Kris went on the Cliffhanger with Aly and Koco. They hung underneath a glider on their tummies and flew through the air. They had so much fun! Before we left, Kris and I got to go on the furnnest ride of all. I don't know how to describe it but we had a blast! What a great day!

One of the coolest dogs ever!

My niece Jillian has one of the coolest dogs ever! He is eight years old and his name is George. George ran errands with us for about seven and a half hours the first day that we were there. During that time George bonded with Joel. Whenever Joel made a peep, George was right there to see if Joel was okay. During the bridal shower Joel went to sleep but woke up and was crying. We couldn't hear Joel from the backyard but we could hear George barking at the bedroom door. After that, George kept a watchful eye on Joel. Here's a picture of Joel and his buddy George.

Our trip to washington state

Ellary, Joel and I took a trip to Washington State to see my niece El'ayne be married in the LDS Seattle Washington Temple. We spent almost a week there helping get ready for the wedding and visiting with family. some of the highlights included a bridal shower, going to the temple to see the happy couple be sealed for time and all eternity, preparing for the reception, going to the beach, and spending an evening playing Nertz with 7 people all at the same time. It was also great just being able to see everyone because it has been over a year since I've seen my sister Janene and her children. I also got to see my sister Renee and her daughter  Aubrey and share a hotel room with them. Ellary really enjoyed playing with all of her cousins and being the flower girl. Joel was quite easy going but has had a hard time leaving my side since we've been home . Here are a few photos I took of our special trip.