We've been busy!

TA-DA!
While the kids were in MN, I re-painted Livie's room for her. She requested pink and orange, but the final outcome was a "Birthday Surprise" for her. It was a big project, as she has a really large room, but we are all pleased with the results....especially Olivia! She hardly leaves it.

This was my first experience painting stripes! I am thrilled with the results, thanks to my husband's help engineering the lines and a WONDERFUL new product called "Frog Tape." This stuff is so awesome. I didn't have to seal the tape with paint first and there was absolutely no touch-up needed. The lines are crisp and near perfect! Eventually I will paint her desk the same color as the chair...just haven't had time.

This weekend is "Gateway to the West Days" here in Blair. It's a big yearly celebration and Thursday night it kicked off with "Taste of Blair" up at Dana College. In conjunction, our PFE group (our version of PTA) held a "Community Musical Chairs" fundraiser to raise money for new playground equipment at the elementary school being built in our neighborhood. It turned out to be a really fun event. For $5 you got to play in your age division and the top 4 won prizes. We had some chairs available, but many brought their own chairs which added to the fun. Above you can see Olivia in a white shirt and orange shorts rounding the corner...

...and then she won the whole darn thing...in flip-flops even! Here are the 4 winners from the 1st-4th grade division. It ended up a contest between herself and the boy in the yellow shirt. She smoked him, and went on to victory! You go girl! If anyone out there ever needs an easy fundraiser, this was a hit. The last group, aged 9th grade to adult was a HOOT! We even had a few grandma's in there.

On Friday, our college friends Garth and Colleen, along with their kids Grant and Cynthia, stopped by for a visit. They live in Northwest MN and were on their way to a family baptism just south of Omaha. Livie and Cynthia (she's a year older) disappeared immediately and had fun just being girls together.

Tony and Grant (he's 2 years older than Tony) had a blast in the backyard playing in the pool and being silly boys. Here they take a break for a refreshing rootbeer float.

Since we've moved to NE it's been harder to have our yearly get-togethers. We really appreciate that they took time out of their busy weekend to visit. There are always LOTS of laughs when we get together and we miss seeing them more regularly. Thanks for stopping guys, it was FANTASTIC to see you all!

On Saturday, we participated again in the Gateway Run/Walk, which supports our beautiful trail system here in Blair. We are so lucky the trail starts in our cul-de-sac and we use it almost daily. We enjoy supporting the cause and it's been fun involving the kids. Of course they enjoy getting a cool t-shirt and a blue ribbon! Our neighbor, Kolton, and his mom joined the kids and I this year for the 1 mile run/walk. Livie took off and got to the finish before we were even half-way done. Next year the three of us are going to tackle the 5k. We hope to get Liv to run with Chris and Tony and I will walk/run/whine our way through it. :)

Here comes Chris across the finish line for the 5k run. He finished 3rd in his age group 30-39...next year it's the 40 & Over group for him! Ouch!

After the run we had the parade downtown. This year Tony was going to decorate his bike and ride with the Boy Scouts. Because of the tragedy that struck the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp (just 40 minutes north of here!) they decided a somber march was called for. I can safely say there were hundreds of Boy Scouts and their leaders present from surrounding communities. They all wore their Class A uniforms and marched with full color guard. The boys carried a giant American flag and wore black arm bands in honor of the 4 boys who died. It was very emotional for everyone. Chris marched along with them and said it was the quietest parade he's ever been too. It isn't something we will soon forget and I'm very proud of Tony for marching along with them instead of enjoying the parade from the sidelines.

On a lighter note, I included this great shot of a rainbow after a recent storm because despite the horrible weather/flooding hitting the midwest and the Boy Scout tragedy, we have much to celebrate. Our little nephew Cal Anthony Thompson was born early yesterday (6/14) morning to my brother Brian and his wife Amanda. My sister stated it best in her blog when she said we haven't even met him yet but we already love him. And of course I have to wish a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY not only to my husband, but my dad Jack, my father-in-law John, my brother Brian and my brother-in-law Jeff. You men are all examples of what a great dad is and can be. Enjoy your day!