These are a Few of My Favorite Things

So, for those of you who know me, I love The Sound of Music. And I love that musicals are making a comeback. I'd love to break out in song and dance throughout the day (if I knew how to do either)about the most random, trivial things going on in my life. This whole week, I've had this song in my head from the Sound of Music, so I thought I'd entitle this week's blog entry as such.

First, one of my most favorite things here in Reno is the annual Hot Air Balloon Races. I absolutely love going to this every year. I really do. Sure we have to wake up at the crack of dawn with our 3 tired and cranky kids. But once we're there, it's fantastic. There are what seems like 50 balloons going up at once and they land all over Reno. Last year, one almost landed in our backyard. My kids were going crazy about it. Anyway, I love that we all have to bundle up in our warm clothes and we just sit back and watch the sunrise with all of the balloons. I love the colors and I especially love watching my kids react to the balloons. And one of my favorite parts is that we always go out to breakfast together afterwards. This year's restaurant pick: Peg's (which is right down the street from us and serves up the best eggs EVER!)

Taking in all of the sights at the Balloon Race

Two of my handsome guys

Aubrey and Mommy (although Mommy doesn't quite look awake yet!)

Bird's eye view of the balloons

Second item on my favorites list is visiting family in Boise last month. We stayed with Reed, Gayann and family and had an absolute blast. Is it possible to be with Reed and Gayann's family and NOT have fun? I don't think so. We went bike riding with all of the kids along the river, went out to eat at PF Changs, went to the Shakespeare festival at night, and were served up some pretty delicious gourmet meals. (Olivia, your german pancakes were THE BEST I've ever had!) Anyway, we had so much fun the kids were begging us to let them stay. Jacob was even refusing to get in the car as we were leaving.

Olivia playing dress up with Aubrey


Cuddling up with Aunt Gayann for bedtime stories

Jacob DeMordaunt, Come on Down!

Yesterday, I got a phone call from Jacob's kindergarten teacher advising me that I should try to attend Thursday's chapel services. (He goes to a bible church school and they have a chapel session every thursday where they sing songs, learn about Christ, and give out the Student of the Week awards). She told me that he earned the award this week! So, I brought along my camera to capture the moment. And a moment it was. It honestly was so cute. When they called out his name, he jumped up excitedly and squealed with delight, then he ran by the rest of the kids in his class and zipped up to the front to collect his student of the week certificate, and then he gave the pastor an enthusiastic, BIG hug. He honestly reminded me of a Price is Right contestant (for all you Bob Barker fans). It was awesome. I was beaming with pride, of course, like he had just made the Dean's list at Harvard. But even Harvard students have to start somewhere, right? So, congrats to my Jacob!!