Tami's 40th Birthday Surprise.

Tonight some of my friends and I hosted a surprise birthday party for our good friend Tami.  She is turning 40 and we wanted to do something big.

We have been planning this dinner party for weeks and today it all came together.

I snapped a few pictures on my iphone throughout the day while we worked on setting things up.

Sign in table with drinks and appetizers.

Final preparations.

At every place setting we had a list of facts about life 40 years ago plus some 'fill in the blank' facts about Tami's life.

I wish I would have taken some good pictures with my big camera - at least I remembered to snap these.

We lucked out with some beautiful weather.

Here is a picture taken from inside the house.

Everyone arrived right on time and hung out here by the appetizers while we waited from Tami to arrive.

To get her to my house we made up some story about how the local newspaper was interviewing me about motherhood {ha, she bought it} and that they wanted a picture of me with some friends of mine in my backyard.  The reason for telling her our photo was going to be taken was because we wanted to make sure she dressed nice ... not that she doesn't ever look nice... we knew she would want to have fresh lipstick!

The two other ladies that planned the party with me picked her up at her house to all carpool over to my house but they had to buy a little bit of time so that the husbands could then all carpool over and be here for the big surprise.  Amazingly we pulled it off.

Pictured above is Tami in the middle walking around the side of my house.

She was totally surprised!

The sun set as we all sat down for dinner.

We served Cafe Rio pulled pork salads with all the toppings you could want.

Brandon was awesome during all the planning and preparations - the hardest part of the planning was talking to him without Tami knowing!!

Everyone signed little cards for her Project Life book as a gift.

She deserved this celebration more than anyone I know - she is such a good friend to everyone.

After dinner everyone migrated over to the fire-pit where we build a massive fire to keep warm.

It was so much fun to be with so many great people - laughing and talking.

Tami wanted a picture with everyone so we filed inside to get a picture in some better light.

Late night clean up snack!

Happy Birthday Tami - so happy the surprise was a good one!

Walk-a-thon.

Today I participated with Truman in the walk-a-thon at the elementary school.  It's always fun to be with him and his buddies at school.

Jake and Truman.

Luke, Jake and Truman.

These three are to fast for me!  They left me in the dust with my stroller.

Grandpa Quinn.

Today my grandpa Quinn passed away.

My parents and McKay made a quick trip this weekend up to Idaho to see him.  My dad and all of his siblings were able to be together to give my grandpa a blessing to release his spirit - and exactly 24 hours after that blessing it happened.  It was a tender mercy for the entire family.

It is times like today that I am thankful for an understanding and testimony of the Plan of Salvation.  I will miss my grandpa Quinn like crazy.  As a young man he joined the church, served a mission, served our country, married my grandma and raised 7 amazing children.  Many generations have been and will continue to be blessed because of his faithfulness. 

Sundays are for naps.

Sundays are for naps, especially after Stake Conference and late night football games.

BYU Football.

Gregg and I went on a date to the BYU football game tonight.  We both have not felt well all day and almost didn't go, watching the game from the comfort of our bed was sounding pretty tempting.

The game was fairly non-entertaining until the last quarter - then things picked up and started to get exciting.  BYU ultimately pulled out the win, it was exhilarating to be part of it all.

It was a white-out game.

It was a late night but totally worth it for some time together.

Big BYU win over the Broncos.

Bodie's first day of Montessori.

Today was Bodie's first day of school at the new Montessori school here in Midway.

He was so happy that it was FINALLY his turn to go!

 Gregg and I have put some serious thought and prayer and a lot of discussion since last spring into what would be best for Bodie this fall.  Bodie needed something that was going to give him a challenge and be interesting yet be different then what he is going to be doing in public school next year.  He thrives when given some personal responsibility {don't we all?!}.

 Now it's just me and Pete at home every morning.

 Pete doesn't seem to mind!

Swiss Days 10K.

 

Running the Swiss Days 10K is quickly becoming a tradition.

{Kristin, Kathryn, Tami and Me (10 weeks pregnant with #4) - I am thankful they included me as one of their sisters}

My friend Tami and I have a pretty regular running routine in the summer, having the 10K in sight is always motivational!  She has her big Ragnar (2nd one of the year) in another month so this is also a good bench-mark run for her {and her sisters}.

 They all have cute matching motivational running quotes on their shoes.

The best part of the run was seeing Gregg and the boys who came out to cheer us on at about mile 5 which was close to our house.  Gregg looks thrilled to be there in this picture! Ha! I almost didn't see them as we came around the corner.

Tami and I stayed together the entire run, we pushed hard and finished strong.  We went back to find her sisters and cheer them on to the finish ... Tami ran and I took pictures :)

Later in the day I did some Swiss Day's shopping with Addie and Quinn - thank goodness for nieces.

 Tiff and her HUGE FHE box - all the lessons and props you need for a year in one box.

 22,546 steps in one day ... I'm exhausted tonight.

Interior Design.

 I spent the last two day at Promontory helping some interior design clients spec out their new home.

 Gregg played the roll of 'Mr. Mom' perfectly while I worked - he always jokes that when we are done having kids he is going to send me back to work and he is going to stay home!  

 I must say I somehow luck out and get the best clients - this couple was totally willing to try any design idea I had - one which I am super excited to see come to fruition is a waterfall countertop over just the raised part of their island!

 We kept the colors basic, slightly monochromatic and very contemporary.

Can't wait to watch this house be built over the next several months.