Megan's Last Chance Qualifier Meet For State

Katelyn has been one of Megan's biggest fans in her sports over the years.  She loves to go to any athletic event that Megan is involved in!  Tonight Megan ran the 800 and 1600 hoping to qualify, but came up a bit short. Then the 400 Relay team ran, I think just for practice on exchanges,etc.  They've already qualified for State.  Again, beautiful weather, gorgeous night and FUN to watch!

Katelyn's Surprise 12th Birthday Bash!

We kept the party a surprise right until we drove up into the driveway, and then she got suspicious because we went in the front door...we never go in the front door.  We'd gone shopping at the Mall, and while we were gone, the girls arrived a little early and set up the decorations as something fun to do while they waited.  (Pure genius I thought!  And this way, I didn't have to set them up!)  We came in to loud screams of "SURPRISE", balloons, streamers and silly string...LOTS of silly string!

Pizza Dinner

Pinata... never done one of those at a birthday party!

It only took Katelyn swinging twice to open it... no one else got a turn!

We had a hoola hoop competition...

Makay Baker won!

Swimming after...

...and bubbles in the jacuzzi!

Cake and ice cream... still doing store bought due to difficulty of baking for mom...Ugh!

12 Years Old!

Happy birthday Katelyn!  We LOVE you so much!

Opening the gifts...

Top row L-R: Kobree Livingstone, Ryleigh Ray, Sammy Holmes, Katelyn, Libby Trimble and Molly Baird

Bottom row L-R: Julie Anderson, Italia Jarman, Makay Baker, Shea Pribyl and Hannah Hinton

I think Katelyn had a blast and so did everyone else!!

Peoria Unified District Track and Field Finals

The SMHS track team did well at the district championships at Ironwood High School.  I have truly LOVED watching Megan run and compete.  What an athlete!  She is driven, focused and goal-oriented and because of these qualities has had amazing success!  I love going to track meets and the fun atmosphere there.  This track meet was no different!

Introducing the 1st Place 800 Relay Team

L-R: Abbie Datria, Megan, Megan Gilbert and Paige Hildebrandt

Paige, Megan, Megan and Abbie

The 400 Relay Team...

The Girls Track and Field Team at SMHS took First Place overall!!!!

Here they are with the  trophy!

So fun to celebrate this amazing accomplishment!!!

There's excitment in the air tonight... the girls with their distance coach, Coach Lattie!

Havin' some fun celebrating!

Dad promised them Jimmny John's subs and he came through!

Proud of you Megs!

1st and 3rd Place Medals!  Nice hardware!

Celebrating Brooke's 15th Birthday!

We had fun celebrating Brooke's birthday today!  Where has the time gone?  I can't believe she is 15!! She has been a joy to have in our family and I'm so grateful for her fun, witty, full of life personality! There is never a dull moment!  Brooke is also very loving and sensitive... I enjoy getting "laundry mail" where she will send me love notes and cute poems she's written just for me to tell me she loves me!  I love you Brooke!

Make shift birthday cake as I wasn't very handy in the kitchen these days...

Only 2 candles...

...one on each side!

 s

Having fun together!  

(Notice Ryan Lochte's signature on my cast... he was the only one to sign it!)

Arena Pro Swim Finals For Brooke's Birthday

This was such a fun way to spend Brooke's birthday!  We saw some amazing swimming and MANY olympic athletes compete-- right in front of us.  I could reach out and touch them!  We love to watch swimming and marvel and what can be accomplished when you put your mind and body to it!  Coach Dilworth got the tickets for us and we all went out to dinner afterward.  (There were a few other parents and kids on the swim team that went.)  This makes me so excited for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio '16!  We had a great time!

In the stands waiting for it to start.  This is Skyline HS where State is held every year.

(I had just gotten my cast on the day before...had to wear it for 2 weeks-- one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done in my life!)

Athletes ready to go!  Michael Phelps is in the jammers in the center/left 

with the bright yellow stripes fixing his cap!

Phelps coming back to finish first...(just below the arena sign) in the first leg of the IM.

Phelps again... he had a beard!

Photo op... Lochte walked right in front of us and someone asked him for a picture, so he stopped and took one!  I want one with Ryan Lochte!  LOVE him! :)

Ryan Lochte signing autographs... Brooke got one and he signed my cast!  He asked me what happened so I told him and he said, "Oh, I'm so sorry!"  He is such a nice person and so genuine!

Phelps was no where to be found and Lochte stood there for the better part of an hour to sign autographs!  I've heard he really loves his fans!  Megan didn't want to go to this tonight, but I think when we got home and showed her these pictures, she really wished she had gone!  

You missed out Megan!  Sorry!!!!!!

Prom #2 For Megan!

Megan had a great time with Kevin Dam at the SMHS Prom!  She said that the group of friends that went had such a great time and that that is the key to having fun at the HS Prom, because they can get pretty bad these days.  (I'll just let that one go unexplained!)  She's a popular girl... she's going again in May to ANOTHER one!

Pinning the boutonniere on is always tough... 

Mom to the rescue!