girls weekend

Scheduling for 6 is hard.

But really it is more than that.

It is the work schedules, the kid's school schedules, and the flights, and the budget,

and. and. and.

And it is just plain hard for all of us to get together.

But we did it again.

Girls Weekend 2010.

It was a very full weekend.

We started off by watching Nikki's Mrs. Arizona pageant dvd and practicing interview questions. We were "cheerleaders for married women" for a bit and then our after midnight humor took hold and we cracked stupid, funny jokes, which are really only funny to us. We ended up hatching a business plan based on Ms. Divorce pageant.

I am officially copyrighting the rites to this money making idea now!

Divorce attorney's for judges, most photogenic replaced by most divorces, most alimony, etc.

Tiff was the expert contestant. Funny girl she is!

We visited Grandma Frye.
She told us to no one knows how lonely it is to be alone, until you are.

She really misses Grandpa.

Woke up to see the sunrise, hopped aboard tracks and headed to the start line.

All 5, Ang, Tiff, Me, Nate, and Nic

plus Mom, Walt, and Sierra did our first family fun run.

Competition was inevitable.

I thought Nate, who hadn't trained at all could maybe hang with Nikki and I for a mile maybe, 2 if his ego really got going. Coming around to the Gateway finish, we saw him, we couldn't believe it, I accused him of crossing over early on the course, he swore he didn't.

Really?
Really.
Darn.

I told Nikki we would finish together.

But pride is pride.

Brother couldn't beat us.

We took off, Nic was close behind.
People that didn't have their reputation on the line jogged down the last 100 yards.

We did.

So we furiously dodged in and out of slower runners, I almost tripped over a jogging stroller.

We booked it.

He says he let up at the end, so I wouldn't feel bad.

We finished about a foot apart.

Dad and Corey said it was neck and neck.

The photo will tell.

But I did start from behind, over 2 minutes behind.

So technically I won.

But I don't like to win on technically.

I wanted it to be an outright spankin.
Sibling rivalry.

One reason why we didn't play a lot of board games when we were younger.

Pictures will be forthcoming.

After Sidney's 1K, we headed back, ate, cleaned up, and were back out the door to see Lexie model in the "Bridal Show." She was so darling. There was no parking on account of the bridal show, gun show, and what a woman wants show going on at the expo center. I was thinking they should have combined the first two shows into the "shotgun wedding expo."

We savored some bity delicious bites of wedding food and cake then went around the corner to the What a Woman Wants show, bought lots of fun things, then piled in Ang's truck and headed up to the St. Regis at Deer Creek.

Loved the place. It opened just a few months ago. December. We didn't know it was valet only. Rode up the steep slope in a funicular. Tipped a few more people.

Made it to our rooms. Loved having the forgotten toothbrush served on a silver platter.

You know your sisters when you all have matching swimsuit bottoms.

Chocolate brown.

Messing around with the mink throw.

Loved the warmth, texture, and clean lines of the lobby call out for a family room makeover at my house. I've always loved neutrals, browns, tweeds, brass nail heads. If you've been to my house, it is obvious,

I am down with brown.

I just finished reading "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith, who is also the author of 101 Dalmatians. Almost every good movie was a book first!

Anyhow, I noticed in her book that food played a big role in telling the story of how the characters felt and acted. With that in mind, as I looked at the creamy orange sauce, I thought, hmmm, it is almost the same color as my hair. My highlights have grown out, and badly, badly need a touch up.

Earlier, Mom made roasted almonds, yummy smoothies, fresh orange juice, chocolate macadamia nuts, frozen berry fruit bars, granola, orange chicken, creamy spinach and artichoke dip, and more satisfying little quick eats.

Finger foods that I snack on so much they become the meal.

Later in our trip, we dined at the J and G grill which proved to be delicious, though the service was a bit slow. Over 2 1/2 hours for dinner.

Normally when Randy and I go out to eat, we each order something different and then have a taste from each plate. This time Mom was my "date." We shared our asparagus risotto and spring pea soup parmesan. The salmon was cooked in a basil vinaigrette and served on some potatoes, good, but the glazed short ribs were better, ahhhh, cooked so well that when the fork went in it just fell apart.

Mom stepped out to help with baby Havyn, who was not feeling well,

so when dessert was served, I had a little of the passion fruit pavlova and a little

of the warm chocolate lava cake with white mint ice cream.

I waited.

She didn't come back.

So I plunged my fork into the warm chocolate once more.

Then with little encouragement, ate both desserts.

A definite self indulgence my sweet tooth applauded.

"Cheerio and smile!"

This picture was captured by one of Windsor Castle's 10 year veteran employee.

I have always loved accents. In fact, that was part of the reason I dated a guy in college, just to hear his accent.

Tarquin Morkel.
Saying his name alone is almost like speaking with an accent.

Marrying him would have been a mouthful.

Dad, Nate, Cruz joined us for proscuitto paninis and fruit platters on the veranda.

Then I had to catch my plane.

Mom used to wonder if we'd even like each other when we grew up.

Oh, we do.

Ever so much.

It is so great having sisters (I don't really need any other friends)

and a brother

and a great sister-in-law.

I miss and love you all a ton.

Dad and Mom too.

Durango, not so much!

Before we left, Mom gave us each a crown bouble to remind us we are all her "little princesses." Thank you and love you all!!!