While we were in Vegas, we decided to throw a birthday party for Lucas so he could celebrate his second year of life with cousins, family members and Vegas friends. The theme was cars because right now he loves anything with four wheels.

For the decorations, I saved milk cartons, cut the top off and had some of my older nieces paint the cartons to look like traffic lights. I then bought red, yellow, green and black balloons and weighed them down with sand and put the sand bag in the carton. These were the centerpieces and there were four tables. I bought black and white checkered flag garland and hung them around the backyard umbrellas. Also each table had a checkered table runner over a colored table cloth. I loaded up a large toy dump truck with chips as the center of the food table. Each food dish had race car flags sticking out of them.

My sister Marleen made a fabulous race car cake with a large number two as the race track. For games/activity, the kids each painted a little wooden car. Outside we had a matchbox car play area and a pop-up kidsize fire truck. Then we played pin the car on the race track and had an obstacle course. After food and cake, we had a pinata, which the older kids went crazy and completely demolished. Then presents. It was a lot of fun.

Pretty simple. I didn’t have a lot of time to put into. I was glad to have happy nieces excited to help me get everything together. Also a mom who did all the food and fed well over 50 people. A sister who brought over the play toys and another sister who made the cake. Thanks!

The adults hiding in the house to avoid the chaos.

Ashley, Ella, Julene and little Benjamin

Good friend Judi and her beautiful family came down from Salt Lake to visit. Miss her and love her. Wish we had more time together.

Cuban sandwiches and a peanut butter fudge cake is what I made for Seth for his birthday dinner. Peanut butter is his favorite and a sandwich with a lot of meat hits the spot. Birthday present? Another climbing trip to Mt. Rainier!

I’m going to get all my February birthdays done as one since I always seem to get behind. They all know that I love them though. I still need to update my 2008 calendar with birthdays so I keep forgetting.

My first birthday shout out is for my niece Ella. I usually don’t post birthdays for my nieces and nephews because I have so many that I can’t even keep track. But Ella is my first niece so she’s a little special. I still remember how excited I was when she was born. Lots of fond memories dressing her up like she was one of my dolls. She’s such a beauty and sweet. How old do you think she is?

My second birthday shout out is for my brother-in-law Eric. He’s a rocket scientist. Seth’s extreme-sport partner in crime. Very people friendly; speak French fluently…and seriously the list goes on. He rocks…and he’s single ladies!

And last is my girlfriend Jenni-pooh. She just had her baby Emma, who is so beautiful! I can’t wait to meet her. I miss you! She’s part of my Reno clan.

I would feel really bad if I didn’t give a shout out to my sister Christine who had a birthday during the last week of holiday craze. She kind of gets shafted by her siblings not wishing her a happy one because it’s right during the holiday break (I didn’t shaft her). Anyway, although my sister is 10 years older than me I like to think I’m the sister she leans on (right Christine!). We keep each other challenged and motivated, especially during our marathon training and will during our upcoming yearly detox diet (more on that later). She has been blessed with a wonderful husband, who’s got a great sense of fashion and does all of her clothes shopping. And of course her beautiful six children–and the older ones hitting adolescence period (it’s always fun to hear about that). Okay are they not one of the most beautiful families you have seen? Well, I know she had a happy birthday. I just wish I was there to enjoy her spa retreat.

{photo courtesey: Heather Gibb Photography}

Here’s a quick shout out to my sister Marleen–Happy Birthday! I’m behind on her big day. But better late than never. Check out her blog and see what she’s up to. To Marleen: I love you, I love you, I love you! You are the best sister and thanks for everything you do for me! Wish I was there for your birthday get together.