Field Day at Amanda Arnold

The K-2nd graders had their field day this morning at Amanda Arnold. They had sack races, 3 legged races, water balloon tosses, and the 50-yard dash. This is a highly anticipated event for these little guys and they were fully "amped up".

70's Day at Amanda Arnold & saying Good-Bye to Ms. Appel

It was Spirit day at Amanda Arnold today and the kids were told to dress up like the "70's decade", of course no child knew what that meant. I was even a little bit fuzzy, so I called my mom and asked her how she dressed me in the 70's--okay I did grow up in part of the 70's, but I just could not remember (or choose not too!).

ON another note......Ms Apple, the KSU intern had to say her good-bye's to the class today, as she is graduating from KSU next weekend and will be teaching 2nd grade at Lee school next year-YEAH for Ms. Apple--we will miss her!

Washington Dance Recital 2008-"Dance Journey's"

Both girls completed their first Washington Dance recital today. They both did great. Kiersten danced to "California" with her "Rhythms" class and Karli danced to "All together Now" with her ballet class. They both can't wait to do it again next year...of course with different costumes (and they already have them picked out).
CONGRATS to Jenny Washington Stout who was presented with a very distinguished dance award from Ruth Ann Wefald today. Her efforts definitely do not go unnoticed.


Ready for the performance

Pics with Grandma and Grandpa Gillam

Hugs from Grandma Anderson

Kentucky Derby Party--Success!!

We attended a Kentucky Derby party tonight and had so much fun! I learned so much, and we were rooting for Big Brown...little did I know that he won ( and was in the the # 20 spot)..okay..okay.. as far as the party went, we drew names and we did not win anything..but that's okay we had so much FUN. Thanks Palmgrens's for a GREAT time!!!

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/news/2008/05/03/big-brown-wins-kentucky-derby-134


"The Girls"

" The Guys"



"The Fancy Food"

May Day!!!!

Have folks forgotten about May Day!!! I do not know about you, but it was a tradition growing up, we would make May Day baskets for our friends ring the door bell and run..... so with that said, I was so excited to see the Shamburg girls at our front porch on May Day. They out did themselves and made beautiful cookies with PINK frosting. They looked like little princess wands, even my son loved them (go figure).

Could this be a Hallmark card or what????

My son has found his true love!

Karli's last Preschool Field Trip

Today marked the end of preschool field trips for my little Karli. After attending this farm field trip for the last 4 years I am going to miss it next year. The FUMC preschool kids always enjoy Mrs. Hinkel's ranch. There was much to do at this farmstead that was built in 1860 and has withstood 2 tornadoes. Karli was able to ride "Big Jim" the horse, play in a hay loft, ride a tractor, play with the dog "Ginger", pet chickens, feed cows, and throw nearly 227 rocks at a beautiful stream. Pure Heaven for a 5 year old.

OPERATION OKC MARATHON COMPLETE!!!!

Operation Oklahoma City Marathon...Complete! Aimee, Julie, Ashley, and Shay and I all ran the Oklahoma City Marathon on Sunday April 27th. What an awesome city and what a great marathon (much better than Chicago last Fall) Although the weather called for T-Storms and wind, we were not going to let that get us down. Showers and wind definitely were present at the 6:30am start, but then the rain stopped about 10 minutes after the race started (thank you God!), the weather was overcast and upper 40's-50's for most of the run and around 25 mph wind gusts. Although not ideal the sun eventually came out for the last 6 miles of the run (this was welcomed as the last 6 of the 26 miles are the hardest. So glad its over....but I will definitely do it again...CALL ME CRAZY!!!
We all made it and got our Medals...SO SWEET!The car decor was a must..to get us in the right mind set


The OKC Memorial..what an awesome remembrance of the victims that lost their lives.........

Saturday Morning...Off to KSU Open House

All I can say is the KSU open house ROCKS!! There is something for everyone. My kids enjoyed going through the Union, and then a quick stop at Calvin Hall (of course) to visit Steph's professor's, and then on to Vet Med to see the animals.
*****NOTE the interview with KMAN radio..Kiersten was actually on the Radio, Monday morning April 21st******

" Hello" Mom and Dad...we need our time with Willie too!!

Just a quick interview with KMAN

Golf at Calvin with Dr. Niehoff!

"Bunny Visit at Vet Med"

Friday Night ...Off to the Power Cat Auction

Friday Night was Scott's Big EVENT. He spent the entire year on this VERY IMPORTANT Powercat auction committee. This event raises around $300,000 for KSU athletics..and if it were not for Scott...I am not sure the set-up would had been completed. Hats Off Scott and your committee(especially Laurie DeDonder) for a well-done event! Here's the re-cap........

Had to get this pic with Willie...we "Heart" him!!!!

Taira, Jen S., Steph, and Jen W.

Josh W., Ben B., Jason S.

"The Girls"...Jen W., Carrie, Jeanne, Steph, Heidi, Mandy, and Sharyl

Dance Dance Dance

This week was a busy one for dance pictures. Both Kiersten and Karli have been practicing their dance routines for their upcoming Spring performance at McCain auditorium. This week pictures were scheduled...and although a daunting task to get 2 girls ready with hair and make-up-they both just LOVE dressing up and getting girly...Karli more than Kiersten (of course). Here is some pictures and video!

Kindergarten Round Up

Karli and I attended Kindergarten round up this evening. I cannot fathom my baby girl is going to Kindergarten all day this Fall. I am truly going to miss my bugaboo. Of course Beverly Fulton--(the best Kindergarten teacher-EVER)!!!!was greeting all the kiddo's and we are praying that Karli gets her as a teacher!

What a weekend! Sara Evans...Wine...The Lake!

Sara Evans concert...Wine Tasting with Friends...and an afternoon at the lake. The Gillam's offiically are feeling better and had a great weekend. Scott and I attend a "Changing Lives "campaign concert Saturday night which featured Sara Evans http://saraevans.musiccitynetworks.com/. It was a thank you event to all of us donors that help raise funds for KSU scholarships (and what a great concert it was). We then headed over to the Snowden's for a fun night of wine and conversation. On Sunday, our family headed down to the lake for a some burgers and R & R...I forgot how beautiful the sunsets are down there!

Carb loading before 20 mile run

Friday night was time for carb loading before our 2nd-20 miler on Saturday morning. (Aimee & Judy sorry you missed it). Too bad Steph came down with the flu Friday night and missed the run. From the pictures below you can see what I missed as Ashley and Shay decided to dress up like Jane Fonda's and run the 20 miler in their "80's workout gear" -too funny! You guys ROCK.
With only 2 1/2 weeks out from the marathon I will have some ground to cover!


Shay, Ashley, Steph, Julie, and Brayden (Juls son)

Does it get any better than this?

FIRE STATION FIELD TRIP

Today Karli's Preschool class went on their annual fire station field trip. The kids enjoyed the fire trucks, the sirens, and going through the obstacle course. I especially enjoyed the video, which featured Lindsey Lohan at age 9 from the early 90's (It was commical to say the least)